Out in left field
By Russell Payne Sports Editor

Guess who?

How nice it is to be back in Diboll, and here is to a much longer stay than my last. I was so excited over the Christmas Holiday's to know that I would be coming back to Lumberjack Country and for the chance to get to rekindle some relationships that were just starting to develop when I left.

As for me I have been down in the Houston area for the last several months, and while I will not say I had the worst time of my life, I will say I am very happy to be doing something else. I thought I would be a little rusty right now, as I was focusing on areas of this business aside from writing, but I am finding out quickly it is just like riding a bike.

Upon finding out that I was going to possibly find out I had this opportunity to return I immediately contacted Coach Martel, and I have said it before, and I will say it again that Diboll has a top notch man in charge of its athletics programs. I also want to publicly congratulate him on that whupping he and the Lumberjacks gave the Liberty Panthers this season on the gridiron. It does not get better than beating Liberty.

I have kept a close eye on what all was happening with the athletics teams here in Diboll since I have been away, and I want to congratulate the fall sports teams on a job well done. I am looking forward to the remainder of the basketball season and I have already gotten to see the Lady Jacks beat up on the Lufkin JV and some of the action with the guys impressive victory over Kountze.

I might add, if any of you have not come out and seen either of these teams compete, well you are missing some good ball. From the always impressive athletic abilities of J.J. Hayes to Nikki Greene, these teams are loaded with talent, and I promise to highlight as much of that talent as I possibly can.

I hope to bring you the best in sports coverage that I can possibly bring and I hope you all will bare with me as I settle back in, and as the newspaper goes through a few important changes during this brand new year of 2008.

Again, I am so very excited to be coming back to the Diboll Community, and I hope to get to know those of you I already new, again, and those of you I have not yet gotten the opportunity to meet.

Next Week

Oh you will just love reading all of my favorite moments in Sports during the year 2007. It will be a look at anything that I can think of that just really captivated the sports world, and of course me and my attention. Come by and see me, lets talk sports, and until next time I'll see you out in left field.