New book is outstanding

by Dennis Cox

The MSHSAA’s Missouri High School Sports Record Book has been published and it’s a very interesting read. The book is the work of Rick Kindhart, communications/publications director, and his cast of helpers and is much more detailed and categorically strong than I would have believed. Knowing now what the various categories are, I plan to send in more entries for publication in the next edition. There are at least top ten entries in each category , individual and team marks for game, season and career , and in some cases a category was deemed important enough to include more entries. For example, the book lists the top 100 all-time scorers in Missouri high school basketball, girls and boys.

I don’t know whether or not this record book is available to the general public. Persons seeking more information about the record book may contact the MSHSAA at 1808 I-70 Drive SW, PO Box 1328, Columbia, MO 65205-1328. The phone number is (573) 445-4443. The MSHSAA email address is: [email protected].

*****

And so ends (for Gallatin and over 300 other Missouri high schools) what has been the mildest fall football season most of us can remember. No rain. No snow. No bitter cold temperatures. Just good brisk football weather.

South Harrison rendered my botched attempt at playoff math (I really do know the difference between 26 and 21) moot by beating Hamilton, 30-15, and taking its first spot in the MSHSAA football playoffs since 1985. The SHHS Bulldogs ended 18 years of frustration against the Hornets by beating them for the first time since 1981.

The Bulldogs won by exorcising the ghost of Dave Fairchild, who left the SHHS football job after the 1980-81 school year and came to Hamilton. South Harrison beat Hamilton in ’81 but didn’t win again in the series until last Friday night. Dave is in his 3rd year as Hamilton R-2 superintendent. He spent 16 years as PHS head football coach.

What probably did the trick was Thursday night’s SHHS pep rally and bonfire when the Bulldog faithful burned Fairchild in effigy. Of course, it was all in fun, and Dave no doubt got a kick out of it when he heard about it.

*****

The Grand River Conference is different from any other 1A conference in the state because of its unpredictability. It’s just too hard to forecast at the beginning of the season where each team will be at the end.

Albany was a pre-season favorite, only to finish near the bottom of the run. Gallatin looked like it would walk away with everything after back-to-back blowouts of Rock Port and Albany. Staring down a losing season, Rock Port turned things around, won its last 5 games and made the playoffs. South Harrison, after years of frustration, is GRC champ.

Of the 8 GRC teams, only Hamilton, Tarkio and Rock Port were never ranked in the 1A state polls.

*****

In just a few short days, the seeding meeting will be held for the 23rd Annual Gallatin Invitational Basketball Tournament, which tips off Monday, Nov. 29. Gallatin’s boys and South Harrison’s girls are the defending champions.

Gallatin opens the varsity basketball season Nov. 23 at East Buchanan. The EBHS Bulldogs will get a late start on the basketball season due to their 1A sectional football match tonight against Hardin- Central.