Bell rings at right time for Highlanders

SHENANDOAH, Texas- Leading 17-14 with just under 5:00 left in the football game, The Woodlands Highlanders needed one play to finally put away the talented Atascocita Eagles last Saturday night at Woodforest Bank Stadium.

Wide receiver Chris Bell gave it to them.

Bell, who had scored on a 20-yard fade pass in the second quarter, took a sideline toss from Chris Andritsos, spun out of a tackle, took off down the sideline and then cut back to avoid a tackle and complete the 41-yard touchdown.

The play gave The Woodlands a 24-14 lead with 4:24 left in the game, and ultimately gave the Highlanders (5-1 overall and 2-0 in district play) the inside track for the District 16-6A championship.

“We knew we had to make something happen,’’ said Bell, who finished Saturday night’s game with four catches for 75 yards and his first two touchdowns of the year.

“They were hanging around,’’ he added. “We had to make a play to put away the game.’’

The Woodlands, which is ranked No. 4 in the Houston area, now has won five straight games since opening the year with a 9-0 loss to Cy-Fair. The Highlanders will try and make it six straight when they take on rival College Park on Friday at Woodforest Bank Stadium.

“We have to continue to take them one game at a time,’’ said Bell, who possesses blazing speed and soft hands. “We expect to win them all. But we can’t afford to look past anybody.’’

With the game tied at 7-7, Bell gave the Highlanders their first lead of the game when he took off on a fly pattern and ran right by the entire Atascocita secondary for a 20-yard touchdown and a 14-7 lead with 7:43 left in the second quarter.

“I ran right up the sideline,’’ Bell said. “The cornerback bit on something. I really didn’t put that much of a move on. I just ran past him.’’

Now, the Highlanders will try and run past the rest of District 16-6A for yet another district title. The Woodlands has either won or shared the last five district titles dating back to 2009.

The Highlanders’ toughest game could come from Oak Ridge in the final week of the season. It also has games left against Kingwood and Summer Creek.

“Every team is capable (of beating us) on any given night,’’ Bell said. “We can’t afford to look down the road past anybody. We just have to continue to try and improve each week.’’

Bell said it doesn’t matter if Matt Bonaguidi or Andritsos is the quarterback.

“We support whoever is in at quarterback,’’ he said. “It doesn’t matter. They both do a great job. We have their back no matter who is in the game.’’

Bell said this year’s team has the potential to make a long playoff run.

“If we keep improving, I think the sky is the limit,’’ he said. “I think we are going to be very tough to deal with in the playoffs. Our defense is playing great. And our offense just keeps getting better. We have the potential to make a long run.’’