Shepherd leads Mineola past Rains with five touchdowns

Posted 10/22/26

Mineola picked up its first district win of the season Friday night, defeating Rains 56-33 in the Yellowjackets’ homecoming game at Meredith Memorial Stadium.

Aidan Shepherd rushed for 239 …

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Shepherd leads Mineola past Rains with five touchdowns

Mineola senior Sebastian Klodnicki (40) kicks off following a Yellowjackets touchdown against Rains during Friday’s homecoming game, Oct. 16.

(Monitor photo by Tiffany Cook)

Mineola senior Sebastian Klodnicki (40) kicks off following a Yellowjackets touchdown against Rains during Friday’s homecoming game, Oct. 16.

The Mineola Yellowjackets line up on offense against the Rains Wildcats during Friday's homecoming game Oct. 16.

(Monitor photo by Tiffany Cook)

The Mineola Yellowjackets line up on offense against the Rains Wildcats during Friday's homecoming game Oct. 16.

Mineola freshman quarterback Braxton Moore (11) carries the ball as senior Braelyn Geremonte (12) blocks a Rains defender during Friday’s homecoming game, Oct. 16.

(Monitor photo by Tiffany Cook)

Mineola freshman quarterback Braxton Moore (11) carries the ball as senior Braelyn Geremonte (12) blocks a Rains defender during Friday’s homecoming game, Oct. 16.

Mineola senior Braelyn Geremonte (12) stretches toward the end zone for a touchdown against the Rains Wildcats during Friday’s homecoming game, Oct. 16.

(Monitor photo by Tiffany Cook)

Mineola senior Braelyn Geremonte (12) stretches toward the end zone for a touchdown against the Rains Wildcats during Friday’s homecoming game, Oct. 16.

Mineola junior Carson Threlkeld (1) races toward the end zone after intercepting a pass against Rains during Friday’s homecoming game, Oct. 16. Sophomore Riggen Smith (15) celebrates behind him as Threlkeld scores a touchdown.

(Monitor photo by Tiffany Cook)

Mineola junior Carson Threlkeld (1) races toward the end zone after intercepting a pass against Rains during Friday’s homecoming game, Oct. 16. Sophomore Riggen Smith (15) celebrates behind him as Threlkeld scores a touchdown.

Freshman class duchess Kinsler Bowker and duke Tripp Goodsoon smile as they ride through downtown Mineola during Friday’s homecoming parade, Oct. 16.

(Monitor photo by Tiffany Cook)

Freshman class duchess Kinsler Bowker and duke Tripp Goodsoon smile as they ride through downtown Mineola during Friday’s homecoming parade, Oct. 16.

Posted Thursday, October 22, 2026 7:13 am

By Larry and Carley Tucker Wood County Monitor

Mineola picked up its first district win of the season Friday night, defeating Rains 56-33 in the Yellowjackets’ homecoming game at Meredith Memorial Stadium.

Aidan Shepherd rushed for 239 yards and five touchdowns on 18 carries, averaging 13.3 yards per carry. Braelyn Geremonte added 133 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries.

Together, the two accounted for 372 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Mineola also came up with two interceptions on defense, including one returned for a touchdown by Carson Threlkeld.

“This was a complete team win. Really proud of our players and coaches for all their hard work and commitment to correcting some mistakes we had made the previous two weeks,” Head Coach Cody Moore said.

The win improved the Yellowjackets to 3-4 overall and 1-2 in District 7-3A Division I play. Rains dropped to 2-6. It was a much-needed win for Mineola following back-to-back district losses to Malakoff and Mount Vernon.

The Yellowjackets had scored just seven points in each of those games, losing 70-7 to Malakoff and 71-7 to Mount Vernon. eola following back-to-back district losses to Malakoff and Mount Vernon.

“Our players worked really hard during our off week and that made a huge difference in us winning Friday’s 56 points were the most Mineola has scored since its 59-29 win over Lone Oak on Sept. 18.

The victory also marked the Yellowjackets’ seventh consecutive win over Rains. Mineola will travel to Commerce Friday to face a Tigers team coming off a 30-20 win over Mount Vernon.

Commerce, now 5-3, rushed for 374 yards against Mount Vernon, led by senior Ky’Mani Graham, who finished with 269 yards on 30 carries. Quarterback D. Maria added 44 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while B. Anderson Jr. scored on a 61 yard run.

The Tigers finished with 432 yards of total offense. Commerce has also defeated Eustace 65-0 in district play but lost to Winnsboro 44-34 and Malakoff 35-22. Both teams are coming off strong performances on the ground.

Mineola will look to Shepherd and Geremonte to continue producing offensively, while the Yellowjackets’ defense will have its hands full with Graham and the Commerce running game. Friday’s game is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Commerce.

Mineola will return home Oct. 30 to face Winnsboro before wrapping up the regular season Nov. 6 at Eustace.