Planning Kicks Off for Third Annual Pilgrim's Pride Bowl Classic to be Held Dec. 9 at Sam Parker Field

MOUNT PLEASANT, TX, September 7, 2006 - Plans are now underway for the third annual Pilgrim's Pride Bowl Classic to be held December 9, 2006, at Sam Parker Field in Mount Pleasant. The game will pit one of the two top-ranked teams in the Southwestern Junior College Football Conference against another top-ranked junior college team from another conference.

"Each year the Pilgrim's Pride Bowl Classic becomes a bigger, more exciting event for northeast Texas, and we have some great surprises in store for fans this year," said Terry Myers, superintendent of Mount Pleasant Independent School District (MPISD) and a bowl committee member. Proceeds from the game help fund scholarships and other programs at MPISD.

Pre-game festivities will begin at 11 a.m. with a wide assortment of activities and entertainment, including high school bands, drill teams and cheerleaders from across east Texas. The Bowl Classic also will feature high-flying parachute jumpers and a very special guest entertainer. Bo Pilgrim, chairman of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, will kick off the game just before 1:30 p.m. with the ceremonial coin toss and afterward will award trophies to the winning team and the outstanding defensive and offensive players. "The event will be impressive. It's something folks will not want to miss," Mr. Myers said.

If last year's game is any indication, fans are in for a superb event. The 2005 Pilgrim's Pride Bowl Classic featured a classic match-up between the Trinity Valley Community College Cardinals from Athens, Texas, and the Northeast Mississippi Community College Tigers from Boonesville, Mississippi. With more than 6,000 screaming fans watching, Trinity Valley won the game, 24-14.

Trinity Valley, the Southwest Junior College Football Conference Champion, came into the game ranked eighth in the nation and ended the season with a 9-3 record with the Pilgrim's Pride Bowl Classic win. Northeast Mississippi, ranked 11th, ended its season with a 7-2 record after its season was shortened by two games as a result of Hurricane Katrina.

For tickets to the 2006 Bowl Classic, fans should contact Ferol Holcomb, MPISD Ticket Coordinator, at 903-434-8587. Tickets are on sale Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the MPISD Field House on the campus of Mt. Pleasant High School, 2110 N. Edwards, Mt. Pleasant. Ticket prices are $10 for reserve chair-back seats, $8 for reserved seats and $6 for general admission.

Media Contact: Judith Saxton, MPISD (903) 575-2096 or 903-434-8755