Friday, September 4, 1998

Of predictions and directions

By Bill Hart

This newspaper had planned a story for our football special on how to get to the stadiums at each town in our circulation. But it fell through when few reponses to the question were received.

Some of the coaches had a good sense of humor, like:

"You know how to get to our stadium, you've been there."

"When you come into town, look for the lights."

"Turn left at the water tower."

The purpose of the story was to help people going to a stadium for the first time since this is the first year of the new district alignments. In most of the smaller towns there are signs on the main road pointing the direction to the stadium.

The coach who wrote about my being at his stadium of course is right. I know how to get there all right, but giving directions is another thing. I know the way, but not the name of the streets.

It is hard to explain how to get to Mustang Bowl in Sweetwater if you get off at the first exit off I-20, the one you take to Ma Allen's. So, I tell people to take the second exit (Ma's isn't open at night), then stay on Highway 70 until you see the stadium a couple of blocks on the right.

One of our new photographers who was going on our preseason photo tour wanted to know how to get to Brownwood High School. That is probably the toughest direction in the area to give, so, I called one of the coaches who gave directions and our photographer still got lost.

It can be difficult finding the way to Gordon Wood Stadium in Brownwood, but I predict Sweetwater fans will find it tonight.

The rest of the predictions:

-- Killeen 22, Cooper 20 - Kangaroos to hop past the Cougars.

-- Abilene High 22, Lubbock Monterey 7 - Eagles will fly high after running record to 2-0.

-- Big Spring 18, Frenship 13 - The Steers to bounce back and even season record.

-- Snyder 28, Littlefield 13 - It looks like another Cheyenne (Robinson) Autumn for the Tigers.

-- Brownwood 27, Sweetwater 15 - The Mustangs' regular season winning streak comes to an end.

-- Stephenville 33, Fort Worth Richland 20 - The Yellow Jackets' air show a big hit.

-- Colorado City 24, Ballinger 21 - The Wolves get a boot out of this win.

-- Stamford 14, Clyde 13 - The Jones County Bulldogs to get in the last bite.

-- Merkel 14, Hamlin 7 - The Badgers may be better than most may think.

-- Breckenridge 33, Wylie 26 - This is always a battle regardless who is state-ranked and who isn't.

-- Goldthwaite 21, Comanche 14 - The Eagles, however, won't win this one by (Steven) Miles.

-- Albany 12, Dublin 7 - The Lions' roar won't be loud, but it will be effective.

-- De Leon 20, Eastland 16 - The Bearcats still have the right (Luke) Mix.

-- Coahoma 21, Lorenzo 8 - This is a lot better than opening the season against Denver City.

-- Quanah 19, Anson 12 - The Indians will feast on Tiger meat.

-- Aspermont 25, Hawley 14 - The Hornets will sting a lot of opponents this season.

-- Winters 22, Jim Ned 17 - This is not a preview of the Class 2A state championship game, but it should be a good one.

-- Haskell 12, Munday 8 - Indians continue their mastery of the Moguls.

-- Cisco 27, Early 15 - The Loboes open the season on the right foot.

-- Millsap 18, Ranger 13 - The Bulldogs will win their share of games later on.

-- Eldorado 20, Bangs 6 - Eldorado has more experience right now.

-- Coleman 16, Wall 14 - The Grissom era begins with a victory and ends a 10-game losing streak.

-- Motley County 20, Knox City 19 - Both teams hoping to rebound this season.

-- Throckmorton 28, Roby 15 - The Greyhounds to bus right past the Lions.

-- Robert Lee 27, May 13 - The Steers give May a rude welcome to 11-man football.

-- Roscoe 26, Baird 20 - The Plowboys show they are glad to be back in Class A.

-- Rotan 33, Ralls 28 - Another high-scoring game between these two with the same result.

-- Menard 28, Bronte 12 - The Yellow Jackets buzz to victory.

-- Gorman 14, Cross Plains 9 - A Panther can outrun a Buffalo.

-- Santa Anna 20, Christoval 16 - This win is called getting even.

-- Rocksprings 27, Rising Star 12 - The Angoras have too much experience for the Wildcats.

-- Six-Man: Rule 38, Harrold 14; Rochester 28, Abilene Christian High School 25; Moran 44, Benjamin 28; Jayton 35, Dawson 32; Blackwell 48, Westbrook 42; Highland 42, Hermleigh 22; Trent 28, Lueders-Avoca 26; Loop 34, Ira 18; Klondike 43, Loraine 22; Buena Vista 20, Paint Rock 19; Panther Creek 47, Veribest 20; Paint Creek 35, Vernon Northside 31; Strawn 47, Woodson 36; Sidney 44, Brookesmith 36; Mullin 56, Richland Springs 50; Zephyr 30, Rochelle 16; Blanket 27, Cherokee 24; Covington 44, Gustine 34; Lohn 31, Star 19; Gordon 62, Powers, Ore. 45 (Saturday).

-- Other winners - Midland Lee, Midland High, Odessa High, Odessa Permian. Fort Stockton, Kerrville Tivy, Burleson, Cleburne, Haltom, Arlington Heights, Everman, Alvarado, Kermit, Denver City, Lamesa, Seminole, Slaton, Graham, Brady, Ozona, Clifton, Glen Rose, Post, Seagraves, Plains, Stanton, Tahoka, Vega, Paducah, Sterling City, Eden, Harper, Evant, Lometa, Santo, Grandview, Guthrie, Amherst, Borden County, Grady, Grandfalls-Royalty, Newcastle, Jonesboro, Walnut Springs, Oglesby, Coolidge.

-- Last week: 3 right, 3 wrong, 50 percent. Season: same.

Bill Hart can be reached at 676-6773 or sports@abinews.com.