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We often hear that hope springs eternal or that spring provides a new beginning.
In the sports world, it’s fall – or at least getting close to it – that signals the new beginning.
All the high school and college athletic teams are undefeated, and post season play is a possibility for everyone.
It’s unfortunate that the action of a vandal or vandals has put a damper on the start of the sports season at Smoky Mountain High. Someone with too much time on his hands decided to drive a vehicle on the football field and do several doughnuts late Friday night or early Saturday morning.
As a result, the first four home soccer games have been moved. Three will be played at the Jackson County Recreation Park at Cullowhee. A game with Asheville will be played on the road with the return engagement here next month.
Hopefully, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office will be able to make an arrest in the case soon. A $500 reward is being offered so contact law enforcement officers if you have any information regarding the incident.
This is the final year the Mustangs will be playing in the 3-A Mountain Athletic Conference. They will move to a new 2-A league next year. Local athletes should make the most of their last run through the MAC.
The football team has played strong defense in its three scrimmages. Word is the offensive line could be the best in several seasons. Combine that with a promising group of running backs and the ground game could cause problems for opponents all year.
The competition will be tough. Tuscola’s Jonathan Crompton has committed to Tennessee and is considered one of the best quarterbacks in the country. Asheville and Roberson have some players who are on the radar of major colleges.
The Lady Mustang volleyball team has opened its season with two wins. Tonya Wilson, a player on the 1991 state championship squad, has taken over as coach and is working hard to help the team to bounce back from the first losing season in school history.
Soccer also has opened on a positive note with a victory over Mountain Heritage. The Mustangs just missed the playoffs last year and are looking for that little nudge they need to move past one or two teams and reach the post season.
At Western Carolina, several transfers have brought increased expectations to the football team. The addition of players from such schools as Tennessee and South Carolina could make the Catamounts contenders to be among the best in the Southern Conference.
Volleyball, soccer and cross country are also gearing up in Cullowhee. The highlight here is the construction of a new soccer stadium.
All in all, fall sports in 2004 should be exciting for area fans.
NOTES...The Tri-County Shrine Club will sponsor a golf tournament Sept. 11 at Lake Junaluska. Organizers say more than 50 children from Jackson, Haywood and Swain counties are currently being helped by Shriners Hospitals. To enter or to be a sponsor, call Hugh Russell at 631-2929.
The 26th annual Maggie Valley Moonlight Race is set for Aug. 28. For more information, call (828) 926-1686.
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