Pursuit of Perfection

Back just in time for the weekend looking forward to a healthy plate full of sports viewing the next couple days.

It has certainly been a refreshing football season, with two teams that I have invested time with this season. Writing for the Traveler as a corrospondent, covering the two small high schools in our area, both Dexter and South Haven, I have seen both ends of the spectrum. Dexter has experienced some lean times in football the past few years with injuries and lack of participation taking their toll.

The South Haven Cardinals ran the table in the SCBL this season and advaced through the first two rounds of the state tournament unscathed. They face a Hope team tonight that has a great deal of tradition and experience in these games on it's side. Hope has played in the semi-finals 5 of the past 6 seasons. The Cardinals were tested last week, trailing 14-6 heading into the second half before pulling away 42-22 behind Jake Davidson's 200-plus rushing performance. Let's hope last week's adversity works as an advantage for South Haven in their contest tonight.

Davidson said publically that he wants to put the team on his back and I have no doubt that Jake will do everything in his power to lead this team into next week's championship game. Moving Davidson to tailback was a stroke of genius by coach David Hughes as it can help free the quicker Derrick Spencer on mis-direction plays from the fullback position. A great strategy with starting tailback Cass Myers out for the rest of the season with the broken leg.

Hughes has quite the winning streak going when you consider that his teams have not lost since late October last year. When you combine the South Haven girls undefeated State Championship team at 28-0 and this year's football team at 11-0 and counting, with basketball right around the corner, it will be interesting to see how far the streak will go.

Also of interest this weekend will be college football in Kansas as KU at #4 in the latest BCS poll travels to Stillwater to take on Oklahoma State. A little concerned with the Jayhawk defense this week against the Cowboys, especially pass defense. The 'Hawks gave up 39 points against Nebraska a week ago, even though all the talk was about the Huskers giving up 76. OSU has one of the better passing attacks with Adarius Bowman at receiver and quarterback Zac Robinson throwing for almost 2000-yards on the season.

KU needs to take care of business this week and next against Iowa State with the Border Showdown against Mizzou looming in two weeks. It's almost inconceivable but possible that the Jayhawks could play for a National Championship this season.....IN FOOTBALL!!!

K-State has a chance to get well and make up for the stinker they laid against Iowa State last week. The Wildcats can drive the final nails in the coaching coffin of Bill Callahan if they can beat Nebraska in Lincoln tomorrow afternoon. It's almost surreal to think that both Kansas teams could beat Nebraska in the same year after the Husker dominance that I grew up with.

Will return Monday with a follow-up on the results of this weekend