Because they didn't have spring practice, the Magnolia West Mustangs are among the first schools to conduct football scrimmages.

The Mustangs host Cy-Lakes at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

It will be a new experience for both teams.

“Cy-Lakes is going to be a big mystery,” Magnola West head coach David Joiner said. “They're a brand new program. We haven't seen each other so we're going to have to just go on coach telling me they're a spread offense and me telling him that we're a spread offense. So it's just going to be kind of feeling our way in the dark a little bit.

“But our kids are excited about playing another school that doesn't have seniors. It's the first time it's happened where we're the older school. We've always been the younger school. So it's kind of fun to actually be the older school this time around with our kids being a senior class and them not having a senior class.”

Joiner said the team's first of two scrimmages would help get the athletes back into football mode.

“Just to knock the butterflies out and build up a little confidence,” Joiner said. “Discover maybe a couple of players we haven't recognized yet as being possible starters. But just getting a lot of reps and knock off the rust at this point in time.”

Magnolia West quarterback Josh Logan said he's excited about starting his senior season.

“It feels good to finally be even with everybody,” Logan said, of the being among the school's first senior class.

Logan said he expects to have a much different feeling on Saturday when the Bulldogs take on Cy-Lake.

“Here we are going on our fourth year,” Logan said. “We've been playing these teams with seniors and juniors when we're sophomores and freshmen. And now we get to bully up on somebody else for a change.”


Warriors football
The Woodlands Christian Academy football team returns nearly intact for the 2009 season.

A total of 21 lettermen return, including eight starters on offense and nine on defense, from last season's run to the Division IV region finals. The Warriors were 3-1 in district play and 6-5 overall.

All-State quarterback Troy Williams tops the list after throwing for 691 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. Jordan Bruce returns as Williams' favorite target. Bruce rolled up 192 yards on 12 pass receptions, including four touchdowns.

All-State lineman Frankie Diaz provides protection along with Greg Graves, Tim Anderson and Clayton Thedinger. Fullback Travis Winnon is also among the standouts with running backs Kyler Farris and Conner Pryor.

All-district linebacker Cody Grimes leads the defensive charges. Linebacker Jorge Diaz and lineman Sterling Montes are also leaders on defense.

The Warriors compete in Division IV District 4 with Beaumont Legacy Christian, Galveston O'Connell, Katy Faith West, and Lake Jackson Brazosport.


Magnolia opens at No. 4
The Magnolia Lady Bulldogs volleyball team opened the 2009 season ranked No. 4 in the state in the Texas Girls Coaches Association Preseason Poll.

The defending Region III-4A champions return a couple of super sophomores in setter Paige Holland and outside hitter/setter Katzy Randall, who PrepVolleyball named in its top 72 sophomores throughout the nation for the 2008 season. The pair helped Magnolia win 32 matches last season (32-14, 13-1 in District 18-4A).

In addition, Courtney Felinski and Angi Gould will step into leadership roles as well this season.

Magnolia is the only team named in the Class 4A preseason state poll. District 18-4A foe Brenham is ranked No. 9. Hereford tops the list with Richardson Pearce and Austin Lake Travis following in order. Red Oak rounds out the top five with Dallas Highland Park at No. 6. Canyon Randall and Dripping Springs are seven and eight respectively while Dumas rounds out the top 10.


OR team wins national tourney
The Oak Ridge High School boys' basketball team, competing as a summer club team out of Legends Sports Complex, recently won the Prime Time National Tournament in Dallas.

The Oak Ridge club won all seven games in the high school division, including a 59-47 victory over the Colleyville Texas Heat in the finals. The tournament, founded by former NFL player Deion Sanders, included 48 high school level teams among 600 total teams in all age groups. Oak Ridge finished second at last year's national tournament.

This year's team roster includes seniors Jared Daley, Scott Bastian, Robert Tyson, Sean Kovar, and Logan Griffin, as well as juniors Halen Butler, Terrell Lawrence, Chase Daniels, Dmarcus Fitch, and Marc Forson.