The Professional Golfers Association of America Tour Tournament Advisory Committee has released information that honors the Viking Classic as “Best Title Sponsor Integration for 2008.”

The Viking Classic, held at Annandale Country Club in Madison, had as its theme for 2008:’Professional Cooking Meets Professional Golf.”

There were professional chef demonstrations held throughout the week of the golf tournament. Chances were sold for a drawing to win a $50,000.00 Viking kitchen, donated by Viking Range Corporation, and the proceeds went directly to the tournament’s charity, which was”‘Friends of Children’s Hospital.”

Tournament advertising preceding and throughout the event tied cooking and golf together.

“On behalf of the tournament staff, Century Club Charities, sponsors, volunteers, and fans we are very proud to have a Mississippi based company like Viking Range Corporation as our sponsor,” said Tournament Director Randy Watkins. “This award is an indication of their dedication and commitment to making the Viking Classic the pride of Mississippi and the PGA Tour.”

Mississippi State played Alabama close for a while Saturday night, but too many kicking-game mistakes ruined any chance the Bulldogs might have had to pull off an upset.

The loss eliminated Mississippi State from any possibility of becoming bowl eligible this season. Alabama’s win kept them atop the BCS rankings this week and continues to point to the Southeastern Conference Championship Game against Florida.

In my humble opinion, Florida is the hottest team in the country right now. The Gators have no apparent weakness, but I won’t count out Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide yet. They aren’t nearly as explosive as Florida, but they do seem to find ways to win the close games.

How about LSU’s comeback win against Troy Saturday night. I feel a bit sorry for Troy but am glad for the SEC that the Tigers won.

High school football is winding down for this year. Natchez High pulled off a real shocker by beating highly-favored Petal in the first round of the 5A playoffs, but that allows those Bulldogs to host always strong Oak Grove this Friday.

I was sorry that Trinity and Huntington both fell but glad Franklin County’s Bulldogs have moved on to the next round. They will face Columbia, which used to be coached by Natchez’s Joey Porter.

High school football fans have long known that the high school rules do not allow blocking below the waist at any time. The rule has been around so long you seldom see the violation called now.

Last Friday night, in a Class 5A playoff game, it was called. The flag was thrown against the team covering a punt. Most observers thought the official called it against the receiving team, then was too stubborn to admit his error.

The crew in that game were ‘over their heads’ and should have never been assigned to a game at that level. Playoff games should, at the very least, be officiated by officials with experience at the big game level. From what I understand, those officials came from the Hattiesburg area.

For all I know, they had all worked many Hattiesburg and Oak Grove games before that night, but I don’t believe it from they way they were in disarray for most of the game I saw. If I am wrong, I apologize. Otherwise, that’s official.

Al Graning writes a weekly column for The Democrat.