A rose to the West Point High School football team, who trounced undefeated Ridgeland 47-0 on Friday night and will play for the state 5A title this Saturday in Jackson.
West Point was expecting a battle from the traveling Ridgeland Titans. But West Point came out strong early, holding Ridgeland to just 22 yards of offense the entire game.
The Green Wave face Brookhaven in the title game at Memorial Stadium. A win would bring the championship home to West Point for the second straight year.
We wish the Green Wave good luck, and give them and Coach Chris Chambless a pat on the back.
A rose to Black Friday shoppers, who helped give local retailers an early Christmas present this year.
Shopping was busy, yet orderly, in the Golden Triangle. Retailers and shoppers we talked to said that business was good, and shoppers behaved themselves, despite the pushing and shoving (and worse) reported elsewhere.
One incident marred the day — a man arrested around 2 a.m. by Lowndes sheriff”s deputies at the Columbus Walmart, who attempted to pull a gun after an altercation with a store manager.
Nationally, experts say shoppers are spending more this year than last, and Black Friday was a resounding success for retailers. We”re happy to report a little good economic news this season.
A rose to the holiday spirit that”s starting to spread in the Golden Triangle. The cold snap of the past few days was perfectly timed, as Thanksgiving passes, Christmas trees and holiday decorations go up, and a general feeling of charity and community descends upon us.
Christmas parades are just around the corner. Starkville and Caledonia have their parades Saturday. Columbus” is the following Monday, and Artesia”s is the following Tuesday. West Point and Starkville are planning tours of historic homes. Downtown Columbus” official Christmas tree lighting and Wassail Fest are this coming weekend. There are too many plays, concerts, church programs and other special events to name here.
We thank all of those who organize these and other events, which help bring our communities together. We urge everyone to turn out to community parades and these other special events, and share in the spirit this season.
A calendar of local events and other information on holiday events can be found in today”s Lifestyles section.
A rose to Leslie Frazier, a Columbus native who has risen to the National Football League”s top echelon.
Frazier was named interim head coach of the Minnesota Vikings on Monday. A 1977 graduate of Lee High School, Frazier was formerly the team”s defensive coordinator before replacing coach Brad Childress.
Frazier played at Lee High, Alcorn State University, and later as a defensive back with the Chicago Bears. He”s earned two Super Bowl rings, one as a player with the Bears and one as an assistant coach with the Indianapolis Colts.
The low-key Frazier returns to Columbus from time to time, visiting with local kids and signing autographs. We congratulate him on his successes, and thank him for serving as an inspiration for local youth. With enough wins as interim coach, he might land the top job for good. Our fingers are crossed.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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