Playoff football moves to the state semifinals at the high school level and we still have a pair of “Big-11” teams in the mix. Seven of the remaining 24 teams enter the semifinal round with perfect 13-0 records. All semifinal games move to Saturday this week. Here’s a look at the match ups among the “Big-11”.
Group 4A:
SALEM at SHERANDO (1:00 p.m.) The 11-2 Spartans hit the road for the first time since opening the playoffs with three wins. 12-1 Sherando awaits to tackle a Salem team that is peaking at the right time.
Group 3A:
NORTHSIDE at LOUDOUN VALLEY (2:00 p.m.) The Vikings (12-1) travel to Purcellville in far Northern Virginia to take on Loudoun Valley (11-2). The winner may be on a collision course in the state final with undefeated Heritage.
Congratulations go out to Hidden Valley for taking Heritage to the final gun last Friday night before falling 12-7. The Titans get the nod for the “Big-11” turnaround team of 2013.
“Big-11” basketball is now in full swing with a full slate of games leading up to the popular after-Christmas holiday tournaments. Watch for our game coverage beginning in today’s edition.
Now, what you’ve been waiting for. The annual Wild Bill 2013 version of “IS it a Sport?”
Thanks to all my readers for some thought provoking entries. Admittedly, I had to research a couple and here’s this year’s best.
1) Women’s Curling: DEFINITELY A SPORT- This has nothing to do with hair styling. I’ve become an Erika Brown fan and this Olympic sport is the real deal. A 3-foot granite stone, thrown on ice with a handle that weighs, by regulation, 38-44 pounds. The interesting aspect of this sport is the rock (object) only has contact on the ice by a 5-inch diameter, 1/4-inch high ring. Add a couple sweepers that direct the stone into a four concentric-circle target with brooms and it gets interesting. Brown is a darling that will make the sport a hit in the 2014 Olympic Winter Games.
2) The Turk Chess Player head-to-head chess match: NOT A SPORT- A mechanical mystery character that plays chess against anyone from novices to chess masters. Supposedly no computers, no assistance and no input. Just an eerie looking upper-body man that actually makes precise, analytical moves with his hands. Something’s fishy here. I’ve played a lot of chess in my time—bring this character on.
3) Zorbing: NOT A SPORT- This activity involves a person rolling down a hill inside a giant, inflatable transparent vinyl ball. It originated in New Zealand and should stay there. The only competition involves two people deciding if either are stupid enough to take the plunge and roll into trees or whatever violates the ball’s path.
4) Turkey Shoot: THIS IS A SPORT- When this one came in I thought it was from a disgruntled Hokie fan after losses to Maryland, Boston College and Duke. But, it’s a marksmanship competition that involves a group of guys looking for fun on a fall evening. The rules vary, the prizes are typically turkeys, and you may win a bird despite being the worst shot in the house. I’m ready to cover this if I get an invite. Are you Turkey Shooters listening?
5) Professional Men’s Tag-Team Wrestling: Sorry guys, NOT A SPORT- A repeat entry from last year, but still too many submission holds and chairs over the head. I may reconsider if the bad guys win a few key matches and someone invites me in the ring for a Cobra- hold demonstration.
6) Professional Women’s Tag-Team Wrestling: OH, YEA–IT’S A SPORT- Have you seen those outfits? Throw me in the ring and toss me into a submission pin. Best two-out-of-three, of course, girls.
7) Octopush: NOT A SPORT- Underwater hockey played in a swimming pool with sticks, pucks and snorkels. Most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard of. I’ve played a little hockey, but this sounds more like a maternity activity.
Next time we take a year-end review of the worst questions submitted in 2013. You still have two weeks to get your zingers in the [email protected] mailbag. But, be forewarned, it’ll be hard to top the ones on file that never got off the cutting room floor.
Until then, still time to get your Loudmouth on. “The most fun you can have with your pants on.”
– Bill Turner
