Sam Houston State slated to win 2016 Southland Conference Football title

Ph

oto by Robert Kelly
Copyright 2016, All Rights Reserved 

From Southland Conference Press Release

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (July 27, 2016) Sam Houston State, which is coming off an 11-4 season and a run to the national semifinals, was picked as the favorite heading into the 2016 season as voted on by the league’s coaches and sports information directors, the league announced Wednesday at its annual media day at L’auberge Resort.

Sam Houston was the top pick by the coaches and the SIDs, receiving eight first-place votes and 99 points total in the coaches’ poll and nine first-place votes and 99 points in the SID poll. McNeese, last year’s regular-champion, earned the final two first-place votes from the coaches and the final first-place ote from the SIDs. Coaches and SIDs could not vote for their own team.

The Bearkats will be looking for their seventh conference title and are coming off a 7-2 mark in league play last season. Sam Houston returns 16 starters and 52 lettermen, including the preseason all-conference junior wide receiver/all-purpose player Yedidiah Louis and preseason all-conference junior defensive end P.J. Hall. Last season, the Bearkats reached the semifinals last season for the fourth time in five years. Nine preseason all-conference selections return on the offensive side for Sam Houston, while five defenders who received all-conference accolades return to Huntsville.

Photo by Robert Kelly
Copyright 2016, All Rights Reserved

McNeese, which concluded last regular season as the only unbeaten FCS team at 10-0, was picked second in both polls with 92 points from the coaches and 86 from the SIDs. The Cowboys, who will be under the direction of new head coach Lance Guidry, return 13 starters and 69 letterwinners.

After finishing 7-4 overall and 7-2 in conference last season, Central Arkansas was slated third in both polls with 79 points from the coaches and 84 from the SIDs. The Bears return 10 preseason all-conference selections to a team that won four of their last five games to conclude the year.

Lamar was tabbed fourth in both polls after tying for fifth last season with a 4-5 league mark. The Cardinals, who return the league’s all-time single-season rusher in Kade Harrington, picked up 67 points in both polls.

Stephen F. Austin rounds out the top five in both polls with 60 points from the coaches and 66 from the SIDs. The Lumberjacks tied with Lamar last season at 4-5 in conference and will turn to senior quarterback Zach Conque to lead the offense.

Rounding out the final six spots in coaches’ poll are Southeastern Louisiana, Northwestern State, Abilene Christian, UIW, Nicholls and Houston Baptist. The six through 11 slots in the SID poll are listed as Northwestern, Southeastern, UIW, Abilene Christian, Nicholls and HBU.

2016 Southland Conference Preseason Polls

Coaches’ Poll

Pl.	School (First-place votes)	Pts.
1.	Sam Houston State (9)	99
2.	McNeese (2)	92
3.	Central Arkansas	79
4.	Lamar	67
5.	Stephen F. Austin	60
6.	Southeastern Louisiana	57
7.	Northwestern State	45
8.	Abilene Christian	40
9.	UIW	29
10.	Nicholls	26
11.	Houston Baptist	11

Sports Information Directors’ Poll

Pl.	School (First-place votes)	Pts.
1.	Sam Houston State (10)	100
2.	McNeese (1)	86
3.	Central Arkansas	84
4.	Lamar	67
5.	Stephen F. Austin	66
6.	Northwestern State	48
7.	Southeastern Louisiana	42
8.	UIW	39
9.	Abilene Christian	37
10.	Nicholls	26
11.	Houston Baptist	10

Houston and Vancouver battle to scoreless draw in MLS action

Photo by Darla Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2016
All Rights Reserved.

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 23, 2016) After battling for 90-plus minutes, the Houston Dynamo and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC battled to a scoreless draw in front of 16,465 fans at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston on Saturday, July 23, 2016. With the draw, the Dynamo move to 4-9-7 (19 points) in 2016 while the Whitecaps post an 8-8-6 (30 points) record.

Both teams used a strong and stingy defense in the match which saw 26 shots (17 for Houston, 9 for Vancouver) with four shots on target for both teams. The Dynamo extended their home shutout streak to 491 minutes and have not conceded a goal at BBVA Compass Stadium under interim head coach, Wade Barrett.

When questioned in the post-game press conference about if there is anything in particular the team can work on to help their recent scoring issues, Barrett responded.

“You got to keep working at it. There’s no easy answer to it. Teams go through periods like this. There are other teams in the league that have gone through the same thing, where they’re having a hard time scoring. We just kind of can’t seem to find the back of the net. But again, Will (Bruin) makes a great near post run. Makes a great chance on the ball and (Vancouver GK David) Ousted pulls it out of the top corner. Boniek (García) makes a great run across. Great shot! Goes off the inside of the post and comes back out. It just kind of seems like a couple things aren’t going our way. We had a couple good looks from the top of the box that we put off target. Will had a great chance with his right foot. We’re just a little bit off on the set pieces. Especially even when Chaco came in, he serves in a really, really dangerous ball. So we maybe have missed a couple chances there, but there’s no magic pill. Believe me, if there were then we’d have an order of them in already. We’ll just keep working at it.”

Next up for the Dynamo will be a  Sunday, July 31 matchup against the San Jose Earthquakes at 7:15 p.m. CDT. Houston fell 3-1 at San Jose on May 11 and will be looking to even the season series against former manager Dominic Kinnear.

Team USA defeats Chile 70-50 at FIBA Americas U18 to advance to semifinals

Texas freshman Jarrett Allen records a team-high
nine rebounds and two blocks in Thursday’s victory.
Photo Courtesy of USA Basketball
Used with permission

From University of Texas at Austin Athletic Communications Department Press Release

VALDIVIA, CHILE (July 21, 2016) University of Texas freshman Jarrett Allen posted a team-high nine rebounds to help Team USA (3-0) to a 70-50 victory against host Chile (1-2) in preliminary round play at the 2016 FIBA Americas U18 Championship on Thursday evening. Allen, who started the game, added four points, two blocks and one steal in 26 minutes.

UT freshman James Banks recorded two points in three minutes. Texas coach Shaka Smart is serving as head coach for the USA team.

With the victory, the Americans conclude preliminary round pool play with a 3-0 mark and advance as the top seed in Group B to the tournament semifinals. Team USA will face Brazil (2-1) at 7:15 p.m. CT on Friday, July 22 in the second semifinal, while Canada (3-0) will play Puerto Rico (2-1) at 5 p.m. CT in the first semifinal. The two semifinal winners will meet in the Gold Medal game, scheduled for 7:15 p.m. CT on Saturday, July 23.

In addition to pursuing a gold medal, the United States has earned a qualifying berth in the 2017 FIBA U19 World Championship by virtue of their top-four team finish in this tournament. All games during the FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Men will be streamed live on FIBA’s youTube channel: www.youTube.com/FIBA. 

J.J. Watt undergoes back surgery

Photo by Darla S Tamulits
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2016 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 21, 2016) It is being reported by ESPN.com that Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (shown left) underwent back surgery on Thursday, July 21, 2016. It was the second surgery in the past six months. As a result, he will begin training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list and will miss the preseason for the Texans. In January, 2016, Watt had the first procedure in which partially torn core-area muscles, three adductor and two abdominal were repaired. The defensive end has never missed a game during his time with the Texans. Houston kicks off the pre-season with an August 14, 2016 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco. They will play their first home pre-season game on August 20, 2016 against the New Orleans Saints.

HBU's Guzman, Dolan named to Pre-Season All Southland Conference team

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2016 TexSport Publications

Christian Guzman (39)
Photo by Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved

 FRISCO, TEXAS (July 21, 2016)  The Southland Conference announced the 2016 Preseason All-Conference Football Teams on Wednesday, July 20, 2016 and Houston Baptist University placed two players on the elite squad. Junior Christian Guzman, who is a punter for the Huskies and junior linebacker Garrett Dolan were named to the team, as released by the conference office.

Guzman, who played his prep football at Royal High School in Brookshire, Texas was named to the first team in the preseason all-conference team. In 2014, he was a Southland All-Conference Second-Team selection and was named to the FCA Freshman All-America First Team selection by TonySoftli.com. In 2015, he was ranked tenth nationally with a punting average of 43.6 yards.

Garrett Dolan (40)
Photo by Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved

Dolan, who was named to the second team, is a two-time post season Southland All-Conference honorable mention The Mont Belvieu, Texas, native ranked second in the conference and 13^th in the nation with 11.0 tackles per game. He recorded 110 stops, including 42 solo tackles. with 6.5 for losses, 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

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The Huskies open the 2016 season against Southland Conference foe Central Arkansas on Thursday, September 1, 2016 at Estes Stadium in Conway, Arkansas. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CDT.

Houston falls to Dallas in quarterfinals of Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

Photo by Jeremy Fletcher of Bigshots Snapshots Media Group
Used with permission.

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2016 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 21, 2016) Battling for 90 minutes without the ball finding the back of the net, midfielder Fabian Castillo found the ball loose at the top of the penalty area; skillfully maneuvering the ball past the Houston Dynamo defense and aptly scored to give FC Dallas a 1-0 win in the quarterfinal of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The match, which was contested at Houston’s BBVA Compass Stadium on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

After nearly 90 minutes of play, neither team could find a way to get the ball into the goal. It was not through lack of trying. In fact, but teams moved the ball down the field with precision. However, most of the time the advances were met with a stingy defense that seemed to be in the right place at the right time. With the win, Dallas advances to the semifinal match in the tournament; its eighth in club history.

Dynamo interim head coach Wade Barrett talked about the game in the post-game press conference.

“I thought the first half was even. They are very good at what they do, they caused a couple of problems with us picking up the ball in space and dropping in some balls behind the defense. I thought we could have done a better job preventing that. The first half was pretty even, back and forth. We talked a lot about how we wanted to address the second half. I thought we did that, I thought we looked like the team that was going to come out and get a goal. I thought we had a little bit better movement of the ball in the attacking areas, Mauro [Manotas] hit one off the post that I thought the keeper got a touch to, I thought it was a good save. We had some dangerous looks going forward, Andrew [Wenger] caused a lot of problems. I felt like we were the team that was in charge in the second half, I felt like we were the team pushing for a goal. We talked – those water breaks were a little frustrating but we had an opportunity to talk to the group and we just talked about the fact that even though we were on top of the game we had to be careful about the counter, you have to be attentive to every single play on the field and make sure that we didn’t give anything away. It’s a tough way for the game to finish out.”

Next up for the Dynamo will be a Saturday, July 23 game against Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

Team USA defeats U.S. Virgin Islands 107-63 at FIBA Americas U18

Texas freshman Jarrett Allen posts seven points,
team-high 10 rebounds and four assists in Wednesday’s win.
Photo courtesy of USA Basketball

From University of Texas at Austin Athletic Communications Department Press Release

VALDIVIA, CHILE (July 20, 2016) University of Texas freshman Jarrett Allen posted seven points, a team-high 10 rebounds and four assists to help Team USA (2-0) to a 107-63 victory against the U.S. Virgin Islands (0-2) in preliminary round play at the 2016 FIBA Americas U18 Championship on Wednesday afternoon. Allen, who started the game, added one block and one steal in 20 minutes.

UT freshman James Banks recorded one point, five rebounds and one blocked shot in 13 minutes. Texas coach Shaka Smart is serving as head coach for the USA team.

The Americans conclude preliminary round Group B play against host Chile on Thursday, July 21 at 7:15 p.m. Central.

The top two teams from each preliminary round group will advance to the semifinals on Friday, July 22. On Saturday, July 23, the semifinal winners will meet in the gold medal game, and the semifinal losers will play in the bronze medal game.

In addition to pursuing a gold medal, the top four finishing teams will earn a qualifying berth in the 2017 FIBA U19 World Championship. All games during the FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Men will be streamed live on FIBA’s youTube channel: www.youTube.com/FIBA. 

Team USA defeats Puerto Rico 103-70 in FIBA Americas U18 opener

Photo courtesy of USA Basketball and
University of Texas ar Austin
Used with permission.

From University of Texas at Austin Press Release

VALDIVIA, CHILE (July 19, 2016) University of Texas freshman Jarrett Allen posted 18 points and eight rebounds to help Team USA (1-0) to a 103-70 victory against Puerto Rico (0-1) in the opening game of the 2016 FIBA Americas U18 Championship on Tuesday afternoon. Allen, who started the game, converted 9-of-15 field goals and added one assist, one block and one steal in 21 minutes.

UT freshman James Banks recorded four points on a pair of emphatic dunks, four rebounds and one blocked shot in nine minutes. Texas coach Shaka Smart is serving as head coach for the USA team.

“I thought our guys played with really good energy,” Smart said. “We had typical first-game jitters – a lot of execution mistakes and some defensive breakdowns from a lack of communication, but the energy was really good. And I thought as the game went on, our guys really settled in and played together.”

The Americans return to the court against the U.S. Virgin Islands at 2:45 p.m. Central on Wednesday, July 20. Team USA will then conclude preliminary round Group B play against host Chile on Thursday, July 21 at 7:15 p.m. Central.

The top two teams from each preliminary round group will advance to the semifinals on Friday, July 22. On Saturday, July 23, the semifinal winners will meet in the gold medal game, and the semifinal losers will play in the bronze medal game.

In addition to pursuing a gold medal, the top four finishing teams will earn a qualifying berth in the 2017 FIBA U19 World Championship. All games during the FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Men will be streamed live on FIBA’s YouTube channel. Please follow The University of Texas’ Men’s Basketball official Twitter page (@TexasMBB) for links to live video and live stats throughout the tournament.

Houston Dash dominates Portland Thorn FC 3-0

Photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2016 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 16, 2016) The Houston Dash came into BBVA Compass Stadium on July 16, 2016 against Portland Thorn FC posting a six-game losing streak. After 90-plus minutes of play, the Dash ended that streak with a 3-0 win over theor NWSL rival in front of 5,661 fans on a humid Saturday evening.

The Dash did not waste any time in taking the early lead. Forward Rachel Daly nailed a perfect cross kick into the right side of the net past Portland goalkeeper Michelle Betos in the 7^th minute to give the Dash the 1-0 lead. Fellow forward Kealia Ohai was credited with the assist; her sixth of the season. It was the second goal of the season for the Harrogate, England native; who scored her first goal of the season against Chicago on April 16, 2016.

Houston added their second goal of the game when Rebecca Moros took a shot from 20-yards out. The ball deflected off a Thorn player and travelled right in front of Amber Brooks. The fleet-footed Brooks made a run to the six-yard box and drove it home for her first goal of the season. They added an insurance goal in the 83^rd minute when Ohai dribbled into the box past two defenders; beating Betos at the near post for her fifth goal of the season.

The game was the first multiple-goal game for Houston in 2016 and raised their season record to 3-7-1 for the season. It also improved their home record to 2-2-1 and gives them a 1-1-0 in July after a dismal 0-3-0 record in June. Both teams played without the service of key players; as they prepare for the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Next up for the Dash will be a Saturday, July 23 matchup against the Chicago Fire at Toyota Center in Chicago. They return home for a Saturday, July 30 game against Western New York Flash. 

Kaufman takes Division II title at State 7on7 Football Championship

Photo by Kirstin Kelly, TexSport Publications,
Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2016 TexSport Publications

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS (July 8, 2016) After blasting their way through pool play, Kaufman powered their way to the Division II Championship at the Texas State 7on7 Football Championship at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex in College Station, Texas on Friday, July 8, 2016. They bested Somerset by the score of 32-27 for their first state title in the 19-year history of the tournament.

Kaufman went 3-0 in pool play, downing Falls City 44-14, Reicher 29-7, and Levelland 36-27 on Thursday, July 7. They came back and played five games in seven hours in the championship round in route to the title. In their first game on Friday, July 8, they downed Wylie 24-13 in a 9 a.m. game.

Photo by Kirstin Kelly, TexSport Publications,
Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved

The came back at 10:15 a.m. to defeat Silsbee 34-28 in overtime before facing Cameron in the semi-final round. The quickly bested the Yoeman 38-18 and advanced to the semifinals to face Argyle. In the 2 p.m. game, they downed Argyle by the score of 28-21 to advance to the final against undefeated Somerset. In the consolation bracket of Division II, Grace defeated Bay City by the score of 52-27.

Kaufman takes Division II title at State 7on7 Football Championship

Photo by Kirstin Kelly, TexSport Publications,
Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2016 TexSport Publications

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS (July 8, 2016) After blasting their way through pool play, Kaufman powered their way to the Division II Championship at the Texas State 7on7 Football Championship at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex in College Station, Texas on Friday, July 8, 2016. They bested Somerset by the score of 32-27 for their first state title in the 19-year history of the tournament.

Kaufman went 3-0 in pool play, downing Falls City 44-14, Reicher 29-7, and Levelland 36-27 on Thursday, July 7. They came back and played five games in seven hours in the championship round in route to the title. In their first game on Friday, July 8, they downed Wylie 24-13 in a 9 a.m. game.

Photo by Kirstin Kelly, TexSport Publications,
Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved

The came back at 10:15 a.m. to defeat Silsbee 34-28 in overtime before facing Cameron in the semi-final round. The quickly bested the Yoeman 38-18 and advanced to the semifinals to face Argyle. In the 2 p.m. game, they downed Argyle by the score of 28-21 to advance to the final against undefeated Somerset. In the consolation bracket of Division II, Grace defeated Bay City by the score of 52-27.

Kaufman takes Division II title at State 7on7 Football Championship

Photo by Kirstin Kelly, TexSport Publications,
Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2016 TexSport Publications

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS (July 8, 2016) After blasting their way through pool play, Kaufman powered their way to the Division II Championship at the Texas State 7on7 Football Championship at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex in College Station, Texas on Friday, July 8, 2016. They bested Somerset by the score of 32-27 for their first state title in the 19-year history of the tournament.

Kaufman went 3-0 in pool play, downing Falls City 44-14, Reicher 29-7, and Levelland 36-27 on Thursday, July 7. They came back and played five games in seven hours in the championship round in route to the title. In their first game on Friday, July 8, they downed Wylie 24-13 in a 9 a.m. game.

Photo by Kirstin Kelly, TexSport Publications,
Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved

The came back at 10:15 a.m. to defeat Silsbee 34-28 in overtime before facing Cameron in the semi-final round. The quickly bested the Yoeman 38-18 and advanced to the semifinals to face Argyle. In the 2 p.m. game, they downed Argyle by the score of 28-21 to advance to the final against undefeated Somerset. In the consolation bracket of Division II, Grace defeated Bay City by the score of 52-27.

Kaufman takes Division II title at State 7on7 Football Championship

Photo by Kirstin Kelly, TexSport Publications,
Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2016 TexSport Publications

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS (July 8, 2016) After blasting their way through pool play, Kaufman powered their way to the Division II Championship at the Texas State 7on7 Football Championship at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex in College Station, Texas on Friday, July 8, 2016. They bested Somerset by the score of 32-27 for their first state title in the 19-year history of the tournament.

Kaufman went 3-0 in pool play, downing Falls City 44-14, Reicher 29-7, and Levelland 36-27 on Thursday, July 7. They came back and played five games in seven hours in the championship round in route to the title. In their first game on Friday, July 8, they downed Wylie 24-13 in a 9 a.m. game.

Photo by Kirstin Kelly, TexSport Publications,
Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved

The came back at 10:15 a.m. to defeat Silsbee 34-28 in overtime before facing Cameron in the semi-final round. The quickly bested the Yoeman 38-18 and advanced to the semifinals to face Argyle. In the 2 p.m. game, they downed Argyle by the score of 28-21 to advance to the final against undefeated Somerset. In the consolation bracket of Division II, Grace defeated Bay City by the score of 52-27.

Cruz Azul downs Monterrey 2-1 in MoneyGram SocioMX Cup

Jeremy Fletcher

Bigshots Snapshots Media

Used with permission.

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2016 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 4, 2016) In the 89^th minute, Cruz Azul got a break and scored the winning goal, giving them a 2-1 win over Monterrey in the semifinals of the MoneyGram SocioMX Cup at Houston’s BBVA Compass Stadium on Sunday, July 3, 2016. Monterrey will next face Pumas UNAM in the double-headed final at Cotton Bowl Stadium on Wednesday, July 6, 2016 with Cruz Azul and Club Santos Laguna facing off in the other match.

Jeremy Fletcher

Bigshots Snapshots Media

Used with permission.

It took 42 minutes of play before the ball found the inside of a goal. Monterrey’s Dorlan Rabon received the ball about 30 yards out, dribbled it down the right side, and cutting inside to avoid Cruz Azul defenders. At the top of the box, he drilled it past goalkeeper Jose de Jesus Corona. Cruz Azul tied the score in the 47^th minute when Joffre Guerron got the ball at midfield; dribbling it down the field and shooting from the tip right side of the box for the score. They secured the game victory with the winning goal in the 89^th minute with a shot by Victor Zuniga.

In previous games of the tournament, Cruz Azul fell to Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles 2- 1 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on June 29. In the other semi-final game, on July 2, Club Santos Laguna downed Pumas UNAM 2-1 at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, California on July 2.

Sugar Land Skeeters down New Britain Bees 2-1 to kickoff 2nd half of Atlantic League action

Photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2016 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2016 TexSport Publications

SUGAR LAND, TEXAS (July 4, 2016)  The Sugar Land Skeeters kicked off the second half of the 2016 Atlantic League season with a 2-1 win over the New Britain Bees at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas on July 4, 2016. After the game, the 8,606 fans in attendance, which was a stadium record, we treated to a fireworks display to celebrate Independence Day.

The Bees got on the scoreboard in the third inning on a Jovan Rosa double, scoring Jon Griffin. Delwyn Young evened the score in the fifth inning on an infield single by Bremer Weems. Skeeters starting pitcher Roy Merritt received the win, his second of the season, pitching six innings and giving up the single run off six hits. Brian Dupra was credited with the loss while Sugar Land’s Derrick Loop received is 16^th save of the season.

The Skeeters will continue their current three-game home stand against the Bees on Tuesday, July 5 and Wednesday July 6 with a 7:05 p.m. CDT start both days.