By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
Hooten's Arkansas Football has the Hughes Blue Devils defined as the team to beat in the 3AA Conference this year.
But don't forget about the Palestine-Wheatley Patriots.
The Patriots moved into the 3AA two seasons ago joining Marked Tree, Earle, Salem, Rector, Walnut Ridhe, Parkin and Cross County.
The Blue Devils dropped down from Class AAA to AA this season and into the 3AA along with the league's other newcomer, Turrell.
Hughes is coming off a 5-5 finish in the old 6AAA Conference a year ago.
Likewise, the Patriots finished third in the 3AA at 7-4.
Hughes returns this season with eight seniors under fifth-year coach James Wright. In most cases, eight seniors probably wouldn't generate much attention.
In Wright's case, however, it is an abundance, considering the Blue Devils had just three seniors a year ago.
P-W's Terry Farmer begins his third season with the Patriots and will have to replace 10 departed seniors.
With a strong and talented incoming sophomore class, which went undefeated last season as freshmen with the Junior Patriots, Palestine-Wheatley appears to be a strong conference contender -- even though Hooten's has them fourth behind Marked Tree and Salem.
The Patriots will have plenty of experience on the field this season in most positions and they are a team blessed with speed and more speed.
Hughes opens the year against perennial power Barton while the Patriots host Des Arc.
Hughes and Palestine-Wheatley will face off for the first time ever on the football field, on October 11, at Hughes.
The 10-team 3AA Conference has one non-conference date -- the September 6 opener -- before jumping into the conference schedule.
By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
Barnes Timber was loose and relaxed before the start of their game against M&T Paving Thursday night.
Once the first pitch crossed the plate, Barnes was all business.
Saying they wanted to end the game in three innings (under the run-rule) Barnes actually played four innings and dominated M&T 23-2.
The victory gives Barnes the outright adult men's league title and a perfect 21-0 league record with two games left to play.
M&T slips to 17-4 for the year and into a tie for third place with Sanyo.
Afforded the opportunity to remain in at least a tie for second place after M&T fell to Barnes, Sanyo couldn't overcome sloppy play in the field, falling to the Bulldogs 16-10.
The M&T and Sanyo losses left Gym 2000 in sole possession of second place following a 12-6 win over Kerby's.
In other games played Thursday, TSM Computers fell behind 10-0 to the Young Guns but rallied to tie the game at 11-11 and then plated 13 runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a come-from-behind 22-11 win.
TSM improves to 4-17 for the year while the Young Guns slip to 5-15.
Miller Insurance moved one game over .500 Thursday night with a 20-6 win over Morgan while Greg's kept Food Giant winless with a 24-8 win.
Miller improves to 11-10 for the year and takes over fifth place.
Barnes picked their spots and place hit the ball to load the bases in the top of the first inning to take a 5-0 lead. M&T scored a single run in he bottom part of the inning but Barnes added four runs in the top of the second and seven runs in the the top of the third to take a 16-1 lead.
The Bulldogs fell behind Sanyo 3-0 early but rallied to tie the game at 5-5 and then took a 7-5 lead.
Going into the top of the fifth, the Bulldogs led 11-10 but used two Sanyo errors and their speed on the base paths to push their advantage to 16-10.
Sanyo went down in their final at-bat after grounding into a 6-3 double play to end the game.
The Bulldogs are tied for fourth place in the league standings with Kerby's. Both teams are 12-8 for the year.
Boar's Head had the night off. League play continues on Monday, Aug. 5.
Adult Men's Softball League
O/all
Barnes Timber 21-0
Gym 2000 17-3
M&T Paving 17-4
Sanyo 17-4
Kerby's 12-8
Bulldogs 12-8
Miller Insurance 11-10
Morgan 8-12 Boar's Head 6-15
Young Guns 5-15
TSM Computers 4-17
Greg's 3-17
Food Giant 0-21
The Forrest City Junior High Mustang football teams had their first meeting Thursday morning.
"We did not have that many students show up, but it is because of summer school and some are on vacation," said Blue Mustang Coach Rich Trail.
Trail said he expects to have around 50 players for each of the two junior high teams.
Stan Siler and Sonny Shields will coach the White Mustangs this season while Trail will be assisted by Barry Hodges.
The teams first practice will be Monday, Aug. 5, at 2 p.m. and each team opens the season on Thursday, Sept. 5.
Unlike past seasons, the two Forrest City teams will not face each other during the year.
The Forrest City Mustangs will start summer football practice Monday, Sept. 5, at 8 a.m.
All players must have a copy of their physical exam before being allowed to practice.
The team will practice during the morning hours next week before beginning two-a-day drills.
Forrest City will open the season on Friday, Sept. 6, against the Class AAAA defending state champion Wynne Yellowjackets.
* CITY LEAGUES
ADULT SOFTBALL
Thursday's Scores
Gym 2000 12, Kerby's 6
Miller Insurance 20, Morgan 6
Greg's 24, Food Giant 8
Barnes 23, M&T Paving 2
Bulldogs 16, Sanyo 10
TSM Computers 22, Young Guns 11