Familiar faces are around every corner, and most likely, Tomas Girgado is one of them. You probably stopped to read this article because you know the man smiling back at you. How could you not recognize Tomas? This local hero/umpire served the fields of William S. Hart Baseball and Softball for the last 12 years - until the middle of May when he was picked up by paramedics at his home in Saugus for what he thought was the flu. Unfortunately, he wasn't suffering from a virus but from a cancerous ulcer that required the removal of most of his stomach. But after meeting with Tomas only a few days after his surgery, I could tell that the love of the game is holding him together and making him stronger and stronger each day.

It's been nine years since the Canyon High girls track team lost a Foothill League meet. Actually, Canyon High has never lost a Foothill League meet. The Lady Cowboys last fell to a league opponent in 1993, when they competed in the Golden League. For the entirety of the realigned Foothill League era, the Cowboys have reigned supreme. That's about to change this year. At least that's what most local track aficionados are saying as the league season kicks into gear at the beginning of this month.

What an incredible first month of football. In the 15 games played by Canyon, Hart, Santa Clarita Christian, Saugus and Valencia high schools, plus the four games played by College of the Canyons, football in Santa Clarita is a combined 17-2.