Happy holidays to all our readers. May the spirit of Christmas be with everyone in the coming days.
It’s hard to believe another visit by Santa Claus is upon us and I hope all your stockings are stuffed with everything on your list. Likewise, we wish everyone a Happy New Year as the Wild Bill World of Sports vaults into 2014.
The first order of business is a big thumbs-up to the Northside Vikings on winning the VHSL Group 3A State Football Championship Saturday at Liberty University with the 24-10 win over James Monroe.
Conditions were tough for the noon kickoff as sleet fell persistently before turning to a steady rain by halftime and a veritable downpour by game’s end. Northside was on a mission and hardly seemed phased by the weather or the effect it had on attendance on both sides of the field.
The Viking winning effort was driven from several different areas. First, and foremost, the massive Northside lines which ruled the line of scrimmage. It’s hard to imagine any team having a better pair than Chance Hall and DeAnthony Muse pursuing on defense. Just ask James Monroe quarterback Jay Scroggins, who found one of the two on top of him five times via sacks and who were equally effective in disrupting the Yellow Jacket passing attack.
Give credit to Viking quarterback Dominic Dunnaville, who masterfully led the Viking offense all afternoon, rushing for all three Northside touchdowns and picking his spots to confound the James Monroe defense.
Hat’s off to kicker Zach Large who connected on a 37-yard field goal and all three PAT attempts in severely trying conditions for any placekicker.
The Vikings had a number of other key contributors, but it would be hard to ignore the two key plays from junior Austin Fisher. Fisher’s long opening kickoff return set the stage for Northside to grab an early lead that they would never surrender the rest of the day. Likewise, after establishing that early field position, Fisher peeled off a 21-yard run on the subsequent Viking possession that led to Northside’s opening score.
Northside head coach Burt Torrence now has a second state championship to go with the one won in 2009. Don’t expect any letup from the Viking camp in years to come. Torrence obviously has the formula for success.
As promised, we take a holiday peek at the best and worst of the 2013 Wild Bill mailbag. Hold on to the reindeer reins as we visit a few of the classics.
Dear Ouija Wonderboy: I’m looking at an old Ouija Board at an antique mall. Like the Pawn Stars show, are you qualified to verify the board is an antique? (Dave/ Roanoke) Look at the face on the Ouija, Dave. If you see a beard like Martin Van Buren, you’re in business.
Dear Wild Bill: Your Loudmouth Christmas pants have been the talk at games. Will there be more outlandish styles to come? (Nancy/Bonsack) You ain’t seen nothing yet , Nancy. To debut in January; Red Tarzan. Use your imagination.
Dear Football Expert: Why do they wear cleats on artificial turf? (Sammy/ Roanoke) They look more ‘football’ than tennis shoes.
Dear Mr. Predictor: I like betting on football. What’s the biggest betting line in NFL history? (Scizzo/Moneta) I had to check with Harry “The Weasel” in Vegas on this one, Scizzo. 28 points. Interestingly, only 10 times has a NFL line ever been over 20 points, and the team getting the points won 9 of 10 times against the line. You always learn something when you read this column.
Dear Wild Bill: When did Perry White, the original “Chief” on Superman, pass away? (Marcie/Bedford) 1958, at age 71.
Dear Know-It-All: College teams have nicknames like Buffalos, Wasps and Wolverines. What’s the wildest you’ve heard of? (Donna/Troutville) Has to be Cal-State Irvine- The Anteaters. And, their fans call themselves ‘The Eater Nation’
Time to close the mailbag. We’ll open it back up in 2014 with your inquiries at [email protected].
– Bill Turner
