I have to imagine being a new parent is something like being a Georgia Southern fan:  you love ‘em, but dag nabbit if they aren’t a pain in the you-know-what.

            The Eagles got another win Saturday, but nothing comes easy for this squad, save Chattanooga.

            The Citadel, a dangerous team but not exactly world beaters, put up 500 yards of total offense against GSU Saturday and in all honesty should’ve won the game handily. But in the waning moments of a warm and breezy day in Charleston, it was Southern who looked like the veteran, battle-tested squad rather than the side with an experienced quarterback and star wide receiver.

            The Bulldogs missed four field goals – one that would’ve won the game – had a touchdown called back and dropped numerous balls in space that would have proved to be big gains.

Georgia Southern, meanwhile, calmly took every break they were handed and quietly capitalized in triple overtime, 44-41. Eagle players couldn’t resist doing their own pushups in front of The Citadel “cadets” in celebration.

Ho-hum, another easy win… Homer strangling Bart looks tame compared to what Eagle fans must be going through this season.

            This Saturday it’s SoCon newcomer Samford at Paulson Stadium in the final home game of the year. It’s Homecoming, it’s a noon kickoff, and it’s Senior Day. Expect another thriller: Southern sponsored by Tums 35, Fightin’ Vince Johnson’s 31.

Playoff predicaments

            Statesboro plays Brunswick Friday for the Region 2-AAAA title. Should be an exceptional football game by two talented football teams. I can’t wait.

            Bulloch Academy faces Sherwood Christian at home in the first round of the GISA Class AA state playoffs. The Gators are four wins away from a state title.

            In Region 3-A it’s now simple: four games, four playoffs spots, winner goes to state and loser goes home. Claxton’s at Johnson County, Metter’s at Savannah Christian and Emanuel County Institute host Calvary Day in games of interest from our area.

            As for Screven County in 3-AA, the Gamecocks could be tied with as many as four other teams after Friday night. Toombs County (6-3) and Swainsboro (5-4) play each other this week and Laney (6-3) plays Southeast Bulloch. If Laney and Toombs win, SCHS is out. If Swainsboro wins, I’m guessing we’ll have a mini-game next Monday between Screven, Toombs and SHS. If Laney loses and Swainsboro wins, I’ll become a nuclear physicist to study things much easier than that playoff scenario.

The Universities

            I read a quote where Paul Johnson said, “Good teams don’t lose two games in a row.” I agreed, but doubted Georgia Tech was a good team yet. Wrong.

            It was silly of me to doubt Coach and the almighty option offense. I do apologize. Tech goes to Chapel Hill and wins again: 27-17.

            Out west Thursday night, Utah slips by TCU 28-24 at home and Texas Tech survives over Oklahoma State on Saturday, 41-36.

            Down south, Alabama beats LSU. Up north, Penn State beats Iowa, but close, 21-14.

            After another 2-3 week: 56-53 for the year.