Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Great Great news!!!
In this picture is Old Forge's Kiel Eigen. Eigen is working getting back on his feet, and in this picture you can see that he is well on his way. Continue to keep Kiel in your thoughts and prayers. He inspires us everyday, and as it looks, there is no doubt he will walk again.
A long, long time ago....
At the risk of embarrassing myself, here is a picture of me with my surrogate family while growing up on Lincoln Street.
I would say I am anywhere between 7-9 years old.... Don't you just love the shirt?
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
For two years, the potential of a group of underclassmen had Old Forge girls’ coaches, players and fans smiling from ear-to-ear on the endless possibilities for the Blue Devils program.
Last year that potential started turning into victories, and when those victories kept piling up at the end of the season during the district and state playoffs, the basketball community in Old Forge knew this team was starting to realize those years of potential.
Led by second-team AP All-State selection Kim Kaville, the Blue Devils tied a school record with 19 wins, finished third in the Lackawanna League Division II, won the District 2 Class 1A title for the first time in 16 years, and advanced to the PIAA Class 1A Eastern Semifinals for just the second time in school history.
This season, the core group of players that put Old Forge back on the local girls’ basketball map are back – and they mean business.
The Blue Devils opened the season yesterday afternoon against Wyoming Area as they looked to defend their second consecutive Marseco Memorial title, and will face a bigger challenge in two weeks when the open the LLD2 slate against the two teams that finished ahead of them in 2007-08, Valley View and Dunmore.
In order to contend with the two division heavyweights, the Old Forge will need to continue to improve as they have the past two years, and play with a passion that was seen at times during last season.
And that all starts with Kaville.
The 5-foot-9 junior post player is a brute force inside for the Blue Devils with her raw energy and athletic play. Sometimes that style hurts her with foul trouble, but if she can learn to bottle it up and continue to get better, she could be the unstoppable player Old Forge has lacked since the days of the mid 1990s.
Kaville earned all-state honors last year by being the Blue Devils best player during a run in which they won two state playoff games. The LLD2 first-team all star scored 60 points and grabbed 27 rebounds in three PIAA games. Kaville averaged 14.5 points per game and grabbed 4.5 rebounds per game during the regular season.
She has scored 674 career points and with another solid season could surpass the 1,000-point mark by the end of the season.
But Kaville isn’t Old Forge’s only option on offense. Sarah Fife is also within reaching the 1,000-point mark with 643 career points. She would need to average 16.2 points over the Blue Devils 22 regular-season games to get to the mark. Should both reach the mark this season, it would be the first time in school history the girls’ program would have two 1,000-point scorers in the same season.
Fife, a 5-foot-6 forward, was Old Forge’s leading scorer for her first two varsity seasons before giving way to Kaville last season. The senior averaged just under seven points per game last season, and was third on the team in rebounding with 63 and in steals with 31. She also made eight three-pointers. The Blue Devils will look to its only senior for leadership and the scrappy play she has become known for.
The rest of the starting lineup will feature juniors Aleca Semenza, Chrissy Belko and Jess Armillay.
Semenza started for the first time last season and was Old Forge’s top three-point threat last season and was second on the team in scoring with 11.1 points per game. The 5-foot-7 guard dropped in 26 triples and led the team with 55 steals. Semenza was also second on the team with 32 assists and fourth in rebounding with 56.
Belko runs the show from the point, and has since her freshman season. The 5-foot-7 guard handed out a team-high 65 assists last season while scoring just 118 points. Despite being the team’s point guard, Belko was second on the team in rebounds with 78. She was also third on the team in steals with 35 and made seven triples on the season.
Armillay was a spot starter last season as a sophomore and was at her best coming off the bench. But she returns this season as a full-time starter and the Blue Devils designated defensive stopper. The fiery 5-foot-6 guard can also play the point, but will be called upon to ignite the Old Forge defense with her aggressive style of play. Armillay scored just 61 points in 28 games last season, but managed to grab 44 rebounds, hand out 14 assists and make 11 steals.
Unlike in past seasons, Head Coach Tom Gatto will have some solid contributors to bring off the bench allowing the Blue Devils to not miss a beat when one of the Fab Five comes off the floor.
Gatto will have four reliable subs to bring in with sophomores Andi Alsalahat, Lindsey Regan, Nicole Marianelli and Dana Bilski.
Alsalahat gave the Blue Devils a boost late in the season as a reliable ball handler and outside shooter. But the 5-foot-9 guard could also play inside and give Old Forge another solid post defender. Regan and Bilski will also give the Blue Devils some inside depth.
Marianelli gives Old Forge a shooting guard off the bench with some size at 5-foot-7 that is capable of burying the long-range shot.
All told, the Blue Devils have 17 players on the roster – a major step up from last season’s 13 that had some varsity players playing in two games a night. Another solid group of six freshmen, along with six sophomores will provide Old Forge with a base of players to keep the program moving in the right direction.
The cupboard is stocked with talent, and the table is set for this to be one of the greatest seasons of girls’ basketball season in school history. The Blue Devils sure look ready to take care of business.
Last year that potential started turning into victories, and when those victories kept piling up at the end of the season during the district and state playoffs, the basketball community in Old Forge knew this team was starting to realize those years of potential.
Led by second-team AP All-State selection Kim Kaville, the Blue Devils tied a school record with 19 wins, finished third in the Lackawanna League Division II, won the District 2 Class 1A title for the first time in 16 years, and advanced to the PIAA Class 1A Eastern Semifinals for just the second time in school history.
This season, the core group of players that put Old Forge back on the local girls’ basketball map are back – and they mean business.
The Blue Devils opened the season yesterday afternoon against Wyoming Area as they looked to defend their second consecutive Marseco Memorial title, and will face a bigger challenge in two weeks when the open the LLD2 slate against the two teams that finished ahead of them in 2007-08, Valley View and Dunmore.
In order to contend with the two division heavyweights, the Old Forge will need to continue to improve as they have the past two years, and play with a passion that was seen at times during last season.
And that all starts with Kaville.
The 5-foot-9 junior post player is a brute force inside for the Blue Devils with her raw energy and athletic play. Sometimes that style hurts her with foul trouble, but if she can learn to bottle it up and continue to get better, she could be the unstoppable player Old Forge has lacked since the days of the mid 1990s.
Kaville earned all-state honors last year by being the Blue Devils best player during a run in which they won two state playoff games. The LLD2 first-team all star scored 60 points and grabbed 27 rebounds in three PIAA games. Kaville averaged 14.5 points per game and grabbed 4.5 rebounds per game during the regular season.
She has scored 674 career points and with another solid season could surpass the 1,000-point mark by the end of the season.
But Kaville isn’t Old Forge’s only option on offense. Sarah Fife is also within reaching the 1,000-point mark with 643 career points. She would need to average 16.2 points over the Blue Devils 22 regular-season games to get to the mark. Should both reach the mark this season, it would be the first time in school history the girls’ program would have two 1,000-point scorers in the same season.
Fife, a 5-foot-6 forward, was Old Forge’s leading scorer for her first two varsity seasons before giving way to Kaville last season. The senior averaged just under seven points per game last season, and was third on the team in rebounding with 63 and in steals with 31. She also made eight three-pointers. The Blue Devils will look to its only senior for leadership and the scrappy play she has become known for.
The rest of the starting lineup will feature juniors Aleca Semenza, Chrissy Belko and Jess Armillay.
Semenza started for the first time last season and was Old Forge’s top three-point threat last season and was second on the team in scoring with 11.1 points per game. The 5-foot-7 guard dropped in 26 triples and led the team with 55 steals. Semenza was also second on the team with 32 assists and fourth in rebounding with 56.
Belko runs the show from the point, and has since her freshman season. The 5-foot-7 guard handed out a team-high 65 assists last season while scoring just 118 points. Despite being the team’s point guard, Belko was second on the team in rebounds with 78. She was also third on the team in steals with 35 and made seven triples on the season.
Armillay was a spot starter last season as a sophomore and was at her best coming off the bench. But she returns this season as a full-time starter and the Blue Devils designated defensive stopper. The fiery 5-foot-6 guard can also play the point, but will be called upon to ignite the Old Forge defense with her aggressive style of play. Armillay scored just 61 points in 28 games last season, but managed to grab 44 rebounds, hand out 14 assists and make 11 steals.
Unlike in past seasons, Head Coach Tom Gatto will have some solid contributors to bring off the bench allowing the Blue Devils to not miss a beat when one of the Fab Five comes off the floor.
Gatto will have four reliable subs to bring in with sophomores Andi Alsalahat, Lindsey Regan, Nicole Marianelli and Dana Bilski.
Alsalahat gave the Blue Devils a boost late in the season as a reliable ball handler and outside shooter. But the 5-foot-9 guard could also play inside and give Old Forge another solid post defender. Regan and Bilski will also give the Blue Devils some inside depth.
Marianelli gives Old Forge a shooting guard off the bench with some size at 5-foot-7 that is capable of burying the long-range shot.
All told, the Blue Devils have 17 players on the roster – a major step up from last season’s 13 that had some varsity players playing in two games a night. Another solid group of six freshmen, along with six sophomores will provide Old Forge with a base of players to keep the program moving in the right direction.
The cupboard is stocked with talent, and the table is set for this to be one of the greatest seasons of girls’ basketball season in school history. The Blue Devils sure look ready to take care of business.
For the past five seasons the Old Forge boys’ basketball program has been about star power.
Led by stars Jared Yanniello, Stephen Semenza, Jim DeStefano, Kyle McMyne, Mark Alexander, and JJ Thomas the Blue Devils went 111-28 with three Lackawanna League Division III titles, two District 2 Class 1A titles, and three state playoff appearances with a bunch of role players filling in when needed.
Led by stars Jared Yanniello, Stephen Semenza, Jim DeStefano, Kyle McMyne, Mark Alexander, and JJ Thomas the Blue Devils went 111-28 with three Lackawanna League Division III titles, two District 2 Class 1A titles, and three state playoff appearances with a bunch of role players filling in when needed.
Those role players are now in the spotlight.
Forced to take a backseat during this century’s Golden Age of Old Forge Basketball, seniors Matt Rava, Anthony Koulavongsa and Corey Hodick are ready for action.
The trio will lead a team that has no returning stars and will feature a balance of youth and inexperience as the Blue Devils try to make their own mark among the past great teams.
Rava will take the court as Head Coach Al Semenza’s only returning starter from last season’s District 2 Class 1A championship team. The 5-foot-7 point guard starter every game last season as a junior and finished second on the team in assists with 75. Rava averaged 4.6 points per game and shot almost 44 percent from the field. He will be asked to shoulder more of a scoring load this season for the Blue Devils while not turning the ball over. Rava is the Blue Devils top returning three-point threat, making 16 in 2007-08.
Hodick returns after playing in 26 games as a reserve guard last season and has the ability to be one of the focal points in the Old Forge offense this season. The lanky 6-foot-2 shooter can score in bunches given the opportunity – and he should get that opportunity once he returns full-strength from a knee energy suffered during the District 2 Class 1A football title game. Hodick scored almost four points a game in a limited role off the bench and shot 75 percent from the free-throw line last season. He was also solid rebounder off the bench with almost three per game and made 11 triples for the Blue Devils.
Koulavongsa played limited minutes in 25 games last season, but the forward is ready to burst onto the scene in his final season. The 6-foot-2 has a soft touch inside the paint – demonstrated by his 55 percent field goal percentage last season. Koulavongsa was also lights out at the charity stripe as a junior, draining 11-of-12 attempts on the season. With a quick first step to the basket, the Blue Devils will try to get the first-year starter the ball as often as possible to give them an inside scoring threat they rarely have.
Semenza will then rely on a mix of players after those three, including guards Mike Avvisato and Tony Goodall, to fill out the lineup which has yet to be set for the upcoming season.
Avvisato, a 5-foot-6 junior, played in 18 games last season, scoring 25 points with six three-pointers. The gutsy lefty is a threat to score from beyond the arc and gives the Blue Devils an emotional spark with his hustling defensive play.
Goodall is just a sophomore but was the leading scorer on last season’s freshman team that won the Lackawanna League Division II crown and advanced to the D2 playoffs. At 5-foot-10, Goodall can shoot the ball for three, but is also not afraid to take the ball to the hoop. Don’t be surprised if he – along with Koulavongsa – has a breakout season. He will begin the season as one of the Blue Devils off guards, but he can also play the point if needed.
Seniors Gabe Wilson and Matt Mischello will also be asked to step up their play this season as Semenza looks for reliable players who can start or come off the bench.
Wilson is a slender 6-foot-4 center who can give opponents matchup problems with his size inside on offense, and as a rebounder and shot blocker on defense. With the right attitude the first-year varsity contributor could be a major factor in the Blue Devils defending their two-year run as district champs.
Mischello is a 5-foot-10 slashing guard who can take the ball to the hoop. He will provide depth at the position and should be able to give Old Forge some quality minutes. But he and Wilson are being pushed by a group of underclassmen who are hungry to play.
Junior Ryan Janesko and sophomores Dom Avvisato and Mario Martinelli are pushing for varsity minutes and have been given a look with the first-team during the preseason.
Janesko is a 6-foot-2 center and plays in the mold of a typical Old Forge big man. He is a banger underneath and will be relied upon to rebound and do the little things Semenza usually asks from his post players.
Avvisato, standing at 6-foot-1 has been used both inside and outside during the preseason. Strictly a forward last season, Avvisato will provide depth as a small forward and possibly a swing player. He – as with most of the Old Forge role players – will be asked to rebound, play defense, and score garbage points inside while knocking down an occasional outside shot.
Martinelli is the only other true point guard on the roster besides Rava. The 5-foot-6 floor
general will be asked to lead the offense should Rava get into foul trouble. Martinelli plays with a bit of a chip on his shoulder and can make plays. If on the floor, he will be asked to limit turnovers and get the ball to the Old Forge scorers.
The Blue Devils have a host of players that are capable of helping this team make its mark – including a bunch of sophomores that were part of a championship team last season as freshmen.
The question will be whether the veterans returning can run with the torch that has been passed to them by the previous teams.
Let’s hope they are ready for action.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Devil Time
The Schedules are out... and here they are....
Dec. 6 WYOMING AREA
Dec. 7 PA/Northwest at OF
Dec. 9 at Western Wayne
Dec. 12 ES-NOTRE DAME
Dec. 15 MT. VIEW
Dec. 17 at West Scranton
Dec. 22 at Valley View
Dec. 27 at WA Tourney
Dec. 29 at WA Tourney
Jan. 3 DUNMORE
Jan. 6 at Mid Valley
Jan. 9 LAKELAND
Jan. 13 at Carbondale
Jan. 16 HOLY CROSS
Jan. 20 RIVERSIDE
Jan. 27 VALLEY VIEW
Jan. 29 at Dunmore
Jan. 31 MID VALLEY
Feb. 3 at Lakeland
Feb. 6 CARBONDALE
Feb. 10 at Holy Cross
Feb. 12 at Riverside
HOME GAMES in CAPS
JV game start at 6 p.m.
Dec. 6 WYOMING AREA
Dec. 7 PA/Lakeland at OF
Dec. 8 at West Scranton
Dec. 12 at Susquehanna
Dec. 18 at Trail
Dec. 23 VALLEY VIEW
Dec. 27 at PA Tourney
Dec. 29 at PA Tourney
Jan. 2 at Dunmore
Jan. 5 MID VALLEY
Jan. 8 at Lakeland
Jan. 12 CARBONDALE
Jan. 15 at Holy Cross
Jan. 19 at Riverside
Jan. 21 at Forest City
Jan. 26 at Valley View
Jan. 28 DUNMORE
Jan. 30 at Mid Valley
Feb. 2 LAKELAND
Feb. 5 at Carbondale
Feb. 9 HOLY CROSS
Feb. 11 RIVERSIDE
HOME GAMES in CAPS
JV game start at 6 p.m.
Dec. 8 at Prep
Dec. 10 at North Pocono
Dec. 12 at Honesdale
Dec. 15 HOLY CROSS
Dec. 17 at Mid Valley
Dec. 20 at Valley View 11
Dec. 26 at West Scranton 10
Dec. 30 at Wyoming Area TBA
Jan. 3 at Carbondale 10
Jan. 9 at Riverside
Jan. 13 LAKELAND
Jan. 16 DUNMORE
Jan. 20 at Holy Cross
Jan. 27 MID VALLEY
Jan. 29 VALLEY VIEW
Feb. 3 CARBONDALE
Feb. 10 RIVERSIDE
Feb. 12 at Lakeland
Feb. 14 at Dunmore 11
HOME GAES in CAPS
Games start at 4 p.m. unless noted
Dec. 6 at Rosler Tourney at CA
Dec. 7 at Rosler Tourney at CA
Dec. 8 NORTH POCONO
Dec. 10 TRAIL
Dec. 13 at Susquehanna
Dec. 17 RIVERSIDE
Dec. 20 MONTROSE
Dec. 22 at Carbondale
Dec. 30 WYOMING AREA
Jan. 7 LAKELAND
Jan. 10 at Valley View
Jan. 14 WESTERN WAYNE
Jan. 17 at Mid Valley
Jan. 19 at Dunmore
Jan. 24 at Riverside
Jan. 31 at Lakeland
Feb. 4 VALLEY VIEW
Feb. 7 at Western Wayne
Feb. 11 MID VALLEY
Feb. 14 DUNMORE
HOME GAMES in CAPS
Weekday games start at 10
Saturday games start at 4
Old Forge Blue Devils
Boys’ JV/Varsity
Basketball Schedule
Boys’ JV/Varsity
Basketball Schedule
Dec. 6 WYOMING AREA
Dec. 7 PA/Northwest at OF
Dec. 9 at Western Wayne
Dec. 12 ES-NOTRE DAME
Dec. 15 MT. VIEW
Dec. 17 at West Scranton
Dec. 22 at Valley View
Dec. 27 at WA Tourney
Dec. 29 at WA Tourney
Jan. 3 DUNMORE
Jan. 6 at Mid Valley
Jan. 9 LAKELAND
Jan. 13 at Carbondale
Jan. 16 HOLY CROSS
Jan. 20 RIVERSIDE
Jan. 27 VALLEY VIEW
Jan. 29 at Dunmore
Jan. 31 MID VALLEY
Feb. 3 at Lakeland
Feb. 6 CARBONDALE
Feb. 10 at Holy Cross
Feb. 12 at Riverside
HOME GAMES in CAPS
JV game start at 6 p.m.
Old Forge Blue Devils
Girls’ JV/Varsity
Basketball Schedule
Girls’ JV/Varsity
Basketball Schedule
Dec. 6 WYOMING AREA
Dec. 7 PA/Lakeland at OF
Dec. 8 at West Scranton
Dec. 12 at Susquehanna
Dec. 18 at Trail
Dec. 23 VALLEY VIEW
Dec. 27 at PA Tourney
Dec. 29 at PA Tourney
Jan. 2 at Dunmore
Jan. 5 MID VALLEY
Jan. 8 at Lakeland
Jan. 12 CARBONDALE
Jan. 15 at Holy Cross
Jan. 19 at Riverside
Jan. 21 at Forest City
Jan. 26 at Valley View
Jan. 28 DUNMORE
Jan. 30 at Mid Valley
Feb. 2 LAKELAND
Feb. 5 at Carbondale
Feb. 9 HOLY CROSS
Feb. 11 RIVERSIDE
HOME GAMES in CAPS
JV game start at 6 p.m.
Old Forge Blue Devils
Boys’ Freshman Basketball
Boys’ Freshman Basketball
Dec. 8 at Prep
Dec. 10 at North Pocono
Dec. 12 at Honesdale
Dec. 15 HOLY CROSS
Dec. 17 at Mid Valley
Dec. 20 at Valley View 11
Dec. 26 at West Scranton 10
Dec. 30 at Wyoming Area TBA
Jan. 3 at Carbondale 10
Jan. 9 at Riverside
Jan. 13 LAKELAND
Jan. 16 DUNMORE
Jan. 20 at Holy Cross
Jan. 27 MID VALLEY
Jan. 29 VALLEY VIEW
Feb. 3 CARBONDALE
Feb. 10 RIVERSIDE
Feb. 12 at Lakeland
Feb. 14 at Dunmore 11
HOME GAES in CAPS
Games start at 4 p.m. unless noted
Old Forge Blue Devils
Jr. High Boys’
Basketball Schedule
Jr. High Boys’
Basketball Schedule
Dec. 6 at Rosler Tourney at CA
Dec. 7 at Rosler Tourney at CA
Dec. 8 NORTH POCONO
Dec. 10 TRAIL
Dec. 13 at Susquehanna
Dec. 17 RIVERSIDE
Dec. 20 MONTROSE
Dec. 22 at Carbondale
Dec. 30 WYOMING AREA
Jan. 7 LAKELAND
Jan. 10 at Valley View
Jan. 14 WESTERN WAYNE
Jan. 17 at Mid Valley
Jan. 19 at Dunmore
Jan. 24 at Riverside
Jan. 31 at Lakeland
Feb. 4 VALLEY VIEW
Feb. 7 at Western Wayne
Feb. 11 MID VALLEY
Feb. 14 DUNMORE
HOME GAMES in CAPS
Weekday games start at 10
Saturday games start at 4
Previews coming this Sunday!!!
Basketball season tips off on Saturday with the 8th Annual Badger Tournament taking place at Old Forge High School. The Blue Devils play Saturday at 8 p.m. and the Lady Devils start the season at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Team previews will appear in The SundayDispatch on Sunday and then on this here blog sometime on Monday.
Support the Blue Devils this season!!!
Monday, December 1, 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Seperated at Birth?
If you saw the movie 8 Mile, you would have seen B Rabbit's buddy, Cheddar Bob, shoot himself with his own gun.
And while I am not surprised Plaxico was shot, I am surprised he pulled a "Cheddar Bob."
What a dope!
Somebody should rap about this.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
What a weekend!!!!
It's not over yet, but the past few days have been quite a whirlwind.
It all started on Wednesday with the Annual Night Before Thanksgiving pilgrimage to the local establishments to reunite with some old friends and listen to the great sounds of Joe and Dino.
Joe Kuckla and Dino Domiano are both OFHS grads and could usually be found playing the tunes of our lives at Dooley's on Thanksgiving Eve; at the annual Guinness Party at the Nee residence in mid summer; and now and then at GI's Bar as they will on Dec. 19.
Of course I got to sit in with J&D for my normal two song set of Mellancamp's Pink Houses and the Violent Femmes' Blister in the Sun. Don't ask me how I sounded - I don't remember.
People tell me I was good. But hey. They could just have been being nice. It is the holiday season after all.
Joe's brother Matt even got into the act - as he usually does - with his stirring renditions of Skynyrd's Simple Man and the Animal's House of the Rising Son.
The duo kicked ass as they normally do when they have not played together for a while. And it was probably a whole year since the last TG Eve when they performed for a crowd.
Thanksgiving Eve was so good, I missed most of Thanksgiving. Not dinner of course. But I slept from when I got home - passed out is more like it - at about 3 a.m. until 1 p.m. We had dinner at 1:30 p.m. and after handing out with a record crowd of 17 at 13 Lincoln Street until like 3:30 p.m. I was back to bed until like 9 p.m.
Of course all that sleep kept me awake most of the night, but I had some company with the Godfather marathon on AMC and the Rocky marathon on versus. All that rest during the day allowed me to stay awake for some great viewing in the wee hours of the morning. It was a great day and I had a lot to be thankful for.
Friday came and I was off to work for a few hours before heading home for the Backyard Brawl. I caught the first half of the game at Coaches Korner, then headed home to watch some with Dad.
As the Panthers fell behind and Matt Cavanaugh refused to give the ball to LeSean McCoy - the greatest Pitt running back since Tony D - I decided it was time to go back to work. I was detoured on the way back to Pittston to a reliable lucky spot for me and I watched the Panthers come from behind to win the game.
So back to work for a few hours I went before heading to Peckville and Jack Henzes Stadium for Riverside's Eastern Semi against Schuykill Haven.
And what a game it was!
Friday's game was possibly the best high school game I had ever witnesses. The only other game that could rival it was the Wyoming Area-Pittston Area game for the District 2 title at Scranton Memorial Stadium in 2003 which WA won on a trick play to end the game.
Back to Valley View.
In front of about 8,000 fans - the most I have seen at a HS game since that WA-PA game (which was about 10,000) - the two teams put on an offensive display that is rarely seen on the high school level.
For three quarters the two teams traded haymakers that rivaled the Rocky Balboa-Apollo Creed rematch that I had just watched hours earlier. Then in the fourth quarter both coaches made some questionable calls that left fans scratching their heads before Haven escaped with the victory.
Riverside led 14-0 when the Haven head coach - a guy who did not wear a headset, did not have a play sheet, and was never within 15 yards of the other coaches on his staff - turned to me and a reporter from the Pottsville paper and said, "not the way we wanted to start, huh?"
He was as calm as could be - and with good reason.
He had Zak Barket, a 3,800-yard rusher in his backfield.
That's right 4,100 yards. THIS YEAR!!! The kid leads the nation in rushing and was the real deal. By the way... he also has 60 TDs on the season. He is also headed to Yale or Harvard according to one of the Haven media types as the kid has like 1400+ in his boards.
Barket rallied the Canes with a big TD run to get within 14-7. The Vikes came right back to go ahead 22-7, but the Canes rallied to tie the score at 22-22.
Riverside went ahead 30-22, and Haven answered to go tie the game at 30-30. THIS WAS ALL IN THE FIRST HALF!!!
Haven opened the second half with the ball and ran off a 15-play drive to take a 37-30 lead.
The Vikes answered with a Joe Klebon touchdown - his fourth of the game - to take a 38-37 lead after the 2-point run by the senior tailback with 1:21 left in the third. But it would be Riverside's last points of the game - and more importantly, it would be the last Klebon would play on offense as he got hurt on the ensuing onside kick that he actually recovered.
Haven would stop Riverside and drive to the Vikings 9 with second and goal in the fourth quarter. The Canes decided to pass on the next two downs, with Corey Schuster picking off a third down pass at his own four to give RV the ball back.
A few plays later though, with Klebon nursing either a hip or ankle injury - there are reports of both - RV fumbled to give the ball back to Haven. The Canes capitalized and went ahead 43-38.
The Haven coach went for two instead of making the game at least a touchdown, but the Canes were stopped, giving Riverside a chance to take the lead with just a score.
The teams went back and forth with Klebon playing some defense, but not returning on offense til late in the game.
Meanwhile, Matt Talerico carried the load for the Vikes and ran the D2 champs inside the Haven 10 with less than four minutes left in the game. The senior carried about six times for about 40 yards to set up RV in the redzone.
After being stopped on second-and-2 (some reports have reported 2-and-3 and 2-and-4, but I was standing right there), the Vikes opted to throw a pass which was knocked down in the endzone. RV then inserted Klebon in the game, and the bruising tailback sprinted right before pulling up to throw a halfback option that fell incomplete on fourth down.
Haven ran some time and was forced to punt, but Barket intercepted a pass with less than 30 seconds left to preserve the victory.
Whew!!! And it wasn't even Saturday yet.... What a weekend!!!
It all started on Wednesday with the Annual Night Before Thanksgiving pilgrimage to the local establishments to reunite with some old friends and listen to the great sounds of Joe and Dino.
Joe Kuckla and Dino Domiano are both OFHS grads and could usually be found playing the tunes of our lives at Dooley's on Thanksgiving Eve; at the annual Guinness Party at the Nee residence in mid summer; and now and then at GI's Bar as they will on Dec. 19.Of course I got to sit in with J&D for my normal two song set of Mellancamp's Pink Houses and the Violent Femmes' Blister in the Sun. Don't ask me how I sounded - I don't remember.
People tell me I was good. But hey. They could just have been being nice. It is the holiday season after all.
Joe's brother Matt even got into the act - as he usually does - with his stirring renditions of Skynyrd's Simple Man and the Animal's House of the Rising Son.
The duo kicked ass as they normally do when they have not played together for a while. And it was probably a whole year since the last TG Eve when they performed for a crowd.
Thanksgiving Eve was so good, I missed most of Thanksgiving. Not dinner of course. But I slept from when I got home - passed out is more like it - at about 3 a.m. until 1 p.m. We had dinner at 1:30 p.m. and after handing out with a record crowd of 17 at 13 Lincoln Street until like 3:30 p.m. I was back to bed until like 9 p.m.
Of course all that sleep kept me awake most of the night, but I had some company with the Godfather marathon on AMC and the Rocky marathon on versus. All that rest during the day allowed me to stay awake for some great viewing in the wee hours of the morning. It was a great day and I had a lot to be thankful for.
Friday came and I was off to work for a few hours before heading home for the Backyard Brawl. I caught the first half of the game at Coaches Korner, then headed home to watch some with Dad.As the Panthers fell behind and Matt Cavanaugh refused to give the ball to LeSean McCoy - the greatest Pitt running back since Tony D - I decided it was time to go back to work. I was detoured on the way back to Pittston to a reliable lucky spot for me and I watched the Panthers come from behind to win the game.
So back to work for a few hours I went before heading to Peckville and Jack Henzes Stadium for Riverside's Eastern Semi against Schuykill Haven.
And what a game it was!
Friday's game was possibly the best high school game I had ever witnesses. The only other game that could rival it was the Wyoming Area-Pittston Area game for the District 2 title at Scranton Memorial Stadium in 2003 which WA won on a trick play to end the game.
Back to Valley View.
In front of about 8,000 fans - the most I have seen at a HS game since that WA-PA game (which was about 10,000) - the two teams put on an offensive display that is rarely seen on the high school level.
For three quarters the two teams traded haymakers that rivaled the Rocky Balboa-Apollo Creed rematch that I had just watched hours earlier. Then in the fourth quarter both coaches made some questionable calls that left fans scratching their heads before Haven escaped with the victory.
Riverside led 14-0 when the Haven head coach - a guy who did not wear a headset, did not have a play sheet, and was never within 15 yards of the other coaches on his staff - turned to me and a reporter from the Pottsville paper and said, "not the way we wanted to start, huh?"
He was as calm as could be - and with good reason.
He had Zak Barket, a 3,800-yard rusher in his backfield.
That's right 4,100 yards. THIS YEAR!!! The kid leads the nation in rushing and was the real deal. By the way... he also has 60 TDs on the season. He is also headed to Yale or Harvard according to one of the Haven media types as the kid has like 1400+ in his boards.
Barket rallied the Canes with a big TD run to get within 14-7. The Vikes came right back to go ahead 22-7, but the Canes rallied to tie the score at 22-22.
Riverside went ahead 30-22, and Haven answered to go tie the game at 30-30. THIS WAS ALL IN THE FIRST HALF!!!
Haven opened the second half with the ball and ran off a 15-play drive to take a 37-30 lead.
The Vikes answered with a Joe Klebon touchdown - his fourth of the game - to take a 38-37 lead after the 2-point run by the senior tailback with 1:21 left in the third. But it would be Riverside's last points of the game - and more importantly, it would be the last Klebon would play on offense as he got hurt on the ensuing onside kick that he actually recovered.
Haven would stop Riverside and drive to the Vikings 9 with second and goal in the fourth quarter. The Canes decided to pass on the next two downs, with Corey Schuster picking off a third down pass at his own four to give RV the ball back.
A few plays later though, with Klebon nursing either a hip or ankle injury - there are reports of both - RV fumbled to give the ball back to Haven. The Canes capitalized and went ahead 43-38.
The Haven coach went for two instead of making the game at least a touchdown, but the Canes were stopped, giving Riverside a chance to take the lead with just a score.
The teams went back and forth with Klebon playing some defense, but not returning on offense til late in the game.
Meanwhile, Matt Talerico carried the load for the Vikes and ran the D2 champs inside the Haven 10 with less than four minutes left in the game. The senior carried about six times for about 40 yards to set up RV in the redzone.
After being stopped on second-and-2 (some reports have reported 2-and-3 and 2-and-4, but I was standing right there), the Vikes opted to throw a pass which was knocked down in the endzone. RV then inserted Klebon in the game, and the bruising tailback sprinted right before pulling up to throw a halfback option that fell incomplete on fourth down.
Haven ran some time and was forced to punt, but Barket intercepted a pass with less than 30 seconds left to preserve the victory.
Whew!!! And it wasn't even Saturday yet.... What a weekend!!!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thankful.....
Ok. Let me start by saying Happy Thanksgiving.
Secondly, I offer apologies to the lack of OF stuff here. I was chastized early this morning by a former player of mine - one of my favorite former players - who lives out of town and keeps up to date with the Blue Devils partially through the blog.
This curly-haired legend - not Chris Jones - will remain nameless. But he is well on his way to becoming someone with some major clout in the world of sports.
So from now on, while I will still give you all the Springsteen news, I will gear more to the Blue and Gold.
Starting now....
Congrats to our Scranton Times All-Regional selection this year... Anthony Pero. If you didn't get to watch Pero play the past two years than you missed out on some of the best football play from a linebacker the Blue Devils have seen this decade.
Pero definitely rivaled his cousin Chris Donati in the middle the past two years, recording 290 tackles in his two seasons in the lineup.
He should have been All-Regional last season, but some how got screwed.
Speaking of screwed, Old Forge defensive back Dustin Slack got t
he screws put to him on the All-Regional team after interception a possible school-record eight passes this year. In his first season as a starter, the senior safety made some great picks this season.
Plus, Slack is a Steelers fan and made one of the more memorable quotes since I have been convering the Blue Devils when he told me after the Trail game that, "Even though they are a bad team, it was a great win for us. It's kind of like beating the Browns."
Right now, it is still the quote of the year.
Basketball season has begun and the Blue Devils are in the midst of starting a new. The current team will be a work in progress for the first month or so as Coach Al Semenza looks for a rotation of players to keep the Blue Devils at the level of play we have been accustomed to.
There have already been setbacks to the starting lineup as Corey Hodick suffered a knee injury in the last game of the football season. Right now it looks like Matt Rava and Anthony Koulavongsa are the only solid starters at this point. Gabe Wilson, Matt Mischello, Mike MaMa Avvisato, Tony Goodall, Mario Martinelli, and Ryan Janesko are the others in the mix for starting spots right now.
We will find out more as we go. Looks like Hodick could be back for next weekend, but I am sure things will be taken cautiously.
First basketball game is next Saturday as the Badger Tourney opens up with a game against Wyoming Area.
Stay tuned for more.....
Secondly, I offer apologies to the lack of OF stuff here. I was chastized early this morning by a former player of mine - one of my favorite former players - who lives out of town and keeps up to date with the Blue Devils partially through the blog.
This curly-haired legend - not Chris Jones - will remain nameless. But he is well on his way to becoming someone with some major clout in the world of sports.
So from now on, while I will still give you all the Springsteen news, I will gear more to the Blue and Gold.
Starting now....
Congrats to our Scranton Times All-Regional selection this year... Anthony Pero. If you didn't get to watch Pero play the past two years than you missed out on some of the best football play from a linebacker the Blue Devils have seen this decade.
Pero definitely rivaled his cousin Chris Donati in the middle the past two years, recording 290 tackles in his two seasons in the lineup.
He should have been All-Regional last season, but some how got screwed.
Speaking of screwed, Old Forge defensive back Dustin Slack got t
he screws put to him on the All-Regional team after interception a possible school-record eight passes this year. In his first season as a starter, the senior safety made some great picks this season.Plus, Slack is a Steelers fan and made one of the more memorable quotes since I have been convering the Blue Devils when he told me after the Trail game that, "Even though they are a bad team, it was a great win for us. It's kind of like beating the Browns."
Right now, it is still the quote of the year.
Basketball season has begun and the Blue Devils are in the midst of starting a new. The current team will be a work in progress for the first month or so as Coach Al Semenza looks for a rotation of players to keep the Blue Devils at the level of play we have been accustomed to.
There have already been setbacks to the starting lineup as Corey Hodick suffered a knee injury in the last game of the football season. Right now it looks like Matt Rava and Anthony Koulavongsa are the only solid starters at this point. Gabe Wilson, Matt Mischello, Mike MaMa Avvisato, Tony Goodall, Mario Martinelli, and Ryan Janesko are the others in the mix for starting spots right now.
We will find out more as we go. Looks like Hodick could be back for next weekend, but I am sure things will be taken cautiously.
First basketball game is next Saturday as the Badger Tourney opens up with a game against Wyoming Area.
Stay tuned for more.....
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Almost Christmas
Okay... So its not Christmas just yet. But here is a take on the Christmas Classic, Christmas Vacation...
Almost Christmas
Okay... So its not Christmas just yet. But here is a take on the Christmas Classic, Christmas Vacation...
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Working on a Dream...
Here is a offering of the studio version of Bruce's new song, Working on a Dream.
The Boss will release his new E-Street album a week before the Super Bowl in 2009.
The Boss will release his new E-Street album a week before the Super Bowl in 2009.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
How the Blue Devils can win the D2 title
Blogger's Note: This was my column that appeared in last week's Sunday Dispatch (www.psdispatch.com). I have received a few compliments on it (pat-pat on back), so I thought I would share it with the Blogging World. Enjoy!
I know. Just by reading the headline, you now know for sure that I am certifiably nuts.
And it might actually be so. But as a community sports writer, I need to find the positive in everything in covering Old Forge. So, here is my take on how the Blue Devils – a 42-6 loser to start the season to the arch-rival Vikes – can beat Riverside next Friday night for the District 2 Title.
DO NOT KICK TO KLEBON! If that statement isn’t obvious, I don’t know what else would be. But it wasn’t obvious to Dunmore last week. And as I stood on the sideline in disbelief, the senior stud tailback took the opening kickoff 95 yards to paydirt as the house erupted and totally deflated the previously undefeated Bucks. Squib kick, pooch kick, onside kick. It doesn’t matter where Riverside gets the ball, they can score from anywhere at anytime. Just don’t let them deflate you immediately after a score with a run back.
KEEP THE BALL AWAY FROM THE VIKES OFFENSE… I know that is easier said than done, but ball control is a must. Just like you wouldn’t kickoff to Joe Klebon, you must keep the ball out of not only his hands on offense, but also Riverside’s other playmakers: Jay Velehoski, Matt and Corey Talerico, Ryan Chisdock, Kevin Sochovka and Corey Schuster. That means hand the ball to Brian Morris, Jon Kaville, Jim Tagliaferri, Anthony Pero and whoever else, 50 to 60 times. If Old Forge must pass, throw the pigskin short and in the middle of the field. Keep the clock ticking, and don’t give Riverside’s athletes any chance to jump the routes or their pass rushers extra time to get to Corey Hodick. And you know what else? Don’t punt on fourth down. Go for it no matter where you are. Again, Riverside can score from 80 yards on one play or 20 yards on one play. Run the clock.
WHEN THE VIKES HAVE THE BALL… Pray. And make them earn every yard. So that means Old Forge is going to have to pick their poison. Either stack up against the run with 8 and 9 guys in the box or gamble with multiple DBs to try and stop the pass. Personally, I am stacking up against the run. Clogging holes. Getting as many hats on Klebon and Talerico. And pressuring Velehoski when he drops back to pass. That is going to put a lot of pressure on DBs Bob Vieira, Dustin Slack, Brian Morris and Gabe Wilson, but it needs to be done. If you zone up with them, they are going to run by you. If you are going to get beat, it might as well be man-for-man. Remember one other thing Old Forge DBs, pass interference is only a 15-yard penalty. So if you are beat deep with the ball in the air, start grabbing and tackling. No big plays! That is our mantra. Put more guys in the box and make them block 7 or 8 with five or six guys. Get to the QB faster than he could dump the ball to either Talerico or Klebon and you have a chance. Otherwise, go back to praying.
NO BIG PLAYS, NO TURNOVERS, NO PENALTIES…. You need to play the perfect game. That doesn’t mean executing every offensive or defensive snap to perfection, but it does mean no big plays, no turnovers and especially, no penalties. Riverside is extremely talented and diverse already. Do not give them any advantage by allowing a big play, or coughing up the football, or getting a personal foul penalty on a big third down play.
PLAY EVERY PLAY AS IF IT IS YOUR LAST… Because you know what Blue Devils, it is. This group of seniors have won 25 games in three years for Old Forge, and if they want to win No. 26, they have to play at a high level of intensity for the entire game. The Vikes may be more talented, but if the Blue Devils can play more inspired, more desperate, more heart-filled football, that can win you a game when the team across from you isn’t expecting it and is looking ahead – which Riverside is most definitely doing.
Well those are my five keys to beating the Vikes.
Call me crazy. Call me irrational. Call me biased. Call me stupid.
Just don’t call me late for dinner. A dinner you will owe me when the Blue Devils pull off the biggest upset in the history of this rivalry.
Old Forge 28, Riverside 27
I know. Just by reading the headline, you now know for sure that I am certifiably nuts.
And it might actually be so. But as a community sports writer, I need to find the positive in everything in covering Old Forge. So, here is my take on how the Blue Devils – a 42-6 loser to start the season to the arch-rival Vikes – can beat Riverside next Friday night for the District 2 Title.
DO NOT KICK TO KLEBON! If that statement isn’t obvious, I don’t know what else would be. But it wasn’t obvious to Dunmore last week. And as I stood on the sideline in disbelief, the senior stud tailback took the opening kickoff 95 yards to paydirt as the house erupted and totally deflated the previously undefeated Bucks. Squib kick, pooch kick, onside kick. It doesn’t matter where Riverside gets the ball, they can score from anywhere at anytime. Just don’t let them deflate you immediately after a score with a run back.
KEEP THE BALL AWAY FROM THE VIKES OFFENSE… I know that is easier said than done, but ball control is a must. Just like you wouldn’t kickoff to Joe Klebon, you must keep the ball out of not only his hands on offense, but also Riverside’s other playmakers: Jay Velehoski, Matt and Corey Talerico, Ryan Chisdock, Kevin Sochovka and Corey Schuster. That means hand the ball to Brian Morris, Jon Kaville, Jim Tagliaferri, Anthony Pero and whoever else, 50 to 60 times. If Old Forge must pass, throw the pigskin short and in the middle of the field. Keep the clock ticking, and don’t give Riverside’s athletes any chance to jump the routes or their pass rushers extra time to get to Corey Hodick. And you know what else? Don’t punt on fourth down. Go for it no matter where you are. Again, Riverside can score from 80 yards on one play or 20 yards on one play. Run the clock.
WHEN THE VIKES HAVE THE BALL… Pray. And make them earn every yard. So that means Old Forge is going to have to pick their poison. Either stack up against the run with 8 and 9 guys in the box or gamble with multiple DBs to try and stop the pass. Personally, I am stacking up against the run. Clogging holes. Getting as many hats on Klebon and Talerico. And pressuring Velehoski when he drops back to pass. That is going to put a lot of pressure on DBs Bob Vieira, Dustin Slack, Brian Morris and Gabe Wilson, but it needs to be done. If you zone up with them, they are going to run by you. If you are going to get beat, it might as well be man-for-man. Remember one other thing Old Forge DBs, pass interference is only a 15-yard penalty. So if you are beat deep with the ball in the air, start grabbing and tackling. No big plays! That is our mantra. Put more guys in the box and make them block 7 or 8 with five or six guys. Get to the QB faster than he could dump the ball to either Talerico or Klebon and you have a chance. Otherwise, go back to praying.
NO BIG PLAYS, NO TURNOVERS, NO PENALTIES…. You need to play the perfect game. That doesn’t mean executing every offensive or defensive snap to perfection, but it does mean no big plays, no turnovers and especially, no penalties. Riverside is extremely talented and diverse already. Do not give them any advantage by allowing a big play, or coughing up the football, or getting a personal foul penalty on a big third down play.
PLAY EVERY PLAY AS IF IT IS YOUR LAST… Because you know what Blue Devils, it is. This group of seniors have won 25 games in three years for Old Forge, and if they want to win No. 26, they have to play at a high level of intensity for the entire game. The Vikes may be more talented, but if the Blue Devils can play more inspired, more desperate, more heart-filled football, that can win you a game when the team across from you isn’t expecting it and is looking ahead – which Riverside is most definitely doing.
Well those are my five keys to beating the Vikes.
Call me crazy. Call me irrational. Call me biased. Call me stupid.
Just don’t call me late for dinner. A dinner you will owe me when the Blue Devils pull off the biggest upset in the history of this rivalry.
Old Forge 28, Riverside 27
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
The Great British Poets
From the movie Bye Bye Love... a very underrated movie starring Matthew Modine, this is a cover of a Beatles song by Ben Taylor, son of legendary muscians James Taylor and Carly Simon. Enjoy!
Check it out...
The Godfather of Old Forge tshirts has given us another work of art to purchase.
Check here for this year's hot Pizza TShirt... http://oldforgepizza.blogspot.com/
Check here for this year's hot Pizza TShirt... http://oldforgepizza.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
The Truth is Funny sometimes....
From pantherrants.com Pitt is the Billy Hoyle of the Big East. Billy Hoyle was the white guy off "White Men Can't Jump" who couldn't help himself to bitch something up every time he had some sort of good luck come his way. When I think of the Rutgers game, I think of the part where Billy had three chances to prove his buddy Sidney that he could dunk. He failed on all three attempts.As for the loss, I'm reminded when Billy when home at night to his woman and he just mutters "It Happened Again.......".Gloria represents the Pitt fan base. Just when when Pitt fans think you've come around, you do something to turn them away again. It happened with Bowling Green. Now it's Rutgers. You made Mike Teel into a Heisman candidate in one afternoon. 54 points to a team who hasn't done much offensively this season. The rest of the season doesn't get any better. Just make the trip to Toronto and be done with it.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Check out Mondesi's House....
Scroll down to the part where it says something about missing Pittsburgh to find my list...
http://mondesishouse.blogspot.com/index.html
http://mondesishouse.blogspot.com/index.html
Beviglia's Black Ice
Jimmy B is back at it this week with his review of AC/DC's new album, Black Ice.
Check out his review here... BLACK ICE
Check out his review here... BLACK ICE
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Quote of the Year
“Even though they are a bad team, it is a great win for us. It’s like beating the Browns.”--- OFHS senior safety Dustin Slack after the Blue Devils beat Lackawanna Trail, 38-14.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Can you name this person?
This is a famous person. Some people think it could be Jesus Christ. I am not too sure myself. Who do you think it is? The answer will follow next week.
The Cathedral of Learning
Loved this photo of the Cathedral. The display is part of the City of Pittsburgh's 250th Birthday celebration. I am waiting for Tim's rendition of this photo.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Joe Pa-Torre
Take a good look... Can you tell the difference?
I can't... Much like JoePa running three straight plays into the middle of a defense on the goal line, Joe Torre has no idea how to handle a pitching staff.
Don't give me that 13 straight seasons in the playoff bull. Or the four World Series rings. Or whatever.
The guy is simply the Phil Jackson of baseball. Give me Derek Jeter, Roger Juice Clemens, Bernie Williams, Mariano Riviera and a load of talent and ill win... Just like give me Jordan, Pippen, Kobe, and Shaq and ill be the Zen master...
First off. Game 2. Chad Billingsly pitching. The kid is 24. He is a rookie. He is in front of 45,000 maniacs in Philly and has just given up a few straight hits and runs. How about taking a visit to the mound to calm him down? Jeez.
But no. What does Joe PaTorre do? He leaves the kid out there by himself until he gives up 7 straight hits and four runs. Game over. Hopefull not career over. We will see tonight.
Then. Game 4. Dodgers are back in it after winning Game 3. Although I didn't like the decision of D-Lowe on three days rest, it worked out for 5 innings and a 3-2 Dodgers lead.
Would it have worked out for 6? Who knows? Cuz Joe PaTorre yanks one of the best post-season pitchers in MLB history for the YOUNGEST player in the majors - 20 year old Clayton Kershaw.
Now Clay may become a great Dodgers pitcher, but does he need to be put in the biggest spot in current Dodgers history? NO!
Leave D-Lowe out there for a few batters. See what happens. Instead Clay gives up a few hits and a run to tie the game.
The Dodgers come right back and go ahead 5-3, so lets bring in Kuo. Huo pitches great. So great, Joe PaTorre takes him out!!! WHAT?!?!?!?!
Too much overmanaging....
But let's not bring in Broxton to shut things down. Let's bring in Cory Wade - another youngin - to throw some gas on the fire.
Sure enough, 5-5, after the Flyin Hawaiian's homer. Now we bring in Broxton. POW two-run homer to Matt Stairs. GAME OVER!
Way to manage Joe PaTorre. Let's see what you do in LA next year without Manny, D-Lowe and possibly even Furcal.
I'm sick of people saying what a great job Joe did this year. The Dodgers STUNK all year until Manny showed up. They better throw the farm at Manny so he stays and keeps LA baseball exciting.
If not.. might as well get rid of Joe or else the Dodgers will be just like the Braves and Mets Torre managed in the 70s and 80s - JUNK!
I can't... Much like JoePa running three straight plays into the middle of a defense on the goal line, Joe Torre has no idea how to handle a pitching staff.
Don't give me that 13 straight seasons in the playoff bull. Or the four World Series rings. Or whatever.
The guy is simply the Phil Jackson of baseball. Give me Derek Jeter, Roger Juice Clemens, Bernie Williams, Mariano Riviera and a load of talent and ill win... Just like give me Jordan, Pippen, Kobe, and Shaq and ill be the Zen master...
First off. Game 2. Chad Billingsly pitching. The kid is 24. He is a rookie. He is in front of 45,000 maniacs in Philly and has just given up a few straight hits and runs. How about taking a visit to the mound to calm him down? Jeez.
But no. What does Joe PaTorre do? He leaves the kid out there by himself until he gives up 7 straight hits and four runs. Game over. Hopefull not career over. We will see tonight.
Then. Game 4. Dodgers are back in it after winning Game 3. Although I didn't like the decision of D-Lowe on three days rest, it worked out for 5 innings and a 3-2 Dodgers lead.
Would it have worked out for 6? Who knows? Cuz Joe PaTorre yanks one of the best post-season pitchers in MLB history for the YOUNGEST player in the majors - 20 year old Clayton Kershaw.
Now Clay may become a great Dodgers pitcher, but does he need to be put in the biggest spot in current Dodgers history? NO!
Leave D-Lowe out there for a few batters. See what happens. Instead Clay gives up a few hits and a run to tie the game.
The Dodgers come right back and go ahead 5-3, so lets bring in Kuo. Huo pitches great. So great, Joe PaTorre takes him out!!! WHAT?!?!?!?!
Too much overmanaging....
But let's not bring in Broxton to shut things down. Let's bring in Cory Wade - another youngin - to throw some gas on the fire.
Sure enough, 5-5, after the Flyin Hawaiian's homer. Now we bring in Broxton. POW two-run homer to Matt Stairs. GAME OVER!
Way to manage Joe PaTorre. Let's see what you do in LA next year without Manny, D-Lowe and possibly even Furcal.
I'm sick of people saying what a great job Joe did this year. The Dodgers STUNK all year until Manny showed up. They better throw the farm at Manny so he stays and keeps LA baseball exciting.
If not.. might as well get rid of Joe or else the Dodgers will be just like the Braves and Mets Torre managed in the 70s and 80s - JUNK!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Woody meets Larry
I have been meaning to post this for about a month now... Let's hope it isn't a jinx.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Mr. Rooney
As we walked thru the South Plaza at Heinz Field I said to Dr. Mando, "Look. That's Art Rooney."
Dr. Mando: "You sure?"
Me: "Mr. Rooney, Good Luck tonight."
Mr. Rooney: "Thanks."
Garu: "Let's get a picture with him."
Me: "Naw. Let's not bother him."
Garu: "Mr. Rooney, how about a picture?"
Mr. Rooney: "Sure"
Friday, September 26, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Here is what the Brits think of Scranton.....
I couldn't agree more....The American Office is back on American TV. And all the Americans I know are rabbiting on about how it's the greatest show on TV ever.
It clearly isn't. Not when Star Stories is on BBC America. But you can see why they're excited. The Office deals with race and alienation and the sheer banality of everyday life in a way that is truly revolutionary for the American sitcom. And this excites a certain part of America greatly.
This year saw the second Office convention in Scranton - the boring town in northeast Pennsylvania that stands in for the Brit original's Slough (even though it's actually shot in California.)
Scranton has also become the new Peoria - the legendary political litmus test for the US presidential election. It came to prominence during the primaries as Hilary Clinton's (sorta) hometown. Turns out that Democratic vice-presidential candidate Joe Biden is also (kinda) from Scranton.
And so - with grim inevitability - "hard scrabble" Scranton changed from a boring shithole that nobody cared about, into a marvelous microcosm of authentic, blue collar, domestic beer drinking, "hard working" America; and was namechecked by Democrats and Republicans alike as exactly the sort of economically-depressed, white, working class dump Obama has to win to have any chance of becoming president.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Offense was offensive.. so were the Eagles fans
I reluctantly made the trip to Lincoln Obnoxious Field on Sunday to take in the Steelers-Eagles game.Much of the reason I took the trip was the fact that I ended up in the Verizon Luxury Box with the Honorable Jim Wansacz. It was safe in there.
It wasn't safe in the stadium though.
Exhibit A: Doc Mando and Iron Mike Lettieri sat in the lower level in what would be considered club seats at Heinz. The dynamic duo were not knadily clad in jerseys. Heck. Doc Beeper didnt even have a jersey or any Steeler garb on. Yet they needed to call security at some point of the game.
Exhibit B: Dave Barbetti was with the Frican Rican and his son, Frican Rican Jr. who were both Eagles fans. That trio was in the lower level of the endzone and Barbetti felt the rath. It didn't help that he had his own personalized Steelers jersey on, but that is still no reason to be abused. Especially if you are not acting like an idiot.
I must say the Eagles fans I tailgated with were great. The boys from VV were very friendly and didn't bust balls once. Not even after the game. They even stuck up for the honorable and I when a few Eagles fans walking by tried to goad us into a confrontation.
So I say good riddance Philadelphia Phootball. Maybe its bad karma why you do not have any Super Bowl titles. Your fans are JERKS, so you have no RINGS!
NONE OF THE ABOVE!!!!
Well it was bound to start sooner or later - The Presidential election. On one hand we have the Democrats with a young black candidate and and old man while on the other hand we have the Republicans with an old man and a young female candidate .
Obama is way too experienced to run the country - no matter his race - yet according to local historians and social experts, he would get to run it for too long, because they guess he will provide for a presidential assassination atttempt that we have not seen since the 80s.
That would leave the USA with Joe Biden who really isnt that bad of an alternative, except he was born and raised in Scranton and has served his country as a Senator from Delaware. One might say those two places are pretty inconsequential when it comes to presidential polictics and I would have to agree.McCain is probably a few days away from dying of natual causes or falling into senility. Other than that I like the man. And I probably would have voted for him until he selected his VP.
Sarah Palin. Now don't get me wrong. It has nothing to do with her being a woman. I would have stumped for Hillary had she been the Dem candidate. Heck. If McCain gets elected I cant wait for the Presidential Playboy pictorial when Palin is sworn in after McCain dies.
But just because Palin could be a playmate doesn't make her a viable veep. The woman is just plain dumb from what I can see. I mean how did she become governor? I know Alaska is inconsequential and only like 50 people are unfrozen enough to be able to vote, but cmon?
Charlie Gibson made her look like a nitwit. And Charlie is a nice guy reporter. Imagine if he was IMUS!!!
Anyway I digress. I know it sounds as if Im headed in the Obama direction, but there are just too many questions with him also.
Is he an American? African? Hawaiian? What?
Is he Christian? Muslin? Follower of Michael Jackson?
I mean if Slick Willie was a black guy in a white man's body, then Barry is the opposite. Did you see that guy play hoops on ESPN? Silk Parker has better moves.
SO I am here today to tell you to get informed with both candidates and to VOTE!VOTE NONE OF THE ABOVE!!!!!
That's right. Vote Monty Brewster! None of the Above!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooal
Cousin J scored the first goal of his varsity career on Thursday night with an unassisted blast from the right side of the field.The goal tied the Blue Devils match with Lakeland at 1. But the Chiefs proved to be too much and took the win, 3-1.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
The Omen Part XLIII
When I saw this photo on ESPN.com, the first thing that hit me was Steelers-Cowboys. But the second thing that hit me almost instantaineously as the first was the No. 7 and the No. 9
OR No. 79 - my number.
Let's cross our fingers for this matchup in Tampa on Feb. 1
Where's Waldo?
The following is my story on Saturday night's game that was SUPPOSED to be posted on the Dispatch Website (www.psdispatch.com)
When I posted it, it did appear on the site, but by Sunday morning it had been moved off of the site by some unknown mythical force.
So, here it is...
Hodick rallies Blue Devils to victory
BY RICK NOTARI
DISPATCH STAFF
Corey Hodick has only been the quarterback of the Old Forge football team for eight quarters. But if the final drive of last night's 21-14 come-from-behind victory over Holy Redeemer at Wilkes-Barre Memorial Stadium is any indication, Head Coach Mike Schuback will not have to worry about production from the leader of his offense.
Hodick rallied the Blue Devils as he accounted for 75 of the Blue Devils 80 yards on a nine-play scoring drive that started with 4:25 left in the game.
“I'm glad we worked the two-minute drill in practice this week,” Schuback said after the game. “Hodick has a heck of an arm, and when he is confident, you can can see what he can do. He is a heck of an athlete. I am proud of the way he stepped up tonight.”
Trailing 14-13 and pinned at their 20 yard line, the Blue Devils calmly went to the two-minute offense and mixed in four runs and five passes as Hodick had the ball in his hands for seven of the nine plays.
The senior signal caller scrambled for nine yards on first down after his four receivers in Old Forge's spread package were covered downfield. On seco nd-and-1, Hodick handed to tailback Brian Morris for a two-yard gain and a first down.
Hodick then went to the air on three consecutive plays, hitting three different receivers for 39 yards. First Hodick hit Morris for an 18-yard gain, before finding Jon Kaville for six yards over the middle and Bob Vieira for 15 yards to set up a first down at the Holy Redeemer 30.
The first-year quarterback then used his feet to gain 15 yards as he was forced out of the pocket, scrambling to the Royals 15.
Hodick then hit Vieira again for a 10-yard gain, and after keeping it himself for a two yards on first-and-goal, Morris took the handoff and bulled up the middle for the three-yard touchdown.
“Before coach sent me out there he said, 'its gut check time,' said Hodick of the last drive. “The team stepped up. We dug down and showed a lot of heart.”
Old Forge holder Dustin Slack kept the ball himself on a designed two-point play, and the Blue Devils led 21-14 with 1:46 left in the game.
The game began in a steady rain with neither team able to do much with the football. But on Old Forge's second possession, Hodick hooked up with Gave Wilson for 18 yards and a first down in Royals territory.
Two runs for 23 yards by Morris set up the Blue Devils first-and-goal at the 3, but the Redeemer defense stopped Morris on the next play before two Hodick incompletions.
Schuback called for Matt Rava to attempt the 20-yard field goal, but the attempt was blocked, turning the ball back over the the Royals.
After holding Redeemer to just six yards on six plays – including a sack by Niko Manetti and Mark Zambetti for a nine-yard loss, Old Forge (1-1) went on a 13-play, 61-yard scoring drive.
Morris started the drive with an eight-yard run, and rushing for 25 yards on four carries and caught one pass for 23 yards as Old Forge had first-and-goal from the Royals 5.
Kaville carried for two yards on first down, and on second down, Jim Tagliaferri picked up a fumbled snap and ran around his right side for his first touchdown of the season with 8:00 left in the first half. Rava booted the the PAT and Old Forge led 7-0.
Holy Redeemer answered thanks to two Old Forge turnovers on their next two possessions. The Royals intercepted Hodick on the Blue Devils next series, and when Old Forge forced Redeemer to punt, the hosts recovered a fumbled punt on the 3-yard line.
Three plays later, Redeemer cashed in and tied the game at 7-7.
Old Forge took the lead late in the first half after Slack intercepted a pass at the Royals 48 and returned it to the six yard line to set the Blue Devils up with 56 seconds left in the third.
Hodick scored two plays later after scrambling away from a rush for a 13-7 lead.
The teams played scoreless in the third quarter, but the Royals took its only lead of the game after intercepting Hodick for the second time in the game at the Blue Devils 26 yard line.
Six plays later, Redeemer tied the game on a one-yard run with 10:27 remaining in the game. The PAT put the Royals ahead 14-13.
“This day couldn't come fast enough,” said Schuback in reference to getting back on the field following last week's loss to arch-rival Riverside. “I don't know if the conditions and the wait had us a little squirrelly, but once we adjusted we were find.
“I give Holy Redeemer a lot of credit. They were tough tonight.”
When I posted it, it did appear on the site, but by Sunday morning it had been moved off of the site by some unknown mythical force.
So, here it is...
Hodick rallies Blue Devils to victory
BY RICK NOTARI
DISPATCH STAFF
Corey Hodick has only been the quarterback of the Old Forge football team for eight quarters. But if the final drive of last night's 21-14 come-from-behind victory over Holy Redeemer at Wilkes-Barre Memorial Stadium is any indication, Head Coach Mike Schuback will not have to worry about production from the leader of his offense.
Hodick rallied the Blue Devils as he accounted for 75 of the Blue Devils 80 yards on a nine-play scoring drive that started with 4:25 left in the game.
“I'm glad we worked the two-minute drill in practice this week,” Schuback said after the game. “Hodick has a heck of an arm, and when he is confident, you can can see what he can do. He is a heck of an athlete. I am proud of the way he stepped up tonight.”
Trailing 14-13 and pinned at their 20 yard line, the Blue Devils calmly went to the two-minute offense and mixed in four runs and five passes as Hodick had the ball in his hands for seven of the nine plays.
The senior signal caller scrambled for nine yards on first down after his four receivers in Old Forge's spread package were covered downfield. On seco nd-and-1, Hodick handed to tailback Brian Morris for a two-yard gain and a first down.
Hodick then went to the air on three consecutive plays, hitting three different receivers for 39 yards. First Hodick hit Morris for an 18-yard gain, before finding Jon Kaville for six yards over the middle and Bob Vieira for 15 yards to set up a first down at the Holy Redeemer 30.
The first-year quarterback then used his feet to gain 15 yards as he was forced out of the pocket, scrambling to the Royals 15.
Hodick then hit Vieira again for a 10-yard gain, and after keeping it himself for a two yards on first-and-goal, Morris took the handoff and bulled up the middle for the three-yard touchdown.
“Before coach sent me out there he said, 'its gut check time,' said Hodick of the last drive. “The team stepped up. We dug down and showed a lot of heart.”
Old Forge holder Dustin Slack kept the ball himself on a designed two-point play, and the Blue Devils led 21-14 with 1:46 left in the game.
The game began in a steady rain with neither team able to do much with the football. But on Old Forge's second possession, Hodick hooked up with Gave Wilson for 18 yards and a first down in Royals territory.
Two runs for 23 yards by Morris set up the Blue Devils first-and-goal at the 3, but the Redeemer defense stopped Morris on the next play before two Hodick incompletions.
Schuback called for Matt Rava to attempt the 20-yard field goal, but the attempt was blocked, turning the ball back over the the Royals.
After holding Redeemer to just six yards on six plays – including a sack by Niko Manetti and Mark Zambetti for a nine-yard loss, Old Forge (1-1) went on a 13-play, 61-yard scoring drive.
Morris started the drive with an eight-yard run, and rushing for 25 yards on four carries and caught one pass for 23 yards as Old Forge had first-and-goal from the Royals 5.
Kaville carried for two yards on first down, and on second down, Jim Tagliaferri picked up a fumbled snap and ran around his right side for his first touchdown of the season with 8:00 left in the first half. Rava booted the the PAT and Old Forge led 7-0.
Holy Redeemer answered thanks to two Old Forge turnovers on their next two possessions. The Royals intercepted Hodick on the Blue Devils next series, and when Old Forge forced Redeemer to punt, the hosts recovered a fumbled punt on the 3-yard line.
Three plays later, Redeemer cashed in and tied the game at 7-7.
Old Forge took the lead late in the first half after Slack intercepted a pass at the Royals 48 and returned it to the six yard line to set the Blue Devils up with 56 seconds left in the third.
Hodick scored two plays later after scrambling away from a rush for a 13-7 lead.
The teams played scoreless in the third quarter, but the Royals took its only lead of the game after intercepting Hodick for the second time in the game at the Blue Devils 26 yard line.
Six plays later, Redeemer tied the game on a one-yard run with 10:27 remaining in the game. The PAT put the Royals ahead 14-13.
“This day couldn't come fast enough,” said Schuback in reference to getting back on the field following last week's loss to arch-rival Riverside. “I don't know if the conditions and the wait had us a little squirrelly, but once we adjusted we were find.
“I give Holy Redeemer a lot of credit. They were tough tonight.”
Saturday, September 6, 2008
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