The new AVCTL Division III has two new teams with two distinct tiers. Here is how I think they will finish.
1. Rose Hill
Rose Hill moves up to Division III after spending a few years in Division IV with 4A giant Andale. The Rockets become the immediate favorite to win the Division III title based on two things. First, the Rockets have Texas Christian commit Brady Foltz and his 6-4, 285-pound frame and Brandon Walther and his 6-2, 270-pound body on the line. Second, Laque Mayes and his 2,000-plus yards of rushing are back for a senior season. Rose Hill opens with Buhler and the Crusaders will get a taste of their own medicine in week one. Last season Jorden Oden ran wild for Buhler, but this year it is going to be Mayes that is the story of Division III. The defense lost some players, but Jared Vaughan and his 75 tackles are back in the secondary. Rose Hill’s matchup at Andale in week three will be a clash of two of the prohibitive 4A champions.
2. Mulvane
Mulvane trouble keeping opponents off the scoreboard last season, but scoring was no issue. The Wildcats have the luxury of Gus Strunk back to quarterback the shotgun offense. Strunk threw for 1,600 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. Mulvane only has four offensive starters returning, but the most important position is solid and that makes it a solid football team. Head coach Dave Fennewald is altering the defense and that should help the Wildcats keep teams off the scoreboard.
3. Buhler
Buhler has been very good over the last few years, but the loss of running back Jorden Oden and quarterback Jake Reffner leave question marks for the Crusaders. It will not be easy replacing Oden’s 213 yards per game output. Buhler got a glimpse of what life would be like without Oden after he was knocked out for the team’s playoff game against Topeka Hayden. The eventual champion Wildcats beat Buhler by two touchdowns. Roman Davidson, Buhler’s leading tackler, is also gone. The Crusaders will not have enough firepower to compete with the top of 4A, but a 6-3 season and a trip to the playoffs are well within the grasp of Buhler.
4. Augusta
Roger Robben takes over for longtime Augusta head coach Steve Pazzie, and he has his work cut out for him. Augusta is only 5-23 over the last three seasons, but Robben has a wealth of experience returning as last season’s 2-8 team returns 18 total starters. Robben has won before at Goddard, and winning in Division III of the AVCTL should prove to be easier than winning in Division I. The Orioles will not be great this season, but the team’s overall experience should be enough to keep it out of the basement.
5. Winfield
Winfield moves from a primarily 5A schedule to a 4A schedule as it moves down in classification and division in the AVCTL. The Vikings return only three starters overall, but years of 5A football should help the underclassmen be better prepared to face the smaller schools. Winfield is running a spread offense with a new quarterback, so growing pains should be expected. Head coach Justin Price’s Vikings will not be able to compete with the top half of this division, but the bottom half will be up for grabs.
6. El Dorado
The Wildcats were 0-9 last season and welcome a new coach this year. Things probably will not turn around in a hurry for El Dorado, but 10 returning starters is nice for first-year head coach Zack Hood. El Dorado likely will have to struggle for another year or two before climbing out of the basement given the overall strength of Division III and its coaches.
District Predictions
Rose Hill (3-0 District Champion)
Mulvane (3-0 District Champion)
Buhler (2-1 runner-up to Pratt)
Augusta (1-2 with win over El Dorado)
Winfield (0-3)
El Dorado (0-3)
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
CKL Football Predictions
The inaugural season of the Central Kansas League will be very similar to the old MCAA, but with a couple new faces in Pratt and Kingman. The departure of the defending 3A-champion Wichita Collegiate will leave the balance of power at the top wide open with teams scrambling to establish dominance early. Here are my picks for the first year of the CKL.
1. Pratt
Pratt is a somewhat mysterious addition for a lot of the coaches around the league. Coming from the Mid-State league, the old MCAA teams haven’t had a ton of experience with the Greenbacks, possibly giving the team an element of surprise. However this team can play and missed a trip to the playoffs by a narrow 14-12 loss to Ulysses in districts last year. This year, Pratt returns five all-league seniors in running back Jake Siroky, offensive tackle Steele Flemming, guard Lawson Short, running back Brady Seidel, and tight end Taylor Baird. This multiple wing offense will put points on the board.
One interesting thing to look for this year will be how Pratt’s base nickel defense shakes out in the CKL. The five defensive back formation gives Pratt a blitz that could be coming from anywhere on the field. It will be interesting to see how opposing offenses combat an unorthodox base defense.
The Greenbacks start the season with a big test against Hesston. Both of these teams like the amount of speed featured on their respective rosters. This game will be a track meet.
2. Hesston
Under head coach Nate Wollenberg, the Swathers were always in the mix, if not the best team in the MCAA. This year, Wollenberg is out, but Hesston snagged Marc Marinelli from Andale, where he was 50-3 in his four years as an assistant with the Indians.
Hesston has been able to run the ball for years, but if the Swathers can put together a consistent passing game to keep defenses honest, look out. Running back Kyle Perry gives Hesston a big play threat in both the running and passing game. Lucas Petrocci also figures to have a big year for the Swathers.
Like Pratt, Hesston has speed to burn. Defensively, they will be tough to beat on the outside. Linebackers Brandon Harmony and Cody Lowery will probably sandwich their share of ball carriers this year.
Hesston will be running a new system under a new coach this year. If the team can buy in and make it work, they can win the league. But until they prove it, the Swathers are No. 2 on my list.
3. Hillsboro
Hillsboro is another team with a ton of tradition in the MCAA. Second-year head coach and principal Max Heinrichs set the groundwork to bring the Trojans back to their glory years after a 7-4 season and a playoff win last year.
With a pair of competing quarterbacks in Luke Moore and Lucas Sinclair, combined with a triumvirate of 6-foot receivers in Ben Bebermeyer, Derek Kelsey and Tyler Proffit, Hillsboro may capture some of the passing magic that Collegiate rode to a state championship last year.
Making the Trojans even more dangerous are senior running backs Chance Reece and Caleb Hilliard. Hillsboro also has some size on the offensive line setting the table for the Trojans choice of offensive firepower.
Hillsboro’s front seven defensively will be tough to get through. Ethan Franz and Daniel Kenney are two 250-pound bruisers taking on blocks at the line of scrimmage and second-team all-league linebacker Hilliard with Reece give Hillsboro a formidable corps of linebackers.
The Trojans open the year with Halstead, and play hated rival Hesston in the fourth game.
4. Halstead
Halstead takes fourth on my list, but really, it’s a coin flip when any of these “H-Towns,” get together. Halstead opens the year with Hillsboro, and gets Hesston in week two leaving little time to iron out the kinks before these three rivals get at each others’ throats.
The Dragons have plenty of weapons offensively, with Simon McKee taking the snaps. Last season, McKee threw for 832 yards and 9 touchdowns. Dakota Becker gives McKee a big receiver to go to as a tight end who averaged 18.6 yards per catch last year.
In the running game, Tanner Strohl is a Darren Sproles type who rushed for 936 yards last year, averaging nearly 5 yards per carry. Strohl, at 5-foot-4, is a compressed ball of bad news for any defense.
Like Pratt, Halstead will use a base nickel defense. Twin brothers Devon and Ryan Bibb will be a key part of the Halstead secondary, as will Becker.
Ethan Rodenberg will lead the linebackers but will have plenty of help from Jon Stepanek.
If things come together for Halstead, the Dragons could find themselves as one of the early elite teams in the CKL.
5. Smoky Valley
The Vikings are another team who have a tradition of excellence in the MCAA, but have had a little hiccup in the past few years. Smoky Valley finished 3-6 last year, but those types of seasons are the exception, not the rule in Lindsborg. Coach Chris Hattabaugh is entering his second season as the head coach at Smoky Valley and football success is on the rise.
Nick Deterding is a tall quarterback who can see the field with ease at 6-foot-1. Smoky Valley has five 6-foot receivers who will torment CKL defensive backs in Greyson Pihl, Stephen DeWitt, Seth Nelson, Cody Bowers and Raymond Dauer.
The Vikings’ defense will have to prove itself, starting with the defensive line. Alex Peterson is the only returning player at the line of scrimmage. But Smoky Valley’s linebackers with Weston VanRanken, DeWitt and Bowers may make up for the defensive line’s lack of experience.
6. Lyons
Lyons is a dark horse in the CKL. I have the Lions at the No. 6 spot, but don’t be surprised if this team comes out from under the radar in the CKL. Like a lion, Lyons has done a lot of damage under head coach Matt Sandbo without really making a lot of noise in the process. Last season, Lyons was 6-4 and made a second-straight playoff appearance in Sandbo’s second year.
Lyons starts a sophomore quarterback, which will probably lead to some growing pains. However, Lyons returns players who all started in all five of the offensive line positions. James Weston, Tyler Carlson, Kinsly Kroetsch and Seth Bowles will be there to protect sophomore quarterback Mathew Vincent.
The strength on the offensive line translates to the defensive side for this team as well. Luis Rascon and Bowles are returning starters at linebacker and Lyons has a warrior in the secondary with Taylor Stonebraker. Stonebraker finished the year playing with a broken hand last season.
7. Sterling
The good news for Sterling is they return eight starters, both on its offense, and defense. The bad news is that they are starters from a 3-7 team.
The Black Bears returners will be a year older and wiser however. Junior quarterback Seth Humphreys will lead the offense, but Sterling loses some key players from the offensive line. Mike Dow and Guy Oden will need to step up on the line for Sterling to score points. The Black Bears do have depth in the backfield with Bryant Patterson, Aryn Walton and Chad Bennett.
Sterling’s secondary will be a strength with Bennett at the cornerback position. Linebackers will be a question mark with the loss of Heath Hewitt and Dylan Flickinger from last year.
8. Nickerson
Nickerson had a rough 1-8 season last year. But head coach Max Heinlein is happy with the work he has seen with his team over the summer. Nickerson has some talent to work with on the offensive line with Austin Schweizer, Lupe Ramirez and Kyle Cokely holding down the right side for the Panthers. Hector Rodriguez and Keelan Jackson will get a bunch of opportunities to carry the ball in Nickerson’s flex-bone offense.
The offensive line transfers over to the defensive line, giving Nickerson a chance to control the line of scrimmage, and maybe the game.
9. Kingman
Kingman has had a rough end to the decade, going 2-35 dating back to the end of the 2005 season. Third-year head coach Darby Jones has yet to win a game with the Eagles.
But in Kingman’s defense, up until this year, the Eagles have had the murderer’s row of the AVCTL Div. IV to deal with. With the likes of Andale, Rose Hill and Wellington in your league, wins are going to be tough to come by.
This year, Kingman has a new league to deal with, a group of kids who have been with the program long enough to get the system, and an optimistic outlook.
Mikabe Erdman is a returning quarterback for the Eagles who threw for 1,113 yards last year as a sophomore. Running Back Stephen Gutierrez can hurt teams on the ground, or by catching passes.
Defensively, Stone Hageman and Scott Osner give Kingman a good group of linebackers. Blake Bergkamp is a force in the secondary.
The years of playing brutal Div. IV competition could have Kingman playing at a different level than some of the teams in the league are used to playing.
10. Haven
The Wildcats have had a tough time on the gridiron in recent years. In its last 47 games, Haven has gone 1-46.
This season, Haven does have Ridge Foster at quarterback, Kevin Borntrager at receiver, Trae Regier running the ball, and a gamer on the line of scrimmage in James Leiker.
Although the wins have been tough to come by, Haven starts the year with Kingman and Belle Plaine, giving the Wildcats a golden opportunity to pick up at least 1 win if not 2.
These are my CKL predictions. What do you think? Did I get it right or miss the boat completely? How would you rank the league? Leave a comment and share your CKL predictions.
1. Pratt
Pratt is a somewhat mysterious addition for a lot of the coaches around the league. Coming from the Mid-State league, the old MCAA teams haven’t had a ton of experience with the Greenbacks, possibly giving the team an element of surprise. However this team can play and missed a trip to the playoffs by a narrow 14-12 loss to Ulysses in districts last year. This year, Pratt returns five all-league seniors in running back Jake Siroky, offensive tackle Steele Flemming, guard Lawson Short, running back Brady Seidel, and tight end Taylor Baird. This multiple wing offense will put points on the board.
One interesting thing to look for this year will be how Pratt’s base nickel defense shakes out in the CKL. The five defensive back formation gives Pratt a blitz that could be coming from anywhere on the field. It will be interesting to see how opposing offenses combat an unorthodox base defense.
The Greenbacks start the season with a big test against Hesston. Both of these teams like the amount of speed featured on their respective rosters. This game will be a track meet.
2. Hesston
Under head coach Nate Wollenberg, the Swathers were always in the mix, if not the best team in the MCAA. This year, Wollenberg is out, but Hesston snagged Marc Marinelli from Andale, where he was 50-3 in his four years as an assistant with the Indians.
Hesston has been able to run the ball for years, but if the Swathers can put together a consistent passing game to keep defenses honest, look out. Running back Kyle Perry gives Hesston a big play threat in both the running and passing game. Lucas Petrocci also figures to have a big year for the Swathers.
Like Pratt, Hesston has speed to burn. Defensively, they will be tough to beat on the outside. Linebackers Brandon Harmony and Cody Lowery will probably sandwich their share of ball carriers this year.
Hesston will be running a new system under a new coach this year. If the team can buy in and make it work, they can win the league. But until they prove it, the Swathers are No. 2 on my list.
3. Hillsboro
Hillsboro is another team with a ton of tradition in the MCAA. Second-year head coach and principal Max Heinrichs set the groundwork to bring the Trojans back to their glory years after a 7-4 season and a playoff win last year.
With a pair of competing quarterbacks in Luke Moore and Lucas Sinclair, combined with a triumvirate of 6-foot receivers in Ben Bebermeyer, Derek Kelsey and Tyler Proffit, Hillsboro may capture some of the passing magic that Collegiate rode to a state championship last year.
Making the Trojans even more dangerous are senior running backs Chance Reece and Caleb Hilliard. Hillsboro also has some size on the offensive line setting the table for the Trojans choice of offensive firepower.
Hillsboro’s front seven defensively will be tough to get through. Ethan Franz and Daniel Kenney are two 250-pound bruisers taking on blocks at the line of scrimmage and second-team all-league linebacker Hilliard with Reece give Hillsboro a formidable corps of linebackers.
The Trojans open the year with Halstead, and play hated rival Hesston in the fourth game.
4. Halstead
Halstead takes fourth on my list, but really, it’s a coin flip when any of these “H-Towns,” get together. Halstead opens the year with Hillsboro, and gets Hesston in week two leaving little time to iron out the kinks before these three rivals get at each others’ throats.
The Dragons have plenty of weapons offensively, with Simon McKee taking the snaps. Last season, McKee threw for 832 yards and 9 touchdowns. Dakota Becker gives McKee a big receiver to go to as a tight end who averaged 18.6 yards per catch last year.
In the running game, Tanner Strohl is a Darren Sproles type who rushed for 936 yards last year, averaging nearly 5 yards per carry. Strohl, at 5-foot-4, is a compressed ball of bad news for any defense.
Like Pratt, Halstead will use a base nickel defense. Twin brothers Devon and Ryan Bibb will be a key part of the Halstead secondary, as will Becker.
Ethan Rodenberg will lead the linebackers but will have plenty of help from Jon Stepanek.
If things come together for Halstead, the Dragons could find themselves as one of the early elite teams in the CKL.
5. Smoky Valley
The Vikings are another team who have a tradition of excellence in the MCAA, but have had a little hiccup in the past few years. Smoky Valley finished 3-6 last year, but those types of seasons are the exception, not the rule in Lindsborg. Coach Chris Hattabaugh is entering his second season as the head coach at Smoky Valley and football success is on the rise.
Nick Deterding is a tall quarterback who can see the field with ease at 6-foot-1. Smoky Valley has five 6-foot receivers who will torment CKL defensive backs in Greyson Pihl, Stephen DeWitt, Seth Nelson, Cody Bowers and Raymond Dauer.
The Vikings’ defense will have to prove itself, starting with the defensive line. Alex Peterson is the only returning player at the line of scrimmage. But Smoky Valley’s linebackers with Weston VanRanken, DeWitt and Bowers may make up for the defensive line’s lack of experience.
6. Lyons
Lyons is a dark horse in the CKL. I have the Lions at the No. 6 spot, but don’t be surprised if this team comes out from under the radar in the CKL. Like a lion, Lyons has done a lot of damage under head coach Matt Sandbo without really making a lot of noise in the process. Last season, Lyons was 6-4 and made a second-straight playoff appearance in Sandbo’s second year.
Lyons starts a sophomore quarterback, which will probably lead to some growing pains. However, Lyons returns players who all started in all five of the offensive line positions. James Weston, Tyler Carlson, Kinsly Kroetsch and Seth Bowles will be there to protect sophomore quarterback Mathew Vincent.
The strength on the offensive line translates to the defensive side for this team as well. Luis Rascon and Bowles are returning starters at linebacker and Lyons has a warrior in the secondary with Taylor Stonebraker. Stonebraker finished the year playing with a broken hand last season.
7. Sterling
The good news for Sterling is they return eight starters, both on its offense, and defense. The bad news is that they are starters from a 3-7 team.
The Black Bears returners will be a year older and wiser however. Junior quarterback Seth Humphreys will lead the offense, but Sterling loses some key players from the offensive line. Mike Dow and Guy Oden will need to step up on the line for Sterling to score points. The Black Bears do have depth in the backfield with Bryant Patterson, Aryn Walton and Chad Bennett.
Sterling’s secondary will be a strength with Bennett at the cornerback position. Linebackers will be a question mark with the loss of Heath Hewitt and Dylan Flickinger from last year.
8. Nickerson
Nickerson had a rough 1-8 season last year. But head coach Max Heinlein is happy with the work he has seen with his team over the summer. Nickerson has some talent to work with on the offensive line with Austin Schweizer, Lupe Ramirez and Kyle Cokely holding down the right side for the Panthers. Hector Rodriguez and Keelan Jackson will get a bunch of opportunities to carry the ball in Nickerson’s flex-bone offense.
The offensive line transfers over to the defensive line, giving Nickerson a chance to control the line of scrimmage, and maybe the game.
9. Kingman
Kingman has had a rough end to the decade, going 2-35 dating back to the end of the 2005 season. Third-year head coach Darby Jones has yet to win a game with the Eagles.
But in Kingman’s defense, up until this year, the Eagles have had the murderer’s row of the AVCTL Div. IV to deal with. With the likes of Andale, Rose Hill and Wellington in your league, wins are going to be tough to come by.
This year, Kingman has a new league to deal with, a group of kids who have been with the program long enough to get the system, and an optimistic outlook.
Mikabe Erdman is a returning quarterback for the Eagles who threw for 1,113 yards last year as a sophomore. Running Back Stephen Gutierrez can hurt teams on the ground, or by catching passes.
Defensively, Stone Hageman and Scott Osner give Kingman a good group of linebackers. Blake Bergkamp is a force in the secondary.
The years of playing brutal Div. IV competition could have Kingman playing at a different level than some of the teams in the league are used to playing.
10. Haven
The Wildcats have had a tough time on the gridiron in recent years. In its last 47 games, Haven has gone 1-46.
This season, Haven does have Ridge Foster at quarterback, Kevin Borntrager at receiver, Trae Regier running the ball, and a gamer on the line of scrimmage in James Leiker.
Although the wins have been tough to come by, Haven starts the year with Kingman and Belle Plaine, giving the Wildcats a golden opportunity to pick up at least 1 win if not 2.
These are my CKL predictions. What do you think? Did I get it right or miss the boat completely? How would you rank the league? Leave a comment and share your CKL predictions.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
AVCTL IV Football Predictions
The Ark-Valley Chisholm Trail League Division IV has a new look this season with two new teams, but I think you will not see much new at the top. Here are my picks for how the league will shake out.
1. Andale
Andale is 36-3 over the last three seasons. Three of those losses have come against Topeka Hayden. Gary O’Hair never has to rebuild because the infrastructure is there at Andale. The junior varisty team was 8-1 last year and O’Hair has the advantage of superior numbers.
The Indians lost many stars off of last season’s team including offensive lineman BJ Finney, but Jake Hattabaugh is back and he is a great player to have back. Andale also has many running backs to rely on.
There is also the fact that Andale has been plain dominant in AVCTL Division IV. Take these facts into mind:
- Andale has outscored division opponents 648-122 in the last three years winning all 18 league games
- That is outscoring league opponents in the league 36-6.8 over the last 18 games
- Only six of the last 18 league opponents have managed double digits against Andale
- Kingman is happy to be gone as Andale has outscored it 223-27 over the last three seasons
Add up all those numbers and it leads to another year of dominance by the Indians. They are the king of Division IV until they get knocked off.
2. Wellington
There are three definite tiers to this league and Wellington comes in as a clear No. 2. Linn Hibbs’ Crusaders have been very good, but not great over the last three years. Wellington is 2-3 in the playoffs, but has made the playoffs 18 years running. That streak does not look to change, but Andale’s consistent dominance of Wellington also does not look to change too much.
Andale has knocked the Crusaders out of the playoffs each of the last two years. In those games over the last three years Wellington has been outscored by an average of 29.4-11.4 over five games.
That being said, I think Wellington makes the playoffs and has very little trouble winning the other four league games.
3. Circle
This one was tough. It was very tough, but Circle has continually improved over the last three years from 1-8 in 2007 to 2-7 in 2008 to 4-5 last year. The big thing I like about Circle is Jordan Phillips and Alex Gardnier.
Phillips is a known commodity. The Oklahoma commit is Mr. Everything for the T-Birds as he played all three ways last season. He can catch passes, he can block, he can kick and the boy can tackle and create havoc on the defensive side of the ball. He will not run up against anyone in this league that can solo block him.
Gardiner is an athlete. There is nothing he cannot do for this team as a dual threat quarterback. He can sling it as proof by his 193-foot javelin throwing ability. His top receiving target is also back this season in Richard Mould.
They return the key starters and have 13 back overall. These are 13 seniors that have had the luxury of being in the same system for their entire high school careers.
4. Wichita Collegiate
Let’s just start by saying that this is not the MCAA. AVCTL IV has athletes and players that Collegiate football has not experienced for a while. That coupled with losing virtually every important skill player, this could be a rough season for the Spartans. At least one they have not experienced in a while.
Raymond Taylor is a nice back as head coach Bill Messamore called him “one of the best backs we have ever had here.” He is likely not the level of DeAngelo Evans, but it is still some high praise. The problem comes when you consider the Spartans are starting a sophomore quarterback and have a new receiving corp.
I saw this group play 7-on-7 in Derby and, even though not all the starters were there, it just didn’t look like last year, and it rightfully should not look the same. It is not easy to replace the best statistical quarterback in state history.
5. Clearwater
Clearwater has been improving in the last several years, but the Fighting Indians still are not on a level with the four teams above. They have made the playoffs each of the last three years, but in fairly weak districts. This year is different with Wellington, Mulvane and Winfield to contend with.
Six offensive starters return, but Clearwater is replacing all its skill positions. Its big receiver will be tight end Colin Frickey and he is only a sophomore.
6. Maize South
Maize South has 20 of 22 starters back from last season’s team. That is great to have, but the Mavericks are a young school and are playing in their first season of league and district schedules. There will be growing pains and this season looks to have many of those. Maize South got rocked last season by small schools like La Crosse and Meade, so it stands to reason it may be a couple years before Maize South can expect consistent winning in the rough AVCTL IV.
Predictions in district play:
Andale – (3-0 district champion)
Wellington – (2-1 District runner-up to Mulvane)
Circle – (2-1 District runner-up to Rose Hill)
Collegiate (3-0 District champions)
Clearwater (1-2 with win over Wellington)
Maize South (0-3)
What is your take? How do you think the league will shake out? Leave a comment and give me your AVCTL IV Predictions!
1. Andale
Andale is 36-3 over the last three seasons. Three of those losses have come against Topeka Hayden. Gary O’Hair never has to rebuild because the infrastructure is there at Andale. The junior varisty team was 8-1 last year and O’Hair has the advantage of superior numbers.
The Indians lost many stars off of last season’s team including offensive lineman BJ Finney, but Jake Hattabaugh is back and he is a great player to have back. Andale also has many running backs to rely on.
There is also the fact that Andale has been plain dominant in AVCTL Division IV. Take these facts into mind:
- Andale has outscored division opponents 648-122 in the last three years winning all 18 league games
- That is outscoring league opponents in the league 36-6.8 over the last 18 games
- Only six of the last 18 league opponents have managed double digits against Andale
- Kingman is happy to be gone as Andale has outscored it 223-27 over the last three seasons
Add up all those numbers and it leads to another year of dominance by the Indians. They are the king of Division IV until they get knocked off.
2. Wellington
There are three definite tiers to this league and Wellington comes in as a clear No. 2. Linn Hibbs’ Crusaders have been very good, but not great over the last three years. Wellington is 2-3 in the playoffs, but has made the playoffs 18 years running. That streak does not look to change, but Andale’s consistent dominance of Wellington also does not look to change too much.
Andale has knocked the Crusaders out of the playoffs each of the last two years. In those games over the last three years Wellington has been outscored by an average of 29.4-11.4 over five games.
That being said, I think Wellington makes the playoffs and has very little trouble winning the other four league games.
3. Circle
This one was tough. It was very tough, but Circle has continually improved over the last three years from 1-8 in 2007 to 2-7 in 2008 to 4-5 last year. The big thing I like about Circle is Jordan Phillips and Alex Gardnier.
Phillips is a known commodity. The Oklahoma commit is Mr. Everything for the T-Birds as he played all three ways last season. He can catch passes, he can block, he can kick and the boy can tackle and create havoc on the defensive side of the ball. He will not run up against anyone in this league that can solo block him.
Gardiner is an athlete. There is nothing he cannot do for this team as a dual threat quarterback. He can sling it as proof by his 193-foot javelin throwing ability. His top receiving target is also back this season in Richard Mould.
They return the key starters and have 13 back overall. These are 13 seniors that have had the luxury of being in the same system for their entire high school careers.
4. Wichita Collegiate
Let’s just start by saying that this is not the MCAA. AVCTL IV has athletes and players that Collegiate football has not experienced for a while. That coupled with losing virtually every important skill player, this could be a rough season for the Spartans. At least one they have not experienced in a while.
Raymond Taylor is a nice back as head coach Bill Messamore called him “one of the best backs we have ever had here.” He is likely not the level of DeAngelo Evans, but it is still some high praise. The problem comes when you consider the Spartans are starting a sophomore quarterback and have a new receiving corp.
I saw this group play 7-on-7 in Derby and, even though not all the starters were there, it just didn’t look like last year, and it rightfully should not look the same. It is not easy to replace the best statistical quarterback in state history.
5. Clearwater
Clearwater has been improving in the last several years, but the Fighting Indians still are not on a level with the four teams above. They have made the playoffs each of the last three years, but in fairly weak districts. This year is different with Wellington, Mulvane and Winfield to contend with.
Six offensive starters return, but Clearwater is replacing all its skill positions. Its big receiver will be tight end Colin Frickey and he is only a sophomore.
6. Maize South
Maize South has 20 of 22 starters back from last season’s team. That is great to have, but the Mavericks are a young school and are playing in their first season of league and district schedules. There will be growing pains and this season looks to have many of those. Maize South got rocked last season by small schools like La Crosse and Meade, so it stands to reason it may be a couple years before Maize South can expect consistent winning in the rough AVCTL IV.
Predictions in district play:
Andale – (3-0 district champion)
Wellington – (2-1 District runner-up to Mulvane)
Circle – (2-1 District runner-up to Rose Hill)
Collegiate (3-0 District champions)
Clearwater (1-2 with win over Wellington)
Maize South (0-3)
What is your take? How do you think the league will shake out? Leave a comment and give me your AVCTL IV Predictions!
The Bryce Brown Saga part 427
Ahhhh Bryce Brown. How your stories have entertained us here in the sports office over the last couple of years. First you decide to team up with Brian Butler and make him your manager. Now, Brian has always been kind to me and he is a very nice guy in general. However, when your main qualification to manage people comes from your job as a former cell-phone store manager I have a problem.
Next came your overly dramatic college choice. This after a season at East where you fumbled the ball more than the guy in the movie The Program. You dragged it out and made it a LeBron-esque decision where you told us all you'd be wearing creamsicle-orange that fall in Knoxville. Ok ok, I get it. You are a big-time star coming out of Wichita, you're one of the top football recruits in the country and you feel entitled to making your day YOUR DAY. I get it, egos happen.
Now with your departure from Tennessee and your arrival in Manhattan you're still finding a way to make waves. From asking for your release via text message, to having your father speak to ESPN reporters only instead of the people who supported you for your 4 years of high school, you've managed to make a lot of people mad. That's a fact that upsets me because I think you and your brother Arthur are good kids that have gotten mixed up in a lot of bad decisions.
But here's the thing that confuses me the most, and maybe I have coach Snyder to blame here, but why in the world are you going to sit out a year at Kansas State? I know that Coach Snyder probably wants you to be around the program and get used to how they do things there. Maybe you just want to be around your brother again? I could understand that. My brothers live thousands of miles away from me and I'd love to live closer to them. It's a family thing, I get that. But what I don't get is why you'd give up an entire season of playing football.
If you sit out this season you'll still be able to train with the Wildcats but you won't get any game action at all. Isn't that the most important part about getting better? If you sit out this season you'll have 3 years of eligibility left and that's definitely a positive. But can you honestly tell me that you wouldn't leave early anyway for the NFL if that opportunity came up?
Maybe this idea is stupid but I only throw it out there because I was out in Towanda this morning covering Butler's pre-season practice. This team is nationally ranked every year. They've won multiple national titles and will always be in the news. Why not pull a Cameron Newton, go play for a solid ju-co team then finish your last two years at Kansas State? Afraid of getting hurt? Dez Bryant showed that could happen in practice. I think if you're really concerned about your future you should go to a ju-co, play this fall and not pay nearly as much in tuition as you will at Kansas State.
Either that or you could invent a time machine where you and your brother Arthur make the right decision right out of high school and stay in state. But who am I to advise you?
Next came your overly dramatic college choice. This after a season at East where you fumbled the ball more than the guy in the movie The Program. You dragged it out and made it a LeBron-esque decision where you told us all you'd be wearing creamsicle-orange that fall in Knoxville. Ok ok, I get it. You are a big-time star coming out of Wichita, you're one of the top football recruits in the country and you feel entitled to making your day YOUR DAY. I get it, egos happen.
Now with your departure from Tennessee and your arrival in Manhattan you're still finding a way to make waves. From asking for your release via text message, to having your father speak to ESPN reporters only instead of the people who supported you for your 4 years of high school, you've managed to make a lot of people mad. That's a fact that upsets me because I think you and your brother Arthur are good kids that have gotten mixed up in a lot of bad decisions.
But here's the thing that confuses me the most, and maybe I have coach Snyder to blame here, but why in the world are you going to sit out a year at Kansas State? I know that Coach Snyder probably wants you to be around the program and get used to how they do things there. Maybe you just want to be around your brother again? I could understand that. My brothers live thousands of miles away from me and I'd love to live closer to them. It's a family thing, I get that. But what I don't get is why you'd give up an entire season of playing football.
If you sit out this season you'll still be able to train with the Wildcats but you won't get any game action at all. Isn't that the most important part about getting better? If you sit out this season you'll have 3 years of eligibility left and that's definitely a positive. But can you honestly tell me that you wouldn't leave early anyway for the NFL if that opportunity came up?
Maybe this idea is stupid but I only throw it out there because I was out in Towanda this morning covering Butler's pre-season practice. This team is nationally ranked every year. They've won multiple national titles and will always be in the news. Why not pull a Cameron Newton, go play for a solid ju-co team then finish your last two years at Kansas State? Afraid of getting hurt? Dez Bryant showed that could happen in practice. I think if you're really concerned about your future you should go to a ju-co, play this fall and not pay nearly as much in tuition as you will at Kansas State.
Either that or you could invent a time machine where you and your brother Arthur make the right decision right out of high school and stay in state. But who am I to advise you?
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Random musings...
Well it's been a while since I last shared my scintillating insights into the world of sports...which I'm sure has been a welcome break for our readers! Anyway, with football coming up on Monday (MONDAY!) I thought I might throw out a few odds and ends that have been running (or jogging, yogging maybe, could be a soft j) through my mind.
First of all it was disappointing to hear that former Mulvane LB Huldon Tharp will take a medical redshirt this season after reaggravating an ankle injury that he apparently hurt in the spring. He had 59 tackles last season for the Jayhawks and so I was really looking forward to seeing what he could do this season. More than that though I'm really hoping that Hutch's Josh Smith and Collegiate's Blake Jabslonski find themselves on the Jayhawks roster this year. They're two of the most talented football players to come out of our local schools recently and it would be a shame for them to not make the team. Coach Gill talks about wanting Kansas kids and wanting to build his program with in-state talent so hopefully he stays true to that.
I'm looking at the schedule for the first Friday night of high school football and trying to pick out which game I really want to shoot. The first one that sticks out at me, of course, is Heights vs. Bishop Carroll at Heights. I went to that game two years ago, when Blake Bell made his debut at quarterback. Carroll won that year and won last year at Carroll. However this year I think Heights is going to cream the Golden Eagles. Not just because Blake Bell now resides in Norman but because the Falcons return most every integral player from last season. I love the job that Rick Wheeler does at Heights and I know that Alan Schuckman will have the Eagles about as well-prepared as a college team; however Heights has a definite advantage this year and I think the Falcons will take this game easily.
Second game I'm looking at is Andale vs. Wellington at Wellington. Not only do I want to go because I think it'll be a good game but I just love Linn Hibbs. Coach Hibbs is one of the most genuine people I've ever met. He makes me want to brave the 100+ degree temperatures to shoot a football preview. Plus he always promises me free hamburgers every time I go down there! I'm a sucker for a good hamburger.
How many games will Collegiate win this year? Honestly, I don't think they'll win a lot. I see them finishing at 6-3, 2-1 in league losing to Andale at Andale. Without Jablonski and Brett LeMaster I don't think Collegiate has enough going for it this year. The Spartans had an insane advantage last year because of their air-attack power. Unless they've got a kid with Jablonski's arm and an O-line that is solid the Spartans will not be the 'perfect storm' they were last year.
The only bad part about football season starting is lugging around equipment in this stifling heat to get interview and do football previews. This time of year I truly envy newspaper writers who can just make phone calls from the comfort of the air-conditioned desks. But I am ready, so ready, for football to start.
First of all it was disappointing to hear that former Mulvane LB Huldon Tharp will take a medical redshirt this season after reaggravating an ankle injury that he apparently hurt in the spring. He had 59 tackles last season for the Jayhawks and so I was really looking forward to seeing what he could do this season. More than that though I'm really hoping that Hutch's Josh Smith and Collegiate's Blake Jabslonski find themselves on the Jayhawks roster this year. They're two of the most talented football players to come out of our local schools recently and it would be a shame for them to not make the team. Coach Gill talks about wanting Kansas kids and wanting to build his program with in-state talent so hopefully he stays true to that.
I'm looking at the schedule for the first Friday night of high school football and trying to pick out which game I really want to shoot. The first one that sticks out at me, of course, is Heights vs. Bishop Carroll at Heights. I went to that game two years ago, when Blake Bell made his debut at quarterback. Carroll won that year and won last year at Carroll. However this year I think Heights is going to cream the Golden Eagles. Not just because Blake Bell now resides in Norman but because the Falcons return most every integral player from last season. I love the job that Rick Wheeler does at Heights and I know that Alan Schuckman will have the Eagles about as well-prepared as a college team; however Heights has a definite advantage this year and I think the Falcons will take this game easily.
Second game I'm looking at is Andale vs. Wellington at Wellington. Not only do I want to go because I think it'll be a good game but I just love Linn Hibbs. Coach Hibbs is one of the most genuine people I've ever met. He makes me want to brave the 100+ degree temperatures to shoot a football preview. Plus he always promises me free hamburgers every time I go down there! I'm a sucker for a good hamburger.
How many games will Collegiate win this year? Honestly, I don't think they'll win a lot. I see them finishing at 6-3, 2-1 in league losing to Andale at Andale. Without Jablonski and Brett LeMaster I don't think Collegiate has enough going for it this year. The Spartans had an insane advantage last year because of their air-attack power. Unless they've got a kid with Jablonski's arm and an O-line that is solid the Spartans will not be the 'perfect storm' they were last year.
The only bad part about football season starting is lugging around equipment in this stifling heat to get interview and do football previews. This time of year I truly envy newspaper writers who can just make phone calls from the comfort of the air-conditioned desks. But I am ready, so ready, for football to start.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Salina South golfer to compete in First Tee Open
Benjamin Hargrave, an incoming sophomore at Salina South, will compete in The First Tee Open this year at Pebble Beach. The event is a 54-hole golf tournament that includes 78 Champions Tour players and 78 junior golfers. In addition, 156 amateurs compete.
The First Tee Open takes place Aug. 30 through Sept. 5. Juniors ages 15 to 18 are chosen through national qualifying events.
Hargrave placed 11th in May at the Class 5A state tournament. He was the top state finisher for the Cougars.
The First Tee Open takes place Aug. 30 through Sept. 5. Juniors ages 15 to 18 are chosen through national qualifying events.
Hargrave placed 11th in May at the Class 5A state tournament. He was the top state finisher for the Cougars.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Oliver Bradwell Update
I recently did a blog on Oliver Bradwell, a standout sprinter from Wichita. That blog can be found here:
Oliver Bradwell: Historically Fast
Bradwell has been out growing his legend the last couple weeks at the Junior World Meet and the AAU National meet this past weekend.
In Moncton, Canada from July 19-25 Bradwell did not make it out of Semis in the 200-meter dash, but he was a part of the USA 400-meter relay team that won gold with a time of 38.93 seconds.
Bradwell claimed another gold medal this past weekend in Norfolk, Va. He easily won the 100-meter dash for the young men with a time of 10.52 seconds. That was a full two-tenths of a second better than the second place finisher.
Bradwell will be going to Barton County Community College this fall to play soccer and run track.
Oliver Bradwell: Historically Fast
Bradwell has been out growing his legend the last couple weeks at the Junior World Meet and the AAU National meet this past weekend.
In Moncton, Canada from July 19-25 Bradwell did not make it out of Semis in the 200-meter dash, but he was a part of the USA 400-meter relay team that won gold with a time of 38.93 seconds.
Bradwell claimed another gold medal this past weekend in Norfolk, Va. He easily won the 100-meter dash for the young men with a time of 10.52 seconds. That was a full two-tenths of a second better than the second place finisher.
Bradwell will be going to Barton County Community College this fall to play soccer and run track.
Starling dazzles at Area Code games
Two-sport star Bubba Starling from Gardner-Edgerton has been a star at the Area Code games over the last few days in Long Beach, Calif. Starling is playing for the Midwest team the Chicago White Sox and his team has yet to lose.
The Gardner-Ederton star has been pitching and playing outfield for the White Sox. Here is a link to an ESPN Rise feature on Starling:
A boy named 'Bubba': White Sox pitcher two-sport star
Starling is being projected as a first round draft pick in next June's MLB draft. He is committed to Nebraska for football and baseball as of right now.
The Gardner-Ederton star has been pitching and playing outfield for the White Sox. Here is a link to an ESPN Rise feature on Starling:
A boy named 'Bubba': White Sox pitcher two-sport star
Starling is being projected as a first round draft pick in next June's MLB draft. He is committed to Nebraska for football and baseball as of right now.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Hutchinson regionally ranked by ESPN
ESPN has put out its Top 50 Rankings for the 2010 High School football season, and the six-time defending state champions Salthawks are ranked 18th in the Southwest Region that includes Arkansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.
Hutchinson is the only Kansas school ranked anywhere in the ESPN rankings, but its first game of the year is against another regionally ranked team in Rockhurst (MO). Rockhurst is ranked 16th in the region.
The two schools have split their first two games in the new rivarly. This year's game will be in Hutchinson once again.
Click here for the complete ESPN Rankings
Hutchinson is the only Kansas school ranked anywhere in the ESPN rankings, but its first game of the year is against another regionally ranked team in Rockhurst (MO). Rockhurst is ranked 16th in the region.
The two schools have split their first two games in the new rivarly. This year's game will be in Hutchinson once again.
Click here for the complete ESPN Rankings
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Coughenour earns All-American Award
Tyler Cougehnour, formerly of Collegiate, has been named a Second-Team All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association and Rawlings. For the complete team:
2010 ABCA/Rawlings High School All-Americans
2010 ABCA/Rawlings High School All-Americans
Catchy Award discussion/history
After more than 3,000 votes the 2010 Catchy Awards have come to a close. You can go here for the story:
2010 Catchy Award Winners
After three years I decided to compile a little history on the Catchy Awards. Here are some of the numbers I came up with:
· Andover Central and Wichita Heights are tied for the most Catchy winners in three years with seven winners each. Kapaun is third with five winners. Bishop Carroll, Hutchinson, Smith Center and Independent all have four each.
· The most nominations also belong to those top two schools. Andover Central has the most nominees with 19 in three years. Wichita Heights has 16, and Collegiate has garnered 15 nods in the Catchy Awards.
· The most winners in any one year went to Andover Central in year one when the Jaguars had five winners. No other school has ever had more than two in the same year.
· In three years there have been a total of 8,515 votes cast in the Catchy Awards.
· 94 different schools have had at least one nominee in three years and 49 different schools have had at least one winner.
So what did you guys think? Do you agree with the athletes that won this year? Do you like the way the Catchy Awards are run? What changes would you like to see made? What categories would you like to see for next year? Comment and let us know!
2010 Catchy Award Winners
After three years I decided to compile a little history on the Catchy Awards. Here are some of the numbers I came up with:
· Andover Central and Wichita Heights are tied for the most Catchy winners in three years with seven winners each. Kapaun is third with five winners. Bishop Carroll, Hutchinson, Smith Center and Independent all have four each.
· The most nominations also belong to those top two schools. Andover Central has the most nominees with 19 in three years. Wichita Heights has 16, and Collegiate has garnered 15 nods in the Catchy Awards.
· The most winners in any one year went to Andover Central in year one when the Jaguars had five winners. No other school has ever had more than two in the same year.
· In three years there have been a total of 8,515 votes cast in the Catchy Awards.
· 94 different schools have had at least one nominee in three years and 49 different schools have had at least one winner.
So what did you guys think? Do you agree with the athletes that won this year? Do you like the way the Catchy Awards are run? What changes would you like to see made? What categories would you like to see for next year? Comment and let us know!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Hutchinson golfer defends Junior Match Play title
Several area high school athletes were competing last week at Eagle Bend Golf Course in Lawrence during Kansas Junior Golf Association events.
First, the Junior Section Team Championship took place at the course, ending Wednesday, July 28. The South Central Section defended its title, beat the second-place Metro Section 1,748-1,798. Other teams participating were the West, Northeast, North Central and Southeast sections.
Max Lazzo, a 2010 graduate of Kapaun Mt. Carmel, won his age division (18 and over) and the overall title. He shot a 137, tying with Jordan Hecker of Russell, who won the 16-17 age division.
However, Lazzo defeated Hecker in a playoff. Hecker will be a junior this year at Russell.
Sterling’s Michael Gellerman and Wellington’s Myles Miller tied for second in the 16-17 category with scores of 138. In the 14-15 division, Circle’s Dominic Lara claimed the top spot by shooting a 139.
Next up at Eagle Bend was Junior Match Play, which ended Friday, July 30. Hutchinson’s Thane Ringler, the top seed, defended his title. He took on the No. 14 seed, Travis Mays, for the championship. Mays, of Blue Valley West, was the Class 6A state champion this year.
Ringler edged Mays in match play 5&4. Ringler, a 2010 graduate of Hutchinson, will continue his golf career at The Masters College, a Christian College in Santa Clarita, Calif.
First, the Junior Section Team Championship took place at the course, ending Wednesday, July 28. The South Central Section defended its title, beat the second-place Metro Section 1,748-1,798. Other teams participating were the West, Northeast, North Central and Southeast sections.
Max Lazzo, a 2010 graduate of Kapaun Mt. Carmel, won his age division (18 and over) and the overall title. He shot a 137, tying with Jordan Hecker of Russell, who won the 16-17 age division.
However, Lazzo defeated Hecker in a playoff. Hecker will be a junior this year at Russell.
Sterling’s Michael Gellerman and Wellington’s Myles Miller tied for second in the 16-17 category with scores of 138. In the 14-15 division, Circle’s Dominic Lara claimed the top spot by shooting a 139.
Next up at Eagle Bend was Junior Match Play, which ended Friday, July 30. Hutchinson’s Thane Ringler, the top seed, defended his title. He took on the No. 14 seed, Travis Mays, for the championship. Mays, of Blue Valley West, was the Class 6A state champion this year.
Ringler edged Mays in match play 5&4. Ringler, a 2010 graduate of Hutchinson, will continue his golf career at The Masters College, a Christian College in Santa Clarita, Calif.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
"Shrining" Moment
I realize I am late to the party, but having just recently met Josh Smith at the Shrine Bowl practice, watching Smith score three touchdowns against the East squad and grabbing West MVP honors, I was ecstatic.
Couldn't have happened to a more grounded kid. No surprise the KU coaches wanted him on their team.
But I am troubled that he is only receiving a walk-on offer. I understand his size is an issue, fine. He isn't that tall, but neither were a lot of great college players. The kid ran for over 300 yards against Bishop Carroll - in the playoffs!!! And that wasn't a fluke. He did it all season. Ask all of Hutchinson's opponents.
The point is he is effective. The West loses to the East last night without Smith. No question.
It will be interesting to see how much run he gets in Lawrence. Good luck to Josh Smith with the Jayhawks.
Couldn't have happened to a more grounded kid. No surprise the KU coaches wanted him on their team.
But I am troubled that he is only receiving a walk-on offer. I understand his size is an issue, fine. He isn't that tall, but neither were a lot of great college players. The kid ran for over 300 yards against Bishop Carroll - in the playoffs!!! And that wasn't a fluke. He did it all season. Ask all of Hutchinson's opponents.
The point is he is effective. The West loses to the East last night without Smith. No question.
It will be interesting to see how much run he gets in Lawrence. Good luck to Josh Smith with the Jayhawks.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Let's get ready to rumble
Just take a second—inhale deeply and slowly exhale—and enjoy the moment. This is the glorious, tranquil time before kids all over this state strap up and smash the crap out of each other until only one bruised and battered clan in each classification is left standing.
Football season is almost here.
It’s beautiful really. Take a group of kids and fire them in a kiln of August heat, cooking the soft clay into a solid piece of unyielding ferocity. Then take what has become a singular unit, living and breathing in sync, and line it up against all comers to see who will let go of the will to fight first.
There are few experiences that can match sitting in a locker room in the moments before a football game. It has to be similar to the moments before a gigantic brawl. Two gangs standing in each others' way. The only options are to bash your way through, or lie down and be bashed. You are accountable for every person in the room, and they are accountable for you.
Let’s go get us some boys.
Football coaches, especially at the highest levels of the game, pride themselves on complex schemes requiring an MIT education to crack. But break the game down and it will come down to one factor—the team that out-hits the other will be the winner.
That’s it. The group that hits the other hardest is your winner in almost all cases. The team that hands out the biggest beating is the team that was able to, “execute.”
Tallyho.
The premise of football is simple and pure. My crew has given an awful lot of blood, sweat, and tears to get into that end zone, so that’s where we are going. If you think you are man enough to stop us, go ahead and try.
You’ve been warned.
In football, the line in the sand is not proverbial. It is marked in the field by the referee over and over again throughout the course of the game. Opponents line up on either side of it, snarl at each other and give the evil eye, psyching themselves up for the immanent collision.
Cross this line and see what happens.
The constant redrawing of the line provides an unbelievable opportunity for redemption. Find yourself staring up at the stadium lights after a play? Don’t worry. Everyone will regroup, the line will be redrawn, and the opportunity for payback is there if you want it.
This opportunity makes the cheap shot unexplainable, and inexcusable. If you have been wronged, you are perfectly within the rules of the game to line up and put a hurting on the offending party. Revenge is only one play away.
Using your body as a weapon, apply enough blunt-force trauma to take the opponent’s will to fight back, and the game is yours.
Almost as beautiful as the brutality of the game, is the way entire communities stop everything to support it, further adding to the gang mentality of the sport. Towns go dark except for the stadium lights as everyone shows up in full throat to watch the mêlée. And it’s personal.
In a society that seems to be shifting more and more to the, “let’s outlaw recess because little Jimmy might get singled out,” state of mind, football endures. For four 12-minute quarters every Friday night, people are able to put down the bubble wrap and duct tape to take a break from childproofing the world and cheer on some good old competitive violence.
And they do it for a love of football, a game in which the weak link on a team will be singled out. Count on it. There is no place to hide. There is no right field to stick a player and hope for the best.
The game is an opportunistic carnivore. The lion does not pick out the biggest, strongest, fastest gazelle in the herd. It finds the slowest, weakest gazelle so that feasting on its succulent flesh can be done easily. If the opponent has success pounding the ball your way, you had better toughen up quick. The onslaught will not stop unless you find a way to stop it.
Within this cauldron of carnage is an unexpected surprise—the deep respect that only comes from being locked in a violent competition with someone. There are very few things that measure up to the guts and dedication required of contact sports. No one except your opponent will ever know how much you gave to the competition.
Of course, with people slamming into each other comes some intense rivalries. But when the game is over—win or lose—you find yourself staring at a person who matched you blow-for-blow until neither of you had anything left. There is a brotherhood of those brave enough to jump into the fray.
So get those mouthpieces molded and helmets fitted. The first two locomotives to collide are Kapaun and Wichita Northwest at 7:00 p.m. on Sept. 2 at Northwest.
Football season is almost here.
It’s beautiful really. Take a group of kids and fire them in a kiln of August heat, cooking the soft clay into a solid piece of unyielding ferocity. Then take what has become a singular unit, living and breathing in sync, and line it up against all comers to see who will let go of the will to fight first.
There are few experiences that can match sitting in a locker room in the moments before a football game. It has to be similar to the moments before a gigantic brawl. Two gangs standing in each others' way. The only options are to bash your way through, or lie down and be bashed. You are accountable for every person in the room, and they are accountable for you.
Let’s go get us some boys.
Football coaches, especially at the highest levels of the game, pride themselves on complex schemes requiring an MIT education to crack. But break the game down and it will come down to one factor—the team that out-hits the other will be the winner.
That’s it. The group that hits the other hardest is your winner in almost all cases. The team that hands out the biggest beating is the team that was able to, “execute.”
Tallyho.
The premise of football is simple and pure. My crew has given an awful lot of blood, sweat, and tears to get into that end zone, so that’s where we are going. If you think you are man enough to stop us, go ahead and try.
You’ve been warned.
In football, the line in the sand is not proverbial. It is marked in the field by the referee over and over again throughout the course of the game. Opponents line up on either side of it, snarl at each other and give the evil eye, psyching themselves up for the immanent collision.
Cross this line and see what happens.
The constant redrawing of the line provides an unbelievable opportunity for redemption. Find yourself staring up at the stadium lights after a play? Don’t worry. Everyone will regroup, the line will be redrawn, and the opportunity for payback is there if you want it.
This opportunity makes the cheap shot unexplainable, and inexcusable. If you have been wronged, you are perfectly within the rules of the game to line up and put a hurting on the offending party. Revenge is only one play away.
Using your body as a weapon, apply enough blunt-force trauma to take the opponent’s will to fight back, and the game is yours.
Almost as beautiful as the brutality of the game, is the way entire communities stop everything to support it, further adding to the gang mentality of the sport. Towns go dark except for the stadium lights as everyone shows up in full throat to watch the mêlée. And it’s personal.
In a society that seems to be shifting more and more to the, “let’s outlaw recess because little Jimmy might get singled out,” state of mind, football endures. For four 12-minute quarters every Friday night, people are able to put down the bubble wrap and duct tape to take a break from childproofing the world and cheer on some good old competitive violence.
And they do it for a love of football, a game in which the weak link on a team will be singled out. Count on it. There is no place to hide. There is no right field to stick a player and hope for the best.
The game is an opportunistic carnivore. The lion does not pick out the biggest, strongest, fastest gazelle in the herd. It finds the slowest, weakest gazelle so that feasting on its succulent flesh can be done easily. If the opponent has success pounding the ball your way, you had better toughen up quick. The onslaught will not stop unless you find a way to stop it.
Within this cauldron of carnage is an unexpected surprise—the deep respect that only comes from being locked in a violent competition with someone. There are very few things that measure up to the guts and dedication required of contact sports. No one except your opponent will ever know how much you gave to the competition.
Of course, with people slamming into each other comes some intense rivalries. But when the game is over—win or lose—you find yourself staring at a person who matched you blow-for-blow until neither of you had anything left. There is a brotherhood of those brave enough to jump into the fray.
So get those mouthpieces molded and helmets fitted. The first two locomotives to collide are Kapaun and Wichita Northwest at 7:00 p.m. on Sept. 2 at Northwest.
Gardner Edgerton has to find a new logo
You always hear the cliché “don’t mess with Texas.”
Gardner Edgerton found out that applies to the University of Texas’ logo as well.
Since Marvin Deiner arrived as the head coach of the Trailblazers football program the team’s helmets have been emblazoned with a logo looking similar to that of the Texas Longhorns.
The logo was blue instead of the burnt orange the university uses, but the similarities were too close for Texas to continue letting the high school use the logo without paying a hefty rights fee.
Gardner Edgerton brought up the issue with the university as they were planning to affix the “ox horn bovine” logo to the gymnasium floor. Before spending the money to put the new logo in the gym the school decided to check with university officials.
Texas felt the resemblance was too significant and asked the high school to consider using a new logo.
New logos are not uncommon at the school. According to GardnerEDGE.com, each head football coach since the mid-1970s has designed a new logo for the team’s helmet.
Upon Texas’ decision, Gardner Edgerton has decided to stop production of the current school logo and will phase it out when new uniforms, equipment and spirit wear are purchased.
The school currently holds a primary logo, an “ox-horned bovine pulling a trailblazing wagon” that is used on stationary and signs outside the school, according to the site.
The new logo for this year’s football helmets however will be unveiled at the Blazers first game against Blue Valley West on Sept. 3.
Gardner Edgerton was the state runner-up last year after falling to Hutchinson in the Class 5A championship game. The school also joins a new league this season after moving from the Frontier League to the Eastern Kansas League.
Gardner Edgerton's Old Helmet Logo
The University of Texas' Logo
Visit the newly redesigned CatchItKansas.com
Gardner Edgerton found out that applies to the University of Texas’ logo as well.
Since Marvin Deiner arrived as the head coach of the Trailblazers football program the team’s helmets have been emblazoned with a logo looking similar to that of the Texas Longhorns.
The logo was blue instead of the burnt orange the university uses, but the similarities were too close for Texas to continue letting the high school use the logo without paying a hefty rights fee.
Gardner Edgerton brought up the issue with the university as they were planning to affix the “ox horn bovine” logo to the gymnasium floor. Before spending the money to put the new logo in the gym the school decided to check with university officials.
Texas felt the resemblance was too significant and asked the high school to consider using a new logo.
New logos are not uncommon at the school. According to GardnerEDGE.com, each head football coach since the mid-1970s has designed a new logo for the team’s helmet.
Upon Texas’ decision, Gardner Edgerton has decided to stop production of the current school logo and will phase it out when new uniforms, equipment and spirit wear are purchased.
The school currently holds a primary logo, an “ox-horned bovine pulling a trailblazing wagon” that is used on stationary and signs outside the school, according to the site.
The new logo for this year’s football helmets however will be unveiled at the Blazers first game against Blue Valley West on Sept. 3.
Gardner Edgerton was the state runner-up last year after falling to Hutchinson in the Class 5A championship game. The school also joins a new league this season after moving from the Frontier League to the Eastern Kansas League.
Gardner Edgerton's Old Helmet Logo
The University of Texas' Logo
Visit the newly redesigned CatchItKansas.com
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Bowen at Nike Nationals; all-star basketball coming up
Jhasmin Bowen, a Wichita Heights basketball player, is competing for Dallas-Fort Worth this week at Nike Nationals. The event lasts through Saturday in Augusta, S.C.
Jhasmin will be a senior this year at Heights. She was the only player outside the Topeka-Kansas City area who earned all-state honors on the first team in Class 6A last year.
In other basketball news, the coaches’ association all-star games will take place Aug. 5 at Washburn University in Topeka. The girls’ game will start at 6 p.m. and the boys’ contest will follow at 8 p.m.
The South girls won their all-star matchup last year. For the boys, the North team won in 2008 while the South team prevailed in 2009.
The annual event features recently graduated seniors.
Jhasmin will be a senior this year at Heights. She was the only player outside the Topeka-Kansas City area who earned all-state honors on the first team in Class 6A last year.
In other basketball news, the coaches’ association all-star games will take place Aug. 5 at Washburn University in Topeka. The girls’ game will start at 6 p.m. and the boys’ contest will follow at 8 p.m.
The South girls won their all-star matchup last year. For the boys, the North team won in 2008 while the South team prevailed in 2009.
The annual event features recently graduated seniors.
Curious KSHSAA Rules
The end of July and August can be a stressful time in the CatchItKansas.com office. We have football previews, a site redesign, schedules and many other tasks to accomplish to get ready for the new school year. Fortunately the Kansas High School Activities Association always supplies a bit of comic relief in the form of rule books.
About this time every year KSHSAA sends out its fall sports rule books. Most of the rules make complete sense, but some of them are a bit….curious. Here, in no particular order of curiousness, are some we found and proceeded to scratch our collective head at:
1. No Hair Pins or Jewelry in Cross County
As a former cross country runner I have heard my fair share of complaints about this rule. It bans all forms of jewelry which includes the rope/string bracelets that seemed so popular a couple years ago. Girls are also not allowed to wear metal pins in their hair or ribbons that could be considered “flowing”.
Now let’s fast forward to page nine of the tennis manual where it says “There is no restriction on jewelry worn by competitors.” Why the double standard KSHSAA? Cross Country runners want to be pretty when they compete too!
I understand that a three to five inch thin piece of string that was made as a friendship bracelet earlier that summer at camp could be used for more nefarious purposes down in the dark woods of a cross country race, but I think KSHSAA should take a leap of faith and make them legal. There can be no other reason for disallowing the string bracelets than for worry over using them as a weapon. Watches are allowed and they are much bulkier and dangerous than any string bracelet would be.
I have always hoped that some coach with a sense of humor would throw away a meet and have his varsity guys team carry a grandfather clock with them and call it their collective “watch.” I guess I’ll just keep dreaming though.
2. “Bong-Bong-Bong-Whoo!”
I am just going to throw this out there right now, I do not, and will not, claim to understand soccer and its traditions. This also spans to the chants that KSHSAA has deemed unacceptable. There are eight specific chants that KSHSAA points out as unacceptable.
Bong-Bong-Bong-Whoo is one of the eight chants that have drawn the ire of KSHSAA. According to the book it is only offending when the opposing team has the ball. This makes me wonder, what exactly does Bong-Bong-Bong-Whoo mean? What emotion does it aim to solicit? Anger? Sadness? Embarrassment? Bewilderment?
Whatever it may mean, Bong-Bong-Bong-Whoo just doesn’t strike me as an offensive, soul crushing chant. It is not nearly as bad as one of the other banned chants in the KSHSAA book as “you, you, you” is also not allowed. Makes me wonder, is it illegal to string any three pronouns together or just the second person singular you? What about if I were to chant it in a different language?
Good luck translating Bong-Bong-Bong-Whoo into a foreign dialect.
3. Conduct rules for Tennis players
In the KSHSAA rulebook it says:
“Players who use abusive or profane language, throw rackets or slam tennis balls in anger, use obscene hand or body gestures, yell or are otherwise distracting to other players, or in any way show disrespect for the dignity of their team, opponents, coaches, spectators, or meet officials shall be penalized as follows:”
It then lists a four strike system with the fourth penalty being kicked out of the tournament. This is one rule I think is too lenient. My four-year-old nephew doesn’t get that many warnings before being sat in timeout, so why should 14-18-year-olds be allowed to act out four times before getting kicked out of a match.
Coaches and spectators get kicked out on the third violation. That number should be one warning and kicked out on the second. That is, unless, we like the John McEnroe style of play. In that case let’s require everyone put on an 80’s afro wig with sweat band, tube socks, short shorts and grab some wooden rackets. Johnny Mac would be proud.
4. Football teams “draw lots” for a playoff spot
If there is a tie at the end of district play in week nine of the football season, then there is a long process to figure out who goes to the playoffs and who goes home. Number 14 on that list is to “draw lots”, which means literally to draw from a hat.
It is almost as if the tie-break rules were being made up and they got to the 13th break and just looked around and said, “I’m tired. There is a new episode of The Office on tonight, let’s just say that after the 13th break we draw names out of a hat. Sound good?”
There are many other tie-breaks to go to such as average margin of victory, record against teams with a .500 record or better, or even a punt, pass and kick competition between team mascots. Seriously, tell me you would not be interested in seeing a Roadrunner vs. Greenback (Frog) in Punt, Pass and Kick. I’d be there in a heartbeat.
The bottom line is, a team’s season should not come down to something as arbitrary as drawing from a hat. Since this rule exists, I hope this also means there is a sweet gold-plated top hat that exists solely for the purpose of bringing an unceremonious and arbitrary end to somebody’s season while elevating another to the playoffs.
5. Shoes must be worn at all times in cross country
The rule on this is simple in the KSHSAA book. It has a header labeled “Shoes” and one bullet point that says “Must be worn at all times!!” This rule is so important that it requires not one, but two exclamation points.
There are many studies coming out now that running barefoot is actually the most natural way to run. Shoes can often cause injuries more than preventing them. Is it not a kid’s prerogative to run barefoot if they, their parents and their coach deem it as ok?
Then what if a shoe falls off of a kid during the race? Nobody wants to stop and put a spike back on. Does that kid get disqualified for an unfortunate circumstance? I think not.
In high school I ran in a race where this happened about a quarter-mile in. The kid kept going. He ran a 5k with one shoe. Did I call cheater? No. Instead I accepted that this boy was just flat out more of a man than I was because this race went over about a half-mile of asphalt. Where many high school boys would cry, he gritted teeth and finished in the middle of the pack.
We should embrace ridiculous feats of strength and stupidity, not discourage them.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Benoit reaches finals; state bowling to change
One Kansan finished among the top 16 at the U.S. Bowling Congress (USBC) Junior Gold Championships this month at Indianapolis.
Kenny Benoit, who will be a senior at Topeka Seaman, advanced from semifinal action to compete in match play. He finished 15th among the boys, who started the week with 982 contenders.
Kenny completed his junior season in 16th place at the Class 5-1A state tournament. His Topeka Seaman team finished second to Kansas City Washington.
The state bowling tournament in March 2011 will feature a few changes. Last year, boys battled Thursday, March 4, for state titles in two classifications: 6A and 5-1A. State girls bowling for both classes took place the following day, Friday, March 5.
In 2011, Class 5-1A girls will compete on a Thursday morning, followed by 5-1A boys in the afternoon. The 6A bowlers will take to the lanes the following Friday. Schools favor that setup due to travel costs.
In addition, team scores will be tallied differently for the postseason. In the past, an athlete bowled three games to emerge with a series score. Each school’s top four series scores were added to determine the team score.
Now, team scores will be figured after each of the three games, which will give more bowlers a chance to contribute to overall team scores.
For instance, the Wichita Heights girls won the 6A championship last year with a team score of 2,403. The Falcons’ top four series scores – Emerald Weaver’s 628, Katelyn Carlson’s 625, Juliahna Stockham’s 594 and Kasey Anderson’s 556 – generated the team total. Autumn Weaver’s series score of 539 did not count as part of the team score.
However, Autumn’s first-game score of 179 was higher than Kasey’s first-game total of 120. In addition, Autumn’s 214 in the second game was better than Emerald’s 203 and Juliahna’s 197. Autumn trailed the other four girls in the third game, but her scores in Game 1 and Game 2 would be relevant under the new rules.
Kenny Benoit, who will be a senior at Topeka Seaman, advanced from semifinal action to compete in match play. He finished 15th among the boys, who started the week with 982 contenders.
Kenny completed his junior season in 16th place at the Class 5-1A state tournament. His Topeka Seaman team finished second to Kansas City Washington.
The state bowling tournament in March 2011 will feature a few changes. Last year, boys battled Thursday, March 4, for state titles in two classifications: 6A and 5-1A. State girls bowling for both classes took place the following day, Friday, March 5.
In 2011, Class 5-1A girls will compete on a Thursday morning, followed by 5-1A boys in the afternoon. The 6A bowlers will take to the lanes the following Friday. Schools favor that setup due to travel costs.
In addition, team scores will be tallied differently for the postseason. In the past, an athlete bowled three games to emerge with a series score. Each school’s top four series scores were added to determine the team score.
Now, team scores will be figured after each of the three games, which will give more bowlers a chance to contribute to overall team scores.
For instance, the Wichita Heights girls won the 6A championship last year with a team score of 2,403. The Falcons’ top four series scores – Emerald Weaver’s 628, Katelyn Carlson’s 625, Juliahna Stockham’s 594 and Kasey Anderson’s 556 – generated the team total. Autumn Weaver’s series score of 539 did not count as part of the team score.
However, Autumn’s first-game score of 179 was higher than Kasey’s first-game total of 120. In addition, Autumn’s 214 in the second game was better than Emerald’s 203 and Juliahna’s 197. Autumn trailed the other four girls in the third game, but her scores in Game 1 and Game 2 would be relevant under the new rules.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Really? Just one month?
I can't believe it either but we are just one month away from the start of high school football practices. Where in the world is the summer going?
We'll start this year's football season with some changes in the office. A lot of new faces are going to be on the Catch it Kansas show most notably Grant Meech joining us in Wichita instead of working in Hays. We'll have two newbies to break-in in Dodge City and Hays which is exciting, new blood always is.
Hearing that we're just one month away from the start of practices I had to start thinking about my favorites this year to either win state or make a deep run into the playoffs.
Obviously I have to give Hutch the benefit of the doubt when it comes to anything playoff-related. I think Heights is returning a ton of talent and has a solid chance to make it to the state finals again. That is if Coaches Auer and Marshall allow Evan Wessel to play this year after what happened last season!
In the 3A ranks I think it's Collegiate's turn to go through the down cycle. They lose a ton of talen off of last year's state championship team and it may be their year to rebuild. I'll always say Garden Plain and Conway Springs will have a shot at anything in the playoffs and I really hope I get to cover that game for a third year in a row.
I'm wondering if Wichita Trinity can finally put something together this year? Morgan Burns is such a tremendous athlete and I've love to see him show off his talents in the playoffs.
Other than Heights I'm not too sure about the city league this year. Bishop Carroll will be a strong team but losing Blake Bell is a huge blow. Alan Schuckman will figure something out though, I have no doubt.
An interesting change in coaching this year as Tom Beason will be an assistant to Weston Schartz at Northwest. Beason plays rugby with the Wichita Rugby Club and has been having his kids get out and play with the rugby team to make them tougher. I am a big fan of that idea, gives them an extra edge. Also Wichita Wild receiver Clinton Solomon will be the receivers coach at East this coming season. I am really intrested to see how that affects the team and how much better they'll be with a former D-1 wide receiver giving them pointers.
I think I'm really only writing this blog because I am jonesing for football to start!! I do love baseball a ton but I grew up in the South. Football is my religion!
We'll start this year's football season with some changes in the office. A lot of new faces are going to be on the Catch it Kansas show most notably Grant Meech joining us in Wichita instead of working in Hays. We'll have two newbies to break-in in Dodge City and Hays which is exciting, new blood always is.
Hearing that we're just one month away from the start of practices I had to start thinking about my favorites this year to either win state or make a deep run into the playoffs.
Obviously I have to give Hutch the benefit of the doubt when it comes to anything playoff-related. I think Heights is returning a ton of talent and has a solid chance to make it to the state finals again. That is if Coaches Auer and Marshall allow Evan Wessel to play this year after what happened last season!
In the 3A ranks I think it's Collegiate's turn to go through the down cycle. They lose a ton of talen off of last year's state championship team and it may be their year to rebuild. I'll always say Garden Plain and Conway Springs will have a shot at anything in the playoffs and I really hope I get to cover that game for a third year in a row.
I'm wondering if Wichita Trinity can finally put something together this year? Morgan Burns is such a tremendous athlete and I've love to see him show off his talents in the playoffs.
Other than Heights I'm not too sure about the city league this year. Bishop Carroll will be a strong team but losing Blake Bell is a huge blow. Alan Schuckman will figure something out though, I have no doubt.
An interesting change in coaching this year as Tom Beason will be an assistant to Weston Schartz at Northwest. Beason plays rugby with the Wichita Rugby Club and has been having his kids get out and play with the rugby team to make them tougher. I am a big fan of that idea, gives them an extra edge. Also Wichita Wild receiver Clinton Solomon will be the receivers coach at East this coming season. I am really intrested to see how that affects the team and how much better they'll be with a former D-1 wide receiver giving them pointers.
I think I'm really only writing this blog because I am jonesing for football to start!! I do love baseball a ton but I grew up in the South. Football is my religion!
No guts, no glory
The Open Championship at St. Andrews in Scotland, the birthplace of golf. There are howling 17-mile an hour winds, enormous greens with putt-putt type breaks and bunkers so deep, the vertical wall you are trying to hit out of is taller than you.
There are few tests of a person’s mental stamina like a round of golf at your local public course, let alone a Major Championship at St. Andrews.
Going to play 18 holes always sounds like a great idea—a nice long walk through a gigantic, pristine lawn. But for those who do not possess the strength of a silverback gorilla within the recesses of their minds, things unravel quickly.
As the sanity begins to fall to pieces and a calm outdoor outing turns into pure red in the face, vein-throbbing anger, it becomes clear why grandma wasn’t invited. The steady stream of language used would probably cause her to drop dead.
Glancing at the TV during the first round of The Open, the Catch It staff began to laugh at a golfer stuck in a bunker. His first shot hit the massive wall and fell right back to his feet. So did his second, and third shots. Realizing the straight toward the pin method wasn’t going to happen, he played his fourth shot safely out of the side of the bunker.
This, “Tin Cup,” display sparked a discussion about how stupid this golfer was for not just playing backward from the beginning.
But whatever happened to no guts, no glory?
One sterling piece of golf advice is to love the challenge of the day. This is of course much easier said than done. When you have just sent your tee shot into the woods for the ninth time, it requires less restraint to helicopter a club into the tree than to sit back and say, “Oh boy, another challenge!”
But these are your opportunities for greatness.
Don’t just play a 90 degree shot to get back into the fairway. This is the expected play out of every dreary robot on the course. The 90-degree rule is for golf carts, not humans who have the courage to dance with the gods.
You know what you have to do.
Find that small window through the trees that you can use to shoot at the pin. Go ahead and line it up. Can’t see the pin at all? Then there is nothing left to do but attempt a massive hook or draw around the trees. Think big here.
Are you good enough to hit that window? Are you good enough to purposely shape a shot around trouble?
No you are not.
But go for it, and one of two things will happen:
1. The stars will align and you will make the shot. It isn’t slop either. You simply strutted up to the situation, assessed it, and went for it all with unflinching, perfect execution. Although the shot was a miracle, remember that it was a miracle you planned. Do not run around flailing and squealing like a pig rolling in the mud. Do not do a back flip. This will ruin your shot by staining the story that will be told forever. Your playing partners will be stunned when you come out of the woods as though you had planned it all along. After all, you did plan it all along. Congratulations, and welcome to the land of the immortal.
2. You will fail miserably. This is the inevitable outcome. If you are lucky, the cartoonish hook you attempted will not come back around and sail out of bounds. If you are unlucky, your shot will hit a tree flush and ricochet straight back, smacking you square in the most sensitive of areas. The pain will drop you to your knees, your voice will go up five octaves, and those jerk playing partners will laugh hysterically at your agony.
But hey, when you fail, and the pain goes away after a couple of weeks, at least you will know you went for it. You did not get the glory, but you have got more guts in your pinky than the cowards laughing at you have in their entire bodies.
At least you did not play it safe.
There are few tests of a person’s mental stamina like a round of golf at your local public course, let alone a Major Championship at St. Andrews.
Going to play 18 holes always sounds like a great idea—a nice long walk through a gigantic, pristine lawn. But for those who do not possess the strength of a silverback gorilla within the recesses of their minds, things unravel quickly.
As the sanity begins to fall to pieces and a calm outdoor outing turns into pure red in the face, vein-throbbing anger, it becomes clear why grandma wasn’t invited. The steady stream of language used would probably cause her to drop dead.
Glancing at the TV during the first round of The Open, the Catch It staff began to laugh at a golfer stuck in a bunker. His first shot hit the massive wall and fell right back to his feet. So did his second, and third shots. Realizing the straight toward the pin method wasn’t going to happen, he played his fourth shot safely out of the side of the bunker.
This, “Tin Cup,” display sparked a discussion about how stupid this golfer was for not just playing backward from the beginning.
But whatever happened to no guts, no glory?
One sterling piece of golf advice is to love the challenge of the day. This is of course much easier said than done. When you have just sent your tee shot into the woods for the ninth time, it requires less restraint to helicopter a club into the tree than to sit back and say, “Oh boy, another challenge!”
But these are your opportunities for greatness.
Don’t just play a 90 degree shot to get back into the fairway. This is the expected play out of every dreary robot on the course. The 90-degree rule is for golf carts, not humans who have the courage to dance with the gods.
You know what you have to do.
Find that small window through the trees that you can use to shoot at the pin. Go ahead and line it up. Can’t see the pin at all? Then there is nothing left to do but attempt a massive hook or draw around the trees. Think big here.
Are you good enough to hit that window? Are you good enough to purposely shape a shot around trouble?
No you are not.
But go for it, and one of two things will happen:
1. The stars will align and you will make the shot. It isn’t slop either. You simply strutted up to the situation, assessed it, and went for it all with unflinching, perfect execution. Although the shot was a miracle, remember that it was a miracle you planned. Do not run around flailing and squealing like a pig rolling in the mud. Do not do a back flip. This will ruin your shot by staining the story that will be told forever. Your playing partners will be stunned when you come out of the woods as though you had planned it all along. After all, you did plan it all along. Congratulations, and welcome to the land of the immortal.
2. You will fail miserably. This is the inevitable outcome. If you are lucky, the cartoonish hook you attempted will not come back around and sail out of bounds. If you are unlucky, your shot will hit a tree flush and ricochet straight back, smacking you square in the most sensitive of areas. The pain will drop you to your knees, your voice will go up five octaves, and those jerk playing partners will laugh hysterically at your agony.
But hey, when you fail, and the pain goes away after a couple of weeks, at least you will know you went for it. You did not get the glory, but you have got more guts in your pinky than the cowards laughing at you have in their entire bodies.
At least you did not play it safe.
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