FOR LEE MARTINEZ GROWING UP IN HOUSTON, ONE OF THE CHERISHED TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL RIVALRIES RESIDED ON THE EAST SIDE.
Baytown Lee versus Baytown Sterling.
As Sterling's numbers increased, the game eventually stopped being scheduled – last being played in 2016, which was the 50th-edition of the game.
In 2020, Sterling's numbers have dropped a bit, sending the school back down to Class 5A and into the same district as rival Lee and new kid on the block Goose Creek Memorial.
Now in the same district means for the 51st time, Baytown Lee – who hasn't beaten the Rangers since 2012 – would play Baytown Sterling this fall.
"I can remember growing up they would talk about the Baytown Lee – Sterling rivalry. Me personally, I have never seen one," Martinez said. "To not only be a part of that but to be the athletic director on the sidelines watching, I'm pretty excited."
But this isn't just about Lee and Sterling anymore. And it's not just about football.
This is about Baytown.
With the three high schools being in different districts the last few years has been challenging, Martinez said.
From an administration side, they had to deal with differing district policies, travel plans, etc. But it was also tough on the Baytown community.
"We are one city. I'm sure just because you might be a Lee fan, you may go to Stallworth to see our other teams playing in the same district," Martinez said. "That wasn't the case for us the last couple of years."
Now, being all back together it makes things interesting again.
Adding to the excitement is Goose Creek Memorial. How do the Patriots fit into the Lee-Sterling rivalry? Do they become rivals of one of the other two schools and will it vary by sport?
What is special for the community is that it's for all sports, not just football as GCCISD will compete against each other for at least the next two years.
That also means, athletes who have grown up with each other in the Baytown community know each other really well.
"You might have played Little League together, you might have played Pop Warner football together," Martinez said. "Now, you're going to play against each other under those Friday Night Lights. I don't think it gets any more exciting than that. Of course, there's going to be bragging rights and that will go on for a year. The players, they're excited!"
Bragging rights are great and all, but what about something bigger?
Every year, the UIL every year awards the Lone Star Cup, which is presented to the school that performs the best over the entire year in every sport. Points are tallied on how they finished in district, making the playoffs and how deep they go.
Could this new district setup be the perfect setting to crown a Battle for Baytown champion?
"We are definitely thinking about a Baytown Cup for the school that has the most playoff teams and so forth," Martinez said. "We need to use this time to not only promote our athletics in Baytown, but also get our guys to compete at a higher level not only here in the district but outside of it as well."
For the first time since 2020, the Memorial Mustangs sit atop District 17-6A — and they didn’t just get there quietly.
Behind a convincing series sweep of Stratford, last year’s 6A-DII State Finalist, Memorial emphatically secured the district championship while improving to 27-10 overall and an unblemished 14-0 in district play.
The victory capped a dominant regular season that’s seen the Mustangs blend balance, composure, and energy at every turn — all hallmarks of a team built for the postseason.
Under head coach Kaddie Platt, Memorial has thrived behind one of the area’s most complete lineups.
Junior Mary Margaret Schwieder has been a driving force on both ends, leading the team in kills (237) and serve receptions (604) while contributing nearly 400 digs. Fellow junior Tesa Solis has complemented her on the attack, approaching the 200-kill mark as another key piece in the Mustangs’ offense.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Setting the tone for that offensive rhythm has been senior Ella Ross, who’s tallied more than 450 assists while giving her hitters opportunities to capitalize in transition. On the defensive end, senior libero Kassia Tan has been the anchor, registering 483 digs and consistently stabilizing the back row.
Perhaps the biggest X-factor, though, has been sophomore Taylor Harting, whose versatility has made her indispensable. Moving fluidly between setter and right-side hitter, Harting has filled multiple roles with poise — racking up 388 assists, 229 digs, and 157 kills in the process.
Collectively, Memorial has found its stride at the perfect time.
With a district crown in hand and a confident rotation clicking on both sides of the net, the Mustangs now turn their focus toward a playoff run that promises to be as competitive as any in Class 6A — and they look every bit the part of a team ready to make noise when it matters most
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
