Talkin' Sports P*L*U*S

A GAMEDAY 50TH for 1972 Seniors
by Scramblin' Bill Lynch

Aahhh sports fans... and coming to you today from Pensacola, the "Western Gate to the Sunshine State," Florida and the kickoff of the 2022 college football season is here! And all of that college football tension does exist right here, across this city and throughout Escambia County FL, and no politics are needed or wanted, especially when observing a celebration of a 50th anniversary season this one will be.

This writer, now at 73, having played the All American football game, beginning in 1959, all the way up to 1972, for 14 consecutive seasons: playing at St. Johns elementary as a Panther, then Warrington Junior High School as a Rocket, then Pensacola High School as a Tiger, who then became an LSU Tiger.

As one of those purple and gold Tigers in Baton Rouge, I walked-on that first semester of college but no scholarship, then transferred to, and four and a half years later, graduated from Jacksonville State University, known as "The Friendliest Campus In The South," located in the rolling hills of NE Alabama...home of the fighting Gamecocks, where I earned a scholarship, three Varsity Lettered teammates, an ATO brotherhood, and my B.S. Business Degree.

Yes, it was really a great time of college, and looking back on 14 seasons playing the game, reliving so many fond memories of each of those consecutive playing years, winning so many great games, and cultivating friendships with so many fine teammates during those wonderful years... and, especially that 1972 season.

For this writer, that last season of play was going to be a wonderful year, especially for each of us 12 Seniors at Jax State. We were now "Coach Charley Pell's '72 Seniors"... and each one of us seniors were thinking, "Get ready Gamecock fans, we're getting ready to battle for and hopefully match the accomplishments of that 1970 Gamecock team, that 10 and 0, Orange Blossom Classic Bowl Champion team we each had been a part of, and now, us '72 Seniors were looking forward to the challenges for that upcoming season."

And now it's 50 years later, and taking this moment to say, "thank you teammates and friends, as well as former opponents. Thank you for your friendship and contributions to all of those fond memories of playing that All American football game, from St. Johns all the way up to and especially Jacksonville State - thank you!"

Now sports fans, be looking for more stories on Coach Charley Pell's 1972 season, as each game's Senior Captains are being asked to contribute their thoughts, their key plays, those game winning plays, and those other moments we each will love remembering together.

It's our 50TH FOR PELL'S '72 SENIORS, so have a grrrrrrr8 season and here's my hoping to see you teammates, friends, and family during this 50th Anniversary season!!!

Sincerely,
Scramblin' Bill Lynch
850.292.5304

PS.... good luck today and this season Coach Rich Rodriguez, and could you help our 1972 Senior's to lead your Gamecocks out for your Sat, Nov 11th game? Thanks and will call you real soon!

Aaahhhh sports fans... don't you just love it... and on this Saturday, its the "Countdown((21 days!)) to the 2022 Football season!!!" And for me personally, this season will be a special season... its the 50th Anniversary of having played that ALL AMERICAN game... the football game. That playing started at St. Johns in 1959 all the way to JSU in 1972... playing at St. Johns elementary to Warrington Jr HS, then Pensacola HS to LSU for that first semester, transferred to Jacksonville State University, home of the fighting Gamecocks and "Friendliest Campus In The South" located in the rolling hills of NE Alabama. There are soooo many fond memories of those grrrrrrr8 games and times at JSU... so many fine teammates and friendships during those 5years... so many learning and growing up experiences too. And now, at age 73, with my 50th Anniversary celebration season in the "countdown to the August 27(JSU vs SFA, Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, AL) kickoff game", I'm taking a moment to say "thank you teammates and friends, as well as those former opponents." Have a grrrrrrr8 season and hoping to be seeing you during my 50th Anniversary season!!!

Aahhh Sports Fans... reminding each member of the 2018 NCAA Playoff Selection Committee that:
1. College Football should not be a NFL-like playoff,
2. College Football should be unique for the College Football Playoffs, therefore,
3. The College Football must be a Playoff Of Champions!
4. Each Conference Champion (regardless which conference) will have worked for and should have earned the right to be considered for the PLAYOFF OF CHAMPIONS!

Please pass on if YOU agree, and thank you for your help!

Aahhh sports fans... TGI Football F going out to YOU today, and we're only 3 weeks and 1-day away from the Labor Day Weekend of the 2018 football season! I can hardly wait for those several great games scheduled, as well as...an upset during that weekend too!!?!! So, who's it going to be... Louie' over slippin' Banana Bama... or perhaps, it'll be Northwest Coast Wash'n Huskies over Au-dern Tigers of the Plains...or then again, it could be those VTers deckin' LSU and their Head Coach... relatively brand new Head Coach kicking off his full season... but, good luck and enjoy!

And for you FSU and LSU fans, mark your calendar for some pretty big games in 2022 and 2023...

Report: FSU/LSU to play at neutral site in 2022, 2023 - NoleGameday Florida State has tried to alter their approach to scheduling neutral site games against high-level competition since the playoffs were instituted in 2014. In three of the past four years, the Seminoles have opened their season with a matchup against a Power-Five team. Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, and....

HumpDay's P*L*U*S Tidbits...
those Orlando cops sure got it right about last season... good luck DEFENDING NATIONAL CHAMPS UCF!!!

And 2-Days In New Orleans...
Also attending the 2018 Sunbelt Conference Football Media Days in downtown New Orleans, LA. Attending the Media Dinner Sunday evening and then all day Monday covering/reporting on:
Troy - Neal Brown and 5 NWFla. players, and
University South Alabama - Steve Campbell and 3 NWFla. players.

P*L*U*S in Atlanta 1-Day
Attending the 2018 SEC Football Media Days in Atlanta, GA on Thursday, July 19th... with P*L*U*S covering/reporting on:
Auburn - Gus Malzahn and 3 NWFla. players,
South Carolina - Will Muschamp, and
Vanderbilt - Derek Mason