[11/3/05]

Athletes and coaches have short memories. It could be quite evident on Friday at Porters Chapel.

Rewind to the end of baseball season when Porters Chapel lost in the Academy-A state playoffs. The opponent rushed the field, jumped around the pitcher’s mound, took pictures and celebrated like they had just won the World Series.

The Eagles assembled down the left-field line and watched the celebration go on and on. Baseball coach Randy Wright told his players to take a good look at the joy from the other side of the dugout.

The team that beat Porters Chapel in baseball was Benton Academy, coached by Terry King.

The Eagles’ first opponent in the football playoffs? Benton Academy, coached by Terry King.

Don’t expect a running clock or kneel downs if this game turns out like every other PCA blowout.

Clearing a murky playoff picture

With two weeks to play in the public schools’ football seasons, Warren Central is firmly planted in the state playoffs, while Vicksburg High will have to fight to reach the postseason.

As it stands now, Northwest Rankin is the top seed, WC is second and Madison Central third. Vicksburg and Provine are tied for the fourth spot, and Provine holds the head-to-head tiebreaker.

For Vicksburg to make the playoffs, it has to win at least one of its last two games – this Friday’s homecoming game against Murrah or the season finale at WC – and Provine has to lose both its games to Warren Central and Clinton.

Warren Central should beat Provine this week and the Gators should beat Murrah. But remember Murrah is coming off a three-touchdown win over the same Provine team that beat the Gators.

In the North, the stage is set, barring a catastrophic Starkville upset of South Panola. Panola is the No. 1 seed and would likely host Vicksburg, should the Gators reach the postseason. Olive Branch is No. 2 and Starkville is No. 3. Through a ridiculous mathematical equation, Columbus would be the fourth seed from the North.

A prayer for Chris Etheridge

Last week, PCA athletic director and coach Chris Etheridge suffered major injuries in a car accident while driving to work. He spent hours in surgery last Wednesday and Friday trying to repair his shredded leg.

Doctors were forced to amputate Etheridge’s leg after complications with blood clots.

A youth minister and bible teacher, he will be out of school for a long time. His recovery will be grueling and arduous.

If ever a few extra prayers needed to be said, well, please, now would be a good time.