What’s the deal with Jackson State throwing two passes inside the Alcorn State 40-yard line in the final 20 seconds of their 58-6 win over the Braves Saturday?

Are they trying to get Bowl Championship Series points?

You are already in the SWAC championship game, Jackson State. No need to rub it in the faces of a hapless Alcorn team.

Alcorn coach Johnny Thomas needs to beat the bushes for top defensive players.

The Braves finished ninth out of 10 teams in total defense, giving up an average of 375.8 yards a game.

n Did you see the shot Detroit Lion cornerback Mark Carrier put on Green Bay wide receiver Antonio Freeman Sunday?

After the ball had gone past Freeman, Carrier bashed his helmet into Carrier’s facemask.

No penalty was called.

That shot was just as severe as the one New Orleans cornerback put on San Francisco quarterback Steve Young in mid-September. Hewitt was penalized and fined.

Hopefully a fine will find its way to Carrier.

I’m not naive enough to think players did not go out to hurt other players in the past, but that seems to be top priority nowadays.

I’m anxious to find out how many roughing the passer or personal foul penalities there have been this year as compared to year’s past.

And it’s not only in pro football.

While Alabama’s Miguel Merritt was wrong in saying out loud this past week that he was out to hurt Auburn quarterback Ben Leard, at least he was honest.

He just said what everybody is thinking. Look at all of the quarterbacks out of action in pro and college football.

And, yes, it is a rough sport and there’s nothing wrong with a good, clean hard hit. But some players seem to be crossing that fine line this year.

n Cathedral High football fans were probably surprised to see previously unbeaten Loyd Star eliminated by Bay Springs in the second round of the playoffs Friday night.

I was surprised to hear that last week’s win by Loyd Star over Philadelphia was the first-ever playoff win for the Hornets.

Loyd Star was 0-4 in previous playoff action.

n If Brandon had upset Gulfport last Friday, they would have faced Provine Friday in the Class 5A semifinals.

Both are in Natchez’s division. It just wasn’t a good year for the Bulldogs to field a number of inexperienced players.

Gulfport actually handed Natchez one of its worst losses of the season (61-0).

n So, looking for something a little different on television? Try the STA-BIL Sunday Night Mowe Madness for the next three weeks on TNN if you haven’t already caught it.

More than 60 lawn mower races from 20 states compete in four road track classes. Top speeds exceed 70 miles per hour.

The cutting blades are removed and a helmet-mounted Mow Cam is being used.

The press release recommends a sense of humor when viewing. Talk about the cutting edge.

n Quote of the week: Heritage Academy head coach Ray Weeks in talking about Centreville Academy, a team they lost to 20-19 for the MPSA Class 3A championship:

&uot;With their purple and gold and size, Centreville looks like LSU,&uot; Weeks said. &uot;But Centreville executes a lot better.&uot;

Joey Martin is sports editor of The Democrat. He can be reached by calling 446-5172 ext. 232 or at joey.martin@natchezdemocrat.com.