As a sports writer it’s always fun to try and predict outcomes.

Even though as a group we are more wrong than right, we continue to predict and prognosticate until we are blue in the face.

We say it’s part of our jobs, when really it just gives us an excuse to try and sound like we know what we are talking about. When we are right, we remind everyone. When we are wrong, we just ignore it.

So, here are some predictions for the 2008 MHS fall sports season.

If I’m wrong, you never read this.

The Warrior football team will make the playoffs:

After a dry spell of four years, the Warriors will return to the playoffs in a district that includes Southeast of Saline, Herington, and Hillsboro.

The Trojans and Warriors will both advance, with the regular-season finale (played at Hillsboro) for both teams the decider in who will be the one seed.

The junior class will dominate competition:

It’s not really a bold prediction considering the junior girls’ athletes have been highly touted since the seventh grade.

The talent was evident last year as the girls’ basketball team, filled with six sophomores, reached the sub-state finals and recorded its first post-season victory since becoming a member of the Mid-Central Activities Association in 2004.

It was even more so with a state gold medal from a 4x100-meter relay team that was 100 percent sophomores.

This is the year that class really takes off, starting with volleyball season.

Look for nothing less than sub-state victories during the volleyball and basketball seasons.

The cross country team will have a top-10 state performer:

The boys’ cross country team had two top-30 state finishers in 2007, and Ryan Jones and Louis Holt each return for their junior season.

Senior Camille Christensen, who has competed in both cross country and state track meets, should erase last year’s disappointment of not qualifying for state with at least an appearance at the meet this year.

Third-year coach Bethany Carlson has her team believing it can compete with anyone, and the progression of the middle school squad is paying dividends with the younger high school runners.

It will be a good fall season:

The pieces are starting to fall in place for the Warriors.

Strong upperclassmen in football and volleyball, and increased numbers in cross country, are creating a buzz with sports fans.

Only time will tell.