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Weather favors ducks over football
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| By: TOM GOETZ, DAILY LEADER Sports Writer |
October 15, 2009 |
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It's been so wet lately; folks are starting to grow webs between their toes. This scribe has waded through his share of muddy sidelines on Friday nights but the 2009 football season has become a new record for rain-soaked fields, rain-spattered notebooks and muddy shoes.
"Tom! Don't you dare set foot in this house with those shoes on!"
Gulp. Those were orders from headquarters. My devoted wife, Laurie, runs a clean ship. There's no excuse for sloppy sportswriters tracking mud across her carpeted floors.
Besides, Japanese are known for their unique culture. They park their shoes at the entrance door to their homes. My wife loves rice and Chinese food but she is 100 percent American made, a genuine Lincoln Countian.
Remember, a happy wife means a happy life.
For sure, this has been a year of much-needed rainfall. It all started back on the 21st of August. I attended the Brookhaven Academy-Silliman Institute game that Friday night.
As a harbinger for the season ahead, area thunderstorms delayed the kickoff for two hours or more at several games that night. If you are keeping score, it has rained on either Thursday or Friday before every game this season.
Most high school fields don't have outdoor carpet on the sidelines. What you encounter or wade through is a muddy trench, complete with stench. In many cases, the storm drains are next to the field. A heavy rainfall causes them to back up and overflow. That provides bystanders with an odor that can spoil the evening meal and breakfast, too.
Ahh, for the love of the game.
Professor Hoopla B.S., was inspecting his game bag as he prepared for Mississippi's squirrel season. There appears to be an abundance of bushy-tailed rodents cavorting through the trees this season. His single-shot, 16-gauge is oiled and ready.
Hoopla predicted the winners of 19 games last week and managed to get 13 correct. Here's a preview of this weekend's winners, starting with a Thursday night, community college special, plus a Gulf South Conference showdown.
East Central at Co-Lin: Fresh from a big upset win over Pearl River on homecoming Saturday, the Wolfpack must beware of a letdown when the Warriors invade Stone Stadium tonight. Co-Lin 17-10.
Delta State at North Alabama: Statesmen smile for the television camera but Lions do the celebrating. North Alabama 24-17.
Brookhaven at Picayune: Panthers make a long ride to Pearl River County and encounter a powerful wave, known as the Maroon Tide. Picayune 32-12.
East Rankin at Brookhaven Academy: Unbeaten Cougars seek their ninth win on homecoming night. Brookhaven Academy 24-14.
Puckett at Loyd Star: Wolves provide an awesome display on defense and offense as they escape "Sambo" Smith Field with a narrow win. Puckett 14-12.
West Lincoln at Salem: For the Bears, it is their last opportunity to claim a third victory in 2009, if the Wildcats cooperate. West Lincoln 19-16.
Mt. Olive at Bogue Chitto: Will the real Bobcats show up tomorrow night on Troy Smith Field? If they do, it's Bogue Chitto 27-24.
Wesson at Enterprise: Cobras must bounce back from their overtime loss to stay in the Region 6-2A title chase. Wesson 33-13.
Lawrence County at South Pike: Healthy again in the offensive backfield, the Cougars move one step closer to the Region 6-4A championship with a win in Magnolia. Lawrence County 38-19.
Amite County at Franklin County: Streaking Bulldogs take care of business in Meadville. Franklin County 41-6.
Copiah Academy at Parklane: Pioneers plot an ambush in Pike County. Parklane 26-14.
In other area action, Hazlehurst over Wilkinson County 39-8, McComb over Pearl River Central 18-14, Crystal Springs over Port Gibson 14-12 and North Pike over Columbia 20-12.
After reviewing the bag limit for squirrels, Hoopla reveals Saturday's winners.
Southwest at Pearl River: The Wildcats will take out their frustrations on the Bears from Summit. Pearl River 34-12. Mississippi State at Middle Tennessee State: This is supposed to be a breather for the Bulldogs. Miss. State 28-14.
Alabama-Birmingham at Ole Miss: Rebels try to regroup after their lopsided loss to Alabama's Crimson Tide. Ole Miss 29-17.
Memphis at Southern Miss: Larry Fedora is earning his salary as his USM team battles through injuries and disappointing setbacks. Southern Miss 30-10.
In other Magnolia State action, Jackson State over Texas Southern 27-10, Alabama A&M over Alcorn State 28-18, Prairie View over Valley State 29-13, Millsaps over Rhodes 26-7, Mississippi College over Mary Hardin-Baylor 22-10 and Belhaven over Shorter 17-7.
Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O. BOX 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602 or e-mail sports@dailyleader.com
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©The Daily Leader 2009
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