You won’t see their names among the top NFL draft prospects for2001. Still, they are homegrown football players who made a namefor themselves in high school. Now they have advanced to the smallcollege level. They love the game and that’s why they are out therebutting heads on Saturdays.

You won’t see their names among the top NFL draft prospects for2001. Still, they are homegrown football players who made a namefor themselves in high school. Now they have advanced to the smallcollege level. They love the game and that’s why they are out therebutting heads on Saturdays.

Speaking of Saturday, Sept. 2, it will provide football fans anopportunity to witness a pair of outstanding games at MississippiVeterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson. They are sponsored by theSalvation Army.

The heat and humidity will be awesome but perhaps there will bea breeze. Make sure to take your canteen, sunglasses broad-brimmedstraw hat and lots of sunscreen. The Fried Bowl kicks off Saturdayafternoon at 3 p.m., featuring Delta State University’s Statesmenversus the Belhaven College Blazers.

In the Broiled Bowl, starting at 8 p.m., the Millsaps CollegeMajors play the Mississippi College Choctaws. Compared to thesweat-soaked afternoon session, the nightcap could be jacket andsweater weather. Tickets are $10 and they cover both games.

There are a few players from this area participating in bothgames. In the Delta State-Belhaven clash, look for KelvinRedd of Brookhaven on the Delta State squad. Redd (6-5, 245) is afreshman defensive end wearing jersey No. 98.

Other Delta State players from this area are ScottieCline, a freshman linebacker, and Jason Ford, a freshman offensivelineman, both from Hazlehurst (Copiah Academy).

McComb’s contribution to the Delta State squad is offensivelineman Max Weathers, a junior college transfer fromSouthwest.

Belhaven claims four local players. They are juniorlinebacker Chaz Allen and junior offensive guard Lamareo Brown ofBrookhaven, freshman tight end Chase Davis of Bogue Chitto andfreshman defensive lineman Scott Smith of Wesson. Allen and Brownboth played for Copiah-Lincoln Community College lastseason.

The Millsaps Majors have three players from this area. They arefreshman linebacker Osmond (Bubby) Akmenkalns ofBrookhaven, freshman defensive lineman Jesse Anderson ofMonticello and senior offensive lineman Ryan Ezell ofSummit.

Certainly, it will be difficult to remove your grip onthe air conditioner Saturday but this doubleheader certainly isworth seeing. Besides, it’s a bargain at $10.

Jackson State kicks off its season Saturday with a roadgame against Howard University at Chicago’s Soldier Field. BobbyBell, a 6-foot-1, 250-pound redshirt freshman from Brookhaven, hasbeen receiving high marks from the coaching staff during JSU’spreseason practice. Bell is playing middle linebacker.

Meanwhile, Professor Hoopla B.S., still has a few yearsof eligibility left. He’s big enough to play in the offensive lineif Co-Lin needs him.

Hoopla got off to a sluggish start last week, perhapswishing he had remained in retirement. He picked the winners of 11games and missed five of them. Here’s a preview of this weekend’swinners, starting with two Thursday night community collegespecials.

Northwest at Co-Lin: Look for the probation-saddledRangers to be in a foul state of mind. Northwest28-14.

Itawamba at Southwest: The Indians have been scoutingthe Bears during preseason drills. It won’t help. Southwest16-7.

Brookhaven at Vicksburg: The Panthers are ambushed by ahungry horde of Gators. Vicksburg 24-10.

Brookhaven Academy at Prentiss Christian: In a showdownof unbeaten Class AA teams, the Saints produce a victory. PrentissChristian 19-12.

Salem at Loyd Star: The Wildcats resemble mildcats whenthey invade W.E. “Sambo” Smith Field. Loyd Star 28-8.

North Pike at Bogue Chitto: The Bobcats are due to havesomething good happen to them on Troy Smith Field. Bogue Chitto10-7.

Clarkdale at Enterprise: The team with the state’slongest losing streak visits the Yellow Jackets. Enterprise32-7.

St. Joseph at West Lincoln: The Bruins from Madison havetoo much muscle. St. Joe 21-8.

Lawrence County at Magee: Another tough road trip toSimpson County finds the Cougars escaping with another win.Lawrence County 14-13.

St. Aloysius at Wesson: Reduce the turnovers and it’s atossup. Wesson 9-6.

Vidalia, La. at Franklin County: Look for the Bulldogsto author an upset. Franklin County 17-14.

In other area games, Hillcrest will whip Copiah Academy26-7, Raymond will rip Hazlehurst 27-12, McComb will stop Bonnabel,La. 14-6, South Pike will sack Mendenhall 35-14 and Parklane willpound Oak Forest 42-12.

In Magnolia State college games, Ole Miss should whipTulane 31-10, Mississippi State should stop Memphis 21-7, Tennesseeshould edge Southern Miss 23-14, Delta State should sack Belhaven35-12, Jackson State should edge Howard 21-14, Grambling shouldwhip Alcorn State 28-8, Arkansas-Pine Bluff should dump ValleyState 18-6 and Mississippi College should whip Millsaps17-7.