From the notebook

>>With three rounds still remaining in the 2013 MAIS football season there are some teams that appear to be on a collision course to determine state champions.

Trinity and Marshall have been heading head on towards each other all season and void any major injuries or surprises those two will determine the Class A crown on November 23^rd.

In Class AA the same can be said about Centreville and Simpson but with a little more caution than in Class A. Leake is one of the hottest squads in AA and Tri-County has proven they belong in Class AA.

In Class AAA Division-I Jackson Academy and Jackson Prep are once again at the top and could renew their annual title game in a few weeks.

Class AAA Division-II defending champion Heritage is on the ropes while Lamar and Magnolia Heights have separated themselves as the best two squads in the respective division.

There will be a brand new 8-Man champion this season and all indications tend to suggest that Sharkey and Franklin could butt heads on the 23^rd.

>>On another football note two coaches deserve big time “Shout Outs” for the work they have done at rebuilding and maintaining their programs.

Adams County Christian head coach David King posted a 3-8 mark in his first season at his Alma-mater in 2012 and this season heading into week two of the playoffs King has ACCS sitting at #5 in the Class AA rankings and a 10-1 season mark. To top that off King has lots of youth at the skill positions that will only get better.

Josh Loy stepped into a tough spot in getting a late start after being named Trinity’s head coach just two months prior to the 2012 season but Loy has posted an 18-5 mark to this point and has one of the top five teams in the entire MAIS.

>>Nominations for the Southern Sports & Travel MAIS Football Player of the Year are open through November 24th. Nominations can be sent via email to aafandaman@yahoo.com along with stats and other information deemed valuable.

>>The 2013/14 basketball season is underway. Rankings will be posted in a matter of days and as always I ask that coaches, athletic directors and administrators please assign someone to report all varsity scores following the games. Doing this allows the thousands who visit Southern Sports & Travel each week to track their team and get insight into those teams they may face during the season. Accurate and timely reporting of scores will also make the difficult task of posting district records a bit more managable when district play begins next month for many teams. Basketball scores can be reported in a variety of methods: Text 985-750-3455, email aafandaman@yahoo.com, follow me on Twitter or join the Southern Sports & Travel Facebook Scoreboard Page and post whatever you’d like about basketball or football.

>>The MAIS has eliminated split sessions during regional basketball post-season tournament action leading up to the state tournaments. This is a much needed change that will benefit everyone as a whole. Split sessions will remain for state tournaments that follow.

>>One of the greatest tools in keeping tabs on high school football has been MaxPreps. Each year more and more schools realize the value in assigning someone to update all matters of information from team to individual stats and more. MaxPreps is also a great source for basketball and baseball data during those respective seasons but participation is a bit scarce in those two sports. If your school doesn’t participate in updating your athletic program through MaxPreps I would strongly encourage it.

>>On a more somber note, sometimes life throws you an unhittable breaking ball. One that you see coming and have prepared for but the inevitable happens. In my case a three level cervical spinal fusion that can wait no longer. The goal was to make it through the 2013 football season but my efforts to control the immense pain and discomfort associated with the driving and covering the games have been fruitless. Thus, bright and early Monday morning I report for surgery with hopes that the neurosurgeon slept well the night before and is in good spirits. I’ve had two spinal fusion surgeries in the past but never a three level this close to a few vital organs in the neck that are kind of important such as the esophagus, vocal cords and that little carotid artery thing.

What all that being said, I’ve had to cancel round two playoff coverage of Glenbrook at Adams and semi-final action the following week. My hope is to personally provide state championship coverage on November 22^nd and 23^rd but that is to be determined in the coming weeks.

There will be NO interruption in reporting scores and a contingency plan with regards to providing championship football coverage is in the works.

I sincerely apologize for the failure on my part to continue doing what I love, particularly post-season football, and I ask that you keep me in your prayers for a quick recovery.
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God is great.............