But last weekend the nation's best team completed its final mile in a furious pace, hoisting up the hardware that many predicted they would before the season even started.

Two hard-earned victories - both by the count of 5-3 over Midland and Katy, respectively - guaranteed the Highlanders (38-1) their wire-to-wire 2006 season that goes down as the best one in school history.

Unofficially, it might be the best one in state history.
Unless you pencil in "Southlake Carroll" before the start of each football season, picking a UIL state champion in any sport (and any classification) is harder than hitting a Kyle Drabek fastball. Ninety-nine percent of the time you'll be wrong.

So, when baseball gurus across the state started crowning the Highlanders champs in early February, Texans could have understandably dismissed the notion. After all, too many things can happen along the way.

But sixth-year head coach Ron Eastman's club somehow managed to hurdle each obstacle. They stayed injury free. They won every close game save one (in a meaningless early-season tournament). When their pitching failed, their hitting came in droves. When their hitting failed, their pitching was spectacular.

Most importantly, they stayed sharp mentally, refusing to get wrapped up in the polls, headlines or 6 o'clock news. They made a flawless journey through the postseason tournament bracket and avoided upsets from every team - most memorably coming from behind to turn away a determined Midland program in the state semis.

Every Highlander player seemed to have a role. Steven Maxwell was the dominant series opener, while Drabek was the dominant series closer - roles that reversed in the final four last weekend.

Drabek also was big with his bat, as he and fellow senior Paul Goldschmidt consistently drove in runs with crushing hits all over (and often out of) the park.

Leadoff hitter David Alleman always seemed to get on and produce runs. Two-hole hitter Derek Smith was no different, and his base hits became so commonplace that we came to expect them each game.

The most clutch hitter turned out to be junior catcher Mickey Armstrong, whose RBI knocks couldn't have come at better times throughout the postseason.

Out of the six hole, Taylor Grote was another consistent piece of aluminum, and his power potential was undeniable. Did we mention he had a built-in cannon disguised as a left arm? Kudos to the entire outfield as well (including center fielder Alleman and left fielder Brett Eibner), a trio that will return as seniors in '07.

The Highlanders were glad to have Eibner transfer in from North Carolina, as his hitting was much appreciated out of the seven hole (he went 2-for-4 in Round Rock).

No. 8 hitter Brett Parsons made himself known for both his bat and glove as the year progressed. No. 9 hitter Tim Schneider was a valuable second option at shortstop when Drabek was on the mound.

Even those who played small roles - like courtesy runners Cody Harmon and Ryan Mooney - ran the bases and produced runs when called upon.

Junior hurler Jerad Stevens was a solid third option behind Drabek and Maxwell, and looks to be the Highlanders No. 1 for 2007.

All the ingredients culminated in a perfect 2006 season with a perfect ending in which the perfect team won it all. Could it have happened any other way? Sure - but this one just looked the best.

Joel Weckerly can be reached at jweckerly@hcnonline.com