Future is seen in the sports crystal ball

As we ring in the new year, rather than do my annual New Year's resolutions, I've decided to play Nostradamus and give you my sports predictions for the next 12 months. Some are local, some are not, but as I rub my crystal ball I see these events happening in 2005:

FEBRUARY - The Steelers, led by rookie Ben Roethlisberger, finally get "one for the thumb" as they win their fifth Super Bowl title, 34-20 over Atlanta. I've been waiting on this since I was 8 years old, and 2005 is the year it happens.

MARCH - Eric Marshall helps to lead Wofford to the Big Dance, becoming the first Columbia County product since former Evans stars Roger Toxey and Fredie Williams to play in the NCAA Tournament.

MARCH - Greenbrier's Girls Basketball Team earns a state tournament berth, the first in the school's hoops history.

APRIL - Tiger breaks out of his so-called slump to silence his critics by winning his fourth Green Jacket.

MAY - 5 County schools make state playoff appearances in baseball. (Evans, Greenbrier, Lakeside, Harlem and ACS) We may not have a state championship team in the county this year, but as usual all the teams will be pretty solid.

JULY - I outduel more than 5,000 entrants to win the 2005 World Series of Poker. OK, this is more wishful thinking than prediction, but can't a guy dream? Actually, I don't plan to pony up the $10,000 entry fee; however, if some of you kind readers would like to see this predictions come through, I am accepting donations.

NOVEMBER - Greenbrier's Reggie Rice has more than 1,000 yards rushing and 100 tackles to earn county Player of the Year honors.

DECEMBER - As we usher in 2006 I will be back in shape for the first time in 10 years. I will spend 2005 trimming down and working out to regain my less-flabby physique of 1996. This is more of a resolution than prediction, but I say I'm going to do this every year, so why stop now?