Alex Floyd
Local Columnist
Another week in the Wide World of Sports. There was great weather and great football across the board. We’re getting into the strange time of year where my porch has pumpkins and scarecrows next to the hanging wet bathing suits. Sleeping with the windows open and being able to walk to the mailbox without getting carried away by mosquitoes is wonderful.
Team Floyd’s Saturday started with Ellis’ 8U football game at Henderson Park. The mighty, mighty Redskins cruised to a 24-6 victory over the Panthers. The day ended in beautiful Paulson Stadium and although the Eagles took a beating from Houston, we had a good time. Ellis, and Redskins of all shapes and sizes, will be marching with pride Thursday at 5:00 in the Bryan County Homecoming Parade in Pembroke.
In the meantime, the Pembroke Football Mafia League will be meeting across town in our super-secret lab in the courthouse basement between the missile silo elevator and Ben and Carter’s emergency stash of Dr Pepper, BC powder, beanie weenies and guvmint cheese. Nothing against these fine gentlemen but if disaster strikes and we’re stuck in the basement on that stash, I’ll take my chances on the street with Boss Herbie. I believe Herbie has enough cans piled up around his place to deflect radioactive waves.
Our standings after last week’s series: Ben can not be caught with 39 wins, Mike Clark is right behind him with 38, BJ, Ted and Mike B crowd third place with 36, Jeff leapfrogs with 34 wins, Noah and Bob have 31, Doc had a rough week and drops to 30, Carter has 29. I’m still sweeping the basement with 28 so I decided to bring in my boys Ellis (8) and Lanier (5) as special guest pickers hoping the football universe is kinder to them than it’s been to me.
We have a good D-1 matchup at the top of the slate. Unbeaten James Madison University hosts the Marshall Thundering Herd. Numbers 1 and 2 in Sunbelt East. Noah, Mike C, Carter and Doc think the Herd breaks the streak.
University of Central Florida comes off a win over the TCU Horned Frogs to face Houston who rolled my Eagles up Saturday. Noah and Doc think UCF wins this one.
Where in the world did those Florida Gators come from!
Fresh off an outstanding win, they face Mizzou. Mike C and Carter pick the Tigers. Who the heck knows.
Purdue @ Illinois both looking for a first conference win, both coming from a shellacking from a Top 5 team, both have a lot on the line.
Ted, Noah, Carter and Doc pick the Boilermakers.
Georgia Southern on the road against Coastal Carolina.
Numbers 5 and 6 respectively in the Sunbelt standings. My Eagles need a win, God Bless ‘em. All but Mike Brown think they get it.
Navy goes to Air Force. Both had very close games this past week with Air Force squeaking past Nevada and Navy getting surprised by UAB. Ted, Ben, Bob and my boys pick Air Force because Ellis says “We like planes better than boats, Sorry Opa.” (grandpa, USN submariner)
University of Virginia at Florida State. The ‘Noles are a slim underdog but need to make a statement as they ride into seven straight conference games. Both Mikes, Ben and Noah pick the Cavaliers. The rest of us pick the Seminoles to make a showing.
SEC Matchup of the Week is South Carolina at Kentucky. Both have losses to Alabama and South Carolina has one other to Miss St. I think this will be a good one to watch at 4:15 on the SEC Network. Odds are SC by 3 ½. Ted, Ben, Bob, Carter and Noah pick the Kickin’ Chickens.
An out west Big 12 matchup 4-0 No 12 Texas Tech at 2-2 Colorado. The Red Raiders are on a roll and we all think they’ll keep it going.
Last but certainly not least the Shorter Hawks of Rome, Ga go to Cleveland, Mississippi pop 11,200 to play what might be my favorite mascot in college football the Delta State Fighting Okra. Famous Fighting Okra include Pete Golding, head coach of Ole Miss. If you’re feeling a roadtrip, tickets start at 38 bucks. Both Mike’s and Jeff pick the Okree’s. Lanier emphatically picked the Hawks “’cuz I hate okra”. Gets that from his mama.
Play on, PMFL!
Alex Floyd is part of the Bryan County Commissioners.