Nobody asked me but...

Nobody asked me but...I have officially jumped off the New Madrid County Central bandwagon after last week's home football loss to the Poplar Bluff Mules.

It's my fault, my expectations for the Eagles were probably too high after I predicted that NMCC would win the Class 3, District 1 title. Apparently, some Eagle players enjoyed my column too much because they strutted into the stadium like they were already district champs.

NMCC had won their first two games of the season and I expected a show against Poplar Bluff with quarterback Leslie Williams and running back Marquese Gates. What I got was a seemingly uninspired club with little or no enthusiasm for the game with the Mules.

The Eagles fumbled their way to a home loss. Besides the fumbles, numerous open receivers were missed and I am still waiting for the Eagles to convert on a fourth down play.

However, I was impressed with lineman Patrick Guest and L.T. Sutton of NMCC. They are going to be tough to handle for opposing interior linemen.

Don't worry, I jump on and off bandwagons in the blink of an eye. If NMCC thrashes Charleston this week, I might just jump back on board with the Eagles.

* It wasn't all gloom and doom last Friday night at NMCC. I questioned the relevance of high school bands last year. Numbers were low and it was kind of sad to see some of the bands from a year ago. I once had fears that high school bands were going to disappear the way of the dinosaurs. But those fears were dispersed last Friday.

NMCC has an excellent band and should be congratulated for a job well done. When a band plays ole' blue eyes (Frank Sinatra for those of the MTV generation), you guys are gold. It's gold Jerry, gold!

* Congratulations to coach Corey Adkisson and the entire East Prairie football for their first win of the season over Scott City. After lofty expectations (yes, from your humble scribe once again), the Eagles struggled through their first couple games in the wake of all-state running back Paris Tipler's departure from the team after Week 1.

The coaches and remaining kids didn't quit and picked up a needed victory. In the process, the Eagles might have found the heir apparent to Tipler as sophomore M.C. Williams rushed for 253 yards and three touchdowns.

* The marquee matchup this Friday night will be at Charleston, as the Bluejays will entertain NMCC. Charleston is undefeated but has not looked overpowering in achieving that feat.

Can the Eagles bounce back from a tough home loss last week? Has quarterback Justin Clark and running back Joseph Watts fully healed after a bye week?

I like the Eagles because of their superior offensive and defensive lines. NMCC should out-physical Charleston for the victory.

* East Prairie travels to Kennett and will meet a much-improved Indians squad. While the Indians are winless, they played Charleston tough and turnovers killed them against Hayti. I like the Indians to pick up their first win at home.

* The Dexter Bearcats will defeat Poplar Bluff for the first time since 1989. I am cautiously optimistic about this pick because I believed that the Bearcats would break the string last year.

The Mules have a brand new option offense, but they have some receivers that can flat catch the football. You know, the more I think about it, why am I picking Dexter? Oh yeah, the ribs and BBQ offered at the game. You can't upset your host now can you?

And finally, nobody asked me but...after LSU and Oklahoma got robbed last Saturday, I have a solution for writers and coaches that vote on college football. Don't count the losses against a team that undeniably got robbed. Nullify the outcome by voting if the two teams never played. As always, I am solutions oriented.