 Injuries Creating Future Depth for (VA) Tech Defense |
| Date Released: 10/29/2011 |
 Injuries Creating Future Depth for Tech Defense by Chris Coleman, TechSideline.com, October 28, 2011 The Virginia Tech defense is very young. Not only are they young, but with so many injuries sustained this year, some of the even younger backups have gotten an opportunity to play a lot, and even start games in some cases. The Hokies have played well defensively this year despite the injuries. Though all the attrition certainly won't help Virginia Tech in 2011, it will make them a better defense down the line. Experience Chart, Tech Defense Player Pos. Yr. Games Played Game Started Alonzo Tweedy Whip r-Jr. 35 1 Antoine Hopkins DT r-Jr. 32 17 Bruce Taylor LB r-Jr. 29 22 Jeron Gouveia-Winslow Whip r-Jr. 29 12 Tyrel Wilson DE r-So. 22 1 Jack Tyler LB r-So. 22 1 Kyle Fuller CB So. 22 14 Antone Exum FS r-So. 22 13 Tariq Edwards LB r-So. 22 8 J.R. Collins DE r-So. 22 9 Derrick Hopkins DT So. 21 8 James Gayle DE r-So. 20 9 James Hopper FS r-So. 20 0 Duan Perez-Means DE r-Fr. 8 0 Zack McCray DE r-Fr. 8 0 Corey Marshall DT Fr. 8 1 Luther Maddy DT Fr. 8 2 Detrick Bonner CB r-Fr. 8 1 College Football Tickets   The Hokies have just one senior starter: rover Eddie Whitley. Barquell Rivers is also a r-senior who is taking over the mike position because of Bruce Taylor's injury last week against Boston College. Tech also has r-senior Cris Hill, a backup cornerback who plays in the nickel package, and they will likely lose Jayron Hosley a year early to the NFL. Other than that, the entire defense will return intact in 2012, and they will have lots of experience on the field. Assuming Tariq Edwards, J.R. Collins, Derrick Hopkins and James Gayle are healthy from here on out, Virginia tech will return nine defensive players with double-digit starts for the 2012 season. Because of the injuries to Jeron Gouveia-Winslow, Antoine Hopkins, Jayron Hosley and James Gayle, some other players are getting action. Alonzo Tweedy, who has played in more games than anyone on this list because of his experience on special teams, is starting for the first time. Nick Dew will start at whip against Duke, because now Tweedy is hurt. True freshmen defensive tackles Corey Marshall and Luther Maddy are getting starting experience because of the injury to Hopkins. Detrick Bonner will be ready to step into a starting role next season because he has been able to get valuable experience this year. While no one every hopes that injuries occur, there are plenty of times in the past when they have been beneficial. Back in 2002, cornerback Eric Green blew out his knee and had to redshirt. As a result, he got to play in 2004, and was a big reason the Hokies won the ACC Championship. Same with Jim Davis, who redshirted in 2003. If David and Green had never been injured, they would have been finished following the 2003 season. I doubt Tech would have won the ACC in 2004 without those guys. If Brett Warren didn't get to redshirt in 2006 because of an injury, Tech would have been in bad shape at mike linebacker in 2008. Injuries are hurting Tech in 2011, but it might be beneficial down the road. Not only will it help build depth for 2012 and 2013 on defense, but it will also serve as a boost to the wide receiving corps next year. Dyrell Roberts will be back as a result of his injury, and with him out in 2011, D.J. Coles has been getting a lot more reps and could be Tech's #1 receiver next season. If Tech can survive this rash of injuries and still play for the ACC Championship, it will be an impressive feat. Either way, the defense should be loaded with experience for the next couple of seasons.  |
Friday, October 28, 2011
Injuries Creating Future Depth for (VA) Tech Defense
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Trading Booze For A Barbell, 5 Reasons To Hire a Personal Trainer (Strength and Conditioning Coach) From Bodybuilding.com
Ben Booker isn’t your typical fitness model. He’s a blue-collar tech who suffered from alcoholism. Learn how bodybuilding saved his physique, his marriage and his life.
by Dustin Lapray
Oct 26, 2011When bodybuilders raise a glass, it's usually at end of a workout, with some sort of protein concoction sliding down their gullet and into their welcoming muscles.
But what happens when alcohol fills the glass, and it's consumed at all hours of the day, because the man in question simply can't help himself anymore?
Ben Booker knows. He started drinking alcohol at age 13 and continued until 2005. The drug drowned his body with toxins and nearly destroyed his marriage. Ben's future looked destitute.
His wife Erin, exasperated, told him she wasn't happy with the life they were leading.
Not every guy chooses the loving, lovely wife. That's how powerful and insidious this disease is.
Yet Ben chose to change for the better. He kicked the booze and eventually dedicated himself to the gym, lifting weights, and taking supplements. When he found Bodybuilding.com and its Bodyspace community, he was able to finally fill a void left by alcohol. His transformation was such that he became the 2010 BodySpace Spokesmodel contest winner.
Training Saved My Life:
Winning the 2010 contest helped him secure a position as the Spokesmodel for Applied Nutriceuticals.
Today, Ben sticks to his blue-collar roots, working with his father's family business, supporting his wife with CrossFit and helping to raise their three children.
"It's so important to tell your story, no matter what it is," Ben said. "No matter how little you think it is, there might be someone out there who needs to hear it."
You've heard Ben's story and seen his incredible results, but can you keep up with him in the gym? If you want to get built like Book, you'd better be eager to bring it. Ben's training is no-holds-barred, based on taking each and every set to failure. Ben encourages long rest periods and heavy weight. He wants to recruit every possible muscle fiber and force his body to grow.
Ben's tip? "Push yourselves." Keep it safe, but "lift heavier than you thought possible. It's all about absolute failure."
5 Reasons To Hire A Personal Trainer
by Frank Sepe, MET-Rx Oct 25, 2011
1. You Are Totally Confused
The landslide of fitness routines and diet plans on the market can flood your sensory receptors. It is tough to narrow down a program and commit to it, especially when you really don't fully understand how to do it.
If you are having a hard time choosing or figuring out how to perform your routine, then it is time to call a trainer. A good trainer will put you on the right path to success.
2. You Have Stopped Making Gains
If you have been training for a while and you are not satisfied with the results you have achieved, then you need a trainer. A trainer can dissect your training routine like an investigator at a crime scene and make the appropriate changes to put you back on track to faster results.
3. You're Unsure About Your Form
One of the easiest ways to stifle results is to use poor exercise form. You can work out day-in and day-out, but unless you perform your exercises correctly, you won't see the results you long after.
Bad form can cause a serious injury. A trainer can teach you good form and exercise habits that will last you a lifetime. Many beginners should hire a trainer for the first week, so they are taught proper exercise form from the start.
4. You Need To Be Challenged
Exercise plateaus are often difficult to overcome by yourself. Many people just can't find a way to surmount a plateau without the help of a professional trainer. You can save a lot of time and wasted energy if you hire a trainer when you hit a fitness plateau.
A trainer can put together a personal workout plan that will take you over the hump and onto new results - Fast!
5. Injuries And Special Needs
If you are injured and/or have a specific illness, then your doctor and trainer can work together to make sure that your training routine is effective, but safe at the same time. Working out is supposed to create better health, not impair you further.
It is an absolute must that your doctor and trainer work together if you are injured or have a specific illness that requires medical attention.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Washington D.C. Area Sports Update 10/22/2011
ELIZABETH CITY CLAIMS NORTH CROWN WITH 23-12 WIN OVER BOWIE STATE
(ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – October 22, 2011) In a game to determine the CIAA Northern Division crown, Elizabeth City State University got the job done, beating Bowie State University 23-12. The loss eliminates the Bulldogs from a chance at playing in the conference championship game and evens their record at 4-4 overall and 3-3 in the CIAA.
The Bulldogs took an early 3-0 lead at the 7:50 mark of the first quarter following a 38-yard field goal by senior Michael Gagne (Baltimore, MD).
In terms of team statistics, Bowie State accounted for 374 yards of total offense (204 rushing and 170 passing) and Elizabeth City State accumulated 314 yards of total offense (219 rushing and 95 passing). Bowie State, the most penalized team in the CIAA, shot themselves in the foot again, being flagged 12 times for 82 yards. Elizabeth City State was not immune from the penalty bug, as the Vikings were penalized 10 times for 84 yards.
Elizabeth City State’s Kevin Miller (Womelsdorf, PA) booted a 24-yard field goal with 5:32 left in the second quarter to tie the game at 3-3. The ECSU Vikings capitalized on a Bulldogs turnover and DaRonte McNeill (Elizabeth City, N.C.) hauled in a sideline pass from Creven Powell (Elizabeth City, N.C.), scoring a 33-yard touchdown at the 3:22 mark. Miller converted the extra point to take a 10-3 advantage. The touchdown was setup after Justin Beatty intercepted a pass by Bowie State junior Tyrae Reid (Baltimore, MD). Reid returned the interception 33 yards for an apparent Vikings score. However, a holding penalty along with an unsportsmanlike penalty negated the score at that time.
Gagne cut the Bowie State lead to 10-6 with 10:19 remaining in the third quarter following a 27-yard field goal, capping off a 10 play, 67-yard drive.
McNeill increased the ECSU Vikings lead to 16-6 after pounding in from 8-yards out with 12:20 remaining in the game.
BSU’s Reid was picked off for the second time, this time by Josh Brooks at the Vikings four-yard line and returned it to the Bowie State 10-yard line. Two-plays later, McNeill found the end zone again, and Miller’s extra point, pushed ECSU Vikings lead to 23-6 with 10:10 left to play.
Reid connected with junior Douglas McNeil (Baltimore, MD) for a 23-yard touchdown with 8:52 left on the clock, trimming the deficit to 23-12.
Elizabeth City State (5-2, 3-1 CIAA) was led on offense by McNeill’s 159 rushing yards and Powell’s 95 passing yards. Dewitt Dixon paced the Vikings defense with 10 total tackles.
Senior Tariq Jones led the Bowie State offense with 87 rushing yards on 15 carries and fellow senior James Proctor recorded a team-high 100 all-purpose yards. Defensively, junior Bekewele Amadi (Riverdale, MD) and sophomore Eric Walters (Capital Heights, MD) led the Bulldogs with 18 and 9 tackles respectively.
Bowie State will finally wrap up its six-week road swing next Saturday (October 29), traveling to Shepherd University for a noon non-conference contest against the Rams.
Hokie Hoops Team Prepares for Season
by Chris Coleman, TechSideline.com, October 21, 2011
Basketball practice has been going on for a week at Virginia Tech, and the Hokies open the 2011-12 season on November 12 against East Tennessee State. Preseason predictions have the Hokies finishing anywhere between fourth and eighth in the ACC. Today we'll take a quick look to see exactly what Tech has coming back this season.
Here is the projected starting lineup for Virginia Tech.
Virginia Tech 2011-12 Basketball Roster
Starters
Pos. Name Ht. Wt. Yr.
G Erick Green 6-3 185 Jr.
W Dorenzo Hudson 6-5 220 r-Sr.
W Dorian Finney-Smith 6-8 192 Fr.
F Jarell Eddie 6-7 218 So.
F Victor Davila 6-8 242 Sr.
Reserves
F J.T. Thompson 6-6 225 r-Sr.
F Cadarian Raines 6-9 238 r-So.
W Robert Brown 6-5 190 Fr.
G Ty Garland 6-1 180 So.
F C.J. Barksdale 6-8 232 Fr.
G Marquis Rankin 6-1 165 Fr.
F Joey Van Zegeren 6-10 206 Fr.
G Erik Sorenson 6-3 175 So.
We are certain that Erick Green, Dorenzo Hudson and Victor Davila will start, while it's likely that Dorian Finney-Smith and Jarell Eddie will get the nod as well.
The Hokies have 11 healthy scholarship players right now. Allan Chaney was not cleared by Virginia Tech to play basketball, while true freshman point guard Marquis Rankin had knee surgery back in early October and is expected to miss the next 4-6 weeks.
The Starters
Erick Green: Tech's veteran point guard, Green enters his second season as a starter looking to improve his shooting. However, his most important role is that of team leader. Green is a very good transition point guard and an excellent defender as well.
Dorenzo Hudson: After missing last season, Hudson returns as a fifth year senior and could be Virginia Tech's top scorer this season. He would like to be more consistent on his outside shots, but the key to Tech's success this year could be how well Hudson and Green coexist in the backcourt.
Dorian Finney-Smith: A long and athletic wing, Finney-Smith should be very good in transition, and he is also expected to be a good rebounder as a freshman. He will be one of Virginia Tech's better players in his first year on campus.
Jarell Eddie: Recently cleared to play for the first semester, Eddie will be a combo forward for Virginia Tech this season. He should be able to defend most power forwards he faces this year. He has good range on his jumper, though it needs to get more consistent. Eddie is a wildcard for the Hokies this season. If he becomes a scoring threat, then Tech will probably be better than expected.
Victor Davila: With the loss of Jeff Allen, a big void has been created on the inside when it comes to points and rebounds. Victor Davila had a solid season last year, and he'll be looking to improve yet again this year. More than anything, he has to improve his hands. If he can catch the ball cleanly on a consistent basis, he has the ability to score in double figures.
The Bench
J.T. Thompson: After missing last season with a torn ACL, Thompson will probably be Tech's top player off the bench. He's a very good sixth man who brings great energy and experience to the court.
Cadarian Raines: For the first time in his career, Cadarian Raines is participating in preseason practice. By all accounts he has had a good preseason, and he could be Tech's top rebounder and post defender this season.
Robert Brown: A highly-touted freshman, Brown is expected to provide Virginia Tech with a good scoring threat off the bench.
Ty Garland: Garland can back up Erick Green at the point guard spot, but he is also capable of playing on the wing as well.
C.J. Barksdale: As a true freshman post, Barksdale's time will probably be limited this year.
Marquis Rankin: Regarded as an excellent defender, Rankin is a terrific athlete in the form of former Wake Forest point guard Ish Smith. We won't know how ready he is to help the Hokies until he returns from his injury and gets into playing shape.
Joey Van Zegeren: A true freshman from Europe, Van Zegeren will use this season to get accustomed to American college basketball.
The Hokies have good talent on their team, but the losses of Malcolm Delaney, Terrell Bell and Jeff Allen will hurt. Scoring and rebounding could be issues, though Tech is expected to be a very good defensive team, as usual. We'll have more on the Tech basketball team as the season draws closer.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Washington D.C. Area Sports Update 10/16/2011
BOWIE STATE GRINDS OUT 22-10 WIN OVER LINCOLN (PA)
(WEST GROVE, Pa. – October 14, 2011) Senior Tariq Jones rushed for a career-high 171 yard on 33 carries to help lead Bowie State to a 22-10 road win at Lincoln University of Pennsylvania. The win snapped a three-game losing streak and improved the BSU record to 4-3 overall and 3-2 in the CIAA.
Jones scored the games’ first six points on the opening possession, rushing in from seven-yards and senior Michael Gagne added the extra point, giving Bowie State an early 7-0 lead at the 9:52 mark of the opening period.
Gagne booted a 28-yard field goal at the 12:08 mark of the second quarter to take a 10-0 lead.
Lincoln’s Kyle Jaska kicked a 29-yard field with 5:04 left in the first half to trim the Lions deficit to 10-3.
BSU’s Gagne drilled a 38-yard field goal with 6.9 seconds remaining in the first half to give the Bulldogs a 13-3 advantage heading into halftime. Bowie State controlled the ball in the first half, eating up 21:26, running off 13:36 in the first quarter.
Lincoln quarterback Doug Cook rushed for a five-yard touchdown at the 11:53 mark of the third quarter and Jaska’s extra point cut the margin to 13-10. The Lions used up 3:01 capping off an 8-play, 60-yard opening second half drive.
Bowie State’s Oladimeji Layeni sacked Cook in the end zone for a Bulldogs safety, giving the guest a 15-10 advantage with just under six minutes remaining in the contest. Bowie State capitalized on the Lincoln free kick when Reid faked a handoff a scampered around left end for a 36-yard touchdown run, which was the longest run of his career. Gagne converted the extra point to give the Bulldogs a 22-10 cushion that held up for the rest of the game. Reid, making his first start of the season, completed 9-of-15 passes for 58 yards.
As a team, Bowie State rolled up 363 yards of total offense, 305 via the ground. The Bulldogs accounted for 82 total plays compared to 47 for the Lions.
Lincoln (2-5, 2-3 CIAA) was led on offense by Cook’s 163 passing yards and was paced by Daron Jones and Brandon McElwee with a game-high 19 tackles each.
Besides Jones’ output, junior Ramono Flowers carried the ball 14 times for 63 yards and redshirt freshman Kendall Jefferson added 42 rushing yards on nine carries. Freshman Khari Lee led the BSU receivers with 20 reception yards on three catches. Junior Bekewele Amadi led the Bowie State defense with seven total tackles and junior Antonio Bond added five tackles in the victory.
“The win was something we definitely needed but Tariq played a great game tonight and answered the bell as our senior running back and we knew we had to run the ball in order to be successful said BSU third-year head coach Damon Wilson.
Bowie State continues its six week road trip, traveling down tobacco road to face the Vikings of Elizabeth City State University – Saturday (October 22nd) at 1 pm in ECSU’s Roebuck Stadium.
WILMINGTON (DEL.) KNOCKS OFF BOWIE STATE 3-0 IN VOLLEYBALL PLAY
(BOWIE, Md. – October 13, 2011) The visiting Wildcats of Wilmington (Del.) University knocked off Bowie State 3-0, defeating the Lady Bulldogs 25-12, 25-12 and 25-14 in non-conference volleyball action. The loss puts Bowie State’s record at 7-18 on the year while Wilmington improves to 12-7 overall.
As a team, Bowie State wrapped up the evening with a minus .037 attack percentage and gave up 12 service aces. Wilmington closed out the match with a positive attack percentage of .347.
The BSU Lady Bulldogs were paced by freshmen Jenahye’ Johnson (Baltimore, Md.) and Cara Nance (Island Lake, IL) with six and five kills respectively. Junior Jasmine Nixon (Middletown, N.Y.) added three kills and fellow junior Symone’ Jordan (Accokeek, Md.) along with freshman Paige McIntosh (Tucson, Az.) contributed one kill each.
McIntosh added a team-high 11 assists and Nixon had two service aces and seven digs, both team-highs.
Wilmington’s Wildcats were led by Kaitlin Shorter (Pasadena, Md.) with a match-high eight kills to go along with a team-high three blocks. Ann Marie Scarfo (Newark, Del.) knocked down six kills and added one service ace and five digs. Shannon Rumple (Fallston, Md.) paced the guests with 16 assists and 11 digs.
Bowie State returns to action with another non-conference match, Tuesday (October 18th), hosting Washington Adventist University at 6 pm in BSU’s A.C. Jordan Arena.
D.C. DIVAS ANNOUNCE NEW HEAD COACH
Allison Fischer by Maria Koklanaris Bonaquist of the Reston PatchLandover, MD -- Alison Fischer has been named the new Head Coach of the D.C. Divas. Alison is an original Diva having played for the Divas since its first season in 2001, so she will bring a wealth of football experience to the position. In the 2011 season she was elected a team captain by her team mates and played defensive back on a squad that held opposing teams to an average of only one touchdown per game during the regular season. Off the field Alison is a civil engineer and heads a group maintaining the Dulles Airport runways. Owner Paul Hamlin commented, “I’m proud that the Diva’s will be one of the few teams in all of women’s football with a female head coach. Again, the Divas are leading the way in women’s football.”
Joining Alison’s staff in the new position of Assistant Head Coach is Dan Tovar. Dan was the head football coach of the So Cal Scorpions of the former Women’s Professional Football League when they won their championship in 2007. He is a graduate of the U.S Naval Academy where he played linebacker for its Sprint Football team.
Finally, Eric Evans will be the Divas new offensive coordinator. Eric has been our quarterback and wide receiver coach for the past few years and knows the Divas offensive team very well. He played quarterback for Morgan State University.
BOWIE STATE BULLDOGS RANKED 8th IN D-II PRESEASON POLL
(BEAVERTON, Ore. – October 13, 2011) The Division II Bulletin released its monthly (October/November) newsletter and the Bowie State University men’s basketball team is ranked 8th in the Division II Preseason Poll.
Coming off its first Division II national championship, Bellarmine College is the No. 1 team in the 2011 Division II Bulletin Preseason Top 25 ranking. Rounding out the top five are Alabama-Huntsville, BYU-Hawaii, Missouri Southern and Findlay.
The second five includes Lincoln Memorial, Tarleton State, Bowie State, Colorado School of Mines and the College of St. Rose.
The Bowie State University men’s basketball program continues to gather momentum and looks to follow up a highly successful 2010-2011 campaign in its third year under head coach Darrell Brooks.
“I really think we can be very good this season. We’re deep and pretty athletic and I really like our experience this year. If we can rebound and defend, we can be a good basketball team,” Brooks said.
Last season, the Bulldogs reached the second round of the NCAA Division II Tournament and won the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association North Division crown with an 11-1 mark, while finishing a CIAA best 16-2 in the conference and 23-6 overall. The Bulldogs reached the NCAA Division II Tournament for the first time in six seasons last year.
The future looks bright for the Bulldogs, who will have four seniors returning including senior 7-foot forward/center Travis Hyman, who had a CIAA high 104 blocks last season to go along with 15.2 points per outing after earning CIAA Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2010. Senior point guard Darren Clark was amongst the conference leaders in assists with 114 last season while starting 28 of 29 contests and averaging 15.1 points per game. Senior guard Jay Gavin, who started all 25 games he appeared in, returns after averaging 8.6 points along with senior forward Ali Djim.
The Bulldogs will be bigger than they have in recent seasons with the addition of junior transfer Branden Doughty (6-8, 210 / Coppin State), junior junior college transfers Demeatric Scott (6-7, 210 / Hagerstown Community College) and Najee White (6-8, 238 / Hagerstown Community College) to go along with freshman Joel Clemons (6-7, 211 / National Christian Academy).
As a team, the Bulldogs led the CIAA in scoring at 81.3 points per game while yielding 74.8 points per game. The Bulldogs led the conference in blocks last season with 163.
The Bulldogs will open the 2011-2012 season with an exhibition against George Washington University (11/6). The team will kick off the regular season at the Clarion Classic and will face West Virginia State University – Friday, November 11th. The team will begin its home schedule Tuesday, December 6th against California University of Pennsylvania.
D-II PRESEASON TOP 25
Team (2010-2011 Record)
1) Bellarmine (33-2)
2) Alabama-Huntsville (29-5)
3) BYU-Hawaii (22-9)
4) Missouri Southern (26-5)
5) Findlay (24-4)
6) Lincoln Memorial (27-3)
7) Tarleton State (26-4)
8) Bowie State (23-6)
9) Colorado School of Mines (24-6)
10) St. Rose (22-9)
11) Central Oklahoma (30-4)
12) Alaska Anchorage (24-10)
13) Southern Indiana (24-6)
14) West Liberty (33-1)
15) Queens (N.C.) (21-8)
16) Indiana (Pa.) (26-6)
17) Benedict (21-8)
18) Georgia Southwestern (20-9)
19) Metro State (22-8)
20) Kentucky Wesleyan (19-10)
21) Humboldt State (26-4)
22) Augustana (27-4)
23) C.W. Post (21-10)
24) Seattle Pacific (20-10)
25. Winona State (20-10)
Friday, October 14, 2011
Southampton, (VA) Academy Girl Football Player Sits Out
BY KATE ARCHER/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
kate.archer@tidewaternews.com
COURTLAND—The first girl to play football for Southampton Academy sat out during Thursday night’s junior varsity game.
That’s because opponent Northeast Academy threatened to forfeit if starting eighth-grader Mina Johnson played.
“The Northeast Eagles said they wouldn’t come to the game and would forfeit because I am a girl,” said the 5-foot-2, 170-pound defensive player, who sacked Rocky Mount’s quarterback four times during a 30-24 win on Sept. 22.
Mina chose to sit out.
“During conditioning, I often refer to Mina as an example to the team of how to hustle and work hard on the field,” Coach Brian Parker said. “She really does deserve to play.”
The coach and the headmaster for Northeast Academy in Lasker, N.C., did not return phone calls to The Tidewater News.
SA Athletic Director Dale Marks said Word of God Christian Academy is also considering not playing on Thursday, Oct. 27, if Mina plays. The academy’s coach and principal did not return calls.
Both teams belong to the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association. According to the league website, participation by boys in girls’ sports and vice-versa is prohibited.
Mina’s mother, who says her daughter has always been athletic, isn’t happy about the matter.
“There is nothing in the rule books for junior varsity football in North Carolina or Virginia that says a girl can’t play,” said Mona Johnson. “No one is breaking any rules by allowing her to play.”
“I absolutely hate this for Mina and for the team,” she continued. “They are all just kids playing a game and having fun doing it. It’s terribly unfair to them all.”
Parker earlier in the week told the team about Northeast’s stand.
“Everybody was upset,” Mina said. “They told us to ‘let this be a spark’ toward winning the game.”
It was.
The Raiders defeated the Eagles 60-0 during Thursday’s home contest.
An honor-roll student and daughter of Franklin surgeon Gregory Johnson, Mina’s interest in football was sparked by her 15-year-old brother, Greg, a sophomore lineman and guard for the Raiders’ varsity squad.
“One day on the school bus, Greg started teasing me that I could be a linebacker,” Mina said. “I didn’t even know what that was, so I looked it up on the Internet.”
She tried out for SA’s junior varsity team and made it.
“I was so excited,” Mina said. “I knew absolutely nothing about football before this year and am learning so much as I go along.”
Mina also likes that’s she’s making school history.
“This is something you can’t take away, ever, and it’s me doing it,” said Mina, who plays nose tackle, left guard and linebacker. “My first game, I took down a 6-foot quarterback.”
Greg is very proud of his sister.
“Every time she makes a hit or a good play, my friends and I all cheer for her,” he said. “She’s definitely got me beat on the speed thing.”
On Thursday, Mina’s teammates wore pink socks and armbands to recognize her and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“The team thought it would be a nice gesture,” Parker said.
Mina will continue to practice and aspires to play varsity ball. Aside from the bruises, a sore knee and a twisted ankle she said, “getting up when you fall down is the hardest part. You have to brush it off and get right back in the game.”
Monday, October 10, 2011
Washington D.C. Area Sports Update 10/10/2011
Bethesda No. 1 ranked summer team
Big Train Rides Wave To National No. 1 Rank
Bethesda Big Train manager Sal Colangelo is fully aware that the Cal Ripken League is not in the same ball park as the Cape Cod League, in terms of national prestige and reputation. With more than 125 years of history to draw on and a documented track record of producing volumes of elite-level draft picks, the Cape simply dwarfs the seven-year old Ripken League in tradition, and as a talent source.
But Colangelo firmly believes that his 2011 Big Train team, which handily won its third straight Cal Ripken League title, was so special that it not only could have competed on an equal footing with Cape Cod League teams this summer, but might have even challenged the top teams in that league.
“We had a bunch of kids this summer that really knew how to play and our pitching staff was so good that I believe it was Cape Cod quality,” Colangelo said. “I would be surprised if our club couldn’t have won 25 games this year if we had played in the Cape Cod League.
“This was a very special team, definitely the best one we’ve had in the last three years. Pitching was the separator.”
Even if it won’t get the chance to take on the Cape, the Big Train handily took care of its competition in the Cal Ripken League, finishing first with a league-record 33 wins, and closing out its season in style by capturing the league title with three straight playoff wins. Overall, the Big Train went 36-9 on the season.
On the strength of its wire-to-wire domination of the Cal Ripken League, the Big Train’s success enabled it to finish the 2011 season atop Perfect Game CrossChecker’s weekly ranking of the nation’s top summer league clubs. In the process, it secured an unofficial national summer-league championship for the Maryland-based franchise.
The Big Train concluded its summer schedule in late July, long before most other leagues concluded play, and simply ascended to the No. 1 position when all the other contenders faltered down the stretch.
The Coastal Plain League’s Edenton Steamers (49-14) and Cape Cod League’s Hyannis Harbor Hawks (30-17) had traded the No. 1 spot all season long with impressive regular-season ledgers, but both teams bit the dust in their league playoffs, opening the door for Bethesda.
Edenton, which had been ranked No. 1 for five straight weeks, needed to win just one of two games on the final night of the CPL playoffs to secure a final No. 1 ranking, but fell twice, 4-2 and 2-0, to sixth-seeded Gastonia in a major upset.
Hyannis would also have been in line for a No. 1 final ranking, but it failed to even make it out of the first round of the Cape playoffs.
In the final ranking of the nation’s top 50 summer clubs, Edenton finished at No. 7 and Hyannis at No. 8.
In the end result, Bethesda had to withstand stiff challenges from the California Collegiate League’s co-champion Santa Barbara Foresters (44-13), which finished No. 2, and the No. 3-ranked Harwich Mariners (30-20), the Cape League playoff champion.
Santa Barbara was proclaimed the unofficial 2008 national champion after winning that year’s National Baseball Congress World Series, and nearly achieved the feat again after easily winning the 2011 NBC World Series. The Prospect League champion Quincy Gems (40-18), New England Collegiate League champion Keene Swamp Bats (34-16) and West Coast League champion Corvallis Knights (44-18) were also in the running for the top spot.
None of those clubs, however, put together a season to remember quite to match Bethesda’s.
“Half of our kids probably should have played in the Cape this summer,” Colangelo said, “and the best part of it all is our kids got the experience of a lifetime by playing here. They all bought in to what we were trying to achieve as a team, and I told them all at the end, ‘what you accomplished was very, very special.’
With almost no head-to-head meetings among the nation’s 30-some summer leagues, teams in the running for No. 1 are ultimately measured by various established criteria such as overall record, league dominance (in both regular season and playoffs), number of bona-fide professional prospects and the overall strength of the league. No teams with sub-.500 records are considered.
With the exception of one local player, every player on the Bethesda roster came from a major Division I college program, with almost half coming from California.
“Our recruiting network extends to all areas of the country,” said Colanglo, the longest tenured coach in the Cal Ripken League. “With the success we’ve had, we’ve started to get a lot of name recognition among college coaches, and they’ve started sending their better players to us.”
Big Train third baseman Adam Barry wasn’t drafted in June as a red-shirt sophomore out of Cal State Northridge, but was named the league’s most valuable player after setting league records with a .414 batting average, 67 hits and 43 RBIs. Though he homered just once on the summer, the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Barry roped a league-best 14 doubles and enjoyed his greatest success as he continues his transition to baseball after playing two years of football at Wyoming in 2008-09. In the process, he may have taken big strides in improving his standing for the 2012 draft.
Barry aside, Bethesda’s best prospect was unquestionably catcher Hunter Renfroe, a freshman from Mississippi State and projected first-round draft pick in 2013. He excelled on both sides of the ball, leading the Cal Ripken League with eight homers while showcasing extraordinary arm strength behind the plate. The powerfully-built Renfroe flashed a 1.7 pop time during the league’s Scout Day and also reached 98-99 mph in limited pitching action.
“Time will tell whether he’ll be a pitcher or catcher,” said Colangelo, “but he was by far the best prospect in this league this summer. He has the best raw power and arm strength I’ve ever seen from a player in this league, and if he continues to hit and hit with power, he’ll be a catcher at the next level. If he struggles at the plate, he’ll most likely become a pitcher.”
Mississippi State coaches wanted to see Renfroe get a steady diet of at-bats this summer so he could learn to hit breaking balls with more authority, and also focus on his receiving and blocking skills. He excelled at the plate with five of his eight homers, including several tape-measure shots, coming on breaking balls.
Renfroe worked in only one game on the mound for the Big Train, earning a save in his only appearance, but easily had the best arm strength of any pitcher on the Bethesda staff. He also flashed a quality slider. But on a deep and talented staff, Renfroe’s arm was considered expendable.
Staff ace Matt Bowman (Princeton) went 5-2, 0.82 with six walks in 51 innings, and was selected the league’s outstanding pitcher. Righthander Mike Aldrete (San Jose State), who also played shortstop for the Big Train when not pitching, was the team’s primary closer and didn’t allow a run all season while saving five games. His fastball reached 94 mph.
Aldrete, son of the former major leaguer, was named MVP of the league’s four-team championship series after hitting a game-winning two-run homer to win Game Two and saving the deciding contest. As a team, the Big Train posted a 2.41 ERA.
The Cal Ripken League, with nine teams based in and around the metropolitan areas of Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, has made significant strides in its seven years of existence, and it has been the two-team tandem of the Big Train and Youse’s Maryland Orioles that have dominated the league pretty much from the start.
The Big Train joined the league as an original franchise in 2006 after leaving the since-disbanded Clark Griffith League, while the Orioles, who have been in existence since 1952 under various names and sponsorships, came on board the same season after dominating the annual All-American Amateur Baseball Association World Series in Johnstown, Pa., through the years. That team is named in honor of the late Walter Youse, a long-time area scout who coached the team from 1957 until his death in 2005.
Despite finishing well behind the Big Train in the Cal Ripken League standings this summer, the Orioles recently waltzed through the 16-team AAABA World Series for its 28th title at that event.
Combining the success enjoyed this season by both the Big Train and Orioles, it’s been a break-out season, of sorts, for the Cal Ripken League—maybe not quite noteworthy enough to put the league on a par with the more-established Cape Cod League, but enough to enable it to continue its steady climb up the hierarchy of the nation’s top summer leagues.
FAIRMONT STATE POUNDS BOWIE STATE 49-20
(FAIRMONT, W.Va. – October 6, 2011) Fairmont State University jumped out to a 29 point halftime lead and cruised to a 49-20 non-conference victory over Bowie State University. The 49 points were the most given up by a Bowie State team since a 41-7 setback at Newberry in 2007.
“Tonight we just got beat by a better team and were bitten a little by the injury bug”, said a somber BSU head coach Damon Wilson. “We lost five starters on defense and we had some guys playing that hadn’t played all year … Fairmont State was 4-1 (now 5-1) for a reason.”
Bowie State (3-3) drew first blood at the 5:59 mark of the opening quarter when Senior Andre Johnson flipped a five-yard pass to redshirt Keith Brown for six Bulldogs points. The extra point was blocked by FSU’s Devin Johnson.
Fairmont State (5-1) responded on its next possession when Logan Moore connected on a 33-yard touchdown pass to Mark Sampson, capping off a 5-play, 62 yard drive. Frank Keenan added the extra point to give the Fighting Falcons a 7-6 lead.
Moore threw his second touchdown pass of the first half, this time connecting on a 45- yard bomb to Matt Wilmer. Keenan’s extra point increased the Fairmont State lead to 14-6 with 10:05 left in the first half.
After a four and out by Bowie State, Fairmont State’s Daniel Monroe scampered 25-yards for six more, pushing the Fighting Falcons lead to 21-6.
Following the kickoff, Bowie State gave away six more points via a fumble and illegal batting penalty against the Bulldogs, resulting in another touchdown for Fairmont State.
Damon Waters scooted in from 9-yards with 2:09 left in the first half and Keenan’s extra point, padded the Fairmont State lead to 35-6.
It didn’t take long for Fairmont State to increase its stronghold. The Fighting Falcons took the opening kickoff of the second half and found the Bulldogs’ end zone on Monroe 7-yard touchdown.
Bowie State’s Johnson penetrated the Fairmont State end zone on the very next Bulldogs possession, scoring from 4-yards out. Gagne’s PAT was good, making the score 42-13 with 11:59 remaining in the third quarter.
Matt Griffin capped off a 7-play, 30 yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown at the 6:18 mark of the final period, cushioning the Fairmont State lead at 49-13.
Bowie State was able to score one more touchdown with 1:13 left to play on a 9-yard pass and catch by senior Clifton “Dominique” Budd to junior Reginald McIntyre.
Fairmont State was led on offense by Moore’s 188 passing yards and Monroe’s 144 rushing yards.
Junior Marcelus Manear was the top Bulldog on the defensive side of the ball with six tackles and sophomores Delante White and Eric Walters along with juniors Quentin Walker and Antonio Bond added five tackles each.
Johnson threw for a season-high 200 yards, completing 21-of-35 and one touchdown, but was intercepted twice and sacked four times. Brown led Bowie State on the ground with 52 rushing yards on 10 carries and senior James Proctor caught seven passes for a game-high 97 yards.
Fairmont State ran 88 plays compared to 66 for Bowie State. FSU’s Fighting Falcons accumulated 412 yards of total offense while BSU’s Bulldogs rolled up 401 yards of total offense (326 passing).
The Bulldogs will return to the gridiron – Friday, October 14th for an 8 pm road conference game against Lincoln University of Pennsylvania at Avon Grove HS.
TURNER AND JORDAN SELECTED TO PRE-SEASON ALL-CIAA TEAM
Lady Bulldogs Predicted To Finish Fourth in CIAA North
(CHARLOTTE, N.C. – October 6, 2011) The 2011-2012 CIAA Women's Predicted Order of Finish and Pre-Season All-CIAA Team were announced at the Annual Basketball Press Conference held at the Charlotte Convention Center.
The Bowie State Lady Bulldogs were picked to finish fourth in the CIAA Northern Division as voted by the CIAA Women's Basketball Coaches Association. Virginia State University was picked to finish atop the conference’s Northern Division while defending CIAA Champion Shaw University was picked to finish first in the CIAA Southern Division.
Last season, the Bowie State University Lady Bulldogs finished 18-10 overall (12-6 CIAA), and second in the Division. A complete list of the 2010-2011 Pre-Season Team and Predicted Order of Finish is as follows;
Women’s Basketball
Northern Division
1. Virginia State University
2. Elizabeth City State University
3. Chowan University
4. Bowie State University
5. Virginia Union University
6. Lincoln University
Southern Division
1. Shaw University
2. Johnson C. Smith University
3. Winston-Salem State University
4. St. Augustine’s College
5. Livingstone College
6. Fayetteville State University
2011-2012 Women's Pre-Season Basketball Team
Chanita Jordan (Bowie State), Juliette Turner (Bowie State), Talaya Lynch (Chowan), Ransheda Jennings (Chowan), Shatara Jackson (Elizabeth City State), DeAudra Brown (Elizabeth City State), Terran Quattlebaum (Johnson C. Smith), LaQwesha Gamble (Johnson C. Smith), Rashida Elbourne (Livingstone), Umeka Benson (St. Augustine’s), Courtney Medley (Winston-Salem State) and Jasmine Newkirk (Winston-Salem State).
HYMAN AND CLARK HEADLINE CIAA PRE-SEASON TEAM
Bowie State Selected To Finish First in CIAA Northern Division
(CHARLOTTE, N.C. – October 6, 2011) The 2011-2012 CIAA Men's Predicted Order of Finish and Pre-Season All-CIAA Team were announced at the Annual Basketball Press Conference held at the Charlotte Convention Center.
The Bowie State University Bulldogs were picked to finish first in the CIAA Northern Division as voted by the CIAA Men's Basketball Coaches Association. Elizabeth City State University was picked to finish second in the division and Virginia Union University rounded out the top three picks. Defending CIAA Champion Shaw University was picked to finish first in the CIAA Southern Division followed by Johnson C. Smith University and Winston-Salem State University.
Last season, the Bowie State University Bulldogs finished the season with a 23-6 overall (16-2 CIAA), first in the Northern Division for the second straight year and advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA D-II Atlantic Region. A complete list of the 2011-2012 Pre-Season Team and Predicted Order of Finish is as follows;
Men’s Basketball
Northern Division
1. Bowie State University
2. Elizabeth City State University
3. Virginia Union University
4. Virginia State University
5. Chowan University
6. Lincoln University
Southern Division
1. Shaw University
2. Johnson C. Smith University
3. Winston-Salem State University
4. Fayetteville State University
5. Livingstone College
6. St. Augustine’s College
2011-2012 Men's Pre-Season Basketball Team
Darren Clark (Bowie State), Travis Hyman (Bowie State), Marquie Cooke (Elizabeth City State), Rondy Tucker (Elizabeth City State), Sidney Evans (Fayetteville State), Jamel Carpenter (Fayetteville State), Trevin Parks (Johnson C. Smith), Denzel Mooney (Lincoln (PA), Joel Kindred (St. Augustine’s), Antonio Smith (Shaw), Ibn-Saed Rasoull (Virginia State) and Lamar Monger (Winston-Salem State).
Good Counsel Survives Against DeMatha
by: Branden Roth 10/8/2011
Photos: Football: Good Counsel vs DeMa...;
Videos: Football: DeMatha vs. Good Cou...;
DeMatha played their best game yet this season, but it just wasn’t quite enough to take down the likes of Good Counsel. For three and a half quarters, it looked as if DeMatha could actually pull out a victory, but Kendall Fuller snatched the game back with a late fourth quarter interception in the end zone as the Falcons defeated a tough DeMatha team, 35-21.
“I thought Dematha outplayed us for most of the game," Good Counsel coach Bob Milloy said. "As far as I’m concerned, DeMatha is back, and they’ve never been anywhere. It was a good game.”
The first quarter started off with a bang as Good Counsel drove down the field on their first drive, eventually scoring on a Wes Brown touchdown run. Shortly after, DeMatha's Roman Williams threw a pass to Chris King for a touchdown to make it 7-6 at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter was mostly a defensive struggle. Michael Moore came up with a couple big sacks, as did Stefon Diggs. Both of these teams were extremely aggressive and there were a lot of big hits on the day. On special teams, however, Diggs got his hands on a punt return midway through the second quarter and took it back to the house to make the score at half 14-6.
The third quarter started fast and furious with the Falcons coming out of the gate strong. Brendan "Whitey" Marshall threw a 70-yard pass to Kendall Fuller, which set up a Dorian O’Daniel touchdown run. But then DeMatha got some momentum. Roman Williams threw a bomb to Chris King for an 85-yard TD pass to make it 21-13. The Stags held Good Counsel to a three-and-out on the next drive. DeMatha proceeded to have another nice drive ending with a Michael Moore TD Catch and Brent Wilkerson two-point conversion to make the score 21-21 at the end of the third quarter.
Dorian O’Daniel opened the fourth quarter with a 60-yard TD run to make the score 28-21. DeMatha proceeded to have a drive that encompassed nearly 75 yards and ate up a lot of the time in the fourth quarter, but it would be all for none as Kendall Fuller jumped a route in the endzone and returned it to DeMatha’s 25-yard line. DeMatha had Good Counsel in a third and 10 from the 25, but Diggs came up with a big catch to give the Falcons a first down and assure Good Counsel the win. Dorian O’Daniel eventually capped the drive with a touchdown run, his third of the day.
“We made one too many mistakes," DeMatha coach Elijah Brooks said. "Defense and the passing game played well, so there are things to be proud of and we look forward to hopefully playing them again later in the year. Right now we just have to re-group and focus on another tough team next week in St. John’s.”
Rushing Leaders
Good Counsel: Dorian O'Daniel (14-111), Wes Brown (14-46), Kenall Fuller (2-39)
DeMatha: Charlie Jordan (10-37), Mark Allen (7-13), Taiwan Deal (4-10)
Passing Leaders
Good Counsel: Brendan Marshall (6-11-108)
DeMatha: Roman Williams (14-24-270)
Receiving Leaders
Good Counsel: Kendall Fuller (3-67), Stefon Diggs (3-41)
DeMatha: Chris King (3-130), Cam Phillips (3-51), Michael Moore (2-22), Jamal Robinson (1-20), Chris Jones (2-18), Brent Wilkerson (1-7), Troy Bullock (2-2)
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