By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
For the first time in a very long time, all three St. Francis County high school football teams are unbeaten at the same time.
Forrest City, Hughes and Palestine-Wheatley are all 2-0.
This is the third time since 1990 that the Mustangs have started the season with at least two opening victories.
The Mustangs lost to Osceola two weeks ago but gained the win three days later when Osceola officially forfeited the win.
In 1997, Forrest City defeated Wynne and Marianna and in 1995 the Mustangs added Little Rock Mills to victories over Wynne and Marianna to start the season at 3-0.
Past that, the Mustangs opened the 1987 season with victories over Wynne and Christian Brothers from Memphis.
Forrest City will be looking to go 3-0 Friday when they travel to Newport to take on the 0-2 Greyhounds.
The Blue Devils defeated Barton two weeks ago, for the second time in four tries and then survived a high-scoring affair against Marion on Friday to open the 2001 year with back-to-back wins.
Hughes ran off four straight victories to open the 1995 season beating Dermott, Memphis East, Marion and McCrory.
In 1990 Hughes opened with consecutive wins over Osceola, Memphis Prep and Earle and in 1998 the Blue Devils downed Barton and Marion to open the year.
Hughes will take on Rivercrest Friday. The Blue Devils have not defeated a Rivercrest team since 1994. Rivercrest is 0-2 for the year with losses to Marion and Harding Academy.
The Palestine-Wheatley Patriots own wins over Altheimer and Elaine so far this season.
The only other time P-W opened a season with consecutive victories since the school resurrected its football program in 1995, came in 1997 when the Patriots defeated Elaine, Des Arc and Harrisburg.
P-W plays Dermott Friday. Dermott is coming off an open week.