Monday, May 31, 2010

Swashbucklers Down Columbus 51-31 In SIFL Football Action.

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2010 TexSport Publications

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (May 29, 2010) In a must win game to keep a chance of a home field advantage for the first round of the playoffs, the Louisiana Swashbucklers manhandled the Columbus Lions 51-31 in Southern Indoor Football League action at the Lake Charles Civic Center.

Swashbucklers quarterback Freddie Harrison went 10 for 23 and two touchdowns in the air, while Kendrick Perry had 16 carries for 108 yards and one touchdown.

The Swashbucklers and the Lions were pretty much even in terms of offense statistics. Louisiana had 274 total yards (146 rushing and 128 passing) while Columbus had 252 total yards (7 rushing and 245 passing).

The time of possession was also fairly equal; with Columbus controlling the ball 30 minutes 58 seconds and Louisiana having possession 29 minutes 2 seconds.

What made the difference in the scoring was 3rd down conversions. Louisiana managed to convert six of eight on 3rd down, while the Lions could only manage to convert two of their six attempts.

The Swashbucklers’ used a balanced offensive attack, with five players getting on the scoreboard.

Wide receiver Sammy Knight caught six passes for 97 yards and one touchdown, while fellow receiver Damian Henderson caught one pass for 13 yards, which lead to another touchdown.

Philip O’Neal also added to the scoring frenzy, rushing for 10 yards on two carries and one touchdown.

Kicker Blake Bercegeay booted two field goals for 25 yards and 31 yards, along with six extra points and two “uno” scores on kickoffs.

Columbus quarterback Chris McCoy completed 27 passes on 44 attempts, threw one interception, and scored two passing touchdowns; the longest of 29 yards. He was sacked three times.

The Swashbucklers will next face off against their I-10 rivals, the Lafayette Wildcatters (3-4) on Saturday, while the Lions will play the league leading Albany Panthers (6-1) at home.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Second Round Action Kicks Off At Valero Texas Open

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2010 TexSport Publications

SAN ANTONIO (May 15, 2010) With the ground crew working right up to tee time to prepare the course from overnight rains, the second round of the Valero Texas Open kicked off Saturday morning at the TPC San Antonio and the JW Marriott Hill County Resort and Spa.

Heavy rains canceled Friday’s second round, which began play Saturday, with the possibility of 36-holes being played on Sunday or the final round being rescheduled until Monday.

Tournament director Slugger White said, “A lot is going to depend on what we do tomorrow weather-wise, how much play we get. So probably, I would think, early to mid-afternoon we'll know a little more about what's going on Sunday.”

154 players were set to tee off Saturday with first round leader Matt Jones scheduled to begin at 1:50pm. Jones shot six under par 66 to lead the field after Thursday’s first round.

Paul Stankowski, who fired a five under par 67 to finish the first round, is scheduled for a 1:10pm tee time.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Rain Washes Out Round Two at Valero Texas Open

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2010 TexSport Publications

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (May 14, 2010) Heavy rain rolled into San Antonio early Friday morning and washed out the second round of the Valero Texas Open as PGA officials said more bad weather this weekend could push the tournament into Monday.

Over three inches of rain soaked the Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio, where leader Matt Jones and the rest of the field never got to tee off. Officials delayed the start for more than seven hours before calling Friday’s round a washout.

PGA officials will attempt to begin the second round Saturday morning as first round leader Mark Jones has a one-stroke lead over Paul Stankowski.

Tournament director Slugger White stated that only the second round would be played Saturday, with the possibility that the final 36 holes could be played on Sunday.

However, White did not rule out expending play until Monday.

White was quoted “A lot is going to depend on what we do tomorrow weather-wise, how much play we get. So probably, I would think, early to mid-afternoon we'll know a little more about what's going on Sunday.”

Jones shot a 6-under par 66 on Thursday to lead the first day field, which was the best opening round of his career.

Stankowski followed with a 67, while four others shot 68.

The National Weather Service has a 30 percent chance of rain for the San Antonio area throughout the weekend.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Tickets sold out for Tonight’s Mexican National Team’s pre-World Cup match at Houston’s Reliant Stadium

HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 13, 2010) Houston’s Reliant Stadium has sold out for tonight’s international soccer match featuring the World Cup-bound Mexican National Team against the African nation of Angola, (8 p.m. CT). More than 70,000 fans are expected to attend the game in Houston, in what will be the third consecutive sell-out in “El Tri’s” May U.S. Tour.

Presented by Degree Men, the match in Houston is the last U.S. stop for El Tri prior to heading to South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Leading up to tonight’s event, Mexico inaugurated a sold-out New Meadowlands Stadium in the New York metropolitan area against Ecuador on May 7, and then traveled to Chicago on May 10 were they faced Senegal in front of a sold-out crowd at Soldier Field.

Fans attending the game in Houston are urged to arrive at the stadium early to avoid traffic and long lines, and enjoy Futbol Fiesta, an interactive fan zone of more 120,000 sq. ft. featuring live entertainment, autograph sessions by legendary Mexican players, sponsor booths and giveaways.

Futbol Fiesta will open at 4 p.m. CT in the Blue Lot, just outside of the stadium on the south end. The Blue Lot opens at 3 p.m. CT and all other stadium parking lots open at 4 p.m. CT.

Monday, May 10, 2010

COTTON BOWL STADIUM TO CONTINUE NEW YEAR’S DAY BOWL TRADITION

DALLAS, TEXAS (May 10, 2010) Cotton Bowl Stadium, second only to the famed Rose Bowl Stadium in hosting more college bowl games than any other football arena in history, will once again be the home to a New Year’s Day intercollegiate post-season football game – the Dallas Football Classic -- following next year’s regular season.

“The promise of a new bowl game helps ensure that the Cotton Bowl remains a premier venue for college football,” said Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert. “The renovated stadium is a great site for games, as well as an affordable and accessible option for teams and fans. We are excited to continue the bowl tradition at the Cotton Bowl and Fair Park.”

The nation’s newest bowl, the Dallas Football Classic will utilize a unique rotation system involving three major conferences. The Big 12 Conference, the Big Ten Conference, and Conference USA have all added the Dallas Football Classic to their future bowl line-ups, with all three agreements running through the 2013 regular season.

Following is the four-year schedule (selection placement shown for the Big Ten and Big 12 excludes BCS selections):

January 1, 2011 – Big 12 (#7) vs. Big Ten (#6)
January 1, 2012 – Conference USA vs. Big Ten (#6)
January 1, 2013 – Big 12 (#7) vs. Big Ten (#6)
January 1, 2014 – Conference USA vs. Big Ten (#6)

(Should an “at-large” selection be required, Conference USA will provide a back-up team in years 2011 and 2013, and the Big 12 will provide a back-up team in years 2012 and 2014.)

“Obviously we are honored that the Big 12, Big Ten, and Conference USA had the confidence to sign with us as we head into our inaugural season next year; they provide the key ingredients,” said bowl President Tom Starr. “In addition, we felt it was very important to land the New Year’s Day berth, because that has always been the traditional date for college bowl games. We have outstanding conferences, the best game date possible, and a beautifully refurbished stadium filled with heritage and tradition; I couldn’t be more pleased.”

The game will become official after receiving its licensing from the NCAA at the annual post-season bowl meetings next April.

Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe: “The Big 12 is pleased to have finalized its partnership with the Dallas Football Classic. This is a great location for our players, coaches, and fans. We also are excited about the match-up with a quality opponent from the Big Ten.”

Big Ten Commissioner James Delany: “The Big Ten looks forward to taking part in the inaugural Dallas Football Classic on New Year’s Day in 2011, the start of a four-year agreement to play in historic Cotton Bowl Stadium against a team from the Big 12 or Conference USA. The Big Ten has played at least one post-season game in the state of Texas in every season since 1995. With the number of Big Ten alumni in Texas, playing a post-season game in the City of Dallas is a natural fit and should provide an outstanding experience for our student-athletes, coaches, and fans.”

Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky: “For decades, college football fans have gathered at historic Cotton Bowl Stadium on New Year’s Day. We are so pleased that the tradition will continue. It is a special venue in a dynamic city. We are excited to be a part of it.”

Tickets for the Dallas Football Classic are available online at TicketMaster.com; at all TicketMaster outlets; and to charge tickets by phone, call 1-800-745-3000.