SPORTS
Super Bowl 58 for dummies

In case you haven’t already been invited to a get-together, Super Bowl Sunday is coming up.
This column is not for the person who has spent every weekend gorging on football since late August to the point they didn’t know what to do with themselves last weekend with whatever the Pro Bowl is now.
It’s for the person whose only exposure to football on television is it being the cause of other people’s extreme mood in your house. That annoying show which runs over its time slot more often than should be allowed when you just want to watch “60 Minutes.”
The all-encompassing sport that everyone around you is so obsessed with and you feel left out at this point in your life.
If this is the only football game you watch any minute of this year and would like to know a bit more than just which team is the underdog so you can root for them, then this is for you.
The two teams are the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs competing in Super Bowl LVIII or number 58 because roman numerals are cool.
If you are feeling a little deja-vu when you see these team names, you are not going crazy. Yes, these two teams played each other four years ago. Yes, the Kansas City Chiefs have been in the Super Bowl four of the last five years while winning three of them, including that first game against the 49ers.
Despite that, they are not some juggernaut team or even the favorites heading into this game. This is arguably the worst Chiefs’ team of all of the most recent ones, but somehow through sports magic, some all-time great players and maybe some magic from Taylor Swift, they have clawed their way back.
Yes, a huge storyline is the fact that one of Kansas City’s best players, tight end Travis Kelce, is dating Swift. It has been going on all season and every game there are at least a few cuts to a luxury box of her reacting to the game. Some people are sick of this by now. Even as not a proclaimed Swifty, I think it is massively overblown, but we can deal with the 10-20 cuts we’ll get in-between plays.
Still, the main reason the Chiefs are riding their little dynasty now is because of quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The Texas-born and Texas Tech graduate has been the best quarterback in the league since he emerged six years ago and is already on pace to be among the greatest quarterbacks in league history. A win will enter him into the conversation of all-time greats at his position and he is only 28 years-old. We need to enjoy him even if it feels like we are living in a time loop with all of his winning. Off the field, he’s still likeable at this point and has no scandals to speak of outside of being caught with a “dad bod” with his shirt off in the locker room. He took it in stride since he is in fact a dad.
The only big name to know on defense for the Chiefs is the plainly named Chris Jones, a big pass rushing defensive lineman who has been along for the ride.
Coach Andy Reid is putting the finishing touches on a Hall of Fame career, after being called one of the best offensive coaches who could never win the big one up until this recent run. His Santa Claus energy is being rewarded.
With all of this recent success, maybe you still don’t want to root for a potential dynasty that despite being the technical underdogs, have championship experience to carry them through. Just remember the Chiefs have already lost one of their recent Super Bowl appearances, so they have suffered a little.
Also take into account, Kansas City had no Super Bowl appearances since 1970 up until this recent run started. The fans had almost 50 years of barely being relevant outside of a couple of fun offensive eras.
Maybe I am trying to influence you because the favorite 49ers have cost my sad Dallas Cowboys both in recent years and historically in the ‘80s and ‘90s.
San Francisco was the team of the ‘80s in the NFL, racking up four Super Bowl wins with the at the time quarterback “GOAT” Joe Montana before getting one more in 1995 to ruin the Cowboys chance to three-peat.
While the 49ers haven’t won since and lost their most two recent appearances in 2013 and 2020, that type of 15-year run means they can never garner any sympathy. Heck, the Cowboys never even had that type of run and people hate them much more, though for various other reasons.
Beyond my bias, this San Francisco team has been the front-runner almost all season. The 49ers are stacked with so many weapons on offense I don’t want to bore you by naming them all.
The person getting the ball to all of these guys is possibly one of the great underdog stories if you want to get sappy. Quarterback Brock Purdy was not expected to be relevant when he was drafted as the very last pick in the 2022 draft.
The last pick in every draft gets called “Mr. Irrelevant” and gets a celebration in their honor amongst other stuff. Only two players, a guard and a kicker, have ever had any type of long-term career in the NFL so the ironic nickname has been true until recently.
Purdy has been so good since taking over midway through last year and all of this season, that people still aren’t sure if he is actually this good. There is just no way this physically unimpressive, baby-faced guy who has been average at best in both high school and college at Iowa State University can just walk into the NFL and be one of the best quarterbacks in the league.
It’s mostly because of his stacked skill players on offense and a head coach named Kyle Shanahan, who has been one of the most influential offensive coaches in the last 10 years. He is only missing a Super Bowl ring to cement his legacy. He is also the son of two-time Super Bowl winning Coach Mike Shanahan.
The thing that puts the 49ers over the top is their defense that also has many big names like recent defensive player of the year Nick Bosa along with linebacker Fred Warner.
Despite being stacked, San Francisco has just barely survived both of its playoff games against opponents many thought it had a huge talent advantage.
Root for the front runners at your discretion.
Some last second reminders about the game. It starts early at 5:30 p.m. and is on CBS or Paramount+ if you are a cord cutter.
Reba McEntire is singing the national anthem and Usher is the millennial act for the halftime show. My junior high self will probably identify with his 20 year old biggest hits, but you have probably heard them as well at any dance during the past 14 years.
SPORTS
Bullfest coming to Saint Jo May 3

Plans for the 20th annual Bullfest in Saint Jo on May 3 are underway as organizers solicit vendors and sponsors.
Bufllfest is a first class event that is kicked off with patriotism followed by mutton bustin’ calf scrambles, wild donkey race, women’s steer scramble and lives music. The bulls and cowboys featured come from across the country to compete in the event.
All concession proceeds benefit the Saint Jo Riding Club Scholarship Fund. Those with questions can contact Johnny Locke at 940-872-0733.
SPORTS
Lady Indians break 17-year playoff drought

The Nocona Lady went 2-1 since last week, securing the program’s first playoff appearance in 17 years.
The Lady Indians picked up wins against Alvord (9-6) and Chico (9-2) while also losing to Muenster (16-1).
Nocona came into the second round of district with a 3-2 district record and losses against the two the teams sitting in first and second place.
The Lady Indians played one of those teams, Muenster, on April 8 and it did not go well.
The Lady Hornets scored 14 runs in the first inning and went on to win 16-1 after three innings due to run-rule.
Reagan Phipps drove in Heidi Atteberry, who had the team’s only hit in the game, but that was the only highlight.
Nocona bounced back on Friday playing Alvord. The Lady Indians had beaten the Lady Bulldogs in the first round of district play 12-6, but knew they had to play well to win since Alvord was not just going to roll over.
The teams changed leads four times in the first four innings, with Nocona scoring four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to go up 6-5.
From there, the Lady Indians added one run in the fifth inning and two more in the sixth inning after Alvord had scored once as well earlier. Nocona closed things out in the seventh inning, winning 9-6.
Kaitlyn Tiffner led the team with two RBIs. The team had seven players drive in at least one run each, showing off the depth of their lineup. Nocona finished with eight hits and drew four walks while also taking advantage of seven fielding errors from Alvord.
On the mound, Phipps allowed six runs on 10 hits while striking out eight batters. The defense committed one fielding error.
The win secured the Lady Indians a playoff appearance, the program’s since 2008. With it being the team’s senior night, it made it even more special for the team.
Nocona then played at Chico on Monday to try and keep its third place in the district standings.
The Lady Indians scored two runs to start off the game, but the Lady Dragons cut it to one in the fourth inning. The teams exchanged one run each in the fifth inning before Nocona was able to get some distance.
The Lady Indians reeled off five runs in the sixth inning to extend their lead to 8-2. Nocona added one more run in the seventh inning to make the final score 9-2.
The team got RBIs from Skye Kirby, Kylea Wallace, Ashlynn Brown, Tiffner and Phipps.
Nocona finished with eight hits and drew four walks while taking advantage Chico committing five fielding errors.
On the mound, Phipps allowed two runs on five hits while striking out 11 batters. The defense committed zero fielding errors in the game.
To read the full story, pick up a copy of the weekly edition of the Bowie News.
SPORTS
Baseball Roundup

Bellevue vs Saint Jo
The Bellevue and Saint Jo baseball teams faced off last week with both teams needing wins after struggling during district play.
The Eagles won the first game 2-0 while the Panthers won game two 8-6 in comeback fashion as the teams end this season at a stalemate 1-1 in the series.
The first game of the series was at Saint Jo on April 8 and it did not take long for Bellevue to take control. In the top of the first inning, with two runners on base, River Trail hit a single to right field that drove in both base runners. The Eagles led 2-0 at the top of the first inning.
Little did either team know that it would prove to be the only runs scored in the game. Both teams had several more chances, both squandering loaded bases and other opportunities throughout the game.
In the end, the Eagles were able to hold off the Panthers, securing the shut out and getting the low-scoring win 2-0.
Bellevue finished with 12 hits, with three coming from Ryan Jones including two doubles to lead the team. On the mound, Bryce Ramsey pitched three innings and allowed zero runs on two hits while striking out four. Jones, pitched the final four innings, allowing zero runs on six hits while striking out seven. The defense committed no fielding errors.
Saint Jo finished with eight hits and drew six walks, with Sam Martin leading the team with two hits. Trent Gaston pitched the whole game for the Panthers and allowed two runs on 12 hits while striking out seven batters. The defense committed no fielding errors.
There would be a bit more action in the second game on Friday at Bellevue.
The Eagles scored one run in the second inning before Saint Jo matched in the top of the third inning. Bellevue responded with four runs in the bottom of the third inning to take the lead 5-1.
The Panthers responded with three runs in the third inning and tied the score at 5-5 with one run in the fifth inning. The Eagles took the lead back in the bottom of the fifth inning with one run scored to go up 6-5.
In the sixth inning, Saint Jo went up for good when Charlie Barclay hit a three-run home run over the left field fence. The Panthers held on to win 8-6.
Barclay led the team with three RBIs on that home run. Martin had two RBIs as he and Jayden Curry each had two hits to lead the team. Saint Jo finished with nine hits and drew six walks. Brody Morris pitched four innings of relief and allowed one run on four hits while striking out two batters. The defense committed one fielding error.
For Bellevue, Blake Reese and Evan Chavez led the team with two RBIs each. Jones had a team high three hits.
Ramsey pitched five innings and allowed five runs on seven hits while striking out seven batters. The team committed no fielding errors.
Nocona
The Nocona Indians lost their series to Muenster last week as they fight to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The Hornets won 4-3 and 11-0 in the two games, winning in extra innings in walk-off fashion in the first game while the second game got out of hand late in the game.
The Indians were coming off dominant victories against Chico the previous week, but they knew Muenster would be a tough challenge.
The first game was played on April 8 on the road. The Indians took the early lead with one run scored in the first inning. The Hornets took it from them with three runs scored in the fourth inning. Nocona answered with two runs scored in the fifth inning, tying the game up at 3-3.
It was still tied at after seven innings, so the game went into an extra eighth inning. Muenster loaded the bases up with two outs before a single drove in the game winning run. The Hornets won 4-3.
Landon Fatheree led Nocona with two RBIs and RJ Walker had a team high two hits as the team finished with six in the game. On the mound, Walker pitched the full game allowed four runs (two earned) on nine hits while he struck out six batters. The defense committed five fielding errors.
The close loss proved to be crushing for the Indians compared to what happened in game two a few days later.
Muenster scored runs in the second, third, fifth and sixth innings and led 5-0 heading into the seventh and final inning. The Hornets then put the game away as they scored six runs, more than doubling their run total to go up 11-0, which would be the final score.
Nocona again finished with only six hits, but they were not as timely as they had been in game one. Jayce Lehde and Walker led the team with two hits each.
On the mound, Walker Murphey pitched six innings and allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits while he struck out two batters. The defense committed five fielding errors.
To read the full story, pick up a copy of the weekly edition of the Bowie News.
For more pictures from last week’s series between Bellevue and Saint Jo, click here https://www.dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=bnews1&AID=6874397&T=1
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