Bridgeport vs. Llano

6 p.m., Sat., Stephenville

Class 3A area championship

Any questions?

~ I can’t get fired about the Battle of Big Sandy game just like in 2004 and 2005. I want a game like last year, or even 2006 when it was not decided until the end. I don’t care who wins, I just loved the entertainment value of last year’s overtime game. The good thing, however, is that the Bulls are about to spice up this rivalry again as it has been one-sided since I have lived here. I’ve never seen a Bridgeport victory, but I’m about to see one. It’s long overdue and much deserved.

~ We elected our first black president two days ago, and for the second day in a row, the sun still rose. I guess it was not the end of the world as we know it. Now all those who feared the end of the world can sit back, relax and get ready for the big football game.

~ I hate taking my computer to a fixer-up shop more than I hate taking my car to a mechanic. I took my laptop to a place in Decatur and the problem was fixed, but it has more problems now than it did before! what.a.freakin.beating.

~ I’m going to watch midget wrestling this week. Thinking about it makes mental images pop into my head of all the little guys in the Wizard of Oz getting into one big slugfest and slapping each other with those ginormous lollipops.

~ I’ve been coaching my 6-year old son’s flag football team at the YMCA. Amazing fun, great times. One of the most enjoyable coaching journeys I have taken.

~ My eyes roll to the back of my head when people (and there are very few) complain about how a story is written when they do not know the first thing about journalism 101. That would be like me telling the farmer how to milk is cow. I know what you grab and I know what you pull on, but I don’t know what you do with it once you get a grip.

~ Fat Daddy’s is an interesting place. Been there, done that but didn’t get the T-shirt. Observations - 1. There is always an interesting conversation going on. 2. Good place to meet people. 3. The karaoke show is terrible. 4. It’s the first place I’ve ever been that the ladies powder room was always empty but the line for the guys was always three deep.

~ Bridgeport 65, Decatur 20. I’m just sayin’.

Actual photo complete with results

So, the District 9-2A high school cross country meet was held at Decatur’s
Joe Wheeler Park for first time since, well, I don’t know.
Maybe never. But anyway, it was quite a stinker. There were not a lot of
kids at this meet - nothing like I’m used to going to the bigger meets.
Heck, in the JV boys race, I think there were only eight runners total,
seven of which were from Peaster. Anyhow, the best part of the whole thing
had nothing to do with running, but rather the location of the results
following. The annual Reunion Run, as well as the District 5-3A meet, uses
the covered pavilion to post the results and give out the awards. But that’s
not how they roll in District 9-2A.
These folks are a little more creative. They posted the results for all
teams and individuals on the side of a port-a-potty. The best part of it all
was that the announcer even used that word when telling the fans, runners
and coaches where the results were. “May I have your attention please: All
varsity results are now posted on the port-a-potty.” That was pure gold, in
all its country finest.

The thought of a prankster going inside the can and dishing out some cool sound effects while the masses were looking at their times would had been the topper.

~ It’s only been cold for two hours and I already want to go chop down the Morgan family Christmas tree and drag it in the house a la National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

~ It’s been 24 hours since the fatal wreck on FM 51 that killed a Denton man. I wonder if a lawsuit has been filed yet against TxDOT for its stripe-less piece of work. If you think it’s hard to pass cars during the day, you ought to try driving to Slidell at night when you can’t even see the road.

~ I have only lost three pounds in the last two months. BEATING!

~ Why did TxDOT start screwing with 380 East when it never finished FM 51? Those folks are just like the Dallas Cowboys, can’t ever get the job done.

~ The State Fair was a nice walk in the park, but nothing more. I had not been there in the last 10 years or so because of my weight. I can tell I had not missed a thing. With all the fried goodies, I probably would have died of a heart attack six years ago, so staying away may have allowed me to write this blog. I did enjoy the sounds of a sweet Celtic rock band, a nice afternoon walk with the wifey and my little one as well as the fried queso with taco meat.

~ The Battle of Big Sandy football game is losing its luster in east Wise County but it’s the talk of the town on the west side. That’s a first since I have landed in these parts. I just hope it’s as good as it was last year, but it looks like this one could be over by halftime. You know it’s not a good sign when Bull faithful are talking about going into the playoffs at 10-0, while Decatur fans are openly saying they just want to beat either Vernon or Burkburnett so they can sneak into the playoffs.

~ When Obama takes over the reigns of this country, I wonder how long (or short) it will be until there is an attempt on his life?

~ We decided to put our youngest boy in the football program at the YMCA after our bad experience in Decatur last year. Priceless decision. I should be tarred and feathered for not doing it earlier.

Much-deserved Bullseye

I received calls all Tuesday afternoon regarding the new Harris Ratings state football polls. Yes, Bridgeport made the big leap from No. 4 to No. 1 in one week. In one week that they clobbered an 0-7 Iowa Park team. And before you ask, no, none of the teams in front of the Bulls in the state rankings lost last week. Bridgeport, for the first time in coach Danny Henson’s career, is the top-ranked team in 3A according to the Harris Ratings, a system that uses a math formula to determine its rankings and predictions, rather than an opinion. Two other state polls do not think that the Bulls’ stomping of a winless team deserved that much praise — the Associated Press and TexasPrepinsiders.com. However, Bridgeport is in the top 10 of both rankings. (No. 10 and No. 5, respectively)

So, are the Bulls the No. 1 team in all of Texas? Could they beat the likes of Abilene Wylie, Liberty Hill or China Spring if they played tomorrow? I don’t think so. Bridgeport is the class of Wise County and has put up some eye-popping numbers in proving my point, but I don’t think our west side boys are there….yet. If there were a Robert MorganInsider.com ranking, I would have the Bull’ies written in about No. 7. I think they need to get ahold of some good competition early in the playoffs to prove that they really are the cream of the crop. The way this district is shaping up, Bridgeport likely won’t be very battle tested when they enter the playoffs. The group’s last three games will be against Vernon, Decatur and Hirschi - three teams to likely all finish with losing records. That is not the biggest challenge going into the playoffs in the toughest region in the state.

Can Bridgeport win state? Heck yeah, and it has the offense to do it. But things just got a little tougher with an early bulls eye and the team has not even been put to the test yet. Thanks, Harris!

Class 3A state rankings by association
Harris Ratings System Associated Press TexasPrepInsider.com
1. Bridgeport 225 6. LaVega 1. Liberty Hill
2. W.O. - Stark 223 7. Wylie 2. Navasota
3. Carthage 222 8. Pleasant Grove 3. Wylie
4. Liberty Hill 221 9. Cuero 4. China Spring
5. Gilmer 220 10. Bridgeport 5. Bridgeport

…Uh, yes, that is correct. Meet Klent Selz (a.k.a Claire), Brad Farrell (Bree), Tim Hicks (Tia), Wacey Jackson (Lacey), 2008 Ms. Chico - Marcus McCain (Margo), Danny Tolliver (Danielle: his uncle, Billy Joe Tolliver,

would be so proud), Lincoln McNabb (Lillie), Jeff Scheller (Jessica), Michael Kemplin (Michelle), Wade Matterson (Wanda) and Justin Carlton (Justine). They are members of the Chico varsity football team and they were busy Saturday owning the stage at the Chamber of Commerce Miss Chico Beauty Pageant at ChicoFest. I did some crazy stuff during my prep career, but that is one thing I would never have done as a football player. In a sport where athletes are “tough” and “cool”, dressing up like a girl doesn’t fit any of the molds. There was a little bit of everything - the good, the bad and the ugly. Hairy legs, dresses that were too short for a real woman to wear and n

on-stop laughter. The only disappointment was the coach of these great kids did not show up in a pair of heels. It was still an interesting event in Chico, America. My friends, this took a lot of brass!

….well, Yellowjacket-swatters in this case. But, sometimes there are just not enough flyswatters: Boyd 47, Chico 7