For the Brookhaven Academy Cougars, it’s the last home game ofthe regular season and it will be a special occasion. Duringhalftime Friday night, BA’s field will be officially named in honorof R.M. (Red) Stuard.

Stuard’s name will be located on the new scoreboard. A longtimesupporter of BA athletics and the school in general, Stuard hasbeen a fixture for over 35 years. He was the scoreboard operator atfootball games for 32 years, serving as a volunteer.

Working in the oil field business for umpteen years, Stuard andhis wife raised five daughters. Like Red, they are mostlyredheads.

A devoted husband and father, Red had a passion for golf. Manyyears ago he launched the Red Stuard Invitational 4-Ball Oil Man’sTournament. Its popularity grew to great proportions, especiallyduring the oil boom in Mississippi. It once attracted over 500golfers from across the nation and overseas to the Mississippi GulfCoast where it was played on several courses.

Yours truly certainly enjoyed being part of the tournament fieldin its later years. Most of our experiences were at the St.Andrew’s course in Ocean Springs, featuring several alligators anda red and white striped lighthouse.

For sure, Stuard is a humble, southern gentleman who lovessports and loves people. We have enjoyed the honor of knowing himas a true friend. A football field named in his honor is a graciousgesture of appreciation.

Meanwhile, Professor Hoopla B.S. is stepping up his routine asthe cold weather arrives in Lincoln County. That was evident by hisoutstanding performance in the prognosticating department lastweek. He predicted the winners of 26 games and only missed 3.

Here’s a preview of this weekend’s winners, starting with aThursday night, community college special.

Jones County at Co-Lin: Powerful Bobcats areheaded for the state playoffs. They avoid the Wolfpack’s upset bidand escape Stone Stadium with a win. Jones County 24-14.

ACCS at Brookhaven Academy: Cougars have beenhit hard by injuries but they should have enough bite to handle thewinless Rebels Friday night. Brookhaven Academy 28-6.

Enterprise at St. Andrew’s: Saints obviouslyare the best team in Region 6-2A. The Fighting Yellow Jackets willagree. St. Andrew’s 34-8.

Loyd Star at Madison St. Joe: Hornets make astrong showing in a difficult road test. St. Joe 24-20.

St. Aloysius at West Lincoln: It’s been a leanseason for the Flashes but it doesn’t compare to the pain the Bearshave endured. St. Al 23-12.

Wesson at McLaurin: Besides being good, theCobras will need some luck to win on the road against a strongbunch of Tigers. McLaurin 21-20.

Forest Hill at Lawrence County: If the Cougarsplay tough pass defense and run the football, it should be a happyhomecoming in Monticello. Lawrence County 34-14.

Franklin County at Wilkinson County: TheBulldogs need a Region 7-3A win and they’ll do it in convincingfashion. Franklin County 56-6.

In other area games, Jefferson County shouldcrush North Pike 42-16, Hazlehurst should bury Jackson Bailey 56-0,Copiah Academy should whip Columbia Academy 35-12, McComb shouldclip Florence 21-17, Tylertown should stop South Pike 21-16,Parklane should nip Silliman 18-10, and Amite County should dumpCrystal Springs 27-13. Brookhaven and Bogue Chitto have open datesto rest up for the state playoffs.

Southwest at Gulf Coast: South Divisionchampion Bulldogs are out to avenge last year’s upset in Summit. Itwill be a good Saturday in Perkinston. Gulf Coast 31-17.

Mississippi State at Kentucky: Bulldogsencounter an impressive aerial show in Lexington. Kentucky34-10.

Ole Miss at Auburn: Tommy Tuberville’s Tigerswill have a letdown after losing to LSU on a last-second TD passbut they should have enough emotion left to handle the Rebels.Auburn 31-17.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Jackson State: Tigersneed a big win over the Golden Lions to keep their playoff hopesalive. Jackson State 28-14.

Central Florida at Southern Miss: In a Sundaynight, ESPN special, the Golden Eagles maintain their winning waysat The Rock. Southern Miss 24-10.

In other college action, involving MagnoliaState institutions of higher learning Saturday, Belhaven overLambuth 35-27, Delta State over West Georgia 30-20, Millsaps overTrinity 17-14, Mississippi College over East Texas Baptist 25-14and Prairie View over Valley State 38-8. Alcorn State has an opendate to promote its tennis program.

Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O.BOX 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602 or e-mailsports@dailyleader.com