The 2010 college football season cranks up tonight and somelocal players are expected to see plenty of action. SoutheasternLouisiana University wide receiver Simmie Yarborough will beplaying for the Lions tonight when they invade the LouisianaSuperdome to battle Tulane’s Green Wave. Yarborough is a preseasonAll-American and he’s anticipating a great junior year. He’ll wearjersey No. 88.

Darion Smith, another Brookhaven product, will start for the UABBlazers tonight when they host Florida Atlantic on Birmingham’sLegion Field. Smith, all 6-foot-3 and 270 pounds of him, will wearNo. 75. He transferred to UAB after two solid seasons atCopiah-Lincoln Community College.

In another Thursday night special, sophomore outside linebackerJamie Collins of Meadville will start for Southern Miss when theGolden Eagles tackle South Carolina on national television.Redshirt freshman running back Kendrick Hardy of Lawrence County isexpected to see plenty of playing time, too.

On Friday night, former BHS and Co-Lin grad Charles “Bobo”Rancifer, will be working at outside linebacker for the ToledoRockets as they host the Arizona Wildcats in the Glass Bowl. Hewears jersey No. 10. His mother and grandmother are making the tripto Ohio while his father remains in town to watch his younger sonplay for the Ole Brook Panthers.

On Saturday, Wesson and Co-Lin product Micah Davis will start atquarterback for Delta State University when the Statesmen visitJackson State. Phillip Freeman, another Wesson/Co-Lin product, willplay offensive tackle for Mississippi State Saturday when theBulldogs host Memphis. Hazlehurst grad Damein Carter, will beworking at cornerback for the Bulldogs. Matthew Wells, a freshmanreceiver from Monticello, could see some action for MSU.

Rancifer (6-2, 217) was an exceptional safety at Co-Lin afterthree great years as a quarterback for the Panthers.

Rancifer and his teammates have endured a long stretch oftwo-a-days. He said the Rockets began practice Aug. 3. “It wasbrutal. Some days it will get to 95. Usually, it’s around 85. Thehumidity is high.’

Rancifer said he expects Toledo’s defense to be a majorstrength. “It all starts in our defensive secondary.” He is abusiness administration major.

Asked about changes in latitude, Rancifer said, “The coaches aredifferent. It took me a while to get adjusted to them. They pushyou real hard. On and off the field, they stay on us.”

He said the coaches stress academics. “They want us to sit inthe first two rows and come to class 10 minutes early.”

Birmingham is a large, metropolitan area but Smith is enjoyinghis campus life. Smith’s position coach is Will Friend, a formerAll-SEC guard at Alabama who played high school football at NeshobaCentral in Philadelphia, Miss.

Smith said he is enjoying his daily routine at UAB. “The coacheslike me and I like the people up here. They are down to earth.”

Meanwhile, Professor Hoopla B.S. was last seen using a metalnail file to pry dirt from beneath his fingernails. He had beenworking in his vegetable garden, trying to grow some falltomatoes.

Hoopla’s prediction list for this weekend’s winners was stainedwith dirt and fertilizer when he dropped it off Wednesdayafternoon. He predicted the winners of 12 games last week andmanaged to get seven right.

Here’s a preview of this weekend’s winners, starting with twoThursday night community college specials.

Coahoma at Co-Lin: Whoever scores last coulddecide this season opener in Stone Stadium. Co-Lin 35-29.

Southwest at Holmes: The Bears will lose aclose one in Goodman. Holmes 10-7.

Southern Miss at South Carolina: Gamecocks arelucky and good, especially on their home turf. South Carolina27-24.

Clinton at Brookhaven: Panthers showcased animproved defense in their season opener. They’ll prove it againFriday night on King Field. Brookhaven 14-10.

West Lincoln at Enterprise: Yellow Jacketschalk up a big victory on Harry Cole Field at the expense of theBears. Enterprise 30-12.

Riverfield at Brookhaven Academy: High-octaneoffense keeps the unbeaten Cougars flying high on “Red” StuardField. Brookhaven Academy 45-14.

Loyd Star at Richland: WinlessRangers are eager to join the victory column. Richland 20-12.

Wesson at Bogue Chitto: It promises to be oneof the best games in the area as the Cobras escape with a narrowwin on Troy Smith Field. Wesson 19-14.

Lawrence County at Tylertown: Cougars have ascore to settle as they seek their second straight victory.Lawrence County 31-16.

Franklin County at McComb: Looks like theTigers really are for real. McComb 27-14.

In other area games, Hazlehurst over South Pike 36-12, NorthPike over East Central 21-10 and Hinds AHS over Crystal Springs29-6 and Jefferson County over Port Gibson 22-8.

After enjoying a Coke float, Hoopla peers at Saturday’s collegescene.

Jacksonville State at Ole Miss: Whoever playsquarterback will look good Saturday as the Rebels win their seasonopener. Ole Miss 29-7.

Memphis at Mississippi State: Bulldogs unleashan explosive offense which please the partisan crowd. State28-10.

Delta State at Jackson State: Has Coach Comegyrecruited enough standout players to have a respectable season?Statesmen by a field goal. Delta State 24-21.

In other Magnolia State action, Mississippi College overMillsaps 21-10, Alcorn State over Langston 33-14, Alabama Stateover Valley State 38-13, and Belhaven over Louisiana College27-13.

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