Puddles of rain water were coated with a yellow film, reflectingthe heavy amount of pine pollen filling the Lincoln County air.Allergy sufferers were happy to see a sprinkle of rain settle thedust as a cool breeze shivered the young green leaves sproutingfrom tree branches.

Inside the Loyd Star Attendance Center’s library Wednesday atnoon, four happy people were smiling for the DAILY LEADER’s sportseditor/photographer. Lineman Daniel Sisco wassigning a scholarship with the Mississippi College Choctaws.

Sisco, a 6-foot-2, 260-pound mass of muscle, said he wants toplay defensive tackle at MC. He played on both sides of thefootball at Loyd Star.

A powerlifter, Sisco recently broke Loyd Star’s bench pressrecord when he benched 365 pounds. He also has qualified for theClass 1A-2A state powerlifting meet which will be held April 12, atPearl.

He caught the attention of MC head coach JohnnyMills. Sisco and his parents, Danny and RhondaSisco, were impressed by the MC coaching staff and thefacilities on the Clinton campus.

“I’m excited and looking forward to getting up there to MC andstarting the weightlifting program,” said Sisco. “Coach Mills saidI’m big enough to play right now.”

Sisco is reportedly the first Loyd Star football player to eversign with MC straight out of high school. Three years ago,tailback/wide receiver Marcus Shannon signed with the University ofSouthern Mississippi, becoming the first Loyd Star player to sign asenior college football scholarship. But Shannon took a detourthrough Copiah-Lincoln Community College when he failed to make therequired ACT score.

Sisco (6-2, 265) is going to be an honor graduate at Loyd Starwith a 3.3 GPA. He has scored 22 on the ACT and wants to take itagain. His favorite high school course is biology. He plans topursue a career in pharmacy.

Loyd Star head football coach Sidney Wheatleysaid Sisco has worked hard to achieve success. “If anybody everdeserved a scholarship, Daniel does. You won’t find a kid who worksharder than him. I feel confident that he will do well at MC. Hehas a lot of good work habits.”

Danny Sisco said he appreciated Wheatley’s support. “CoachWheatley has done a lot of good things for Daniel. That means a lotto us.”

At MC, Sisco will join former Brookhaven lineman KernHoff, a 2002 BHS graduate who played in theAlabama-Mississippi All-Star Football Game last June. Hoff,redshirted as a freshman at MC, has moved to center on offense. Hehas gained 30-40 pounds and packs 270 pounds on his 6-footframe.

Loyd Star has produced several outstanding athletes in recentyears. In January, Jody Britt signed a baseballscholarship with Co-Lin. He stars at shortstop and pitcher. Hisolder brothers, Jeff and Kevin, both played baseball at Co-Lin.

The University of Southern Mississippi is beating the publicitydrums for its 2003 football season ticket package. Athleticdirector Richard Giannini has released ticketprice information for USM’s six home games, highlighted by a visitfrom the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Thursday night, Sept. 25.

Other opponents visiting “The Rock” include Memphis (Sept. 13),South Florida (Oct. 25), Louisiana-Lafayette (Nov. 1), Tulane (Nov.15) and TCU (Thursday, Nov. 20).

“Demand for 2003 season football tickets will be high,” saidGiannini. “We have expanded the season ticket sales period to meetthe demand.”

Football season ticket holders from the 2002 season, who meetEagle Club criteria, will be given first priority on renewing seatsfrom last season. Renewal materials for the upcoming season will bemailed in the next couple of weeks. Their year’s priority deadlineis Friday, May 30. Season assignments for the new seasonticketholders will be made during the month of July.

Nebraska single game ticket sales are being limited to 2003football season ticketholders and current Eagle club members.Applications will be mailed to these groups in the near future.

Determination regarding the sale of Nebraska tickets to othergroups will be made at a later date, no earlier than May 30.

Giannini provided some insight. “Those interested in Nebraskatickets are encouraged to consider season ticket purchase and/orEagle Club membership. The contracted ticket demands of ouropponent and high interest in this single game mean a very limitednumber of single game tickets will be available.”

Only Eagle Club members will have an opportunity to purchasePremium Chairback seats. The season ticket price for six home gamesis $189, or $31.50 each.

The Golden Eagles have road games at California (Aug. 30), atUAB (Sept. 6), at Cincinnati (Oct. 4), at Alabama (Oct. 11), atHouston (Nov. 8) and at East Carolina (Nov. 29).

“We are excited about our 2003 football schedule,” saidGiannini.