(Column)
“We want to build a university our football team can be proud of.”
This funny quote, said long ago, was made by former Oklahoma University President Dr. George L. Cross.
Cross’ witty reply was said to a State Senator at the time. It became famous because it articulates perfectly the ridiculousness of how we over emphasize sports over education.
Yet, in some ways, I think, there is actually a little truth to this quote for us citizens in Greenville and throughout Washington County.
Maybe we can take a lesson from our two great high school football teams in Greenville Christian and Simmons High School. In their respective divisions, GCS and Simmons are far and away the best teams in the state. Both teams are virtual locks to take home their state championships, and they will each most likely win these titles convincingly.
While everyone else is saying what Greenville can’t be, these young football players are showing us what is still possible.
These young men aren’t making excuses. Nor, are they dwelling on how much better things were in the good old days.They are living for the day, and they are making the best of it.
The players on the Greenville Christian and Simmons football teams are a reminder to us all to dream big and to not let anything hold you back.
They are certainly two teams that we can be proud of.
Here are my picks for this week’s games.
Greenville Christian (11-1) vs. Canton Academy (10-2), MAIS CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP, Thursday, 7 p.m. at Jackson Academy: Let the good time’s roll! The Saints will capture their second straight state title. Greenville Christian 58, Canton 6.
Biggersville (9-2) at Simmons (11-0), MHSAA CLASS 1A QUARTERFINAL, Friday, 7 p.m.: Don’t let the records fool you. The Blue Devils are rolling to the semifnals. Simmons 48, Biggersville 10.
No. 25 Arkansas (7-3) at No. 2 Alabama (9-1), Saturday, 2:30 p.m., CBS. The Tide will win, but they will need to come back to do it. Alabama 31, Arkansas 29.
David W. Healy is the sports editor of the Delta Democrat-Times. He can be reached at dhealy@ddtonline.com
