At its most appealing, high school football should have intrigue, drama, intensity and a time element. If so, then the Mineola vs. Canton game of last Friday night is a stand-alone advertisement for the sport.

The Yellowjackets fell by a score of 28-27 in a most unique of games. Seldom does a game see three defensive touchdowns for one side, or two blocked extra points, or three 2-point conversion tries. It was sheer entertainment and excellent competition.

The Mineola Lady Jackets cross country team captured first place at the Tyler Lee Classic Saturday, Sept. 7.

Four of the runners finished in the top 20 of the 1A-4A girls division.

Area volleyball teams are nearing the start of district play, with Alba-Golden, Quitman and Yantis commencing district play Friday. Mineola starts the season on a bye and will begin their campaign …

After last week’s disappointing loss in the season opener to Cumby, the Quitman Bulldogs came back strong in the character department in Friday’s 28-27 loss at Scurry-Rosser. The Bulldogs fought the Wildcats the whole game. They played with urgency and a toughness which will give them hope for the weeks to come. The Bulldogs showed tenacity on defense and creativity with big plays on the offensive side of the ball.

Sometimes, in the game of football, a team just needs to be hit in the mouth. The Alba-Golden Panthers had that experience last Friday in Big Sandy, as they were defeated 60-34 by the host Wildcats. …

The Lady Guards of Brook Hill came to Mineola and swept the Lady Jackets in volleyball pre-district action Aug. 27. Brook Hill leveraged a disciplined attack and an especially well-tuned service …

Local hunters will have ample opportunity to bag white-tailed deer with the expanded antlerless deer season. The Wood County antlerless season opens Nov. 2 and closes Nov. 17 for hunting license …