[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 14 (Thursday, February 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E142]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SALUTING COACH NEAL QUILLIN AND THE HUMBLE WILDCATS ON ANOTHER GREAT 
                                 SEASON

                                 ______


                            HON. JACK FIELDS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 1, 1996

  Mr. FIELDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the 1995 football season was yet 
another outstanding season for the Humble High School Wildcats. The 
same ``experts'' who predicted that Humble would finish seventh in 
their district in 1994--only to see them win the District 21-5A 
championship--were again proven wrong last year. Humble, predicted to 
finish fifth in their district in 1995, instead fought their way to a 
9-4-2 record, ending their season in a Division II state semi-final 
game.
  Coach Neal Quillin and the members of the Humble Wildcats football 
team have earned the gratitude of their community and fans, and have 
earned the respect not only of their opponents, but of high school 
football ``experts'' as well. As an Humble native, and a graduate of 
Humble High School, I want to take a moment to salute the remarkable 
success of the Humble High School Wildcat football team this past 
season.
  The Wildcats began the 1995 season on a low note--a 24-21 loss to 
Baytown Sterling, before recovering to defeat Katy Taylor 27-23. A 
narrow 21-20 loss to Westfield followed before the Wildcats defeated 
MacArthur 28-7; defeated Aldine 26-7; tied Spring 24-24; and defeated 
Kingwood 20-3.
  Next, Humble lost to Eisenhower 42-20--putting the Wildcats in a 
must-win situation to secure a playoff spot. The Wildcats were up to 
the challenge; in their regular-season finale, they defeated Nimitz 23-
7, winning a place in post-season play.
  In the playoffs, the Wildcats, and their coaching staff, showed what 
they were made of. They defeated Baytown Lee 17-14, overcoming the 
area's number one-ranked offense. Next, they tied Texas City 21-21, 
before going on to defeat Madison 20-7, and Elkins, 9-5.
  While the Wildcats' 17-7 loss to San Antonio Roosevelt was 
disappointing, Humble's players and coaching staff demonstrated last 
year what they demonstrated the year before: that the experts mediocre 
expectations can be exceeded through hard work, dedication, teamwork 
and planning.
  In addition, to the outstanding record compiled last year by the 
Wildcats, I want to point out that last year's season also saw Coach 
Quillin achieve his 100th career victory--a testament to his coaching 
skills.
  In the Wildcats' third-round playoff game against Madison, the 17-5A 
champions--a game held in Houston Astrodome--Humble quarterback Steve 
O'Neill showed just how talented he is. In that game, O'Neill passed 
for 92 yards, rushed for 141 yards, and caught two critical passes. His 
performance in that game impressed even those who were already familiar 
with his playing skills earlier in the season.
  While those of us who cheer for the Humble Wildcats were disappointed 
by their loss to San Antonio Roosevelt, we remember that during their 
five-game playoff run, the Wildcats won bidistrict, area and regional 
championships. And that's not bad for a team picked to finish fifth in 
their district!
  Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me to do this little hometown 
boasting. I know you join with me in congratulating the Humble Wildcats 
and their coaching staff on a truly remarkable 1995 football season, 
and in wishing them continued success on an off the field in the years 
ahead. They have made all of us proud of their accomplishments, and to 
them we say ``thank you.''

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