First Contest Requires Tie-Breaker
Erin Lynch’s family has been playing the football contest for a long time. The mother of three boys, including a Monticello Middle School football player, makes sure she gets her children’s contest entries into the office on time, but doesn’t play herself. That is, until this week.
Mrs. Lynch decided she, too, would play this opening week of the 2012 football contest…and she won. But it was not without help from her boys.
Mrs. Lynch was one of nine players who correctly picked the winner in 12 of the 15 games listed in last week’s contest. She and Jeff Hathaway, the new Edward Jones representative, each had 12 right and both missed the tie-breaker by two points.
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The Monticello Hurricanes fell to Morgan County, 34-6, Friday. Mrs. Lynch guessed 38 points would be scored in the game, and Mr. Hathaway guessed 42. So they were both two points off the tie-breaker score of 40.
Ben Lynch, Mrs. Lynch’s middle child, helped his mom by drawing the winning popsicle stick at the newspaper office to determine who would get the $25 prize from the Bank of Monticello. Mr. Hathaway received a Monticello t-shirt for his efforts.
Other players who correctly picked the winners of 12 games and therefore had their name added to the grand prize honor roll included Tommy Davis, Paul Lehnherr, Zack Lively, Brady McMichael, Zach Norris, Toni Reese, and Phillips Workman.
Mr. Hathaway could have won outright if he had waited to enter on Friday, rather than sending his entry in Thursday. The News staffers mistakenly put two pro exhibition games in the contest that were played Thursday night. Therefore, everyone could have gotten those right. One of Mr. Hathaway’s misses was the Atlanta game.
The drawing was rather festive Tuesday, as Mr. Lynch was driving carpool and had four young men with him, and two were already present in The News office. They all witnessed the drawing, so we know it was fair and unbiased.
And, while waiting they entertained themselves with balloons that were in the office in celebration of office staffer Hannah Pope’s birthday.
Miss Pope (left) held the popsicle sticks while Ben Lynch drew. Ben’s brother, Ethan, reads the words on the stick with his brother. Behind them are Devin Martin, Colby Chester, Tucker Chester, and Tyler Wages, along with Mr. Hathaway.
Hopefully this week, it will be a little more challenging. Last week’s Georgia Bulldogs were considered a shoo-in while facing the Buffalo Bulls. This week, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets should have an easy day of it as they face Presbyterian College.
But, on any day, any team can win. The contest is designed so anyone can win. There are four high school contests, six college games, and five pro games. Sharpen your pencil, and get busy. Entries must reach The Monticello News office by 5 p.m. tomorrow, Sept. 7. This week’s sponsor is Steve Currie, Inc.—NAPA Auto Parts, Perimeter Mini-Storage and Southern Pro Towing.
Complete rules and entry form are on page 16.
Last Week’s Results
Morgan County 34, Monticello 6; Trinity Christian 35, Piedmont 14; Putnam County 28, Greene County 14; Jackson 24, Mary Persons 23; Clemson 26, Auburn 19; Tennessee 35, N.C. State 21; Georgia 45, Buffalo 23; Miami 41, Boston College, 32; East Carolina 35, Appalachian State 13; Georgia Southern 58, Jacksonville University 0; Fort Valley State 31, Delta State 23; Saginaw State 28, Valdosta State 24; Birmingham Southern 41, LaGrange 14; Jacksonville 24, Atlanta 14, and Pittsburgh 17, Carolina 16.
