In this 2009 file photo, Denton shortstop Hunter Dozier (11) throws out a runner at first base in a game against Wichita Falls. Now, he's a highly-rated MLB draft prospect. (DRC File Photo)

Hunter Dozier had a bit of a rough high school athletic career for Denton as one of a few standout players on both the football field, as the Broncos quarterback, and on the baseball diamond on an average Broncos team. But he always excelled, and it earned him a scholarship to play baseball at Stephen F. Austin.

A few years later, all that hard work is set to pay off in a big way with the MLB First Year Player draft approaching next month. Dozier is set to be a very high pick in the draft after putting a great three years as a Lumberjack with his junior season nearing an end.

Dozier recently checked in at No. 39 on Baseball America’s list of 2013 MLB draft prospects and is the fourth-rated shortstop after putting up solid numbers for SFA. This seaosn, he’s hitting .398 with 16 home runs, 23 doubles, 47 RBIs and 44 runs scored, showing the potential to be a plus-offensive shortstop in the bigs.

Dozier is ranked No. 54 on the same type list by ESPN draft guru Keith Law and is on the watchlist for the Brooks Wallace Award, given to the nation’s top collegiate shortstop.

It’s unknown whether Dozier will leave school if drafted, but it’s hard to imagine him staying at SFA if he’s picked anywhere around where he’s slotted — anywhere from a late first-rounder to a second-rounder.

It would mark the second straight year an area shortstop has been drafted high in the MLB draft, as Argyle’s Austin Aune was a second-round selection by the New York Yankees in 2012, forgoing a chance to go play both baseball and football at TCU.

Josh Stewart, pictured here in December 2010, is now the leading returning receiver in the Big 12. His touching story will be featured on Fox Sports Southwest. (David Minton/Denton Record-Chronicle)

In this job, there is the occasional story you write that sticks with you for a long time, and to this day, the story of Josh Stewart, the former Guyer standout and current Oklahoma State wide receiver, is one of the highlights of my near-decade long career in sports journalism (wow, I’m really aging myself).

It’s the ultimate story of rising out of what could have been a pretty horrible situation and making the most of what you’re given, and ultimately succeeding in a big way.*

*Excuse some of the weird formatting on The Dallas Morning News version, I can’t find ours anywhere.

As it stands, Stewart is the leading returning receiver in the Big 12 after a breakout sophomore season last year, and there’s a pretty solid chance he’ll become the first Guyer athlete to go big-time at the professional level as some NFL team is going to be very lucky to have him in a year or two.

Anyway, Stewart’s story is being re-told in the current running of the Oklahoma State preview show, which begins running on Fox Sports Southwest Thursday at 10 p.m. with subsequent showings scheduled later in the week. But if you’re a fan of good stories and a good kid, set your DVR and plan to watch it.

Krum's Ty Damron fanned 17 batters and pitched a no-hitter against Celina last night . Krum won 11-0 and advanced to the area round of the playoffs. (David Minton/Denton Record-Chronicle)

Can we just talk about what happened last night?

No, I’m not referencing what happened on American Idol  or Grey’s Anatomy (if people still watch those shows).

Last night in the opening round of the Class 3A playoffs, Krum lefty pitcher Ty Damron struck out 17 batters and pitched an abbreviated no-hitter in a 11-0 victory over Celina.

Since Krum scored four runs in the top of the sixth inning and the Bobcats were leading by more than 10 runs, the game was called after the sixth, so Damron didn’t  get to pitch all seven innings.

But let’s dwell on this for a little bit.

Damron, who’s already signed to pitch for Tim Tadlock at Texas Tech next year, completely dominated the contest.

The left-handed hurler picked up 17 of the 18 outs needed to get through six innings of work. The only reason he didn’t have a perfect game, according to the story, was a strikeout that got away from catcher Josh Reeves and a walk.

So, in other words, only one Celina batter was able to put the ball in play last night. For one pitcher to be that dominant, in a playoff game no less, is remarkable.

Damron’s success is also a reason why it’s important to win the coin flip that decides if a playoff matchup will be a one-game playoff or a three-game series.

With a one-game playoff, if a team has one good pitcher and it’s somebody like Damron, the odds of advancing go up tremendously. Krum head coach Ray Miller won the flip and avoided a three-game series and having his kids play on prom night.

You can’t ask for a better start to the weekend than that.

                                                     Tonight’s Games
Baseball
Class 2A Bi-District Playoffs
Ponder vs. Whitney at Mansfield Ridge, 3:45 p.m.,

Class 3A Bi-District Playoffs
Sanger vs. Frisco Lone Star at Denton, 7 p.m.

Class 4A Bi-District Playoffs
Guyer at Saginaw, 7:30 p.m.

Softball

Class 2A Area Playoffs
Ponder vs. Pilot Point at Denton, 6:30 p.m.

Class 3A Area Playoffs
Nevada Community at Sanger, 6:30 p.m.
Aubrey vs. Ferris at Plano John Paul II, 7 p.m.

Class 4A Area Playoffs
Aledo at Guyer, 7:30 p.m.

Argyle junior defensive back Connor Wilson wrapped his college search when he orally committed to Kansas State. Wilson was an AP first-team selection last fall. (Al Key/Denton Record-Chronicle)

A day after Argyle junior linebacker Sam Sizelove orally committed to Kansas State, teammate and junior defensive back Connor Wilson quickly followed suit.

Argyle head coach Todd Rodgers confirmed on Sunday that Wilson has orally committed to become a member of the Wildcats’ 2014 signing class.

Of course, oral commitments are non-binding. The first day a member of the class of 2014 can sign with a school is Feb. 5, 2014.

It’s Argyle’s third Football Bowl Subdivision commitment this spring. Junior Ian Sadler committed to Texas Tech last week.

We had figured for at least a week that Wilson and Sizelove were planning on committing to K-State. Wilson, 6-2, moved to Argyle from Coppell last year and he put up big numbers in the Eagles’ secondary.

He had 126 tackles, eight interceptions, five pass break-ups, one forced fumble and four fumble recoveries. He was huge for the Argyle secondary last year and missed the team’s playoff loss against Gilmer because of a hip-related injury.

He was also an Associated Press first-team all-state selection, further solidifying his status as one of Class 3A’s best defensive backs.

Sizelove was another highly sought-after recruit. Sizelove compiled a team-high 140 tackles and had three forced fumbles last season.

He’s a very impressive linebacker and held offers from places like Baylor, Iowa State, and North Texas, his dad’s alma mater.

His power can be seen below, when he wiped out former Celina senior and current Texas center Jake Raulerson last season on a punt return (the sideline reaction toward the end of the video is outstanding).

Finally, after three years, Scotty Young will have his chance to be a starting quarterback at the Football Bowl Subdivision level.

After sitting out last season at Louisiana Tech after transferring from Texas Tech after two unproductive seasons on the bench, Young was named La. Tech’s starting quarterback when the team’s post-spring depth chart was released on Thursday.

Young, as you’ll recall, is known for his prolific arm and probably should be equally as known for his hair (quality lettuce can be seen here.)

Young, as you’ll also recall, was a PARADE All-America selection and the Associated Press Texas Player of the Year.

He finally got his shot to live up to the hype that preceded him when he arrived at Texas Tech. This spring, Young didn’t disappoint.

In the Bulldogs’ spring game, Young completed 15 of 20 passes for 161 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. His back-up, Ryan Higgins, completed 17-of-26 passes for zero touchdowns and three interceptions.

New La. Tech head coach Skip Holtz had some positive things to say about Young’s performance on the school’s athletic website.

“I thought Scotty did a nice job,” Holtz said. “He did a good job of protecting the ball today. He did a nice job with the two-minute drive right before halftime with taking the team down the field and putting them in the end zone. I thought he did some really good things today.”

Young is replacing Colby Cameron, who threw 31 touchdowns and five interceptions last season.

Now I wasn’t here to cover Scotty, but you could ask anybody around here and they’ll tell you the kid with the long, blond hair was the truth. Back when I wrote about his transfer to Louisiana Tech, Ryan head coach Joey Florence spoke very highly of his former quarterback.

“Scotty was one of the best pure passers I’ve coached or coached against,” Florence said last April.

We’ll see how Young fares this season. Maybe Young does live up to the legend he built while he was at Ryan. Louisiana Tech hosts North Texas on Oct. 19.

In the jumbled mess that is District 5-4A baseball, there’s one thing we know — well, two things. One, Wichita Falls Rider, at 10-3 in district play, has clinched the district title as the regular season wraps up today. Two, that’s all we know and the rest of the district is completely up in the air.

So sit back, put on your thinking cap, and let’s break down what could happen with the remaining three playoff spots that are up for grabs between Guyer, Trophy Club Nelson, Azle and Lake Dallas, with Fort Worth Brewer, Denton and Wichita Falls all eliminated.

Heading into Friday’s finales, Guyer, Nelson and Azle are all tied at 8-5 in district play. Guyer has the best cumulative record against the other two schools having swept Nelson and split with Azle. Lake Dallas, at 7-6, is alone in fifth place.

Tonight’s games that have a bearing on this: Nelson-Denton, Guyer-Brewer, Lake Dallas-Azle.

Read on to see what all could happen pending the results of said games.

Scenario 1: Nelson beats Denton, Guyer beats Brewer, Azle beats Lake Dallas

Guyer ends up in second place tied with Nelson but with the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Bobcats thanks to their season sweep. Nelson and Azle would play Saturday, and the loser would get the fourth seed. The winner would then play Guyer for the second seed as Guyer would have bye in mini-tournament thanks to season sweep of Nelson.

Scenario 2: Guyer loses, Nelson wins, Lake Dallas wins

There would be a three-way tie for third place between Guyer, Azle and Lake Dallas with a mini-tournament Saturday to decide seeding.

Scenario 3: Guyer loses, Nelson loses, Lake Dallas wins

This is where things get really crazy as there would be a four-way tie (four teams for three spots) between Azle, Lake Dallas, Nelson and Guyer. Guyer would play Lake Dallas Saturday and Azle would play Nelson, thanks to a random draw. The winners of those two games would play for the 2- and 3-seeds, while the losers would play for the fourth seed with one team being on the outside looking in. This is probably the least likely scenario as well as both Guyer and Nelson would have to be upset.

Scenario 4: Guyer wins, Nelson wins, Lake Dallas wins

This seems the most likely and would result in just one game on Saturday between Lake Dallas and Azle (again) for fourth playoff spot. Guyer would be locked in as the No. 2 seed and Nelson would be locked in at No. 3.

Scenario 5: Nelson loses, Guyer wins, Lake Dallas wins

Nelson, Lake Dallas and Azle would be tied for third and play a mini-tournament.

So no matter what, there are going to be extra games on Saturday, it’s just a matter of how many and who’s playing in them. The games will be played at Justin Northwest.

Former Guyer standout, and current Oklahoma State defensive end, Jimmy Bean sacks Mesquite Horn quarterback Collin Strahan during their game at C.H. Collins Athletic Complex in 2010. (Al Key/Denton Record-Chronicle)

Oklahoma State quarterback J.W. Walsh won Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors last season. His teammate, wide receiver Josh Stewart, prepares to enter the 2013 college football season as the leading returning receiver in the Big 12 after topping 1,000 yards last year for the Cowboys with seven touchdown catches and 101 grabs on the season.

As you all know, the two were a potent pass-catch combination in high school at Guyer and now they’ll be joined by another Guyer teammate as key contributors for the Cowboys in 2013 as defensive end Jimmy Bean is listed as a starter on the team’s post-spring depth chart, which was released Tuesday morning.

Bean graduated in 2010 with Walsh and Stewart and played in three games as a true freshman before redshirting last season after an August injury slowed his progress. Now a redshirt sophomore, like Walsh, he’s finally ready to make an impact for the Cowboys after a great spring game over the weekend which saw him record five sacks.

As a senior at Guyer, Bean had 78 tackles, including 19 behind the line of scrimmage as the Wildcats fell to Cibolo Steele in the Class 5A Division II state championship game.

Stewart, obviously, was listed as a starter on the preliminary depth chart while head coach Mike Gundy continued his quarterback mystery as all three of Oklahoma State’s 1,000-yard passers from last season are listed as equals on the depth chart with the keyword “or” between their names.

Lake Dallas junior Jackson Owens catches Guyer senior Cole Wessling (3) in a rundown at third on March 19 in Corinth. Both teams face uncertain postseason futures with one game remaining in the regular season. (David Minton/Denton Record-Chronicle)

Oh, what a difference a week can make.

At this time last week, Guyer and Wichita Falls Rider were tied for the lead in the jumbled mess that is District 5-4A baseball. Rider won that game, and has since clinched the 5-4A title. The Raiders are the only team to have clinched a playoff spot out of the district with one game to play. Now, Guyer is one more loss from the possibility of missing the playoffs. Lake Dallas is also in the mix and with a win Friday could end up playing in a play-in game for the fourth seed in the playoffs, which begin next week.

It’s simple for both teams: Win on Friday and you’re in good shape. Lose, and things get hairy. If Lake Dallas loses to Azle on Friday, the Falcons will miss the playoffs after such a promising start to the district slate. If the Falcons win, they’ll likely play a play-in game against the same Azle team the following day.

For Guyer, it’s a little safer bet to make the postseason. A win on Friday against Brewer, and the Wildcats could finish anywhere from the No. 2 seed to the fourth seed, depending on other results involving Byron Nelson and Lake Dallas-Azle. A loss to Brewer, and the Wildcats could finish second, third, fourth or even fifth and miss out on the postseason altogether, a week after being in first place.

With school testing going on this week, teams can’t play until Friday, when the regular season will come to an end. Needless to say, it’ll be an interesting night in 5-4A baseball.

Argyle's Ian Sadler (5) orally committed to Texas Tech today. The junior wide receiver was a big threat for the Eagles all season. (Mike Mezuel II/For the Denton Record-Chronicle)

National Signing Day isn’t coming up anytime soon, but Argyle wide reciever/punter/running back/insert position here Ian Sadler already knows where he’s going to sign next February.

According to multiple reports, Sadler committed to Texas Tech today at their spring game. Sadler, if you don’t remember, was a very strong candidate to win the DRC all-area MVP award. 

If you need a refresher on his stats, here’s what they were after last season.

51 carries for 404 yards, 15 TDs, 1 fumble lost; 50 catches for 1,050 yards and 12 TDs; 3-for-5 for 100 yards and 1 TD passing; 9 kickoff returns, 35.6 yards per return, 2 TDs; 15 punt returns, 31.1 yards per return, 4 TDs; 40.4 yards per punt with eight inside the opponents’ 20-yard line.

That’s right. He’s also not a bad punter. And you know you’ve done something right when you have one of the top current Texas Country artists give you an unsolicited shout-out.

@isssadler really excited to have you on board! Wreck ‘Em!

— Josh Abbott (@joshabbottband) April 20, 2013

Not too shabby, Sadler. We’ll have more about this later on in the week. But until then, watch below.

FINAL: Guyer holds on for the 2-1 victory over Highland Park, giving the school its first state championship in a girls sport. Hannah Alspach was awarded the state tournament MVP award.

Two minutes left. HP fans getting very frustrated at the lack of calls against Guyer, and they have a good case.

Alspach’s free kick from 23 yards out sails wide of anybody. Guyer has to hold on for six minutes.

Kate Summers tries to curl in a free kick from 27 yards out but it curves away form the post. 2-1 Guyer, 72nd minute.

Guyer’s defense is scrambling right now. Lady Wildcats have been on their heels for much of the second half. 2-1 Guyer, 69th.

It’s Peyton Bucklew. She walks off the field only to come back on a few seconds later. 67th minute.

A Guyer player is down on the field on the edge of the 18-yard box. Trainers quickly run out to check on here. Can’t see the number right now.

Kate Summers just kept Highland Park in it. She clears a corner kick by Kaitlyn Caro off the goal line in the 64th.

Crabtree almost scored there again on a ball that got behind the Highland Park defense. She couldn’t get a good shot off and Guyer has a corner kick. 2-1, 64th.

After a stoppage in play, we’re back at it in the 62nd.

Sarah Summers is the one who’s down. She’s sitting up now as a cart is taken onto the field with HP head coach Stewart Brown standing over his injured player.

Crabtree gets away from a defender on the left side and fires a shot just over the crossbar from just inside the penalty box. 2-1 Guyer, 61st.

Martin knocks a shot wide of the left post and smacks her hands together in frustration. Some last-ditch defending by Guyer.

HP’s Hope Hyde blasts a shot over the crossbar in the 58th. Good scoring chance for HP.

Ref is definitely letting things go here. Martin just got shoved to the ground and there was no call there.

Still 2-1 Guyer in the 53rd minute.

Alspach almost connected with a Guyer attacker on a good through ball. Just got swept up there by HP goalie Sarah Howley.

Let’s see if Guyer drops players back and protects the lead or if it keeps pushing. HP scored its goal on the counter attack.

It looked like a harmless shot until it ended up in the back of the net. Guyer has a corner here. 2-1 Guyer, 45th.

Goal! HP’s Katie Martin lofts a shot into the right corner in the 44th, gives Lady Scots some life. Guyer leads 2-1.

Guyer is still pressing at the start of the second half. Looks like they’re still pushing for one more to seal it.

The second half is underway. Guyer is going with the wind in this half.

HP walks out of the locker room as their fans cheer them on from a few feet away. Guyer jogs back onto the field for the final 40 minutes.

Halftime. Guyer leads HP 2-0. Highland Park came into today’s game having only allowed two goals all postseason. HP’s 50-game win streak is on the line.

Crabtree’s speed is unreal. HP defender Gould kicks the ball out of bounds, stopping Crabtree’s impressive run down the field. 2-0, 40th.

Megan Stokes clears the ball off the line after Martin almost headed a goal into the net off a corner kick.

That goal was definitely against the run of play. Big goal by Alspach gives Guyer some cushion against the defending state champs.

Guyer’s Hannah Alspach puts the Lady Wildcats up 2-0 in the 33rd. She sprinted down the field and fired a strong shot from 25 yards out and into the right side of the net.

Alspach comes back into the contest at the 32nd minute. Guyer still leading 1-0.

It feels like HP is bound to tie this game up in a matter of time.

Renfroe punches it away and they clear it away. 1-0 Guyer, 30th.

HP with some sustained possession. They’ll have another free kick from 16 yards out. Martin to kick it.

Guyer doesn’t defend a corner kick well but it gets away with it. Martin hits a shot right of the goal. 1-0 Guyer, 28th.

Guyer’s doing a good job of maintaining possession here. Lady Wildcats also very aggressive here. They’ve picked up a good number of fouls early on.

Good save by Mikayla Renfroe off a free kick from 42 yards out by HP’s Kate Summers. Renfroe dived to her left and she punched it out of play. 1-0 Guyer, 20th.

Guyer defense clears the ball off the feet of Martin. Good defending there.

Goal! Brittany Crabtree puts Guyer ahead 1-0 in the 14th minute.  Alspach lobbed a ball toward the HP defense, and Crabtree won the ball away from HP’s Caroline Gould and put it away. 1-0 Guyer, 14th.

Guyer’s Hannah Alspach hits a free kick over the cross bar from about 40 yards out. A little too ambitious there. 0-0, 14th.

Guyer defender Megan Stokes looks like she’s marking HP’s Katie Martin. That’ll be a tough matchup for Stokes. 0-0, 12th.

The pace of this game is far from lethargic. It’s a very free-flowing game so far, with both teams scrambling up and down the field.

HP forward Katie Martin with a beautiful back-heel pass to Hope Hyde, who fires a shot directly at Guyer goalie Mikayla Renfroe. Best chance of the game so far. 0-0, 7th.

Brittany Crabtree runs down the left wing and lofts a shot over the bar. Decent effort there. 0-0, 3rd minute.

Hey everybody. I’m in Georgetown for today’s 4A girls soccer state final between Guyer and Highland Park. HP is looking for back-to-back state titles and its 50th straight win. Guyer looking for first state title in its first state championship appearance. We’re about ready to kickoff here.