WHAT'S CAUSING ALL THIS?

GOTCHA! — Left: Kilgore cornerback Kendall Moore (2) and Mishaud Austin (7) wrap up a Jacksonville receiver in the second half. Inset: KHS running back Frank Reddic (4) hurdles a defender. The Bulldogs put on a football clinic Friday night at the Tomato Bowl in J'ville, writes sports editor Mitch Lucas. While District 14-4A has a few things remaining to be decided, this much is certain: the Ragin' Red is once again in the playoffs, and a balanced offensive attack to go with a defense that won't bend is a good mixture. Kilgore will host Nacogdoches on Friday night. Some of my thoughts while standing on the sidelines — and since — of the Kilgore-Jacksonville football game Friday night:

• Kind of a sad Tomato Bowl: That was my fourth trip to the old stadium in Jacksonville, and it was great that Kilgore won, but seeing Jacksonville's crowd not really seemingly into the game was disappointing.

I know, I know — the Indians have had a not-so-good season, and it's hard to get excited when you know your team is playing a very good Kilgore program. But I was just almost taken aback by the lack of enthusiasm shown by the home team's fans. Jacksonville has a proud history, though — I'm sure they'll be back.

LUCAS • My grade: Hey, an A, for all phases of the game. I thought Steven McBryde looked like he'd been throwing the ball 20 times a game every game. He was in-sync with receivers Andrew Ector, Xavian Sanders, Will Mixon and to tailback Frank Reddic. McBryde's only mistake was an interception late in the first half, and that was basically like a punt. Kilgore recovered nicely and wound up getting a touchdown before the half anyway, thanks to a stop by the defense.

Speaking of the defense, Kilgore held Jacksonville in check all night except the one touchdown run in the first half. Ryan Bustin wasn't asked to kick a game-winning field goal this week, but he did go 5-for-5 in extra point attempts. Ken Smith is a heck of a threat from under center — even when opposing teams know he's going to run the ball, they have a hard time bringing him down. And what can you say about Reddic and that offensive line? They're a force. Good to see Kody Keninger back in the lineup on the line, as well.

Photos by Dr. Jeff Davis • HI-Stepper look was freaky: The Hi-Steppers really came dressed for Halloween in this game. You can see a sample of their outfits on page 10A, courtesy of one Dr. Jeff Davis, who delivered some great pictures from Jacksonville. But the 'Steppers gave a great halftime performance. It was something to behold.

Incidentally, the fog machines the Bulldogs booster club use when the team runs out onto the field created an eerie effect with the Hi-Steppers dressed like that, standing on the field. Really a bizarre scene, but kind of neat. Entertaining stuff, Colleen — that's thinking outside of the box, and added to the experience of the game.

• Sorry about another mistake: I did my best wishy-washy Bill Clinton impersonation on Thursday.

I noticed in Game Time Weekly that in my column, I picked Texas to hold on and beat Texas Tech, then on the picks page on page 7, I had Tech listed as my winner. That's because I originally had picked Tech, then forgot to change it.

I apologize for that, and I'll hold up my end — Tech, I guess, is my pick. If the Red Raiders don't win, I'll count it wrong.

• Speaking of wishy-washy: Day after tomorrow is the presidential election, and I have one question — Why do the people on the left have so much hatred for Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin? I think I have an answer.

She doesn't have a 'D' beside her name.

Can you imagine, with the way the media has embraced Barack Obama and is pushing him more than they've ever pushed a candidate for president, if Palin were a liberal Democrat and were his running mate? She would be hailed as the latest great female American. I mean, we'd be talking Susan B. Anthony, and Sarah Palin.

Instead, on TV newscasts and in print, her intelligence has been mocked, her wardrobe ridiculed, her family insulted.

The media's coverage in this presidential election has been horribly, horribly skewed to convince you to vote for Obama. They way the media is now, it makes me ashamed to admit I'm in the field.

Make no mistake: I consider myself a writer, not a "reporter."

• Why Dallas won't win: Last week, I had a great feeling that the Cowboys were going to beat Tampa Bay at home and get a much-needed win.

This week, I don't have that feeling. In fact, I'm afraid it may get ugly today at Giants Stadium.

With quarterback Brad Johnson in the lineup — and I don't mean to sound rude -- the Cowboys are a completely different team, and that's not a good thing.

Here's a good reason why the Cowboys are in trouble today in the Meadowlands. The Giants have the No. 1 pass-rushing defense in the league. They've got 26 sacks.

Remember how everyone used to talk about how Drew Bledsoe looked like a statue behind the Cowboys' offensive line? Well, Johnson makes Bledsoe look like Steve Young or Fran Tarkenton.

If Dallas pulls it off, it will be a masterpiece, both of effort and of coaching, that gets it done.

The good news for Cowboys fans is that Romo should be back after the open date next Sunday to face Washington. As long as the Cowboys get in, I think they can do some damage in the NFC.

• Things we're following locally: Basketball season is starting this week for Kilgore College, whose men were to begin the season this weekend way out in Odessa, and whose women open this week, as well. We'll check in with men's coach Brian Hoberecht and with women's coach Roy Thomas once again, and see what their thoughts are as the season gets under way.

Also, the Kilgore High School varsity volleyball team is to play a bidistrict-round Class 4A playoff game this Tuesday against either Pine Tree or Hallsville. Those two teams wound up tied in District 13-4A, and were having a one-game playoff this weekend to determine seeding. Obviously, Kilgore's Lady Bulldogs will either be here, at Pine Tree or at Hallsville, or at a neutral site. I'll know Tuesday morning. I don't do this often, but if you need to know in order to make the game, give me a call at the paper. The number is (903) 984-2593.

One more thing. The KHS tennis team was competing this weekend in the regional tournament at Grapevine. Kilgore has a very good team that finished second in district play to Lindale, and is in a tough field, with several of the top 20 teams in 4A in the tournament. The Bulldogs were to open against Texas High.

We'll have an update on how they did in Tuesday's sports section, as well as coverage of Kilgore College's final football game of the regular season against Cisco. The Rangers had already clinched a playoff spot — at press time Saturday morning, they were hoping to beat Cisco, then have Navarro beat Blinn. That would mean Blinn would visit KC this Saturday as the SWJCFC playoffs begin.

Have a great week, and God bless.