Ride the Ole Brook Spirit bus. Panther football fans searchingfor the best way to cope with those upcoming long, long road tripshave an opportunity to save money and enjoy a restful journey inthe process.

Unless you have either friends or relatives living inWaynesboro, Wiggins and Picayune who have a spare bedroom, it’s awearisome ride home after the final Friday night whistle concludesthose three Brookhaven road games at Wayne County, Stone County andPicayune.

BHS boosters Stan and Suzi Patrick hatched the idea to charter abus for those long-distance road trips. For sure, the cost isreasonable, especially when you consider the amount of gasolinerequired, plus the wear and tear on your vehicle and your sorebackside. Don’t forget the parking hassle. Charter buses getspecial treatment, allowing fans to unload near the entrance to thestadium.

Individually, those three road games are $35 per person. Cost ofa tripleheader pass is $75. A 2-game bus pass is $60.

According to the Ole Brook Gridiron Club, each bus has asatellite system, DVDs, VCRs, restrooms and comfortable seating.Bus capacity is 56 folks.

Deadline reservations are two weeks in advance. Sept. 16 was thedeadline for the Oct. 2 Wayne County game. It’s Sept. 30 for theOct 16 Picayune game and Oct. 7 for the Oct. 23 Stone Countygame.

Departure times from the South parking lot, located across EastMonticello St., from the main BHS entrance, are 3 p.m. for WayneCounty, and 2:30 p.m. for Picayune and Stone County.

A scheduled 45-minute stop along the way for a quick meal isplanned. Food in re-sealable containers and drinks with re-sealablecaps will be permitted on the bus.

For sure the Panthers will be entering hostile territory andencountering a loud, partisan crowd on these three road tests. Theyneed all the hometown support they can get.

For more info, call 601-833-8223.

Meanwhile, Professor Hoopla, B.S., was dodging bricks thrown byangry readers who disagreed with his pigskin prognostications.Shucks. It’s only a game.

Hoopla predicted the winners of 19 games last week and got 16correct. That’s pretty darn good. He’ll start this weekend’sforecast with a Thursday night, community college archrivalry.

Southwest at Co-Lin: Both teams are searching for their firstSouth Division triumph. Give the nod to the Wolfpack. Co-Lin26-12.

Brookhaven Academy at Central Hinds: In a battle of the Cougars,the Lincoln County felines flex their offensive skills. BrookhavenAcademy 35-19.

Enterprise at Richland: Rangers are plotting an ambush as theyplay a postgame victory party. Richland 24-16.

North Pike at Loyd Star: Jaguars are much improved this seasonbut they’re banged up after wrestling with the McComb Tigers.That’s good news for the unbeaten Hornets. Loyd Star 28-26.

West Lincoln at Mt. Hermon, La.: Bears and Yellowjackets have ahistory of struggling on the gridiron. West Lincoln 14-12.

Wesson at Sumrall: It’s almost a tossup as the Bobcats scratchout a narrow win. Sumrall 21-19.

Franklin County at Taylorsville: In one of the better Fridaynight football games, the Bulldogs escape with a win over theTartars. Franklin County 18-14.

Hazlehurst at Crystal Springs: It’s a rivalry series that theIndians have thoroughly dominated this century and most of last,too. Hazlehurst 44-12.

Lawrence County at Vicksburg: Apparently the Gators have fallenon hard times. Cougars are hungry for a win. Lawrence County27-17.

In other area action, Jackson Prep should crush Copiah Academy52-9, Parklane should swamp East Rankin 29-10, and Tylertown shouldtrounce South Pike 31-12. Brookhaven, Bogue Chitto and McComb haveopen dates to heal the wounded.

Here’s a preview of Saturday’s winners.

Southeastern La. at Ole Miss: If the Rebels don’t win big inthis mismatch, they could fall in the AP national rankings. OleMiss 46-14.

Mississippi State at Vanderbilt: Bulldogs look better on defensebut this time the offense falls short of expectations. Vandy23-10.

Virginia at Southern Miss: Thank goodness this isn’t WestVirginia the Golden Eagles are hosting Saturday afternoon. SouthernMiss 33-17.

Grambling at Jackson State: G-Men take care of business in theCapital City. Grambling 35-20.

In other Magnolia State action, Central Michigan will trashAlcorn State 48-7, Arkansas-Pine Bluff will dump Valley State28-10, Delta State over Harding 22-12, Millsaps over Austin 21-17,Mississippi College over McMurry 30-19, and Belhaven over KentuckyChristian 17-10.

Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O. BOX551, Brookhaven, MS 39602 or e-mail sports@dailyleader.com