Waxahachie pitcher Colton Cain's 12-strikeout performance Tuesday against Highland Park was even more impressive considering he had a 101-degree fever that morning.

Cain had been battling strep throat and received an injection the day before. Cain pitched six innings and allowed just three runs on five hits in the 7-4 win to open the best-of-3 series.

"He's a competitor," coach Tracey Wood said. "I had to fight him to get him out of the last inning."

The teams meet again at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Waxahachie. Because the series started Tuesday, Cain could come back and pitch a Game 3 if necessary Saturday.

Wood said he would "play that by ear" since Tuesday was only Cain's second outing since a month-long layoff because of a sore arm. Cain threw 70 pitches last week to beat Ennis, 17-7.

"We'll find out today [Wednesday] how he is and how he feels," Wood said.

Keith Whitmire

Full steam ahead. That's what Plano West coach Kendall Clark is telling his team as it makes its way through the playoffs.

At 34-0, Plano West is the only undefeated team in Class 5A.

"We are trying to do both – advance and keep winning them all," said Clark, whose team lost to Southlake Carroll this season but later was awarded a forfeit win. "We're not scared to go after you in two straight."

Plano West takes on Cedar Park (26-15) in a best-of-3 regional semifinal beginning Friday at Baylor. Plano West, making only its second playoff appearance, was ousted by Georgetown in this round last year.

Senior starters Drew Johnson and Ben Flora have been rock solid during the playoffs. Clark does not alter his pitching order to avoid an opponent's ace. Clark goes with his best two starters in the first two games because he has faith that his pitching depth would get the job done if a Game 3 is needed.

"We don't talk about trying to advance two out of three," Clark said. "Basically it's, 'Here's what we know about them. Everyone be ready to go.' "

David Hinojosa

Flower Mound's power surge against Keller last weekend propelled it into the 5A regional semifinal round for the first time since 2004.

Five players – Ty Wheeler, Mitch Lehman, Pecos Fulfer, Michael Williams and Max Lamantia – homered in the three-game series.

"A couple of them are just starting to see the ball a little bit better," coach Steve Stinson said. "They're seeing the ball well, they're getting some pitches to hit, and they're able to hit them. They're making good swings on them."

Consistent pitching, led by the "stabilizing" presence of senior Brandon Parrent, has also benefited Flower Mound, Stinson said.

Flower Mound (20-13-2) opens its regional semifinal series against El Paso Socorro (35-3) 7 p.m. Friday at Midland's Christensen Stadium. Socorro is ranked No. 12 in the nation by USA Today.

"They are consistently good every year," Stinson said. "We'll have to play better than what we did last week.

Bobbi Roquemore

Forney has spent all four of its seasons in Class 4A in the same district as perennial powers Highland Park and Mesquite Poteet. That's a big reason Forney, which made the 3A state tournament five times in a six-season span from 1999 to 2004, didn't make the playoffs the last two years.

It's also a reason Forney (25-14), which begins a best-of-3 Region II semifinal tonight against Waco Midway (27-6), is confident in this postseason. Forney knocked off District 10-4A champion Poteet last weekend and also won one of two district games this season against Highland Park, which also has advanced to a regional semifinal.

"This district gets you so prepared for the playoffs," Forney coach James Boxley said. "If you can just get out of district, you've got a chance."

Matt Wixon