In this dog-eat-dog life…

     Let’s rephrase that lead sentence. In an effort to localize the scene in Mississippi, let’s change that to dog-eat-rebel and rebel-eat-dog sports world.

      Obviously, it’s not easy coaching athletic teams at either Mississippi State or Ole Miss. The rivalry is intense. Naturally, if one program succeeds in a particular sport, the School up North or the School Down South, must do better or else the coach is history.

     The latest example is women’s soccer. It’s hard enough competing against the wealthy, giant-sized athletic departments at various Southeastern Conference institutions of higher learning. Having to share the athletes in Mississippi with neighboring powers Alabama and LSU cause more difficulty for the coaches.

     The latest victim is MSU soccer coach Neil Macdonald who was fired Tuesday after his ninth season at the helm. Macdonald was shuffled out the door and reassigned to another position in the athletic department.

     MSU’s Lady Bulldogs finished 9-10-1 this season after starting the year 8-0.  Sisters Katy and Amy Hoover of Brookhaven are members of the MSU squad. They are the first BHS graduates to sign SEC soccer scholarships. Katy is a senior and Amy is a sophomore.

     Ole Miss, my comparison is 13-8 overall and 5-8 in the SEC after beating LSU 1-0 Monday in the SEC Tournament at Orange Beach, Ala.. They lost 2-1 to Florida Wednesday in the quarterfinals. Florida plays Missouri and Auburn plays Texas A&M in Friday’s semifinals.

     Ole Miss forward Raffelle Souza, and Missouri defender Allison Hue were named SEC Soccer Co-Scholar Athletes of the year.

     Souza, who owns a 3.72 grade point average in Engineering, and Hu, who has a 4.0 grade point average in Health Sciences are exceptional student-athletes.

     Souza is leading the SEC with total points (32) while ranking second in goals scored (12) and fourth in assists (7) on the season.

      Hu started every game for the Tigers at central defender and was the only player to play every minute this season for Mizzou. She helped the Tigers record six shutouts on the season.

     Florida head coach Becky Burleigh was named SEC Coach of the Year after leading the Gators to an 11-2-0 league record and the SEC title.

     Forward Erika Tymrak and midfielder Holly King, both of Florida, were named SEC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year respectively.

     Midfielder Merel van Dongen of Alabama was named SEC Freshman of the Year.

     Souza and Elizabeth Sullivan of Mississippi State were All-SEC Second Team selections.

 

     Meanwhile, Professor Hoopla B.S. was eating humble pie after picking last weekend’s football game winners. He posted a 19-3-0 worksheet, which should keep him employed.

     Hoopla was trick-or-treating Wednesday night and slipped his latest list of predictions through the front door mail slot. He’ll begin with Friday’s high school scene, including some playoff bouts.

     South Jones at Brookhaven: There’s a hint of revenge and hope in the air as the Panthers observe Senior Night on King Field. Brookhaven 35-14.

     Columbia Academy at Brookhaven Academy: It’s difficult to beat a team twice in one season but the BA Cougars are up to the challenge. Brookhaven 34-12.

     Bogue Chitto at Dexter: An offensive shootout is expected but the Bobcats show some improvement on defense. Bogue Chitto 42-26.

     Bay Springs at Wesson: Cobras are home for the first round of the Class 2A state playoffs and that should help aid their victory quest. Wesson 24-14.

     Franklin County at McLaurin: Tigers plot an ambush but the Bulldogs have too much muscle. Franklin County 30-14.

     Raleigh at Hazlehurst: Indians are boiling with playoff enthusiasm in their first test. Hazlehurst 41-10.

     In other area games, Pearl over McComb 20-12, Germantown over North Pike 28-14, Amite County over Mize 26-21 and Jefferson County over Forest 14-12.

     After consuming another Halloween treat, Hoopla reveals Saturday’s winners, starting with two MACJC State Playoff games.

     Co-Lin at East Mississippi: Lions are the defending state and national champions. Playing on their home turf in Scooba, they’ll stop the Wolfpack. 26-10.

     Northwest at Gulf Coast: Perkinston-based Bulldogs appear to be the favorites this year. Gulf Coast 30-17.

     Texas A&M at Mississippi State: Aggies are feeling their oats and starting to like their new residence in the SEC West. Bulldogs are down and they’ll play like it in Starkville. Texas A&M 35-27.

          Ole Miss at Georgia: Hugh Freeze is $200K richer after winning a pair of SEC games with the rebuilding Rebels. It’s tough to win in Athens. Georgia 28-17.

     UAB at Southern Miss: Blazers became notorious for upsetting the Golden Eagles when they were flying high the last two years. Overconfidence won’t be a factor. UAB 33-19.

     Jackson State at Grambling: In a battle of the Tigers, the Blue Bengals prevail by a whisker Jackson State 28-27.

     In other Magnolia State games, Delta State over Indianapolis 31-12,Valley State over Alcorn State 21-14, Austin over Millsaps 13-6, Louisiana College over Mississippi College 34-24, and Belhaven over Pikeville 17-7.

 

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