Cars, Patriotism, and Skyline Chili

Shots in the Darke

184

Thought we’d start today’s column with some news from the automotive market. Money  Magazine reports that traditional cars account for only 19% of the overall new vehicle market, a new record low which is down from 47% only a decade ago. Meanwhile, the SUV market share is at an all-time high of 58%. Could it be because an SUV is multi-purpose and able to handle more everyday tasks when needed?

I know in our neighborhood of seven houses that the only non-SUV is a 2011 Camaro,  driven only six months or so a year. The rest of the count is two minivans, eight SUVs, and a  John Deere Gator! No information was forthcoming in the report about pickup trucks but I’d imagine that represents a large share of the market, particularly here in West Central Ohio!

Two big games on tap this week in WOAC boys basketball action. Franklin-Monroe is off to a great start at 5-0 overall and 2-0 in league play but will be challenged Tuesday as they travel to Preble Shawnee to face the defending champion Arrows. Meanwhile, Friday night will see the always strong Patriots of Tri-Village making the trip to Arcanum to take on a dangerous group of Trojans. We should have a better idea of where the true strength of the WOAC is by late Friday night! By the way, congratulations to Greenville’s Green Wave on winning their first  MVL game of the year!

In girl’s basketball, a game of early importance in the Miami Valley League’s Valley Division occurs in Sidney on Wednesday evening as the Lady Yellowjackets host the upstart Lady Skyhawks of Fairborn for first-place honors. Butler’s Lady Aviators continue to lead the Miami Division, followed by Tippecanoe, while Greenville’s Lady Wave evened their league mark at 2-2 with Saturday’s win over Xenia.

Here’s today’s first trivia question, the second in a series concerning school consolidations around this part of Ohio. Northmont City Schools results from a merger of what three smaller districts? Answer to follow!

The Bengals and the Browns were supposed to meet Thursday night at Paycor Stadium in  Cincinnati but the NFL and Prime “flexed” the game to Sunday and replaced the telecast with the Broncos-Chargers contest instead. Why you ask? A more attractive matchup of teams playing a game with playoff implications of national interest than the second “Battle of Ohio”  between the 6-8 Bengals and the 3-11 Brownies. The Bengals are finally showing some signs of life as their slim playoff chances remain but depend on the Colts, Chargers, and Broncos all choking to some extent over the last three weeks of the regular season. Cleveland received bad news in Sunday’s loss to the Chiefs as running back Nick Chubb suffered a broken foot, this after blowing out a knee last year. And those of you who thought maybe Jameis Winston could be the answer to the Browns’ quarterback dilemma—three more interceptions might give you pause!

Once again, I feel compelled to write about the Army-Navy game played yesterday for the  125th time. An 11-1 Army team took on an 8-3 squad of Midshipmen in a contest of two really good college teams but the overriding factor, as always, was the patriotism exhibited not only by the two rival academies but also by all in attendance as well as those viewers at home.

The rivalry is on a different level from even THE-Michigan, Alabama-Auburn, Texas-Oklahoma,  and any of the other great collegiate rivalries in that the opponents in the Army-Navy showdown all end up playing for the same “team” upon graduation. The pageantry and traditions, both pre- and postgame, are unmatched anywhere. Seems like I always get a lump in my throat when I watch this game! 

UD’s Flyers once again captured a win over a highly regarded basketball team, this time knocking off sixth-ranked Marquette—the victory should move the Flyers back into the Top 25.  At the other end of the spectrum, what is going on with the Ohio State Buckeyes mens team? Losing to number two Auburn is one thing but getting blown out and embarrassed by the  Tigers is something else. Also a great game in the Crosstown Shootout as Cincinnati edged  Xavier Saturday night—Skyline Chili for everyone!!

The NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship is scheduled for this Thursday and Sunday in  Louisville with Pitt going against the home-standing Cardinals of Louisville while the other semi-final will see Nebraska taking on Penn State. Here’s today’s second trivia question—what school has captured the last two titles? 

Northmont Schools was formed in 1959 as a consolidation of Clayton, Phillipsburg, and  Randolph school districts. My mother was the first school dietician for Northmont, a position she held for 25 years. As Northmont grew in enrollment she was eventually overseeing the daily feeding of over 4,500 students—needless to say, not a single meal was served that hadn’t passed the taste test of my two brothers and myself!!

Finally, the Lady Longhorns of Texas won the 2022 and 2023 volleyball titles. If you get the chance watch the tournament on ESPN, you’ll be impressed by the athleticism and skills displayed! Have a great week, and get that last-minute Christmas shopping done!!