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How the Internet Can Benefit Farmers in Rural Areas

For many, the idea that the internet and farming could go together so wonderfully might seem outlandish. However, the internet has become a vital aspect of the farming process. This tool provides access to newer technologies, broadens one’s target audience, allows greater accessibility to products, and connects people. Find out more on the ways the internet can benefit farmers in rural areas.

Access to New Technology

According to the OECD, Farmers use 70 percent of all water consumed yearly in many countries. In the age of sustainability and conservation, it is more important than ever for farmers to only utilize the resources they absolutely need. That is one way the internet can benefit farmers in rural areas; it allows them the ability to use newer, more efficient technologies. For example, certain devices can detect moisture levels deep within the soil and automatically water the field accordingly, using only the amount the soil requires. The internet allows farmers to stay up-to-date on technological advancements and continuously conduct their business with the best eco-friendly practices available.

Broaden Target Audience

Nowadays, people want an inside look into lives that are drastically different from their own. It makes sense that we want to satisfy our curiosity; thankfully, the internet allows us to do so. More and more farmers choose to live stream their daily lives as a creative outlet. What’s more, live streaming also broadens a farmer’s target audience, allowing for increased income streams. It is amazing that all a farmer needs is high-speed internet in their rural area to broaden their audience and income.

Find Better Products

Without access to the internet, a farmer might only be able to purchase the products and tools that are immediately available in their area. The online marketplace allows them to expand and update their supplies with the best products available. By using the internet, a farmer can research the products they are looking for and select the optimal ones for their farm instead of relying on what’s nearby.

Connecting With Others

Farming can be quite a lonely job where you gain the majority of your knowledge through generational farming techniques or trial and error. With the internet, farmers can connect with others all around the world and gain vital knowledge and information that can greatly benefit their farms. Moreover, the internet also connects farmers in rural areas with others across the globe, involving them in an online community that helps others feel less alone.

Mansfield Volleyball Coach Reaches 100th Career Win

The 2022 volleyball regular season finished with a shot from a confetti cannon. Not only was the victory celebrating the end of the regular season, it celebrated Coach Kaylie Pyles’ 100th career victory as Mansfield’s varsity coach.

On Thursday night, Mansfield’s senior girls swept the Mulberry Yellow Jackets. It was significant in several regards. It wrapped up another conference championship for the senior girls team. It closed out the senior night for a group that has won two consecutive state titles. And, it was Pyles’ century win mark.

Pyles is in her fifth season as the MHS head volleyball coach. Last week’s win secured the coach a 20 win per year average for her short career. She has been a conference coach of the year and the class 2A coach of the year within that five year time frame.

Pyles celebrated with a banner and plaque presentation from the team and MHS athletic administration respectively.

The 100th win placed Mansfield into the number one seed going into the 2A West Senior District Tournament hosted by Mulberry on October 17 – 20.

Mansfield junior girls also took victory over Mulberry on Thursday. Despite the win, they were the three seed in their recent junior district tournament hosted by Mansfield on Saturday.

The junior girls worked their way through the tournament bracket but fell to conference champion Lavaca 2-0 in the finals.

Mansfield’s junior volleyball team earns the runner-up plaque at the 2A West District Tournament hosted by Mansfield on Saturday.

Tiger Freshman Wins Third Straight XC Race

As any season winds down, athletes seek to reach peak performance. For Mansfield freshman Joey Williams that phase seems to be clicking at just the right time. 

Williams, Mansfield’s most decorated male cross country runner in several seasons, took his third consecutive victory to close out the regular season. In a show of strong will and efficient preparation, the Tiger distance runner took top honors in the small school divisional race at Van Buren on Saturday.

In a two mile time of 11:23.68, Williams set a personal record for that distance as he bettered 273 total runners across all classifications at the Van Buren annual event. Sixty-nine of those participants were from the small school ranks of which Williams was the top cat. The others were from the 5A-6A ranks. Only three runners from big school Fayetteville finished before the Mansfield freshman to win their big school ratings.

“Joey was motivated to win”, said Mansfield coach John Mackey. “The weather was cool and he really wanted to set the standard. There was tons of talent in the race and he went for the win.”

Williams in the last three races has seen victory. He was the overall champion in Waldron and Acorn within the past 11 days. Then on Saturday although not the overall champion, he was the small school champ and top four overall in the second largest race the Tigers have encountered this season.

As a team Mansfield’s junior boys took home the second place team prize. West Fork won the team title for the 1A-4A grouping with three runners in the top 10.

Gunner Williams took home a medal for the Tigers at ninth place. Freshman Jonah Martin missed out on a Top 15 score by 6 seconds. Holden Powers and Braxton Bartlett completed the scoring five for the junior Tigers.

A similar lineup for Mansfield also took home the second place team plaque in Acorn on Tuesday. Joseph Carter supplanted Martin in the scoring five as the Tigers’ top five all medaled.

Acorn was the relocated venue for the Magazine Rattler Run. Due to a rescheduled football game that interfered with the time and place of the annual Rattler race, Acorn volunteered to host the cross country meet for Magazine.

Mansfield senior girls also took second place at the Rattler Run. They were unable to send a scoring five to Van Buren due to a conflict with a choir trip. Had the senior team sent their full squad, another trophy trip was most likely the outcome.

Laney Wood, Jadelynn Wood, and Raine Hecox all finished inside the top 15 small school runners at Van Buren. Sophomore Trinity Triska followed at 16th.

Mansfield senior girls Laney Wood, Jadelynn Wood, and Raine Hecox meadl at Van Buren race.

Laney Wood posted her season best at the Pointer Trail with a 22:50.93 mark along the 5K distance. The measure placed the younger of the Wood sisters in fourth place.

MHS junior boys take second place trophy at Van Buren.

Jadelynn Wood came in at a little more than a minute behind her rival sibling. That mark still placed her sixth in the 1A-4A division.

Jadelynn posted the best Tiger time for the senior girls at Acorn. Her 24:06.50 measure was her best effort this season.

Mansfield placed Jadelynn Wood, Laney Wood, Raine Hecox, Addie Bowman, and Ashley Martin for a scoring five at the Rattler.

Hecox bettered her 5K time by a minute and 31 seconds from Tuesday’s race to Saturday’s race.

“Raine has been full time cross country over the last few weeks,” stated Mackey. “Consistency in practice has made a significant difference in outcomes.”

Mansfield had two outstanding performances by Rylan Jones, their up and coming junior girl front runner. Jones, just a seventh grader, was second at Acorn and sixth at Van Buren.

Mansfield’s Rylan Jones gets top billing for the junior girls xc team.

“So proud of Rylan’s progress,” confessed the longtime MHS coach. “She has been listening well, and taking practice to the race. She’s understanding pace and has been willing to hurt to move up in the standings. She has a real chance to be the conference champion.”

Jones, Riley Elmore, and Lilly Young all made the medal stand for Tuesday’s effort. Jones was the only Mansfield junior girl to reach the high rankings on Saturday. 

Jones completed the two mile Van Buren course in 14:14.33. Among 206 runners in the junior girls race, she was sixth against small school runners and tenth overall.

Sophomore Austin Ruiz came away with his first cross country individual award after coming over from basketball off-season. Ruiz claimed the top 20 medal with a 20:46.50 time at Acorn on Tuesday.

SR Tigers Show Toughness In Loss To Booneville

When most 3A football programs around the state hear the name Booneville Bearcats, they tend to chalk up the “L” before the opening kickoff even takes place, and rightfully so. Booneville had hung an astounding 178 points total points in just three games against Hackett, West Fork, and Greenland before taking on Mansfield. The Tigers on the other hand have struggled to stay healthy after beating West Fork and suffered back-to-back losses to Greenland and Charleston. So when the Mansfield Tigers traveled to Bearcat country on Friday, October 14th most people figured the Tigers would merely lay down and submit to defeat. Those people must’ve forgotten to fill in Mansfield’s players on what they were “supposed” to do though.

Sophomore quarterback, Jeremy Strozier (#7), targets offensive specialist Daniel Burton (#4) on a pass.

Mansfield stepped onto the Bearcats field and won the coin toss to receive the ball first in the game. The Tigers offense was already behind the eightball as they were without starting quarterback Cole Kindle and had many starters still banged up from earlier games. Mansfield would make no excuses though as sophomore Jeremy Strozier took over the helm at quarterback and the Tigers offense went to work. The Tigers were able to drive seven plays on Booneville’s defense before having to punt the ball. The powerful and fast-scoring Bearcats offense lined up aiming to make quick work of the smaller Mansfield defense. After a pair of first downs and big runs by Booneville, it seemed as if that quick work would be really quick. But just as soon as the Bearcats got momentum, Mansfield’s players picked theirs up and stuffed Booneville’s offense on fourth down to force a turnover. The Tigers offense couldn’t pull off positive yards on the ensuing possession and had to punt the ball back to Booneville. Mansfield’s punt hit and rolled to the one-yard line pinning the Bearcats offense deep in Tiger territory. 

Tyler Woolbright (#22) pulls back a Booneville runner behind the line for a tackle for loss.

The Tigers defense put Booneville in a pickle as they forced the Bearcats into a couple of third and long situations, but a missed tackle allowed a 70-yard touchdown run for Booneville. Mansfield looked at a 7-0 scoreboard after the extra point kick split the uprights but would hold the Bearcats scoreless for the rest of the first quarter. Although they were down going into the second quarter, the Tigers maintained the focus needed to go toe to toe with the Bearcats. Defensive ends Samuel Burton and Trey Vaughan made sure Booneville knew Mansfield was serious as the duo sniffed out and took down any runners who dared to run a play outside the tackle boxes. Waiting in the tackle boxes though was Braxton Byers, Kindel Noblitt, and Caleb Collier who squared off against much larger offensive linemen yet still stuffed Booneville’s powerful rushing attack. Then there were linebackers Fisher Willsey, Andrew Burton, and Drew Elmore who were the finishers of anything that was missed.

Daniel Burton (#4) rolls fearlessly forward to gain a first down.

Mansfield’s offense was able to put together a few solid drives with Jeremy Strozier passing the ball to the likes of Daniel Burton, Peyton Martin, and Clint Stovall. Some solid running by Tyler Woolbright and Fisher Willsey kept Booneville’s defense off balance, but the Tigers couldn’t punch the ball into the endzone still. With the defense playing lights out, Booneville began to make mental mistakes which kept their offense struggling to score also. Up until this game, Booneville’s top-notch rushing attack had only been shut down by the 4A’s Harding Academy. The Tigers defense held strong until the very end of the second quarter when the Bearcats punched the ball into the endzone for another touchdown with less than a minute left in the half. Although down 14-0 at the half, the Tigers had definitely garnered the attention of Booneville’s team, coaching staff, and fans on both sides of the field. 

Samuel Burton (#23) chops down a Bearcats running back at the ankles.

Unfortunately for Mansfield, the second half wasn’t as favorable. Booneville was able to use the depth in their roster to wear down the stout Tigers defense as the game went on which led to more Bearcat scores. Mansfield’s offense was still able to make good yards but they couldn’t capitalize on them. Then Mansfield began to be bitten by multiple injury bugs. Three offensive and defensive starters were injured on the bench fourth quarter. Beat up as they were, Mansfield was not broken as they continued to give it all they had with who they had on the roster. Even though the Tigers do have impressive replacements for their starters, Booneville was just too powerful and cruised through the rest of the game defeating Mansfield 35-0. 

John Broadaway (#61), Turner Wright (#54), and Braxton Byers (#71) lock up on Booneville’s monstrous defensive line.

With the loss to Booneville, the Tigers sit at an overall record of 4-3 and a conference record of 1-3. For some, it may seem as if Mansfield’s season is over, but they are far from correct with that assumption. Although the Tigers lost a tough one to Greenland and followed that up with another loss to Charleston, the heart and determination Mansfield showed against Booneville proved that the Tigers refuse to lay down. As with every season in the 3A-1 conference, the Tigers schedule will not get any easier. Their last three games will be against Lavaca, Cedarville, and Hackett. Lavaca lost their first game of the season Friday against Greenland which gives them a 6-1 overall record and 3-1 conference record but as Mansfield has proven before, records are just numbers on paper. The Tigers are focused on hard work and maximum effort to get to the State Playoffs right now and Lavaca’s win/loss record will not intimidate them.

Charleston and Booneville Battle on Friday for Lead in 3A-1

Note to Our Readers: The following story was sourced in its entirety from Mr. Glenn Parrish, Director of Communications, Booneville School District. Mr. Parrish is a RNN Sports contributor and we thank him for bringing this story to our readers.

Booneville vs Charleston needs little introduction. Many had it circled as a game of the year, at least on the 3A level months ago.

It’s finally here. Or at least it will be Friday night at 7 p.m. at Booneville’s Bearcat Stadium.

It has about all you could probably want on a small town Friday night in the fall.

The Tigers are the defending Conference 3A-1 champions, but Booneville was likewise a conference champion last year, though it came as a Conference 3A-4 member.

Charleston has won back-to-back conference titles while Booneville has won a title its last five years.

These teams last squared off when they were both 3A-1 members in 2019, a game the Bearcats won 21-7 at Alumni Field in Charleston. That gave Booneville a 48-12-2 edge in the series.

Both the Bearcats and Tigers played tough non-conference slates to gear up for league play with both beating Class 4A Ozark on consecutive weeks, and both falling to Class 4A powers on the same night.

Doc Crowley and Ricky May, the head coaches in the game are no strangers to one another as they worked together in Booneville for many years.

Crowley and May are also no strangers to the opposing fan bases as Crowley is a Charleston alum and May is a Bearcat alum who had two sons go through the program.

May is so respected around Booneville his track teams will often use the Bearcat Stadium track to prepare for meets.

Regardless of the outcome Friday both teams have been looked at as title contenders. 

Between them the Bearcats and Tigers have nine state titles and even won titles in the same year in 2013 with the Bearcats winning 4A and Charleston 3A.

Freshmen Bulldogs Maul Panthers

9th Grade Bulldogs traveled to Siloam Springs and defeated the Panthers 35-12 in NWRV Conference action.

The Freshman Bulldogs made their first trek to Benton County to face the Siloam Springs Panthers. Longtime foes in the Varsity ranks since the ’90s, the 2026 Bulldogs were facing them for the first time since they were Pittbulls doing 7 on 7 Tournaments during the pre-season.

Just like the Varsity Bulldogs, the 9th Grade jumped out of the gate early with a Wesley Raggio touchdown. Siloam Springs would be forced to turnover on downs and the Jr ‘Dogs would find the end zone again this time through the air as Cooper Goodwin would find Lawyer Thornsberry for the Touchdown. Laydn Casanova’s kick would be good giving Greenwood a 14-0 lead. Siloam Springs would turnover on downs again from great plays on defense.

Cooper Goodwin would throw the short pass to Wesley Raggio, with the running back finding the End Zone after a great run and down field blocking from the receivers. Casanova would tack on the extra point making it 21-0 with 4:49 in the 2nd. Siloam would finally put together a drive and find themselves 4th and Goal. They would push their way into the end zone with the two-point conversion failing when Linebacker Caleb Cox gets the interception. Greenwood would run out the clock to take the halftime lead 21-6.

Siloam opens up the second half just as they did the first half with a Turnover on downs. Greenwood would drive down to the Siloam 2 yard line and turn the ball over to Siloam. Siloam would then return the favor and fumble with Cody Johnson landing on the ball. Greenwood drives into the Siloam Red Zone as time expired on the 3rd Quarter.

Greenwood’s Brayden Shepard would hammer the run into the end zone for 6, with Casanova adding the extra point 28-6. Siloam then answers back with help from a pass interference call them throwing to the right to a falling down receiver. Touchdown Siloam Springs, two-point conversion would fail again. Greenwood drives down again once again allowing Brayden Shepard to get into the end zone for the final TD of the night. Casanova’s kick was good once again putting the score at 35-12 with 3:42 left in the 4th. The defense stood tall stopping the Siloam Springs offense after great plays from Cody Johnson, Easton Carter, and others. Greenwood would then run out the clock.

“They’re a good team, they were coached up. They ran the ball really well. They kind of played keep away from us for a little bit.” Jr High Head Coach Luke Hales said of Siloam Springs. After several weeks of close games the Freshman ‘Dogs were able to breath a little bit, Coach Hales had this to say, “Our guys on defense really stepped up. Cody Johnson had another really good night. Sylas Geren, Sam Hicks and Akira Fujibayashi really stepped up on the D[efensive] Line.” On the Offensive side of the ball, Coach Hales commented about the running game “Another big night for Offensive Line and Wesley [Raggio]. We didn’t throw the ball as I wanted to, but that comes with time and reps, and we’ll get that corrected.” Brayden Shepard has become one of the rising stars of the team in the short yardage situations, “That’s a big deal for our team. Wesley does so much he’s on kickoff, kickoff return, he runs the ball about every other play, he catches the ball out of the backfield. So it is awesome to have a [another] guy that can really go.” With the offensive line and the play of Raggio and Shepard, the Quarterback play and decision making of Cooper Goodwin has progressed throughout the season “They [Offensive Line] give him plenty of time, getting us movement so we can run the ball. Cooper’s the leader of our team. He’s a really smart kid, a great football player, and he’s going to have an awesome three weeks at the end of the season.”

Next week the Freshman Bulldogs host Pea Ridge in Thursday night action. They played Shiloh Christian this past Thursday and took a 49-3 loss. This will be the second meeting between the 2026 Bulldogs. Covid cancelled the game in 2020. In 2021 Pea Ridge traveled to Greenwood ending in a 41-6 win for the Bulldogs. This will also be the last home game for the Freshman Bulldogs as the last two weeks they are on the road to Shiloh Christian and Alma.

Currently Greenwood sits second in the very competitive NWRV Conference. Shiloh Christian is in first at 6-0, Harrison and Farmington both sit at 4-2 with the nod going to Harrison in that tie breaker. Rounding out the last half the conference is Dardanelle, Van Buren, and Siloam Springs at 3-3. Alma, Pea Ridge, and Prairie Grove sit at 1-5.

Greenwood Shuts Out The Wolves

The Bulldogs take a 24-0 win over the previously unbeaten Lake Hamilton Wolves

On a warm night in October the Greenwood Bulldogs added to their total of shutout victories over Lake Hamilton. November 4, 2016 was the last time the Wolves saw the end zone at Smith-Robinson Stadium, tonight things did not change.

Greenwood would defer to the 2nd with the Wolves receiving the kick. The defense stood tall with stops coming from Seniors Logan Taylor and Evan Williams, forcing a Lake Hamilton kick. Greenwood takes over but finds themselves in a similar situation having to punt on fourth down. The Wolves look as if they find a wrinkle in the Greenwood Defense and get the first 1st down of the game, Coach Jason Gill and Staff iron that out and get the defense to stand tall and hold the visitors to a punt. Greenwood gets the ball and gets to work as just as they have for the last 6 games. Hunter Houston finds L.J. Robins and Grant Karnes to get the Bulldogs in the Red Zone. After a few attempts Houston hammers it in from 1 yard out for the first TD. Bodey Steinfeldt came on to kick the extra point to make it 7-0. Lake Hamilton punts again after stops from Cash Archer, Eli Whitaker, and Evan Williams. End of the 1st quarter 7-0.

Hunter Houston throws to Peyton Presson and L.J. Robins to get the ‘Dogs within scoring distance. Jake Glover finishes off the drive with a TD, Steinfeldt tacks on the extra point to put Greenwood up 14-0 with 6:32 left in the first half. Lake Hamilton and Greenwood would trade punts on three consecutive drives. After Lake Hamilton’s punt Hunter Houston took to the air finding Presson for the first down, then going back to Grant Karnes for the Touchdown. Point after was good. Lake Hamilton would run out the clock and Greenwood would take the 21-0 lead going into the half.

First drive of the 2nd half Greenwood drives down into Lake Hamilton territory and then fumble turning the ball over to Lake Hamilton. The Wolves drive down into Greenwood territory but are stopped as the defense again rises to the occasion with several Bulldogs making the stop on 4th down. Greenwood drives down to the Wolves 5 yard line and go for the Field Goal on 4th down. The Steinfeldt kick is good for 3 points to make the score 24-0 early in the 4th quarter.

Lake Hamilton and Greenwood would put together time consuming drives that would end in punts. on the last drive that would be Lake Hamilton’s last chance to put points on the board they are stopped as time runs out. Greenwood wins the game 24-0 making this the 12th game the Bulldogs have won against Lake Hamilton.

“You talk about preparation, we’ve prepared like crazy these last two weeks.” Head Coach Chris Young said about the lead up to this game that included a Bye Week. “I can’t give enough credit number one to Coach Gill and our defensive staff.” Going further into what it took to shut out a very talented Lake Hamilton, “You’ve got to give credit to our scout team. We have talked about it for two weeks our scout team guys, they were awesome for two weeks. They truly helped us win tonight.”

“Offensively we did what we had to do, we slowed down, we quit throwing the ball, we were just trying to run the clock to limit their possessions once you get up 21.” Coach Young said about an abnormal night offensively compared to the other games this season. Since 1996 when Jerry Clay was the Wolves Head Coach, Greenwood seems to play on a different level against Lake Hamilton. “We told our guys three times in the last two years they have been 10 points up on us. Twice at their place and once at the State Championship (2020) and had the football. We just talk to our guys about it’s a long game. Same thing when we go up fourteen to nothing, we have got to continue to play. They are a quality football team, they are well coached, they are good at what they do. Luckily we came out on top. There’s a good chance you’ll see those guys again.”

Next Week the Bulldogs travel to Russellville, who beat Greenbrier 27-21, on Friday. Live Stream to be provided by Greenwood Dog Pound and the Greenwood Sports Center. As the season winds down there is one home game left in the season against Pulaski Academy and then the regular season finale on the road against Little Rock Christian.

Paris Defeats Two Rivers 34-21 for Homecoming Victory

It felt good…really good.

The Paris Eagles who have struggled all season against opponents who have been deeper and more experienced, tasted victory for the first time on Friday night at Eagles Stadium. Paris defeated the Two Rivers Gators, 34-21, in a 3A-4 conference game. The win improved the Eagles’ record to 1-6 overall and 1-3 in conference play. Paris will travel to Centerpoint next week for another conference game. The Knights played at Jessieville tonight and defeated the Lions 40-8. Centerpoint is undefeated in conference play at 4-0 and are 7-0 overall.

The Paris homecoming win capped off a perfect day of homecoming activities for the students, fans, and the Paris community. The day began with a homecoming pep rally at Paris Gymnasium where members of the homecoming court were escorted by football players as they were introduced to the students and guests at the ceremony. The Paris homecoming tradition withholds the name of the queen until the on-field pregame ceremony, so, her name was unknown at the time of the program.

Following the conclusion of the ceremony, the annual homecoming parade was held. The parade route traditionally starts at Wood Street Park across from Paris High School and proceeds past the middle school campus and then turns toward the elementary school.

The Paris High School Band marched in the homecoming parade today (RNN Sports Photo / Jim Best)

There students lined the streets to watch the floats, the Paris High School Band, football players, and the homecoming court. The court was driven in sports cars that were donated for their use in the parade.

Senior maid Rachel O’Neal was named homecoming queen tonight. She was escorted on the field by her father, Jeffrey O’Neal (RNN Sports Photos / Jim Best)

Following the conclusion of the afternoon photo of the homecoming court, the on-field coronation ceremony was held at approximately 6:30 p.m. The homecoming maids were escorted by their fathers onto the field where the band and cheerleaders presented the maids to the large home crowd at Eagles Stadium. Senior maid Rachel O’Neal, daughter of Michelle and Jeffrey O’Neal, was named as the 2022 Paris football homecoming queen. Rachel is an outstanding student and has participated in several extracurricular activities at PHS, including playing the sports of volleyball, basketball, and softball.

Paris High School homecoming queen, Rachel O’Neal. Here she is pictured in the morning pep rally as a senior maid, escorted by senior football player, Juan Santos (RNN Sports Photo /Jim Best)

At 7 p.m. the game with Two Rivers kicked off with the Gators winning the toss and electing to defer their choice to the second half. Paris received the opening kickoff and methodically marched down the field behind a dominant rushing attack led by seniors Andrew Wells and reserve quarterback Mason Bradley. Bradley was again filling in for starter Maddox Watts who had to sit out of the game for the first three quarters.

The Gators have not had a lot of success over the past seven years. Prior to this year where they began the year with two non-conference victories, the Two Rivers football program had won just 3 games in the past seven years. But this year’s version of the Gator football program has shown significant improvement. Observers who have seen the Gators play over the past couple of years noticed on Friday night that their team is much more disciplined and is tougher mentally. They compete hard and have a very talented quarterback. In this writer’s opinion, the Gator coaching staff is doing a great job and has their players believing they can compete. I look for them to continue to improve for the balance of this year and into next season.

But you cannot say enough positive things about how the Paris Eagles, their players and coaches, have continued to work and play hard. Several young players have received significant playing time this year out of necessity, and even though it has been tough and will be tough again next week at Centerpoint, the Eagles are developing players for the future. In fact, there is no better teacher than experience, and the young Eagles will benefit next year and into the future from the development they are gaining this year.

It is always good to win on homecoming night. It was especially satisfying for everyone connected to the Paris football program tonight. Now, Paris will go back on the road next week and will return in two weeks to host Magnet Cove in what will now be the final regular season game of the year due to the cancellation of the season for the Danville Little Johns. Paris was scheduled to play Danville in week ten. The Magnet Cove game will be Senior Night and will also represent another opportunity to compete and possibly pick up another win on the season.

And finally, I would like to again congratulate the Paris crowd who once again showed up in big numbers tonight. In the pregame radio show, it was mentioned that in a lot of programs, an unsuccessful season will often lead to poor attendance by this point in the season. But the Paris fans have been faithful to their Eagles, and the entire community can be very proud of how they have supported the young Paris Eagles. Congratulations again on another great turnout, and I expect to see another large home crowd in two weeks to honor a very special group of seniors.

Congratulations to coach Jeff Weaver and his staff for working hard and keeping this team together through all of the adversity that has come their way this season. And most of all, congratulations to the players who have battled hard all season. Enjoy your victory this weekend! It is well-deserved!

Watch for more photos from this game next week on Facebook at Paris Eagles Sports. And thanks to all of you for your readership and loyalty. And RNN Sports will see you next Friday in Amity as the Eagles take on the Centerpoint Knights!

Victory! (RNN Sports Photo / Jim Best)

“Just Roll with It” Serving up Recipes and Humor

By Sheri Hopkins
Lifestyle Contributor

Hello everyone! Such beautiful fall weather we are having, but it’s dry as dust.

Some of you already know this but my son, Jacob, is color blind. Mind you I didn’t find this out till right before he started kindergarten. He started having migraine headaches at a very young age, so they did a cat scan to make sure he was ok. That’s still debatable. So, we decided to get his eyes checked to make sure that wasn’t causing his headaches. We go to Booneville to good old Dr. Tate. He does the exam and he puts up a green light and a red light and he asks Jacob what color they are and he gets them wrong. I said, “if I didn’t know better, I would think he was color blind.” I was just joking around. The kid was smart as a whip but he did not know his colors and I always got so frustrated trying to teach him. Dr. Tate said, “we have a test for that.” Needless to say, he did the test and Jacob is color-blind. I would go to school and explain to the teachers why he didn’t know his colors. Then, when he started reading, he could read what color they were. As he got older and started picking out his clothes, that was a catastrophe. Once he got out of school, he would go shopping and buy clothes and he would come home with all kinds of stuff. But this one day in particular, he brought home these purple shorts and let me tell ya, they were PURPLE. Sooooo, he brings them in the house and I see them and I asked him “what color are those shorts?” He says, “they are gray.” I said, “Jacob those shorts are purple.” He does not believe me. Let m tell ya I was sure hoping he wouldn’t wear those shorts in public. I mean Jacob is a pretty bland kind of guy and the visual of him in those purple shorts made me laugh out loud.

The reason all this came up is we had a yard sale at Jacob and Loren’s house and low and behold the famous purple shorts were in the yard sale. I almost bought them just to have them for the memories.

I was at their house one Saturday and Jacob comes through the house asking Loren where his red shirt is and she says, “you don’t have a red shirt.” The crazy thing of it all is he thinks he’s right and he says we make fun of his “disability.” Well, I’m not going to lie, I do make fun of him. I’ve always kind of been a bully. So if you see Jacob out and about and he doesn’t match, it’s because he is colorblind and he never matches unless Loren picks out his clothes.

My daddy was colorblind and I remember as a kid, he would always have me pick out his dress socks to match his slacks. I sure miss my daddy.

A little bit of knowledge, only boys are colorblind. The mother is the carrier, so if Jacob has a little boy he won’t be colorblind. My brother’s boys are not colorblind. Enough about Jacob and his disability.

This week’s recipe is a wonderful cake and it is probably my all-time favorites. I got it from Wanda Black and it is delicious.

DREAMSICLE CAKE
1 box orange cake mix
1 box (3 oz) orange Jell-o (small box)
1/3 cup oil
1/4 cups water
3 eggs
1 tsp. orange extract (I didn’t have this and it was fine)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans and set aside. Blend all ingredients and pour into prepared cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. My oven cooks fast, so I would check it at 17 minutes and just kind of watch it. After the cake cools, slice each layer in two to make four layers.
ICING
8 oz. sour cream
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup orange juice concentrate (in the freezer section)
12 oz. Cool Whip
In a separate bowl, add sugar to orange juice (use a whisk) and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Combine that with sour cream and fold in Cool Whip. Spread some icing between each layer and put the remaining on top. Keep refrigerated. This cake is not hard at all and it tastes so good. It really is one of my favorites.

Have a blessed week and enjoy the cooler temps!

Farmer Vies for Seat on Mansfield City Council

Boyd Farmer has announced that he is running for Mansfield City Council, Ward 2, Position 1:

Hello, citizens of Mansfield. I am Boyd Farmer and I would like to announce my candidacy for city council, ward 2, position 1. I have served the Mansfield community for 22 years and 17 of those as a patrolman up to Chief of Police, and as an EMT and First Responder. With these years of experience, I know what the community expected of me in the past, and if elected, I know what you will expect of me in the future. I appreciate your vote on November 8. Thank you and God Bless!

-Boyd Farmer, candidate for Mansfield City Council, Ward 2, Position 1