Three cheers for Bill Belichick.

While the national media and everyone on the East Coast is probably bashing the New England coach, I’m cheering the guy.

Finally, someone has the nerve to really go agains the book in the National Football League.

Going for two from inside your own 30 with the game on the line is frowned upon in the NFL club. Actually it’s a no-no of the highest order.

You know, it’s play it same time, let your defense win the game, hope Peyton Manning doesn’t have another comeback left - even with three timeouts. That’s the way you’re supposed to play the game.

Why, though.

Why not try to win the game with your prolific offense?

Why not have the guts to do the unconventional?

So, good for him.

It didn’t work, granted, but New England is still going to be a playoff team and the Patriots could very well win another Super Bowl.

If that happens everyone will forget a call that decided a Sunday night game in Indianapolis in mid-season.

Of course, if the rest of the season doesn’t go well for the Patriots and another team, say the Colts, wins the Super Bowl, the decision may come up time and time again.

Still, wasn’t it fun?

Brings a bit of excitement to a league where coaches are afraid to take a real chance.

Geez, a bunch of writers and former players might call them an idiot or something worse.

*****

How tough was Woodward’s district this year?

Well, three of the four playoff teams are in the state quarterfinals and the fourth had a chance to win in the final minutes.

Elk City threatened late against Star Spencer but couldn’t get the go-ahead touchdown and ended up losing 44-33. And Elk City is a team the Boomers had every chance to beat before losing in the final two minutes.

Douglass went on the road and shut out defending state champion Glenpool while Weatherford and McGuinness both won at home.

It’s not a stretch to see all three teams winning again this week.

Everyone’s been waiting for Weatherford to lose all season but the Eagles just keep rolling, 11-0 and ranked No. 1 now.

McGuinness is McGuinness and Douglass can beat anyone when it avoids the crippling turnovers that proved costly in two district losses.

All three are playing tough opponents, but all three are in winnable games.

By the way, El Reno, another Woodward opponent remains unbeaten in Class 5A and is in the running for second straight trip to the semifinals.

In case you were wondering, the combined record of the five teams the Boomers lost to is 52-13 and seven of those losses were by one team - Elk City.

*****

There is a chance for some playoff football in Woodward on Thanksgiving weekend.

Depending on how the second round goes, Woodward could be in line to host games on Friday or Saturday, or both days.

Obviously, several things have to happen.

In Class C for instance, if Shattuck and Timberlake advance to the semifinals, Woodward could possibly host that game for the second year in a row.

Seiling or Waynoka will for sure be in the semifinals, and a Forgan win over Covington-Douglas could bring another game here.

A Class B game is at least possible if Laverne can upset Davenport on the road Friday. A Laverne-Garber rematch in Boomer Stadium would be quite interesting.

Of course, if the area teams lose, well let’s not think that way.

*****

Tonight’s area basketball schedule is a rather light one.

Freedom is home to face Hardesty while Arnett will host Canute.

Other games of interest include Hammon at Arapaho and Leedey at Sentinel. Aline-Cleo makes its debut, hosting powerful Lomega.

Start time everywhere is 6:30 p.m. with the girls game first.

A larger pool of games is scheduled Friday as several schools who recently finished football join the action.

*****

Mooreland will host an invitational basketball tournament in December and the brackets are already out.

The inaugural Mooreland Holiday Classic will feature 24 games over three days.

First-round girls pairings have Watonga against Sharon-Mutual at 11 a.m., Drummond vs. Mooreland at 1:40 p.m., Vici vs. Sayre at 4:20 p.m. and Timberlake against Fort Supply at 7 p.m.

On the boys side, Watonga faces Sharon-Mutual at 12:20 p.m., Sayre plays Drummond at 3 p.m., Fort Supply faces Vici at 5:40 p.m. and Timberlake takes on Mooreland at 8:20 p.m.



Johnny McMahan is managing editor of the Woodward News.