Zounds!

     They are singing “Dixie” and vigorously shaking their cowbells in celebration. Can life get any better than this?

     Yes, Ole Miss and Mississippi State are unbeaten and leading the West Division of the Southeastern Conference. LSU, Alabama and Texas A&M each have one loss.

     Unfortunately for the football fanatics, this is women’s soccer that we are writing about.  Ole Miss and State have excelled in the non-conference portion of their respective schedules. The Lady Rebels and Lady Bulldogs are both 7-0 on the season.

     State is fresh from a 1-0 overtime win against Southern Miss.

     So kick back and enjoy the moment. SEC soccer action begins Friday and the going suddenly gets a lot  tougher. State visits South Carolina and Arkansas invades Ole Miss. Both matches kick off at 7 p.m.

     The Hoover sisters of Brookhaven, Katy (senior forward) and Amy (sophomore midfielder),  are playing for the Lady Bulldogs this season. On most weekends, you can find their parents, Alvin and Nancy Hoover, cruising the highways, on their way to some SEC school to see their daughters kick the ball.

 

 

     Meanwhile, Professor Hoopla B.S. is getting a kick out of the change in climate. He likes the cooler weather. In fact, it actually feels like football weather.

     Hoopla showed promise of midseason form when he predicted the winners of 26 games and got 22 right last weekend. He credited his success to a hot and demanding sweat-soaked summer, spent picking butterbeans in his beloved garden.

     “You just got lucky,” growled a grizzled counterpart with a jealous tone in his voice. “Bet you can’t do that good two weeks in a row.”

     Smiling confidently, Hoopla promised to give a 110 percent effort when he dropped off his latest list of predictions. He was headed for Jackson Hole, Wy., and the annual caribou roundup.

     Hoopla will begin this week’s menu with a pair of Thursday night community college specials.

     East Central at Co-Lin: After a woeful performance against Northwest, the Wolfpack bounce back in their first South Division test of the season. Co-Lin 24-14.

     East Mississippi at Southwest: Bears have the privilege of hosting and shaking hands with the defending national champion Lions. The final score could be ugly. East Miss. 42-10.

     Wayne Academy at Brookhaven Academy: After a pair of close setbacks, the patched-up Cougars find happiness on R.M. “Red” Stuard Field. Brookhaven Academy 34-19.

     Enterprise at St. Andrew’s: Saints are in a rebuilding mode but that won’t keep them  out of victory lane. St. Andrew’s 22-6.

     Loyd Star at North Pike: Win-starved Jaguars celebrate homecoming with a long-awaited triumph. North Pike 28-10.

     Wesson at West Marion: Stung by their first loss of the season, the Cobras regroup and play the Trojans tough before falling. West Marion 34-18.

     Vicksburg at Lawrence County: Tylertown scored 72 points on the Gators last Friday night. Cougars will settle for a win. Lawrence County 21-20.

     Franklin County at Amite County: Bulldogs are due for a break after knocking heads with two quality opponents. It won’t be easy in Liberty. Franklin County 27-14.

     Hazlehurst at South Pike: Unbeaten Indians hand the winless Eagles another lopsided setback. Hazlehurst 38-12.

     Bogue Chitto at Resurrection: In a Saturday night special in Pascagoula, the unbeaten and No. 1-ranked Bobcats kept their slate clean with a hard-fought victory in War Memorial Stadium. Bogue Chitto 38-19.

     In other area games,  Leake Academy over Copiah Academy 26-10, Parklane Academy over Central Private 41-14, Jefferson County over South Delta 14-12, and surprising Crystal Springs over Canton 30-19.

     Brookhaven, West Lincoln and McComb have open dates to heal their wounded warriors.

 

     After draining a diet ginger ale, Hoopla reviews Saturday’s collegiate scene.

     Texas at Ole Miss: Big time college football invades Oxford as the No. 17-ranked Longhorns trample the beautiful scenery. Texas 36-13.

     Miss. State at Troy: Bulldogs can’t afford to bask in their SEC win over Auburn. There are dangers on the road. State 28-10.

      East Carolina at Southern Miss: An open date was just what the coaches and players needed before starting their Conference USA schedule. Southern Miss 27-14.

     Jackson State at Texas Southern: Can the Tigers find happiness in Houston? Yes.  J-State 23-10.

     In other Magnolia State games, Arkansas-Pine Bluff over Alcorn State 38-19, Southern U. over Valley State 40-16, Millsaps over Point 19-10, West Alabama over Mississippi College 35-10 and Belhaven over Cumberland 17-14. Delta State has an open date to recuperate.

 

     Contact sports editor Tom Goetz by Email: tgoetz@dailyleader.com