Manvel boys take title in Class 6A track and field
Pearland out to get past Clear Creek again in third round
The Manvel High Scool boys track and field team won the Class 6A state championship in Austin, overtaking Port Arthur before a crowd of 22,954 at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin.
Pearland has been happy to make its struggles late in the regular season a thing of the past. There is one part of past, however, the Oilers would like to repeat.
A third-round playoff victory over Clear Creek. Pearland will meet Clear Creek for the second year in a row at the same stage in the postseason. The Oilers won last year’s series in three games on their way to the regional championship.
Beating the Wildcats again would further solidify the Oilers as one of the teams to beat in the Houston area because the Wildcats have been one of the best all season long.
“They bring everyone back, which makes them scary,” Pearland coach Anthony Scalise said.
Clear Creek coach Brent Kunefke said he believes the teams are similar from what they were last year. Scalise sees it differently. The Oilers lost some of their top offensive players, though they maintained their pitching depth.
“If we can figure out a way to score a few runs we should be able to make it a good series,” Scalise said. “Our kids are playing with a lot of confidence. You always worry when you drop some games late. It’s kind of gut-wrenching knowing you’re in the most important part of the year and you don’t feel good about things. But I feel good about it now. Kempner is a pretty good team and we beat them in two games.”
The most important aspects, Scalise added, will be pitching and defense just like they have been all year. Clear Creek has the type of offense that can get hot in a hurry. The Wildcats have a couple of standout pitchers, too, but Scalise believes pitching depth is an advantage for the Oilers.
“If we can win one out of the first two and push them to a game three I think our chances are pretty good,” he said.
The first game will be Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Clear Creek. The second game will be Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Pearland. If necessary, the third game will be played Saturday at Deer Park at a time to be determined. Manvel wins state
The Manvel boys track team won the Class 6A state championship last week in AUstin. The Mavericks outscored runnerup Port Arthur Memorial, 55-44. All three of Manvel’s relays finished in the top three. The Mavericks even got 10 points from Deontay Anderson’s first-place finish in the 200-meter dash. More state track
Two jumpers from Dawson came home withe medals. Brett Winnegan finished second in the long jump for the second year in a row. Taylar Prier placed third in the triple jump. She also placed seventh in the long jump. Clear Brook had a pair of point-scoring performances, too. Brandon Taylor placed third in the 100 dash. Maygen Smith finished fifth in the 400 dash. 7-on-7 opener
This week is the first for 7-on-7 state qualifying tournaments. Four local teams will be in action at Manvel on Saturday. Two teams from each tournament qualify for the state competition, which will be held July 10-11 in College Station. The local teams are Dawson, Friendswood, Manvel and Pearland. Pool play games are scheduled for 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.