October baseball for the Rockies and Twins ended just as soon as it began. Both teams were the #2 Wild Card in their league-yet eliminated in a pair of entertaining games. Much like last year’s Cubs, the Houston Astros were a nice team to jump on the bandwagon of. Young, exciting players dot their roster and came out on top in a classic seven game World Series over the Dodgers. I’m more relieved the Astros won-mostly because I just couldn’t stomach the possibility of a Yankees-Dodgers WS. But somehow sports take a backseat to things that are much harder to discuss. Houston was decimated by Hurricane Harvey in late August, and deserves this celebration as they begin to rebuild their city.

I’ve had the pleasure to visit with some of Lusk’s former athletes this fall. With apologies to Sally Nichols and the current Lady Tigers-my hour at Everett and Fredda Lou Kilmer’s home was the best. As I put the story together Kenneth Malmborg’s name inadvertently slipped through the cracks. Malmborg was the toughest guy on the team and one of Everett’s best friends since they were young boys. I can’t imagine some of the adventures these two went on growing up.

Dickinson State won their third straight conference championship and heads into the playoffs with a 9-1 record. Matthew VandeBossche was honored with his Class of 2018 teammates on Senior Day last Saturday as the Blue Hawks defeated Mayville State 70-7 in the regular season finale. Matt and redshirt sophomore brother Derick both start on defense for the 12th-ranked Blue Hawks. DSU opens the playoffs this Saturday at Southern Oregon in Ashland.

WYO has won six of seven games and has become bowl eligible again. How the last two games play out and the status of Josh Allen’s hand injury will determine where the Cowboys go for a post season game. UW finishes with Fresno State in Laramie before a trip to San Jose State.