Mrs. Hoople's picks

Um-glumph! Just when things are going so well, the Hoople System is having to brace for a temporary setback.

Perhaps it's because Yours Truly was spending too many late hours in the E-Z Snooze Hotel lounge or this Old Boy simply is no longer king in his own castle.

It seems Mrs. Hoople, my so-called better half, wants to share the limelight with everybody's favorite forecaster. Florentine has badgered me for years to let her participate in the football predictions.

Well, the brow beating worked. Florentine's pestering finally penetrated. To get along, Mr. Hoop decided to go along. She is being allowed input on a trial basis. "Friday Night Live"? has come to town.

Florentine's style is a bit different, as indicated by the reverse arrangement of her scores. Har-rumph!

This has always been the home of sophisticated analysis but Famous Amos' record-breaking percentage could be in peril.

Let's just hope she isn't getting advice entirely from the Garden Club. We don't bake cookies around here. Hoop-Baby likes this job and would like to keep it.

NORTH 13, TENN. HIGH 27 "? The moment of truth arrives for North. You can't hopscotch through a football game with the Vikings. So long, Raiders. Kaff-kaff!

VOLUNTEER 7, GREENEVILLE 28 "? Victory isn't in the tarot cards for the Falcons this week, either.

CHEROKEE 14, CROCKETT 16 "? The Pioneers' fans will have something to smile about. Heh-heh!

COCKE COUNTY 14, DANIEL BOONE 34 "? This may be Boone's ticket to a postseason appearance.

CENTRAL 14, SOUTH 40 "? Camaraderie is something successful teams must have.

SULLIVAN EAST 13, ELIZABETHTON 20 "? The Patriots will not wilt under Elizabethton's aggressiveness but will fall a bit short on the scoreboard.

JOHN BATTLE 6, GATE CITY 45 "? This won't be much of a Battle. Big Blue rules the Clinch Mountain District.

COEBURN 12, RYE COVE 14 "? It pays to zero in on fan behavior, community spirit and the playoff stakes involved "? especially when big money is on the line.

THOMAS WALKER 6, POWELL VALLEY 26 "? After thorough review of the raw scoring table, which evaluates the performances of the quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end and placekicker, this will be the exact score unless weather conditions interfere. Pow! Pow! Pow!

POUND 7, J.I. BURTON 45 "? Statistical data will play second fiddle to high emotion in the first half. Then, Burton will light up the night.

ST. PAUL 6, APPALACHIA 14 "? Both teams will play at an intense defensive level. Get 'em next year, Deacons! Boola-boola!

CASTLEWOOD 7, HURLEY 12 "? These teams are well matched cerebrally and physically.

Others

Bearden 12, Science Hill 27

Chuckey-Doak 6, South Greene 7

Unaka 12, Cosby 28

Grainger 0, Gibbs 20

Hampton 21, Grace Christian 28

Hancock County 6, Claiborne 45

Happy Valley 7, Cumberland Gap 31

Johnson County 7, Unicoi County 10

Morristown East 13, Morristown West 21

North Greene 6, Gatlinburg-Pittman 56

West Greene 7, Greenback 20

Abingdon 20, Carroll Co. 28

Ervinton 7, Haysi 40

Lebanon 7, Giles 17

Grundy 6, Graham 28

Holston 7, Rural Retreat 13

Marion 14, Richlands 26

Northwood 6, Chilhowie 21

George Wythe 12, Patrick Henry 13

Virginia High 13, Honaker 14