KILGOROUND

WELL, FOOTBALL IS on everybody's brain, it seems, and that's because for the first time in a while, we have a few local schools involved, and not just one.

Kilgore, of course, is right in the middle of things, and for the first time in some time, the Bulldogs have company. West Rusk won its Class 2A playoff opener last weekend, and this week, the Leverett's Chapel sixman program begins the playoffs, too.

Kilgore (9-2) will face Ennis (10-1) at Mesquite Memorial Stadium on Friday night at 7:30 in the UIL Class 4A area round. The KHS booster club is taking a bus to Mesquite, if you're interested — the bus will load in the KHS student parking lot on Longview Street at 4:30 p.m., and leave just after that. The cost is $20, and if you'd like to go, go by the athletic offices and

pick you up a ticket. I've done it: you can't beat the bus. They'll drop you off right at the gate, and when it's over, they'll pick you up there and bring you straight back.

West Rusk (9-2) beat Hearne last weekend at Waxahachie, and this week, the Raiders get to stay close to home. They'll face Daingerfield (10-1) at Gladewater at 7:30 p.m. Friday night.

Leverett's Chapel's program has been off almost three weeks, strangely, the way the open date fell, but the Lions take on Star on Friday night at 7:30 in Rio Vista, right around the Cleburne area.

Good luck to all our area teams, and read the coverage of them in Sunday's News Herald sports section.

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IF YOU'RE FEELING A little "Christmas-y," head out to the World's Richest Acre on Thursday night for the annual Christmas in the Patch derrick lighting ceremony. Heck, everybody will be there: the Kilgore College band and twirlers will perform at 6 p.m., and the lighting will be at 6:30, with a lot of other music and special items.

This is my favorite time of the year to be in Kilgore, with the downtown Christmas lights and football playoffs. There's just so much excitement in the air — it's a great time.

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BACK TO SPORTS FOR just one more item.

Football is still going, but basketball has started, too, and the Kilgore College teams are already in action. In fact, the Rangers are at home tonight (at 7 p.m. against Cedar Valley) and on Thursday night (against Southwest Christian at that same time). The Lady Rangers are undefeated (5-0 so far) and play McLennan in Waco tonight at 5:30.

The KC teams open their Region XIV Conference schedule at home Saturday in a double-header against Panola, beginning with the ladies game at 2 p.m.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY to Tony Moore, Jean Austin, Anthony Coleman, Lisa Ann Ancelet, Dollie Mae Luster, Casey D, Cooper, Laurie Comer, Brandon Welch, Mary Caddell, Darnetta Strong, H.J. Holland, Charlotte Rhodes, Christopher Hinton, Carlos San- Juan.

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HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TODAY to Mr. and Mrs. Roger Timms, Roger and Patty Fowler.