As the college football season hits full stride, the MagnoliaState has had few victories to cheer about. For what it’s worth,Ole Miss has realized some moral victories versus Georgia andAlabama, but coaches need wins to maintain their jobs.

Three of the bright spots have been Southern Miss, Jackson Stateand Delta State. Coach Jeff Bower’s USM Golden Eagles (4-2, 2-1)are leading the Conference USA East and are in a position to reachthe C-USA championship game if they maintain their winningpace.

Jackson State, under first-year head coach Rick Comegy, hasregained the SWAC spotlight after several losing seasons. TheTigers are off to a 5-1 start.

Delta State, coached by Rick Rhoades, is 6-1. The Statesmen,a.k.a. Fighting Okra are led by All-American quarterback ScottEyster.

Looking ahead to the Conerly Trophy presentation on Nov. 29, atthe Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum, candidates arerising to the top. Eyster is a leading contender, along with OleMiss linebacker Patrick Willis who was runner-up last year.

Named in honor of the late Charlie Conerly, the award’s majorsponsor is Cellular South. The trophy was sculpted by the lateBruce Brady of Brookhaven.

2006 will mark the 11th presentation of the award which began in1996. Tregnel Thomas of Delta State was the first recipient andJerious Norwood of Mississippi State was the 2005 winner.

It should be an exciting November as the Conerly-watchcontinues.

Meanwhile, Professor Hoopla B.S., is campaigning for the covetedPrognosticator of the Year Award. He must continue to work hard andhustle every game to remain in contention.

Last week Hoopla predicted the winners of 31 games and managedto get 20 correct. Call it a midseason slump.

Residing on his houseboat, anchored on the Bogue Chitto Riverjust north of Highway 84, Hoopla faxed his latest predictions tothe sports desk. Here’s a preview of this weekend’s winners,starting with Friday’s high school menu.

Brookhaven at Kosciusko: The talented Whippetshaven’t forgotten last year’s loss on King Field. Kosciusko28-17.

Brookhaven Academy at Wayne Academy: Followinga long bus ride to Waynesboro, the Cougars pull out a narrowvictory. Brookhaven Academy 27-20.

Mount Olive at Bogue Chitto: The McNair claninvades Troy Smith Field and authors a high-scoring win. MountOlive 38-30.

Gulfport St. John at Enterprise: The Eagles areslowly improving, just like the hosts. St. John 28-12.

West Lincoln at Stringer: There is talk of amultiple win season for the Bears but the Red Devils have the homefield advantage. Stringer 20-14.

Hinds AHS at Loyd Star: High-powered Bulldogsfind the right gear on W.E. “Sambo” Smith Field. Hinds AHS36-16.

Madison St. Joe at Wesson: Cobras need anotherRegion 6-2A win to stay in contention. Wesson 34-10.

McComb at Lawrence County: In an epic Region6-4A struggle, the Tigers prevail on defense. McComb 17-14.

Wilkinson County at Franklin County: In abattle of the haves and the have-nots, the Bulldogs go on arampage. Franklin County 56-6.

In other area games, Copiah Academy over AmiteSchool Center 39-12, Hazlehurst over Jefferson County 42-8,Parklane over East Rankin Academy 29-0, West Marion over North Pike18-12, South Pike over Columbia 21-10 and Raymond over CrystalSprings 31-21.

Co-Lin at East Mississippi: Wolfpack can’tafford to overlook the Lions in Scooba Saturday afternoon. Co-Lin24-17.

Southwest at Pearl River: In a pivotal SouthDivision showdown, the Wildcats remain in contention for a playoffberth. Pearl River 30-14.

Ole Miss at Arkansas: Razorbacks are difficultto defeat on their home turf. Arkansas 29-10.

Mississippi State at Georgia: Coach Mike Richtmade some major changes in his offensive lineup and MSU suffers theconsequences. Georgia 26-12.

Southern Miss at Virginia Tech: Gobblers havetoo many weapons for the Golden Eagles to defend. Virginia Tech23-14.

Jackson State at Grambling: In a battle of theTigers, JSU comes through with another big win. Jackson State28-14.

In other Magnolia State action, Southern U.will dump Alcorn State 38-12, Mary-Hardin Baylor will stopMississippi College 17-7, Lambuth will dump Belhaven 29-10, TexasSouthern will clip Valley State 18-8, Delta State will shave NorthAlabama 27-24, and DePauw will edge Millsaps 17-14.

In the SEC, Tennessee over Alabama 33-23,Auburn over Tulane 42-7, LSU over Fresno Sate 38-7, and Vanderbiltover South Carolina 24-21. Florida and Kentucky have open dates toheal their wounds.

Three of the bright spots have been Southern Miss, Jackson Stateand Delta State. Coach Jeff Bower’s USM Golden Eagles (4-2, 2-1)are leading the Conference USA East and are in a position to reachthe C-USA championship game if they maintain their winningpace.

Jackson State, under first-year head coach Rick Comegy, hasregained the SWAC spotlight after several losing seasons. TheTigers are off to a 5-1 start.

Delta State, coached by Rick Rhoades, is 6-1. The Statesmen,a.k.a. Fighting Okra are led by All-American quarterback ScottEyster.

Looking ahead to the Conerly Trophy presentation on Nov. 29, atthe Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum, candidates arerising to the top. Eyster is a leading contender, along with OleMiss linebacker Patrick Willis who was runner-up last year.

Named in honor of the late Charlie Conerly, the award’s majorsponsor is Cellular South. The trophy was sculpted by the lateBruce Brady of Brookhaven.

2006 will mark the 11th presentation of the award which began in1996. Tregnel Thomas of Delta State was the first recipient andJerious Norwood of Mississippi State was the 2005 winner.

It should be an exciting November as the Conerly-watchcontinues.

Meanwhile, Professor Hoopla B.S., is campaigning for the covetedPrognosticator of the Year Award. He must continue to work hard andhustle every game to remain in contention.

Last week Hoopla predicted the winners of 31 games and managedto get 20 correct. Call it a midseason slump.

Residing on his houseboat, anchored on the Bogue Chitto Riverjust north of Highway 84, Hoopla faxed his latest predictions tothe sports desk. Here’s a preview of this weekend’s winners,starting with Friday’s high school menu.

Brookhaven at Kosciusko: The talented Whippetshaven’t forgotten last year’s loss on King Field. Kosciusko28-17.

Brookhaven Academy at Wayne Academy: Followinga long bus ride to Waynesboro, the Cougars pull out a narrowvictory. Brookhaven Academy 27-20.

Mount Olive at Bogue Chitto: The McNair claninvades Troy Smith Field and authors a high-scoring win. MountOlive 38-30.

Gulfport St. John at Enterprise: The Eagles areslowly improving, just like the hosts. St. John 28-12.

West Lincoln at Stringer: There is talk of amultiple win season for the Bears but the Red Devils have the homefield advantage. Stringer 20-14.

Hinds AHS at Loyd Star: High-powered Bulldogsfind the right gear on W.E. “Sambo” Smith Field. Hinds AHS36-16.

Madison St. Joe at Wesson: Cobras need anotherRegion 6-2A win to stay in contention. Wesson 34-10.

McComb at Lawrence County: In an epic Region6-4A struggle, the Tigers prevail on defense. McComb 17-14.

Wilkinson County at Franklin County: In abattle of the haves and the have-nots, the Bulldogs go on arampage. Franklin County 56-6.

In other area games, Copiah Academy over AmiteSchool Center 39-12, Hazlehurst over Jefferson County 42-8,Parklane over East Rankin Academy 29-0, West Marion over North Pike18-12, South Pike over Columbia 21-10 and Raymond over CrystalSprings 31-21.

Co-Lin at East Mississippi: Wolfpack can’tafford to overlook the Lions in Scooba Saturday afternoon. Co-Lin24-17.

Southwest at Pearl River: In a pivotal SouthDivision showdown, the Wildcats remain in contention for a playoffberth. Pearl River 30-14.

Ole Miss at Arkansas: Razorbacks are difficultto defeat on their home turf. Arkansas 29-10.

Mississippi State at Georgia: Coach Mike Richtmade some major changes in his offensive lineup and MSU suffers theconsequences. Georgia 26-12.

Southern Miss at Virginia Tech: Gobblers havetoo many weapons for the Golden Eagles to defend. Virginia Tech23-14.

Jackson State at Grambling: In a battle of theTigers, JSU comes through with another big win. Jackson State28-14.

In other Magnolia State action, Southern U.will dump Alcorn State 38-12, Mary-Hardin Baylor will stopMississippi College 17-7, Lambuth will dump Belhaven 29-10, TexasSouthern will clip Valley State 18-8, Delta State will shave NorthAlabama 27-24, and DePauw will edge Millsaps 17-14.

In the SEC, Tennessee over Alabama 33-23,Auburn over Tulane 42-7, LSU over Fresno Sate 38-7, and Vanderbiltover South Carolina 24-21. Florida and Kentucky have open dates toheal their wounds.