Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Notre Dame fan surprised with BCS tickets

You may have seen the video of the Alabama fan surprised with national championship tickets.

Now here's the version of the Notre Dame fan surprised with the national championship tickets.

This is Billy Pratt of Auburn, GA surprising his brother, a Notre Dame fan, with the tickets. Bill King shared this on his Twitter.


Saturday, December 22, 2012

Ryan Freel dead

Former Cincinnati Reds OF Ryan Freel has died in Jacksonville. Freel also served as St. Joe's baseball coach.

No details are available. First Coast News in Jacksonville is saying it was a suicide. He played for five different MLB teams from 2001-2009.  He is most known for his six-year tenure with the Cincinnati Reds. His career batting average was .268, and he stole 143 bases in his career.

Jacksonville sports anchor Brett Martineau: Know several kids in my area who play ball for Freel. I just had dinner w/his asst last night. Freel called during dinner. Awful.

Probably Freel's best play; from 2004. http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=20192625&c_id=cin

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Shooting at Oxford Exchange

From James @spann: Report: There has been a shooting at exit ramp to hwy 78 from the Oxford exchange. 9 police and 3 ambulances there. Report: Suspect on the run now near Anniston was involved with a shooting incident in Cleburne County earlier today.

: Everyone please pray for Ryan Stovall and his family. His dad was shot this morning in the Oxford shooting. He's now at RMC. Jackie Stovall was the Oxford officer shot. He is in surgery now.


if it has not been stated this suspect is armed with a AK47 type gun!
URGENT BOLO: Hispanic Male, 1997 Nissan 200 SX, silver. Pink Alabama sticker on rear of vehicle. Alabama tag 7A14B18. It was an officer-involved shooting in Oxford.


hectic scene at Leon Smith Parkway intersection. A Heflin PD officer shot here, injured not killed. More info to come.

UNCONFIRMED but hearing of a possible fatality in the incident involving a police officer shot in Oxford

The chase started in Heflin heard it was a Heflin officer that was shot in Oxford. Now headed toward Jacksonville.

This shopping center has a Publix, Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, Kohl's, Best Buy and several other major chains.

There are rumors that there was a shooting at Cracker Barrel and a robbery at the Wendy's.

Apparently the shooting was at the Target in Oxford. Oxford is 84 miles W of downtown Atlanta and 63 miles E of Birmingham. It is near Anniston, AL.


a Oxford cop pulled over some Hispanics that stole a car and they shot him. 


Video from the scene via James Spann: http://www.mobypicture.com/user/spann/view/14426930


There is a man with a machine gun around the Oxford exchange shooting people. My dad heard it on the scanner at the hospital! Be careful!

Harris, Moore out of bowl

Per Darryl Slater of the Post and Courier:

Spurrier: Backup C Kyle Harris and backup WR D.L. Moore are done for the season. Harris transferring. Moore broke a team rule, is suspended.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Spartanburg to name Chris Miller as football coach

Byrnes' Chris Miller is new Spartanburg HS football coach according to Pete Yanity. news conference set for 5:15pm via

Miller had 78 wins at Byrnes. 

http://preps.goupstate.com/news/article/41068/sources-byrnes-football-coach-chris-miller-to-take-over-at-spartanburg-high/

School shooting in Newtown, CT (26 people killed)

There was a school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut this morning in Sandy Hook Elementary School. The school is about an hour west of Hartford, and 75 miles N of Manhattan.

Gunman was carrying two different guns, wearing full camouflage, and shot up to 100 shots. John Miller of CBS News: Second person in custody believed to be a second shooter.

Bill Ritter of WABC: school shooter: guy, early 20s, 2 guns- wearing black. from ct but some link to new jersey. ABC News reports 1 shooter at Sandy Hook Elementary was a 24-year-old in a bulletproof vest with 4 guns.

CBS is reporting 27 people killed. 14 of these were children in a classroom. 

ABC reports at 12:34pm, from @mpoppel. BREAKING -- At least 12 dead in elementary school shooting, ABC News reports 

@TheMatthewKeys: [Newtown school shooting] WVIT interviewing parent who says principal was shot and killed in elementary school shooting. Other news sources are confirming.

The principal of the school is Dawn Hochsprung. Another says the school's psychologist was killed, Mary Sherlach. 

Parents waiting outside. 




WABC reporting two gunmen were involved. One shooter is dead. Multiple students trapped inside a classroom.


sources saying there are multiple victims including children in the Newtown shooting. Clearing of building is still going on.


@JoshElliottABC: BREAKING: One shooter dead at Newtown (CT) elementary school after a shooting there. School has been cleared. An FBI SWAT team is on scene.

Kids crying at the elementary school.


First news of this shooting was at 9:48am.
RT newtown ct active shooter in a school in Dickerson drive multi police units responding

ABC says one shooter is dead at Newtown, Connecticut elementary school, school is now cleared of shooters.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Shooting at Clackamas Town Center

: I am at Clackamas Town Center where panicked people are running from mall. Witness tells me shots fired. Also reporting: Police have established a perimeter, have weapons drawn, and are blocking exits. Mall employee tells me security ordered cages down for all stores.



A witness tells a young man armed w/ an assault rifle and wearing bulletproof vest, camo shirt ran into Macy’s. 

6'2 man with an AR-15 rifle reports a KGW reporter. Outside of a jewelry store. Six or seven shots were fired says a Macy's worker.

Live feed from KGW: http://www.kgw.com/live-stream

Several people are reporting the man has an AK-47. KATU reports the shooting happened around 3:20pm PT.

BREAKING: Dispatch reports of an active shooting going on in the Clackamas Town Center.


Friends just ran out of Clackamas Town Center, said the shooting was 50 yards away, 10-15 rounds. They're safe. GEEZ.

Shooting was at the food court there reports several Portland news stations.

: Just in a shooting at Clackamas Town Center. In the back room of a store.

@pdxtransitlane says:  Clackamas Town Center: 10-15 shots fired, guy with a hockey mask and an automatic weapon, near Macy's Home Store

Monday, December 10, 2012

WKU announces Bobby Petrino as head coach

Per @MrChadBishop: Western Kentucky will announce Bobby Petrino as its new head football coach at 4 p.m. today.

Lattimore to enter NFL Draft

South Carolina RB Marcus Lattimore will enter the NFL Draft per Joe Schad of ESPN. His last two seasons ended via horrible knee injuries. He is doing this to work out with NFL doctors. His rehab is going better.

From @joeschad: Marcus Lattimore understands he may not be able to play next season but has a goal of jogging and catching passes for NFL execs in March

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Shields and Davis traded to Royals?

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times says at 10:39pm ET Sunday: Hearing have traded Shields AND Davis to . Working on confirmation and return.

Ken Rosenthal confirms the trade: Source: will send James Shields and Wade Davis to for Wil Myers and other prospects.

WDAE 620 in Tampa, the flagship station of the Rays, says no confirmation.

Major prospect Wil Myers could be heading to St. Petersburg. Could it begin a rebuilding project in the Tampa Bay area?

The Royals have been looking for front-line starting pitching. They may get some.

Worst free throw ever

This FT was shot by Appalachian State center Brian Okam yesterday in their rivalry game against Western Carolina. It is one of the worst free throws you'll ever see.

The video comes from @wcutv62, a student run station at WCU.

Okam shoots the ball about 4 feet in the air and it lands in the hands of Nathan Healy, a player who was trying to get the rebound.

Here is the video.



Appalachian lost the game.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Johnny Manziel wins Heisman

Texas A&M freshman QB Johnny Manziel has won the Heisman Trophy over Notre Dame's Manti Te'O and Kansas State's Collin Klein.

Tommy Tuberville named coach at Cincinnati

Pete Roussel of @coachingsearch and the other Roussel brother at @footballscoop have some stunning news. Breaking: I have learned that Tommy Tuberville has accepted the head coaching job at Cincinnati.

He will leave Texas Tech, leaving that Big 12 school in a bind for a new coach. 

Pat Forde: Tommy Tuberville to Cincinnati is done. Press conference tonight at 6:30 ET.

From the @footballscoop post:

Cincinnati athletic director Whit Babcock has been close with Tuberville since Babcock served as an assistant athletic director at Auburn while Tuberville was the Tigers' head coach. Whit moved decisively and in the best interests of his University and has landed a top-tier coach.

Tuberville brings a career 130-77 record in 17 years as a head coach at Ole Miss, Auburn and Texas Tech. Sources indicated to us that snagging Tuberville could be a key move in Cincinnati's push to join the ACC.

Sources have also indicated to us that former Louisville, Atlanta Falcons and Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino could join Tuberville's staff as the offensive coordinator if he does not obtain a head coaching job.

Friday, December 7, 2012

Willie Taggart to be named USF coach

Western Kentucky head football coach Willie Taggart will be named head coach at South Florida, according to @620wdae.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Charlie Strong headed to UT? Or staying at Louisville?

Louisville head coach Charlie Strong may be headed to Tennessee tomorrow.

He is doing a press conference at 8 a.m. tomorrow, after telling his players at 7:30 a.m.

@Zsnow42:

(A Tennessee sports management major) says Backup Louisville QB texting family members saying Strong is UT bound.

Still just a rumor. 

: Per : been told by 2 sources Charlie Strong has informed Tennessee that he is staying at Louisville.




Lionel Messi hurt

Looks very serious. He's holding his hands over his face. Whole medical staff at the scene. Stretcher ordered to come on the pitch.

Serious knee injury. He is playing for Barcelona in an UEFA Champions League game today. From @FCBarca_Inside.

 

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Gus Malzahn named coach at Auburn

: : Auburn President Dr. Gogue tells that coach announcement to be made within 24 hours.

: I have confirmed through multiple sources that Gus Malzahn will be the next head football coach at Auburn. He will be named tomorrow.

Gus Malzahn is the head coach at Arkansas State.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Rick Majerus dead

The Loyola-Chicago basketball coach, Porter Moser is reporting that former St. Louis and Utah basketball coach Rick Majerus has died. He was 64. Confirmed through Ben Weixlmann of Scout.com.

His tweet: @PorterMoser: RIP to my friend and mentor Coach Majerus. I learned so much about the game and life. We lost a One of the best! My heart is heavy tonight.

He developed Keith Van Horn at the University of Utah. He had a 41-year coaching career. He was most well known as the coach for 15 years at Utah. 

1971–1983 Marquette (asst.) 
1983–1986 Marquette 
1986–1987 Milwaukee Bucks (asst.) 
1987–1989 Ball State 
1989–2004 Utah 
2007–2012 Saint Louis

Chiefs LB Jovan Belcher kills himself, girlfriend

At the Kansas City Chiefs facility this morning, Chiefs LB Jovan Belcher killed himself. This was confirmed by Kansas City police. KCPD says the player thanked both Scott Pioli and Romeo Crennel before taking his life, and that Pioli and Crennel did not feel threatened.

@AlbertBreer says: Spokesman said PD the girl's mother called them, her daughter had been shot by her "on-again, off-again bf". As the officer got out of his car, he heard a gunshot. Player was taken to local hospital, pronounced dead.

All officials have released on shooter remains he's a 25-year-old black male who plays for the Chiefs. 

Jason LaCanfora of CBS reports that LB Jovan Belcher was the guy that committed suicide. Belcher was a LB from Maine. He had played in 11 games this season for KC. Last year, he started every game at LB. He had 87 tackles in 2011; 84 in 2010.

@DannyParkins is reporting that the player apparently was confronted with coaches in the parking lot before he put the gun to his head and committed suicide. Other reports are saying Romeo Crennel and Scott Pioli were outside, unconfirmed.

@TeamACW reported at 8:15AM CT: (1/2) Anonymous caller claiming to be a policeman says authorities are headed to Arrowhead to arrest LB Jovan Belcher for allegedly shooting his mother. Surely, an extremely creative hoax. But the way things have gone for the this year...

Glazer is reporting all players have been asked to report to a team meeting. Jeff_Rosen88 (sports editor of the KC Star) is reporting a #Chiefs player killed his girlfriend and then himself. KCTV (CBS in KC) also reporting the shooting. 8am CT.

This is what they said: 

Police are investigating two deadly shootings Saturday morning that they said are related.
The shootings involve a Chiefs player and his girlfriend.
The first shooting was reported about 8 a.m. at a home near 54th Street and Chrysler Avenue. The second shooting was reported a short time later at a Chiefs practice facility located on the Arrowhead facility.
Officials said the Chiefs player shot and killed his girlfriend and then drove to the practice facility where he shot and killed himself.
It's unknown if people were at Arrowhead or any of its surrounding facilities at the time.

A set of tweets from @DannyParkins:

KCPD addressing the media outside of Arrowhead about a believed murder/suicide involving a player.
The player apparently was confronted with coaches in the parking lot before he put the gun to his head and committed suicide.
The player is believed to have killed a lady in her early 20's who was his girlfriend and then drove to the stadium.
Darin Snapp from KCPD confirms a 25 year old player killed himself in the parking lot outside the Arrowhead practice facility.
FOX TV crew was removed from Arrowhead just before 8am and the stadium has been on lockdown since. I was first local media here.
Expand

They are supposed to play the Carolina Panthers tomorrow. @josephperson reports: Panthers interim GM Brandon Beane says league has advised team to travel as planned. Team charter leaves at 1:15 pm.

Friday, November 30, 2012

CofC going to CAA

The College of Charleston is doing a resolution to look at conference affiliation. They are voting right now to move to the CAA. Sounds like a done deal to move. Vote now. Athletics committee meeting. Reviewing materials. 7-months for decision.

Vote begins now. Doing roll call now. Everyone on roll call is saying the motion be made. Motion passes.

Making decision now. unanimous. CofC will join Colonial Athletic Association in 2013-14.


Thursday, November 29, 2012

CofC to have special meeting on going to CAA

The College of Charleston is getting ready to move to the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) from the SoCon.

Andrew Miller of the Post and Courier in Charleston reported: CofC Board of Trustees to hold special meeting Friday to discuss conference alignment. .

CofC would fill a spot left by Virginia Commonwealth. There are rumblings also that East Carolina, for its non-football sports, is going to the CAA.

The meeting started minutes ago at Randolph Hall. They got a contract from the CAA and are making their decision today.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Les Miles going to Arkansas?

The Tolbert Report, an Arkansas based blog, says Times-Picayune reporter is saying that the offer from Arkansas to Les Miles is "reportedly for five years and $27.5 million."

@sportsbybrooks was first to report this earlier Tuesday afternoon: Exclusive: SbB has learned Arkansas is engaged w/ reps of the interests of Les Miles & a $5-yr $27.5M offer is on the table. ESPN reported this scoop hours after SbB had it.

The New Orleans paper confirmed it. http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2012/11/lsu_coach_les_miles_has_an_off.html#incart_river

This could get interesting.

Tulane to the Big East

There is a source that Tulane University is moving to the Big East conference as of today. Scott Kushner, a New Orleans reporter, is saying that.

press conference at 1 pm in Wilson Ctr today. Expect this to be announcement about joining Big East.

Gerry V, a New Orleans TV personality, says; why is my phone ringing? Press Conference today..New Conference rumor. Tulane tight lips..why? They need the hype.

Former Citadel basketball coach Ed Conroy is the basketball coach at Tulane, and Curtis Johnson is their football coach.


Sunday, November 25, 2012

Gene Chizik fired

A source has told Bruce Feldman of CBS that Gene Chizik has been fired at Auburn.

Tom O'Brien fired

NC State football coach Tom O'Brien will not return for his seventh season, according to AD Debbie Yow. He finished the regular season 7-5 this year.

He might not coach the bowl game.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Johnny Manziel hurt

Johnny Manziel is hurt, grabbing his left knee in the Texas A&M and Missouri game.

He is back up. Walked off field. Trainers were talking to him on the sideline but not looking at his knee. Getting a knee brace from locker room.

He's back in.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Playoff semifinal preview

This season is quickly ending. Hard to believe we only have two weeks left in the season for teams in South Carolina.


Friday’s Games
CLASS 4A
Division I
Byrnes at Gaffney
White Knoll at Dutch Fork

Division II
Bluffton at Northwestern
Greenwood at South Pointe

CLASS 3A
Upper State Championship
Union County at Daniel
Lower State Championship
Hartsville at Srom Thurmond

CLASS 2A
Division I
Upper State Championship
Newberry at Fairfield Central
Lower State Championship
Dillon at Timberland
Division II
Upper State Championship
Abbeville at Chesnee
Lower State Championship
Bishop England at Silver Bluff

CLASS A
Division I Championship
At Benedict
Christ Church vs. Johnsonville
Division II Championship
At Benedict
McCormick vs. Cross

These games will be very interesting. Dillon and Timberland will be for another trip to Columbia for Timberland, and Bishop England's game at Silver Bluff will be too. Cross has a chance to win its first 1A title. Bluffton has a chance to continue their special season as they travel to Northwestern. Enjoy your games in the Lowcountry!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Federal lawsuit in Goose Creek case

@willking1075 says a Federal lawsuit has been filed in the Goose Creek case. The US District Court in Columbia will hear case at 2pm today. Goose Creek still might get to play Friday even after two lawsuits went against them and they ended their case. Follow Mr. King's feed for more.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Grinnell College's Jack Taylor with 138 points

Jack Taylor's final line: 52-of-108 FG, 27-of-71 3PT and an all-time NCAA record 138 points tonight. The previous record was 113 points.

His team played Faith Baptist. They won 179-104. He also made seven free throws and got three rebounds.

Amazingly, he didn't play the entire game. He only played 35 minutes. Taylor is from Black River Falls, WI.

You can watch the game here and see full stats.  http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/grinnell.portal?mode=link&eventId=79617&broadcastType=video#

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Maryland, Rutgers in talks to join Big Ten

Per Pat Forde: Maryland and Rutgers are in advanced discussions with the Big Ten about joining the conference, multiple sources have told Yahoo! Sports.

Rutgers would have a $10 million exit fee from Big East, Maryland $50 million from the ACC.

They would both help the Big Ten's footprint. Maryland would have the Washington area; Rutgers the New York Tri-State area.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Playoff Week 3 preview


Here is the list of games for this week. Goose Creek's appeal sadly could overshadow these games, which is what we should be talking about on the field. Instead, we are talking about a lost season as of this moment.

Enjoy your games.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Goose Creek is out

Goose Creek out of playoffs per Phil Bowman of the Post and Courier. Mercy denied. 10-1 opposed for mercy. Goose Creek is out per @SEisbergWCIV. 

Eisberg says: Chuck Reedy still inside- pure emotion. He won't leave building yet. Reporters waiting at back door for him. He said nothing as he left.

9-2 vote to keep the DQ per Phil Bowman of the Post and Courier. The Gators have been disqualified from the playoffs. Committee goes back into a closed session. Hold the phone. Mercy appeal per Gene Sapakoff. Going for mercy now. Coach has hands folded under his chin. Back outside of meeting.

They say that the law and DQ was correct. Now they are asking for mercy for exceptional circumstance. Like asking for forgiveness.

Decision coming soon. Eisberg: Chuck Reedy's wife huddled to the door- ear to the glass with hands clenched together. During the meeting--Reedy deeply emotional. Only wanting this to fall on his shoulders, rather than his players. We'll soon find out.

People are waiting outside the parking lot at Goose Creek to hear ruling. Jalen Stevens (Goose Creek football player): Dear God...

The meeting is a closed-door meeting. No media or fans were allowed to enter. S.C. Press Association Exec Direc. Bill Rogers blasts SCHSL closed-door meeting for Goose Creek HS football appeal per @Sapakoff. Vote is a public vote, and laughing can be heard inside.

@AndyWontor Coach and principal going back in at 6:52.

For the record, the media was kicked out as well. Some rumbling about it being a violation of the FOI Act. Coach Reedy explaining how they verify eligibility and transcript information now. 

Reedy tells Executive committee they have a girl on team. Played one play on national TV against Cane Bay.

Phil Bowman, high school columnist at the Post and Courier, says I can hear through the door that student played basketball and eligibility issue was discovered by principal Huskey on Monday.  He also says Attorney Jay Bender says high school league in violation of FOI act. They take public money and deal in private.

@andywontor: Can hear through the door, (Reedy) wanted to help young man, say he was a problem but it's important to teach. Say they were saving a young man.

According to Goose Creek coach Chuck Reedy, the student played in five games. Less than 20 plays.
Wontor says: Hearing kid did play but with major coaching and at end of games. Say it isn't about winning, it's about helping a child.

Tramel Terry (probably Goose Creek's top player, committed to UGA), tweeted this: Life is so wonderful yet we sometime take our blessings for granted what ever the verdict is I am just blessed to be apart of goose creek

Coach Reedy stressing that these kids have represented Goose Creek in the proper manner and doesn't want to see them punished. Earlier, Scott Eisberg posted this: Can see thru HS lg door--Chuck Reedy literally crying. Begging HS league to let them keep playing.

Opinion from @PressBoxMJ:  Goose Creek kids should get a nice lesson is why EVERYONE should do their job PROPERLY. Kick them out!

Opinion from @KyleJordanLive5 (morning news anchor at WCSC): Waiting to hear on the Goose Creek appeal. Just don't think anyone wins if the DQ is upheld. Not even the team GC beat.

A lot of outsiders are against it. Almost the entire 4A page on Palmetto Football Talk has talk about Goose Creek.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Goose Creek out of playoffs, appealing

Major news coming out of the Lowcountry today. The #1 team in the state of South Carolina, the Goose Creek High School Gators, are ineligible for the rest of the state playoffs, apparently disqualified because they had a player who transferred from another school who was in his 5th year of playing.

They self-reported the ineligible player.

Lou Bezjak of the Florence Morning News was the guy who broke this story at 12 noon today. Daniel Gerth, a football player for West Florence, tweeted him at 11:47am asking if Goose Creek was taken out of the playoffs.
 
Apparently, the ineligible player was used during a 48-7 blowout of Conway Friday night. The game would revert to a forfeit if the ruling stands.

@loubezjakfmn Goose Creek has been disqualified from the 4A playoffs so Conway will take on Bluffton on Friday

@SEisbergWCIV: I've heard that Goose Creek might have 5th yr. player whose original school has turned him in- no confirmation at all yet on this.

Bluffton would get to host Conway in this scenario. Goose Creek is appealing at 5:30pm tomorrow in a conference call.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Gas explosion in Indianapolis area

There was a huge gas explosion in the Indianapolis area tonight. Mass casualty area at 8400 South 3900 East in Southport, about 10 miles S of downtown Indianapolis.

Residents are being told to leave the area. The Indianapolis Fire Department says dozens of homes around the explosion site have been damaged. An IndyGo bus is headed to the scene to take those affected to Mary Bryan Elementary School. People are saying homeland security is on the scene.

Apparently there may have been flames 100 feet in the air.

Mayor Ballard: Complete damage to 2 homes for sure, blocks of houses with structural damage.

The fire is still not out. Mary Bryan Elementary School on Stop 11 Rd. is being used as a gathering point and triage. No confirmation on injuries.

Here is a picture of it from @Mickey_Dee23:



Very sad news. It is off Stop 11 Road. One home has been completely destroyed. Two other homes have been seriously damaged and are burning. Other homes in the area have also suffered damages.

Structure collapse on Dogwood Drive. This is getting to be a serious situation. The Indianapolis mayor is on scene, and they are doing triage at the scene. This means a lot of injuries.

Someone blocks away from this explosion smelled sulfur about 5 minutes before it happened.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Derek Dooley will be fired

Derek Dooley has unofficially been fired from Tennessee after his horrible coaching during a 4 overtime loss for the Volunteers against Missouri, and his 41-18 loss to Vanderbilt, clinching another losing season. There are several candidates.

VolQuest says Tennessee is expected to seek its fourth head football coach since 2008 by season's end, numerous sources have told VolQuest.com

VolQuest says, based on conversations with multiple people the final piece of the equation centers on when to formally signal the imminent end of the three-year Derek Dooley era. The question at this point seems only to be when and not if Tennessee will make a change following a disturbing 51-48, four-overtime loss Saturday afternoon to Missouri inside Neyland Stadium.


Thursday, November 8, 2012

Playoff week 2 preview

The playoffs began for most teams last week, at every level but 4A. They were very interesting to see.

Fort Dorchester was knocked out on Thursday night after losing to Ashley Ridge. Summerville upset 10-0 Bluffton in Summerville. Goose Creek completed a perfect regular season with a closer-than-expected win over Stratford. Colleton County continued their unbelievable losing streak with a one-point loss to Beaufort.

The playoff games were very interesting, with Bishop England and Timberland getting the week off last week.  Here is the schedule for this week.






Big upsets often happen in the 4A playoffs, more compared to the rest of the classes because of how even everything is. My James Island team upset Wren in the playoffs 3 years ago. Undefeated Rock Hill lost in their first game that year. Last year, 14th seeded Blythewood came within one win of the state championship game.

It is an interesting slate with some good games on it. Bluffton defeated South Florence last night. They will face the Conway-Goose Creek winner. Conway may be in for a long night, but stranger things have happened. Ashley Ridge, for upsetting Fort Dorchester last week, makes the long, tough trip to Gaffney.

Summerville faces Spartanburg at home. Can Summerville continue their winning ways? Wando hopes to continue one of their best seasons ever as they host White Knoll. Stratford goes to Dorman in their "university" atmosphere. Stratford could have gotten a very high seed if they beat Goose Creek last week, but now has to go to one of the tougher environments in the state.

In 3A locally, Everett Golson and Chris Brown's alma maters face off. Both have made major contributions for Notre Dame this year. Myrtle Beach goes to Hanahan in the second round of the Lower State playoffs. Socastee hosts Berkeley, who beat Midland Valley last week. Socastee is having one of their best seasons in years.

They say they will enlarge the stands if they make it to the lower state semis and finals. Will Berkeley stop this?

In 2A, Battery Creek goes to Loris. They had a great win last week against Waccamaw. It's nice to see what was a perennial doormat in 4A before Whale Branch opened be a good program in 2A. Lake Marion goes to Dillon, while Timberland gets Wade Hampton of Hampton at home. WH beat Marion last week.

In Division II locally Bishop England hosts Mullins after last week's bye. Woodland goes to Bamberg-Ehrhardt in an interesting match-up.

In 1A, only one Charleston area team is left in Cross; they go to Timmonsville. Timmonsville had one of the craziest finishes you'll ever see in a football game two weeks ago against Carvers Bay.


This finish starts at 2:34 and leaves Rich Chrampanis at WPDE speechless.

Whale Branch is still in it in Division I; they will go to Estill.

In SCISA, St. John's Christian hosts W.W. King in 8-man locally, while Colleton Prep and Coach Leroy Riley heads to Williamsburg Academy. No other local schools are in unless you count Hilton Head Christian, who hosts Florence Christian.

We've got some very interesting games tonight in the Lowcountry; please come out and watch. 

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Nkemdiche decommits from Clemson

Update (11/25/12 Midnight): Nkemdiche will commit to Ole Miss in two weeks according to Denzel, his brother.

http://blogs.clarionledger.com/recruiting/2012/11/24/robert-nkemdiche-will-commit-to-ole-miss-in-two-weeks-according-to-brother/

@chaseparham says Grayson, GA DE Robert Nkemdiche may be de-committing from Clemson.

Per @chaseparham: Grayson coach Mickey Conn tells MaxPreps Robert Nkemdiche has decommitted from Clemson, supporting our initial report -

Per @aimclemson: The Gwinnett Daily Post says Nkemdiche is going to "clear his mind" and "is still very interested in Clemson." Quote from Grayson's Mickey Conn: "think it's a family decision. The family's going to get together and make the best decision for Robert."

Favorites are Clemson, Ole Miss, Alabama, LSU and Oregon. Likely decision on national signing day.

Hugh Kellenberger of the Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, MS is also reporting this story.

@DanWetzel: Nation's No. 1 recruit DE Robert Nkemdiche decommits from Clemson, per . Ole Miss the new leader? Brother plays for Rebs 

Chase Parham of Rebelgrove says info on this been on since 9 RT : Sources tell H2H Robert Nkemdiche has decommited from Clemson.

Nkemdiche will consider Clemson, Ole Miss and Alabama.

Robert Thorne McRae of the Clemson Insider says this about Nkemdiche: We wanted to pass along the latest on Robert Nkemdiche. Lots of rumors flying around that he has decommitted from Clemson tonight.

Our sources tell us that is not correct.

We can tell you that we would not be surprised if that does happen at some point. We actually spoke with a source very close to Robert tonight.

This source told us just this evening that Robert was still committed to Clemson, but was definitely giving Ole Miss a lot of consideration because of the pressure from his mom.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Playoff/week 11 preview

Amazingly, we are at the beginning of the playoffs in all South Carolina high school football classes except 4A, who has the final week of the regular season this week.

The season goes so fast. It seems like yesterday we were talking about Sertoma and who had the best looking teams for the upcoming season. Now, we have teams that have already been eliminated from playoff contention while others have a regular season game left plus playoffs. In this post I will try to talk about all the local playoff games plus our ending in 4A.

Last Friday night, the focus was on John McKissick winning his 600th game. It garnered a 4-page special section in Saturday's Charleston paper plus a mention by Chris Fowler and the guys on College Game Day, and a story that aired on SportsCenter that night.

There were many other compelling stories in last week's games, though. Wando bounced back. They played Cane Bay at Cane Bay in a game I attended. It was very close throughout the 1st half as the Warriors appeared bleary-eyed, turning the football over a couple times. Cane Bay actually led 10-7 at halftime before Wando poured it on with 26 2nd half points to win easily.

Goose Creek was no surprise, beating West Ashley, but the Wildcats covered the 67 point spread, only losing 52-7. Fort Dorchester got a big win over struggling Beaufort, and now faces Ashley Ridge, hoping to gain a playoff berth.

James Island had a chance for a home playoff game, but they are out of the playoffs instead after only scoring 2 points against Orangeburg-Wilkinson. They have had only two six-win seasons since Roddy White left in 2000, and one playoff win. Stall is also done for the season, along with a few other 1A teams.

In SCISA 8-man, St. John's Christian had a great season, finishing 9-1. They host Greenwood Christian Friday night in Moncks Corner. Cathedral Academy goes to W.W. King in what should be a good one, while Charleston Collegiate goes to Wardlaw Academy and Coastal Christian hosts Carolina Academy. All four 8-man games involve Lowcountry teams.

In 11-man class A locally, Holly Hill Academy goes to Bible Baptist in Savannah, while Dorchester Academy goes to Williamsburg Academy and Laurens goes to Colleton Prep and Leroy Riley, who's had a resurgence this year after several losing years at Colleton County.

In AA and AAA locally, Northwood Academy goes to Thomas Sumter, while Palmetto Christian goes to Florence Christian. Only one of our AAA teams is going to playoffs, Porter-Gaud. They go to Orangeburg Prep, on a nice 3-game winning streak to end the regular season, a team they lost to by just one at home in September.

4A's regular season is ending with some important games. Goose Creek and Stratford is for the region title. A bad night with a banged up QB for Stratford against Wando kept this from being a 10-0 vs. 10-0 matchup.

Houses will be divided, and it will be crazy at Fulmer Field Friday night. If Stratford pulls off the upset, they will get respect from the pollsters, and ruin Goose Creek's chance at an undefeated regular season.

A few miles away, Summerville and Bluffton will be playing for the Region 8-4A title. Will the monkey be off the Green Wave's back? Or will Bluffton complete a perfect regular season? Fort Dorchester is playing Ashley Ridge on Thursday night in an important game for the Patriots. If the season ended now, they would be on the road for a playoff game.

Wando hosts Sumter looking for a 10-win regular season, while Cane Bay plays West Ashley looking for a playoff berth and Colleton County hopes to break their long losing streak against Beaufort.

Playoff games should be interesting this week. In 3A, Hanahan hosts Gilbert. Hanahan is a big favorite in this game, with their only loss the second week of the year at Timberland. Gilbert is 4-6, coming off two losses to end the regular season.

Hilton Head goes to Strom Thurmond, whose only loss this year was to David Sills and ECA of Maryland in a game featured in Sports Illustrated. 4-6 Berkeley hosts against 4-6 Midland Valley. Berkeley won their final 3 region games to earn a playoff berth. Georgetown goes to Marlboro County. Those are the 3A games in our area.

In 2A Division I, Timberland has a bye; they will face the Marion-Wade Hampton winner, two teams with a COMBINED 3 wins between them. Ridgeland-Hardeeville goes to Edisto. Garrett goes to Lake Marion in what should be a tight game. Lake Marion has a Clemson signee in Mike Williams.

Battery Creek is a good surprise. They host Waccamaw Friday. They are 5-5 after the last two seasons, when they won only once combined.

In Division II, Bishop England has a bye. They host the Mullins-Andrews winner, while Woodland hosts Calhoun County. Academic Magnet had a winning season this year; they will go to Barnwell this week to play the Warhorses.

In 1A Division I, Baptist Hill hosts Estill. That should be a nice match-up, after the Bobcats lost at Estill 38-27 early in the year. St. John's, who took 3A James Island into the 4th quarter, goes to Johnsonville, while Whale Branch, who had a chance to win their region last week, instead goes to Allendale-Fairfax. Carver's Bay goes to Hemingway.

Division II has Branchville going to tough Lake View, while Military Magnet gets to host a playoff game at North Charleston against Denmark-Olar. Cross hosts Scott's Branch. Those should be all the games in the Lowcountry this week. I don't know if I missed one, but there's a lot of good football action on the pike.

If you want playoff brackets, go to http://schsl.org/2012Brackets/2012brackets.htm. You'll see the entire state's playoff brackets for all levels. For SCISA info, go to scisa.org.

Enjoy your games!

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Byron Jerideau hurt

Gamecock DT Byron Jerideau just got hurt for Carolina. Laying on the ground with a leg injury. Helped off field.

On training table having his right leg examined.

Marcus Lattimore suffers devastating injury

South Carolina RB Marcus Lattimore has suffered another devastating injury today against Tennessee. He has torn his ACL, maybe broken his leg. Any way you look at it, it is a horrible injury.

Confirmed: Lattimore's knee popped out of place but it got back into place quickly. He has a knee dislocation. "It's going to take a while obviously to recover and rehab this." "We're optimistic that his football days are still ahead of him," Spurrier said. He's optimistic about his recovery. "We all hope and pray he'll be back." Says there's a history of guys coming back from this type of injury.

Spurrier deferring questions on Sunday call to doctor and team trainer. Said team doc said could be a chance ML won't be back until 2014. Steve Spurrier: "Dr. Guy (team doctor) says there could be a chance but there could be a chance it could be two years down the road." 

He hasn't heard about any ligament tears or of broken femur with Marcus Lattimore. 

It remains to be seen if Lattimore could play in 2013. Mentions a medical redshirt as an option. Spurrier says Lattimore is doing better than he was yesterday.

Marcus will make his own decision on whether he comes back or not per Spurrier. 

Spurrier: Kenny Miles takes over as starting RB, Mike Davis will be the first backup.

UNCONFIRMED: From @BrianVanOchten, a Tuscaloosa, AL writer: The news on South Carolina's Marcus Lattimore is awful: Broken femur and all four knee ligaments torn. Such a shame. 

If you don't want to look at this, don't. From @jmaddox82.

Lattimore has a severe knee injury and will not be back this year. USC says that Marcus Lattimore has a "right knee injury" and will be re-evaluated later this week. He is out indefinitely.

Tomorrow, the official news from the university will come out about Lattimore's injury most likely during Coach Steve Spurrier's 2pm teleconference.




Last year he suffered a major injury against Mississippi State.

Friday, October 26, 2012

John McKissick wins 600th game

Summerville in South Carolina has one of the biggest legends in football history, Coach John McKissick.

He won his 600th game tonight over Ashley Ridge, 37-21, in front of an overflow crowd at Ashley Ridge. The Summerville players carried off Coach McKissick on their shoulders.

Photo from WCBD's @AndyWontor. 



His team also clinched a winning record on the year at 6-4. McKissick is 86 and has won 600 against only 143 losses and 13 ties.

He started at Summerville in 1952. 

His teams have included NFL players like Stanford Jennings, Kevin Long and A.J. Green. What an accomplishment for him and for South Carolina football.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Sandy up to 100 mph

New Sandy Advisory: 90 mph, 24.8 N, 75.8 W. Moving NNW at 17. Midpoint has moved from Spray Beach, NJ to Sea Isle City. All of NJ, DE, MD, PA in the cone plus most of NY and CT.





Tyrann Mathieu and Jordan Jefferson arrested

Four former LSU players arrested on drug charges. Tyrann Mathieu, Karnell Hatcher, Jordan Jefferson and Derrick Bryant.

Intent to distribute marijuana, being booked into East Baton Rouge Parish jail now. News per WAFB in Baton Rouge.

15 bags of marijuana.

Per @PerrynKeys: Police report: Tyrann Mathieu, J. Jefferson, K. Hatcher and D. Bryant were arrested at 262 W. State. Just north of

From WAFB report:

 
At approximately 3:30pm Thursday, officers were dispatched to an apartment at 262 West State in Baton Rouge in reference to a complaint about a man attempting to force his way in to the complex through a security gate, police said. According to police news release: The man was confronted by a maintenance worker and words were exchanged. Before officers arrived the man had been let into the complex by a resident and was seen going into an apartment. When officers went to the apartment and knocked on the door it was answered by the resident, Tyrann Mathieu, age 20, police said.

"Officers immediately smelled a strong odor of marijuana and obtained consent from Mathieu to search the apartment", a police news release said. "Inside they found three other men, including the one who had allegedly tried to force his way through the gate. He was identified as Jordan Jefferson," police said. Police said the other two men were identified as Bryant and Hatcher.

Police said a search of the apartment found a marijuana grinder, digital scale and 10 bags of high grade marijuana. 7 of the bags were found inside Bryant's book sack, police said. All four men were taken into custody and arrested, police said.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Week 10 HS football preview

This week looks to be one of the more interesting weeks in high school football this season. All classes except for 4A are ending their seasons this week, and the country's winningest football coach is gunning for a major milestone.

Summerville football coach John McKissick is going for his 600th win on Friday night. Summerville started the year 1-3. Many people thought this year wasn't going to be the year for win number 600. The Green Wave though have won 4 of their last 5 games, including a big win over Fort Dorchester.

They are perfect in the region at 3-0 and 5-4 overall. A win would get them to a game against Bluffton at Summerville for a region championship, and the 600th win for Coach John McKissick.


McKissick has a record of 599 wins, 143 losses and 13 ties in his career. He has been the head coach at Summerville High School since 1952. He is the winningest football coach in history. Ashley Ridge is a local rival though that hopes to spoil McKissick.

It is the final home game of the year, and they hope to get some semblance of pride from the season.

Ashley Ridge vs. Summerville football tickets will be on sale in the front office at ARHS beginning Tuesday morning. Adults - 6.00 and Students - 4.00 GET YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE!! Tickets also available at SHS, Gregg, Alston and Rollings. Game time: Friday, October 26th at 7:30pm. Location: ASHLEY RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL STADIUM "The Swamp" - because it's "just another home game."

The rest of the Lowcountry has some very interesting stories to talk about this week. Goose Creek tore apart Wando last week in their biggest home game ever. Stratford slammed West Ashley 65-22. Bluffton beat Fort Dorchester by 1 in a whale of a game. Ashley Ridge beat Beaufort to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Region 8-3A might be the most undecided region in the state. Hanahan has won the region, and Stall will finish last, but the rest of the teams in the region are fighting for playoff spots.

Berkeley, James Island, Orangeburg-Wilkinson and Hilton Head run the gamut of scenarios. All four of them could finish second in the region, hosting a playoff game, or they could miss the playoffs entirely. All can finish 3rd or 4th also. Berkeley has Hilton Head at home on Thursday night in my #3 game of the week. James Island has Orangeburg-Wilkinson on the road Friday. 

Berkeley beat Hilton Head tonight 52-33 clinching at least a #3 seed in the playoffs. This means that the James Island/Orangeburg-Wilkinson game will be a winner-take-all game. Winner is in the playoffs, loser is out. 


These four teams have 2 scenarios. Hanahan has clinched the region title.

IF--
berkeley beats hilton head and orangeburg beats james island:
hanahan #1(locked up)
Berkeley (3-2) #2 (has tie breaker over ow)
OW (3-2)#3
Hilton Head (2-3) #4 (has tie breaker over james island)
James Island (2-3) #5
stall #6 (locked up)

IF- berkeley beats hilton head and james island beats ow:
hanahan #1 (locked up)
James Island (3-2) #2 has tie breaker over berkeley
Berkeley (3-2) #3
OW (2-3) #4 has tie breaker over hilton head
Hilton Head (2-3) #5
stall #6

So there you have it.

In other regions, Baptist Hill has clinched Region 6-1A, and the top 32 teams in 1A go to the playoffs in 2 16-team brackets. St. John's and Cross will also be in the playoffs definitely, and Military Magnet might.

In 2A, all teams go to the playoffs. Bishop England though clinched their region with a win over Woodland last Friday night. Timberland and Lee Central will be in a battle for the Region 7-2A title.

I already explained our local 3A region, but in 4A, Bluffton and Summerville can play for a winner-take-all shot at the Region 8-4A title if each wins this week. Goose Creek can win the region this week if a couple things happen.

SCISA also has their last week of the season this week along with 8-man.

My top 5 games of the week are: 5) Wando at Cane Bay. A crucial game in Region 7-4A. Cane Bay hopes to get the Warriors napping after last week's emotional loss.

T-4) Hilton Head at Berkeley (Thursday) and James Island at Orangeburg-Wilkinson. Both of these games directly affect playoff races, so they will be exciting to watch, especially the Friday game when each team knows exactly what it has to do.

2) South Florence at Stratford. This might actually be an interesting game. Stratford is looking for another win to help their playoff positioning, after a big win against West Ashley last week. It's a rare non-region game near the end of the season. South Florence has won four of their six road games. This will be interesting.

1) Summerville at Ashley Ridge. I already talked about this game, but a chance at McKissick's 600th win makes it even more interesting.

Enjoy your games!

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Another shooting in Milwaukee area

Shooting reported near Brookfield Square mall in Brookfield, WI. Mass casualty situation. 5 casualties.

Took place near Azana Spa and McDonald's near mall. 4 people sent to hospital. Mall is 10 miles west from temple shooting.

Ambulances, flight, and police everywhere on Bluemound.

Friday, October 19, 2012

CofC to decide conference fate today

@KevinLive5: #CofC has determined it is in best interests to begin negotiations with

@SEisbergWCIV: gives president power to pay out the socon if they leave. Basically--cofc stands behind ad's decision pending vote

Week 9 high school football preview

Hard to believe that for the non-4A teams in the Lowcountry, there are only two weeks left in the regular season. High school football flies by every year. There's three weeks left for the 4A schools.

I was out of town last Friday night, but what I saw on my Twitter and Facebook feeds about the games were very interesting.

Wando did a great job against Stratford to move to 8-0. It was surprising how badly they beat them. Summerville, like I said last week, may be turning a corner. They are now 4-4. McKissick needs just two wins for 600 in his career.

Goose Creek had the best game of the week. National TV, against a big region rival, and they dominate over Cane Bay. 55-0 in a game that was over after a quarter. Hanahan impressed over James Island in the game I saw Thursday.

Berkeley is now 2-7 on the year, and has two must-win games, starting with Orangeburg-Wilkinson this week to try to make the playoffs. James Island faces Stall in their homecoming game, while Stratford and West Ashley play in a Region 7-4A battle.

This week will be a very good week, led by what may be the biggest game in the Lowcountry in years (and that's not an understatement).

5) Laurence Manning at Porter-Gaud (Thursday): A very important game in SCISA. Porter-Gaud RB Trey Pierce was named athlete of the week by Channel 4. Porter-Gaud had a big win last night 35-14 to go to 4-5 on the year and keep their playoff hopes alive.

4) Ashley Ridge at Beaufort. This is a very important battle in Region 8-4A. The winner still has a chance to make the playoffs, the loser probably is out. Beaufort got blown out during their homecoming. They will be looking for redemption. Ashley Ridge lost last week to Bluffton. They have to win out (@ Beaufort, Summerville, @ Fort Dorchester) to make it, and even then they may be a little low on points.

3) Hanahan at Hilton Head. This game lost a lot of its luster when Hilton Head lost last week to OW. If they had won, this game would have been for the region. Now, Hanahan has a hold on the region, and can clinch with a win I believe.

2) Bishop England at Woodland. A huge region game there.

1) Goose Creek at Wando. One of the biggest games in the last few years in high school football here in the Lowcountry. Highway 17 was supposed to be closed, but because of the game, it stays open. MaxPreps said it was one of the top 10 games of the week in the entire country.

Here is a link with their take on the game. http://www.maxpreps.com/news/article.aspx?articleid=018765e2-0e4d-40e7-af23-24af904eb1a8&page=4

This game means everything. The winner probably wins the region championship, while the loser might get to host two playoff games. All 3 local TV stations are going to be live from the game. Wando will be amped up for this game. You might have a record crowd at the stadium tonight. It will be a great game.

Enjoy your teams!

Thursday, October 18, 2012

SEC releases 2013 schedule

The SEC has released their 2013 regular season conference schedule.

Highlights: 2013 SEC sked highlights: Georgia hosts SCarolina Sept. 7 & LSU Sept. 28; LSU at Bama Nov. 9.

Next year's schedule:

ALABAMA
Sept. 14: at Texas A&M
Sept. 28: OLE MISS
Oct. 12: at Kentucky
Oct. 19: ARKANSAS
Oct. 26: TENNESSEE
Nov. 9: LSU
Nov. 16: at Mississippi State
Nov. 30: at Auburn

ARKANSAS
Sept. 28: TEXAS A&M
Oct. 5: at Florida
Oct. 12: SOUTH CAROLINA
Oct. 19: at Alabama
Nov. 2: AUBURN
Nov. 9: at Ole Miss
Nov. 23: MISSISSIPPI STATE
Nov. 30: at LSU

AUBURN
Sept. 14: MISSISSIPPI STATE
Sept. 21: at LSU
Oct. 5: OLE MISS
Oct. 19: at Texas A&M
Nov. 2: at Arkansas
Nov. 9: at Tennessee
Nov. 16: GEORGIA
Nov. 30: ALABAMA

FLORIDA
Sept. 21: TENNESSEE
Sept. 28: at Kentucky
Oct. 5: ARKANSAS
Oct. 12: at LSU
Oct. 19: at Missouri
Nov. 2: vs. Georgia (Jacksonville)
Nov. 9: VANDERBILT
Nov. 16: at South Carolina

GEORGIA
Sept. 7: SOUTH CAROLINA
Sept. 28: LSU
Oct. 5: at Tennessee
Oct. 12: MISSOURI
Oct. 19: at Vanderbilt
Nov. 2: vs. Florida (Jacksonville)
Nov. 16: at Auburn
Nov. 23: KENTUCKY

KENTUCKY
Sept. 28: FLORIDA
Oct. 5: at South Carolina
Oct. 12: ALABAMA
Oct. 26: at Mississippi State
Nov. 9: MISSOURI
Nov. 16: at Vanderbilt
Nov. 23: at Georgia
Nov. 30: TENNESSEE

LSU
Sept. 21: AUBURN
Sept. 28: at Georgia
Oct. 5: at Mississippi State
Oct. 12: FLORIDA
Oct. 19: at Ole Miss
Nov. 9: at Alabama
Nov. 23: TEXAS A&M
Nov. 30: ARKANSAS

OLE MISS
Aug. 31: at Vanderbilt
Sept. 28: at Alabama
Oct. 5: at Auburn
Oct. 12: TEXAS A&M
Oct. 19: LSU
Nov. 9: ARKANSAS
Nov. 23: MISSOURI
Nov. 30: at Mississippi State

MISSISSIPPI STATE
Sept. 14: at Auburn
Oct. 5: LSU
Oct. 26: KENTUCKY
Nov. 2: at South Carolina
Nov. 9: at Texas A&M
Nov. 16: ALABAMA
Nov. 23: at Arkansas
Nov. 30: OLE MISS

MISSOURI
Oct. 5: at Vanderbilt
Oct. 12: at Georgia
Oct. 19: FLORIDA
Oct. 26: SOUTH CAROLINA
Nov. 2: TENNESSEE
Nov. 9: at Kentucky
Nov. 23: at Ole Miss
Nov. 30: TEXAS A&M

SOUTH CAROLINA
Sept. 7: at Georgia
Sept. 14: VANDERBILT
Oct. 5: KENTUCKY
Oct. 12: at Arkansas
Oct. 19: at Tennessee
Oct. 26: at Missouri
Nov. 2: MISSISSIPPI STATE
Nov. 16: FLORIDA

TENNESSEE
Sept. 21: at Florida
Oct. 5: GEORGIA
Oct. 19: SOUTH CAROLINA
Oct. 26: at Alabama
Nov. 2: at Missouri
Nov. 9: AUBURN
Nov. 23: VANDERBILT
Nov. 30: at Kentucky

TEXAS A&M
Sept. 14: ALABAMA
Sept. 28: at Arkansas
Oct. 12: at Ole Miss
Oct. 19: AUBURN
Oct. 26: VANDERBILT
Nov. 9: MISSISSIPPI STATE
Nov. 23: at LSU
Nov. 30: at Missouri

VANDERBILT
Aug. 31: OLE MISS
Sept. 14: at South Carolina
Oct. 5: MISSOURI
Oct. 19: GEORGIA
Oct. 26: at Texas A&M
Nov. 9: at Florida
Nov. 16: KENTUCKY
Nov. 23: at Tennessee

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

4.5 earthquake centered

An earthquake has been reported in the Boston area. Breaking. Preliminary earthquake data from @bostonrandy: M4.5 4 centered 4 miles S of Lake Arrowhead, ME (90 miles N of NNE from Boston)

Boston Bruin Milan Lucic felt it, and it was felt in Keene, NH.

The earthquake's epicenter was 20 miles west of Portland, ME. Also felt in Topsham, ME, Brockton, MA, Dedham, Danvers, and many other towns.

The USGS page for the quake: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/at00mc0dsp#summary

It was also felt in the New York area.  

Friday, October 12, 2012

Coastal Carolina basketball player kicked off team

According to Mark Haggard of WPDE in Myrtle Beach (@allzoner on Twitter) Coastal Carolina G Danny Nieman has been kicked off the team. He was arrested for DUI and hit and run late last night, and is in the J. Reuben Long Detention Center.

Big blow for the Chanticleers.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Week 8 high school football preview

Week 8 of this year's high school football season is upon us. Amazingly, for most non-4A teams, only three games remain in their seasons. 4A teams have another week, but this season is closing fast.

Last week was a very interesting week around the Lowcountry. Several key players were injured or suspended for two of the top 4A schools in the Lowcountry, Stratford and Goose Creek. QB Jacob Park of Stratford was hurt. Tramel Terry of Goose Creek was also hurt, and Caleb Kinlaw was on a one-day suspension that precluded him from playing.

Many thought, including me, that Stratford would have trouble with Cane Bay. They didn't. Stratford won 28-6. Goose Creek was only up 14-6 at half over Carolina Forest, but exploded in the second half for a 56-6 win for their 20th win in a row.

Beaufort swallowed a tough pill to bitter region rival Bluffton, 34-10. Now they will go to Summerville. James Island disappointed in losing to Hilton Head, who has been a big surprise this year. They have five wins, mostly over lesser competition, but with a new coach, nobody expected them to be competitive like this.

Summerville pulled out another rabbit in their hat to defeat Fort Dorchester again. Berkeley succumbed to Hanahan in the Cruce Bowl, clinching another non-winning season unless there's a run in the playoffs. Bishop England also keeps on trucking, overwhelming Burke to go 6-1.

This week may be one of the best in several years. It is rare that a nationally-televised game between two region rivals is not the game of the week in the state, but this week that is the case. You have several big region battles.

5) Summerville at Beaufort. Did Coach McKissick pull a rabbit out of his hat with last week's upset of Fort Dorchester? We will find out. Summerville, left for dead before last week, now has new life. They are 1-0 in the region, and McKissick needs 3 wins for 600. He faces a 3-4 Beaufort team who struggled last week, but hopes to bounce back.

This will be a good one to watch. Watch for a lot of points on the board. It is Beaufort's homecoming, so their stadium will be packed.

4) James Island at Hanahan (Thursday). This is a big region game. Hanahan has already clinched a winning record at 6-1, and are a perfect 2-0 in Region 8-AAA. James Island has been a very interesting team to follow. Every game but the Bluffton game has been competitive in the 4th quarter, but they have gotten just 3 wins out of that.

They nearly upset Wando the first game of the year, and last week led by 9 late in the 3rd quarter before succumbing late. This week they go on short rest to Hanahan, who will be amped up for a Thursday TV game, like what most schools are. If Hanahan wins, they go to Hilton Head next Friday for basically a winner-take-all for the region. If James Island wins, the region is wide open.

3) Bluffton at Ashley Ridge: Bluffton is looking to gain whatever respect they have in the Lowcountry. They face their first 4A road game this week at Ashley Ridge. Ashley Ridge beat Colleton County last week, and at 1-0 in the region (even with just 2 wins overall), is playing for a high region finish.

Bluffton is looking for big wins in order to enhance their point situation for the playoffs. Their high-potent offense led by QB C.J. Frazier will be important here.

2) Cane Bay at Goose Creek (6pm Friday): This game, most weeks, would be one of the best in the Southeast. This week, it only shares best in the area honors. ESPNU is coming in to televise the game with Adam Amin on play-by-play. They televise games based on prospects, and Tramel Terry sure is one.

He opened up his recruitment, as he is a Georgia commit but he visited Clemson last week. He is one of the top recruits in the nation.






This week, they continue region play, hosting Cane Bay in probably the most exposed game locally since Summerville with AJ Green and Berkeley with Andre Ellington played FL schools in 2007 (both teams lost). This game will be a good one, as Cane Bay hopes to continue their very good first year in 4A. It will be a tough task though in this game.

1) Stratford at Wando. You rarely have two undefeated teams playing this late into the season. This game has been anticipated for several weeks. Both schools are 7-0. Wando has never had a season start this well, while it has been a decade (2002) since Stratford had a record like that.

It will be billed as the battle between two of the best QBs in the Lowcountry. QB Jacob Park didn't play last week for Stratford, but they still won easily over Cane Bay. QB Christian Hart won Post and Courier Offensive Player of the Week honors for his great performance against West Ashley.

They have been region rivals for years, and it is interesting to see them in such a huge game. The winner stays close to Goose Creek, and will have a huge battle ahead. Wando faces Goose Creek next week at Wando, while Stratford has a somewhat easier road (only West Ashley and South Florence) before their battle the final week of the regular season.

Enjoy your games!

Monday, October 8, 2012

Seven Mars Hill players arrested

Seven football players from Mars Hill College were arrested with theft after being shot at while at the Red Barn in Bryson City, NC.

The arrested players were Donald Neal Dwyer, two-way player Trey Clark, T. Banks (not listed on the football roster), LB Johnell Tate, DB Sammy Siasia, DL LaMarcus Thicklin, and another unidentified player.

This is a weird story.

To see more, go to http://wlos.com/shared/news/top-stories/stories/wlos_7-mars-hill-college-players-shot-at-arrested-9094.shtml


Friday, October 5, 2012

RIP Ronald Rouse

Very sad news out of Hartsville tonight. Hartsville DL Ronald Rouse died tonight due to a collapse he suffered from a hard hit against Crestwood.

Rouse was a 6'1 335 pound senior.



Here's a picture of him from Patricia Burkett of WBTW in Florence earlier in the game.


Tgrfan42069, who was at the game, said this on TigerNet. 






were all pissed at that fact.a fire truck arrived after 15 mins then the ambulance arrived around 5-10 mins later. That is a way long time to be laying on the ground with a stopped heart. Someone in the stands who knows people at the hospital was on his cell. Said they started his heart before they arrived at the hospital but soon after he coded (not sure what coded means) but I'm guessing his heart must have stopped again. The first time he collapsed he actual called a time out just seconds before he fell. Then he got up and was actually walking to the side lines with his arms over two coaches shoulders. Then his legs went limp on the side lines. Was a very hard situation to watch. Started to tear up especially watching his dad and mom on the side lines going ballistic watching their kid in that position and seeing that there was no ambulance there to take him to the hospital. I sense a law suit.

Rouse first collapsed while on the field just after a play at about 8:15 pm. Officials and team coaches attended to Rouse for several minutes and he was able to walk under his own power. As Rouse walked to the edge of the field, he collapsed again. This time, officials worked on him and gave him chest compressions. Later a heart defibrillator machine was used on him.






He was taken to Carolina Pines Hospital in Hartsville. Flags will be lowered to half-mast in Hartsville starting tomorrow.

"We are all definitely at a great loss, we're mourning with this family," Hartsville Mayor Mel Penington said.  "First and foremost we are deeply saddened by this. We can't imagine the pain this family is experiencing tonight. We are grateful to everyone who responded who tried to preserve his life, but sometimes these things are just in God's hands."

EMS arrived 15 minutes after he collapsed, as an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) was used to try to keep him resuscitated (via WPDE).
 
Hartsville has a perfect 7-0 record, and has been one of the best teams in the Pee Dee all season. 

Rouse had been a member of the Red Foxes team for the last four years, and was a starter this season.

Everyone in Darlington County, the state of South Carolina, and football fans in the United States needs to pray for him. Funeral arrangements are unknown.

RIP to Ronald Rouse.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Week 7 high school football preview

Week seven of the high school football season is upon us. This year gets more and more interesting by the week. Timberland already took care of business last night, shutting out Lake City in the TV game.

Region 7-4A looks to be the most entertaining region in the state. Stratford, Wando and Goose Creek are all undefeated at 6-0. Wando has never been 6-0, and is looking to go 7-0 after a bye week last week. They travel to West Ashley tonight. West Ashley is looking to spoil Wando's season. With the competitive region (Cane Bay only has one loss), an 8-3 team easily could have to travel for a first round playoff game.

Last week, Goose Creek had an easy win against a decent team, Beaufort. The game was over before the 1st quarter ended, as GC won 65-14. They host Carolina Forest this week Stratford defeated Summerville in a road blowout, 49-17. Now they will face what may be their best opposition to date, Cane Bay at home.

This is the beginning of a huge 3-game stretch. Cane Bay, @ Wando, then West Ashley after that. South Florence follows, and if Stratford finds a way to win all 4 games, we could very easily have a match-up of 10-0 teams on Nov. 3 when Goose Creek hosts Stratford. That's a long way off though.

James Island also was impressive last week beating Berkeley at their homecoming. They have Hilton Head this week in another region game. Fort Dorchester goes to Summerville this week. Can the curse finally be lifted? That's one of several very good games.

Here's my top 5:

5) Ashley Ridge at Colleton County. Could Colleton County finally get their first win? Don't let the doodles line fool you. Colleton played a very good Cane Bay team last week and came within ten seconds of an upset win. Ashley Ridge (along with their fellow regionmates across town) has to be the most disappointing team in the Lowcountry.

They were predicted as the #2 team in the entire area (only below Goose Creek) by the newspaper. I know they lost a lot of players, but their only win is a 13-7 close call against West Ashley. If they want to save some semblance of success from their season, they need a win this week.

4) Fort Dorchester at Summerville. These two schools could play each other in tiddlywinks and there would be a crowd. Summerville is 2-4 this year, and suffered a tough loss last week. People aren't used to this. Fort Dorchester's last win in this rivalry was in 2001 at Memorial Stadium, the last Summerville losing season.

Can Fort Dorchester finally bring their fan base a win over the Green Wave? It'll be interesting. Overflow crowds will fill Summerville for this game.

3) Hanahan at Berkeley. The Cruce Bowl. Jeff Cruce has been having a really rough time since his bounce from Cane Bay to Berkeley after years at Hanahan. He can redeem himself here as the Stags are looking for their first region win and second win overall. He really needs it. Hanahan looks to be one of the favorites in Region 7-3A. At 5-1 and 1-0 in the region, they can put distance between themselves and the Stags.

2) Garrett at Academic Magnet. I usually wouldn't do this, but this game actually has intrigue in 2A. 4-2 (2-1) Garrett won in double OT over rival North Charleston, as they had their game postponed in the 4th quarter because of trouble from interlopers on campus. They are on a short week, but will be on a bundle of energy.

Academic Magnet is 3-3 after starting the year 3-0. They are 0-3 in the region. Every team in 2A makes the playoffs, but a goal for them is to get a winning season and a better seed. With their next 3 games at Ravenel Stadium, they should enjoy their home field advantage. HB Stuart Walters is a player to watch. You'll see him playing on Saturdays next year.

1) Cane Bay at Stratford. This game has A LOT of meaning. With Jacob Park a little banged up after an injury late in last week's game, Stratford cannot afford to look ahead to next week. Cane Bay has had an amazing turnaround from their beginnings in 2008, getting shut out in their first four games.

Now they are one of the better teams in the area. Stratford, with their playmakers on both sides of the ball, is looking to overwhelm the Cobras in their first region game. That won't happen. This game will be closer than you think.

Please support your local teams!