Former Madisonville High School and current Sam Houston State University defensive lineman Chris Scott and the Bearkats won the FCS National Championship Sunday by defeating South Dakota State 23-21 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco. SHSU went a perfect 10-0 on the year to claim their first FCS title in program history. They won postseason matchups over Monmouth (21-15), North Dakota State (24-20) and James Madison (38-35) to advance to Sunday’s Championship. GOBEARKATS.COM

The North Zulch softball team advanced to the 1A Regional Finals with a 3-0 win over Bartlett Friday in the Regional Semis and a 22-1 win over Medina in the Regional Quarters May 7. The Lady Bulldogs will take on D’Hanis Wednesday at 4 p.m. in a best-of-three series with a trip to State on the line.

Wes Nolen has been recognized for his golf performance. The LeTourneau University junior was named to the all-American Southwest Conference second team and to the conference’s all-tournament team, the team’s lone representative on each.

PHOTOS BY ALL CAMPBELL ATKINS.

Laughter, camaraderie and donuts were shared at Friday’s softball game between Madisonville City personnel and Madisonville Police Department members at Lake Madison Park. Despite the City’s best efforts to sabotage MPD’s offensive outbursts with roadblocks and stop signs, the cops won the seven inning contest 13-4. The event was played in front of a large crowd of family, friends and citizens and proceeds from the concession stand went to benefit Madisonville Little League. (Left: MPD Chief Herbert Gilbert hoists the trophy in triumph following the victory; Above: All City and MPD players pose together following the matchup) PHOTOS BY CAMPBELL ATKINS

The Madisonville 4x100 Relay team consisting of Kia Moffett, Kenndie Moffett, Lindsie Smith and Raegan Olvera competed at the State meet at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin Friday and set an MHS school record with a 48.00-second finish, good for fifth place in the event overall.

The North Zulch Bulldogs baseball team competed in a playoff matchup for the first time in their program’s brief history last week and defeated Wells in the 1A Bi-District showdown in Trinity by a score of 17-5. The Bulldogs will next travel to Crockett to take on Crockett Friday.

The Madisonville baseball team concluded their season over the weekend with a Bi-District series loss to Hudson in two games. The Mustangs fell to the Hornets by a score of 8-1 Friday in Lufkin and 7-0 Saturday at MHS.

Madisonville baseball seniors Brad Rudis (left) and Trey Georg are honored on the field at MHS with their families for senior night April 27 after the team’s 10-0 victory over La Vega. (Not pictured: Landon Jackson) PHOTOS BY CAMPBELL ATKINS