|
|
Back to BHS and Region 3-5A, the new region foes are West Jones, Wayne County, Stone County, Picayune and Pearl River Central. The holdovers from the old Region 6-4A group are McComb and Forest Hill.
Besides 1-way, 2-hour road trips, the strength of schedule is intimidating. West Jones invades King Field Friday night and the Mustangs are loaded.
Next week, the Panthers visit Waynesboro to face powerhouse Wayne County.
West Jones used to belong to Region 4-4A and athletic director/head football coach Scott Pierson recognizes the negatives in the new classification. Travel is the main factor, plus the loss of revenue.
"We used to take in $70-80,000 for our home games," said Pearson. "Now, we'll be lucky to make $40,000.
The wise administrator knows this fact by heart. Football sells more tickets than any other sport in the athletic department. In fact, other sports benefit from the football revenue.
That's one reason schools like Bogue Chitto, Enterprise, West Lincoln and Loyd Star were happy to see realignment. In the past, 1A members were locked into a 10-game region football schedule that included Pisgah, Puckett, Pelahatchie, Mount Olive, Vicksburg St. Aloysius, Dexter, Salem and Stringer.
The competition was fierce but the gate receipts were awful, a.k.a., less than profitable. Some football programs were losing money.
Making the best of an opportunity to revive local rivalries, Bogue Chitto and Loyd Star brought back the Possum Bowl. Mt. Hermon, La., in its second year of varsity football, suddenly became a homecoming favorite for area teams.
Loyd Star remained in Region 6-2A, along with Enterprise, Wesson, Hinds AHS, and Madison St. Joseph. Puckett joined the region, making it stronger than in the past.
Certainly, rivalry games are important in these difficult financial times. Playing away games an hour's drive or less from home are valuable, too.
Meanwhile, Professor Hoopla B.S., was trying to find his way home after kayaking on the Bogue Chitto River. His mud-stained list of predictions was found in a leaky, plastic bag.
Hoopla predicted the winners of 22 games last week and missed only 2. Special congratulations to the unbeaten Wesson Cobras who beat Sumrall on the road at Oak Grove.
This week Hoopla begins his fearless forecast with two Thursday night specials.
East Central at Southwest: Bears are determined to win with defense. Southwest 9-7.
Ole Miss at South Carolina: Rebels encounter a stiff test on the road as they try to protect their No. 4 national ranking. In a squeaker, Ole Miss 17-10.
West Jones at Brookhaven: It looks like an epic struggle on King Field as the Mustangs escape with a narrow win. West Jones 21-14.
Simpson County at Brookhaven Academy: Concentrating on defense in practice this week, the host Cougars prevail in a battle of Class AA unbeatens. Brookhaven Academy 22-20.
Bogue Chitto at St. Aloysius: In a Region 4-1A showdown, the Flashes eke out a win. St. Al 24-19.
Mt. Hermon, La. at Enterprise: It's homecoming on Harry Cole Field and the home folks go home happy. Enterprise 45-12.
Dexter at West Lincoln: Bulldogs escape with a triumph over the Bears. Dexter 34-24.
Florence at Wesson: Cobras must play their best to author a homecoming triumph. Wesson 31-18.
Mendenhall at Franklin County: Once a powerhouse, the Tigers have fallen on hard times. Franklin County 42-12.
Lawrence County at Quitman: If the field is dry, the scoreboard could blow a fuse. Lawrence County 45-40.
In other area action, Copiah Academy over Central Hinds 31-20, Hazlehurst over Port Gibson 49-6, Wilkinson County over Crystal Springs 18-12, Picayune over McComb 45-8, North Pike over Amite County 31-14, South Pike over Jefferson County 32-16 and Parklane over Adams County Christian School 46-12. Loyd Star has an open date to enjoy its 5-0 start.
After sipping a Diet Sunkist, Hoopla looks at Saturday's Magnolia State collegiate scene.
Co-Lin at Coahoma: Picturesque Clarksdale is the location of the community college contest as the Wolfpack outscores the host Tigers. Co-Lin 36-16.
LSU at Mississippi State: Expect the Bulldogs to play a strong first half before running out of gas against the talented Tigers. LSU 32-17.
Southern Miss at Kansas: Slighted by the AP Top 25, the Golden Eagles gather more respect with a difficult road victory. USM 28-21.
In other Magnolia State action, Southern University over Alcorn State 38-10, Alabama State over Valley State 28-6, Delta State over Ouachita Baptist 27-14, Hardin-Simmons over Mississippi College 23-20, Belhaven over Bethel 22-17, and Millsaps over Trinity 21-14. Jackson State has an open date to pacify its disgruntled alumni.
Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O. BOX 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602 or e-mail sports@dailyleader.com
