DALLAS (AP) – The Big 12 is further restricting the NCAA rule on contact in football practice by allowing two tackling sessions per week, including a game.

The national rule allows for a total of three full-contact sessions, game included. The Big 12 will allow two practices for players held out of games. Two full-contact workouts for the team are permissible in bye weeks.

All the league coaches asked about the change at media day Monday said the tighter limits wouldn’t affect their plans. TCU coach Gary Patterson said the Horned Frogs already have just one full-pad practice during game weeks.

Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said the change came from a discussion with athletic directors, who talked to their coaches before approving the more stringent rule.

A former Fort Hays State University student is being credited with helping lead an academic turnaround at the University of Tennessee.

Read the story about Dr. Joe Scogin, who played baseball at FHSU, from the Knoxville (Tenn.) News Sentinel by clicking HERE.

The Hays Monarchs Sr. American Legion will take a seven-game win streak into next week’s zone tournament following a 7-3 win over Ellis Friday at the TMP Field. The Monarchs improve to 21-6.

Ellis scored two in the top of the first inning, but the Monarchs respond with two in the bottom of the inning on Jordan Gottschalk’s two-run double. Ryan Schippers gave them the lead for good with his single in the third which scored Jared Vitztum.

The Monarchs added runs in the fourth and fifth for a 5-3 lead then tacked on two in the seventh.

Gottschalk, Schippers and Chase Romme all had two hits with Gottschalk driving in three runs.

Ryan Ruder was one of five Monarchs pitchers on the night and picks up the win, allowing one run on two hits in one inning of relief.

The Sr. Monarchs will play host Goodland at 7pm Monday in their zone tournament opener.

Boys and girls entering kindergarten through sixth grade are invited to the Tribe Youth Soccer Camp. The camp is scheduled from 7 to 8:30 p.m. July 20 to 23 at Pratt-Optimist Park.

Cost is $30 per camper, which includes a T-shirt.

A form can be printed off the Hays High School website under Athletics.

The camp is designed to give youngsters a chance to improve offensive and defensive skills. Campers will be given the opportunity for individual instruction from the staff as they work to improve skills and develop strengths.

The Hays Monarchs Jr. American Legion scored a run in the top of the first but McPherson answered with two in the bottom of the inning and never trailed as they beat Hays 13-4 Friday afternoon in the Great Bend zone tournament. The Jr. Monarchs go 2-2 in the tournament and see their season end at 9-12.

The Monarchs had 12 hits in the game, all singles, and stranded eight. Gavin Schumacher, Chase Werth, Luke Ruder, and Cole Zimmerman all had two hits. Werth and Zane Staab both drove in two.

Luke Ruder takes the loss, allowing seven runs on six hits over 1 2/3 innings.

The Hays Monarchs Jr. American Legion jumped to an early lead and defeats Pratt 11-1 in five innings Friday afternoon to stay alive in the Great Bend zone tournament.

The Monarchs scored two in the first inning and five in the second to go up 7-1. They would add a single run in the fourth then three in the third for the run-rule win.

Gavin Schumacher and Karl Rack both had two hits. Schumacher drove inthree and rack two. Zane Staab also had three RBIs. Cole Zimmerman allowed one run on five hits over with four strikeouts and one walk in the complete game victory.

The Monarchs improve to 9-11 and take on McPherson in another elimination game Friday afternoon.