Do you believe in omens?

For Lincoln County, this is the Year of the Cicada. Every 13years, this particular variety of cicada digs its way out ofground, climbs a tree, hatches, flies, lays eggs, dies and thecycle concludes. During the early summer, the countryside is alivewith the monotonous drone of the cicadas.

Is this sports related?

Look back to 1989, the last time Lincoln County was up to itschin in cicada flies and hulls. How did the local high schoolfootball teams perform that year?

Thought you would never ask. There weren’t any super teams 13years ago. Brookhaven’s Panthers, coached by Don Coleman, finished5-4 but they did beat McComb 27-19 in the season finale. BrookhavenAcademy struggled to a 2-8 record under Jay Swindle, beating EastRankin and Columbia Academy back-to-back in the first two weeks ofSeptember.

Loyd Star, under the direction of Roe Burns, posted a 5-5record. The Hornets beat Enterprise 46-18 in the second game of theseason but lost to Wesson 42-14.

Bogue Chitto, coached by Boyd Bayles, beat Loyd Star 20-12 andEnterprise 24-6. The Bobcats advanced to the state playoffs andlost to Puckett, finishing 5-6.

At Enterprise, Coach Jerry Meador’s Yellow Jackets went 3-7.They whipped McLaurin 36-14 for homecoming and defeated Benton26-8.

In nearby Wesson, the Cobras were enjoying a banner year underRickey Clopton. They went 10-1 and advanced to the second round ofthe state playoffs where they lost to Bassfield.

Co-Lin, coached by Ray Ishee, also enjoyed a strong campaign.The Wolves finished 9-2, winning the South Division title andlosing to Delta 34-31 in the state playoffs.

Lawrence County went 4-6 under Emanuel Bridges. The Cougars beatJefferson County 24-6 for homecoming.

Franklin County, coached by Michael Goff, went 6-4, losing toMagee in the opening round of the state playoffs.

McComb stumbled to a 2-8 record and South Pike won the statechampionship under Greg Wall. North Pike went 6-3 under Mac Andersand Hazlehurst was 6-4 under Randall Huffman, reaching the stateplayoffs.

Southwest posted a 2-8 mark under Larry Kinslow, losing 44-7 toCo-Lin. That was, a.k.a., The Year of the Cicada.

In 1989, Professor Hoopla, B.S., was still doing shampoocommercials. There was ocean front property for sale in BogueChitto, too.

Like a lot of teams, Hoopla ran into a meat grinder last week.He picked the winners of 21 games and only 13 came true. Here’s hisweekend preview, starting with four Thursday night specials.

Co-Lin at Gulf Coast: In a defensive struggle, the host Bulldogswin by a touchdown. Gulf Coast 17-10.

Hinds at Southwest: Eagles appear ready to contend for the SouthDivision championship again. Hinds 21-7.

Hazlehurst at Forest Hill: In a major upset, the Indians escapewith a victory over the Class 5A Rebels. Hazlehurst 27-21.

Auburn at Mississippi State: It’s SEC crunch time in Starkvilletonight. Tuberville’s Tigers escape with a victory. Auburn17-14.

Brookhaven at Raymond: Panthers are road warriors and Fridaynight winners over the Rangers. Brookhaven 28-12.

Brookhaven Academy at Prentiss Christian: Cougars feel likethey’ve been playing an SEC schedule. They’ll find happiness inJefferson Davis County. Brookhaven Academy 14-9.

Bogue Chitto at Mize: Most of the Bobcats who battled theBulldogs for Region 4-1A supremacy last season graduated. Mize35-16.

Enterprise at Mount Olive: Yellow Jackets sting the winlessPirates. Enterprise 31-12.

Loyd Star at Bassfield: Both teams are struggling through arebuilding campaign. Bassfield 16-14.

West Lincoln at Natchez Cathedral: The Green Wave won’t showmuch mercy in D’Everaux Stadium. Cathedral 27-7.

Wesson at Franklin County: This promises to be an excitingcontest as the Cobras invade Meadville. Franklin County 21-14.

Lawrence County at McComb: It’s a cat fight in C.C. MooreStadium. Tigers by a whisker. McComb 24-21.

In other area games, expect Copiah Academy to whip East Rankin33-12, Wilkinson County to ambush North Pike 19-8, Vicksburg tooutscore South Pike 31-24, Crystal Springs to clip Hinds AHS 20-16and Parklane to edge Centreville 21-20.

Saturday’s collegiate scene should go like this.

Vanderbilt at Ole Miss: The Commodores won’t make the mentalmistakes but they don’t have enough talent to win in Oxford. OleMiss 27-10.

Southern Miss at Alabama: A major showdown in Tuscaloosa seesthe Eagles escaping with a victory. Southern Miss 28-20.

In other Magnolia State action, Jackson State should outscoreSouthern U. 42-32, Delta State should lose to Valdosta State 38-18,Alcorn State should beat Hampton 29-20, Sam Houston State shouldmassacre Valley 58-18, Howard Payne should smash MississippiCollege 39-14 and Belhaven should clip Cumberland 14-10. Millsapshas an open date to recuperate.