Bethany's girls cross country team heads to the 4A state meet Saturday, Oct. 24, chasing a state title after winning the girls program’s first regional championship.

The Bronchos claimed the 4A regional at Henryetta on Saturday, Oct. 17, beating second-ranked Byng 49-60, West Metro Sports reported. The eighth-ranked Bethany squad placed five runners in the top 15, led by sophomore Morgan McNutt (sixth, 12:16.67) and junior Shayne Vonfeldt (eighth, 12:33.42).

Coach Zac Coulson said most rival coaches had ranked his team seventh or eighth entering the meet.

"She gave me a thumbs up like 'I got you coach,' and with 200 meters to go she passed them both!" Coulson recounted of sophomore Kayden Wright's late surge past two Byng runners.

Coulson said he believes the squad could finish in the top four, with a chance to win. The girls race begins at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Carl Albert Middle School. The Bethany boys, who finished third at regionals with 92 points to qualify for state, also run Saturday at 3 p.m., according to West Metro Sports.

Junior Salyer Stayton paced the boys with a sixth-place finish in 17:22.14. Junior Artur Calderon placed 12th in what Coulson called his best race of the season.

They won't be the only west metro teams competing Saturday. Western Heights runs at the 5A regional in Moore at 9 a.m., according to the West Metro Sports schedule. Putnam City travels to the 6A regional in Tulsa, hosted by Owasso, at 11 a.m. Putnam City West and Putnam City North compete at the 6A regional in Moore at 11 a.m.

Friday night football

Four west metro football games are set for Friday, Oct. 23, all kicking off at 7 p.m.

Bethany (3-4, 2-1 in District 4A-1) travels to Clinton (5-2, 2-1). Both teams sit tied for second in the district behind unbeaten Weatherford, making this a pivotal game for playoff positioning. Bethany lost 31-3 at Weatherford on Thursday, Oct. 15, while Clinton beat Cache 27-19 that week, according to West Metro Sports.

Choctaw visits Putnam City in a 6A-II district matchup. Putnam City beat Putnam City West 54-26 on Thursday, Oct. 15, according to the West Metro Sports scoreboard.

Putnam City North heads to Putnam City West for Senior Night. Putnam City North lost to Choctaw 66-0 on Thursday, Oct. 15, while Putnam City West fell to Putnam City 54-26 the same night.

Western Heights plays at Tuttle. Western Heights lost to Tecumseh 34-14 on Thursday, Oct. 15.

All schedules are noted as subject to change.