Here we are, down to our final Galveston County high school team of the 2011-12 school year. For the second consecutive season, the last team standing is from Santa Fe.

Last year, the Lady Indians softball team marched all the way to Austin and brought home Galveston County's first team sport state championship since 2006. This year, the Indians baseball team is looking like it has what it takes to go to the state tournament.


Santa Fe's Justin Garza hits a two-run double against Friendswood. Photo by Kevin M. Cox

On Thursday, the Indians will begin a series against Montgomery in the Region III-4A semifinal. The first game will be at 7 p.m. in Montgomery, with a second game to follow on Friday at 7 p.m. in Santa Fe and a third game, if necessary, will be played Saturday at 3 p.m.

For the third consecutive week, I'd like to keep my mouth shut and not make a public prediction. But I implore you guys to make your prediction of how this series will play out and which team will emerge victorious.

We all knew it would come down to this. Friendswood and Santa Fe, two of the best baseball teams in Galveston County and perhaps the state, will face off this week in the Region III-4A quarterfinal.

The winner will have a shot at advancing to the state tournament. The loser will receive an early ticket home.


Santa Fe's Matthew Burge pitches against Brazosport on May 3. Photo by Kevin M. Cox

The fun thing about this series is the fact that these two teams have the most passionate baseball fans in Galveston County. I also think this is the best baseball rivalry in our area. The Mustangs might shrug their shoulders and act like they don't care about this rivalry with the Indians. Trust me, they don't like losing, especially not to the green and gold.

The series will be played at Pearland High School, which is 16.9 miles from Santa Fe High School and 6.9 miles from Friendswood High School. The way the Indians fans have been traveling lately, I don't expect a major homefield advantage for either team, but I definitely expect it to be rowdy.


Friendswood's Will Hibbs pitches against Clear Falls on April 17. Photo by Kevin M. Cox

The opening game is 7 p.m. Thursday, with the second game to be played Friday at 7 p.m. If the series goes to a third game, which we all hope it does, it'll be played Saturday at 2 p.m.

I'll be honest, I'm not brave enough to make any predictions on this series. If you would like to be bold, be my guest and make your predictions on this blog. Here's the only thing I'll predict: A Galveston County team will play in the Region III-4A semifinal next week.

Martial arts legend, actor and all-around incredi-dude Chuck Norris will be on the island this week.

Norris will visit Central Middle School Media Arts Academy on 3014 Sealy Ave. on Thursday as part of the belt ceremony for the award-winning Kickstart Karate program, which he helped found in 1992.

Norris will speak to the students and audience, award the belts and take photos. The program is by invitation only as seating is limited. I'm sorry if you didn't get your invite the this event, but I'll do my best to bring the experience to you guys.

Norris is a modern marvel. I can't believe he's 72 years old.

His impact on popular culture is undeniable. My generation best knows him though the "Chuck Norris Facts," which shed light on his hypothesized capabilities. My favorite one goes, "Ghosts sit around the campfire and tell Chuck Norris stories."

Do you guys have a favorite Chuck Norris Fact or memory?

With six Galveston County baseball team beginning playoff runs this week, I’ve compiled a list of players that would make my fantasy team.

Keep in mind, this is a fun list (for fun), and it means absolutely nothing whatsoever when it comes to how these teams will do in the playoffs or how these players will be graded in All-District or All-County selections.

Feel free to let me know if you would have anyone else in any positions on this list.

Catcher – Tanner Matejka, Santa Fe

First baseman – Jack Kaiser, Santa Fe

Second baseman – Jansen Cosart, Clear Creek

Third baseman – John Lowe, Santa Fe

Shortstop – Jordan Wood, Friendswood

Outfield – Billy Williams, Ball High

Outfield – Alex Ferraiuolo, Clear Springs

Outfield – Austin Botello, Clear Springs

Utility – Isaiah Rojas, Texas City

Pitcher – Dylan Ebbs, Santa Fe

Pitcher – Riley Cooper, Texas City

Pitcher – Tanner Griggs, Clear Creek

Pitcher – Will Hibbs, Friendswood

Pitcher – Kyle Ott, Ball High

I'd like to take a brief moment to wake our high school football fans from hibernation.

This week, exactly 18 weeks have passed since the high school football season came to an end with the state championships. We are also exactly 18 weeks away from the real start of the 2012 season, Week Zero. On Wednesday, we will stand precisely 129 days between both games.

Living in Texas, you can't get much farther from real high school football.


Halfway to the next season: Veterans Memorial Stadium in League City. Photo by Kevin M. Cox

Fear not, La Marque will provide a brief taste of football when the high school hosts the Greater Houston Football Coaches Association 7-on-7 Tournament on Saturday. Beginning at 9 a.m., Dickinson, La Marque, Ball High and Friendswood will all square off in what should be an entertaining day of pad-less football.

Luckily, the baseball season has captivated the attention of most of our football followers. With less than a week remaining on the regular season, all but one District 24-4A team has a shot of making the playoffs. A few really talented teams will be left home, depending on this week's results.

Unfortunately, this week is loaded with standardized tests, so the games are on hold until Friday. In District 24-5A, Clear Creek and Clear Springs are both battling for better sitting in the playoff race.

What's your opinion? Has this baseball season been enough to whet your appetite or are you snoozing through until August?

Friendswood fans and parents, Galveston County sports supporters and soccer enthusiasts alike can come together in tonight’s live chat from the state semifinal match.

The Daily News will provide live updates from Birkelbach Field in Georgetown as Friendswood (26-1-5) will take on San Antonio Alamo Heights (28-2-1) in the Class 4A semifinal. The games will be delayed due to bad weather, but the teams are still hoping to play before 8 p.m. We're planning to open the chat room now at 7:30 p.m.


Friendswood takes the field as the weather clears

If the Mustangs manage to get past Alamo Heights, they’ll take on Wichita Falls or Mount Pleasant in the Class 4A championship match. Friendswood’s run to the state tournament marks the first time this school year that a Galveston County sports team has made it this far.

Today's chat is sponsored by Texas First Bank and McRee Ford.



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Still in the midst of my first full school year covering Galveston County sports, I’m finally attending a state tournament.

The previous year saw state tournament berths for La Marque’s football and basketball teams and Santa Fe’s softball team. But we’ve had a dry spell for the 2011-2012 school year until this weekend.


Friendswood forward Tyler White, center, holds up the trophy and is surrounded by teammates celebrating their win against Waco Midway. Photo by Kim Christensen

The Friendswood boys soccer team, defying odds and everything I thought would happen, will play in Georgetown in the Class 4A state semifinal match on Friday at 6 p.m. The Mustangs downed Waco University and Waco Midway (in overtime) to advance to the state tournament for the first time in school history.

If you can’t make the trip, we’ll have you covered.

The Daily News will host a live chat here in the From the Sidelines blog beginning at 6 p.m. Friday to give you play-by-play updates on the big match.