KILGOROUND

FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS are on the minds of many, and we'll talk about that, but first thing's first. Thanks to every U.S. veteran, no matter what the age, for your service to this country. We might be a country politically divided, but one thing on which we all agree is that you put your life in harm's way for our nation — just as so many have throughout the country's history — so that we might all have a better life here.

No matter where or when you served, I just wanted to say thank you.

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BY THE WAY, the Sabine Independent School District is saying thank you on a much bigger scale.

Due to the rain tonight, SISD had to postpone its 12th annual Honor America night to Thursday. The celebration, which includes a fireworks show, will have food — hot dogs, apple pie and ice cream, of course. The All-

American meal in the SHS cafeteria is from 5 to 7 p.m. and the fireworks and music begin at 7. It's hosted by the band boosters. Tickets for the meal and fireworks are $5, and can be purchased from any band student, or at the gate on Thursday.

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ON TO football.

This year, we have two area high schools in the UIL postseason: Kilgore, the District 14-4A champion, competing in Class 4A's playoffs, and West Rusk, the District 19-2A runner-up, competing in the 2A postseason.

The Bulldogs finished the regular season with a 27-14 win over Nacogdoches Friday (that wasn't that close — Nac scored two touchdowns in the last three minutes, what we call "garbage time"). Kilgore claimed the district title outright with the win and the Lindale loss, and the Bulldogs will begin the playoffs this Friday at Marshall, another battle with the Mavericks.

Kickoff will be 7:30 p.m. at Maverick Stadium. Tickets are on sale now at the school's athletic department offices for $6 each. They will be $7 at the gate. The tickets are on sale from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. through Thursday, and from 9 a.m. until noon on Friday.

If you'd like to celebrate a little and encourage the Bulldogs before their playoff run, they're having a pep rally and tailgate party at Gabriel Jordan Auto Group tomorrow night at 7:30, there at the dealership at the corner of Stone Road and Highway 259. The KHS cheerleaders are going to be selling hot dog dinners. The event is sponsored by the dealership and by Westbrook Trucking.

The West Rusk Raiders are in the playoffs for the first time since 2000, and will face Hearne at Waxahachie on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Coach John Frazier's team had to face No. 1-ranked Arp last week, and slipped 29-8, but have had a very good season so far — Frazier's 14-6 in two years heading up the Raiders.

Naturally, we wish both KHS and West Rusk luck this weekend, and hope both teams will play on next weekend.

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SPECIAL OLYMPICS needs volunteers at the Oil Bowl in Longview on Thursday and Friday for the regional Special Olympics bowling tournament.

If you'd like to volunteer kind of last-minute-like, call The Paula Martin Jones Charities in Longivew at

903) 234-9655. Morning and afternoon shifts are available on both days. Sounds like it'd be great fun.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY locally to Kyle Bates, Winter Elder, Alan Pearce, Ben Shelton, Gary Vick, Lecil Edward Acker, Eric Smalley, Charles L. Pyle, Willie Mae Jackson, Jimmy Ainsworth, James Fitzgerald Smith, Joe Davis Fears, Dainel Hernandez, Iva Lee Davis, Billy Word, Jeannie Stark, Staci Harder, Trey Hadaway, Jason Hellen, Davd Jackson, Don Ringler, Jean Laird, Tina Smith, Richard King, David Washburn, Scott Miles, Debbie Ott.

Also celebrating their birthdays today: actor/comedian Jonathan Winters (71), country singer Narvel Felts (68), actor Stanley Tucci (46), actresses Demi Moore (44) and Calista Flockhart (42), and actor Leonardo DiCaprio (32).

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HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TODAY to Mike and Cathy Smith