MCGEE: Hawks to play classic

with point totals of 3,934 and 3,586 respectively. Marquel McKinney of Gosnell was both the best of the 4A and the best of the entire state as he claimed the gold medal with 6,140 points. The ’Hawks weren’t far from the top 10 as 10th was Kaiden Hunter of Ashdown who finished with 4,322.

The event ended a school year where a lot of history was made with a record number athletic achievements rang up in many, many venues. In no school year has there ever been more athletes winning post season honors in more sports than what Blackhawk fans witnessed this season. A very high bar has been set for future Blackhawks.

Blogging and bragging

When I have a little time, I get on sports talk programs or read the many internet discussion rooms that sports fans frequent to give us their wisdom about all things football.

You have heard the old saying “Ain’t nothin’ certain but death and taxes”? I might add “braggin’ daddies” to that list.

Personally I wish for Pea Ridge to win every state title in every single sport in which they compete. At least, I truly wish that they be successful in what they can accomplish and that is always more than just winning.

There seem to be quite a few sports fans (of the male variety) that try to make sports into some kind of warfare. They use the social media to demean other teams and their accomplishments, and it would seem that there really aren’t any other good or praise worthy teams besides their own.

A Prairie Grove fan with a moniker of “tigerdad2” seems to take perverse pleasure in running down all things Blackhawk. He was earlier super angry over Hooten’s final football poll which had the ’Hawks finishing second in the state rankings, ahead of Prairie Grove’s third.

Hooten’s rationale was likely simple. Pea Ridge finished second in the playoffs, ahead of Prairie Grove’s finish. Did Prairie Grove beat Pea Ridge earlier? Well, yeah, two months earlier. Pea Ridge got a lot better and had a good chance of beating Warren in the finals before turnovers derailed them. Prairie Grove was crushed by Warren in the semi-finals, with that game being over rather early.

With the exception of one team, I hope every other school in the 4A-1 wins every game on their schedule except, of course, the game with us. I have actually spoken with kids on other teams in our conference and you know what? They seemed as nice and pleasant as the ones on my favored team.

I enjoy watching and supporting Pea Ridge athletes but I realize it is all about them, the students. The administration here has assembled an enviable staff of coaching professionals who do more than just teach the Xs and Os. A really worthwhile athletic program turns out good citizens, not just good athletes, and we have that here.

People who live their lives and fantasies through the athletic lives of teenagers have some issues that need tending. The things that are important to those kind of people often degrade or downplay the things that should be the most important.

I will report, and with great pride I might add, that I have come across other Pea Ridge fans who make their voices and opinions heard from time to time. Every person identified as a Blackhawk fan has been polite, congenial and generous in their praise of other teams and athletes.

Now that is something to brag about.

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Editor’s note: John McGee is an award-winning columnist and sports writer. He can be contacted through The Times at prtnews@nwadg. com.