The Curse is mightier than a replica jersey

I wore my Red Sox shirt for two days straight last week. I wore it on Wednesday to support them in Game 6, and they won. Naturally, I had to keep it on for Game 7 so I wouldn't jinx it.

So much for that. Apparently it wasn't strong enough to fend off the Babe and the rest of his Yankee Stadium ghosts.

Red Sox fans don't need sympathy. We've learned to thrive on the pain of heartbreak. We've certainly had enough practice at it.

The Aaron Boone debacle may be the worst of all, though. It definitely stands on the medal platform of worst heartbreaks of all time, probably between Bucky Dent and the 1986 World Series.

Going into the game, I was convinced this is how it had to be. Boston had to beat the Yankees in their own back yard to reverse "The Curse."

But I wonder what would have happened if the Red Sox did beat the Yankees and went on to beat the Marlins in the World Series. The Red Sox would lose their luster. They wouldn't be unique anymore. And their fans would be lost.

Before Red Sox Nation drifts off to sleep tonight, we'll breath a collective sigh and whisper softly underneath it, "There's always next year."

And I won't be able to keep from cracking a little smile.

I can't help but smile now as I'm about to present you with your week ahead:

Tuesday

Southeast Missouri State University's volleyball season is winding down, and the Otahks host Murray State in a conference rivalry at 7 p.m. at Houck Field House.

Wednesday

Central football fans learned from Jackson that you can throw records out the window in rivalry games. Now Central's soccer team tries to remain unbeaten against their lighter-haired soccer rivals. Notre Dame at Central, 7 p.m.

Thursday

Central can climb back into the SEMO North Conference race with a win over Sikeston. Sikeston at Central, 7 p.m.

Now, we come to my personal Game of the Week. The rematch of the rematch: Leopold at Notre Dame in girls volleyball at 7 p.m.

Friday

High school sports are on the road tonight, but that doesn't mean you can take the night off. There are two opportunities to see Southeast Missouri State University teams in action. Eastern Illinois visits Southeast's soccer team at Houck Stadium at 7 p.m., and Tennessee-Martin will be next door at Houck Field House for volleyball at 7 p.m.

Saturday

Murray State races to town to play Southeast in the Hall of Fame football game. Houck Stadium at 6 p.m.

Missouri has its football homecoming game against Texas Tech and record-setting quarterback B.J. Symons.

While you're in Columbia, you might as well catch a little college basketball, too. Mizzou has its annual Black and Gold scrimmage game today. The times for football and basketball will be determined this week.

David Wilson is a senior at Central High School and a columnist for the Southeast Missourian. His column appears each Monday.