The term "win or go home" originated in the sports world, and while it makes sense on the surface, perhaps home should be replaced with somewhere else. In the real world you usually want to win so you can go home.

That's where my Dad, Joe, finds himself today. After a heart attack and stroke he's been entered in the real life Olympics. The 90-year-old is in New Hope Rehabilitation in Billings.

Like everyone else in the unit, and in similar facilities around the world, he's competing against himself in the events of walking, balance, talking, and a myriad of other seemingly innocuous day-to-day activities that we take for granted.

The key, as it is in sports, is that he's trying as hard as he can, he's asking questions nn as best he can, he's focused on his goal, which is simply to go home.

Win and go home.

If new Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino of Helena is going to have a big year he says he's going have to get some key contributions from his freshman class.

"I think we'll need to get a lot (from them), I really do," Petrino told the Associate Press recently. "I'm excited about our running backs, there's going to be some young speed."

His brother, and offensive coordinator, Paul agrees.

"I think our freshmen are really exciting," he said. "De'Anthony Curtis the first day out there showed a great burst and really made things happen. Same thing with Dennis Johnson, and I think those guys are going to have to carry the load and make things happen."

Both Petrinos starred at quarterback for Capital High and Carroll College.

Arkansas faces Western Illinois in their season opener Saturday.

The middle linebacker position on the Montana State football team could end up with a six-year run of being manned by a former Capital High player.

Freshman Clay Bignell is currently listed as the backup to All America senior Bobby Daly. Daly took over the spot his sophomore year and hasn't let it go, while Bignell is heir apparent to take over the spot next year as a sophomore.

Daly was a first team class AA all-state defensive end for the Bruins, while Bignell was the first Capital City performer to earn first team all state in both basketball and football two straight years.

Former Helena High and University of Montana kicker Dan Carpenter is one game away from playing in his first regular season game in the National Football League.

Carpenter is a perfect 7-for-7 kicking field goals and 4-for-4 kicking extra points for the Miami Dolphins, who are 2-1 in exhibition play. He has scored 25 of Miami's 49 points.

From the slopes: A mailbox stuffed full of ski magazines was a nice reminder that ski season isn't too far off.

Helena's Dave Stergar's full page photo on page 59 of the first issue of "Skiing" magazine makes most folks from the area beam with pride, while others (like me) turned green with envy.

Stergar is the subject of a photo with a caption that reads, "A few years ago, Montana said good-bye to its speed-limitless highways. Dave Stergar plans to appeal."

The pic shows Stergar with snow blowing over his body covering all but his gloves and a ski tip as he makes a turn at Big Sky.

Reporter Tom Stuber: 447-4070 or irsports@helenair.com