Tidbit Tuesday.....Okay Wednesday

 Did you know that 75 years ago the first football game was televised!  It was September 30, 1939 and guess what; it was not an NFL game.  It was a college game between the Waynesburg Yellow Jackets and the Fordham Rams.  There were 9,000 fans in attendance and another 1,00 thousand watched on TV.  This was very impressive because at the time there were only about 7,000 TV’s in existence.  One camera was used and Bill Stern was the lone announcer.  The game was broadcast on NBC and was such a hit that it led to the first NFL game being televised nearly a month later.

With all the excitement in the air the game started off with a bang.  Waynesburg’s Booby Brooks took a handoff 63 yards for the game’s first score on only the third play from scrimmage.  The game however did not remain as exciting as the opening drive.  Fordham tied the score later in the quarter and added two more touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 21-7 lead into half time.  They score 13 more points in the second half and won 34-7. 

Dbacks Fire Gibson

On Friday the Dbacks decided to part ways with manager Kirk Gibson.   Many people wondered what Gibson’s fate was after the Dbacks reassigned, or fired depends on how you look at it, then General manager Kevin Towers. He was let go with just three regular season games remaining.  The Dbacks already had a press conference scheduled to introduce their new General Manager, Dave Stewart.  Needless to say the press conference turned out to be more out Gibson than Stewart.

The firing of Gibson makes sense and not because of the way this season has went for the Dbacks.  It makes sense because of the new President of the team, Tony La Rusa.  He wants to bring in his guys, guys he knows and has worked with before.  This was the reason Stewart was named general Manager.  The team’s new manager will most likely be somebody that La Russa knows and can trust and can, manager through.  A lot like Derek Fisher for Phil Jackson.

I don’t disagree with the move, let’s be honest this franchise needs a facelift.  What bothers me is the timing of the whole thing.  How are you going to have such faith in a guy that you plan to hire yet you announce a firing at the same time.  They should have let Gibson coach out the final three games of the season and fired him on Monday.  This would have allowed Stewart to be introduced to the Dback fans in a more positive manner. 

Looking Back At Friday Night: 9/26/2014

Today I begin a new column I call "Looking Back At Friday Night".  Each week I let you know how some of the teams did the night before.  Each week I will add a game and if you follow my blog you will understand why.  The teams that I will be covering will all be teams in which one of their plays was profiled on "The Friday Highlight".

The Combs Coyotes had no problem traveling to Chino Valley and picking up another victory.  They beat the Cougars rather easily winning 57-2.  They improve to 4-1 on the season and will face the Colts of Cortez High on Friday night.

Phoenix Christian Prep had an unexpected tough time with the Thunderbird Chiefs falling 48-27.  They lost in a shootout, but don't count them out just yet.  The Cougars fell to 3-2 on the season and will face the Moon Valley Rockets on Friday night.

In a huge game with fellow west side power Centennial the Liberty Lions suffered their first loss off the season.  They lost to the Coyotes in a close one 17-14.  They look to shake off the loss next week when they travel to Glendale to play Raymond S. Kellis.

The St. Mary's Knights fell to the Saint's from Notre Dame Prep in Scottsdale 34-7.  The loss puts the Knights season record at 3-2. They will host La Joya Lobos Friday at Phoenix College.  The Knights will have their hands full but are ready to put another W in the win column.

The High School Highlight: Gabe Losada

This week we travel to central Phoenix and visit the Knight's of St. Mary's High School.  Here we find a team in division 2 that is 3-1 on the season.  The Knight's face Notre Dame Prep tonight in a game that promises to be very entertaining.  The Knight's are quarterbacked by senior Gabe Losada.  He has been the starter since his sophomore season and is a proven leader for the Knights.  He threw for 3,448 yards and 42 touchdowns and just 7 interceptions as a junior.  He even had 9 touchdowns in one game.  In case you're wondering the team he touched for 9 TD's was Camelback.  This year he is off to another great start.  He already has 1129 yards and 7 touchdowns.  He is on pace to add another 2,800 yards to his career total. 

Losada is not only just a leader on the field, but in the classroom as well.  He holds a 3.75 GPA and has a goal of going to college and playing football.  He says he would love to have football pay for his education.  When not playing football he enjoys hanging out with friends and family.  He says it's hard to balance school, football and a social life but is up for the task. 

He started playing football because of his family.  He has grown up around the game and loves to play football.  His goal for this season, for St. Mary's to win their section and be able to wear the coveted gold pants while making noise in the state playoffs. 

For those of you who are unfamiliar with St. Mary's it's a school rich with tradition.  It's probably the best high school in the state when it comes to tradition.  Losada says "it's unlike anything you've ever seen".  From the gold pants the team wears in the playoffs to pregame prayer at the historic St. Mary's Archway.  Every Friday the stands at Phoenix College's Hoy Field are pack with green and white.  After each score the cheerleaders throw out mini footballs and the student section is always ready to support their Knights.  The tradition at St. Mary's is truly indescribable.

Losada helps carry on that tradition.  He is a remarkable young man that one will make a difference in this world.  He is only 17 yet seems to be wise beyond his years.  He is a very respectful young man and I am honored to show you a piece of his life.   

ASU vs. UCLA Preview

Later today the undefeated Arizona State Sun Devils host the 3-0 Bruins of UCLA.  This is a huge game for both teams because the last few years the winner of this game went on the win the Pac 12 South and played for a conference title.  This game is being called a "blackout", which means fans will be wearing black in support of the hometown sun Devils.


ASU will be without starting quarterback Taylor Kelly due to a foot injury.  Fans are hoping that Mike Bercovici can lead the Sun Devils to victory in a backup role just like Drew Stanton has done for the Arizona Cardinals.  In fact Bercovici even received a text from Stanton giving his support and wishing him well.  The Sun Devils will rely heavily on its talented tailback D.J. Foster.  If Foster can have the big game he is capable of ASU will have no problem picking up this victory.  Defensively they will have their hands full of quarterback Brett Hundley is on the field.  The Bruin's have a very talented team that many feel can make a run at the Pac 12 title, but they haven't played that way all year long.  They have struggled in each of their first 3 games.  If they struggle early tonight in Tempe look for the Sun Devil's to take advantage and come away with the victory.

Prediction: ASU 21, UCLA 20

No Quarterback Controversy

The Arizona Cardinals are 3-0 and off to a great start to the 2014 season.  They have done so with great quarterback play by both starter Carson Palmer and backup Drew Stanton.  Palmer started the first game of the season on a Monday Night against the San Diego Chargers.  He had a great game throwing for 304 yards and two touchdowns.  His most impressive stat was his 29 yards rushing.  Palmer later joked that he hadn't run for that many yards since high school.  He kept plays and drives a live with his feet and was able to lead the Cardinals to victory.


A few hours before their week 2 game against the New York Giants it was announced that Carson Palmer and hurt his shoulder and would not be playing in the game.  There was no need to worry because Drew Stanton stepped and led his team to victory.  While he wasn't magical but he did what a backup was supposed to do, manage the game well and give your team the opportunity to win the game.  He threw for just 166 yards but threw two very important TD's that helped the Cardinals to a victory.  With Palmer still out he started again against the 49ers and continued where he left off.  This time throwing for 244 yards and adding 2 more touchdowns to his season total.  His best stat is his 0 interceptions in 2 games as the starter.


With the way the quarterbacks have played since future Hall Of Famer retired Stanton's play would definitely be a cause for a quarterback controversy.  But the Arizona Cardinals are different now a days.  They have a new General Manager and a new Coach that won't allow this to become a distraction for the tea.  They are sticking with Carson Palmer as the starter.  When he is ready to play he will get the start.  What makes this easier for fans to except is the Cardinals are winning games the old Cardinals wouldn't have.  Their high caliber offense and great playing calling is allowing the team to avoid any controversy that may arise of the quarterback situation.  The Cardinals have a problem that most teams would love to have.  Two quarterbacks that can take them to the playoffs.

The Domination In The Desert

It's a great time to be a football fan in Arizona.  The Cardinals, Sun Devils, and the Wildcats are all undefeated!  I know it's still early but they are all a combined 10-0.  The reality is that the undefeated streak the three of our state teams are in will probably end soon.  The next three teams that the Arizona teams will face are UCLA, Oregon, and the Denver Broncos.

 The Arizona Cardinals came up with a big win Sunday against division foes the San Francisco 49ers.  The Cardinals used a team effort to remain undefeated.  For the first time since the Super Bowl team the offense is carrying the team.  They are averaging 22 points a game behind great quarterback play from Drew Stanton and Carson Palmer.  This is really helping the team while they try to get healthier on defense.

 

The Arizona Wildcat's also came up with a huge win this weekend and they did it in dramatic fashion.  They beat the California Golden Bears 49-45 on a last second Hail Mary pass.  Anu Solomon found Austin Hill for 49 yards and the go ahead touchdown as time expired.  The win gave the Wildcat's a perfect 4-0 record.  The Wildcat's haven't had the toughed a schedules but have won the games they should have and even one they shouldn't have.  If they want to stay unbeaten they have a tough road ahead of them and it starts in Oregon.  They play the Ducks on October 2 after a bye this week.

Now let's talk Arizona State, a team that had high expectations coming into this season and so far has lived up to those expectations.  The Sun Devils are currently 3-0 and face a tough challenge Thursday night.  Not only do they face one of the best teams in the Pac 12, but they also will be without star quarterback Taylor Kelly.  Kelly injured his right foot in the win over Colorado.  He is expected to miss 1-2 games.  ASU has a high-powered offense and hopefully will remain so without their starting QB.  Like the U of A, ASU has tough road ahead of them also and likely will not remain unbeaten for long.



All three of the Arizona teams may not finish the season unbeaten, but all will be very competitive.  ASU and U of A will likely end up in bowl games and the Cardinals will make the playoffs if they continue to play the way they have been.  All three have represented the state well.  

The Cardinals Improve to 3-0

On Sunday the Arizona Cardinals beat the San Francisco 49ers 23-14 to improve to 3-0.  The 49ers had the Cardinals on the ropes early and led 14-6 at halftime.  The third quarter was good to the Cardinals and so was quarterback Drew Stanton.  In his second consecutive start for starter Carson Palmer he was outstanding and led the Cardinals to victory.  Stanton was 18-33 for 244 yards and 2 touchdowns.  Andre Ellington added 62 yards on the ground with 18 carries.  Michael Floyd led the receivers with 114 yards while John Brown caught both touchdown passes.


There were a lot of great things to come out of this game.  The Cardinals seemed to have gotten over their recent 49er woes.  The offense continues to be consistent and proved they can score with anybody in the league.  Another take away from this game is Kicker Chandler Catanzaro.  He is a perfect 9-9 on field goals, including a 51 yarder.  Another great thing to take away from this victory is Larry Fitzgerald.  Despite being seldomly used he proved to Cardinal Nation how important he really is.  On second and very long he caught back to back passes that gave the Cardinals a first down and put them in position to score.  The bad part is he fumbled on the next play and that’s all anybody will be talking about today.

The best thing to take away from this game is that now the Arizona Cardinals are undefeated through 3 games.  They join the Cincinnati Bengals and the Philadelphia Eagles as the only unbeaten teams in the NFL.  The Cardinals now have a bye week and are looking at 4 out of the next 5 games being very winnable.  The only tough game is the Denver Broncos, but with the way the offense is rolling is winnable.  I would love to see how much respect the Cardinals get nationally if at week 9 they are 8-0 atop the entire NFC and maybe even the NFL.

What Is A Rivalry?

If you are a sports fan then you know what a rivalry is, or do you?  Most people in Arizona would say the Arizona Cardinals and the San Fransisco 49ers are rivals.  Well Head coach Bruce Arians disagrees with them.  He says they are not rivals because the 49ers are dominating the series as of late, winning 9 of the last 10 meetings.    This made me wander.  What is a rivalry?

When you think rivalry many teams come to mind both locally and nationally.  Chandler vs. Hamilton, ASU vs. U of A, and Redskins vs. Cowboys are just a few and many more can be named.  But what makes these teams rivals?  Some are geographical, more so in high school and college.  Some are because teams are in the same division and play each other so often.  But when you get to the pros Arians is right.  You can't have a rivalry if one team is dominating the other.  This is why games such as the Steelers and the Browns don't mean as much as they once did.

So the reality is nowadays, in the pros, rivalry's don't exist.  We may think they do but they don't and one of the reasons is the players.  Using the NFL, for example, players don't typically stay on the same team.  It's hard for a player to really put himself into a rivalry when he used to play for that team or with some of its players.  Not having rivalries is damaging the NFL.  If every team played the same team in there division every year on the last game it would start rivalries because they will more likely have playoffs on the line.  So please bring back the rivalries.

The Friday Highlight: Aaron Joseph

This week we travel to Peoria, where we will find 16 year old Aaron Joseph.  At 6'1 215 lbs. the outside linebacker is a senior at Liberty High School.  He and the Lions are currently unbeaten at 4-0 and play Apollo High tonight.  He has emerged as one of the leaders on defense with 27 tackles and 1 forced fumble.  He also has 8 solo tackles.  Joseph wears number 44 and the way he is playing he will have that many tackles in the next 2 games.


Joseph has played football since eight grade and until this year has always been a lineman.  When He is on the field he has a mindset that nothing can stop him from doing his job and making the play.  This had made the transition from line to linebacker easier for him.  Off the field he is a completely different person.  He can't seem to get mad about anything, he is always in a good mood.  He enjoys going to the gym and hanging out with friend's watching football.  He feels than in order to play football in high school it takes lots of determination, commitment and trust. 

Joseph first stared playing football because his father wanted him to, but after the first snap he was hooked.  The love he has for the game is unmatched by anything he has ever felt.  He also loves playing the game because of the bond that has been created between him and his teammates, which continues to grow each year he plays.  In the classroom he is a great student.  He has all A's and B's so far this year.  He plans on going to college and playing in the NFL.  If that doesn't work out he plans to become a marine biologist.

Joseph loves being a Lion and takes pride in calling himself a member of the Liberty High School football team.  he loves the many traditions the team has.  A few of those traditions are reading there quote before each game, answering the bells when they have a home game and running out onto the field with The school flag and hammer before every game.  They even run a Gasser for every loss.  Now that's what I call tradition.