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.

What's going on, kids!

The power of the bulletin board lives on... even when I haven't posted a thing in weeks. You'd be surprised - or maybe not - about the number of e-mails from folks who have taken offense with something I've written or that I haven't written. It's kinda confusing but I just think it's the playoffs. Puts people on the edge. So.... why not add fuel to that paranoia fire, eh? Here's some Bulletin Board material!

Unfortunately, I'll be covering Mo state swimming and diving this weekend in St. Louis so I'll miss all the football action but here are my predictions for Missouri Friday and Saturday quarterfinal games and Kansas action

Hey guys! Just wanted to check in and say I'll be on furlough for this week (Oct. 19-24). So no updates and no Friday night column.

Until later. Have a great week!

Hola amigos y amigas. I've been busy tracking down this Blue Springs wrestling story for the past two days so now I finally have time to post some Bulletin Board Material (better late than never, eh?)

Bishop Miege at Blue Valley North. The Mustangs had a nice bounce-back win last week over BV West and RB James Hennahane, especially, stepped up. But if Miege shuts him down, who will North turn to? So... Winner: Bishop Miege

Blue Valley at St. Thomas Aquinas. Silly us for picking Blue Valley as the fourth-ranked team in the preseason poll. I think we put so much stock into QB Anthony Abenoja coming back that we overlooked the glaring holes on the Tigers. Like... Abenoja can't do it by himself. Winner: St. Thomas Aquinas

What's good, people?

Today's a writing day for me - got a big story brewing - but I just wanted to pop in for a quick spell. I know last week I didn't post any Bulletin Board Material but I'll get around to Week 7 picks tomorrow (Thursday)

Also, I just want to answer my new friend "Leonides," he's the one with the dude from "300" in his avatar. Here's what he sent me:

Gotta thank KU wordsmith Tyshawn Taylor for introducing me to this new phase "point plankn." I must be getting old because I have no clue what it means - but hey, I can borrow it for this special occassion.

Yes, friends. Last Friday night, my predictions started out a bit rough with losses from Blue Springs South and Winnetonka but I rallied back to go 6-3 overall. Not bad, I guess I've got mad skillz (notice the "z" that makes it sound much cooler). POINT PLANKN!

So let's get to the picks, shall we?

Hey, it's me again, filling you in with some high school match ups this week you oughta see. Ya know, you can just DVR "Dancing With the Stars," actually get out of the house and check out some of these games. It'll be worth it, plus do you really want to see Tom Delay shaking his bum to the cha cha? Yeah, me neither.

Tuesday: Park Hill at Truman volleyball. It's a quick turnaround but tonight I recommend coming out to Truman to watch one of the most prolific setters in Missouri prep volleyball history. Truman senior Taryn Nash recently served up her 2,000th career assist and tonight I understand that the school plans to recognize this accomplishment. If you're a volleyball fan, it's worth checking her out. Taryn's only the second area setter EVER to reach 2,000.

Wednesday: In Kansas City, you can not seriously talk about soccer without taking about St. Thomas Aquinas and Rockhurst. These teams are defending state champions in their respective home states and they clash on this night at the Blue Valley District Activities Center @ 7 p.m. It's held here because this game always draws a huge crowd. So get there early. It's worth it.

What's up! So it's Friday and I'll be out in Gardner for the big game against Paola. Pretty excited about seeing Bubba Starling and Skylar Hawkins lead their teams.

So of course, that means I'll be posting live updates on my twitter page. Follow along, why don't you.

It would make my night if we can make #Bubba a trending topic.

First Congressman Joe Wilson, then Serena Williams, then Kanye West and now... Candace Buckner?

These days it seems like all the cool kids are giving public apologies for their transgressions. Now, I never shouted like a fool "YOU LIE!" to the leader of the free world or threatened a diminutive line judge with my racket or even drunkenedly crashed a teenybopper's acceptance speech (seriously, Kanye, why hate on Taylor Swift? That's like spitting on a teddy bear) ...

But I can join the "apology parade" after last week's horrible showing with my football predictions.

Better late than never, eh? Well, it's Thursday and I better take care of my picks. Last week I went 6-3 (I tried the upsets of Lee's Summit over Park Hill South and Truman over LS West but then the Panthers and Titans scoffed at those predictions before winning their games).

So let's try this again. Remember, I pick 'em and you post 'em on your bulletin board.

Gardner Edgerton at Baldwin. No match. Gardner has the depth and talent to play with the best in the state in 5A and will easily roll over every small-class opponent remaining on the schedule. Winner: Gardner Edgerton