It’s still too hot to play football unless you are in theair-conditioned comfort of the Superdome. High school and collegefootball teams in Mississippi might as well be a million miles awayfrom the Superdome. That means the players need to drink plenty ofliquids before, during and after the games.

Dehydration, caused by the heat, has no standard attack plan.Skinny, as well as overweight folks, can suffer the consequences ifthey don’t consume enough liquids.

For that matter, the fans should be careful, too. We are allspoiled by air conditioning. Heat stroke can cause those faithfulfollowers to fall by the wayside, especially if they have climbedseveral rows of bleachers to reach their seats.

Stepping down from the soap box, this column wants to wish allthe teams a successful season. Gosh, the players have worked hardin the sweltering, August heatwave and so have the coaches. Theyare longing for that first cool, northerly breeze.

As Barbie says, “There’s a cold front to the north which couldbe pushing into Mississippi.”

In other words, the outside air temperature will plunge fromtriple digits to the low 90s. Believe it or not, 90 degrees doesfeel pretty good compared to those 100-degree plus days whichsmothered and actually killed some people a few weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Professor Hoopla B.S., was contacted at his mountainretreat outside Maggie Valley, N.C. He was startled to learn the2007 football season was cranking up in August. Pushed andencouraged by a bonus contract, he agreed to provide our readerswith a list of winners, both high school and college.

Recognized for his zeal and intuition, Hoopla always picks morewinners than losers. But don’t bet the mortgage on hisconclusions.

Hoopla will begin with some Thursday night specials and steadilyprogress to institutions of higher learning.

Enterprise at West Lincoln: The Fighting YellowJackets could have an ace up their sleeve. They are bigger andstronger. Enterprise 25-12.

Co-Lin at Northwest: With both teams rebuildingfrom the ground up, this could be a coin-toss. Co-Lin 9-7.

Itawamba at Southwest: The 5-hour bus rideusually gives the home team an advantage. Southwest 14-10.

Millsaps at Mississippi College: In a benefitgame for the animal shelter, Choctaws produce an aerial show in theBackyard Brawl. MC 31-16.

LSU at Mississippi State: Bayou Bengals havetoo much talent for the gritty Bulldogs. In a nationally televised,Thursday night special…..LSU 39-10.

Brookhaven at North Pike: After receiving awake-up call in the jamboree, Ole Brook’s Panthers regroup and takecare of business. Brookhaven 27-14.

Oak Forest at Brookhaven Academy: YellowJackets jumped on Parklane last week and they’ll do the same to theCougars. Oak Forest 22-12.

St. Aloysius at Bogue Chitto: Bobcats showcasetheir flashy offense and an improved defense on Troy Smith Field.Bogue Chitto 27-14.

J.J. McClain at Loyd Star: Mustangs have a longride to Lincoln County to face the Hornets. In an ambush, Loyd Star14-12.

Prentiss at Wesson: Bulldogs have too muchspeed for the rebuilding Cobras. Prentiss 20-12.

Franklin County at Hazlehurst: Defending statechampion Bulldogs avoid an ambush in Copiah County. Franklin County32-16.

Petal at Lawrence County: Cougars eke out anarrow win at home. Lawrence County 14-13.

In other area action, McComb should stop SouthPike 21-8, Copiah Academy should clip Leake Academy 24-21 andCrystal Springs should swamp Port Gibson 35-12.

Ole Miss at Memphis: Rejuvenated Rebels ridethe quarterbacking skills of Seth Adams and the running talents ofBenJarvis Green-Ellis to a Saturday win over the Tigers. Ole Miss24-14.

UT-Martin at Southern Miss: Golden Eagles flextheir football muscles at The Rock. Southern Miss 38-10.

Delta State at Jackson State: In acrowd-pleaser, the Tigers outscore the Statesmen. Jackson State28-14.

In other state college action, it’s UAPB overValley State 27-12, Grambling over Alcorn State 21-12 and Belhavenover Concordia 29-20.

Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O.BOX 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602, or e-mailsports@dailyleader.com