By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
The Wynne Yellowjackets, a solid preseason favorite to win the AAAA-East Conference title, also get the nod -- by eight points --in the season-opener Friday night against the Forrest City Mustangs.
That according to the Associated Press and other media outlets offering insights into the 2003 season opening games.
The game will be played at Sam Smith Stadium and kick off is set for 7:30 p.m.
The Mustangs have not beaten Wynne in a season-opening game since 1997.
The Mustangs defeated West Helena 13-0 in a preseason scrimmage game played last week and Wynne held off Searcy 13-10 Friday night, on the strength of a 25-yard field goal, in their only preseason action.
Forecasters have Wynne picked 19-11 over the Mustangs.
But don't count out Forrest City, with a senior class that's 25 strong.
In other AAAAA-East Conference games, Osceola is favored over Blytheviile, a team making its final run through AAAAA while Sylvan Hills, expected to replace Blytheville next season, is favored over Searcy. Jacksonville should down LR Mills while West Memphis and Jonesboro are picked to win their openers and Faytteville gets to nod over Mountain Home.
In Class AA action, especially the 3AA Conference, barton plays at Hughes and gets the nod over the Blue Devils, but only by a hair.
In five opening day meetings between the two teams, Barton leads the series 3-2.
Palestine-Wheatley opens on the road against Des Arc and gets the nod over the Eagles.
In other Friday matchups, Alma gets the nod over Van Buren even though the Pointers return eight starters from a team that finished 2-8 in 2002.
Their switch to the Wishbone offense could prove to be a mistake in its opening game as Alma's hard hitting defense strives to stop the run.
With Alma returning five defensive starters from last year's 12-1 semifinalist team, the odds are not stacked in VB's favor.
Look for junior Kyle Goodwin, Alma's halfback, to have a very successful opening game.
Give this one to Alma 21-10.
Greenbrier travels to Beebe -- a team that returns only six starters from a very successful 10-2 team that fell to Alma in the quarterfinals.
With five of those starters coming back on the defensive side of the ball, expect Beebe to be tough up front.
The problem is that Greenbrier will attempt to throw the ball.
Brandon Moreland is one of the better quarterbacks in the conference and will be looking to improve on his 1,300 passing yard performance of 2002, especially since all three starting receivers return.
The Panthers offense struggled a bit in scrimmages while the defense did pretty well.
Beebe's inexperience will show. Greenbrier 13, Beebe 8
The LR Parkview Patriots have not been that successful the last couple years, but have 12 starters returning from a team that won three games last year while competing in the AAAAA Central.
Greenwood won last year 37-14 and hope to take advantage of Parkview's lack of a run defense. Expect the Bulldogs to stay on the ground. Make it Greenwood 34, Parkview 15.
Harrison goes to Prairie Grove this season. A year ago, the Tigers tied the Goblins last year and return 12 starters off a team that finished 6-3-2 in 2002.
Meanwhile, Harrison returns a tough running back, senior Justin McCutcheon, to go along with a defense that returns nine starters. This time, it's Harrison in a 15- 13 squeaker.
By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
Three state champions, one runner-up and an added game on the final day highlight the 2003 Rumble on the Ridge Basketball Tournament.
The Rumble, now in its seventh year, will be held Nov. 27, 28 and 29, Thanksgiving weekend at Mustang Arena.
The tournament has become one of the premier events highlighting high school basketball not only in the state but has also garnered national attention.
Forrest City once again serves as the host team while two teams of the eight-team field are making their second appearance.
Hoover, Ala. and West Memphis return to the field this year joining Pulaski Academy as the third Arkansas team, Denham Springs High School from Denham Springs, La.; Provine High School from Jackson, Miss.; Bradley Central High School from Cleveland, Tenn. and John Carroll high School from Birmingham, Ala.
West Memphis played in the very first Rumble in 1997 and finished third while Hoover joined the cast in 1998, losing to Grissom in an all-Alabama final.
This time around, Hoover has a new coach in Lance Weems, a former All-SEC basketball player from Auburn who took over the program from former coach Brian Moon.
John Carroll, Provine and Pulaski Academy are the three reigning state champs while Bradley Central is the runner-up.
On Saturday, the Forrest City Lady Mustangs and the Pulaski Academy Lady Bruins will take the floor at 6:30 p.m., preceding the tournament's championship game in the tournament's first-ever girls' matchup.
To accommodate the girls' game, Saturday's schedule of games will begin at 2 p.m., rather than at 3:30 p.m. as in past Rumbles.
Pulaski Academy defeated Lonoke in March to win the state's Class AAA state title.
The Bruins will be making the trip under first-year head coach Matt Daniels.
Rumble on the Ridge Director Bill Baxter said the 2003 tournament field could be the "most competitive field yet."
"We've had some great players come through the Rumble and some great teams," Baxter said. "But on paper and looking at what each of these teams accomplished last year and what they return to the floor this year, makes this field very competitive. There are going to be some great matchups. We want everyone to come out and take advantage of being able to see some of the best high school basketball the south has to offer."
The Mustangs, under eighth-year coach Dwight Lofton, will be much improved and should make a strong showing this year.
The Mustangs draw Provine, Miss. in the first-round game on Thanksgiving Day, scheduled to tip at 6:30 p.m.
Other first-day matchups have Denham Springs taking on Bradley Central at 3:30 p.m., John Carroll, who will field two Division I signees, going against West Memphis at 5 p.m. and Pulaski Academy taking on Hoover in the 8 p.m. game.
By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
Rain plus a little construction, halted all athletic events scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
The East Arkansas Youth Football Association saw its Tuesday schedule of youth football games washed away following a mid afternoon rain which also kept the Forrest City Mustang golf team off the course.
The Mustangs' scheduled match against West Memphis was washed away. There is no word yet as to when the or if the match will berrescheduled.
Weather and some construction around Sam Smith Stadium, cancelled the scheduled eighth-game football game between Forrest City and Brinkley.
"We had some scoreboard problems and some other minor construction going on at the stadium," said Mike Bender, Forrest City athletic director, "and we didn't want the field torn up before the high school opener on Friday."
Forrest City hosts Wynne Friday to open the 2003 high school football season.
The Forrest City junior high football team opens Thursday on the road at Marianna.
Forrest City recreation Director Kenneth Taylor said the youth football games will be made up at the end of the regular season.
Free passes for all Forrest City School athletic events for 2003-04 are now available to senior citizens, ages 65 and over.
The passes will admit the holder to all home games.
Passes are available from Laura Lewis at Forrest City High
School or from Tammy Roberts at the Forrest City Administration
Building.