Bobcat harriers have solid season

It's not shocking to find the Cy-Fair girls at the University Interscholastic League State Meet, but when the Bobcats make it, especially after finishing third in District 17-5A, that's a surprise.

"I knew we ran well at regionals, and thought we had a shot at a top-five finish, but then, on the way to get the final results, a coach congratulated me, and I said, 'For what?' and he told me we qualified for state," Cy-Fair boys cross country coach Zane Penwell said. "We were totally blown away, and it had everyone, especially those from our district, saying 'Wow!'"

The Cy-Fair boys edged Cy Creek 68-70 for the third-and-final region berth at the 17-5A Meet finishing behind champion Cy Woods (50) and runner-up Cy Falls (63).

At the Region 3 Meet last week, the Bobcats scored 117 to beat out Cy Woods (130), Cy Falls (261) and 20 other teams for third and a trip to state (Strake Jesuit was first at 43 and Seven Lakes second with 57).

Seniors Austin Schankel (11th at regionals, third in district), Ryan Casey (16th and ninth), Casey Broderson, C.J. Valhonrat and Cody Broderson (Casey's twin brother), and juniors Jacob Lefler and Alberto Garcia make up the Bobcats, and their sparkling region performance allowed Cy-Fair to send both teams to state.

"These guys really stepped it up, and about halfway through the season, we came up with a team motto of 'No Excuses' and they lived up to it," Penwell said. "The (boys) program only had 11 runners in my first season last year, and we had 26 this fall, but the basic core of that group has been in place, and has worked very hard, and it paid off.

"The key was to get the top five (Schankel, Casey, Garcia, Lefler and Casey Broderson) under 17 minutes, and they did it and earned a trip to state."

The Cy-Fair girls took top honors in 17-5A and Region 3.

Northland Christian football

The Northland Christian Cougars were named the private school division Army Strong Team of the Week by Dave Campbell's Texas Football Magazine after beating Lutheran North 42-35 in their regular-season finale last week.

Northland closed the regular season at 7-4 and qualified for the TAPPS playoffs with a 5-2 district finish.

Quarterback Jonathan Fleming threw four touchdowns and for 199 yards in the victory for Cougars coach David Nelson.

The Cougars were chosen for this honor because of their teamwork, dedication, discipline, personal courage and integrity, values shared by U.S. Army soldiers, according to a Northland spokesperson.

Texas Invitational basketball

The Cy-Fair, Cy Falls and Cy Creek girls are set to compete at the Texas Invitational from Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 18-20, with the event under the direction of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce.

Cy-Fair is ranked No. 8 and Cy Falls No. 9 in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Class 5A girls preseason rankings heading into pool games on Thursday, Nov. 18, at San Jacinto College in Pasadena.

Cy-Fair meets Klein Collins at 11:30 a.m. and A&M Consolidated at 6:30 p.m., and Cy Falls takes on Class 4A No. 6 Mansfield Summit at 10 a.m. and Tomball at 5 p.m.

Cy Creek also has pool play at San Jacinto College and will be tested against 5A No. 20 Bellaire at 1:30 p.m. and 5A No. 7 Duncanville at 5 p.m.

The complete pool schedule, tournament brackets and more information are available at the tourney web site online at www.texasinvitational.com.