Monthly Archives: December 2009
Just how good can Northland be?
Fresh off a state championship last basketball season, the Northland Vikings, who have become the pride of not only Columbus but all of Ohio, return virtually the entire roster from a year ago and are only getting better. Led by the best big man in the country, Jared Sullinger, this team is composed of D-1 talent at every position and is destined to run the table yet again after winning their first two games against Cincinnati Aiken and Huntington Prep out of West Virginia, which happens to be the alma mater of OJ Mayo and Patrick Patterson. Aside from Sullinger, the Vikings boast Ohio State commit JD Weatherspoon, a 6’6″ small forward that has drawn comparisons to LeBron James in terms of overall athleticism.
Cribbs, Browns send Steelers home with a loss
On a day where Brady Quinn’s alma mater entered a new era with Brian Kelly, the trend of losing in Cleveland froze just as the weather suggested. With wind chills reaching -15 degrees, the 1-11 Cleveland Browns virtually ended any playoff reservations the defending Super Bowl champs were hoping to make.
Led surprisngly by a stout defensive assault, Rob Ryan’s bunch got pressure all night on Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger who continued to struggle, completing 18 passes for 201 yards, but failed to get the ball into the endzone. The Browns, on the otherhand were far from a Mistake by the Lake on Thurs
day night, gashing the usually tough Pittsburgh run game for 171 rushing yards and a touchdown, the first by any Browns running back in over six games. Using the wildcat extensively with five tool hybrid wideout Josh Cribbs, the Kent State alum bruised the Steelers for 191 all purpose yards and a key rush on third down which saw Cribbs break mulitple tackles for a 16 yard gain and kept the ball in the Browns’ possession.
Coming off a 30-23 loss to the San Diego Chargers last week, hopes were high for Eric Mangini’s club and the usually ill fated Cleveland fan base was sent home with a victory behind the performance of a defense that was filled with no names who have been given their chance this season. A key example is Marcus Benard, a 24 year old Jackson State grad who coming into the game had three tackles in his NFL career. Blowing past the right side of the Pittsburgh offensive line, Benard collected two sacks and lived up to his nickname, “King Kong Benard.” Also important in the constant pressure put on Roethlisberger was Corey Williams, the constantly criticized six year vet who also had two sacks and five total tackles. Along with Benard and Williams, Brian Schaefering, David Bowens, Hank Poteat and Kaluka Maiava collected sacks, who?
This has been the story all year long for this Browns team. With a roster full of fill in’s and add on’s, this group has proven to Mangini that they can play and with 11 draft picks in the next upcoming NFL Draft, the future looks bright in Cleveland. If this rag tag group of players can send the defending champs home with a loss and end their playoff hopes, imagine what this team can do when given a doze of talent.
Aside from Cribbs, Chris Jennings took a load of the carries tonight, running the ball 20 times for 73 yards and a 15 yard scamper late in the second quarter. When it seemed the wheels were reading to fall off late in the game, the defense once again stepped up for the Browns and made sure the reeling Steelers would go back to Pittsburgh with an unprecedented fifth straight loss and an invitation to the golf course this January.
How does it feel Pittsburgh?
Tough defense helps New Albany defeat Hilliard Bradley
The New Albany student section came to Hilliard Bradley wearing camouflage. A war is what they were prepared for, and a war is what they got. It was a defensive battle last night in Jaguar Gym, and New Albany came out on top 51-35, thanks to a stellar 2nd half effort, giving up only 11 points in the final 16 minutes. The Eagles (2-0, 1-0 OCC Capital) were led by
Jaguars jump on Thomas early; earn first victory ever
When the ball was tipped Friday night at Thomas Worthington, a new page in history was written for Memorial Gym. But it’s one that Cardinal fans will want to forget quickly. Hilliard Bradley (1-0, 0-0) dominated from the opening tip, starting the game out up 8-0, en route to a
Tebow could go down as the greatest ever
As the Florida Gators head to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game to face #2 Alabama, this will be Tim Tebow’s final game in the almighty conference which everyone fears. With a victory, Tebow could truly go down as one of the greatest college football players of all time. A second straight win against Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide would give Tebow his third conference title, a spot in his third national championship game and presumably his second Heisman Trophy.
