What's happening, good people!

Well, as I often do at 4 a.m. in the morning, today I was thinking about the upcoming high school FB match ups. (No really, I have no life and have nothing better to do in the predawn hours of the morning). This is THE round that decides who gets to go off and play in the state championship venue. A real "Win or Go Home" situation. Which by the way, is one of my most hated cliches I hear from athletes and coaches.

Seriously. What's so bad about your home? Why don't you want to go back there?  And even if you win the game, at the end of the night, aren't you going home anyway?  I know when folks say it, they're just expressing that a win means they move on and a loss means the season's over. ... which would be terrible. So I think a proper sports cliche, that would show the awfulness of losing, should be like "Win or Not Be Able to Show Your Face in The School Cafeteria Again" or Win or Start Getting Ready for Pre-season Basketball and Suicide Sprints" and my personal favorite: "Win or The Smart Kid in Mr. Wilson's History Class Will Stop Letting Me Cheat Off His Work." To me, these would suck a whole lot more than simply going home. But hey, what do I know. ... I was one of those student athletes who went "home" far before reaching semifinal rounds. So here's to all our local teams playing for the right to go to the state title game... and not going home.

Here's the latest Bulletin Board Material. I went 7-2 last week (Louisburg and Harrisonville did me in) which isn't bad but I'm raising the ante this go around. I'm picking winners and final scores. Enjoy!

Kansas 6A semifinals, Olathe North at Blue Valley: This is neither here nor there, but why does undefeated Olathe North have to travel to Blue Valley? The way these state associations seed playoff games are beyond me. Anyway. Winner: Olathe North 40-35

Kansas 5A semifinals, Gardner Edgerton at St. Thomas Aquinas: I'm a little torn. I know I should go with traditions... if a team loses a match up in the regular season, expect them to win the one when it matters in the playoffs. So I should pick Aquinas, right? Plus, throw in the fact that G-E plays every game on field turf but this time it'll be on Aquinas' natural grass, which could be patchy come Friday giving the Saints a true home field advantage. But I'm going against better judgement and picking ... Winner: Gardner Edgerton 14-10

Kansas 4A semifinals, Bishop Miege at Paola: I saw Paola get beat up by G-E earlier this season. But I liked what I saw in the first half, the Panthers' Skylar Hawkins is a hard-to-tackle running back. Miege did a good job silencing Louisburg last week but I just think  this one will play out differently. Winner: Paola 21-16

Missouri Class 6 semifinals, DeSmet at Blue Springs: I'm from the greatest city in this state, ST. LOUIS!, but sorry fellow Lunatics, you're not celebrating a big-class state title this year. Winner: Blue Springs 38-10

Missouri Class 5 semis, Raytown South at Fort Osage: Three cheers for the Mid 6 Suburban Conference. For the third time in as many years, the conference will have a representative in the state title game. By the way, the two of the most underrated QBs in our city will be playing in this game (Fort O's Ed Pearl and Ray South's Dennis Tanner) Winner: Raytown South 21-14

Missouri Class 4 semis, Kearney at Webb City: They're the undefeated and undisputed champs until proven otherwise. Winner: Webb City 20-17

Missouri Class 3 semis, O'Hara at Cassville: The Celtics have had a wild ride in the playoffs, winning by close margins. Last week, they survived 50-49 over Plez Hill. This one should be no different. Winner: O'Hara 28-27

That's all for now. As always, remember to catch me at www.twitter.com/KCCandace. So my "Monster Ballads" promotion didn't exactly pull in the followers that I was expecting. But this time, I'll throw in a leopard-print snuggie if you're my 89th follower. C'mon! Classic Rock AND a Snuggie?!?! Who doesn't want that?