Sports world laborers

Region - This month's Labor Day holiday got me thinking about some of our favorite athletes and what makes them so special. While the natural-born, can't-do-anything wrong on the field, can-do-it-all athlete is someone to marvel at, in many cases, these aren't our favorites. Instead we relate more to the brown-bag lunch carrying, hard laborers (there's the connection to Monday's holiday, and our theme for this week's column).

For instance, even if the Red Sox J.D. Drew were to have a season living up to his numbers, he'll never be revered by Sox fans. Baseball scouts call him one of those five-tools guys, meaning they can play defense well, have a strong arm, run fast, hit with power and hit for average. More times than not these guys are natural talents.

Drew, here in Boston, and in his previous major league stops, looks like a player who is disinterested in the game. Even when these players do well, it often looks like they aren't even trying. They often make it look so effortless, usually showing little emotion in success or failure. That might be unfair to said athlete, but it is often our perception of this type of athletes.

Trot Nixon, former Sox right field, and Drew's predecessor, appeared to be the opposite. Fans loved to call him a "dirt-dog," using it as a term of endearment. Kevin Youkilis is another. These athletes appeared to work for everything that came their way. Their uniform often appears dirty even before that first at-bat. Sure, both have lots of talent, but they seem like an everyday guy (okay, everyday but making millions), a laborer who works hard for successes, and suffers at the defeats. Real Labor Day type of players, the kind of athletes we seem love.

Let's play some

football

Are you ready for some football? Oh we can do better than that. ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?! A full slate of local high school action gets started this weekend. Here's a look at the some of the action, our picks for the weekend. A few new looks on the weekone schedule should make for an interesting opening weekend.

Wachusett at Algonquin, Friday Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. Coach Mike Volcano has big hopes here no doubt, but there won't be any easy start, thanks to the schedule makers. Emotions will be high for the opener, the T-Hawks will represent themselves well, but the Mountaineers prove too much. Prediction: Wachusett 21, Algonquin 14.

Wayland at Marlborough, Friday Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. Newlook game here, perhaps a new rivalry in the making? Panthers off to a quick start. Prediction: Marlborough 28, Wayland 14.

Hudson at Assabet Valley, Friday Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. If the Marlborough/Wayland game is perhaps a future rivalry, this one is already there, as schools walking distance apart, drawing from the same town, open the season. Both come into the season with deserved optimism, but the Hawks get the early jump. Prediction: Hudson 14, Assabet 13.

Dorchester High at Hudson Catholic (Morgan Bowl), Friday Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. This is one of those new looks as the Green Wave look to turn the program around. Prediction: Hudson Catholic 16, Dorchester High 12.

St. John's at Holy Name, Saturday Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. at Worcester State College. The Naps program is looking up, but this could still prove onesided. Prediction: St. John's 28, Holy Name 7.

Auburn at Shrewsbury, Friday Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. Terry Walles and the Colonials (no, that's not a new rock band) look for a big year and it starts here against a good football program in a nonleague game. Prediction: Shrewsbury 19, Auburn 12.

Nashoba at Westborough, Saturday Sept. 8 at 2 p.m. Former Chieftain football coach Ken Tucker returns to take over at Nashoba, but the Rangers look to make him have doubts about the decision. Prediction: Westborough 18, Nashoba 14.

Send mail and sports ideas to ronwoodcock@charter.net.