Bellaire/West U. notes: Overdue Bellaire ready to claim crown

The Bellaire boys cross country team has been hit by bad luck the past few years, but head coach Brett Hervat hopes the Cardinals will leave it in the past. [...] the results have been promising for the Cardinals, who were third at the Sam Houston Invitational and second at the Lamar Invitational, both held at T.C. Jester Park. Bellaire beat Lamar at Sam Houston and the margin was small at Lamar's meet, with the Redskins scoring 111 points to 122 by the Cardinals. If Streeter gets a clean bill of health, Hervat rates him the clear-cut favorite at district. The youngsters, though, are fighting nagging injuries. The Cardinals will travel to the Houston Christian Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 24, before hosting the Bellaire Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 1, at Bear Creek Park. [...] senior quarterback Josh Alexander, Sharpstown's most dangerous weapon, suffered an ankle injury and missed the Apollos' 28-14 loss to Galena Park two weeks ago. Sharpstown also is without junior offensive guard Carlos Portillo (deep thigh bruise), although he could rejoin the team in the coming weeks. [...] the biggest absence has been that of offensive coordinator Charles Perridon, who missed the last three games because of illness. Aside from getting Alexander back on the field, Blacklock said Sharpstown must get the ball to playmakers like senior wide receiver Demarcus Comeaux and sophomore tailback Roderick Bernard