Upstart Aggies chasing playoffs

Upstart Aggies chasing playoffs
Thursday, October 18, 2007
By JOHN FERRY
Times Sports Staff john.ferry@htimes.com

ALBERTVILLE - Coach Tommy Tharp believes his Albertville football team found a benchmark in its second game of this season.

The host Aggies fought their way to a 28-20 victory over Butler.

"We felt (after that) that we could compete with people," Tharp said. "Nobody had given us much of a chance."

Tharp's building program is in its third season. From 1-9 in 2005, Albertville improved to 4-6 last season and to 4-3 (3-2 in Class 5A, Region 7) so far this year.

The Aggies, who are very much in the playoff picture, will be at winless Southside on Friday night before hosting Lee.

Tharp said it's no secret why the team has improved.

"I attribute most of it to the weight room," he said. "We are not very fast."

Albertville stunned Scottsboro 35-14 last week.

"We felt we could play with those guys," Tharp said. "We got a few breaks early and were able to capitalize on them."

Junior quarterback Jared Fontaine passed for five touchdowns last week, and for the season he is 45-for-85 for 652 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Receivers Dustin Duckett and Madison Tharp (son of the coach) each have six touchdown receptions. Duckett has caught 22 passes for 448 yards while Tharp has completed 15-of-145.

Linebacker Dalton Maynord was out last week with a shoulder injury. He is now day-to-day.

Boaz much-improved: The Pirates had as many as nine players out earlier in the season and dropped two straight games.

Boaz then defeated Douglas and Ashville to go 5-2, 3-2 in Class 4A, Region 6.

"I'm proud of the effort the kids have given," Boaz coach Drew Noles said. "We had our backs to the wall."

The road ahead is difficult. Guntersville (5-2, 4-1) visits on Friday night, then the Pirates play at Cherokee County.

Drew Phillips is has rushed for over 900 yards for Boaz. R.J. Busha, who missed some time due to a broken hand, has rushed for 500.

Linebacker Ryan Gaskin has made 92 tackles while place-kicker Robby Spruiell is 4-for-4 on field goals and 13-for-15 on extra points.

West Limestone travels to Lauderdale Co.: Friday night's game in Lester is big for both teams. Each stands 2-3 in Class 3A, Region 8, while overall West Limestone is 4-3 and Lauderdale County 2-5.

"It's a must win for us," West Limestone coach David Arnsparger said. "The next two games (including Clements on the road next week), we have to have to make the playoffs."

The Wildcats have gotten productive play from quarterback Tommy Reyer, who has over 300 yards total offense twice in games this season, and fullback/defensive end Palmer Askew who had four sacks last week against Lexington.

New Century easing into sports: New Century High School of Huntsville, which has been accepted as a member of the Alabama High School Athletic Association, currently has cross country going and principal Paul Glover said the school will likely take part in swimming also.

The cross country team features senior Tyler Spencer and sophomores Jeriel Johnson, Nick Britton and Scott Sunderburg.

"They've done quite well," New Century coach Aidan Bailey said. "They've been productive. I think we'll be very good by next year."

New Century, without a nickname so far, will take part in the Athens Bible School meet today.



The Huntsville Times

Huntsville, AL

Second quarter good for Gators

Second quarter good for Gators
Glenwood now 8-1

TROY, Ala. --BY RONALD FRAZIER

Correspondent

--­--

Glenwood used a big second quarter and a stalwart defense to keep its winning streak going with a 21-6 victory over Pike Liberal Arts on Friday night on a very soggy and muddy field.

The Gators scored all of their points in the second quarter as they improved their record to 8-1. Pike fell to 3-6.

As usual for Glenwood, three different backs scored the three touchdowns. Marcus Woods started the second quarter off with a 6-yard run and then quarterback Branden Williams added a 15-yard touchdown two minutes later.

The third touchdown was by fullback Cody Dykes in the second period and Austin Allison hit all three extra points to make it 21-0 Gators at the half.

Williams led Glenwood with 70 yards followed by Woods with 40. The Gators could only manage 148 yards rushing on the wet field and an additional 48 passing for a total of 193 yards of offense.

Pike's Jarnell Foster scored the only touchdown for the Patriots on a 6-yard run in the third quarter. The Patriots were driving for a second possible score late the third period, but Woods' interception thwarted the effort.

The only other near score came in the fourth quarter, but Allison missed on a 35-yard field-goal attempt.

Friday at Troy Glenwood 02100--21 Pike Liberal Arts 0060--6 Second Quarter

G--Marcus Woods 6 run (Austin Allison kick), 11:18

G--Branden Williams 15 run (Allison kick), 9:04

G--Cody Dykes 2 run (Allison kick), 6:31

Third Quarter

P--Jarnell Foster 1 run (kick failed), 7:17

JDHS ready for streaking Palmer

JDHS ready for streaking Palmer


Moose averaging more than 300 rushing yards per game in last five contests

The Palmer High School football team Juneau-Douglas will face in Saturday's Alaska School Activities Association/First National Bowl large-school state championship game will be very different than the one it faced in August.

The team the Crimson Bears (10-0) will face at 1 p.m. Saturday at Anchorage Football Stadium is hitting its stride.

"They looked more synchronized in that game (against Service)," JDHS offensive coordinator Rich Sjoroos said. "Palmer, they just looked more polished. They looked faster, in better shape and just got after it."

The Moose (6-4) utilized a quick start en route to a 28-14 victory over Service in the semifinal round. Palmer gobbled up 307 rushing yards against the Cougars.

It wasn't the victory that caused JDHS to take notice, however. It was how Palmer earned the victory.

"They're executing their plays a lot better and going a lot harder," Juneau's Alex Fagerstrom said. "They looked more determined. They looked like a better team all-around."

"Their blocking got a lot better and they got a lot faster," JDHS linebacker Chance Galletes said.

In fact, Palmer's been clicking for five straight weeks now.

The Moose won four of their last five games, rushing for an average of 308 yards per game and scoring 34.4 points per game during that stretch.

"They're a much better football team and I expected that," JDHS coach Bill Chalmers said. "Rod Christiansen is a great coach with a great staff."

When Juneau-Douglas defeated Palmer 28-7 at home on Aug. 31, it was a matchup of two teams still searching for their identities.

The Crimson Bears ran just 10 plays in the first half as they struggled to find a consistent offense. Meanwhile, Palmer managed just 99 yards of total offense in defeat.

The Moose did show potential, however. Led by fullback Shannon Sawyer's running, Palmer put together 12-play, 75-yard scoring drive. The drive resulted in a 2-yard touchdown run by Sawyer, the only rushing touchdown Juneau-Douglas yielded all season.

Stopping Sawyer (95 carries, 513 yards, 6 TDs) will be crucial for JDHS. If Sawyer can't find room up the middle, then Juneau's defensive ends and linebackers will be stay back and contain Palmer's dangerous halfback Devin Konkler (167 carries, 1,334 yards, 13 TDs).

"Our [defensive line] has to step up," Fagerstrom said. "They've been putting pressure on the quarterback all year and getting through there and getting a lot of sacks and negative yards. That's what they need to do this week. They need to get in there low and take Sawyer's legs out, and if we get rid of that, we should be good."

Throughout the season, Juneau-Douglas' defensive line utilized its quickness to disrupt opposing defenses. Stalwarts Phil Moser and Zach Heppner have been solid all season while Jack Perkins will be expected to step up for JDHS.

The game plan for both teams doesn't seem to be extremely complicated. Palmer, averaging 264 rushing yards per game, will try to run while JDHS, allowing just 40.6 rushing yards per game, will attempt to stop it.

"I think if I had my (choice) of having a good run-stopping defense or a good run-producing offense, I'd take the run-stopping defense," Chalmers said. "Especially when ... on the other side of the ball we have more of a two-faceted attack than earlier in the season."

Offensively, Juneau-Douglas must contend against a physical Moose front. Railbelt Conference lineman of the year Everest Moore anchors a strong defensive line, and Sawyer serves as a hard-hitting linebacker.

However, the Crimson Bears' offense has evolved significantly since the two teams' week four contest.

Senior quarterback Ryan "Bubba" Larson's confidence has swelled every week while Sjoroos developed more ways to get Fagerstrom the ball.

The emergence of the single-wing offense package has helped get Fagerstrom to the edges while Silver Maake's hard-running can ease the pressure on Juneau's receivers.

"I think teams that run the ball best tend to win the big games," Sjoroos said. "I still believe that. But at the same time, we have to find a way to get the ball in Alex's hands. [Palmer] will do its best to make sure we don't get the ball in his hands. That'll be the big chess match."

Juneau-Douglas' offensive line will have a different look as Heppner will fill in at center while Lawrence Fenumiai, Matt Lehrbach, Moser and Perkins must stop Palmer's rapidly improving defensive line.

Junior varsity linemen Cole Bossio, Eric Ashenfelter and Jorge Pacheco might see some playing time despite never playing a varsity game.

The Crimson Bears own an 11-1 advantage all-time against Palmer. That history, however, will mean very little come Saturday.

"We are confident, that's for sure," JDHS kicker/punter Dominic Smith said. "But we can't be too confident or else it turns into cockiness. We're trying to stay focused for this last week of football and hopefully we can pull off the win."




• Contact sports editorTim Nichols at 523-2228 or sports@juneauempire.com.
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/101907/spo_20071019001.shtml

Lancers part the Tide defense, over and over

Londonderry 47, Concord 13

Lancers part the Tide defense, over and over
Running back tandem gains 438 yards in rain

By Sandy Smith
Monitor staff


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

October 20. 2007 12:21AM


LONDONDERRY - In a football game that more resembled a swim meet, Alexander Theodhosi swam the medley relay for Londonderry.

The senior running back splashed his way through the sloppy field at Londonderry for an eye-popping 338 yards and four touchdowns last night as the Lancers rode their single-wing offense to a resounding 47-13 victory over Concord.

Londonderry, ranked third in Division I with a 5-2 record (6-2 overall), scored twice before the game was six minutes old and watched its 1-2 tandem of Theodhosi and Ryan Griffin swim their way to 438 yards through the muck in a driving rain.

After a modest start with Theodhosi rushing for a 1-yard score, his touchdown runs became progressively more impressive. Theodhosi scored from 12 yards out on a run off right tackle, he found the end zone from 43 yards away on a one-play drive, then capped a 97-yard scoring march with an 87-yard burst down the left sideline, breaking free in front of his own bench after a block by Griffin.

"He's a talented back. He runs hard, and he's as good a back as there is in the state," Concord Coach Bob Camirand said of Theodhosi. "And for what he does in this offense, you put seven big people up front and you give him the ball, he just runs with passion, he breaks tackles and he's just a load to bring down."


It was Griffin, however, who started everything for the Lancers. After Jason Gagne returned the opening kickoff 55 yards, Griffin (100 yards on 16 carries) finished the 29-yard series by running untouched around the left end from 5 yards out for a 7-0 lead. And when Concord fumbled away the ensuing kickoff, Griffin scored three plays later from 2 yards out to make it 13-0 with just 5:38 gone on the clock.
Tommy Mullen made a touchdown-saving tackle on the end of a 49-yard Theodhosi burst, but two plays later the Lancers were in the end zone again for a 20-0 lead on Theodhosi's first score early in the second quarter.

Then the Tide (1-5, 2-6 overall) showed some signs of life. Kyle Brown reeled in the kickoff at his own 14, watched a hole open in the middle of the field, burst through it then outran the final Lancer defender for an 86-yard touchdown. It was part of Brown's 328 all-purpose yards, with the senior also rushing for a season-high 203 yards on 15 carries.

"I thought he played hard. He did an outstanding job," Camirand said of his halfback. "Given the weather conditions, we were limited to what we wanted to do. But we did some nice things offensively."

But the Tide spark flickered out in the rain, with Londonderry scoring twice more before halftime - one by Theodhosi, the other a 12-yard pass from Craig Enos to Griffin - for a 34-7 advantage.

"I was disappointed with the first half, but I was really pleased with the second half," Camirand said. "We were lacking in the first half. His first group played the whole second half - it wasn't like they backed off - and we hung tough. Offensively, we did some nice things the entire game. Defensively, we just didn't match up."

Concord put together a much more competitive second half, coming up just a fumble 10 yards outside the end zone from playing the Lancers even over the final 24 minutes.

After a 61-yard run by Brown, James Ghiden scored from 2 yards out as the Tide scored on its first possession after the break. Londonderry answered right back on Theodhosi's 43-yard score. Even with the Lancers' starters playing the entire game despite the lopsided score, it looked like a possible scoreless fourth quarter until Theodhosi scored again with 3:18 to play.

"You know, big, strong, athletic, talented, all of the above," Camirand said, summing up the Lancers. "They were big and we're not. They're strong and we're not. They ran hard and we couldn't stop them."


------ End of article

By SANDY SMITH

Monitor staff

Spread Ofense Comes From Vintage Approach

Spread offense comes from vintage approach

By MAURICE PATTON
Staff Writer

Published: Friday, 10/19/07


Football is sort of like fashion: if you stick around long enough, everything comes back around.

Take the newfangled spread offense. The idea of moving most of your skill people away from the ball, leaving the quarterback in a shotgun formation and affording him the opportunity to exploit defenses by running or passing, wasn't so much dreamt up as dusted off.

"You take the most talented player you have and put him at quarterback; 60 years ago, he was a tailback," said Joe Gilliam Sr., a legendary former Tennessee State defensive coordinator who authored a pair of books on offensive theories, including one titled Coaching The Empty Backfield Offense.

During the 1940s, tailbacks like Charley Trippi of Georgia and Doak Walker of SMU starred in the single-wing formation which Gilliam called a forerunner to today's spread.

"The quarterback in the spread, like (Florida's Tim) Tebow now, was the tailback in the single wing. The only difference is that Florida puts a split end out, puts a flanker out, and calls it a spread. The blocking, the double-teaming, was all the same 60 years ago."

The "newness" of the spread has helped the concept to get out ahead of opposing defenses in a game where the objective is to create and exploit mismatches to tilt the balance of power on the playing field in favor of the offense. Similarly, the wing-T has been used on many competitive levels to even the playing field, often allowing less talented teams to match up with more physically gifted squads by relying more on technique, discipline and misdirection than strength, speed and bulk.

An even chance

"You've had great equalizers over the years," Vanderbilt Coach Bobby Johnson said. "You've had the wing-T, you've had the wishbone, all those things. It'll take a while to catch up with (the spread), just like all those other offenses."

Sometimes, as Gilliam pointed out, the 'spread' is a misnomer. Moving skill people away from the ball laterally creates the stretching — or spreading — of the defense.

"When you do get people spread out and put people in space, ... It keeps people from getting ganged up on," Johnson said. "You can't gang up on one area and shut people down anymore."

In terms of the Southeastern Conference, third-year Florida Coach Urban Meyer is hailed by many as the spread's pied piper, having previously run the same offense at Utah.

"I don't know if we brought it in," Meyer said. "When we first came into the league, Vanderbilt ran somewhat of a spread. But everyone else was running two-back (offenses). I was a little surprised by that. Now, there's a variety of teams running the spread.

"What we try to do is force the defense to defend the entire field. There are different ways to do that. Option football has always been an equalizer; throwing the football has always been an equalizer."

A numbers game

Some teams utilize a little of both in their spread attacks — either lining up with four receivers and one back and running the option, or going with five receivers and the empty backfield. Both approaches are built on the idea that the defense won't have enough run-stoppers or enough pass defenders.

"It does challenge a defense," Louisiana State Coach Les Miles said. "It's an opportunity for another formation to have an option responsibility. That option responsibility has to be taken into account (by the defense) and handled."

With rare exception, it's tough for a defense to match up well against both the option threat and the passing threat.

"Our philosophy is to match up personnel," Meyer said. "I think defensive coaches need to have an abundance of personnel. If you want to play (man-to-man coverage), you have to play 'man' on four receivers, as opposed to the fact that usually teams have one or two excellent cornerbacks.

"You find that mismatch somewhere."


Published: Friday, 10/19/07

Blue Darters 48. Olympia 22

OrlandoSentinel.com
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Apopka 48, olympia 22
Gallon pours it on The star quarterback's 92-yard kickoff return sparks the Blue Darters' district win.

Brentley Romine

Special To The Sentinel

October 20, 2007

Jeremy Gallon was Mr. Everything for Apopka again Friday night, helping the Blue Darters bring home Coach Rick Darlington's 100th career victory.

The junior quarterback rushed for three touchdowns, threw for another and ran back a kickoff for a touchdown to lead the Blue Darters over Olympia 48-22 in a Class 6A, District 4 game. The victory set up a matchup between Apopka and East Ridge next week for the district title.

But for now, Darlington will enjoy this one.

"All of them [the victories] have been sweet," Darlington said. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else [for this win]. I'm blessed to be the coach."

Gallon, along with fellow backfield mates Jeremy Rouse and Travelle Davis, led a potent Apopka rushing attack that ran for more than 300 total yards.

"Jeremy's been running the ball well all year for us," Darlington said. "We ran the ball pretty well tonight and we needed to."

Apopka (7-1, 3-0) started off slow as penalties and miscues kept the Blue Darters to just one score in the first quarter. But after Olympia tied the score 8-8 after a 20-yard touchdown pass from Trevor Siemian to Tony Grandison, the momentum shifted in favor of Apopka.

On the ensuing kickoff, Gallon took the ball at the 8-yard line, blazing 92 yards for a touchdown.

"The tempo of the game changed after the return," Gallon said.

Olympia (4-3, 1-2) opened the second half by recovering an onside kick. The Titans closed within six after Mike Bridges scampered for a 10-yard score, but that was as close as they got as Apopka scored 14 unanswered points.

Apopka's first three touchdowns of the second half all were runs by Gallon, who now has 18 rushing touchdowns on the year.

"East Ridge is probably the best team [we'll play] in our district," said Darlington of next week's matchup. "We know that this one was important, and next week will be too, without a doubt."

Apopka 48, Olympia 22
Apopka 8 13 7 20 -- 48
Olympia 0 8 7 7 -- 22

FIRST -- A: Rouse 11 run (Davis run).

SECOND -- O: Grandison 20 pass from Siemian (Siemian run); A: Gallon 92 kick return (run failed); A: Stewart 10 pass from Gallon (Beary kick).

THIRD -- O: Bridges 10 run (Hotalen kick); A: Gallon 24 run (Beary kick).

FOURTH -- A: Gallon 25 run (Beary kick); O: Hall 4 pass from Siemian (Hotalen kick); A: Gallon 25 run (kick failed); A: Davis 12 run (Beary kick).

Orlando Sentinel

Mavericks stampede Knights

Mavericks stampede Knights

By GARY DOVE
Bluefield Daily Telegraph


WELCH — What started as a football game turned into a stampede Friday night as the undefeated James Monroe Mavericks claimed a 53-0 win over the Mount View Golden Knights at the newly renamed Vic Nystrom Stadium.

Junior Taylor Robertson led the Maverick offense with 145 yards rushing on 16 carries for four touchdowns, all in the first half.

Seniors Chris Frazier and Ernie Tincher added 66 and 64 yards on the ground respectively, along with a TD each, as the Mavs held a 46-0 advantage at halftime.

The Knights played gracious hosts, turning the football over seven times in the game, five times on fumbles and twice on interceptions.

Fifth-year James Monroe head coach David Witt commented on his team’s rushing attack that netted 275 yards and 15 first downs in the opening half, “I thought we executed well. We came out and played physical like we wanted to do.”

The Mavericks scored on their first six possessions of the opening half, four times after fumble recoveries, and added another six points on a pass interception return.

The Monroe countians took the opening kickoff and negotiated 66 yards in only six plays from their single-wing offense, with Tincher going the final 21 yards on a misdirection play around left end with 9:25 remaining in the inaugural frame.

Logan Ray’s PAT kick gave the visitors a quick 7-0 lead.

Frazier recovered a fumble at the golden Knight 39 to set up Robertson’s initial bell-ringer, a one-yard burst with 4:40 remaining in the opening quarter.

Senior Nick Conte recovered a second fumble at the Maverick 43, and the visitors made quick work of finding the end zone when Robertson bolted 35 yards up the middle with 1:41 showing in the first. Ray again booted the conversion for a 20-0 James Monroe lead.

The Knights fumbled away the ensuing kickoff and the Mavericks started a drive of eight plays that spanned the first two periods.

Frazier capped the 26-yard drive with a 1-yard run, 1:29 into the second stanza, before Ray again added the extra point boot.

Robertson reeled off a 27-yard score at the 6:09 mark of the second period to cap an eight play, 40-yard march, staking James Monroe to a 33-0 advantage.

Once again, on the ensuing Knight series, the pigskin popped loose and the Mavs recovered at the View 33.

Robertson added his final score of the night on a 3-yard run with 4:08 showing, as Jonathan Pence’s PAT kick pushed the James Monroe lead to 40-0.

Senior Zach Mann picked off a Golden Knight pass and returned it 24 yards for yet another touchdown, with 3:16 left before the break for a 46-0 Maverick lead.

Coach Witt emptied his bench in the second half, but added a score on the initial possession of the third quarter.

Sophomore Josh Evans ran a reverse to the left for an 18-yard TD with 4:49 showing in the third.

Ray’s conversion kick ended the scoring for the evening, with the Mavericks taking a 53-0 win back to Monroe County.

Junior Marcel Cunningham had three runs of 24, 22 and 12 yards in the second half for Mount View, but the Knights could not crack the end zone.

Continued Coach Witt, “I’m real pleased with the way we played.”

The Mavericks, now 8-0 and ranked second in this week’s SSAC Class AA state rankings, will visit Bluefield Friday night to face the top-rated and similarly undefeated Beavers.

Praised Mount View head coach Leon Gravely, “James Monroe’s a powerhouse. They are a big, strong, physical team.” He continued, “We’re in a rebuilding process right now. Our guys played with a lot of heart and a lot of enthusiasm. They didn’t quit.”

The Golden Knights, now 3-4, will visit Stubenville Catholic, Ohio, next Saturday night.



at Vic Nystrom Stadium

At Mount View

James Monroe..................20 26 7 0 — 53

Mount View.........................0 0 0 0 — 0

First quarter

JM: Tincher 25 run (Ray kick) 9:25

JM: Robertson 1 run (kick failed) 4:40

JM: Robertson 35 run (Ray kick) 1:41

Second quarter

JM: Frazier 1 run (Ray kick) 10:31

JM: Robertson 27 run (kick failed) 6:09

JM: Robertson 3 run (Pence kick) 4:08

JM: Zach Mann 24 interception return (kick failed) 3:16

Third quarter

JM: Evans 18 run (Ray kick) 4:49

Team Stats:

First Downs: JM 22, MV 7. Rush: JM 383, MV 88. Passing: JM 0-1-0, MV 7-18-2; Fumbles-Lost: JM 1-0, MV 6-5. Punts-Avg: JM 2-29, MV 3-30.

Individual Stats

Rushing: JM: Robertson 16-145, Frazier 14-66, Tincher 7-64; MV: Cunningham 8-55; Cordero High 2-35.

Passing: JM: Robertson 0-1-0-0-0; MV: Parker 7-17-2-79-0

Receiving: MV: Cedric Thomas 5-27, Deonte Marshall 1-45, Phillip Spriggs 1-7

"Spread Single Wing" Spreading the Upsets in College Football

In college football, the upsets are spreading
By Jon Wilner
Mercury News
Article Launched: 10/18/2007 01:38:03 AM PDT


In an eight-day span, the Bay Area college football teams had three highly upsetting experiences.

First, Stanford beat USC in one of the greatest upsets in college football history. Then San Jose State nearly upset No. 16 Hawaii under the Friday night lights. Then Cal, on the verge of being No. 1, was upset by 14-point underdog Oregon State.

It's enough to make a coach shrug his shoulders.

"I can't explain it to you," Cal Coach Jeff Tedford said Tuesday. "I don't know why. I just know it is."

And it is everywhere.

The first seven weeks of the football season have been like the first four days of the NCAA tournament.

March Madness had George Mason over Connecticut.

September Madness had Appalachian State over Michigan, which was considered an upset-for-the-ages for about a month, and then came Stanford over USC.

"Appalachian State beating Michigan was not a huge upset to me," San Jose State Coach Dick Tomey said. "Appalachian State is so used to winning. They've won the I-AA championship and looked unbeatable doing it.

"The Stanford game was much more of an upset."

There have been others, although none so extreme.

Seven Division I-AA teams have beaten major-college opponents.

The top-10 teams in the Associated Press' preseason poll have a combined 16 losses.

The Nos. 1 and 2 teams lost on the same weekend - last weekend (LSU and Cal) - for the first time in 11 years.

"There's a lot of good teams, a lot of good preparation that's going on, a lot of good players," Tedford said. "Anything can happen."

It's just that anything seems to be happening anytime.

To explain the upsets, coaches often point to scholarship limitations. But schools have been maxed out at 85 free rides (an average of 17 per year) since 1994.

The difference isn't where the recruits are going to school. It's the caliber of the recruits themselves.

The 500th-ranked player in the country - the receiver at Kentucky, for example, or the linebacker at Boise State - is much better today than he was five or 10 years ago. "That person has done more preparatory work and is playing fewer other sports than was the case," Oregon Coach Mike Bellotti said.

Thanks to the proliferation of summer camps and all-star games, players are exposed to more coaching and better competition these days. And thanks to improvements in strength training, they are bigger, stronger and faster than they used to be. "The physiology of exercise has given players a chance to be as big and strong as people who are naturally that way," Tomey said.

To explain the upsets, coaches also point to the spread offense as the great equalizer, but the spread has been around for decades. The difference is the form it takes.

In the 1990s, it was Washington State's Ryan Leaf standing in the pocket and firing the ball to one of five receivers. Today, it's Appalachian State's Armanti Edwards throwing to his wide receivers or running through a hole in the Michigan defense.

That's why coaches refer to it as the spread-option or the spread single-wing, because the quarterback has the option to run or pass - like the old single wing.

"When the quarterback hands the ball off, theoretically you have nine blockers," Tomey said. "When the quarterback runs, you have 10 blockers. It's devastating."

The spread has become college football's version of the three-point shot, allowing smaller teams to play with the big boys. It extends the defense (horizontally) and places ballhandlers in open spaces, not the trenches, thereby reducing the importance of powerful linemen - the players who usually end up at USC, Michigan and Oklahoma.

Everyone has pieces of the spread in their playbook, and some teams, such as Oregon, now use it exclusively.

"We saw it as an advantage, as something that would give us an innate advantage against certain teams and certain types of programs," Bellotti said. "I think that has been borne to be true."

What's next for a season that gets wilder by the week, for a sport that gets crazier by the year? Will more Appalachian States rise up in coming years? Will more top-10 teams go down?

Or is this year an extreme case of upset fever?

"I think this is going to become the norm," Tomey said. "There's just so much parity."


=============================

1st Year Program racking Up The Yards

"Inexperience or mistakes have cost us," said Ahern, whose single-wing offense has posted 400-plus yards in four of its last five games. "We've been ahead of three or four teams, then we do something stupid to cost us the game. We've been competitive with the chance to win, and we just haven't gotten over the hump."
-- Jim Ahern

See full story below:
--------------------------------------------------------------------

High school football Week 8:
Barron Collier hoping to finally break through at home
By DANA OPPEDISANO

Thursday, October 18, 2007

On the surface, first-year East Lee County has no business being compared to Barron Collier, one of the area's well-established and typically most competitive programs.

Funny enough, though, if you ask Cougars coach Mark Ivey and his Jaguars counterpart, James Ahern, what's gone wrong this season, you could practically substitute one's answer for the other's.

Turnovers. Mistakes. An unbreakable work ethic that's only occasionally translated into Friday night successes.

"One thing I'll give this group," Ivey said of a team that's been outscored 106-17 over its current three-game losing streak, "it would be real easy to tank it after the last three games. Any of the last three weeks, they could have bailed on us, but they didn't."

So chalk up an easy 'W' for a team that's absolutely starving for its first since Sept. 20?

Not so fast.

The consensus is that first-year East Lee County, winless over the first six games in program history, will surprise somebody this year. It was almost Lemon Bay, with quarterback Dalton Taylor's stuffed two-point conversion run the difference in last week's 30-28 loss.

"Inexperience or mistakes have cost us," said Ahern, whose single-wing offense has posted 400-plus yards in four of its last five games. "We've been ahead of three or four teams, then we do something stupid to cost us the game. We've been competitive with the chance to win, and we just haven't gotten over the hump."

The Cougars can relate, what with 13 turnovers helping three quality programs (Bartow, Gulf Coast, Naples) pounce on them. East Lee County isn't Naples, the local power that held Barron to 41 total yards in a 52-0 blowout a week ago, but the plan stays the same -- fix their own mistakes, likely fix their season.

"(The Jaguars) do have some athletic ability," Ivey said, "but the bottom line, regardless of who we're playing or their record, is that we've just gotta come out and play. The turnovers have to improve. We tackled very poorly last week and need to improve on that, and we need to get our skill guys going."

It starts with quarterback Vince Caputo, who starred in three wins to start the season but has completed just 29 percent of his passes for a combined 158 yards and three interceptions since. Ivey said he used tailback Quin Thornton under center for a series last week simply "as a wrinkle," and expressed confidence that Caputo can rekindle the passing game against a defense that's allowed 31 points and 115 passing yards per game.

"We've had a little offensive sputtering here, partly because of us and partly because of who we've played," Ivey said. "I still have great confidence in Vince. He's always optimistic, he's very bright, and he's our quarterback until he graduates."

The good news is that, despite their recent struggles, the Cougars' preseason goals remain dead ahead. Tonight's marks the first of three consecutive 4A-15 district games, and wins against the Jaguars, at an up-and-down Cypress Lake (3-3) and then at winless Lehigh (0-7) assures them of no worse than a tie for second, if not the title outright.

Of course, in order for that to happen, Ivey knows that the shiny new FieldTurf can no longer be the best thing to watch at Cougar Stadium on Fridays.

"It would be real easy to be downtrodden as their coach right now, but the kids continue to work," Ivey said. "If they do that, I still think there's some good things ahead for us this season. We were disappointed, but all we care about now is these three district games, and the only thing that matters (on Friday) is playing well against East Lee County."

EAST LEE COUNTY (0-6, 0-2 in 4A-15) at BARRON COLLIER (3-3, 1-1 in 4A-15), 7:30 p.m.

===========================

The Naples Daily News
1075 Central Avenue

Naples, FL 34102

Monterey's old-school offense works

Article published Oct 18, 2007
Monterey's old-school offense works



The only thing missing from the Monterey High School football team is leather helmets, watermelon-sized footballs, wooden goal posts and a hand-operated scoreboard.

Monterey football is the team time forgot. It plays football the Knute Rockne way - blocking, running and tackling.

It was good enough for teams in the 1940s to play that way, and it's been good enough for the Toreadores some 60 years later.

Somewhere in the Monterey playbook is the single-wing, flying wedge, statue of liberty and the drop kick.

If there will ever be another Four Horseman from the "outlined against a blue, gray October sky, the Four Horseman rode again'' fame, they'll probably be found in the Monterey High backfield some day.

While the trend is to go with the spread offense, flood the field with receivers and turn the sport of football into basketball on grass, Monterey simply runs the ball down your throat.

In the 20 years that The Salinas Californian has been tracking prep football statistics, Monterey has thrown for more than 1,000 yards just once. Seven years ago Adam Johnson threw for 1,206.

In six games this year the Toreadores have thrown for less than 300 yards. Last year they passed for 400. In 2005, it was 480 yards.

In 2003, Monterey's starting quarterback passed for a grand total of 245 yards, or about as many as Gilroy High typically throws for in the first half these days.

But it's always been that way at Monterey, at least as long as Pete Noble has been the head coach.

In 1993 and 1992, Noble's Monterey teams threw for less than 300 yards each season.

And, oh by the way. Noble has had only one losing season in his last 13 years as head coach.

His teams have also advanced to the playoffs eight times in his last nine tries - the last three years at Monterey, before that at Gonzales in 2002 and again with Monterey from 1991-1994.

The Toreadores (3-3 overall, 1-0 in MBL) will roll out their old-school attack Friday when they visit Watsonville (1-4-1, 0-1) for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

But what makes Monterey a tough team to defend is that just when it lulls you to sleep with its methodical running game, it puts the ball in the air.

The Toreadores pick their spots to pass and the results have been rather remarkable. Quarterback Jeremy Wright has thrown 11 passes (total), completed eight, four for touchdowns and is averaging about 27 yards per completion.

You can almost here someone saying, "Sometime when the team is up against it and the breaks are beating the boys, tell them to go out there with all they've got and win just one for the Gipper, I mean Pete.''

Whether or not it's a blue, gray October sky Friday, make it Monterey 23, Monte Vista Christian

Ending Year Facing SW Teams

Menominee at Gladstone
Mid Peninsula visits Rapid River
.

.

.

.

.

----------------------------------

Published: Thursday, October 18, 2007
Big finish for Esky, Braves

By Dennis Grall - dgrall@dailypress.net



ESCANABA — The Upper Peninsula’s top two teams are all that remain before Escanaba and Gladstone turn in their football gear this season.

Unbeaten and top-ranked Menominee (8-0) brings a 22-game winning streak to the Marble Athletic Field Friday to face Gladstone (3-5). Escanaba (1-7) ends an injury-plaqued season at No. 2 Kingsford (5-3).

Menominee, the reigning D-5 state champion, is already in the playoffs. Kingsford can advance into the postseason with a victory.

Another season-ended comes tonight when Mid Peninsula (3-5) visits Rapid River (3-5). The game was scheduled for Friday but was pushed ahead so a couple of Rapid River players could avoid a conflict with the U.P. cross country finals Saturday.

Gladstone is a huge underdog against Menominee, which has been ranked first all season in the Associated Press D-5 state poll.

“They are a well balanced football team with probably three outstanding football players that really rise them to whole level above people that are good,” said Gladstone coach John Mileski.

He was referring to tailback Ethan Shaver, who ran for three touchdowns and 217 yards in a 28-14 victory of Marinette, fullback-linebacker Matt Eisenzoph and end Jacob Pedersen.

“From the stands I get the impression that Eisenzoph is kind of the glue. He looks like their leader,” said Mileski. “Athletically, Shaver is their standout and Pedersen is just an outstanding high school football player.”

Asked if the vaunted single-wing can be stopped, Mileski said “I think so. They are human. They can be beaten, but it will take a good football team.

“The key to beating them is really executing whatever you do defensively, and No. 1, you have to take away the sweep.”

Mileski said the Maroons also have a good power game inside and a solid trapping game, and use the counter effectively. “Basically they have an extra blocker and it seems like they are running downhill all the time. It is a real challenge to stop it because they do block very well.”

Mileski said Shaver “is explosive but he is real shifty, too. Once he gets the crease, then he explodes.”

The Braves gave Kingsford a much tougher fight last week than the final score would indicate, and Mileski expects the same performance against Menominee. “We will give it our last good shot,” he said. “If we do, we will make it a ball game. We have to play very good defense and try to keep the ball out of their hands.”

Injuries have been a common occurance for the Eskymos, who have lost four one-point games this season. Coach Dan Flynn said fullback-linebacker Garrick Fisher, one of the team’s top performers, will definitely miss the finale. He has a separated shoulder which may also force him to miss the basketball season.

Also sidelined are running backs Paul Wakefield and Hans Theoret, tight end Tim LeBeau, and linemen Jacob Stefl and Richard Bender and tight end Andrew Bougie.

Handicapped by the injuries, the Eskymos are trying to rebound from a 39-6 loss at Remus Chippewa Hills, and using reserves against the potent Flivvers will be difficult.

“It is a huge impact on what you are trying to do and to make adjustments,” said Escanaba coach Dan Flynn. “It is an opportune time for kids who haven’t played a whole lot, and I am confident they will step up and do well. It is part of the game and you have to deal with it.”

The Eskymos will try to contain quarterback Dan Sjoquist and fullback Josh Droese, who combined to rush for 223 yards in a 48-19 thrashing of Gladstone last week. Sjoquist also hit all three passes he tried for 102 yards and two touchdowns.

“We have to focus on both of them,” said Flynn. “They have a good inside game and a good outside game. Their passing game really hasn’t been tested. We’re going to try to do that.”

The Flivvers have an aggressive, physical defense that will try to contain quarterback Jordan LeMire and tailback Paul Theoret. Esky was limited to 243 yards last week, with 172 on the ground.

Despite the difficult season, Flynn said the players remain upbeat and are staying focused. “The kids are working hard and giving everything they can,” he said. “They are going to go out to win.”

====================

Daily Press

600 Ludington St.,

Escanaba, MI

49829

Old School: Emmitt Smith Won't Leave

Editor's Note: Here is another installment in the series entitled "Old School" -- enjoy -- ds
-----------------------------------------------------

Old School: Emmitt Smith Won't Leave
Oct 4th 2007
Brian Cook


Not to pile on Florida fans who can only be thinking about dastardly Auburn, the only school to beat the Gators over the past two years, but this just popped up on YouTube. So don't blame me. To set the stage: Emmitt Smith -- who you may have heard of -- is in his junior year at Florida; he plans on leaving for the draft after the year ends. Leading 7-3 late in the fourth quarter, Florida forces Auburn into fourth and long; the Tigers convert. They score a touchdown with 12 seconds left and win.

But Emmitt won't leave the field



I like Smith 1000 times more than I did ten minutes ago. (Not that I disliked him; prior to this I was a football agnostic.) Would anyone ever do this after an NFL game? Hell no. The kicker is that this game was at Auburn and he's just leaving himself out there to be jeered and mocked. 100 cocktails to you, sir.

--------------------------
AOL Sports

Drifter pride on the march again

In Colonial Beach, Drifter pride on the march again
October 13, 2007 12:35 am


BY FRANK DELANO
A 16-minute parade of convertibles, school spirit and hometown pride has ended a 15-year lapse in tradition for Colonial Beach High School.

In the school's first homecoming parade since 1992, a new generation of Drifters strutted, beamed and waved to an adoring Colonial Avenue crowd.

But it was not like the old days, said Kristin Setliff Jack, Class of 1990.

"Back then, it was small, just the football team, cheerleaders and the homecoming princes and princesses from the four classes. That was it. It just sort of died out," she said.

It was born again at sunset Thursday with every convertible Tricia Anderson Runyon (Class of '88) said she "could beg, borrow, plea or steal."

Now a teacher, Runyon and coach Gail Parent Tinsley (Class of '73) helped the Student Council Association sponsor the parade "to bring back the tradition and boost school spirit with community involvement."

The parade in the chilly breeze was a warm-up for last night's football game with King William High School and tonight's homecoming dance.

"A lot of friendly people were willing to help out," Runyon said of the 74-unit parade that began near the town's elementary school and ended at a party on the high-school parking lot.

School and town officials and political candidates, all of them grinning, tossed out handfuls of candy from golf carts, Corvettes, Miatas, Mustangs, Camaros, Sebrings and Solaras.

Drifter colors of gold and black were everywhere. "Bad" was the word School Superintendent Alice H. Howard used to describe her leather suit of tight gold slacks and matching bolero jacket with rhinestone buttons.

"I'm going to be street dancing with the children," she said as she helped eighth-graders tie gold and black balloons to a pickup before the parade.

"I blew up most of the balloons," said Ernest Bailey, (Class of 2012). "And I also moved the crepe paper away from the tailpipe so it wouldn't catch fire."

"Beach Party" was the float's theme. The truck was loaded with students, beach chairs, boogie boards, inner tubes, palm trees, flip-flops, swim fins, sunglasses and visors.

All of it was enough to win the eighth-graders an award for school spirit.

The parade was the first ever for the Colonial Beach Marching Band. Comprised of elementary students, the band received its first instruments just two weeks ago and carried them proudly.

But only the drummers played. "It was fun! I hope we can do another one," said fifth-grade drummer J.W. Musselman (Class of '15).

Bringing up the rear was Austin Bergmann (Class of '10), aka "Petie the Pirate," the personification of the spirit of the 250-pupil high school.

"I've got a few buttons missing on my outfit, but they say they're going to upgrade the costume next year," said Bergmann as he waited, eye-patched headpiece in hand, for the parade to begin.

"I'm more than a mascot. I'm the living, breathing spirit of the school. I bring a lot of energy and I'm a good dancer. I've got a few dance moves I'm going to unleash."

When Petie the Pirate finally pranced home to the high school, the lights were on at the football field, the parking lot was full of people and Superintendent Howard was at the microphone.

"This is just the beginning," she promised. "Next year will be even bigger and better. Right, students?"

The hungry ate hot dogs. The chilly drank hot chocolate. The young piled on in tugs of war on the football field. The macho bashed a 1984 Chrysler sedan with a sledgehammer.

School Board member Steve Warner (Class of '78) manned the sound system. He announced:

"We've got the tug-of-war set up, the car bash going on, beach music playing and a beautiful sunset. What more could you want? Happy Homecoming, everybody."

Frank Delano: 804/333-3834
Email: fpdelano@gmail.com

The Journal Press Inc. • P. O. Box 409 • King George • VA • 22485

Sing-Wing Win: Giles 34, Radford 7

Giles 34, Radford 7

RADFORD -- Sheldon Douthat rushed for 185 yards and three touchdowns and the Spartans opened district play with a win on Friday night.

Giles (5-1, 1-0 Three Rivers District) gained all 343 of its total yards on the ground and attempted just one pass.

Radford (1-5, 0-1) turned the ball over three times and was held to 238 yards of total offense -- 147 of those coming on two completions to Ryan Webb.

Giles 14 10 7 3--34

Radford 0 0 0 7--7

G -- Ligard 3 interception return (Journell kick)

G -- Douthat 1 run (Journell kick)

G -- Douthat 3 run (Journell kick)

G -- FG Journell 40

G -- Douthat 50 run (Journell kick)

G -- FG Journell 29

R -- Webb 80 pass from Matusevich (Goodman kick)

Single-Wing Win: Altus held off by Duncan

Oklahoma High School Football

Altus held off by Duncan

(October 12, 2007: Altus, OK 73521) Duncan Demons (Duncan, OK) fans left the game content Friday as they saw their football team nip the host Altus Bulldogs (Altus, OK), 32-27 in a league test.

With the triumph, Duncan improves its record to 5-2 on the campaign. The Demons host Northwest Classen (Oklahoma City, OK) to battle the Knights in a 5A District 1 test on Friday, October 19. The Knights come into the test with a record of 2-5. Northwest Classen lost 34-15 in their recent league test against Western Heights (Oklahoma City, OK)

With the loss, Altus drops to 1-6 on the campaign. The Bulldogs host Western Heights (Oklahoma City, OK) to battle the Jets in a 5A District 1 test on Thursday, October 18. The Jets come into the test with a record of 6-1. Western Heights won 34-15 in their recent league test against Northwest Classen (Oklahoma City, OK)

============

Max Preps

Linton victory caps undefeated season

Published: October 13, 2007 12:01 am

Linton victory caps undefeated season

By Tom Reck
Tribune-Star Correspondent

Farmersburg — Linton put some new wrinkles in its offense Friday night in high school football, beating North Central 50-20 to finish the regular season 9-0 for the second time in three seasons.

The Miners claimed an undisputed Southwest Seven Conference championship by winning while North Central finished a 7-2 regular season and took third in the conference with a 4-2 mark.

Keith Cunningham scored twice for the Miners and passed for three other scores, two of them in the final frame. The junior rushed for 15 yards and completed nine passes for 181 yards.

Mickey Tosti keyed the offense in the first half and scored twice. He rushed for 93 yards in the first half and finished with 126.

Jaron Powell, Evan Magni and Levi Baysinger scored the touchdowns on Cunningham passes.

“We knew both teams were well scouted. We wanted to shake things up and the kids really responded,” Linton coach Steve Weber said of the spread offense that had not been used for two years.

He said Tosti gave the Miners an inside threat to spring Ethan Brewer, the leading rusher most of the season, on the outside. Brewer ended up carrying the football five times and netting 29 yards.

“Linton was under center for the first time all year. We adjusted on the fly,” said North Central coach Brian Crabtree.

Both teams scored on their first two possessions and the Miners scored on their third and made it a 29-13 game at the half by taking advantage of a Thunderbirds’ turnover.

Both teams punted for the first time in the third canto and neither scored but the Miners took advantage of botched North Central punt to score early in the fourth frame to go up 36-13.

North Central responded with its final score with Brett Lewis hooking up with Jared Ross on two of the scores. Michael Woodsmall got the other TD and rushed for 181.

He left the game late after being tackled after a 35-yard gain. “He'll be all right next week,” said Crabtree.

Lewis completed nine passes for 102 yards and the two touchdowns.

The Thunderbirds will be at home to North Vermillion for their first Class A sectional game. They beat the Falcons earlier.

“North Vermillion will be a physical opponent. We're glad to be playing at home,” said Crabtree.

The Miners also will be at home to begin the tournament and will meet Springs Valley, a team they beat 28-21 in Orange County.

“It went down to the last play,” said Weber.

The Miners faced top-ranked Perry Central two years ago after their unbeaten run.



Linton 16 13 0 21 — 50

North Central 7 6 0 7 — 20

L — Cunningham 5 run (Gentry, pass from Cunningham)

NC — Ross 30 pass from Lewis (Enstrom kick)

L — Tosti 5 run (Cunningham run)

NC — Woodsmall 3 run (Kick failed)

L — Cunningham 2 run (Pass failed)

L — Powell 17 pass from Cunningham (Gentry kick)

L — Tosti 3 run (Gentry kick)

L — Magni 81 pass from Cunningham (Gentry kick)

NC — Ross 5 pass from Lewis (Enstrom kick)

L — Baysinger 30 passs from Cunningham (Gentry kick)

Next — Both teams have home games in Class A sectional contests next Friday. Linton (9-0, 6-0 Southwest Seven) plays Springs Valley. North Central (7-2, 4-2 Southwest Seven) meets North Vermillion



=================================
Terre Haute Tribune Star, IN

=================================

Single-Wing Win: Colo-NESCO Royals

Colo-NESCO 42, Lynnville-Sully 0

SULLY — Colo-NESCO’s defense stuffed Lynnville-Sully to 30 yards of total offense in a 42-0 rout here Friday in Class A District 8 football action.

The Royals (4-3, 2-3) held the host Hawks to 23 rushing yards on 28 attempts and to seven passing yards on 14 throws. Jake Kaiser had four tackles for loss on the night, which included a pair of sacks.

The Colo-NESCO offense had two rushing touchdowns from Josh Gaedke and two Travis Guy passing scores to score a season-high 42 points.

Guy led the Royals with 59 rushing yards and threw for 88 yards with a 12-yard TD pass to Chandler Eley and a 39-yard scoring strike to Kaiser.

Bryce Hendrick added 37 rushing yards, while Gaedke had TD runs of 1 and 4 yards.

Travis Cunningham returned a punt 59 yards for a score in the second quarter.

The Royals improve to 4-3 overall and 2-3 in district play going into next Friday’s matchup with North Mahaska (6-1, 4-1) in Colo.

Lynnville-Sully drops to 0-7 overall and 0-5 in the district.

==============================
The Times-Republican
135 West Main Street
Marshalltown, IA 50158

Single-Wing Blurb: Webster City Lynx

LYNX LENGTHS: Webster City rushed for 505 yards in a 70-7 victory over Saydel. The Lynx had at least 100 yards from Tanner Moen, Jesse Anderson and John Hill.

The Des Moines Register

Gallon, defense overwhelm

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: WEEK 7 APOPKA 30, WINTER PARK 6
Gallon, defense overwhelm

Tania Ganguli
Sentinel Staff Writer
October 13, 2007

WINTER PARK

As Winter Park quarterback Chris Chomic glided up the left sideline for a 44-yard touchdown with 1:13 leftgroans rose from the Apopka sideline.

The Blue Darters' defense had been close to their second shutout.

"This was my last homecoming," Chomic said. "I didn't want to be shut out in my last homecoming."

In the end, Apopka's second-half offense -- led by quarterback Jeremy Gallon -- and its defense were too much. The Blue Darters (6-1) beat the Wildcats (2-4), 30-6, with a 15-point fourth quarter.

"It was the offensive line," Gallon said. "If it weren't for the blocks they got me I wouldn't have had those."

Gallon rushed for 179 yards with three touchdowns. He ran in one two-point conversion and threw another one to Jeremy Rouse.

But it took some time for the Blue Darters' offense to click. Apopka scored eight points in the first half.

"It was an ugly game," Apopka Coach Rick Darlington said. "We've got to play a lot better in our last three games."

The Blue Darters defense forced the Wildcats into four three-and-out stops and forced a fumble.


==============================================
Tania Ganguli can be reached at tganguli@orlandosentinel.com.
OrlandoSentinel.com

Single-Wing Win: First Academy Prevails

First Academy Prevails
JENNIFER OSBURN SPECIAL TO THE SENTINEL

October 6, 2007

SUMMARY: The First Academy Royals (4-2, 2-0 in Class A, District 4) defeated previously unbeaten Melbourne Florida Air (5-1, 1-1) 42-21 Friday night at Warden Stadium.

STAR: TFA LB Taylor Oldham proved a versatile weapon for the Royals, rushing 20 times for 84 yards and two touchdowns. Oldham also threw for one touchdown and kicked two extra points.

KEY STAT: Prior to Friday night, Florida Air had only allowed 32 total points.


Orlando Sentinel

Single-Wing Win: Oak Grove AL.

Oak Grove 33, Livingston 20
Posted by Birmingham News on October 13, 2007 2:07 a.m.
--Wayne Campbell

Andrew White scored four touchdowns on 1-yard runs to lead Oak Grove (6-1, 4-1 Class 4A Region 4) over Livingston (0-7, 0-5). White finished the game with 72 yards on 17 carries. Josh Franklin added 33 yards and a touchdown on five carries.
Austin Latta led the Oak Grove defense with nine tackles while Matt Hooper added five tackles and Kyle Hyche had an interception for the winners.

Maria Newell led Livingston with 136 yards rushing on 11 carries and scored a touchdown on an 84-yard run. Livingston also had touchdowns from Dominque Child on a 41-yard run and Jamal Carter from two yards out. Roger Collins led Livingston with 12 tackles, Jecorey Brown had six tackles and Carter had four tackles and one interception.

Livingston @ Oak Grove

--------------1st--2nd--3rd--4th-- T
Livingston----7----7-----0----6--20
Oak Grove--14----6-----6----7--33

Date: 10/12 7 p.m. Venue: Oak Grove

OG-White 1 run (run failed)
OG-Josh Franklin 8 run (kick failed)
LIV-Dominque Child 41 run (Collins kick)
OG-Andrew White 1 run (kick failed)
LIV-Maria Newell 84 run (Roger Collins kick)
OG-White 1 run (Josh Franklin run)
LIV-Jamal Carter 2 run (kick failed)
OG-White 1 run (Colby Taylor kick)

-----------------------------------------------------

The Birmingham News The Huntsville Times Press-Register

Akron Living Up To The Hype

PREP NOTES:

Akron Living Up To The Hype

Written by: Jesse Horne , Sports Reporter



Akron had no problem living up to the hype. The Rams remain undefeated after Friday's 33-0 rout of Lyons, coach Brian Christensen sounded more reserved.

"I think there's a lot out there still to be determined, even still in our own league," he said. "It's going to be hard to figure out who is all in, but the only thing we can worry about is the next two weeks and getting better."

Better? They've now outscored their opponents by a combined 247-23 and still having allowed just two offensive touchdowns all season.

The Rams were led offensively by Joe McKay, with 110 yards and two rushing touchdowns. However, it was his 60-yard punt return for a touchdown which may have broke the Lions' back.

Adding to Friday's game was a severe case of fog which hung over the field. Christensen said the adverse weather did factor into his game plan.

"That was something we stressed right off the bat," he said. "The grass was slick, the ball was wet and any turnovers could've changed the whole game around."

Akron should reach the postseason unscathed as their last two opponents – Wiggins and Front Range – have a combined 3-11 overall record. After Friday's win over the Lyons, it'd be hard not to anoint the Rams as favorites to win another 1A title.

But, some players may be beginning to taste some excitement for a potential repeat.

"If we play at our highest level, I think we can do it," Akron's Mick Strand said. "There are usually four or five teams that usually have a chance, but we have a pretty good chance, too."


==============================================
KUSA*TV
9NEWS
500 Speer Blvd.
Denver, CO 80203

Aggie Stunner

Aggie Stunner

By Ken Bonner
The Daily Sentinel

Published October 15, 2007

Surprised. Like a kid playing with a Jack-in-the-Box, that's what happened to the Scottsboro Wildcats Friday night in Albertville.

The home-standing underdog Aggies turned three Scottsboro turnovers into 21 quick points and never trailed on the way to a 35-14 homecoming upset of the Wildcats before an overflow crowd at Aggie Stadium.

Scottsboro fell to 5-2 overall, 4-1 in 5A Region 7. Albertville improved to 4-3 and 3-2.

“I'll take the blame,” Scottsboro head football coach Freddie Tidmore said. “When you get beat like that you've got the wrong people on the field or you ain't got ‘em ready to play.”

The Aggies jumped on top 21-0 behind junior quarterback Jared Fontaine, who threw five touchdown passes.

Fontaine found Madison Tharp from 30 yards out to cap a nine-play 63-yard drive on Albertville's second possession late in the first quarter. Troy Simmons kicked his first of five extra point attempts to make it 7-0.

The Aggies were back in business moments later at the Scottsboro 14 after DeUntae Johnson fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Wildcats drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

Fontaine again found Tharp. This time it wasn't traditional as the ball ricocheted off of the intended receiver Beau Dalke and fell into the waiting hands of Tharp. The nine-yard play pushed it to 14-0 with 11:08 left in the first half.

Prior to Friday night the Aggies had lost nine of their last 10 homecoming games. Albertville coach Tommy Tharp had said earlier in the week he expected his team to be focused and "to give their very best effort," despite the distraction of the game being the last homecoming game ever in Aggie Stadium. The Aggies will christen a new $4 million facility next season.

"When our staff first arrived, unbelievably we had players, backed up by their parents, wanting to skip practice to got to work on floats," Tharp said. "That was a new one on me, and we had to hurt some feelings and dismiss some young men from the team for that reason."

After a Scottsboro punt Albertville put together their most impressive drive of the night going 59 yards in 11 plays with Fontaine hitting Dustin Duckett with a six-yard pass for the score. Simmons made it 21-0 with 1:43 left in the opening half.

Scottsboro answered in a hurry, driving 79 yards in five plays to cut the margin. Senior tailback got the touchdown on a 68-yard run after a crushing block from wide receiver Shingin Lee gave him the corner. Jay Benson kicked true to make it 21-7.

Albertville benefitted from another Scottsboro turnover to begin the second half when Duckett picked up a David Washington fumble and returned it 32 yards to the Scottsboro four on the kickoff. Fontaine found Duckett three plays later from 14 yards and Simmons kick made it 28-7.

"You can't miss blocks, miss tackles and fumble the football and expect to win," Tidmore said.

Tyrelle McCamey got Scottsboro back in it when he went 60 yards for the touchdown on the first play from scrimmage after the ensuing kickoff. Benson's kick cut it to 28-14 with 10:09 left in the third quarter.

The Aggies last touchdown, a nine-yard Fontaine to Tharp pass, came with 10:09 left after the third Scottsboro turnover at the Wildcat 10.

Scottsboro outgained the Aggies picking up 222 yards rushing on 27 carries. Quarterback Josh White was 0 of 4 through the air. Fontaine finished 7 of 9 through the air for 83 yards. Albertville picked up 128 on the ground on 45 attempts.

"We've got to win out (Region games with Lee and Fort Payne) if we want to win the region now," Tidmore said. "Both those games will be huge."

Albertville's win gave the Aggies the tie-breaker over Scottsboro in the chase for the playoffs and possible first-round home field advantage.

The Wildcats entertain Lee Friday night at Trammell Stadium. Kickoff for the homecoming contest is 7 P.m.


--------------------------------------------------
The Daily Sentinel - 701 Veterans Drive - P.O. Box 220 - Scottsboro, Alabama 35768

Glenwood's motto: Just win

Glenwood's motto: Just win
BY ROBERT SPRUCK

rspruck@ledger-enquirer.com

------

There are a couple of scenarios that would secure Glenwood a home game in the first round of the Alabama Independent School Association Class AAA playoffs.

The simplest scenario is the one that Glenwood coach Tripp Henderson is preaching to his team -- beat Edgewood tonight and defeat Pickens next Friday. The Gators can actually lock up the second seed in Region 2 tonight with a win and a Macon-East loss to Bessemer.

"We should be the favorite in the next two games, and we are trying to win them," Henderson said. "After last week's win, we are hoping not to have a letdown. We have told them that we want to take another step. After an 8-2 season last year, the next step is 9-1. We are in a position to do that, if we finish strong."

The Gators clinched a berth in the Class AAA playoffs with their 48-20 win against Pickens on Sept. 28. Glenwood (6-1, 4-1 AAA, Region 2) hosts Edgewood tonight at 8 with the opportunity to get a little closer to a home playoff game.

The Gators hosted a first-round playoff game last season and knocked off Cottage Hill 42-16.

"This is something that is really important us," Henderson said of opening the playoffs at The Swamp. "It's a little different atmosphere in the playoffs, and everyone gets a little more excited."

Willis will play

After injuring his groin during the Jordan game on Sept. 29, Shaw defensive back Bryan Willis is expected to play against Hardaway.

Shaw will try to win its fourth straight game when it takes on Hardaway tonight at 7:30 at Kinnett Stadium.

The Raiders held Willis, who also plays running back, out of the game against Kendrick last week to give him extra time to rest, Shaw coach Scott Newman said. Newman said Willis played one series in the Raiders' 36-14 win against the Red Jackets.

"We want to make sure that he is at full strength when he comes back," Newman said.

Willis, who intercepted nine passes as a junior, is a versatile player for the Raiders. He's got an interception and 18 tackles this season. Willis has also rushed for 266 yards and four touchdowns.

Time to work

Losing its final two games in the Region 2-AAA tournament has Hardaway softball coach Bill Stohr feeling that his team needs to improve in all areas.

"We are going to work on everything," Stohr said. "We will work on hitting, pitching and defense. We have to rededicate ourselves. The good thing is that we are in the sectionals."

The Lady Hawks finished third in the Region 2-AAA tournament that ended with a 1-0 loss to Northside. Hardaway lost 8-2 to Harris County on Tuesday evening. The Hawks will open the Class AAA south sectional against the No. 2 team from Region 4.

Hardaway scored two runs and had 10 hits in its two losses. The Hawks never really threatened to score in the final few innings against Northside.

"You try to learn from every loss," Stohr said. "I don't know what we will learn from this one, but we are going to try to."

Streaking

Harris County enters the sectional as one of the hottest teams in the state.

After breezing through the Region 2-AAA tournament, the Lady Tigers have won 14 straight games. Harris County enters the sectional tournament in Dublin, Ga., with a lot of momentum after outscoring its opponents 23-2 in the region tournament. The Tigers will open against the fourth seed from Region 4.

"Being a senior and it being my last year, it feels great to win," third baseman Baillie Temples said after winning the region tournament for the second straight year. "It's a good way to start the playoffs."

The only AAA team that might be hotter is Oconee County. The Warriors, who have won the AAA state title the last three years, have won 23 of their last 24 games.

Another step

Northside will take some time off before beginning preparation for its second straight trip to the sectional tournament.

The Lady Patriots will go into seeded second after entering as the fourth seed last year. They were one win away from advancing to the elite eight in 2006.

Northside returns seven players that were a part of last year's team that came up a little short.

"We know what it takes," Northside coach Chera Riles said. "They want to take it one step further this year... . They got a little taste last year."



-------------------------------------------------------------------



Glenwood's football team, led in part by quarterback Branden Williams, can clinch at least second place in Region 2 for the Alabama Independent School Association Class AAA playoffs with a victory tonight against Pickens. That would give the Gators a home playoff game in the first round for the second year in a row. (Ledger-Enquirer photo)

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Glenwood Gators -- P.O Box 310, Phenix City, AL 36868

Ledger-Enquirer - 17 W. 12th St. -- Columbus. GA 31901

Why The Wedge

10/16/2007

Why The Wedge
Dan Spain
The Single-Wing Sentinel

Over the years, coaches who are intrigued by the Single-Wing, question the Wedge play. They wonder, why the wedge. If you are asking the same question, below is your answer.

Wedge Mix

---------------------------

Snow Plow Wedge


----------------------

Sundevil Wedge

-----------------------
Wedge Gone Wild

-----------------------------
fAKE fUMBLE wEDGE

-
-
Now, I bet you're saying "Wow the Wedge"


-
===============================================

"Bounce Pass" provides "Pick" me up

“Pick-me Up” Preserves Park View’s Perfect Record


By Dan Sousa
LoudounPrepSports.com Editor


Sterling (Oct. 16, 2007) – If a football team ever needed a “pick-me-up” it was Park View High School Friday night with 2:07 left as upset-minded Potomac Falls had just scored its second touchdown in less than four minutes – on a blocked punt no less – to take the lead, 14-13.

Enter Patriot senior wide receiver Ryan Pick, who had two big catches in the game at the time but one of them, a 51-yarder in the second quarter ended in a fumble as he tried to make a move and turn the play into a 86-yard score.

“We have been telling ourselves all season that we need to play like state champions and I entered the huddle and said ‘state champions find ways to win these types of game’,” said Pick.

Showing the guts of a Texas Hold’Em player bluffing his way with a 2-7 in the hole, Park View coach Andy Hill called for a trick play that would require Pick to field a backwards “bounce pass” from C.J. Leizear and then the WR would throw across the field to running back Eric Johnston.

“I wasn’t worried about the bounce,” said Pick who had to wonder, however, about the pass as the last time he attempted one in a game was back in 8th grade. “The coach made a gutsy call on the play.”

Indeed. The play worked as planned as Leizear’s spiral skimmed past sophomore receiver Tommy Sedeski, who did a bit of play-acting as if was truly a failed pass to him, and Pick fielded the lateral which made it legal for him to heave the pass to Johnston along the Patriot sidelines for a 25-yard gain.

The previous week the same play had been botched against Freedom for a turnover as the bounce pass deflected off Sedeski’s leg. This time it was just the “pick-me-up” the Patriots needed.

Before the Panthers even had time to calculate what had just happened. Leizear took the snap from the PF 46 and rolled to the right. With plenty of time to look downfield as the Panthers had little pursuit on the senior quarterback, Pick drifted all the way behind the Panther secondary and caught a 50-yard heave by Leizear in the end zone for the game-winning touchdown. A two-point run by Johnston made the final score 21-14.

“We played as a team tonight; a team that left everything on the field,” said Potomac Falls coach Scott Woodlief. “There are a lot of broken hearts in the locker room.”

Park View (3-0 in AA Dulles District, 6-0 overall) came in as a heavy favorite against Potomac Falls (1-2, 2-4), but the Panthers, despite five turnovers and a blocked field goal, hung around in the game thanks to four turnovers, the blocked punt and a dozen penalties by the error-prone Patriots.

“We’ve been saying all year that we can’t play careless with the football and expect to win,” said Hill.

Park View dominated the firs half with Leizear throwing for 213 of his 294 yards and the Patriots out-gaining the Panthers in total yards, 242-94. Park View, however, led just 6-0 at the half.

That scoring drive was very impressive as the Patriots went 97 yards on 12 plays after Sedeski picked off Potomac Falls quarterback Greg Woodlief on the Park View 3.

The scoring drive, which took over five minutes, started with four straight running plays to four different runners – Leizear for five yards on a keeper, lineman-converted-fullback Thomas Mulabah on a 7-yard dive, Sedeski for six from the wideout spot and Johnston stopped for a loss by Potomac Falls senior Dominic Turner who had a good night on the defense.

Trying to slow down the PF blitz on 3-and-6 from the Park View 19, Leizear hit Sedeski (93 yards on four catches, all in the first half) on a screen pass for eight yards. Leizear then hit Danny Foley (4 receptions for 63 yards and two touchdowns) for eight yards.

Turner was again the backfield to throw Johnston for a loss. Both starting running backs in the game had trouble getting room to run with Johnston limited to 13 yards on nine carries and Potomac Falls junior Michael Baker held to 18 yards on 12 carries.

On 3rd-and-3 from their own 34, Leizear (46 yards rushing on 13 attempts) kept the ball behind the blocking of Johnston to net eight and a first down.

Leizear tried to hook up with Foley on a crossing route, by the two-way started Woodlief was waiting and he laid a bone-jarring hit on Foley to separate him from the ball.

PF tried to go after Leizear as he dropped back to pass on the next play but the Pats again had a screen pass called at the right time and Johnston collected the ball and rambled 19 yards to the Panther 39. Foley then had the best revenge for that earlier hit as he picked up 30 yards on the next play to put the Patriots just inside the 10.

Two plays later, Leizear hit Foley in the end zone with 1:08 remaining in the half. The extra point attempt failed and it was 6-0.

Typical of the game was the final 68 seconds – or so as there were major clock operator problems during the game with time added or taken away by the officials at least four times – of the first half. Nothing was every just normal.

First Potomac Falls could not run out the clock as three dives to Baker totaled only seven yards and Park View burned some time outs to give them the ball back with 20 seconds on their own 39.

Then Turner, yet again in the right spot for Potomac Falls, tipped a Leizear pass into the hands of PF lineman Ryan Mehalic, who later would recover the punt blocked by teammate David Zedan in the end zone for a fourth quarter score. Mehalic had a glimpse at making it to the end zone this time but he was stopped on the PV 31 with 11 seconds left. After an incompletion, Potomac Falls trotted out junior kicker Asa Fox, who had made a kick as time expired in the first half the week before that turned out to be the game winner in a 23-20 victory over Loudoun County.

This time, the Patriots smothered the 48-yard attempt before it barely got out of the holder’s hands and for the next 10 seconds the ball bounced around the field and in and out of Park View player’s hands in something that looked like a highlight film from an old Oakland Raider finish. The ball did not find the end zone and the half was finished.

Park View’s lead was not any larger at this point as the Pats had turned the ball over on down deep in Panther territory on their first series of the night, despite a 58-yard pass play to Sedeski out of Park View’s new single-wing look. On that play, one sure to be of interest to future opponents, Johnston took a direct snap and then handed it to Mulabah near the line of scrimmage, who pitched it back to Leizear, who then threw a strike to Sedeski.

Later Park View turned it over on downs at their own 44 on a series that included one play with two turnovers as Potomac Falls junior Chris Pelto picked off Leizear only to have the ball stripped and recovered by Johnston.

The drought conditions left a thin layer of dust hovering over the field and the ball was slippery than a greased pig at times. Later in the first half, the two teams would trade turnovers on consecutive plays as Pelto fumbled after an 11-yard completion and the ball was recovered by PV junior Josh Jones, who would end the night by intercepting PF’s bid for a final comeback.

Pelto would later have a phenomenal touchdown catch in the fourth quarter and he finished the night with 117 yards on eight receptions. PF sophomore Tarrell Owens added 61 yards on six catches. Woodlief was able to throw for 186 yards on 16 of 30 passing despite the loss of top receiver Chad McMichael, still out with an injury.

Right after Jones’s fumble recovery, Pick lost the handle after picking up 51 yards.

PF wasn’t able to establish much of an offense in the first half but the Panthers owned the third quarter, running 19 plays from scrimmage to Park View’s two to start the second half. The Patriots were hurt by a turnover on Leizear’s first attempt of the third quarter, another tipped ball, this time by Mehalic, who had a night to remember, and intercepted by Baker.

The Panthers first drive of the half lasted 10 plays but went just 25 yards as a holding penalty stalled things. The drive after the interception picked up 30 yards on nine plays to the Patriot 24 but a botched snap on 4th-and-1 was recovered by Patriot senior Nash Cook in the Panther backfield.

The third quarter ended with Alexander Rice and Zedan teaming to sack Leizear at his own 10 to force a PV punt.

When PF went 3-and-out and Park View put together a 66-yard scoring drive on 10 plays, culminating on a Leizear-to-Foley 11-yard score, it appeared the game was fairly out of reach with Park View ahead 13-0 and 7:43 to play.

The Panthers, showing a great spirit, stepped up and Woodlief guided the team 68 yards in just six plays with Pelto making a jump-ball catch on one play for a 29-yard gain and then scoring on a catch in the corner of the end zone on a 19-yard pass play that showed a nice touch from Woodlief and Pelto’s great ability to bring the ball down while keeping one foot just in.

The play was good enough that Hill could be heard on the Park View sidelines to say “nice play” as his defense had great coverage on Pelto. Fox’s extra point made it 13-7 with 5:59 to play.

Park View then started playing like a team that was bent on losing the lead. On the first two plays from scrimmage after the PF score, Leizear had a pass almost picked off by Pelto and then Owens and Woodlief tipped around a pass attempt before it hit the ground.

The Patriots elected to go for it on 4th-and-2 from their own 25 with 4:45 remaining and Leizear just got the first down, by the length of a football on the measurement.

PV was going to go for it again on fourth down but a delay of game penalty, the second on the discombobulated series, left 4th-and-9 from the Pats 28. PF which had loaded up on one side earlier and almost blocked a punt, shifted the formation the other direction and Zedan blocked Foley’s punt and Mehalic sprawled on the football in the end zone. Fox’s extra point was good for a shocking 14-13 lead with 2:07 left.

“Our Achilles Heel is special teams,” said Hill. “I think it’s a confidence thing but give them credit on the punt block.”

Sedeski then picked up 26 yards on the ensuring kickoff return after fielding the ball at the 3 to start the game-winning series at the PV 29 and set-up the “pick-me-up” ending.

PF actually was able to move the ball back inside the Park View 10 with, Woodlief hitting Pelto on what would have been a 30-yard pass play with 45 seconds left but a late flag on the play nullified the game on a holding call. The Panthers, moved back to midfield, Woodlief tried two more shots with the second picked off by Jones at the PV 30 and returned to the PF 41.

For Park View, a team that saw a potential state title run ended in the first round of the playoffs last year on a late turnover and then long field goal by Louisa as time expired, the near miss Friday can be a defining moment on the season, either negative or positive.

“We can either go one of two ways after this. There is no middle ground. Either we will be an unstoppable force or we are going to start to doubt ourselves,” said Hill.

Park View will find out this Friday when they host Briar Woods (2-1, 5-1). Potomac Falls travels to South Riding to play Freedom (0-3, 0-6).

Mountaineers adept at pulling off quick kick

WVU Football Notebook

Mountaineers adept at pulling off quick kick
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
By Chuck Finder, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette




MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- Knees bent, torso lowered into full-squat mode, outstretched hands waiting for a pretend snap, associate head coach Bill Stewart assumed the position of a single-wing quarterback the other day. He went back in football time to portray what he learned long ago from former Navy coach and ex-West Virginia assistant Gary Tranquill of Avella: The quick kick.

It is an almost antiquated play that Stewart, West Virginia's special teams coach, and his units used Oct. 6. That marked the first such instance West Virginia had used the quick kick since late in the 2005 season, a span of some 21 games. But the Mountaineers could well pull the trick again Saturday against visiting Mississippi State.

The weekend before last, on fourth-and-3 at the Syracuse 37, quarterback Patrick White left his shotgun spot and aligned as a receiver wide right. Fullback Owen Schmitt, standing alone in the backfield, received the short snap and, much like the way Stewart pantomimed, Schmitt took a step toward the sideline and then kicked the football.

The bouncing punt stopped at the Syracuse 3, though officials maintained that another West Virginia player touched it first at the 11.

"He got gypped 10 yards there," growled the regular punter for ninth-ranked West Virginia, Plum's Pat McAfee. "Those refs were seeing some things."

West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez added of Schmitt's first career kick, "It's amazing, a guy punts one punt for 27 yards, and that just adds to the legend. All of a sudden, he's Jim Thorpe."

Nevertheless, Stewart and West Virginia relish the field-position swing and the surprise value gained from such kicks, not to mention the trick plays -- ones that have prolonged drives or scored points -- run from that formation during Rodriguez's seven years as head coach.

"Johnny Lujack did it," Stewart said, invoking another piece of quick-kick history with the 1947 Heisman Trophy-winning Notre Dame quarterback from Connellsville, among other names such as Hall of Famer Sammy Baugh and former West Virginia quarterback Rasheed Marshall. "Hey, it worked for those guys. ... You can't beat it."

It was good enough for West Virginia to use in early 2005, when Adam Bednarik was the Mountaineers' starting quarterback. A punter as well at Bethlehem Catholic High School, he had five quick kicks for a 31-yard average that season before a right foot sprain effectively handed White his big break and ended Bednarik's starting quarterback career. One thing White hasn't been asked to do: Punt.

"It's not something you can pick up like that," Bednarik said, snapping two fingers. "Not too many guys can do it. You have to practice it, too. But most of the time, because you're not a punter, you don't get much time to work on it.

"Defenses don't know what's coming, so they can't get a returner out there. It can really work to your advantage."

Ranking fluctuation


The Mountaineers gained 31 votes in The Associated Press poll but fell in the rankings, to ninth from eighth. However, with all the jockeying at the top of both polls -- after previous Nos. 1 and 2 LSU and California both lost Saturday -- they moved up two spots in the coaches' USA Today poll, to seventh. Kentucky nosed ahead of West Virginia by eight votes in AP, taking over the Mountaineers' eighth spot, but was No. 13 in USA Today.

It marked the third week in the past six in which West Virginia dropped in the polls without losing: After the second week, it fell behind Oklahoma to No. 4; the next week, it fell another rung to No. 5 after Florida passed it; and this past off weekend, when victorious Oregon and Kentucky passed it.

Quick hit


Kickoff for the West Virginia-Rutgers game Oct. 27 at Rutgers Stadium in New Brunswick, N.J., has been scheduled for noon to accommodate ABC/ESPN Regional television.

-------------------------------------------------------------
pittsburgh post-gazette
34 Blvd. of the Allies
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------