Let's hear it for the band, high school volleyball, the Tight-T offense and 88-cent corn flakes

  ...I'd like to exchange a fist bump -- or a tuba bump (whatever is more appropriate) -- to whoever is responsible for making sure the band has a presence at all the home PCEP football games this season.

  For too many years, the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park boasted one of the best bands in the country, but it was nowhere to be found

on Friday autumn nights except at homecoming games (and even then, it usually left after halftime).

  Whether it's the entire band or some form of pep unit made up of band members, I, for one, am glad you're there. There's nothing quite as refreshing as a stirring rendition of a fight song following a home-team touchdown.

   Keep up the great work and know that all of the countless hours you've put in throughout the year are appreciated -- not just by me, but by hundreds of fans -- beyond what you'll ever realize.

  ...I'm not sure if you heard this or not, but Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke announced last week that the Great Recession was finally over. Wow, what a relief! I just hope this doesn't mean that Kroger is going to stop selling those 88-cent boxes of corn flakes.

  ...I have a confession to make: I'm addicted to high school volleyball. With its fast-paced, don't-blink-or-you'll-miss-something rhythm and heart-pumping, momentum-shifting tempo, the sport should be a must-see (at least once) for you and your family this fall.

  This area is blessed with four immensely talented teams: All three Park teams are formidable and Plymouth Christian Academy's squad has lost just once so far. So check out the schedules -- the teams usually play on Tuesday and Thursday nights -- and make it a point to see a match.

  You'll thank me. And, if you're not careful, you may get addicted.

...I just read an eye-opening story in the USA Today that revealed that a recent comprehensive study proves that exercise does not help people lose weight.

  Huh?

  So instead of that gut-busting 3.5-mile run down to Ridge Rd. and back every day, I'd be better off watching Maury Povich conduct DNA tests?

  I'm not positive, but I have a strong suspicion the study was funded by the fast-growing organization Better Remote Controls For America Foundation.

  ...Quick Week 5 high school football predictions: Canton 49, Wayne Memorial 0; Plymouth 31, Livonia Churchill 21; Salem 27, South Lyon East 17.

  ...Speaking of football, other than serving as a linesman at a high school volleyball match (You want me to make an 'in-or-out' call on a 40-mph serve that could cost my team a game? No thanks!), the last thing I'd rather be doing right now is coming up with a defensive game plan to slow down Canton's Tight-T offense.

  I've never seen an offense that remains consistently effective even though the opposing defense know it's going to run the ball 97.4 percent of the time.

  Most nights it seems as though you can stack 11 guys in the box, set up a tuna net that runs along the line of scrimmage from sideline to sideline, cup your hands around your mouth and shout "WATCH THE RUN!" before every snap, but the Chiefs will still get at least five yards.

  Defensive coordinators must feel like the Coyote trying to catch the Roadrunner.

  Until next time -- BEEP! BEEP! -- take care. 

ARCHIVES
This All-Star Football team has true character(s)

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