The Brookfield Central-Waterford football game last Friday was the most exciting 7-6 victory I have ever seen. I thought I was in a bakery with all the turnovers flying about. Central coach Doug Lange figured it would take a while for his offense - no one returned from last year's starting lineup - to jell and he was right. He also said he hoped his defense would be up to the task - and he was right again. Matt Upson, Jack Moro and Dan Bowar led a veteran defense and came up with a big stop when the Wolverines went for a two-point conversion in the final minutes of play.

To say Wauwatosa East struggled against Milwaukee Riverside would be polite. The Red Raiders were outmanned on both sides of the ball. Coach Tom Swittel said he had some good skill players in Ethan Harris and Barret Powell and he was right about that. Harris might not survive the season, though, if he keeps taking hits like he did in the opener. If there is a better wide receiver in the area than Powell, I would like to see him.

Two coaches made their debuts in losing causes - Sal Logue of Brookfield East and Matt Good of Tosa West - but at least they each put 19 points on the board. QB Skylar Holden and WR C.J. Gregg scored twice through the air and Holden ran in a score for the Spartans. While TE QB Kevin Gorman rushed for 197 yards and three TDs, including one of 85 yards behind a good performance on his O-line.

Brookfield Central coach Brian Scrobel looks like his girls golf team will run away with the Greater Metro Title again after taking the first two mini-meets. The fourth-state-ranked Lady Lancers have talent to spare again this year led by Kelly Coakley, Chelsey McCoy and Tricia Mark.

Brookfield Central coach Bill Twitchell and Brookfield East coach Mike Rose should see their respective teams battling for the GMC girls swimming title again this year. BC coach Dave Steinbach's Lady Lancer netters are second in the state behind Homestead but the Highlanders have beaten them twice already, 7-0, and 5-2.

Led by Katie Peterson and Hannah Trasser, the Lady Lancer cross country team will use an outstanding spring which saw Central win the state track title, to make them a GMC favorite again.

Look for coach Mike Parulski's Tosa West soccer team to overcome some early suspensions and academic problems to make a run at the state meet again this season, while both Tosa boys volleyball teams should be force in their respective conferences once again this year.

As usual, Brookfield and Tosa fans will have their share of winners to cheer for in the Fall as well as some excellent individual peformances from teams which might not contend.

Be a hit and have a ball.

Looking around the Brookfield and Wauwatosa spring sports teams, there are plenty of kudos to toss around. So let's take a look.

BOYS GOLF:  Brookfield Central won the Greater Metro Conference title and Jeff Groose did something no one has done before - earn the conference Player of the Year honors for three consecutive years. Groose made the first-team all-GMC along with teammate Phil Bartel, Brookfield East's Kyle Henning and Wauwatosa's Dane Zachman.

BOYS TENNIS: Brookfield Central and East finished second and third in the GMC and Drew Lied of East at No. 1 singles and Sam Bauwens/Cory Degner of Central at No. 1 doubles are players to watch in the postseason.

GIRLS TRACK: Where do you start? Brook Central and Tosa West girls totally destroyed the conference opponents, as the Lady Lancers won the outdoor title to complete the triple crown this year, winning by 108.5 points. The Trojan girls won the Woodland Conference by 86.5 points, but they just captured their 12th straight conference title. Think about it. No one but West has won the indoor, relays and outdoor titles the last four years. Several of these athletes will do well at state next week. Keep the name Chidera Obasih, a freshman sensation at Central, in mind. The sprinter long jumper has been absolutely remarkable since her first meet this year.

GIRLS SOCCER: Brookfield East is the top-rated team in the state this year, having recently gone 7-0 in the GMC while not allowing a goal in the conference season. Simply amazing considering the GMC is an excellent soccer conference.  Tosa West only suffered one conference loss and regained its Woodland crown this year. East has had great balance, with different people stepping up, while senior captain Ellen Coleman has led the Trojans.

The spring season got off to a slow start because of the lovely spring weather we have in Wisconsin, but the next two weeks will be filled with some action-packed regionals, sectionals and state action and the local teams from Brookfield and Wauwatosa will be right in the mix.

Get more details on all the action in the May 22 BrookfieldNOW and WauwatosaNOW publications.

Always remember to be a hit and have a ball!