By Glenn Sattell
Chronicle correspondent

Just past the halfway point in the District 40-4A boys’ and girls’ soccer seasons, Montgomery and Willis continue to battle for one of four playoff berths.

Montgomery is having the better of it. The boys’ squad tied for third place with Huntsville after eight matches with identical 5-2-1 marks. Both were just one point behind league-leaders Brenham (5-1-2) and Waller (6-2), each with 12 points.

The Bears won a key 3-2 match over Brenham, getting goals from Blake Talbott, James Winkler, and Cutter L’insalata. Aaron Childers got the victory in goal. The two teams tied 2-2 in their first meeting.

“It was a good game for us,” first-year Montgomery head soccer coach Alan McGrath said. “We played pretty fast and played pretty hard. We put a lot of pressure on them every time they had the ball. Our last goal was right off a steal from a defender. We spread the field out and did a good job there.

“The boys are doing a great job. They’re listening to everything we’re trying to let them know. They’re playing well.”

Willis (3-3-2) was in fifth place with eight points. The hard-luck Wildkats outscored the opposition 17-8 during that span and still have time to make a run at the playoffs.

The Montgomery girls, 6-2 in district and 12-4-2 overall, moved into sole possession of second place and just two points behind league-leading Brenham (7-1) by recently handing the Lady Cubs a 2-1 setback. Meghan Leitz and Jessica Canestrini scored goals with an assist from Summer Knight. Cori Easter got the win in goal and came up with 12 saves.

It was a huge victory not only to inch closer to Brenham, but also to keep three teams from drawing closer. Huntsville (5-2-1), Magnolia (5-3) and Magnolia West (4-3-1) are all still breathing down the neck of the Lady Bears.

Montgomery hosts Huntsville on Monday before visiting Magnolia West on Friday.

Willis (3-5), with scoring leader Whitney Sinclair (17 points) still had some ground to make up.