The start of the high school football regular-season and the 76-team Pearland volleyball tournament highlight the schedule of this week's events involving teams from The Athlete's Connection's coverage area.   Schedules were provided by area school districts and organizations.

Being able to compete was all she wanted. So losing her sight bothered Jordan Mouton. But losing sport bothered her as much – if not more. Rather than sulk and wonder the infamous "Why me?" Mouton and her parents sought to find a new outlet for the athletic girl with an innate passion for sports. Select soccer was out.

  The following is a list of high school and high school-related sporting events from The Athlete's Connection's coverage area. If you see an event missing and would like to notify us, call our office at (713) 339-4400.   Schedules were provided by area school districts and organizations. The Athlete's Connection is not responsible for last-minute changes of site, time, etc.   TUESDAY Volleyball The Woodlands at Seven Lakes, 5 p.m. Morton Ranch at Cypress Springs, 5:30 Second Baptist at Bellaire, 6 p.m.

          Before they were honored one-by-one Wednesday night, the 30 members of the Touchdown Club of Houston’s 2008 Pre-Season High School All-Greater Houston Team got a reminder.   “This is a preseason honor.

  The following is a list of high school and high school-related sporting events from The Athlete's Connection's coverage area. If you see an event missing and would like to notify us, call our office at (713) 339-4400.   Schedules were provided by area school districts and organizations.

  Reagan football coach Harry Colon knows there’s no way to improve on a 100-percent graduation rate except making sure it doesn’t decrease.That’s a big reason the former NFL player is so high on the Play It Smart program, a National Football Foundation initiative aimed helping student-athletes succeed in the classroom.“It’s a very successful program that should be implemented in every high school,” Colon said at a recent Touchdown Club of Houston luncheon.

  Virtually all athletic events in area school districts are being canceled in anticipation of Tropical Storm Edouard. Katy, Spring Branch, Houston, Aldine, Pasadena, Galena Park, Fort Bend, Lamar Consolidated, Spring, Humble, Goose Creek, La Porte, Channelview, Alvin, La Marque, Santa Fe and Clear Creek independent school districts among others called off nearly all activities, including fall sports practices, ahead of the storm’s likely arrival early Tuesday.   Cy-Fair ISD announced late Monday afternoon it will remain open until further notice.

  So cheerleaders allegedly haze now, too? I know they consider themselves athletes, but anyway … News broke Thursday morning of alleged hazing by Morton Ranch’s varsity cheerleaders toward their junior varsity counterparts.

  Random thoughts and a few news items as we enter the latter third of July and maybe, just maybe, brace for rain and temporarily lower water bills: Taking on the world From the Associated Press wire on Friday came news that a team of standouts from across the country will participate in an eight-team tournament known as the Junior World Championship from June 27-July 5, 2009 in Canton, Ohio. Up to 10 players, all of which will be 2009 high school graduates, may be nominated by state high school athletic associations from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The International Federation of American Football plans to hold the tournament every four years. The U.S.

  NEW WAVERLY, Texas – USA Gymnastics on Saturday announced the six women and three replacement athletes it will nominate to the U.S. Olympic Committee to comprise the 2008 U.S.

  A police escort whisked Houston’s citizen of the day 25 miles through city traffic at midday Wednesday, hoping he’d be in time to placate a throng of waiting admirers. LSU football coach Les Miles arrived at the JW Marriott for the Touchdown Club of Houston’s LSU Day luncheon 55 minutes late, but the more than 600 fans on hand would have waited all day for the coach of the defending BCS national champions. The red carpet extended all the way from City Hall, where Mayor Bill White issued a proclamation declaring Wednesday “Les Miles Day” in the city of Houston. “There doesn’t have to be a Les Miles Day for me to come to Houston,” cracked Miles, whose plane from Baton Rouge was delayed. The Tigers are 34-6 under Miles.

  {mp3}Podcast-20080710{/mp3} Let’s just say we didn’t take the road most traveled for this week’s podcast. Sportswriters Dave Purpura and Chad Washington discuss the upcoming 7-on-7 state tournament in College Station, but it’s not really a preview – nor, if you listen to Washington’s take, is it a glowing endorsement of the annual event. Washington takes center stage, sharing his opinion on the tournament’s overall value and how much stock can be put into it.

  Beginning with the 2008 season, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD football fans will have the flexibility to purchase tickets both online and over the phone, as well as in person. Through Ticket Servant, patrons can buy and print tickets from their homes. Last year’s season ticket holders will have the first option to purchase season tickets, from July 21 to Aug.

{mp3}080620podcast{/mp3}   Well now that we've listed our Top 10 moments for 2007-08, let the second-guessing begin. Some of you have, and so have we.

  A smattering of news and observations from recent days: No TV for Katy-North Shore? FSN's recent announcement that Wake Forest-Baylor would headline the opening night of its national Big 12 football package Aug.

{mp3}TOP 10-Cy-Fair year 20080617{/mp3}   It was a banner year for Cy-Fair High School in athletics.

{mp3}080613-Podcast{/mp3}   It's never too early to talk high school football.   On this week's Athlete's Connection's podcast, sports writers Dave Purpura and Chad Washington expounded on their early thoughts on the 2008 season, including possible surprise teams, the games we want to make sure we see and whether some districts' top four teams already are decided.   Listen to our podcast above and feel free to share your thoughts.

  I've written year-end columns each year for the past three, mostly hitting the highlights of whatever I've seen and trying to inject some personality in the process. But so much has happened the past five months with the 35 or 40 schools in our coverage area that it's necessary to stop at a somewhat awkward junction – the end point of the academic year but nearly the halfway point of the calendar year – and take pause. After all, once the fall gets running the great achievements of baseball teams like Westside and Bellaire or the Katy Taylor softball team’s surprising postseason run may get overshadowed. So indulge me, if you please, for a moment of reflection and a peek at 2008, so far: Best game Westside’s 6-5 win against Baytown Sterling in Game 2 of their regional semifinal series May 23.

          She's just exited sixth-grade, somewhat to her dismay, but Brittney Day already knows what she wants in life. The 12-year-old from Highlands Junior School - "HJS for short," she's quick to tell anyone who asks - loves to sing.

  The Spring Branch ISD Board of Trustees recently voted to name the district’s new fieldhouse after former coach, teacher and administrator Mike Williamson. Williamson worked in Spring Branch ISD from 1961-2001, the last 22 as District Athletic Director and later Executive Director of Athletics.

  An almost-unbelievable year has earned Cy-Fair High School national accolades.   The school's athletics program was ranked by Sports Illustrated as the No.

  Like most people, I travel on a budget. Summer is fast approaching, so my other half and I have several trips to plan for - a flight to Ohio in July to see my family, a getaway weekend for her birthday and possibly a weekend excursion to Florida to see some of her family.

  The Greater Houston Football Coaches Association held its annual Awards Night Wednesday at the University of Houston, and several area coaches, referees, teachers, and students were honored by their peers.

  I’ve always hated shopping for cards. Almost without fail, I think the drawings are cute but the lines contain more corn than a Midwestern cookout.

Rounding up a varied sports scene and taking your suggestions: Several area bi-district softball matchups have been decided. The Katy ISD and Cy-Fair ISD schools have decided their series, but Spring Branch and Houston ISD schools in 19- and 20-5A won’t meet until Tuesday morning to set dates and times. Perhaps the area’s premier series will be between Fort Bend Elkins and Alvin, two of the area’s premier teams. The 17-5A vs.

      Two local state championship football players and three area boys basketball players were among the Houston-area student-athletes named Tuesday to participate in the Texas High School Coaches Association football and boys basketball all-star games in July in San Antonio. Katy receiver/defensive back Trent Hunter, a Texas A&M signee, and Lamar Consolidated receiver Chuck Obi lead the area’s representation in the football game, scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

  I didn’t think I was too badly burned. Then my lady saw head once I arrived home from the first day of the Texas Southern University Relays and nearly recoiled.

  Level with me, guys. The best way to plan your next sentimental holiday, whether for your wife, sister, mother, etc., is to plan ahead. Well ahead. I do most of my Valentine’s Day shopping on the 13th on February and my Christmas shopping on the 21st of December.

  The first sporting event I can remember watching in high definition was the 2005 Patriots-Eagles Super Bowl.    Having become a bit of a technology snob, I sat amazed - not at Terrell Owens' memorable performance (remember when he was an Eagle?) but at the clarity of the picture.

  It never fails. Whenever I wear my blue Cutter and Buck windbreaker, people inevitably compliment me on how sharp it is. I get the feeling they think I make six figures, which I don’t. I can see why, though.

    When Spring Branch ISD first laid out plans to upgrade Tully Stadium and the surrounding athletic facilities, one of the first objectives that came to mind was making as much of the end product as “multipurpose” as possible.

  Anymore, I travel on a budget. Not only do I have the usual monthly bills and gas for a 75-mile round-trip commute to work, but every once in a while I want to get back to my hometown in Ohio to see family and friends.

  First, the good news. During a recent shuffling of pictures on our server, the “Dave’s Notebook” graphic was misplaced, so at least this week you won’t have to look at me every time you pull up this story. Now to share a few thoughts while listening to spring training baseball from sunny Florida: First Classic proves memorable The first Space City Classic ended up being atypical of many all-star games.

  The Nike Men’s City Court III shoe may be designed for tennis fanatics, but it’s just as good for walking downtown as for getting in position to slam an ace. The Nike Men’s City Court III is composed of mesh, leather and synthetic lining that combine to provide support, comfort and the duration needed for both athletics – whether play is regular or casual – and everyday life. A full-length Phylon midsole is provided to ensure cushion. Colors are white, obsidian and silver.

When you live in a big city like Houston, you have to know your way around or you likely will get lost. That problem can easily be fixed with the Magellan RoadMate 1200, a GPS device specifically designed for North America.   Not only is the device pocket-sized, but it is also reasonably priced at $169.99 exclusively at Radio Shack stores nationwide.   The device features a 3.5-inch LCD, a touch screen that adjusts for night use.

  Amidst girls basketball tournament madness and the Roger Clemens hearings on Capitol Hill, an emptying of the notebook: Jim Hicks’ Second Annual Playoff Preview is scheduled for Saturday at Forest Brook High School. Hicks, the proprietor of RCSSports.com, perhaps the top Web site dedicated to Houston-area boys basketball, has scheduled four intriguing matchups pitting 5A against 4A teams and, in one case, a home-school team.   The schedule has nationally-ranked Yates playing A&M Consolidated at 3:30, Eisenhower (30-3) against Smiley at 5 p.m., HCYA against Huntsville at 6:30 and Wheatley against Whitehouse at 8 p.m. The original schedule had Yates playing HCYA. Both teams made the Houston vs.

  Do you have hundreds of great photographs sitting at home in a box marked “frame these?" Or are you the type of person that keeps thousands of photos on your digital camera and never does anything with them? If you fit either description, Canvas On Demand may be the perfect product for you.   Canvas On Demand allows you to take as many photos you want off of your digital camera, upload them on the Canvas On Demand website, and order various sizes of canvas.

  With Valentine's Day a week ago, you’re likely soon going to be looking for that perfect gift for that special someone. Look no further than Gift Baskets.com, the perfect one-stop shop for all of your needs.

            National signing day for football players is going on all across the nation and the Greater Houston area has its fair share of top athletes moving on to the next level.

  With the stress of school, sports and even work, you sometimes need to just lie down and relax. Even if you’ve always wanted a stress-relieving, therapeutic, professional message, but have been turned off when you look at the prices, head to Massage Envy. For a limited time, Massage Envy is offering an introductory one-hour message for only $39. Whether you're looking to relieve stress, lower your blood pressure or get some much-needed relaxation, Massage Envy is the place for you. You can choose from six types of messages, and Massage Envy's flexible hours make it easy for anyone. And with several locations in the Houston metro area, you're never too far from your much-needed massage. Visit www.massageenvy.com or stop by their several area locations for more information on massages and pricing.

  Even though we're not in any organized basketball season, it's still a great time to use basketball to stay in shape and get some exercise.   Why not have some fun at the same time?   Just grab the Spalding NBA Neverflat Basketball.

  Are you a golf fanatic? If you are, the perfect thing to improve your game is Sharper Images, new Brush-T Golf Tees.   Brush-T Golf Tees provide straighter, longer, Tee Shots.

Spending money to save money doesn’t necessarily sound like a win-win proposition – or even a plausible one. It is with The Athlete’s Connection ’s affiliate program.   The Athlete’s Connection has partnered with local and national merchants, arranging to earn a share of profits when shoppers deal with merchants via this Web site.   In turn, those profits – usually between 3 and 10 percent of a total purchase price – is deposited into our sister Web site, College Ball or Bust.com , to help deserving student-athletes go to college.   Visitors to the site can shop with nearly 60 merchants at our Online Mall page.

  Because football stays at the fore all year for many of us, realignment has perhaps been the premier topic of discussion the last few weeks here in the office. Once that dam breaks, most everything for the next two years falls into place. Four days before the University Interscholastic League releases its realignment plans for 2008-09 and 2009-2010, among the biggest questions regarding the Houston area – or at least its western corridor – are where Strake Jesuit will fall, whether Stratford will take a drop to 4A or play up to 5A and where the Aldine, Spring Branch and Alief ISD schools will land. With an eighth Cy-Fair ISD high school, Cypress Woods, coming into 5A this fall, conventional wisdom says all of that district’s schools will be joined in one cluster.

  AUSTIN — As expected, The National Center for Drug Free Sport, Inc. has been selected to conduct the University Interscholastic League Anabolic Steroid Testing Program for 2007-08 and 2008-09, the UIL announced Tuesday.   After a formal bidding process, the UIL considered all proposals submitted and selected The National Center for Drug Free Sport, Inc., also known as Drug Free Sport, to conduct the UIL Anabolic Steroid Testing Program mandated by Senate Bill 8. “We are excited about Drug Free Sport conducting what is slated to be the largest steroid testing program in the country, and the first of its kind for high school students,” Dr.

  The Touchdown Club's Sterling Bank High School Sportsmanship Luncheon is scheduled for noon Jan. 23 at the JW Marriott, 5150 Westheimer Rd. in the Galleria. Finalists for the Sportsmanship Trophy are Cinco Ranch, College Park, Cy-Fair, Deer Park, Humble, Katy Taylor, Klein, Mayde Creek, Sam Rayburn, Seven Lakes, Waltrip and Booker T.

{mp3}Tully Stadium update 20080115{/mp3}      Construction continues on the massive renovation of Tully Stadium, with the facility’s 12-year-old turf next in line to go. The fieldhouse should be completed by Jan.

AUSTIN — Amendments to current UIL rules passed by the Legislative Council of the University Interscholastic League have been approved by Commissioner of Education Robert Scott.

    Family and friends joined together Monday morning to cheer on eight athletes at the Special Olympics Texas Area 4 Figure Skating competition at Ice Skating USA.

  With two seasons under his belt, Morton Ranch coach Jim Shewmake has decided to resign as athletic coordinator and football coach. “I sat and talked with my immediate family and decided it was time for me to move on and see what else is out there,” Shewmake said.