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December 31, 2009

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College football, in our backyard, for a low price

By Trent Moore The Cullman Times

CULLMAN — Now that the college football season has come to an end, the next best thing is finally in full swing: Bowl season.

I’m a huge college football fan. I love to see the different out-of-conference match-ups that are put together in December and January.

I also love going to college football games, but it really can break the bank.

By the time you’ve paid the mark-up for a pair of decent tickets to an Alabama or Auburn game, you’re easily out a few hundred dollars (or for really good tickets, several hundred dollars).

But, thanks to this year’s bowl season, a pretty decent match-up is set for this weekend right in our own backyard. But, most importantly, it’s pretty darn affordable.

The Papjohns.com Bowl — which is played less than an hour away at Legion Field in Birmingham — is featuring an excellent SEC vs. Big East match-up this year.

The game, which kicks off at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 2, features the University of South Carolina against the University of Connecticut.

Did I mention tickets are going for $40 at the bowl’s Web site (http://www.papajohnsbowl.com), and could be even cheaper closer to kick off?

Now, I know it’s not Alabama vs. Texas for all the marbles, but for the low cost it could be a great, affordable after-Christmas treat for an avid football fan.

Plus, it’s a heck of a lot closer to Cullman than Tuscaloosa and Auburn.

For less than $100, it’s not a bad way to spend a Saturday afternoon — especially if you’re like me and just can’t afford a trip to Pasadena to see the Tide (or to Tampa Bay to see Auburn) play.

Some friends and I are considering a trip to B’ham for the game, just to catch one last, real live college football game before things go all too quiet as we wait for next season.

If you plan on sticking around town to watch some bowl games this weekend, the wife and I have discovered our favorite new pizza place: Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Bake Pizza, located on Cherokee Avenue. The Gourmet Chicken Garlic pizza is mind-blowing.

Happy New Year’s, folks.

See you in 2010.



Benefit concert coming up...

K9 4 Autism and Mobility Impairments will present in concert, Country Music Star Daryle Singletary, at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 9, at the McGukin Civic Center in Cullman. Also appearing will be Jeff Whitlow and the Old Barn Band. Gates open at 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance; $25 at the door and can be purchased at Merchants Bank on Highway 157, Chambers Farm and Garden on 1st Ave., Falkville Animal Health on Highway 55 in Falkville, Byfords Pawn and Guns on Highway 36 in Hartselle. All proceeds to benefit K9 4 Autism and Mobility Impairments.



* Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 225.

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