It's a holly, jolly Christmas edition of the Audio Blog, featuring Tom Brady talking about leadership and Dan Koppen setting the stakes for Sunday's game at home against Jacksonville.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Weather on their minds.
The wind changed just about everything about that game, including the angle of the goalposts (as seen in the accompanying photo by Keith Nordstrom). So, needless to say, the Patriots are thinking about weather conditions as they prepare for another December game with the Bills in the winter wonderland that is Orchard Park, N.Y. I'll have a story in Friday's Sun Chronicle with comments from Sam Aiken (a Bill for the first five years of his career) and punter Chris Hanson about how Buffalo weather might affect them this sunday.
By the way, according to the Weather Channel, the Patriots and Bills can expect morning clouds followed by afternoon sun, with temperatures in the 20s and a 20 percent chance of precipitation on Sunday, with winds from the north northwest at 8 mph -- almost summer weather for upstate New York.
My bad; I forgot the Thursday game.
You won't find my pick in today's paper for tonight's NFL game between the undefeated Indianapolis Colts and the Jacksonville Jaguars because, simply, I forgot all about it.
To be honest, I really despise the regular schedule of Thursday games forced upon the public by the NFL to promote its own cable network. Players and coaches aren't fond of the short week of preparation for these games, either -- especially because, coming as late in the season as they do, many players are banged up and don't get the same healing time that they need after the previous week's game when they're forced to play on Thursday.
Fortunately, the Thursday games don't affect the "Beat Fearless" contest. Still, that's no excuse for me being a bonehead and forgetting to type in the pick (which has to be done at the office because it's specially formatted). So, here it is:
COLTS 24, JAGUARS 21 (at Jacksonville, 8:20 p.m.): The word out of Indianapolis is that the Colts are thinking of resting starters as they've done in the past when they've had the top seed in their back pockets early in December. I wonder if Sheriff Roger Goodell will intervene, citing the sanctity of competition in the quest for an undefeated season, blah blah blah. My thought is that the Colts have come out flat in the playoffs when they've done that before, and given how many close calls they've had lately, one would think they'd want to keep that competitive edge.
Whew. That's more than the two lines I get in those little pick boxes in the print edition.
This week also marks the return of the Saturday games to the schedule, as the league's other undefeated team, the New Orleans Saints, will play host to the Dallas Cowboys (again, on the NFL Network only). I will remember to type in that pick at the office later today.
To be honest, I really despise the regular schedule of Thursday games forced upon the public by the NFL to promote its own cable network. Players and coaches aren't fond of the short week of preparation for these games, either -- especially because, coming as late in the season as they do, many players are banged up and don't get the same healing time that they need after the previous week's game when they're forced to play on Thursday.
Fortunately, the Thursday games don't affect the "Beat Fearless" contest. Still, that's no excuse for me being a bonehead and forgetting to type in the pick (which has to be done at the office because it's specially formatted). So, here it is:
COLTS 24, JAGUARS 21 (at Jacksonville, 8:20 p.m.): The word out of Indianapolis is that the Colts are thinking of resting starters as they've done in the past when they've had the top seed in their back pockets early in December. I wonder if Sheriff Roger Goodell will intervene, citing the sanctity of competition in the quest for an undefeated season, blah blah blah. My thought is that the Colts have come out flat in the playoffs when they've done that before, and given how many close calls they've had lately, one would think they'd want to keep that competitive edge.
Whew. That's more than the two lines I get in those little pick boxes in the print edition.
This week also marks the return of the Saturday games to the schedule, as the league's other undefeated team, the New Orleans Saints, will play host to the Dallas Cowboys (again, on the NFL Network only). I will remember to type in that pick at the office later today.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Audio Blog 32.
Tom Brady offers his defense of Randy Moss in the face of ongoing criticism of the veteran receiver's performance in Sunday's game, and Bill Belichick looks ahead to Buffalo.
Brady in defense of Moss.
Tom Brady met the media Wednesday, and as can be expected, one relative newcomer to the media corps asked a long, rambling question (37 seconds, which means it would have violated the shot clocks in the NBA, high school basketball and men's college basketball) about Randy Moss and what the team sees in him that the national pundits don't.
If nothing else, Brady is a diplomatic soul. And his answer was actually a good one.
"He's a great competitor. He works extremely hard and he's a huge part of this team. They don't break down all of the film and see what we see and what the other team's trying to do game-plan wise. Randy's a great part of this team. He's a leader, he's a captain, a great teammate for all of us ... you're not going to find anybody in that locker room that doesn't enjoy being aroudn him. I love playing with the guy. He's made catch after catch this season, last season, the season before, that no other player in the league makes. I know everybody wants to criticize all of us when we don't do well, or we don't play our best, and we're OK with that. That's just part of the job description, so to speak. Within our locker room, we're all just trying to focus on what we need to do better, not necessarily what the other guys need to do better ... it's part of our jobs, and we can all handle it. And fortunately for all of us, when you don't play your best game, whether it's me or Wes (Welker) or Randy or the offensive line, we get to go out there and play the next week, too. I think we take a lot of comfort in that."
Brady was asked for an example of the Randy Moss the public doesn't see.
"He's a very smart player. He recognizes coverages ... sometimes he knows when he probably won't get the ball, and that's probably the ones they focus on on TV ... and you know, he probably won't based on the coverage or based on that week of practice. I don't think any of us think that when you're triple-covered, this is when we've you've really got to (throw there). And I think that sometimes the cameras focus on him at that time and they say, 'look,' and that's not really right. I'm sure you could go through a lot of players in the league and do that. Randy's there, and believe me, I have so much confidence in him. That's why he keeps getting the ball and that's why we go to him in the most critical situations, because he's one of our very best players. Like I've said, I've always enjoyed our relationship, we're all in this together and we all just keep fighting through whatever adversities we face as individuals and this team."
If nothing else, Brady is a diplomatic soul. And his answer was actually a good one.
"He's a great competitor. He works extremely hard and he's a huge part of this team. They don't break down all of the film and see what we see and what the other team's trying to do game-plan wise. Randy's a great part of this team. He's a leader, he's a captain, a great teammate for all of us ... you're not going to find anybody in that locker room that doesn't enjoy being aroudn him. I love playing with the guy. He's made catch after catch this season, last season, the season before, that no other player in the league makes. I know everybody wants to criticize all of us when we don't do well, or we don't play our best, and we're OK with that. That's just part of the job description, so to speak. Within our locker room, we're all just trying to focus on what we need to do better, not necessarily what the other guys need to do better ... it's part of our jobs, and we can all handle it. And fortunately for all of us, when you don't play your best game, whether it's me or Wes (Welker) or Randy or the offensive line, we get to go out there and play the next week, too. I think we take a lot of comfort in that."
Brady was asked for an example of the Randy Moss the public doesn't see.
"He's a very smart player. He recognizes coverages ... sometimes he knows when he probably won't get the ball, and that's probably the ones they focus on on TV ... and you know, he probably won't based on the coverage or based on that week of practice. I don't think any of us think that when you're triple-covered, this is when we've you've really got to (throw there). And I think that sometimes the cameras focus on him at that time and they say, 'look,' and that's not really right. I'm sure you could go through a lot of players in the league and do that. Randy's there, and believe me, I have so much confidence in him. That's why he keeps getting the ball and that's why we go to him in the most critical situations, because he's one of our very best players. Like I've said, I've always enjoyed our relationship, we're all in this together and we all just keep fighting through whatever adversities we face as individuals and this team."
Leading active scorers.
Foxboro High's Dillon Myers is the latest local cager to crack 500 points, and he joins a growing list of active players to have done so. Here's the update after Tuesday's action:
Leading active scorers:
Player School Points Games Career
Josh Koneski Dighton-Rehoboth 765 64 2006-
Ricky Silva Seekonk 648 44 2007-
Kristen Hoffman Foxboro 647 67 2006-
Jessica Eason Mansfield 538 68 2006-
Rodney Chance Mansfield 507 63 2006-
Dillon Myers Foxboro 501 51 2006-
Leading active scorers:
Player School Points Games Career
Josh Koneski Dighton-Rehoboth 765 64 2006-
Ricky Silva Seekonk 648 44 2007-
Kristen Hoffman Foxboro 647 67 2006-
Jessica Eason Mansfield 538 68 2006-
Rodney Chance Mansfield 507 63 2006-
Dillon Myers Foxboro 501 51 2006-
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Caserio on Moss.
Patriots' personnel chief Nick Caserio, who also moonlights as an assistant coach at times, was asked during today's conference call with the media what his take was on the Randy Moss situation. His response (according to a transcript provided by the Patriots):
"I think from my perspective, with all due respect, without rehashing what happened last week, here’s what I think about Randy and him as it relates to our team: Randy has been a productive player for us since he’s been here. He’s been one of our most consistent players and I think just like anybody on our club – and you can go through probably any particular player and earmark a few plays – but everybody has some good plays and everybody has some bad plays. But the thing about him is – and there’re a lot of plays in that game, you know, because there have been a lot of things brought up. There’re a lot of things in that game that he did really well that helped our team, that helped our club, whether it was make a block here or run the route and carry the rest of the defense with him in order for [Benjamin] Watson to get open. So the reality is that Randy is a great player. He’s as productive a receiver as there is in the league. I think he’s what - sixth in the league overall in whatever it is, yards. The reality is this year, for Randy, in terms of production, in terms of what he’s done for this team, is really no different than what it’s been in his career. And we’ve had our moments offensively, too, with Randy. You go back to the Miami game where he caught the 60-yard touchdown pass or whatever it was and the rest of the game they did some things to take him away, and we did other things, so…"
"I think from my perspective, with all due respect, without rehashing what happened last week, here’s what I think about Randy and him as it relates to our team: Randy has been a productive player for us since he’s been here. He’s been one of our most consistent players and I think just like anybody on our club – and you can go through probably any particular player and earmark a few plays – but everybody has some good plays and everybody has some bad plays. But the thing about him is – and there’re a lot of plays in that game, you know, because there have been a lot of things brought up. There’re a lot of things in that game that he did really well that helped our team, that helped our club, whether it was make a block here or run the route and carry the rest of the defense with him in order for [Benjamin] Watson to get open. So the reality is that Randy is a great player. He’s as productive a receiver as there is in the league. I think he’s what - sixth in the league overall in whatever it is, yards. The reality is this year, for Randy, in terms of production, in terms of what he’s done for this team, is really no different than what it’s been in his career. And we’ve had our moments offensively, too, with Randy. You go back to the Miami game where he caught the 60-yard touchdown pass or whatever it was and the rest of the game they did some things to take him away, and we did other things, so…"
Monday, December 14, 2009
Leading active scorers.
Seekonk's Ricky Silva took another step up the local scoring ladder Monday night, netting 22 points in a loss at Apponequet.
He's on pace to become Seekonk's seventh 1,000-point scorer.
Leading active scorers:
Player School Points Games Career
Josh Koneski Dighton-Rehoboth 741 63 2006-
Ricky Silva Seekonk 648 44 2007-
Kristen Hoffman Foxboro 632 66 2006-
Jessica Eason Mansfield 529 67 2006-
Rodney Chance Mansfield 504 62 2006-
He's on pace to become Seekonk's seventh 1,000-point scorer.
Leading active scorers:
Player School Points Games Career
Josh Koneski Dighton-Rehoboth 741 63 2006-
Ricky Silva Seekonk 648 44 2007-
Kristen Hoffman Foxboro 632 66 2006-
Jessica Eason Mansfield 529 67 2006-
Rodney Chance Mansfield 504 62 2006-
Seekonk girls 43, Apponequet 29.
A nice start for the Seekonk girls, who can say for the first time in a long time that they're undefeated in the South Coast Conference with their season-opening win over Apponequet.
Heather Carlson (17 points) and Amanda Cavallaro (10) led the scoring parade, while Fantasia Semedo played a great game at point guard for the Warriors. Here's the box score:
Seekonk 43, Apponequet 29
APPONEQUET (29)
Youngblood 4-23 3-4 14, Brune 0-3 0-0 0, Cowley 0-6 0-0 0, Smith 3-5 1-2 7, Couto 1-2 0-0 2, Mason 2-10 0-2 4, Tracey 0-0 0-0 0, O’Connor 0-0 0-0 0, MacWilliam 0-3 2-4 2, Chouinard 0-0 0-0 0, totals 10-52 6-12 29.
SEEKONK (43)
Carlson 6-17 3-5 16, Grocott 2-9 1-4 5, Hurst 1-5 0-0 2, Berard 1-2 0-1 2, Semedo 3-11 1-4 8, Cavallaro 1-5 8-9 10, Silva 0-1 0-0 0, totals 14-50 13-23 43.
Apponequet 8 4 12 5—29
Seekonk 6 15 8 14—43
3-point goals—Apponequet 3-10 (Youngblood 3-9, Couto 0-1), Seekonk 2-7 (Carlson 1-2, Semedo 1-5). Rebounds—Apponequet 44 (Youngblood 14), Seekonk 43 (Carlson, Grocott, Hurst 7). Assists—Apponequet 9 (Brune 3), Seekonk 8 (Carlson, Semedo, Cavallaro 2). Total fouls—Apponequet 20, Seekonk 10. Fouled out—Smith, Mason.
Heather Carlson (17 points) and Amanda Cavallaro (10) led the scoring parade, while Fantasia Semedo played a great game at point guard for the Warriors. Here's the box score:
Seekonk 43, Apponequet 29
APPONEQUET (29)
Youngblood 4-23 3-4 14, Brune 0-3 0-0 0, Cowley 0-6 0-0 0, Smith 3-5 1-2 7, Couto 1-2 0-0 2, Mason 2-10 0-2 4, Tracey 0-0 0-0 0, O’Connor 0-0 0-0 0, MacWilliam 0-3 2-4 2, Chouinard 0-0 0-0 0, totals 10-52 6-12 29.
SEEKONK (43)
Carlson 6-17 3-5 16, Grocott 2-9 1-4 5, Hurst 1-5 0-0 2, Berard 1-2 0-1 2, Semedo 3-11 1-4 8, Cavallaro 1-5 8-9 10, Silva 0-1 0-0 0, totals 14-50 13-23 43.
Apponequet 8 4 12 5—29
Seekonk 6 15 8 14—43
3-point goals—Apponequet 3-10 (Youngblood 3-9, Couto 0-1), Seekonk 2-7 (Carlson 1-2, Semedo 1-5). Rebounds—Apponequet 44 (Youngblood 14), Seekonk 43 (Carlson, Grocott, Hurst 7). Assists—Apponequet 9 (Brune 3), Seekonk 8 (Carlson, Semedo, Cavallaro 2). Total fouls—Apponequet 20, Seekonk 10. Fouled out—Smith, Mason.
Patriots put Moss "on notice" with their comments.
As many of you know, I have to be up bright and early (by my standards) on Mondays to join old friend Peter Gay on the radio (WARL, 1320 AM) at 6:55 a.m. for our weekly segment on The Sun Chronicle News Hour. This morning's topic, among others, was the play of Patriots' wide receiver Randy Moss in Sunday's 20-10 win over Carolina, which was uninspired.
The more I think about what I heard after the game, the more I realized that Moss' teammates share the oft-stated concern that he may be checking out mentally from games in which he receives a lot of defensive attention, and Tom Brady starts throwing to others as a result.
Let's also not forget that Moss, who will be 33 on Feb. 13, is no longer a spring chicken by athletic standards. Age is everyone's Kryptonite. Maybe Moss is learning that he can no longer leap tall buildings with a single bound, and it's troubling him.
Perhaps that's enabling the enigmatic wideout from Marshall, but I want to believe what the players have said for the two-plus seasons Moss has been here -- that he's been a good teammate, a hard worker, worthy of the captaincy they bestowed upon him. There are some jackals in the media corps who live for the opportunity to blast Moss at every turn, and I don't want to be one of them -- even though there's no benefit to me because Moss ignores all of us.
Sunday, however, those same teammates felt the need to call out Moss for a lackluster performance against the Panthers (one catch, fumbled away; a false-start penalty, poorly-run routes and a general level of disinterest in the wake of his punishment for being tardy to Wednesday morning's meetings). They didn't do it by criticizing Moss, but by going a little over the top in their praise for fellow receiver Wes Welker.
You can read some of the comments in this story I wrote for Page One of The Sun Chronicle today. They keep mentioning how much "heart" Welker had for going over the middle, catching the tough passes, taking a beating and continuing to move the stakes.
What I found curious about that is that everyone on this football-loving planet knows that Wes Welker has "heart." Mentioning it repeatedly almost sounded excessive, until I realized that this was the way that Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, Kevin Faulk and others were telling Randy Moss that Welker was setting the example that he should emulate. They were telling Moss, "Hey, big fella, don't check out on us now. We need for you to be there over the next three weeks and beyond."
Randy Moss has had it good in New England. He's been shielded from the media and encouraged to succeed at every turn. He's set NFL records and may have polished his image enough to settle questions about his worthiness for the Hall of Fame. And you know what? I've come to believe that maybe the excesses of his youth that saddled him with the reputation of being a "bad guy" were exactly that -- immaturity, and child's play compared to some of the transgressions that make it to print about other athletes these days.
Still, I think there's still a bit of immaturity left in Moss, particularly when things aren't going well for him in a game. He has the capability of taking his ball and going home at that point, and his teammates were reminding him -- in as gentle a way as is possible in the NFL -- that they need an adult Randy Moss to help lead them on what may be the last legitimate quest for a Super Bowl for these Patriots as they are constructed now.
If Moss is as smart as he appears to be, he should take the message to heart.
The more I think about what I heard after the game, the more I realized that Moss' teammates share the oft-stated concern that he may be checking out mentally from games in which he receives a lot of defensive attention, and Tom Brady starts throwing to others as a result.
Let's also not forget that Moss, who will be 33 on Feb. 13, is no longer a spring chicken by athletic standards. Age is everyone's Kryptonite. Maybe Moss is learning that he can no longer leap tall buildings with a single bound, and it's troubling him.
Perhaps that's enabling the enigmatic wideout from Marshall, but I want to believe what the players have said for the two-plus seasons Moss has been here -- that he's been a good teammate, a hard worker, worthy of the captaincy they bestowed upon him. There are some jackals in the media corps who live for the opportunity to blast Moss at every turn, and I don't want to be one of them -- even though there's no benefit to me because Moss ignores all of us.
Sunday, however, those same teammates felt the need to call out Moss for a lackluster performance against the Panthers (one catch, fumbled away; a false-start penalty, poorly-run routes and a general level of disinterest in the wake of his punishment for being tardy to Wednesday morning's meetings). They didn't do it by criticizing Moss, but by going a little over the top in their praise for fellow receiver Wes Welker.
You can read some of the comments in this story I wrote for Page One of The Sun Chronicle today. They keep mentioning how much "heart" Welker had for going over the middle, catching the tough passes, taking a beating and continuing to move the stakes.
What I found curious about that is that everyone on this football-loving planet knows that Wes Welker has "heart." Mentioning it repeatedly almost sounded excessive, until I realized that this was the way that Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, Kevin Faulk and others were telling Randy Moss that Welker was setting the example that he should emulate. They were telling Moss, "Hey, big fella, don't check out on us now. We need for you to be there over the next three weeks and beyond."
Randy Moss has had it good in New England. He's been shielded from the media and encouraged to succeed at every turn. He's set NFL records and may have polished his image enough to settle questions about his worthiness for the Hall of Fame. And you know what? I've come to believe that maybe the excesses of his youth that saddled him with the reputation of being a "bad guy" were exactly that -- immaturity, and child's play compared to some of the transgressions that make it to print about other athletes these days.
Still, I think there's still a bit of immaturity left in Moss, particularly when things aren't going well for him in a game. He has the capability of taking his ball and going home at that point, and his teammates were reminding him -- in as gentle a way as is possible in the NFL -- that they need an adult Randy Moss to help lead them on what may be the last legitimate quest for a Super Bowl for these Patriots as they are constructed now.
If Moss is as smart as he appears to be, he should take the message to heart.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Where's Fearless? The People's Republic of Kraftville.
Tom Brady was, of course, listed as "questionable" on the injury report with shoulder, finger and rib problems. The propaganda ministers on WEEI are now trying to float the notion that The Golden Boy has a cracked rib, suffered early in the Miami game, so he should be absolved of any blame for whatever goes wrong today.
Adalius Thomas has also been banished to Bill Belichick's Gulag in the wake of comments the former made in response to the punishment he received for being late to the Wednesday morning meeting.
And the most fun of the week came when one of the guys who wears the costume of the Pat Patriot mascot was arrested for soliciting prostitutes during a sting by Rhode Island state police. Turns out the guy is the ex-husband of the Patriots' current cheerleading coach. All sorts of interesting things come to mind on that one, none of which are suitable for a family-related blog.
By the way, in that case, most of the public statements issued by the Rhode Island state police were made by the commissioner of the force, Brendan Doherty, who is a proud member of The Sun Chronicle's 1,000-point scoring list in basketball (1,023 points in 62 games for Bishop Feehan in 1974-77).
All in-game blogging will be handled at www.thesunchronicle.com/farinella.
Reports: Thomas to be punitive scratch.
According to reports aired on the NFL Network, Patriots' linebacker Adalius Thomas will be a healthy inactive for today's game at Gillette Stadium against the Carolina Panthers.
The scratch would appear to be punishment for Thomas' attitude (expressed in a lengthy interview with media members on Thursday) over his having been sent home for being late to Wednesday's 8 a.m. meeting.
No word on whether the other members of the Tardy Four (Gary Guyton, Randy Moss, Derrick Burgess) will be similarly punished, but as of now, it's extremely doubtful. This appears to be targeted specifically at Thomas for not keeping his mouth shut, and a reminder that there was more freedom of speech in the former Soviet Union than there is in Bill Belichick's locker room. As they might have said outside Lenin's Tomb, "Do svidaniya, Adalius."
This certainly signals the end of the relationship between Thomas and the Patriots. It could have deeper ramifications for the team if the other three participants in Tardygate play full games today. And, I'm wondering if the Players Association has the gumption to protest the punishment on the basis that it was uneven and excessive.
In a related story, the Patriots denied that they had brought in wide receiver Elroy Jetson of the Little Dipper School for a tryout. No, just kidding on that one. You may recall that Thomas claimed that one of the reasons why he couldn't get to work on time Wednesday because he was stuck in snow-clogged traffic and couldn't just point his car into the sky and fly over it as George Jetson might have in that classic 1960s animated sitcom.
The scratch would appear to be punishment for Thomas' attitude (expressed in a lengthy interview with media members on Thursday) over his having been sent home for being late to Wednesday's 8 a.m. meeting.
No word on whether the other members of the Tardy Four (Gary Guyton, Randy Moss, Derrick Burgess) will be similarly punished, but as of now, it's extremely doubtful. This appears to be targeted specifically at Thomas for not keeping his mouth shut, and a reminder that there was more freedom of speech in the former Soviet Union than there is in Bill Belichick's locker room. As they might have said outside Lenin's Tomb, "Do svidaniya, Adalius."
This certainly signals the end of the relationship between Thomas and the Patriots. It could have deeper ramifications for the team if the other three participants in Tardygate play full games today. And, I'm wondering if the Players Association has the gumption to protest the punishment on the basis that it was uneven and excessive.
In a related story, the Patriots denied that they had brought in wide receiver Elroy Jetson of the Little Dipper School for a tryout. No, just kidding on that one. You may recall that Thomas claimed that one of the reasons why he couldn't get to work on time Wednesday because he was stuck in snow-clogged traffic and couldn't just point his car into the sky and fly over it as George Jetson might have in that classic 1960s animated sitcom.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Mansfield girls, boys sweep Canton.
The Mansfield High basketball teams started the season in an unique way Friday, scheduling a girls-boys doubleheader at the Albertini Gym against Hockomock League foe Canton. They'll be also doing it at the Canton High gym later in the season.
It was a good night for the Hornets all around, as the girls prevailed by a 67-44 score and the boys won 64-50. Here are the box scores from both games.
Mansfield girls 67, Canton 44
CANTON (44)
Gualtieri 0-0 0-0 0, Ivanoski 0-1 1-5 1, Pitts-Anaya 1-4 0-0 2, Buchanan 1-2 0-0 2, Murphy 6-9 2-4 14, O’Brien 2-8 0-1 5, Strahan 1-2 0-0 2, Fralick 3-16 3-4 9, Bornemann 2-10 5-11 9, totals 16-52 11-25 44.
MANSFIELD (67)
McPherson 1-4 0-0 2, Davis 2-4 1-2 5, Shannon 0-5 0-0 0, Copley 2-7 0-0 4, McCarthy 0-1 0-0 0, Morizio 0-2 0-0 0, Luchette 1-2 0-0 3, Walker 7-14 2-5 17, Bowes 2-4 0-0 6, Katherine Campbell 0-0 0-0 0, Keohane 0-0 0-0 0, Trombetta 1-2 0-0 2, Hooper 5-12 5-6 17, Kathryn Campbell 0-1 1-2 1, Eason 5-9 0-1 10, totals 26-67 9-16 67.
Canton 9 9 15 11—44
Mansfield 17 16 19 15—67
3-point goals—Canton 1-5 (Pitts-Anaya 0-1, Buchanan 0-1, O’Brien 1-1, Fralick 0-1, Bornemann 0-1), Mansfield 6-20 (McPherson 0-3, Shannon 0-4, Luchette 1-2, Walker 1-3, Bowes 2-3, Hooper 2-4, Kathryn Campbell 0-1). Rebounds—Canton 43 (Bornemann 13), Mansfield 44 (Eason 8). Assists—Canton 9 (Pitts-Anaya, Fralick 3), Mansfield 15 (Bowes 4). Total fouls—Canton 15, Mansfield 21. Fouled out—None.
Mansfield boys 64, Canton 50
CANTON (50)
Murray 0-0 0-0 0, Abelard 3-5 2-4 8, Guillaume 1-11 0-0 2, Boivert 9-19 0-1 21, Levy 0-0 0-0 0, Gavigan 2-5 4-5 8, McCabe 2-4 0-2 4, Nichols 2-5 1-2 5, Sheehan 0-0 0-0 0, Wiggins 0-4 2-4 2, totals 19-53 9-18 50.
MANSFIELD (64)
Baskin 4-11 3-3 14, Introini 1-7 2-3 5, Lofton 4-7 0-0 8, Chance 1-4 3-4 5, Jenkins-Maxwell 3-5 1-4 7, Boyle 2-4 0-0 4, Lambrecht 3-5 2-4 8, Gracia 0-0 1-2 1, Hill 4-6 1-2 10, D. Hershman 1-1 0-0 2, K. Otto 0-0 0-0 0, totals 23-50 13-22 64.
Canton 12 11 13 15—50
Mansfield 14 18 19 13—64
3-point goals—Canton 3-10 (Guillaume 0-2, Boivert 3-7, McCabe 0-1), Mansfield 5-19 (Baskin 3-8, Introini 1-6, Chance 0-1, Jenkins-Maxwell 0-1, Hill 1-2). Rebounds—Canton 35 (Nichols 7), Mansfield 36 (Lambrecht 10). Assists—Canton 5 (Abelard 3), Mansfield 17 (Hill 4). Total fouls—Canton 20, Mansfield 17. Fouled out—Abelard.
It was a good night for the Hornets all around, as the girls prevailed by a 67-44 score and the boys won 64-50. Here are the box scores from both games.
Mansfield girls 67, Canton 44
CANTON (44)
Gualtieri 0-0 0-0 0, Ivanoski 0-1 1-5 1, Pitts-Anaya 1-4 0-0 2, Buchanan 1-2 0-0 2, Murphy 6-9 2-4 14, O’Brien 2-8 0-1 5, Strahan 1-2 0-0 2, Fralick 3-16 3-4 9, Bornemann 2-10 5-11 9, totals 16-52 11-25 44.
MANSFIELD (67)
McPherson 1-4 0-0 2, Davis 2-4 1-2 5, Shannon 0-5 0-0 0, Copley 2-7 0-0 4, McCarthy 0-1 0-0 0, Morizio 0-2 0-0 0, Luchette 1-2 0-0 3, Walker 7-14 2-5 17, Bowes 2-4 0-0 6, Katherine Campbell 0-0 0-0 0, Keohane 0-0 0-0 0, Trombetta 1-2 0-0 2, Hooper 5-12 5-6 17, Kathryn Campbell 0-1 1-2 1, Eason 5-9 0-1 10, totals 26-67 9-16 67.
Canton 9 9 15 11—44
Mansfield 17 16 19 15—67
3-point goals—Canton 1-5 (Pitts-Anaya 0-1, Buchanan 0-1, O’Brien 1-1, Fralick 0-1, Bornemann 0-1), Mansfield 6-20 (McPherson 0-3, Shannon 0-4, Luchette 1-2, Walker 1-3, Bowes 2-3, Hooper 2-4, Kathryn Campbell 0-1). Rebounds—Canton 43 (Bornemann 13), Mansfield 44 (Eason 8). Assists—Canton 9 (Pitts-Anaya, Fralick 3), Mansfield 15 (Bowes 4). Total fouls—Canton 15, Mansfield 21. Fouled out—None.
Mansfield boys 64, Canton 50
CANTON (50)
Murray 0-0 0-0 0, Abelard 3-5 2-4 8, Guillaume 1-11 0-0 2, Boivert 9-19 0-1 21, Levy 0-0 0-0 0, Gavigan 2-5 4-5 8, McCabe 2-4 0-2 4, Nichols 2-5 1-2 5, Sheehan 0-0 0-0 0, Wiggins 0-4 2-4 2, totals 19-53 9-18 50.
MANSFIELD (64)
Baskin 4-11 3-3 14, Introini 1-7 2-3 5, Lofton 4-7 0-0 8, Chance 1-4 3-4 5, Jenkins-Maxwell 3-5 1-4 7, Boyle 2-4 0-0 4, Lambrecht 3-5 2-4 8, Gracia 0-0 1-2 1, Hill 4-6 1-2 10, D. Hershman 1-1 0-0 2, K. Otto 0-0 0-0 0, totals 23-50 13-22 64.
Canton 12 11 13 15—50
Mansfield 14 18 19 13—64
3-point goals—Canton 3-10 (Guillaume 0-2, Boivert 3-7, McCabe 0-1), Mansfield 5-19 (Baskin 3-8, Introini 1-6, Chance 0-1, Jenkins-Maxwell 0-1, Hill 1-2). Rebounds—Canton 35 (Nichols 7), Mansfield 36 (Lambrecht 10). Assists—Canton 5 (Abelard 3), Mansfield 17 (Hill 4). Total fouls—Canton 20, Mansfield 17. Fouled out—Abelard.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Doubting Thomas still a Patriot.
Those who were expecting a quick resolution to the Adalius Thomas saga today will be disappointed, but the disgruntled (and outspoken about it) linebacker was on the practice field for the Patriots as they continued preparation for Sunday's game at Gillette Stadium against the 5-7 Carolina Panthers (1 p.m.; Ch. 25, 64).
Thomas was one of four players who were sent home from the stadium Wednesday after they arrived late to the 8 a.m. meeting -- presumably because of the snowfall that clogged the morning commute.
All four have been at practice since, and only one, Randy Moss (not surprisingly), has not spoken to the media about it. Linebacker Gary Guyton refused to answer any questions about his tardiness today, while fellow linebacker Derrick Burgess said he was disappointed in himself for putting himself in a position where he would be disciplined.
The guess here is that Bill Belichick will wait until after the season to drop the hammer upon Thomas. There are salary cap ramifications to a release now that would make it prohibitive, and there's always the possibility that Thomas (who has been acting pretty much like a me-first mercenary all season) may motivate himself to play hard over the last month of the season and make himself more attractive to other teams for the day when Belichick sends him packing.
The fallout of this, however, is that now there's clear evidence that the "locker room culture" of the past is dead and buried. There are no longer any players in the locker room with the cache to tell malcontents to shut their mouths and play, as there had been in the past. Thomas was supposed to be one of the next generation of leaders, and he failed miserably.
The Patriots will probably still limp their way into the playoffs and be ousted no later than the second round (they'll get a home game if they win the AFC East), but the "dynasty" is dead -- and that was evident much earlier in the season when one veteran after another either retired or was shipped elsewhere.
Thomas was one of four players who were sent home from the stadium Wednesday after they arrived late to the 8 a.m. meeting -- presumably because of the snowfall that clogged the morning commute.
All four have been at practice since, and only one, Randy Moss (not surprisingly), has not spoken to the media about it. Linebacker Gary Guyton refused to answer any questions about his tardiness today, while fellow linebacker Derrick Burgess said he was disappointed in himself for putting himself in a position where he would be disciplined.
The guess here is that Bill Belichick will wait until after the season to drop the hammer upon Thomas. There are salary cap ramifications to a release now that would make it prohibitive, and there's always the possibility that Thomas (who has been acting pretty much like a me-first mercenary all season) may motivate himself to play hard over the last month of the season and make himself more attractive to other teams for the day when Belichick sends him packing.
The fallout of this, however, is that now there's clear evidence that the "locker room culture" of the past is dead and buried. There are no longer any players in the locker room with the cache to tell malcontents to shut their mouths and play, as there had been in the past. Thomas was supposed to be one of the next generation of leaders, and he failed miserably.
The Patriots will probably still limp their way into the playoffs and be ousted no later than the second round (they'll get a home game if they win the AFC East), but the "dynasty" is dead -- and that was evident much earlier in the season when one veteran after another either retired or was shipped elsewhere.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
As Astro might say, "Ruh-roh!"
Patriots' linebacker Adalius Thomas, a member of the Tardy Four from a day ago, met with media members just a few minutes ago and didn't sound terribly contrite about the circumstances that resulted in his being sent home for being late to practice.
But he did come up with the line of the year.
Saying he was stuck in snow-slowed traffic and trying to avoid accidents, Thomas said there was nothing much he could do to speed up his progress toward the stadium.
"There's nothing really to apologize about," he said. "I didn't try to be late. That's basically it. I don't know what else to say. You leave home, you have people there, cars sitting in the road and you're sitting there, and what do you do? It's not the 'The Jetsons,' you can't jump up and just fly."
Thomas was, of course, referring to the 1960s animated sitcom on ABC about a futuristic family. The iconic opening scene shows George Jetson and his family (wife Jane, daughter Judy, son Elroy and dog Astro) jetting off to school, shopping and work in their flying car.
But he did come up with the line of the year.
Saying he was stuck in snow-slowed traffic and trying to avoid accidents, Thomas said there was nothing much he could do to speed up his progress toward the stadium.
"There's nothing really to apologize about," he said. "I didn't try to be late. That's basically it. I don't know what else to say. You leave home, you have people there, cars sitting in the road and you're sitting there, and what do you do? It's not the 'The Jetsons,' you can't jump up and just fly."
Thomas was, of course, referring to the 1960s animated sitcom on ABC about a futuristic family. The iconic opening scene shows George Jetson and his family (wife Jane, daughter Judy, son Elroy and dog Astro) jetting off to school, shopping and work in their flying car.
Bouncing into a new season.
There's not much of a turnaround any more between fall and winter sports, but the sooner we get into my favorite time of the year, the better.
Basketball season officially begins tonight with two games involving local teams. I'll be at Dighton-Rehoboth to watch the second game of the season-opening girls' tournament (D-R vs. Falmouth at 7, following Bishop Stang vs. Taunton), while the Bishop Feehan boys will visit Seekonk under new coach Joe Reddington.
The first full slate of the season is Friday night (and I'll be seeing both games of the girls-boys doubleheader at Mansfield against Canton), although some teams aren't kicking in until next Tuesday. I've got games to cover practically every day until New Year's, so those flotation devices I bring with me to preserve my spine will get a good workout. I covered 50 high school games last season and I hope to beat that record this year.
Coinciding with all that, The Sun Chronicle's annual basketball preview section will come with your copy of the newspaper on Friday. It will be chock-filled with information about your favorite teams and also contain schedules that are as up-to-the-minute as they could possibly be.
See you in the gyms!
Basketball season officially begins tonight with two games involving local teams. I'll be at Dighton-Rehoboth to watch the second game of the season-opening girls' tournament (D-R vs. Falmouth at 7, following Bishop Stang vs. Taunton), while the Bishop Feehan boys will visit Seekonk under new coach Joe Reddington.
The first full slate of the season is Friday night (and I'll be seeing both games of the girls-boys doubleheader at Mansfield against Canton), although some teams aren't kicking in until next Tuesday. I've got games to cover practically every day until New Year's, so those flotation devices I bring with me to preserve my spine will get a good workout. I covered 50 high school games last season and I hope to beat that record this year.
Coinciding with all that, The Sun Chronicle's annual basketball preview section will come with your copy of the newspaper on Friday. It will be chock-filled with information about your favorite teams and also contain schedules that are as up-to-the-minute as they could possibly be.
See you in the gyms!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Audio Blog 31
There was disappointment in Miami Sunday, but joy in Foxboro now that Tom Brady and wife Gisele have a new addition to their family. That, and thoughts on leadership, are all in today's edition of the Audio Blog.
So here's the roundup:
What's happened so far today:
** Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen are the proud parents of a playa to be named later; i.e., a baby son born Tuesday. Details are lacking, but mother and child are reportedly doing well.
** Randy Moss, Derrick Burgess, Adalius Thomas and Gary Guyton were all late for the 8 o'clock meeting and were sent home in a punitive action by Coach Bill Belichick. Apparently, snow-related traffic tieups are not a valid excuse for tardiness. Belichick did not confirm the punitive action, but in a press conference that followed the coach, Brady inadvertently did confirm it by saying, "You guys find out everything these days."
** Safety Bret Lockett was placed on injured reserve with a groin injury. Defensive lineman Titus Adams was activated off the practice squad to replace him.
** The Patriots also added quarterback Jeff Rowe and wide receiver Darnell Jenkins to the practice squad.
** Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen are the proud parents of a playa to be named later; i.e., a baby son born Tuesday. Details are lacking, but mother and child are reportedly doing well.
** Randy Moss, Derrick Burgess, Adalius Thomas and Gary Guyton were all late for the 8 o'clock meeting and were sent home in a punitive action by Coach Bill Belichick. Apparently, snow-related traffic tieups are not a valid excuse for tardiness. Belichick did not confirm the punitive action, but in a press conference that followed the coach, Brady inadvertently did confirm it by saying, "You guys find out everything these days."
** Safety Bret Lockett was placed on injured reserve with a groin injury. Defensive lineman Titus Adams was activated off the practice squad to replace him.
** The Patriots also added quarterback Jeff Rowe and wide receiver Darnell Jenkins to the practice squad.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Quick random thoughts.
Because I'm in full basketball preseason mode and am not doing much on the Patriots for a few days, here are a few quick random thoughts to make sure the post changes...
** I just love listening to all of the panicky fans calling in to the talk shows, claiming that Bill Belichick has lost his mind, Matt Cassel should have stayed and Tom Brady should have been traded and so on. These are the same people who would have called me a "no-talent hack" seeking to draw attention to myself and mocked the size of my newspaper if I even hinted that there might have been cracks in the Patriots' dynastic armor entering this season.
Nobody jumps off a bandwagon better or more entertainingly than the New England sports fan.
** One revelation after another with Tiger Woods. Does it really surprise you? If I mention the name "Todd Marinovich," is it an accurate analogy?
One has to wonder what happens to kids who are wound so tightly and programmed to become little sports machines in childhood once they grow up. I think we're seeing it.
** On that note, this area goes ga-ga over the Deutsche Bank Tournament every year because of the presence (or anticipated presence, even if he doesn't play) of Mr. Woods. How do you think that's going to go over with the masses this year? Personally, I think the crowds will be bigger if he shows, because everyone loves to watch a train wreck.
** Gisele Bündchen's bündle of joy is due in two weeks. So, my question to you -- how would you feel if, through an accident of incredibly bad timing, Tom Brady skips the Buffalo game to be present at the birth of The Spawn of the Supermodel, and the Patriots lose and fall out of first place in the division because of it?
Brady's already made it clear that he wants to be front-and-center at this birth because he was denied the privilege of being present at the birth of his son by spurned actress/ex-galpal Bridget Moynahan. Food for thought ... would Brady skip a game, and how would he be perceived if it means the Patriots miss the playoffs?
** Those who want to expand the high school football playoffs, take note. Would you rather have the excitement and emotional attachment to the Thanksgiving games? Or do you want the ultimate goal of high school football to be playing shortened games in crappy conditions (and in front of sparse crowds) as we saw in the last two Super Bowls at Gillette on Saturday?
** The way things are going this week, it looks as if I may skip the Audio Blog. But we'll see how things go tomorrow. Remember, the high school hoop season kicks in Thursday night and I'll be doing a game practically every day until Christmas. Not enough hours in the day sometimes...
** I just love listening to all of the panicky fans calling in to the talk shows, claiming that Bill Belichick has lost his mind, Matt Cassel should have stayed and Tom Brady should have been traded and so on. These are the same people who would have called me a "no-talent hack" seeking to draw attention to myself and mocked the size of my newspaper if I even hinted that there might have been cracks in the Patriots' dynastic armor entering this season.
Nobody jumps off a bandwagon better or more entertainingly than the New England sports fan.
** One revelation after another with Tiger Woods. Does it really surprise you? If I mention the name "Todd Marinovich," is it an accurate analogy?
One has to wonder what happens to kids who are wound so tightly and programmed to become little sports machines in childhood once they grow up. I think we're seeing it.
** On that note, this area goes ga-ga over the Deutsche Bank Tournament every year because of the presence (or anticipated presence, even if he doesn't play) of Mr. Woods. How do you think that's going to go over with the masses this year? Personally, I think the crowds will be bigger if he shows, because everyone loves to watch a train wreck.
** Gisele Bündchen's bündle of joy is due in two weeks. So, my question to you -- how would you feel if, through an accident of incredibly bad timing, Tom Brady skips the Buffalo game to be present at the birth of The Spawn of the Supermodel, and the Patriots lose and fall out of first place in the division because of it?
Brady's already made it clear that he wants to be front-and-center at this birth because he was denied the privilege of being present at the birth of his son by spurned actress/ex-galpal Bridget Moynahan. Food for thought ... would Brady skip a game, and how would he be perceived if it means the Patriots miss the playoffs?
** Those who want to expand the high school football playoffs, take note. Would you rather have the excitement and emotional attachment to the Thanksgiving games? Or do you want the ultimate goal of high school football to be playing shortened games in crappy conditions (and in front of sparse crowds) as we saw in the last two Super Bowls at Gillette on Saturday?
** The way things are going this week, it looks as if I may skip the Audio Blog. But we'll see how things go tomorrow. Remember, the high school hoop season kicks in Thursday night and I'll be doing a game practically every day until Christmas. Not enough hours in the day sometimes...
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Pats-Dolphins hots and nots and game notes.
Here are the hots and nots and the Patriots' game notes. I'll add the Miami notes at some point if they come to me.
WHO'S HOT
WES WELKER: No one puts more of himself into the effort than the diminutive wide receiver, who caught 10 balls for 167 yards. He looked pretty upset at the end of the game, and can you blame him? He didn't come here to be 7-5 and in jeopardy of missing the playoffs for the second straight year.
CHRIS HANSON: Give the guy credit. He dropped a punt at the Miami 7 and had it negated by a penalty on Kyle Arrington, but on the second punt, he put it out of bounds at the Miami 3. At least someone is doing the job.
SAMMY MORRIS: Nine carries for 40 yards, two catches for 25 more. He's trying to make himself useful when he gets the call.
SAM AIKEN: I said in training camp that he earned his chance to get more passes thrown his way this year. That was a pretty impressive play he made to pull the ball away from a defender and go 81 yards for a score. But would I send him deep with the game on the line and 1:02 left to get into field goal range? No.
WHO'S HOT
WES WELKER: No one puts more of himself into the effort than the diminutive wide receiver, who caught 10 balls for 167 yards. He looked pretty upset at the end of the game, and can you blame him? He didn't come here to be 7-5 and in jeopardy of missing the playoffs for the second straight year.
CHRIS HANSON: Give the guy credit. He dropped a punt at the Miami 7 and had it negated by a penalty on Kyle Arrington, but on the second punt, he put it out of bounds at the Miami 3. At least someone is doing the job.
SAMMY MORRIS: Nine carries for 40 yards, two catches for 25 more. He's trying to make himself useful when he gets the call.
SAM AIKEN: I said in training camp that he earned his chance to get more passes thrown his way this year. That was a pretty impressive play he made to pull the ball away from a defender and go 81 yards for a score. But would I send him deep with the game on the line and 1:02 left to get into field goal range? No.
Final: Dolphins, 22-21.
I'll say it straight out, this was one of the worst squanders of the Belichick Era.
Defense let down in a big way, with the right side of the secondary allowing Chad Henne to complete every pass that he didn't overthrow. With more accuracy, Henne could have thrown for 500 yards today.
Jerod Mayo? A lot of tackles, not a lot of stops.
And the offensive play-calling? It's almost enough to make me long for Charlie Weis' return. Going deep in a possession that started with 1:02 left -- where it was clear that Brady could work the sidelines and get into range for a field goal with a more reasonable approach -- was decision-making ineptitude of the first order.
Final individual stats coming shortly at www.thesunchronicle.com/farinella. And when you see Wes Welker's numbers, you'll know why he looked very p'd off at the end of the game.
Defense let down in a big way, with the right side of the secondary allowing Chad Henne to complete every pass that he didn't overthrow. With more accuracy, Henne could have thrown for 500 yards today.
Jerod Mayo? A lot of tackles, not a lot of stops.
And the offensive play-calling? It's almost enough to make me long for Charlie Weis' return. Going deep in a possession that started with 1:02 left -- where it was clear that Brady could work the sidelines and get into range for a field goal with a more reasonable approach -- was decision-making ineptitude of the first order.
Final individual stats coming shortly at www.thesunchronicle.com/farinella. And when you see Wes Welker's numbers, you'll know why he looked very p'd off at the end of the game.
Halftime: Patriots, 14-10
A few observations: The Patriots are letting the Dolphins back into this game because the right side of the secondary is absolutely pathetic. They're making Chad Henne look like Joe Montana out there -- more evidence that Bill Belichick has lost touch with his coaching roots by neglecting to build his defense up to the standards of the past.
BTW, interesting it is that Junior Seau is actually seeing his first action in a month. Is he taping another edition of "Sports Jobs?"
For statistics, go to www.thesunchronicle.com/farinella
BTW, interesting it is that Junior Seau is actually seeing his first action in a month. Is he taping another edition of "Sports Jobs?"
For statistics, go to www.thesunchronicle.com/farinella
Bonus thoughts from a Super Bowl Saturday.
Here, at long last, are the final "bonus thoughts' from a high school football game from this year. We'll also add some thoughts about the state of the high school playoffs after we get through with the Feehan-related material.
** So, of the four local teams that have played in high school Super Bowls at Gillette Stadium, Bishop Feehan is the only school to have come back a winner -- and the Shamrocks have done it twice, in two different divisions.
They own the place.
Of course, Feehan's success will probably generate another round of comments under the stories written today by Peter Gobis and myself, about how Feehan "recruits" and "cheats" and whatever other gripes some individuals may have with a fellow who coached there almost a decade ago.
I'm getting sick of the nonsense. Feehan has been in the area's midst since the late 1960s and hasn't been that much more successful than any of our local public schools in most of its sports. Its current success in the woe-begone Eastern Athletic Conference could have been tempered somewhat if some of the naysayers in official positions had just swallowed their pride and let Feehan join the Hockomock League, so the kids Feehan allegedly "steals" would be able to play against other schools of similar size and with the added bonus of regional familiarity.
** So, of the four local teams that have played in high school Super Bowls at Gillette Stadium, Bishop Feehan is the only school to have come back a winner -- and the Shamrocks have done it twice, in two different divisions.
They own the place.
Of course, Feehan's success will probably generate another round of comments under the stories written today by Peter Gobis and myself, about how Feehan "recruits" and "cheats" and whatever other gripes some individuals may have with a fellow who coached there almost a decade ago.
I'm getting sick of the nonsense. Feehan has been in the area's midst since the late 1960s and hasn't been that much more successful than any of our local public schools in most of its sports. Its current success in the woe-begone Eastern Athletic Conference could have been tempered somewhat if some of the naysayers in official positions had just swallowed their pride and let Feehan join the Hockomock League, so the kids Feehan allegedly "steals" would be able to play against other schools of similar size and with the added bonus of regional familiarity.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Five already ruled out of Miami game.
The Patriots have already announced five of their eight inactive players for Sunday's game at Land Shark Stadium against the Dolphins.
WR Julian Edelman, S Bret Lockett, RB Fred Taylor, OT Sebastian Vollmer and CB Shawn Springs have been downgraded to "out." Three more will be announced an hour before the 1 p.m. game time.
WR Julian Edelman, S Bret Lockett, RB Fred Taylor, OT Sebastian Vollmer and CB Shawn Springs have been downgraded to "out." Three more will be announced an hour before the 1 p.m. game time.
Friday, December 4, 2009
The blogging plan for the weekend.
It will be a busy weekend for "Blogging Fearlessly," starting with our efforts at the Bishop Feehan-Marblehead game and ending with the Patriots-Dolphins game on Sunday.
Saturday, I will blog live during the MIAA Division 3 championship game at Gillette Stadium (11 a.m.), much as I do at the Patriots' games, but only on thesunchronicle.com/farinella. We'll also have statistics here after the game. Readers of thesunchronicle.com will also see news updates at halftime and after the game on the first page of the Web site to get the scores to the public as quickly as possible (if you're not watching on TV on Comcast SportsNet New England or listening on WBZ-FM, 98.5, that is).
Sunday, I won't be in Miami. But as I have in the past, I will post halftime stats, final stats, some hots and nots and the game notes from the Patriots' media relations staff. Miami's Harvey Greene is also likely to send along the Dolphins' game notes, too.
Saturday, I will blog live during the MIAA Division 3 championship game at Gillette Stadium (11 a.m.), much as I do at the Patriots' games, but only on thesunchronicle.com/farinella. We'll also have statistics here after the game. Readers of thesunchronicle.com will also see news updates at halftime and after the game on the first page of the Web site to get the scores to the public as quickly as possible (if you're not watching on TV on Comcast SportsNet New England or listening on WBZ-FM, 98.5, that is).
Sunday, I won't be in Miami. But as I have in the past, I will post halftime stats, final stats, some hots and nots and the game notes from the Patriots' media relations staff. Miami's Harvey Greene is also likely to send along the Dolphins' game notes, too.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Super Bowl Saturday just two days away.
What a perfect day for the annual media day at Gillette Stadium for the teams participating in the six MIAA Super Bowls to take place on Saturday. Captains, coaches and administrators of the 12 schools all visited the field where champions will be crowned, an annual tradition, and the weather gods cooperated with sunny skies and temperatures nearing 70 degrees.
Bishop Feehan sent captains Ted Schwieger and Andy Nunes along with Coach Tony Wood, the second time the Shamrocks have visited Gillette since the Super Bowls came here in 2007. Feehan defeated Walpole in the Division 2 game two years ago; this time, because the MIAA dropped the Eastern Athletic Conference two divisions this year, Feehan will play Marblehead in the championship game Saturday at 11 a.m.
Tickets will be $13 for adults and $10 for students at the game, and parking is free. I'll have a full story on the Shamrocks' visit in Friday's print edition.
The Boeing folks would be proud of us.
I just figured out our season standings for the high school football picks, and there's something about them that I thought was hilarious. You may not think so, but hear me out first.
The five members of The Sun Chronicle's sports staff are all one game apart from each other over 99 games, with Danny Crandall in the lead at 74-25 and Peter Gobis bringing up the rear at 70-29. But our averages all correspond with commercial jet aircraft manufactured by the Boeing Corp., and straingly enough, our corresponding planes sort of mirror our performance.
For instance, Danny leads the pack at .747. The 747, of course, was the flagship of Boeing's fleet for many years -- the first true jumbo jet, a leader in the industry, and the plane that still serves today as the platform for Air Force One, our President's conveyance around the world. Danny's our leader in the picks, so he gets the designation of Blue Ribbon One.
James Schneider is next at .737. The 737 is the workhorse of the Boeing fleet, and James is a workhorse for us, doubling his efforts by putting together the Foxboro Reporter's sports pages as well as working for the daily.
I'm standing at .727, and of course, the 727 was a revolutionary plane that changed the industry (and I'd like to think that I made a few positive changes here a long time ago). Northeast Air Lines (remember them?) used to call it the "Whisperjet" because it was so quiet, but no one has accused me of being stealthy lately. OK, so the analogy has a few holes in it.
Dale Ransom checks in at .717, and yes, there is a 717 in the Boeing fleet. It's the new regional jet in the fleet, and it's making its mark as a popular short-haul carrier. Airlines rely upon the regional jets to keep things moving from city to city, and we rely upon dale as our editor to keep our copy moving into print.
Finally, Gobis is at .707, and how fitting is that? The 707 was Boeing's breakthrough plane, the jet that revolutionized air travel for all time. Gobis was our first jet, and he's been flying high here since 1972.
Fun with airplanes. That's why I love to blog!
The five members of The Sun Chronicle's sports staff are all one game apart from each other over 99 games, with Danny Crandall in the lead at 74-25 and Peter Gobis bringing up the rear at 70-29. But our averages all correspond with commercial jet aircraft manufactured by the Boeing Corp., and straingly enough, our corresponding planes sort of mirror our performance.
For instance, Danny leads the pack at .747. The 747, of course, was the flagship of Boeing's fleet for many years -- the first true jumbo jet, a leader in the industry, and the plane that still serves today as the platform for Air Force One, our President's conveyance around the world. Danny's our leader in the picks, so he gets the designation of Blue Ribbon One.
James Schneider is next at .737. The 737 is the workhorse of the Boeing fleet, and James is a workhorse for us, doubling his efforts by putting together the Foxboro Reporter's sports pages as well as working for the daily.
I'm standing at .727, and of course, the 727 was a revolutionary plane that changed the industry (and I'd like to think that I made a few positive changes here a long time ago). Northeast Air Lines (remember them?) used to call it the "Whisperjet" because it was so quiet, but no one has accused me of being stealthy lately. OK, so the analogy has a few holes in it.
Dale Ransom checks in at .717, and yes, there is a 717 in the Boeing fleet. It's the new regional jet in the fleet, and it's making its mark as a popular short-haul carrier. Airlines rely upon the regional jets to keep things moving from city to city, and we rely upon dale as our editor to keep our copy moving into print.
Finally, Gobis is at .707, and how fitting is that? The 707 was Boeing's breakthrough plane, the jet that revolutionized air travel for all time. Gobis was our first jet, and he's been flying high here since 1972.
Fun with airplanes. That's why I love to blog!
Audio Blog 30.
The shock of Monday night's loss is beginning to wear off in Foxboro, and Tom Brady and Wes Welker say it's time to fix the mistakes and move on to the Miami Dolphins in the latest Audio Blog -- a little later than usual, but still just as fresh as fresh-squeezed.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Playoff plan to be researched further.
According to a report on the Boston Herald's Web site, the MIAA Board of Directors voted this morning to accept a report by the MIAA Football Ad Hoc Committee suggesting a statewide playoff system, but not to implement the plan. The Board of Directors will now be conducting all further study into the plan.
The Herald report said that the main issues raised by board members revolved around issues of financial impact, both on the various member schools as well as the association; appeal procedures for realignment, and sub-varsity team scheduling.
The plan, spearheaded by Plymouth North High School football coach and athletic director Bill Burkhead, would entrust the scheduling for all high school games in eastern Massachusetts to a "football commissioner" with divisions set up according to enrollment, would eliminate all leagues in high school football, and would begin playoff competition after a seven-week regular season. Teams that do not make the playoffs would be assigned games to fill out their schedules on short notice. Thanksgiving games would not be affected, although the traditional importance of the games would be minimized in the midst of an ongoing playoff schedule, and some schools would be forced to cancel the games if still active in the playoffs.
The goal is to have six high school Super Bowls at Gillette Stadium in which teams from all four regions of the state can participate. The Krafts have come under undeserved criticism for not allowing all of the state's championship games to be played at Gillette -- a goal that would be totally unworkable now, in that the Central and Western title games and two of the eight Eastern games are played elsewhere because a six-game schedule taxes Gillette to its utmost.
No timetable has been set for a final vote upon the plan.
The Herald report said that the main issues raised by board members revolved around issues of financial impact, both on the various member schools as well as the association; appeal procedures for realignment, and sub-varsity team scheduling.
The plan, spearheaded by Plymouth North High School football coach and athletic director Bill Burkhead, would entrust the scheduling for all high school games in eastern Massachusetts to a "football commissioner" with divisions set up according to enrollment, would eliminate all leagues in high school football, and would begin playoff competition after a seven-week regular season. Teams that do not make the playoffs would be assigned games to fill out their schedules on short notice. Thanksgiving games would not be affected, although the traditional importance of the games would be minimized in the midst of an ongoing playoff schedule, and some schools would be forced to cancel the games if still active in the playoffs.
The goal is to have six high school Super Bowls at Gillette Stadium in which teams from all four regions of the state can participate. The Krafts have come under undeserved criticism for not allowing all of the state's championship games to be played at Gillette -- a goal that would be totally unworkable now, in that the Central and Western title games and two of the eight Eastern games are played elsewhere because a six-game schedule taxes Gillette to its utmost.
No timetable has been set for a final vote upon the plan.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Patriots-Saints game notes.
OK, I'm feeling a little better ... but that performance by the Patriots last night didn't do much for my blood pressure.
Here are the predictably brief game notes from the Patriots' media relations staff, which include a few significant milestones -- at the top of that list, Tom Brady becoming the franchise's all-time leading passer.
Now, only if he could play defense, too ...
BRADY PASSES DREW BLEDSOE TO BECOME THE PATRIOTS ALL-TIME PASSING LEADER
Tom Brady passed Drew Bledsoe (29,657) to become New England’s all-time passing leader. Brady entered the Saints game needing 163 yards to pass Bledsoe. He reached the milestone on an 11- yard pass to Sam Aiken in the third quarter. Brady now has 29,732 passing yards.
MARONEY SCORES IN SIXTH STRAIGHT GAME RB
Laurence Maroney scored a touchdown for the sixth straight game when he scored on a four-yard run on a fourth-down play in the first quarter. His six straight games with a touchdown are tied for the second longest streak in New England history. The team record is seven consecutive games by RB Curtis Martin (10/12/96 to 11/24/96). Robert Edwards also scored in six straight games (09/7/98 to 10/19/98).
MARONEY HAS TWO-TD EFFORT TO PUSH 2009 TOTAL TO EIGHT TOUCHDOWNS.
Maroney had his second consuetude game with two rushing touchdowns to push his 2009 season total to eight, a new season-high. The eight rushing touchdowns best the six he had in 2006 and 2007. Maroney now has four two-touchdown games in his career.
WELKER KEEPS IT UP
Wes Welker now has nine straight games with six or more receptions after finishing with seven receptions against New Orleans. The record for most consecutive games with 6+ receptions is 16 by Marvin Harrison from 2002-03. Welker has caught six or more passes in 23 of his last 25 regular-season games.
MATT LIGHT RETURNS TO ACTION
Matt Light returned to the starting lineup after missing the last five games due to an injury.
SAMMY MORRIS RETURNS TO ACTION
Sammy Morris returned to action after missing the last four games due to injury. Morris converted a key fourth-and-one situation early in the first quarter to help set up the Patriots first touchdown.
WELKER CAN RETURN
Wes Welker had a 41-yard punt return in the first quarter. He had a 69-yard return last week against the Jets.
SAM AIKEN SETS CAREER HIGH
Sam Aiken set a career-high with his seven receptions for 90 yards. His previous best high was four receptions and 66 yards receiving.
Here are the predictably brief game notes from the Patriots' media relations staff, which include a few significant milestones -- at the top of that list, Tom Brady becoming the franchise's all-time leading passer.
Now, only if he could play defense, too ...
BRADY PASSES DREW BLEDSOE TO BECOME THE PATRIOTS ALL-TIME PASSING LEADER
Tom Brady passed Drew Bledsoe (29,657) to become New England’s all-time passing leader. Brady entered the Saints game needing 163 yards to pass Bledsoe. He reached the milestone on an 11- yard pass to Sam Aiken in the third quarter. Brady now has 29,732 passing yards.
MARONEY SCORES IN SIXTH STRAIGHT GAME RB
Laurence Maroney scored a touchdown for the sixth straight game when he scored on a four-yard run on a fourth-down play in the first quarter. His six straight games with a touchdown are tied for the second longest streak in New England history. The team record is seven consecutive games by RB Curtis Martin (10/12/96 to 11/24/96). Robert Edwards also scored in six straight games (09/7/98 to 10/19/98).
MARONEY HAS TWO-TD EFFORT TO PUSH 2009 TOTAL TO EIGHT TOUCHDOWNS.
Maroney had his second consuetude game with two rushing touchdowns to push his 2009 season total to eight, a new season-high. The eight rushing touchdowns best the six he had in 2006 and 2007. Maroney now has four two-touchdown games in his career.
WELKER KEEPS IT UP
Wes Welker now has nine straight games with six or more receptions after finishing with seven receptions against New Orleans. The record for most consecutive games with 6+ receptions is 16 by Marvin Harrison from 2002-03. Welker has caught six or more passes in 23 of his last 25 regular-season games.
MATT LIGHT RETURNS TO ACTION
Matt Light returned to the starting lineup after missing the last five games due to an injury.
SAMMY MORRIS RETURNS TO ACTION
Sammy Morris returned to action after missing the last four games due to injury. Morris converted a key fourth-and-one situation early in the first quarter to help set up the Patriots first touchdown.
WELKER CAN RETURN
Wes Welker had a 41-yard punt return in the first quarter. He had a 69-yard return last week against the Jets.
SAM AIKEN SETS CAREER HIGH
Sam Aiken set a career-high with his seven receptions for 90 yards. His previous best high was four receptions and 66 yards receiving.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Playoff rights ... and wrongs.
As anticipated, I'm not feeling like spending a lot of time at the computer tonight. So these will be abbreviated picks for the two games for teams from our circulation area on Tuesday, and one from close by:
Bishop Feehan 28, Dighton-Rehoboth 14: The Falcons have a great passing offense, but the Shamrocks are bigger, stronger and more balanced.
Tri-County 24, Brighton 6: The Randy Hardy-led Cougars appear intent to prove that last year was no fluke.
Natick 17, Franklin 14: The Panthers may find that Natick, which smoked a very good Walpole team, will take advantage of mistakes more readily than some of their Hockomock foes did.
Bishop Feehan 28, Dighton-Rehoboth 14: The Falcons have a great passing offense, but the Shamrocks are bigger, stronger and more balanced.
Tri-County 24, Brighton 6: The Randy Hardy-led Cougars appear intent to prove that last year was no fluke.
Natick 17, Franklin 14: The Panthers may find that Natick, which smoked a very good Walpole team, will take advantage of mistakes more readily than some of their Hockomock foes did.
No blogging tonight, sorry.
Sorry, folks, but there won't be any blogging from tonight's game between the Patriots and Saints at the Louisiana Superdome.
Part of the reason, of course, is that I won't be there. But a previously scheduled medical procedure scheduled for early Tuesday morning will force me to turn in early tonight, so I won't be able to post the "hots and nots" (I won't be compiling them) and the game notes that the Patriots' PR department usually sends after the game.
That same procedure will also unfortunately prevent me from covering either of the area's two high school football playoff games on Tuesday. But I will post my predictions for them later this afternoon.
I should be back to full-blogging mode by Wednesday, which will include posting of the 30th Audio Blog of the season.
Part of the reason, of course, is that I won't be there. But a previously scheduled medical procedure scheduled for early Tuesday morning will force me to turn in early tonight, so I won't be able to post the "hots and nots" (I won't be compiling them) and the game notes that the Patriots' PR department usually sends after the game.
That same procedure will also unfortunately prevent me from covering either of the area's two high school football playoff games on Tuesday. But I will post my predictions for them later this afternoon.
I should be back to full-blogging mode by Wednesday, which will include posting of the 30th Audio Blog of the season.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
It'll be a morning at Gillette.
The area is already assured of one participant in the MIAA Super Bowls at Gillette Stadium a week from today, and that game will be played early in the day.
The winner of Tuesday night's Division 3 semifinal game at Taunton between Bishop Feehan and Dighton-Rehoboth will advance to the 11 a.m. game at Gillette, the second of the day.
Division 3A starts the day at 9 a.m. After the D3 game, the schedule is as follows: Division 2A at 1:30 p.m., Division 2 (possibly involving Franklin) at 3:30, Division 1 at 6 and Division 1A at 8.
Tickets at Gillette Stadium will be $13 for adults, $10 for students. Parking will be free.
The Super Bowls for Divisions 4 and 4A (the latter possibly invoving Tri-County) will be played at Bentley University on the same day. Times have not been announced.
As in the past, the six games at Gillette will be broadcast on TV. The first three games will be televised on Comcast SportsNet New England, and the last three on WSBK-TV, Ch. 38.
Also of note: Southeastern Regional of Easton (6-5), which includes some local athletes, will face Lynn Tech (7-4) in the State Vocational Large Division "Super Bowl" at 7 p.m. Thursday in Quincy. It's not an official MIAA championship, but still fun for the participants.
The winner of Tuesday night's Division 3 semifinal game at Taunton between Bishop Feehan and Dighton-Rehoboth will advance to the 11 a.m. game at Gillette, the second of the day.
Division 3A starts the day at 9 a.m. After the D3 game, the schedule is as follows: Division 2A at 1:30 p.m., Division 2 (possibly involving Franklin) at 3:30, Division 1 at 6 and Division 1A at 8.
Tickets at Gillette Stadium will be $13 for adults, $10 for students. Parking will be free.
The Super Bowls for Divisions 4 and 4A (the latter possibly invoving Tri-County) will be played at Bentley University on the same day. Times have not been announced.
As in the past, the six games at Gillette will be broadcast on TV. The first three games will be televised on Comcast SportsNet New England, and the last three on WSBK-TV, Ch. 38.
Also of note: Southeastern Regional of Easton (6-5), which includes some local athletes, will face Lynn Tech (7-4) in the State Vocational Large Division "Super Bowl" at 7 p.m. Thursday in Quincy. It's not an official MIAA championship, but still fun for the participants.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Playoff sites announced.
The area's three playoff-bound football teams now know where they'll be playing Tuesday night.
The MIAA Division 3 game between Bishop Feehan and Dighton-Rehoboth will be played at Taunton High's Tiger Stadium, a 7:45 p.m. start.
The Division 4A game between Tri-County and Brighton will almost be a "home" game for the Franklin-based Cougars, a 5:15 p.m. start at Franklin High's Pisini Field.
And it will be a real home game for the Hockomock League-champion Franklin Panthers, whose Division 2 semifinal against Natick will be played at Pisini Field as well, following the T-C vs. Brighton game.
The winner of the D-R vs. Feehan game will play Saturday at Gillette Stadium in the Division 3 Super Bowl at a time to be announced. If Tri-County wins, it would advance to the Division 4A championship game at Bentley University in Waltham, time TBA.
To see all of the playoff sites and times, please go to the MIAA Web site at: http://www.miaa.net/Superbowl-Playoffs-2009-East.pdf
Tags:
The MIAA Division 3 game between Bishop Feehan and Dighton-Rehoboth will be played at Taunton High's Tiger Stadium, a 7:45 p.m. start.
The Division 4A game between Tri-County and Brighton will almost be a "home" game for the Franklin-based Cougars, a 5:15 p.m. start at Franklin High's Pisini Field.
And it will be a real home game for the Hockomock League-champion Franklin Panthers, whose Division 2 semifinal against Natick will be played at Pisini Field as well, following the T-C vs. Brighton game.
The winner of the D-R vs. Feehan game will play Saturday at Gillette Stadium in the Division 3 Super Bowl at a time to be announced. If Tri-County wins, it would advance to the Division 4A championship game at Bentley University in Waltham, time TBA.
To see all of the playoff sites and times, please go to the MIAA Web site at: http://www.miaa.net/Superbowl-Playoffs-2009-East.pdf
Tags:
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Bonus thoughts from Pisini Field.
Here are some random thoughts from one of the most memorable games in the history of the King Philip-Franklin rivalry:
** What a perfect day for a game, and what a perfect site for such a big game. The re-do of the Pisini Field complex a few years ago has produced an outstanding venue for football. I am a big fan of FieldTurf and the way it allows athletes to play at their peak and not have field conditions interfere. The rainy weather of the past couple of days could have rendered a worn-out grass field unplayable, but the Warriors and Panthers did not have to face those problems Thursday.
One thing that may have upset a few folks in the estimated crowd of 6,500 was that very few individuals were allowed inside the fence that serves as the perimeter around the football field and track. I was one of the lucky ones, of course, but I can certainly understand why the coaches would prefer to have a little breathing room between them and a huge crowd.
It may have meant more distant views for a lot of the fans, but in this day and age, it makes more sense from a crowd-control sense.
I did get a kick out of seeing the hillside between the field and the Horace Mann Middle School (which was Franklin High when I was in high school) filled with fans. They had approximately the same angled view that I might in the press box at LandShark Stadium in Miami, home of the Dolphins (albeit lower), and I hope they had fun from this unique vantage point. One problem with Thanksgiving games is that fans often can't see what happens at the far end of the field because they're standing at ground level. But if you've got a nearby hillside, use it -- as long as you can charge admission for it!
** I've been wracking my brain to try to figure out why one team succeeded and another didn't despite taking a very similar approach to the game defensively.
Both teams shut down the run, at least in the early going. They also pressured the opposing quarterback -- both teams had three sacks -- and after a scoreless first quarter, I wondered if anyone was going to score in this game.
I think the answer rests in the style of the quarterbacks, and what their unique capabilities as athletes allowed them to do.
Measure the quarterbacks by the NFL rating system, and one story is told. KP's Brandon Howard (7-13, 133 yards, one TD, no interceptions) had a 115.2 passer rating, and Franklin's Nick Colson (6-17, 136 yards, two TD, one interception) had a 79.5 passer rating. So you'd think Howard should win, right?
Well, not necessarily so. Franklin's offense is based upon Colson's ability to escape trouble with his running ability (78 yards against KP). His throws may be a little erratic at times when he's moving, but it helps keep him alive to make a play -- and the Warriors certainly had to respect his running ability, and could not overcommit to all-out blitzes. It's a testimony to the ability of the KP defense that it could keep Colson's receivers tied up long enough to corral him in the backfield three times, Kevin Donahue making all three sacks.
Howard, on the other hand, is more of a classic dropback quarterback, although he can certainly keep a defense honest if he puts his head down and heads up the middle. But he was not going to be breaking many outside runs, and the Franklin defense did a good job of containing KP's runners, so Howard was basically channeled into having to throw or run up the middle himself to sustain drives. And when you know that's coming, it's time to tee off.
Why don't you see more running quarterbacks in the pros? Well, easy. If you're going to commit so much money to a player who's the leader of your offense, you don't want him to take the beating that he would take from players twice his size but almost as quick. In high school and college, at least the mobile QB still has a fighting chance.
** When you think about it, KP really did dodge a few bullets in Thursday's game.
The first was when Matt Carini threw an option pass to Colson on the left sideline, picking up 18 yards to the KP 32 before Colson fumbled upon being hit. There's another reason why you don't usually want to hang your quarterbacks out to dry elsewhere on the field.
The second when Howard's punt was blocked on the next-to-last play of the first half, and Franklin recovered atthe KP 22. With time for only one play, Colson rolled the dice and threw into the end zone for Jordan Nesmith, but Mike Cochrane (who did some of everything in this game and did it really well) had it scoped out and intercepted it.
So it's very possible that instead of a 6-6 tie at the half, KP could have been looking at a two-touchdown deficit. But the Warriors weren't (fortunately), and the result was a game that was exciting right down to the finish.
** Nine o'clock in the morning is a bit early for a cheeseburger, at least for me, so I can't say I visited the concession stand on Thursday. But they usually do a very good job at the grill in Franklin, and I promise, I'll be back next season.
For those who might worry that I didn't have a good holiday dinner, rest assured I took care of that by planning ahead.Thanks to the good folks at Stop and Shop, I was able to pre-prepare a meal of sliced Boar's Head deli turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy and cranberry sauce, and freeze it. Then at the office Thursday, I popped the meal into the microwave for about 15 minutes, and the result was a delicious holiday dinner that I could enjoy while writing my story.
** It's nice to know that I went 6-0 for my holiday picks, but I was stunned by some of the results -- the fact that the margins of victory were so large, in fact. North Attleboro, Mansfield, Norton and Bishop Feehan all won by far larger margins than I imagined possible, and I'm not certain if it's because I overestimated the defeated teams, or just underestimated how good the winning teams were. Probably a little of both.
** What a perfect day for a game, and what a perfect site for such a big game. The re-do of the Pisini Field complex a few years ago has produced an outstanding venue for football. I am a big fan of FieldTurf and the way it allows athletes to play at their peak and not have field conditions interfere. The rainy weather of the past couple of days could have rendered a worn-out grass field unplayable, but the Warriors and Panthers did not have to face those problems Thursday.
One thing that may have upset a few folks in the estimated crowd of 6,500 was that very few individuals were allowed inside the fence that serves as the perimeter around the football field and track. I was one of the lucky ones, of course, but I can certainly understand why the coaches would prefer to have a little breathing room between them and a huge crowd.
It may have meant more distant views for a lot of the fans, but in this day and age, it makes more sense from a crowd-control sense.
I did get a kick out of seeing the hillside between the field and the Horace Mann Middle School (which was Franklin High when I was in high school) filled with fans. They had approximately the same angled view that I might in the press box at LandShark Stadium in Miami, home of the Dolphins (albeit lower), and I hope they had fun from this unique vantage point. One problem with Thanksgiving games is that fans often can't see what happens at the far end of the field because they're standing at ground level. But if you've got a nearby hillside, use it -- as long as you can charge admission for it!
** I've been wracking my brain to try to figure out why one team succeeded and another didn't despite taking a very similar approach to the game defensively.
Both teams shut down the run, at least in the early going. They also pressured the opposing quarterback -- both teams had three sacks -- and after a scoreless first quarter, I wondered if anyone was going to score in this game.
I think the answer rests in the style of the quarterbacks, and what their unique capabilities as athletes allowed them to do.
Measure the quarterbacks by the NFL rating system, and one story is told. KP's Brandon Howard (7-13, 133 yards, one TD, no interceptions) had a 115.2 passer rating, and Franklin's Nick Colson (6-17, 136 yards, two TD, one interception) had a 79.5 passer rating. So you'd think Howard should win, right?
Well, not necessarily so. Franklin's offense is based upon Colson's ability to escape trouble with his running ability (78 yards against KP). His throws may be a little erratic at times when he's moving, but it helps keep him alive to make a play -- and the Warriors certainly had to respect his running ability, and could not overcommit to all-out blitzes. It's a testimony to the ability of the KP defense that it could keep Colson's receivers tied up long enough to corral him in the backfield three times, Kevin Donahue making all three sacks.
Howard, on the other hand, is more of a classic dropback quarterback, although he can certainly keep a defense honest if he puts his head down and heads up the middle. But he was not going to be breaking many outside runs, and the Franklin defense did a good job of containing KP's runners, so Howard was basically channeled into having to throw or run up the middle himself to sustain drives. And when you know that's coming, it's time to tee off.
Why don't you see more running quarterbacks in the pros? Well, easy. If you're going to commit so much money to a player who's the leader of your offense, you don't want him to take the beating that he would take from players twice his size but almost as quick. In high school and college, at least the mobile QB still has a fighting chance.
** When you think about it, KP really did dodge a few bullets in Thursday's game.
The first was when Matt Carini threw an option pass to Colson on the left sideline, picking up 18 yards to the KP 32 before Colson fumbled upon being hit. There's another reason why you don't usually want to hang your quarterbacks out to dry elsewhere on the field.
The second when Howard's punt was blocked on the next-to-last play of the first half, and Franklin recovered atthe KP 22. With time for only one play, Colson rolled the dice and threw into the end zone for Jordan Nesmith, but Mike Cochrane (who did some of everything in this game and did it really well) had it scoped out and intercepted it.
So it's very possible that instead of a 6-6 tie at the half, KP could have been looking at a two-touchdown deficit. But the Warriors weren't (fortunately), and the result was a game that was exciting right down to the finish.
** Nine o'clock in the morning is a bit early for a cheeseburger, at least for me, so I can't say I visited the concession stand on Thursday. But they usually do a very good job at the grill in Franklin, and I promise, I'll be back next season.
For those who might worry that I didn't have a good holiday dinner, rest assured I took care of that by planning ahead.Thanks to the good folks at Stop and Shop, I was able to pre-prepare a meal of sliced Boar's Head deli turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy and cranberry sauce, and freeze it. Then at the office Thursday, I popped the meal into the microwave for about 15 minutes, and the result was a delicious holiday dinner that I could enjoy while writing my story.
** It's nice to know that I went 6-0 for my holiday picks, but I was stunned by some of the results -- the fact that the margins of victory were so large, in fact. North Attleboro, Mansfield, Norton and Bishop Feehan all won by far larger margins than I imagined possible, and I'm not certain if it's because I overestimated the defeated teams, or just underestimated how good the winning teams were. Probably a little of both.
Franklin 20, King Philip 13.
Two second-half fumbles turn into a nightmare for the Warriors, as Franklin scores as a result of the both and goes on to the MIAA Division 2 playoffs.
Here's the box score, with bonus thoughts to follow later.
Franklin 20, King Philip 13
KP Frk
First downs 5 12
Total yardage 143 283
Rushes-yards 18-34 35-148
Passing yardage 133 154
Sacks-yds. 3-24 3-19
Comp.-Att.-Int. 7-13-0 7-18-1
Return yardage 150 2
Punts-Avg. 7-32.1 6-30.5
Fumbles-lost 3-3 1-1
Penalties-yds. 4-30 2-15
Possession 16:15 23:45
King Philip 0 6 7 0—13
Franklin 0 6 0 14—20
Scoring summary:
Second quarter
KP — Mike Cochrane 64 pass from Brandon Howard (kick failed), 6:27.
Frk — Greg Dellorco 75 pass from Nick Colson (kick failed), 2:52.
Third quarter
KP — Cochrane 77 punt return (Nick Muscatiello kick), 1:37.
Fourth quarter
Frk — Joe Gilmore 36 pass from Colson (Matt Durkin kick), 8:21.
Frk — Colson 1 run (Durkin kick), 3:40.
Individual statistics
RUSHING: KP — Cacciola 7-4, Johnston 4-21, Howard 6-7, Ruffin 1-2.
Franklin — Carini 21-70, Colson 14-78.
PASSING: KP — Howard 7-13-0—133. Franklin — Colson 6-17-1—136, Carini 1-1-0—18.
RECEIVING: KP — Richards 1-20, Cox 1-3, Johnston 1-15, Cochrane 2-69, May 1-24, Cacciola 1-2. Franklin — Colson 1-18, Dellorco 1-75, Garvey 2-8, Price 2-17, Gilmore 1-36.
MISSED FIELD GOALS: None.
Here's the box score, with bonus thoughts to follow later.
Franklin 20, King Philip 13
KP Frk
First downs 5 12
Total yardage 143 283
Rushes-yards 18-34 35-148
Passing yardage 133 154
Sacks-yds. 3-24 3-19
Comp.-Att.-Int. 7-13-0 7-18-1
Return yardage 150 2
Punts-Avg. 7-32.1 6-30.5
Fumbles-lost 3-3 1-1
Penalties-yds. 4-30 2-15
Possession 16:15 23:45
King Philip 0 6 7 0—13
Franklin 0 6 0 14—20
Scoring summary:
Second quarter
KP — Mike Cochrane 64 pass from Brandon Howard (kick failed), 6:27.
Frk — Greg Dellorco 75 pass from Nick Colson (kick failed), 2:52.
Third quarter
KP — Cochrane 77 punt return (Nick Muscatiello kick), 1:37.
Fourth quarter
Frk — Joe Gilmore 36 pass from Colson (Matt Durkin kick), 8:21.
Frk — Colson 1 run (Durkin kick), 3:40.
Individual statistics
RUSHING: KP — Cacciola 7-4, Johnston 4-21, Howard 6-7, Ruffin 1-2.
Franklin — Carini 21-70, Colson 14-78.
PASSING: KP — Howard 7-13-0—133. Franklin — Colson 6-17-1—136, Carini 1-1-0—18.
RECEIVING: KP — Richards 1-20, Cox 1-3, Johnston 1-15, Cochrane 2-69, May 1-24, Cacciola 1-2. Franklin — Colson 1-18, Dellorco 1-75, Garvey 2-8, Price 2-17, Gilmore 1-36.
MISSED FIELD GOALS: None.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Thursday Morning Rights ... and Wrongs.
OK, here it is, the day for which we've all been waiting. Thanksgiving Day, the day when rivalries are celebrated and contested, and generations of fans and former athletes return to their high schools to share in the excitement of the present while reliving their past.
Remember the feeling, folks. Because if some coaches push through the new football playoff plan that would start the playoffs in October and devalue the Thanksgiving games to the point where they are anti-climactic annoyances, these special games will lose their unique stature on the high school sports landscape. They may still exist, but a lot of the younger coaches from the really bad leagues wish they didn't so they could put everyone in the playoffs.
Enough on that soapbox -- here are my picks for the six holiday games in our area (home teams in CAPS):
NORTH ATTLEBORO 24, Attleboro 21: I've enjoyed watching both of these teams this year. But at a certain point, the teams started going in different directions, and that's what I think will carry the day at Beaupre Field. Attleboro played its best game of the year in the one-point loss at Bridgewater-Raynham. That was the one game this year in which the Bombardiers played championship-level defense, however, and it hasn't been the same since. North, meanwhile, seized the day at Mansfield and staged one of the best comebacks I've ever seen, and I think that will sustain the Rocketeers as they strive to bring "Hilda" back to Wilson Whitty Way.
Mansfield 31, FOXBORO 20: This will be a year that will live on in the Hornets' memories because of two fourth quarters in which double-digit leads could not be held. I can't see Nik Busharis, Shawn Doherty, Matt Zonghetti, Matt Schafer and Jeff Hill wanting a loss to Foxboro to be added to that frustration. Foxboro's running attack is well respected, but put the two teams side by side and measure position against position, and Mansfield seems to be the more well-rounded offensive team. Foxboro will want to keep possession as long as it can, keep the Hornet offense off the field and hope for another fourth-quarter fade. I don't think it will happen, though.
FRANKLIN 23, King Philip 20: A tough call. I know King Philip has been much more stingy on defense, But I see Franklin's spread offense as a means of tiring out the Warriors' defenders. RB Matt Carini is a legitimate game-breaker, but QB Nick Colson may be the Panthers' real MVP because he can run and pass equally well, and he runs the spread to best advantage. Brandon Howard and the talented KP offense have to hope that the Panthers can't cover the receivers as well as Mansfield did earlier in the year, because that will mean trouble. I expect this one to be close, maybe a last-possession win.
Dighton-Rehoboth 31, SEEKONK 14: The Warriors had a great run at the beginning of the season, and should be proud of what they accomplished, But their numbers have dwindled over the course of the season, and D-R has managed to get better and better with each passing week. The Brett Croteau-to-Brian Espinosa combination has really clicked over the second half of the year, and while I've seen the Seekonk defense play up to the level of its challenge in some very tough games, this challenge might be a bit too much.
BISHOP FEEHAN 14, Sandwich 13: Hey, Shamrocks, want some bulletin-board material? This is from Sandwich coach Bill Luette in Wednesday's Cape Cod Times: "Sandwich doesn't see the game against Feehan as a true rivalry," Luette said. "They (Feehan) are way out near Foxboro. Where is the rivalry in that?" Well, close enough. Actually, I have to agree with the guy. Feehan had a great holiday rivalry with Coyle-Cassidy some time back, but Tauntonians demanded that Coyle come back and play Taunton again, and now both holiday games stink. In any event, Sandwich is 5-5 and plays in the tough Atlantic Coast League, and may be better than we local chauvinists believe, so this is why this game gets the famed one-point distinction (which means, I don't really know). At least we know who's going to the playoffs.
NORTON 21, Bellingham 7: Not a championship year for the Lancers in Ted Currle's debut, but given the graduation losses, good job by the Lancers to be in the middle of the Tri-Valley League pack. My only regret as Norton beats the Blackhawks again is that Dale Caparaso isn't coaching in Bellingham any more. Yeah, I hold grudges.
Remember the feeling, folks. Because if some coaches push through the new football playoff plan that would start the playoffs in October and devalue the Thanksgiving games to the point where they are anti-climactic annoyances, these special games will lose their unique stature on the high school sports landscape. They may still exist, but a lot of the younger coaches from the really bad leagues wish they didn't so they could put everyone in the playoffs.
Enough on that soapbox -- here are my picks for the six holiday games in our area (home teams in CAPS):
NORTH ATTLEBORO 24, Attleboro 21: I've enjoyed watching both of these teams this year. But at a certain point, the teams started going in different directions, and that's what I think will carry the day at Beaupre Field. Attleboro played its best game of the year in the one-point loss at Bridgewater-Raynham. That was the one game this year in which the Bombardiers played championship-level defense, however, and it hasn't been the same since. North, meanwhile, seized the day at Mansfield and staged one of the best comebacks I've ever seen, and I think that will sustain the Rocketeers as they strive to bring "Hilda" back to Wilson Whitty Way.
Mansfield 31, FOXBORO 20: This will be a year that will live on in the Hornets' memories because of two fourth quarters in which double-digit leads could not be held. I can't see Nik Busharis, Shawn Doherty, Matt Zonghetti, Matt Schafer and Jeff Hill wanting a loss to Foxboro to be added to that frustration. Foxboro's running attack is well respected, but put the two teams side by side and measure position against position, and Mansfield seems to be the more well-rounded offensive team. Foxboro will want to keep possession as long as it can, keep the Hornet offense off the field and hope for another fourth-quarter fade. I don't think it will happen, though.
FRANKLIN 23, King Philip 20: A tough call. I know King Philip has been much more stingy on defense, But I see Franklin's spread offense as a means of tiring out the Warriors' defenders. RB Matt Carini is a legitimate game-breaker, but QB Nick Colson may be the Panthers' real MVP because he can run and pass equally well, and he runs the spread to best advantage. Brandon Howard and the talented KP offense have to hope that the Panthers can't cover the receivers as well as Mansfield did earlier in the year, because that will mean trouble. I expect this one to be close, maybe a last-possession win.
Dighton-Rehoboth 31, SEEKONK 14: The Warriors had a great run at the beginning of the season, and should be proud of what they accomplished, But their numbers have dwindled over the course of the season, and D-R has managed to get better and better with each passing week. The Brett Croteau-to-Brian Espinosa combination has really clicked over the second half of the year, and while I've seen the Seekonk defense play up to the level of its challenge in some very tough games, this challenge might be a bit too much.
BISHOP FEEHAN 14, Sandwich 13: Hey, Shamrocks, want some bulletin-board material? This is from Sandwich coach Bill Luette in Wednesday's Cape Cod Times: "Sandwich doesn't see the game against Feehan as a true rivalry," Luette said. "They (Feehan) are way out near Foxboro. Where is the rivalry in that?" Well, close enough. Actually, I have to agree with the guy. Feehan had a great holiday rivalry with Coyle-Cassidy some time back, but Tauntonians demanded that Coyle come back and play Taunton again, and now both holiday games stink. In any event, Sandwich is 5-5 and plays in the tough Atlantic Coast League, and may be better than we local chauvinists believe, so this is why this game gets the famed one-point distinction (which means, I don't really know). At least we know who's going to the playoffs.
NORTON 21, Bellingham 7: Not a championship year for the Lancers in Ted Currle's debut, but given the graduation losses, good job by the Lancers to be in the middle of the Tri-Valley League pack. My only regret as Norton beats the Blackhawks again is that Dale Caparaso isn't coaching in Bellingham any more. Yeah, I hold grudges.
Audio Blog 29.
The Patriots are preparing to play the undefeated New Orleans Saints, but they're not too busy to get into the holiday spirit with wishes of Thanksgiving glee for one and all. Also, a special message of thanks can be heard toward the end. The Audio Blog ... there are many like it, but this one is mine.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Many thanks, everyone.
My most heartfelt thanks to the Attleboro Area Football Hall of Fame, which saw fit to select me as this year's honorary inductee at the annual banquet at the Attleboro Elks Club.
More than anything else, my thanks go to the generations of athletes whose games I've covered and whose careers I've followed. I'm convinced that you are the ones who have kept Gobis and me young all these years. This honor is truly yours, not mine.
More in Sunday's column. But again, my sincere thanks.
More than anything else, my thanks go to the generations of athletes whose games I've covered and whose careers I've followed. I'm convinced that you are the ones who have kept Gobis and me young all these years. This honor is truly yours, not mine.
More in Sunday's column. But again, my sincere thanks.
Pats-Dolphins flexed out.
For the second straight year, the Patriots have had a game "flexed" out of the Sunday Night Football slot (8:20 p.m. on NBC).
The NFL announced today that the power of Brett Favre has commanded them to move next Sunday's game between the Vikings and Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz., to the 8:20 slot. The Patriots' game at Miami will move to 1 p.m., and will be televised by CBS.
Last year, the Patriots' game at Seattle was moved out of the late slot because it was not a Brady-vs.-Hasselbeck meeting.
I know of at least one fan who's happy about this, because he's brining his 9-year-old son to Miami for the game and will be much happier about getting the kid into bed at a much earlier hour than the late game would have allowed.
The NFL announced today that the power of Brett Favre has commanded them to move next Sunday's game between the Vikings and Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz., to the 8:20 slot. The Patriots' game at Miami will move to 1 p.m., and will be televised by CBS.
Last year, the Patriots' game at Seattle was moved out of the late slot because it was not a Brady-vs.-Hasselbeck meeting.
I know of at least one fan who's happy about this, because he's brining his 9-year-old son to Miami for the game and will be much happier about getting the kid into bed at a much earlier hour than the late game would have allowed.
Ryan: "Waah-h-h-h-h!"
Jets' coach Rex Ryan is crying again -- this time about a long pass that Tom Brady tried to throw to Randy Moss toward the end of their game at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.
I didn't see it because I was en route from the press box to the locker room on a course through the bowels of Gillette, but it fell incomplete. Ryan, however, felt it was an attempt by the Patriots to run up the score on his Jets.
"It was surprising," Ryan said in the post-game press conference. "Again, things happen. (Bill) Belichick, I don't even know how much he had to do with it more than that might have been something that Brady or Moss wanted to do. We need to stop them anyway, so it's no biggie, but I was surprised. I did feel a little bit disrespected."
Give me a break. The score was 31-14. Maybe if it had been by the score I had selected in last week's Fearless Forecasts (41-14), Ryan might have had a beef -- and even then, probably not. He should talk to Jeff Fisher, too, about how 59-0 feels.
This guy has no idea what it means to be a pro coach.
I didn't see it because I was en route from the press box to the locker room on a course through the bowels of Gillette, but it fell incomplete. Ryan, however, felt it was an attempt by the Patriots to run up the score on his Jets.
"It was surprising," Ryan said in the post-game press conference. "Again, things happen. (Bill) Belichick, I don't even know how much he had to do with it more than that might have been something that Brady or Moss wanted to do. We need to stop them anyway, so it's no biggie, but I was surprised. I did feel a little bit disrespected."
Give me a break. The score was 31-14. Maybe if it had been by the score I had selected in last week's Fearless Forecasts (41-14), Ryan might have had a beef -- and even then, probably not. He should talk to Jeff Fisher, too, about how 59-0 feels.
This guy has no idea what it means to be a pro coach.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Welker, Moss break an hours-old record.
The following is from an NFL press release. Pay attention closely, because it took me two or three readings to make sure I understood exactly what league record the Patriots' wide receivers had broken.
DUELING DUOS: A record that hadn’t been topped since 1964 was surpassed twice on Sunday.
The Chicago Bears' tandem of wide receiver JOHNNY MORRIS (77) and Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end MIKE DITKA (59) combined for 136 catches through the first 10 games of the 1964 season. In 1995, the Detroit Lions' wide receiver duo of HERMAN MOORE (73) and BRETT PERRIMAN (63) equaled that total.
During the Indianapolis Colts’ 17-15 win against Baltimore in Sunday 1 p.m. ET game, wide receiver REGGIE WAYNE (76 catches through 10 games) and DALLAS CLARK (65) combined for eight catches, establishing a record of 141 combined catches through the first 10 games of the season.
Later on Sunday, the New England Patriots' wide receiver combo of WES WELKER (79) and RANDY MOSS (63) combined for 20 catches in a 31-14 win over the New York Jets, giving the pair 142 combined receptions through 10 games to surpass the hours-old record set earlier in the day by Wayne-Clark.
The most combined receptions by teammates in the first 10 games of a season in NFL history:
2009 New England Patriots
WR Wes Welker (79) & WR Randy Moss (63)
142
2009 Indianapolis Colts
WR Reggie Wayne (76) & TE Dallas Clark (65)
141
1964 Chicago Bears
WR Johnny Morris (77) & TE Mike Ditka (59)
136
1995 Detroit Lions
WR Herman Moore (73) & WR Brett Perriman (63)
136
2007 Cincinnati Bengals
WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (76) & WR Chad Ochocinco (59)
135
1994 Minnesota Vikings
WR Cris Carter (77) & WR Jake Reed (58)
135
DUELING DUOS: A record that hadn’t been topped since 1964 was surpassed twice on Sunday.
The Chicago Bears' tandem of wide receiver JOHNNY MORRIS (77) and Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end MIKE DITKA (59) combined for 136 catches through the first 10 games of the 1964 season. In 1995, the Detroit Lions' wide receiver duo of HERMAN MOORE (73) and BRETT PERRIMAN (63) equaled that total.
During the Indianapolis Colts’ 17-15 win against Baltimore in Sunday 1 p.m. ET game, wide receiver REGGIE WAYNE (76 catches through 10 games) and DALLAS CLARK (65) combined for eight catches, establishing a record of 141 combined catches through the first 10 games of the season.
Later on Sunday, the New England Patriots' wide receiver combo of WES WELKER (79) and RANDY MOSS (63) combined for 20 catches in a 31-14 win over the New York Jets, giving the pair 142 combined receptions through 10 games to surpass the hours-old record set earlier in the day by Wayne-Clark.
The most combined receptions by teammates in the first 10 games of a season in NFL history:
2009 New England Patriots
WR Wes Welker (79) & WR Randy Moss (63)
142
2009 Indianapolis Colts
WR Reggie Wayne (76) & TE Dallas Clark (65)
141
1964 Chicago Bears
WR Johnny Morris (77) & TE Mike Ditka (59)
136
1995 Detroit Lions
WR Herman Moore (73) & WR Brett Perriman (63)
136
2007 Cincinnati Bengals
WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (76) & WR Chad Ochocinco (59)
135
1994 Minnesota Vikings
WR Cris Carter (77) & WR Jake Reed (58)
135
The focus shifts to our own backyards.
The Patriots are back on the right track and heading to the Big Easy at the end of the week to take on the undefeated New Orleans Saints, but before then, we've got a lot of football business that needs our attention.
It's time for something that makes Massachusetts almost entirely unique in the country -- Thanksgiving Day high school football. High school games are played on Thanksgiving in only a handful of states (just 10 and the District of Columbia according to Wikipedia, although none as extensively as the Bay State), and regardless of how many younger coaches think that Massachusetts needs a playoff system, nothing matches the excitement when long-time traditional rivals clash on the holiday.
Here's a rundown of the local games and their records. All of them will kick off Thursday morning at 10.
ATTLEBORO AT NORTH ATTLEBORO
Series started in 1921
89th holiday meeting, 90th overall
North leads 54-27-8, 53-27-8 on holiday
MANSFIELD AT FOXBORO
Series started in 1925, holiday series in 1947
79th meeting
Mansfield leads, 43-32-3
KING PHILIP AT FRANKLIN
Series started in 1960
50th meeting
Franklin leads 30-18-1
DIGHTON-REHOBOTH AT SEEKONK
Series started in 1966, holiday series in 1967
44th meeting
D-R leads, 26-16-1
BELLINGHAM AT NORTON
Series started in 1967 (DNP 1972-2001)
13th meeting
Bellingham leads, 8-4
SANDWICH AT BISHOP FEEHAN
Series started in 2006
Fourth meeting
Feehan leads, 2-1
It's time for something that makes Massachusetts almost entirely unique in the country -- Thanksgiving Day high school football. High school games are played on Thanksgiving in only a handful of states (just 10 and the District of Columbia according to Wikipedia, although none as extensively as the Bay State), and regardless of how many younger coaches think that Massachusetts needs a playoff system, nothing matches the excitement when long-time traditional rivals clash on the holiday.
Here's a rundown of the local games and their records. All of them will kick off Thursday morning at 10.
ATTLEBORO AT NORTH ATTLEBORO
Series started in 1921
89th holiday meeting, 90th overall
North leads 54-27-8, 53-27-8 on holiday
MANSFIELD AT FOXBORO
Series started in 1925, holiday series in 1947
79th meeting
Mansfield leads, 43-32-3
KING PHILIP AT FRANKLIN
Series started in 1960
50th meeting
Franklin leads 30-18-1
DIGHTON-REHOBOTH AT SEEKONK
Series started in 1966, holiday series in 1967
44th meeting
D-R leads, 26-16-1
BELLINGHAM AT NORTON
Series started in 1967 (DNP 1972-2001)
13th meeting
Bellingham leads, 8-4
SANDWICH AT BISHOP FEEHAN
Series started in 2006
Fourth meeting
Feehan leads, 2-1
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Where's Fearless? Where you'd expect.
There's a consistent breeze running from the lighthouse end of the field to the enclosed end ... enough to lift the streamers at the tops of the goalposts, but not keep them extended.
As reported earlier, I'm on alone from the sports side and Keith Nordstrom will be handling the photography. Juliet Pennington is here from the news side.
I will be blogging throughout this game, because that's my job. There has been some debate over the frequency of my posts because they are hosted on a site separately from The Sun Chronicle's Web page, which is where most of you access this blog. Rest assured that my efforts to blog pertinent information in this game will remain the same as they've been in the past. Those on the "Southeastern Mass. Online Community" who feel inconvenienced by the frequency of the posts should click on "All Posts" and you'll see everything that everyone has posted.
I asked Stacey James, the media relations director of the Patriots, how much Gatorade a team consumed in the course of an NFL game. It took him a day to track down the training staff, but he told me that the Patriots make anywhere between 30 and 45 gallons of Gatorade for each game, depending upon the hydration needs of the team.
Given that it's a little warmer today than the average late November game, I'll guess that 40 gallons were made for the game -- and at each quarter break, you'll see the little Gatorade Gauge (as seen at left) to show you how much of the electrolyte-replenishment drink has been consumed by the Patriots.
For in-game blogging, please go to www.thesunchronicle.com/farinella. We'll be back after the game here with hots and nots and game notes. Thanks for coming.
Before we start, a moment of remembrance.
The day was Friday, Nov. 22, 1963. I was sitting in my fifth-grade classroom at Dominican Academy in Plainville, day-dreaming the hours away about the upcoming weekend, when the phone rang across the hall in the principal's office.
Dominican Academy was a small school -- eight classrooms for eight elementary grades -- and my class was taught by the principal, Sister Mary Eugene, who had designated the class "validictorian," Joanne Hastings, to be the official phone answerer when class was in session.
So, Joanne dutifully sprinted out of the room to answer the phone. For the rest of us, class continued -- until she ran back into the room in tears, shouting four words that one never believes he or she will hear in his or her lifetime.
"The president's been shot!"
Immediately, Sister Mary Eugene turned on the black-and-white television at the front of the classroom, and for the next two hours, we sat with tear-filled eyes as the story of the assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy in Dallas unfolded before us.
I'm not sure how many of my classmates understood the importance of what was happening before us. Indeed, I drew the ire of Sister Mary Eugene because I was focused more upon watching Walter Cronkite tell us the news from Dallas, and trying to understand it, than I was upon saying the rosary in a futile effort to ask God to spare the life of the first Catholic President of the United States.
As years passed, I've come to have a more adult understanding of the events of that day, and the effect it had upon American society over the following generations. But even as a 9-year-old boy, I had been aware of the youthful and dynamic direction that America had taken upon the election of the young senator from Massachusetts, and I knew even then that our lives would never be the same.
A few years ago, I finally visited Dealey Plaza in Dallas to get a feel for the site that I could see in 1963 only through a series of flickering black-and-white images on a television set. It gave me a greater sense of understanding, and perhaps closure, to a moment that will live on forever in my memory.
Now, on to the football.
Dominican Academy was a small school -- eight classrooms for eight elementary grades -- and my class was taught by the principal, Sister Mary Eugene, who had designated the class "validictorian," Joanne Hastings, to be the official phone answerer when class was in session.
So, Joanne dutifully sprinted out of the room to answer the phone. For the rest of us, class continued -- until she ran back into the room in tears, shouting four words that one never believes he or she will hear in his or her lifetime.
"The president's been shot!"
Immediately, Sister Mary Eugene turned on the black-and-white television at the front of the classroom, and for the next two hours, we sat with tear-filled eyes as the story of the assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy in Dallas unfolded before us.
I'm not sure how many of my classmates understood the importance of what was happening before us. Indeed, I drew the ire of Sister Mary Eugene because I was focused more upon watching Walter Cronkite tell us the news from Dallas, and trying to understand it, than I was upon saying the rosary in a futile effort to ask God to spare the life of the first Catholic President of the United States.
As years passed, I've come to have a more adult understanding of the events of that day, and the effect it had upon American society over the following generations. But even as a 9-year-old boy, I had been aware of the youthful and dynamic direction that America had taken upon the election of the young senator from Massachusetts, and I knew even then that our lives would never be the same.
A few years ago, I finally visited Dealey Plaza in Dallas to get a feel for the site that I could see in 1963 only through a series of flickering black-and-white images on a television set. It gave me a greater sense of understanding, and perhaps closure, to a moment that will live on forever in my memory.
Now, on to the football.
Very good reason to be flying solo.
It's going to be a long day at Gillette Stadium, and I will be the only sports-side representative of The Sun Chronicle in the house, but it's for a very good reason.
Tonight in Worcester, long-time colleague Peter Gobis will be receiving the prestigious President's Award from the Mass. State Basketball Coaches Association for his contributions to the promotion and betterment of high school basketball in this state.
I was the recipient of that award in 1990 (just a year after my return to the Blue Ribbon Daily from two years at The Patriot Ledger in Quincy, in fact), and it's one of my most prized possessions. I'd like to think that it spurred me to do an even better job of covering the sport -- especially as we worked to equalize the coverage of boys' hoop and girls' hoop to reflect the improvement of the girls' game and the heightened interest in it locally.
Gobis' work ethic is legendary, and his respect for the game and those who play it is plainly evident in everything he writes. I couldn't be happier to see him honored in this way -- even if it means he'll be missing the game against the Jets tonight. Chances are his free meal is going to be better than mine, too.
Tonight in Worcester, long-time colleague Peter Gobis will be receiving the prestigious President's Award from the Mass. State Basketball Coaches Association for his contributions to the promotion and betterment of high school basketball in this state.
I was the recipient of that award in 1990 (just a year after my return to the Blue Ribbon Daily from two years at The Patriot Ledger in Quincy, in fact), and it's one of my most prized possessions. I'd like to think that it spurred me to do an even better job of covering the sport -- especially as we worked to equalize the coverage of boys' hoop and girls' hoop to reflect the improvement of the girls' game and the heightened interest in it locally.
Gobis' work ethic is legendary, and his respect for the game and those who play it is plainly evident in everything he writes. I couldn't be happier to see him honored in this way -- even if it means he'll be missing the game against the Jets tonight. Chances are his free meal is going to be better than mine, too.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Bonus thoughts from Tri-County.
Here are the stories behind the stories from the Tri-County-Old Colony game on the hilltop in Franklin today:
** What a difference from last year's game at Old Colony -- and I mean the weather. Last year, the temperatures were in the low 20s, possibly colder. This year, the temperature was pushing 60. This is the sort of global warming I can gladly accept.
Of course, I was overdressed -- long-sleeve polo, Martha's Vineyard sweatshirt, North Face fleece jacket. Felt as if I was sweating off those excess pounds by halftime.
The weather, however, did have a slight effect upon the game. Recent rains didn't drain too well from the Tri-County field, and because of its steep crown, the sidelines were soggy and slippery. Wisely, the Cougars avoided these muddy patches and gained the majorioty of their 296 rushing yards running right up the middle. And how often at this time of the year is the strategy the exact opposite, to take the running plays outside to get OUT of the mud and into grass?
** Tri-County didn't do too well in one key area of the game -- 1-for-6 in third-down conversions, or .167. So why didn't that thrust the Cougars into trouble?
** What a difference from last year's game at Old Colony -- and I mean the weather. Last year, the temperatures were in the low 20s, possibly colder. This year, the temperature was pushing 60. This is the sort of global warming I can gladly accept.
Of course, I was overdressed -- long-sleeve polo, Martha's Vineyard sweatshirt, North Face fleece jacket. Felt as if I was sweating off those excess pounds by halftime.
The weather, however, did have a slight effect upon the game. Recent rains didn't drain too well from the Tri-County field, and because of its steep crown, the sidelines were soggy and slippery. Wisely, the Cougars avoided these muddy patches and gained the majorioty of their 296 rushing yards running right up the middle. And how often at this time of the year is the strategy the exact opposite, to take the running plays outside to get OUT of the mud and into grass?
** Tri-County didn't do too well in one key area of the game -- 1-for-6 in third-down conversions, or .167. So why didn't that thrust the Cougars into trouble?
Tri-County 30, Old Colony 0.
The Tri-County Cougars clinched their second straight berth in the MIAA Division 4A playoffs with a win over Old Colony in the "Cougar Classic" in Franklin. Here's the box score, and bonus thoughts will come later:
Tri-County 30, Old Colony 0
OCR T-C
First downs 10 14
Total yardage 95 310
Rushing yardage 33 296
Passing yardage 73 14
Sacks-yds. 1-11 0-0
Comp.-Att.-Int. 9-22-2 3-5-0
Punts-Avg. 3-15.3 1-24.0
Fumbles-lost 2-1 2-1
Penalties-yds. 1-5 4-40
Old Colony 0 0 0 0— 0
Tri-County 0 22 8 0—30
Scoring summary:
Second quarter
T-C — Randy Hardy 10 run (Steve Hogan rush ), 9:53.
T-C — Chad Todesco 26 run (pass failed), 4:58.
T-C — Hardy 25 run (Hardy rush), 1:07.
Third quarter
T-C — Tyler Kaufman 1 run (S. Hogan rush), 0:51.
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Old Colony — Steek 4-5, Mello 2-7, Blaise 1-3, Chongarlides 5-7, Solberg 1-10, Degrazia 1-1. Tri-County — S. Hogan 7-37, Hardy 11-95, Kaufman 6-25, Todesco 7-68, McLaughlin 4-58, Garrigan 3-8, Mussig 2-minus 3, Billington 1-8.
PASSING: Old Colony — Solberg 8-22-2—73. Tri-County — Hardy 3-5-0—14, Robinson 0-0-0—0, Mussig 0-0-0—0.
RECEIVING: Old Colony — Steek 6-54, Chongarlides 3-19. Tri-County — Kaufman 1-1, Keene 2-13.
MISSED FIELD GOALS: None.
Tri-County 30, Old Colony 0
OCR T-C
First downs 10 14
Total yardage 95 310
Rushing yardage 33 296
Passing yardage 73 14
Sacks-yds. 1-11 0-0
Comp.-Att.-Int. 9-22-2 3-5-0
Punts-Avg. 3-15.3 1-24.0
Fumbles-lost 2-1 2-1
Penalties-yds. 1-5 4-40
Old Colony 0 0 0 0— 0
Tri-County 0 22 8 0—30
Scoring summary:
Second quarter
T-C — Randy Hardy 10 run (Steve Hogan rush ), 9:53.
T-C — Chad Todesco 26 run (pass failed), 4:58.
T-C — Hardy 25 run (Hardy rush), 1:07.
Third quarter
T-C — Tyler Kaufman 1 run (S. Hogan rush), 0:51.
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Old Colony — Steek 4-5, Mello 2-7, Blaise 1-3, Chongarlides 5-7, Solberg 1-10, Degrazia 1-1. Tri-County — S. Hogan 7-37, Hardy 11-95, Kaufman 6-25, Todesco 7-68, McLaughlin 4-58, Garrigan 3-8, Mussig 2-minus 3, Billington 1-8.
PASSING: Old Colony — Solberg 8-22-2—73. Tri-County — Hardy 3-5-0—14, Robinson 0-0-0—0, Mussig 0-0-0—0.
RECEIVING: Old Colony — Steek 6-54, Chongarlides 3-19. Tri-County — Kaufman 1-1, Keene 2-13.
MISSED FIELD GOALS: None.
Sad fact: No game on the islands.
The high school football landscape has changed a lot in the past 20 years or so, as many schools have lost traditional football rivals for one reason or another -- league affiliation, shifting enrollment figures, lack of interest, and so on.
Locally, we're fortunate that our football rivalries are stable and long-standing, save for Bishop Feehan's short-tenured holiday series with Sandwich. Elsewhere on the Cape, however, one of the better rivalries in the state ended -- most believe only temporarily -- when Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket failed to resume their "Island Cup" series.
The series between the two island schools dates back to 1953, with Nantucket leading 35-24-3. There were some oddities, however; the schools didn't play from 1954-59, and then played two games a season from 1961-71.
Nantucket dominated the series in the 1970s and '80s under legendary coach Vito Capizzo, but the Vineyarders have come on strong lately, winning nine of the last 10 meetings. One reason for MV's resurgence is a growing disparity in enrollment; according to the MIAA's latest enrollment figures, there are 388 boys in grades 9-12 at the school in Oak Bluffs, while Nantucket has 206. The Vineyard has also outgrown its neighbors on the Cape in terms of day-to-day competition, having joined the Eastern Athletic Conference as a full-fledged member this year.
Still, the "Island Cup" was something special -- special enough to be written up in national publications and showcased in television features on ESPN and elsewhere. Fans from the Islands made it a several-day celebration (The Boston Herald's Ron Borges is an alumnus of the game, by the way), and there seems to be a genuine sense of loss that it's not being played this year.
Martha's Vineyard is playing host to Brighton today, while Nantucket rescheduled a game with Cape Tech/Harwich for this weekend. But it's not the same, as the Cape Cod Times' Russ Charpentier writes in this article.
Some have blamed the expense of air travel between the islands; others miscommunication between new administrators at the schools. The sentiment seems to be overwhelmingly in favor of a resumption of the series next year. But it's a shame that this year's seniors will miss out on a true tradition because the adults couldn't get on the same page.
Locally, we're fortunate that our football rivalries are stable and long-standing, save for Bishop Feehan's short-tenured holiday series with Sandwich. Elsewhere on the Cape, however, one of the better rivalries in the state ended -- most believe only temporarily -- when Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket failed to resume their "Island Cup" series.
The series between the two island schools dates back to 1953, with Nantucket leading 35-24-3. There were some oddities, however; the schools didn't play from 1954-59, and then played two games a season from 1961-71.
Nantucket dominated the series in the 1970s and '80s under legendary coach Vito Capizzo, but the Vineyarders have come on strong lately, winning nine of the last 10 meetings. One reason for MV's resurgence is a growing disparity in enrollment; according to the MIAA's latest enrollment figures, there are 388 boys in grades 9-12 at the school in Oak Bluffs, while Nantucket has 206. The Vineyard has also outgrown its neighbors on the Cape in terms of day-to-day competition, having joined the Eastern Athletic Conference as a full-fledged member this year.
Still, the "Island Cup" was something special -- special enough to be written up in national publications and showcased in television features on ESPN and elsewhere. Fans from the Islands made it a several-day celebration (The Boston Herald's Ron Borges is an alumnus of the game, by the way), and there seems to be a genuine sense of loss that it's not being played this year.
Martha's Vineyard is playing host to Brighton today, while Nantucket rescheduled a game with Cape Tech/Harwich for this weekend. But it's not the same, as the Cape Cod Times' Russ Charpentier writes in this article.
Some have blamed the expense of air travel between the islands; others miscommunication between new administrators at the schools. The sentiment seems to be overwhelmingly in favor of a resumption of the series next year. But it's a shame that this year's seniors will miss out on a true tradition because the adults couldn't get on the same page.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Raffle to benefit the Van De Giesen family.
Once again, the hearts of two local communities will be opened to benefit the family of U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Kyle Van De Giesen.
On Thanksgiving morning at Beaupre Field in North Attleboro, the North Attleboro High School Gridiron Club will donate the proceeds of the 50/50 raffle to a scholarship fund for the two children of the former quarterback of the Red Rocketeers, who was killed in action piloting a helicopter in Afghanistan last month. On Nov. 7, fans at the North Attleboro-Mansfield game at Mansfield's Alumni Field were very generous and created a pool of more than $2,400, of which about $1,200 would go to the winner -- and the winning individual donated $600 of his booty back to the fund for the Van De Giesen family.
Raffles at the well-attended AHS-North holiday games usually fetch a pretty penny, so I hope fans of the Rocketeers and Attleboro High Blue Bombardiers will dig even deeper into their pockets and buy lots of tickets. I won't be going to that game (I've got King Philip at Franklin this year), but I'll give Gobis one of those bills that have a picture of the fellow that looks like Peter Gammons on it, and cross my fingers.
There's no better reason to play this 50/50 raffle, folks. As always, the AHS-North game will begin at 10 a.m., with the number likely to be drawn at halftime.
On Thanksgiving morning at Beaupre Field in North Attleboro, the North Attleboro High School Gridiron Club will donate the proceeds of the 50/50 raffle to a scholarship fund for the two children of the former quarterback of the Red Rocketeers, who was killed in action piloting a helicopter in Afghanistan last month. On Nov. 7, fans at the North Attleboro-Mansfield game at Mansfield's Alumni Field were very generous and created a pool of more than $2,400, of which about $1,200 would go to the winner -- and the winning individual donated $600 of his booty back to the fund for the Van De Giesen family.
Raffles at the well-attended AHS-North holiday games usually fetch a pretty penny, so I hope fans of the Rocketeers and Attleboro High Blue Bombardiers will dig even deeper into their pockets and buy lots of tickets. I won't be going to that game (I've got King Philip at Franklin this year), but I'll give Gobis one of those bills that have a picture of the fellow that looks like Peter Gammons on it, and cross my fingers.
There's no better reason to play this 50/50 raffle, folks. As always, the AHS-North game will begin at 10 a.m., with the number likely to be drawn at halftime.
What's next, Full Metal Alchemist?
I thought I'd heard most everything in a professional sports locker room over 30-plus years of covering the NFL, but today was the first time I've ever heard a player reference a Japanese anime cartoon to describe a position group.
Holding court by his locker, Laurence Maroney invoked the name of Voltron during Friday's media availability period.
"We're just missing Fred (Taylor), and I’m not going to feel complete until Fred gets back on the field," Maroney told reporters. "Slowly but surely, we’re reconnecting like Voltron."
Voltron is a cartoon robot that splits into five pieces and reconnects to fight evil and save the universe. It hasn’t been established as yet which of the Patriots’ five running backs — Maroney, Taylor, Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk and BenJarvus Green-Ellis — are the head, arms, legs and torso of their version of Voltron, or if there might be a few screws loose in that assembly.
Maroney's mention of Voltron was probably prompted by the expectation that Morris may return to action Sunday, after a three-game injury (knee) layoff, when the Patriots entertain the New York Jets (4:15 p.m.; Ch. 4, 12). Taylor, who had ankle surgery after he was injured Oct. 4 against Baltimore, is expected back later in the season.
Patriots’ coach Bill Belichick didn’t admit to being a Voltron fan during his daily press conference, but he did say that getting the injured running backs back on the field couldn’t be anything but good, especially since worsening weather usually demands that teams be able to run the ball with confidence.
“It’s hard to go into the season without depth at that position,” Belichick said. “I have confidence in all of our running backs, but only one guy can carry the ball at any one time. They can all be successful in what we ask of them.”
Holding court by his locker, Laurence Maroney invoked the name of Voltron during Friday's media availability period.
"We're just missing Fred (Taylor), and I’m not going to feel complete until Fred gets back on the field," Maroney told reporters. "Slowly but surely, we’re reconnecting like Voltron."
Voltron is a cartoon robot that splits into five pieces and reconnects to fight evil and save the universe. It hasn’t been established as yet which of the Patriots’ five running backs — Maroney, Taylor, Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk and BenJarvus Green-Ellis — are the head, arms, legs and torso of their version of Voltron, or if there might be a few screws loose in that assembly.
Maroney's mention of Voltron was probably prompted by the expectation that Morris may return to action Sunday, after a three-game injury (knee) layoff, when the Patriots entertain the New York Jets (4:15 p.m.; Ch. 4, 12). Taylor, who had ankle surgery after he was injured Oct. 4 against Baltimore, is expected back later in the season.
Patriots’ coach Bill Belichick didn’t admit to being a Voltron fan during his daily press conference, but he did say that getting the injured running backs back on the field couldn’t be anything but good, especially since worsening weather usually demands that teams be able to run the ball with confidence.
“It’s hard to go into the season without depth at that position,” Belichick said. “I have confidence in all of our running backs, but only one guy can carry the ball at any one time. They can all be successful in what we ask of them.”
Neal still absent from practice.
A rare Friday for me at Gillette Stadium, and guard Stephen Neal is still not practicing in the wake of a head injury he suffered in the Colts' game last week. Neal has been seen in the locker room, but teams take plenty of precautions when it comes to head injuries.
If Neal can't play against the Jets on Sunday, it's likely that the versatile Dan Connolly would get the nod at right tackle.
Defensive tackle Jarvis Green and linebacker Tully Banta-Cain were back on the practice field, which is good news.
If Neal can't play against the Jets on Sunday, it's likely that the versatile Dan Connolly would get the nod at right tackle.
Defensive tackle Jarvis Green and linebacker Tully Banta-Cain were back on the practice field, which is good news.
Friday Night Rights ... and Wrongs, Week 10.1.
That cutesy little reference to this week being "Week 10.1" is to note that there's only one game on the docket locally, although a very important one to the local team playing in it.
So let's get to the pick right away, with the home team in CAPS:
TRI-COUNTY 35, Old Colony 6 (Saturday, 1 p.m.): The two schools have dubbed this yearly game the "Cougar Classic," because both teams share the same nickname. Last year's game was played in bitter cold (but with warm hearts on both sides of the field, as seen in the post-game ceremonies that honor the athletes of both schools), with Tri-County clinching its first-ever berth in the MIAA playoffs. This year's game is for the same stakes, and behind the varied offensive sets of coach Dan MacLean and the versatility of QB/RB Randy Hardy, Tri-County will prevail handily, and I'll be chronicling it for the next day's paper.
It's been a fun race in the staff picks this year, and the standings won't change this week (we all picked T-C). Danny Crandall and James Schneider are in a tie for first at 67-22 (.744), I'm in the middle of the pack at 64-26 (.711) and Peter Gobis and Dale Ransom are nipping at my heels at 63-27 (.700). Thanksgiving should be fun.
So let's get to the pick right away, with the home team in CAPS:
TRI-COUNTY 35, Old Colony 6 (Saturday, 1 p.m.): The two schools have dubbed this yearly game the "Cougar Classic," because both teams share the same nickname. Last year's game was played in bitter cold (but with warm hearts on both sides of the field, as seen in the post-game ceremonies that honor the athletes of both schools), with Tri-County clinching its first-ever berth in the MIAA playoffs. This year's game is for the same stakes, and behind the varied offensive sets of coach Dan MacLean and the versatility of QB/RB Randy Hardy, Tri-County will prevail handily, and I'll be chronicling it for the next day's paper.
It's been a fun race in the staff picks this year, and the standings won't change this week (we all picked T-C). Danny Crandall and James Schneider are in a tie for first at 67-22 (.744), I'm in the middle of the pack at 64-26 (.711) and Peter Gobis and Dale Ransom are nipping at my heels at 63-27 (.700). Thanksgiving should be fun.
Jets-Pats get No. 1 broadcast team.
CBS will be sending its top broadcast team, Jim Nantz and Phil Simms, to Foxboro for the Jets-Patriots game this Sunday at 4:15 p.m.
There's a site on the Internet that provides a lot of interesting information on the weekly broadcasts of all the games done by CBS and Fox, including color-coded maps to tell you where the games will be seen on over-the-air TV and who's doing the broadcasts. Here's a link to the NFL Distribution Maps site.
There's a site on the Internet that provides a lot of interesting information on the weekly broadcasts of all the games done by CBS and Fox, including color-coded maps to tell you where the games will be seen on over-the-air TV and who's doing the broadcasts. Here's a link to the NFL Distribution Maps site.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Mayo: Bruschi's not one of us any more.
You may recall that in the wake of the Patriots' 35-34 loss to Indianapolis, former Patriots Tedy Bruschi (now with ESPNBoston.com) and Rodney Harrison (now of NBC Sports) were both very critical of Coach Bill Belichick's decision to go for a first down on a fourth-and-2 situation at his own 28 with 2:08 to go.
Jerod Mayo proved Thursday that it doesn't take long for current players to forget the contributions of two of the best defensive players of the past decade or more. Centering upon Bruschi's comment that the decision to take the game out of the hands of his defense by not punting would have made his "blood boil," Mayo offered a fairly dismissive response to what one of his predecessors as defensive captain had to say.
"I have the utmost respect for Tedy and everything he's done for this organization, but he's not in this locker room at this point in time, so he doesn't know the feelings of this defense or that this team has," Mayo said. "We still have our confidence, we still have our (swagger), and we we're going out there Sunday and show the media, I guess."
Jerod Mayo proved Thursday that it doesn't take long for current players to forget the contributions of two of the best defensive players of the past decade or more. Centering upon Bruschi's comment that the decision to take the game out of the hands of his defense by not punting would have made his "blood boil," Mayo offered a fairly dismissive response to what one of his predecessors as defensive captain had to say.
"I have the utmost respect for Tedy and everything he's done for this organization, but he's not in this locker room at this point in time, so he doesn't know the feelings of this defense or that this team has," Mayo said. "We still have our confidence, we still have our (swagger), and we we're going out there Sunday and show the media, I guess."
Another league seeks to expand.
The principals of the South Coast Conference have voted unanimously to explore possible league expansion. What that means at this point isn't exactly clear.
The SCC is much like the Hockomock, in that it is currently a nine-member association of schools that are contiguous, from Seekonk to the west to Bourne just on the other side of the Cape Cod Canal. For the most part, competition has been fair and equitable in all sports over the years -- but as always, there are some inequities that might be alleviated if more schools were in the fold and the SCC could split into large-school and small-school divisions.
The SCC actually tried to expand a few years ago, accepting Martha's Vineyard as a provisional member. But after just one full season, the Vineyarders were cut loose and the school joined the Eastern Athletic Conference this year.
Which leads to an interesting question: Might the EAC be part of this plan? Somerset is a likely applicant to an expanded SCC, which would leave the Vineyard and three Catholic schools (Bishop Feehan, Bishop Stang, Coyle-Cassidy) to fend for themselves. But if the EAC was absorbed into the SCC, that would create a 14-school league likely to split into two seven-school divisions.
It's doubtful, however, that the SCC would be any more open to the acceptance of Catholic schools than other leagues that have faced the same choice. The possible outcome of that can't be good news for Bishop Feehan High School, which is significantly larger than Stang, Coyle-Cassidy, Sacred Heart in Kingston and the new Pope John Paul II in Hyannis. I've often suggested that the only remaining alternative for Bishop Feehan would be to create a Catholic South Conference, but I'm not so sure the competition would be equitable.
Here are the South Coast Conference schools and their enrollments according to the most recent figures being used by the MIAA to align its divisions, and a few possible applicants and their enrollment figures.
SOUTH COAST CONFERENCE
School...........................Boys 9-12 .......Girls 9-12............Total
Greater New Bedford Voke........1092............924...........2016
Dighton-Rehoboth.....................559............521...........1080
Apponequet................................455............427.............882
Wareham....................................433............426.............859
Old Rochester............................336............387.............723
Bourne........................................332............373.............705
Fairhaven..................................308.............344.............652
Seekonk.....................................328.............324..............652
Case............................................297.............269..............566
POSSIBLE APPLICANTS
School..............Boys 9-12 ....Girls 9-12.......Total......Current
Sandwich..................510..............507............1017.......Atl. Coast
Somerset..................482...............514.............996.........EAC
Bishop Feehan.........434...............548.............982.........EAC
Dennis-Yarmouth.....507..............474..............981....... Atl. Coast
Bishop Stang ...........401...............423.............824.........EAC
Martha's Vnyd. .......388 .............361..............749.........EAC
Coyle-Cassidy..........336..............397..............733.........EAC
Norton .....................353..............369............. 722........Tri-Valley
E. Bridgewater .......316.............355...............671........South Shore
Mashpee..................313..............306..............619.......South Shore
Carver ....................268..............294..............562........South Shore
Anyway, that's just speculation. The plan is that if the SCC does expand, it would do so in the fall of 2011. Any schools that are really interested should make their intentions known to the SCC, care of Michael Devoll, Principal, Old Rochester Regional High School, 135 Marian Road, Mattapoisett MA 02719. Application deadline is Monday, Feb. 1, 2010.
The SCC is much like the Hockomock, in that it is currently a nine-member association of schools that are contiguous, from Seekonk to the west to Bourne just on the other side of the Cape Cod Canal. For the most part, competition has been fair and equitable in all sports over the years -- but as always, there are some inequities that might be alleviated if more schools were in the fold and the SCC could split into large-school and small-school divisions.
The SCC actually tried to expand a few years ago, accepting Martha's Vineyard as a provisional member. But after just one full season, the Vineyarders were cut loose and the school joined the Eastern Athletic Conference this year.
Which leads to an interesting question: Might the EAC be part of this plan? Somerset is a likely applicant to an expanded SCC, which would leave the Vineyard and three Catholic schools (Bishop Feehan, Bishop Stang, Coyle-Cassidy) to fend for themselves. But if the EAC was absorbed into the SCC, that would create a 14-school league likely to split into two seven-school divisions.
It's doubtful, however, that the SCC would be any more open to the acceptance of Catholic schools than other leagues that have faced the same choice. The possible outcome of that can't be good news for Bishop Feehan High School, which is significantly larger than Stang, Coyle-Cassidy, Sacred Heart in Kingston and the new Pope John Paul II in Hyannis. I've often suggested that the only remaining alternative for Bishop Feehan would be to create a Catholic South Conference, but I'm not so sure the competition would be equitable.
Here are the South Coast Conference schools and their enrollments according to the most recent figures being used by the MIAA to align its divisions, and a few possible applicants and their enrollment figures.
SOUTH COAST CONFERENCE
School...........................Boys 9-12 .......Girls 9-12............Total
Greater New Bedford Voke........1092............924...........2016
Dighton-Rehoboth.....................559............521...........1080
Apponequet................................455............427.............882
Wareham....................................433............426.............859
Old Rochester............................336............387.............723
Bourne........................................332............373.............705
Fairhaven..................................308.............344.............652
Seekonk.....................................328.............324..............652
Case............................................297.............269..............566
POSSIBLE APPLICANTS
School..............Boys 9-12 ....Girls 9-12.......Total......Current
Sandwich..................510..............507............1017.......Atl. Coast
Somerset..................482...............514.............996.........EAC
Bishop Feehan.........434...............548.............982.........EAC
Dennis-Yarmouth.....507..............474..............981....... Atl. Coast
Bishop Stang ...........401...............423.............824.........EAC
Martha's Vnyd. .......388 .............361..............749.........EAC
Coyle-Cassidy..........336..............397..............733.........EAC
Norton .....................353..............369............. 722........Tri-Valley
E. Bridgewater .......316.............355...............671........South Shore
Mashpee..................313..............306..............619.......South Shore
Carver ....................268..............294..............562........South Shore
Anyway, that's just speculation. The plan is that if the SCC does expand, it would do so in the fall of 2011. Any schools that are really interested should make their intentions known to the SCC, care of Michael Devoll, Principal, Old Rochester Regional High School, 135 Marian Road, Mattapoisett MA 02719. Application deadline is Monday, Feb. 1, 2010.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Audio Blog 28.
Here's the 28th installment of the Audio Blog, in which Bill Belichick gets in touch with his feelings as the resumption of the Border War with the New York Jets approaches.
Tears of a clown, when there's no one around.
Because the football world is all a-buzz over reports that Jets' coach Rex Ryan cried in a talk to his team last week, it was inevitable that someone would ask Patriots' coach Bill Belichick if he had ever teared up in front of his team.
"I've coached 35 years, so I've probably covered most bases," Belichick said. "I think I swore once, too."
Those who've been around here for a reasonable amount of time have seen two obviously emotional moments out of Belichick -- one in the post-game press conference after a game with the Saints on Nov. 20, 2005, a day after the passing of his father, Steve Belichick, and the other during his farewell remarks to Tedy Bruschi at the press conference announcing his retirement earlier this year.
But a full-out bawl? Not likely.
"I can't ever imagine Coach Belichick doing that in front of us," Tom Brady said. "He coaches us pretty hard. Every coach has a different style ... it's an emotional game, so I think we all put a lot into it every week. You try to convey a message, and our coach always conveys a message of the truth: 'This is how I feel, this is the truth and this is what we need to do.' I think we always find a way to respond to that."
"I've coached 35 years, so I've probably covered most bases," Belichick said. "I think I swore once, too."
Those who've been around here for a reasonable amount of time have seen two obviously emotional moments out of Belichick -- one in the post-game press conference after a game with the Saints on Nov. 20, 2005, a day after the passing of his father, Steve Belichick, and the other during his farewell remarks to Tedy Bruschi at the press conference announcing his retirement earlier this year.
But a full-out bawl? Not likely.
"I can't ever imagine Coach Belichick doing that in front of us," Tom Brady said. "He coaches us pretty hard. Every coach has a different style ... it's an emotional game, so I think we all put a lot into it every week. You try to convey a message, and our coach always conveys a message of the truth: 'This is how I feel, this is the truth and this is what we need to do.' I think we always find a way to respond to that."
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Patriots fill practice-squad gap.
The Patriots have filled their open spot on the practice squad with a player who was there before, defensive lineman Adrian Grady. Here's the press release from the team:
-------------------
PATRIOTS SIGN DL ADRIAN GRADY TO THE PRACTICE SQUAD
FOXBORO – The New England Patriots signed DL Adrian Grady to the practice squad today. New England had an open position on the eight-man practice squad following the signing of QB/WR Isaiah Stanback to the 53-man roster last Saturday.
Grady, 6-1, 290 pounds, was originally signed by the Indianapolis Colts as a rookie free agent out of Louisville on April 30, 2009. He was waived by the Colts in their final cuts and signed to the New England practice squad on Sept. 7. Grady was waived from the practice squad on Sept. 30.
-------------------
PATRIOTS SIGN DL ADRIAN GRADY TO THE PRACTICE SQUAD
FOXBORO – The New England Patriots signed DL Adrian Grady to the practice squad today. New England had an open position on the eight-man practice squad following the signing of QB/WR Isaiah Stanback to the 53-man roster last Saturday.
Grady, 6-1, 290 pounds, was originally signed by the Indianapolis Colts as a rookie free agent out of Louisville on April 30, 2009. He was waived by the Colts in their final cuts and signed to the New England practice squad on Sept. 7. Grady was waived from the practice squad on Sept. 30.
B-R goes to playoffs.
According to my good friend Danny Ventura of the Boston Herald, Bridgewater-Raynham emerged the winner in the three-pronged coin flip that determined the Old Colony League's representative in the upcoming MIAA playoffs.
The flip, which was staged earlier this morning at a restaurant in the shadow of the Sagamore Bridge, was forced when Barnstable defeated Attleboro Sunday afternoon and B-R held off Taunton later that evening, creating a three-way tie at the top of the league standings.
With representatives of all three schools flipping coins, Barnstable's coin came up heads and the other two tails, eliminating the Red Raiders immediately. Then it came down to head-to-head competition between B-R and Taunton, and that was that.
I certainly hope someone bought a Happy Meal for the Barnstable reps ... given where that program had been in recent years and how far it has come, it had to be crushing for everything to be riding upon a coin flip.
Leagues have the responsibility of setting their own tiebreaking procedures. The Hockomock, for instance, would eliminate the school that had most recently represented the league in the playoffs in the event of a three-way tie, Other leagues use a mathematical formula similar to the old football ratings.
In any event, I don't think that anyone who saw B-R fend off Attleboro in the waning seconds would doubt the Trojans' credentials. There just has to be a better way to settle these things than pure chance.
The flip, which was staged earlier this morning at a restaurant in the shadow of the Sagamore Bridge, was forced when Barnstable defeated Attleboro Sunday afternoon and B-R held off Taunton later that evening, creating a three-way tie at the top of the league standings.
With representatives of all three schools flipping coins, Barnstable's coin came up heads and the other two tails, eliminating the Red Raiders immediately. Then it came down to head-to-head competition between B-R and Taunton, and that was that.
I certainly hope someone bought a Happy Meal for the Barnstable reps ... given where that program had been in recent years and how far it has come, it had to be crushing for everything to be riding upon a coin flip.
Leagues have the responsibility of setting their own tiebreaking procedures. The Hockomock, for instance, would eliminate the school that had most recently represented the league in the playoffs in the event of a three-way tie, Other leagues use a mathematical formula similar to the old football ratings.
In any event, I don't think that anyone who saw B-R fend off Attleboro in the waning seconds would doubt the Trojans' credentials. There just has to be a better way to settle these things than pure chance.
Bonus thoughts from Barnstable and McGrath.
Been a long football weekend, and I wasn't even in Indianapolis -- and glad, too, because I can just imagine how many times my game story would have been re-written on deadline.
Anyway, here are a few observations from the last two high school games I covered in this four-game weekend:
** Sunday at Barnstable High, I had a season "first" -- I had to use five pages of my custom-made scoresheets to chart the entire game. That may not sound like a big deal, but it is to me.
You see, over some 40-plus years of covering high school football, I've come up with my own system for recording the plays so I can complile a statistical summary in a short amount of time after the game. I use a clipboard, and in my earlier years of having professionally-printed scoresheets, I designed them to be horizontal on a sheet of 8 1/2-inch-by-14-inch paper.
Well, that was wasteful. I'd use anywhere from 8-10 pieces of paper for each game, and that doesn't lend itself to a quick review while writing, So about 15 years ago, I re-designed my scoresheets to be vertical, and most games require the use of only four pages, regardless of whether they're played in 10-minute or 11-minute quarters.
Anyway, here are a few observations from the last two high school games I covered in this four-game weekend:
** Sunday at Barnstable High, I had a season "first" -- I had to use five pages of my custom-made scoresheets to chart the entire game. That may not sound like a big deal, but it is to me.
You see, over some 40-plus years of covering high school football, I've come up with my own system for recording the plays so I can complile a statistical summary in a short amount of time after the game. I use a clipboard, and in my earlier years of having professionally-printed scoresheets, I designed them to be horizontal on a sheet of 8 1/2-inch-by-14-inch paper.
Well, that was wasteful. I'd use anywhere from 8-10 pieces of paper for each game, and that doesn't lend itself to a quick review while writing, So about 15 years ago, I re-designed my scoresheets to be vertical, and most games require the use of only four pages, regardless of whether they're played in 10-minute or 11-minute quarters.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Bishop Feehan 25, Somerset 24.
One of the best games to settle a league championship I've ever seen ... and I've seen quite a few of those. The Shamrocks battled back from a mistake-filled first half and an 18-7 deficit to win -- and set up the first round of the MIAA Division 3 playoffs against Dighton-Rehoboth in a couple of weeks.
Here's the box score, and the bonus thoughts will follow later.
Bishop Feehan 25, Somerset 24
Som BF
First downs 16 14
Total yardage 270 251
Rushing yardage 236 104
Passing yardage 34 154
Sacks-yds. 0-0 1-7
Comp.-Att.-Int. 3-5-1 9-13-2
Punts-Avg. 0-0 0-0
Fumbles-lost 2-2 2-1
Penalties-yds. 5-26 5-65
Somerset 12 6 0 6—24
Bishop Feehan 7 0 6 12—25
Scoring summary:
First quarter
BF — Mike Albert 41 pass from Tommy Romero (Stan Pacuk kick), 9:30.
Som — Seth Demello 2 run (rush failed), 0:59.
Som — Jaron Spear 59 interception return (rush failed), 0:00.
Second quarter
Som — Demello 9 pass from Adam Ledoux (pass failed), 1:08.
Third quarter
BF — Zack Schwieger 2 run (rush failed), 2:16.
Fourth quarter
BF — Albert 24 pass from Romero (rush failed), 10:24.
Som —Spear 69 run (rush failed), 10:05.
BF — Nick Cataldo 19 pass from Romero (rush failed), 5:18.
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Somerset — Estrella 16-71, Spear 6-89, Ledoux 3-9, Demello 18-59, McGowan 3-8. Feehan — Boland 9-37, Schwieger 14-66, McHayle 1-1, Romero 4-0.
PASSING: Somerset — Ledoux 3-5-1—34. Feehan — Romero 9-13-2—154.
RECEIVING: Somerset — Demello 3-34. Feehan — Albert 4-88, Boland 1-minus 1, Cataldo 3-39, Beyer 1-28.
MISSED FIELD GOALS: None.
Here's the box score, and the bonus thoughts will follow later.
Bishop Feehan 25, Somerset 24
Som BF
First downs 16 14
Total yardage 270 251
Rushing yardage 236 104
Passing yardage 34 154
Sacks-yds. 0-0 1-7
Comp.-Att.-Int. 3-5-1 9-13-2
Punts-Avg. 0-0 0-0
Fumbles-lost 2-2 2-1
Penalties-yds. 5-26 5-65
Somerset 12 6 0 6—24
Bishop Feehan 7 0 6 12—25
Scoring summary:
First quarter
BF — Mike Albert 41 pass from Tommy Romero (Stan Pacuk kick), 9:30.
Som — Seth Demello 2 run (rush failed), 0:59.
Som — Jaron Spear 59 interception return (rush failed), 0:00.
Second quarter
Som — Demello 9 pass from Adam Ledoux (pass failed), 1:08.
Third quarter
BF — Zack Schwieger 2 run (rush failed), 2:16.
Fourth quarter
BF — Albert 24 pass from Romero (rush failed), 10:24.
Som —Spear 69 run (rush failed), 10:05.
BF — Nick Cataldo 19 pass from Romero (rush failed), 5:18.
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Somerset — Estrella 16-71, Spear 6-89, Ledoux 3-9, Demello 18-59, McGowan 3-8. Feehan — Boland 9-37, Schwieger 14-66, McHayle 1-1, Romero 4-0.
PASSING: Somerset — Ledoux 3-5-1—34. Feehan — Romero 9-13-2—154.
RECEIVING: Somerset — Demello 3-34. Feehan — Albert 4-88, Boland 1-minus 1, Cataldo 3-39, Beyer 1-28.
MISSED FIELD GOALS: None.
Hots and nots and game notes from Pats vs. Indy.
I'll be quick with the hots and nots.
WHO'S HOT
NOBODY: They lost a game they should have won. You don't get rewarded for that.
WHO'S NOT
BILL BELICHICK: He told half of his team that he had no faith in its ability to stop a team from marching 70 yards to a score in the last two minutes, and instead forced them to try to make the stop from 40 yards closer. Clock management was a disaster, too. This one is solely on the Genius' shoulders.
GAME NOTES
NEW ENGLAND SCORES AGAINST STINGY COLTS DEFENSE.
The New England offense scored 34 points against an Indianapolis defense that entered the game ranked first in the NFL in fewest points allowed per game with 13.5 points per game. The most points they allowed in a single game was 23 by Miami.
WHO'S HOT
NOBODY: They lost a game they should have won. You don't get rewarded for that.
WHO'S NOT
BILL BELICHICK: He told half of his team that he had no faith in its ability to stop a team from marching 70 yards to a score in the last two minutes, and instead forced them to try to make the stop from 40 yards closer. Clock management was a disaster, too. This one is solely on the Genius' shoulders.
GAME NOTES
NEW ENGLAND SCORES AGAINST STINGY COLTS DEFENSE.
The New England offense scored 34 points against an Indianapolis defense that entered the game ranked first in the NFL in fewest points allowed per game with 13.5 points per game. The most points they allowed in a single game was 23 by Miami.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Where's Fearless? On that lovable old sandy spit.
I'll be watching the Patriots-Colts game here tonight, either at my hideaway or at Bobby Byrne's Pub in Mashpee (or both), so there will be no in-game blogging, which should come as a huge disappointment to some of my fans.
Indeed, I just heard from old friend Jim Donaldson of the Providence Journal, who's in the press box at Lucas Oil Stadium and was having a problem connecting his computer to the wireless access there. Fortunately, the issue was quickly resolved. See, they DO miss me on the road!
I have to admit, I really missed the horseradish-laden shrimp cocktail and the New York strip sirloin at St. Elmo's Steakhouse, too. But I don't always miss the late games. I kind of like the idea of getting more than just three hours of sleep after the game and not having to race to the airport to catch a plane.
After the game, I'll provide final stats courtesy of NFL.com, and the game notes that are provided by the Patriots' media relations department. There may even be a few hots and nots, depending upon how much of the game I get to see.
Barnstable 43, Attleboro 24.
A nightmarish first half in the mist and fog in Hyannis as the Bombardiers fall behind 29-0 to one of the better no-huddle offenses you'll see in high school. Here's the box score of Attleboro's last Old Colony League game, and the bonus thoughts will follow later tonight.
Barnstable 43, Attleboro 24
AHS Barn
First downs 16 16
Total yardage 323 344
Rushing yardage 217 98
Passing yardage 117 262
Sacks-yds. 1-9 2-16
Comp.-Att.-Int. 8-21-4 15-21-0
Punts-Avg. 3-30.3 5-35.6
Fumbles-lost 0-0 1-1
Penalties-yds. 6-35 8-75
Attleboro 0 0 8 16—24
Barnstable 8 21 0 14—43
Scoring summary:
First quarter
Barn — Dennis Reddy 3 run (D.J. Crook rush). 1:11.
Second quarter
Barn — Crook 4 run (Giorgio Dugani kick), 10:54.
Barn — P.J. Edmonds 4 interception return (Jordan Henderson pass from Matt Delaney), 5:47.
Barn — Joe Stanek 7 pass from Crook (kick failed), 1:24.
Third quarter
AHS — A.J. Hoose 36 pass from Nate Robitaille (Matty Campbell rush), 4:03.
Fourth quarter
Barn — Ralston Cameron 8 run (Dugani kick), 10:24.
AHS — Campbell 1 run (Campbell pass from Robitaille), 7:24.
AHS — Campbell 1 run (Abiola Aborishade pass from Robitaille), 3:35.
Barn — Henderson 53 pass from Crook (Dugani kick), 2:20.
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Attleboro — Jalaoso 7-45, Campbell 23-128, Robitaille 9-41, Reading 1-minus 3, Grenon 1-6. Barnstable — Crook 10-20, Reddy 12-60, Cameron 5-19, Henderson 1-minus 1, Amato 1-0.
PASSING: Attleboro — Robitaille 8-21-4—117. Barnstable — Crook 15-20-0—262, Delaney 0-1-0–0, Dombrowski 0-0-0—0.
RECEIVING: Attleboro — Campbell 5-76, Reading 1-minus 3, Hoose 1-36, Aborishade 1-8. Barnstable — Reddy 2-5, Stanek 5-116, Smith 2-9, Delaney 2-24, Henderson 4-108.
MISSED FIELD GOALS: None.
Barnstable 43, Attleboro 24
AHS Barn
First downs 16 16
Total yardage 323 344
Rushing yardage 217 98
Passing yardage 117 262
Sacks-yds. 1-9 2-16
Comp.-Att.-Int. 8-21-4 15-21-0
Punts-Avg. 3-30.3 5-35.6
Fumbles-lost 0-0 1-1
Penalties-yds. 6-35 8-75
Attleboro 0 0 8 16—24
Barnstable 8 21 0 14—43
Scoring summary:
First quarter
Barn — Dennis Reddy 3 run (D.J. Crook rush). 1:11.
Second quarter
Barn — Crook 4 run (Giorgio Dugani kick), 10:54.
Barn — P.J. Edmonds 4 interception return (Jordan Henderson pass from Matt Delaney), 5:47.
Barn — Joe Stanek 7 pass from Crook (kick failed), 1:24.
Third quarter
AHS — A.J. Hoose 36 pass from Nate Robitaille (Matty Campbell rush), 4:03.
Fourth quarter
Barn — Ralston Cameron 8 run (Dugani kick), 10:24.
AHS — Campbell 1 run (Campbell pass from Robitaille), 7:24.
AHS — Campbell 1 run (Abiola Aborishade pass from Robitaille), 3:35.
Barn — Henderson 53 pass from Crook (Dugani kick), 2:20.
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Attleboro — Jalaoso 7-45, Campbell 23-128, Robitaille 9-41, Reading 1-minus 3, Grenon 1-6. Barnstable — Crook 10-20, Reddy 12-60, Cameron 5-19, Henderson 1-minus 1, Amato 1-0.
PASSING: Attleboro — Robitaille 8-21-4—117. Barnstable — Crook 15-20-0—262, Delaney 0-1-0–0, Dombrowski 0-0-0—0.
RECEIVING: Attleboro — Campbell 5-76, Reading 1-minus 3, Hoose 1-36, Aborishade 1-8. Barnstable — Reddy 2-5, Stanek 5-116, Smith 2-9, Delaney 2-24, Henderson 4-108.
MISSED FIELD GOALS: None.
Bonus thoughts from Holbrook, via other far-flung destinations.
I'm already on Cape Cod, preparing to see another high school football game in about 12 hours or so, but I figured it was time to put up some bonus thoughts from Saturday's 38-0 win by Tri-County over Holbrook-Avon:
** My impressions of Saturday's game have already been written -- for Sunday's newspaper, in my column. But I don't mind repeating them here because, in this case, first impressions were lasting ones.
In the event that anyone reads these comments, and somehow interprets them as insults directed at the student-athletes of Holbrook or Avon, let me state for the record right from the start of this post that I am not criticizing the kids who wore the uniforms Saturday. This is what I saw in a bigger-picture sense, and the comments you'll read (and I'm going to put the column parts in quotes) are not intended to have any hidden double meanings. It may sound a little harsh to some, but in no way do I intend to criticize any athletes in these observations -- just the adults who apparently don't care much about what the kids are doing.
In fact, it scares me that I even have to say that.
Anyway...
** My impressions of Saturday's game have already been written -- for Sunday's newspaper, in my column. But I don't mind repeating them here because, in this case, first impressions were lasting ones.
In the event that anyone reads these comments, and somehow interprets them as insults directed at the student-athletes of Holbrook or Avon, let me state for the record right from the start of this post that I am not criticizing the kids who wore the uniforms Saturday. This is what I saw in a bigger-picture sense, and the comments you'll read (and I'm going to put the column parts in quotes) are not intended to have any hidden double meanings. It may sound a little harsh to some, but in no way do I intend to criticize any athletes in these observations -- just the adults who apparently don't care much about what the kids are doing.
In fact, it scares me that I even have to say that.
Anyway...
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