By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
Osceola Head Football Coach Clinton Gore was in Forrest City Monday night.
He will be back again on Friday, Aug. 31 -- for two reasons.
Gore will coach his Seminoles in the season-opening game against Forrest City and then will be take part in the 1985 Mustang football team reunion.
The 1985 Forrest City team went undefeated and finished the season as the state's top-ranked high school team.
"It's nice to be able to come back and spend some time with these guys who made that team so special," Gore said recently. "That was a very good football team. It was a good time for everyone who played a role in the team's success."
Gore said it's been hard to stay in touch with most of the '85 team members because, he says, "Osceola is more or less isolated. I try to keep up with them."
About the opener against Forrest City, Gore said it was a good pairing.
"We can get on the bus and be here in an hour so the travel time is not bad and plus since Forrest City is my home town and I coached here, that adds to the flavor and interest of the game," Gore said. "We're just glad to get a close ball game rather than having to travel to Conway or Springdale."
Osceola is expected to become a permanent fixture to the Mustangs' nonconference schedule next season, replacing Marianna.
Richard Benson, who is heading up the '85 team reunion effort, said so far about 25 of the nearly 60 players have committed to be at the game.
The Palestine-Wheatley Patriots and Junior Patriots will host East Poinsett County tonight for a preseason jamboree at Patriot Field.
The Junior Patriots will kick off at 6 p.m. and the Senior Patriots will take the field at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Admission will be charged for the AAA-sanctioned benefit scrimmage.
Palestine-Wheatley will kick off their regular season on Friday, August 31, when they host Altheimer.