|
After observing my 28th football
jamboree as a member of this Fourth Estate, I have come
to one conclusion: It's hard to tell what's going on
from pre-season exhibitions.
Yeah, to an extent, there is an
element of "wow, did you see that?" at these football
fests. People are surprised by performances and scores
on occasion, but there really aren't that many
surprises.
The last time I said, "wow, did
you see that?" at a jamboree was when Gleason beat
Martin-Westview 14-0, and then followed it up again a
year later at the Dresden jamboree in 1984 and 1985.
So, in effect, very little rides
on jamborees. State champions aren't determined here and
the final results don't count in the stat books or in
the won-loss record. Jamborees DO acclimate players to
playing with officials, under the lights, in full dress
uniforms without coaches on the field. It gets them used
to playing in front of a crowd. And they serve to temper
teams for Week 1.
Generally, the game plans are
unsalted. Teams generally don't show a whole lot. In
fact, some teams at the jamboree this year weren't even
playing their full complement of starters only because
they knew they were being scouted.
From what I saw, McKenzie can
move the football, but still has a few things to fix on
defense. The Rebels should be fine. West Carroll proved
it can play with the big boys. It stood toe-to-toe with
a pretty good Camden team. Hollow Rock-Bruceton showed
that it may be on the rebound after an aberrant 2-8
campaign. A little seasoning will take that team a long
way.
As for the Mustangs, they
seemingly picked up where they left off. Huntingdon
executed very well, exhibited speed and strength and
served notice that it is going to scratch and claw to
defend its title. But there are 15 weeks between now and
when someone hoists that gold football.
And in those 15 weeks, once
again, I hope to eclipse the 80-percent plateau, which I
have been quite proficient at reaching over the last
nine years.
Here's to my 21st season of
pigskin prescience. I've been writing this column for a
variety of publications since 1984. Remember, I pick who
I think will win, not who I want to win. Don't confuse
the head with the heart when reading these selections.
And remember, please, no
wagering.
McKenzie over Obion: Obion
Central is in a rebuilding phase. Gone are all-state
quarterback Wes Moore and all-state receiver Brian
Kissell. So is OC's chance for victory over a potent
McKenzie attack.
Huntingdon over Hollow
Rock-Bruceton: While the Tigers are improved and have
weapons of their own in speedster Orey Willis, they lack
the firepower the Mustangs have with the likes of Chris
Donald, Scott Hampton and Boo Weathers.
West Carroll over Trinity:
Having played in a jamboree and acquitting itself well
against a quality 2A club, West Carroll will be more
than ready for the Lions this year. And the War Eagles
will have the smell of revenge in their nostrils, having
lost twice last year to TCA.
Bethel of Arkansas-Monticello:
Bethel may not go through the season anonymously when
they pull off this shocker.
Elsewhere, I see:
Bolivar over Fayette Academy,
Halls over SBEC, Camden over Waverly, Lexington over
Riverside, Union City over Hillcrest, Dresden over
Gibson County, Peabody over Chester County,
Adamsville over McNairy Central,
South Side over USJ, Crockett County over Westview,
Brighton over Frayser, Dyersburg over Dyer County,
Ripley over Manassas, Covington over Haywood County, JCM
over Bartlett, Millington over Munford, Hardin County
over Memphis North Side, Milan over Henry County, North
Side over Liberty Magnet and Rosemark over Gleason. |
