By Sonny Jones
Legendary sportswriter Grantland Rice in 1927 wrote “For when the great scorer comes to write against your name, he marks not that you won or lost but how you played the game.” It was part of his “Alumnus Football” poem
Over the years, it was paraphrased as “It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.”
In this COVID-19 era of high school sports, it should be “It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s IF you play the game.”
COVID-19 quarantines continues to take a toll on area high school sports teams. Bladen County football teams included.
West Bladen was in Midway two weeks ago preparing to scrimmage as part of the Sampson County Jamboree. The team was informed it had been placed in COVID-19 quarantine. The Knights got back on the bus and returned home without taking a snap. The season-opening game against South Columbus was called off last Friday. Now, the Knights are scheduled to host West Columbus on Monday in their opener.
East Bladen, which was the only team in the former Three Rivers Conference to play its full seven-game spring season, had tonight’s scheduled game against South Columbus called off because the Stallions were under quarantine. Fortunately, the Eagles found an opponent and will be at home against West Carteret tonight.
Then, there’s St. Pauls. The Bulldogs’ opener was called off a week ago because Purnell Swett was under quarantine. Now, St. Pauls is under quarantine and its next two games are off.
Of the eight high school football games originally scheduled tonight only one will be played — Midway at South Brunswick. East Bladen will play a different opponent. West Bladen will play Monday.
As for last week’s picks after more than two decades since trying to do it, I picked six of eight games correctly. I’ll take it. Now to improve.
WEST CARTERET at EAST BLADEN — Whatever happens tonight, it’s sure to be better for East Bladen than last Friday’s 62-16 loss to Wallace-Rose Hill.
West Carteret, which beat Ayden-Grifton 20-14 last week, was scheduled to play Havelock tonight, but the Rams are under quarantine. Thus, the Patriots were looking for a game. So, too, were the Eagles. It’s a match made from quarantine.
Look for the Eagles to bounce back after last week’s debacle. East Bladen 26, West Carteret 13.
WEST COLUMBUS at WEST BLADEN — The Stanley Williams era is expected to open Monday when the Knights open at the Castle. Williams, who was an assistant coach last season, takes over a program that was 0-6 in the COVID-shortened spring season and has gone 29-94 since 2010, according to records at MaxPreps.
West Columbus won the spring meeting 49-36, but the Knights have won 11 of 15 meetings since 2004. Let’s start Williams with a win. West Bladen 20, West Columbus 12
OTHER GAMES
Midway 34, South Brunswick 26: Midway quarterback Wyatt Holland was 30 of 35 passing for 618 yards and a state record 10 touchdowns last week in an 80-73 win against Hobbton. Won’t be that number of TDs tonight, but should be enough.
Appalachian State 35, East Carolina 27: A great way to open the college football season Thursday, Sept. 2 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Should be a fun game to watch.
N.C. State 41, South Florida 28: Expectations are high in Raleigh this season. The Wolfpack needs a convincing win Sept. 2 to open the season with a trip to Mississippi State next week.
CANCELED OR POSTPONED
South Columbus at East Bladen
Fairmont at Purnell Swett
Clinton at Wallace-Rose Hill
Forest Hills at Red Springs
St. Pauls at Westover
Whiteville at West Brunswick
Sonny Jones can be reached at wibbyj@gmail.com.