Lame-duck coach makes Gators easy pickin'

Was anyone really surprised that Florida head football coach Ron Zook got the hook following the Gators' last second loss this past weekend. I suppose the timing could have been better.

After all, this week marks what has typically become one of the biggest games of each season as the Georgia Bulldogs head south of the border to take on lame-duck coach Zook and the struggling Gators.

I doubt that folks from around these parts are shedding many tears for the swamp lizards. All the Bulldogs want is a win and chance to get another SEC championship. If the Gators have to play a coach-less team, so be it.

Besides this could possibly be the last good chance for a Georgia win over Florida for a while. That is if Steve Spurrier can pull himself off the golf course and return to the sidelines. Spurrier has always been trouble for Georgia, the SEC and the rest of the nation. And while we've read that Spurrier's return is not a done deal, my guess is that the job is Steve's to say no to.

As for this weekend, it belongs to the Dogs.



Georgia 30, Florida 10



Irwin at Fitzgerald



Returning closer to home, the Fitzgerald Hurricanes host new region rival Irwin County in a game that awards only bragging rights for the next year. Fitzgerald has already locked up number-one in the region and the Indians are going to the AA state playoffs as the number-four team from Region 2. Last season it took last second heroics for Fitzgerald to pull off the win. That will not be the case tonight. The Hurricanes, as one of the state's bigger Class AA schools, have established themselves as one of the top teams in the state, while Irwin has had to battle to just get out of the region. While Irwin will give the Canes a good game, there are not enough weapons in the arsenal.



Fitzgerald 26, Irwin 18



Miller Co. at Turner Co.



The Rebels are also in the playoffs after securing three region wins earlier in the season. The Pirates will also see postseason action. All that is left to be determined is where the two teams will be playing next week. The winner tonight could get seeded as high as number-two while the loser could fall to the fourth spot. Both of these teams are evenly matched, although I see the Rebels as having had the more difficult schedule this season. The seasoning will pay off. I like the Rebels in a close one.



Turner 21, Miller 18



Westover at Worth



Whichever team wins this one gets to play at least one more. The loser makes plans for the spring. The Rams have made a lot of mistakes this season, which has cost them dearly. The Patriots have had some success, but have been snake-bit by injuries. Both teams have won enough games to be familiar with how it is done. But the Patriots really only have one weapon while the Rams can get you from a variety of angles. With a playoff spot on the line, the Rams will be tough to stop.



Worth 24, Westover 20



Early at Cook



The Hornets are still smarting from their loss last week to the Thomasville Bulldogs, which cost them the region title. Cook will need a win to regain the momentum as the Hornets head into the playoffs as the number-two seed from Region 1-AA. As the Bobcats have been struggling this season, I see the Hornets having little trouble in their last regular season game.



Cook 30, Early 9