Steelers Nation readies for another Super Bowl run

Photo by Brook Ward, via flickr.com

By Lou Roesch

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA (January 9, 2021) The Pittsburgh Steelers are used to being in the NFL playoffs. Reaching the playoffs is like settling down to warm, cozy family dinner at the holidays. It's that time when "The Patriarch" stands up up to offer a toast. On Sunday, the Steeles Nation will do just that gathering around TV sets across the nation as they host the new kid on the block the Cleveland Browns.

Pittsburgh has been one of the most consistent NFL franchises. They have had just two head coaches since Chuck Noll stopped patrolling the sidelines in the Steel City, a pan of 50-plus years. Over their 67-year history, the team has been owned by one family; the Rooney's.

Art Rooney, the original patriarch of the Steeler faithful paid the NFL franchise fee of $2,500 and on July 8, 1933 the Pittsburgh Steelers were born. Robert Kelly, longtime Steelers fan and owner of TexSport Publications in Houston, reminisced about how he became a Steelers fan.

"I  was born in Pittsburgh. My mother was a Steelers fan. Her parents (my grandparents) were Steelers fans. Her brother, his wife and their children were all Steelers fans. I was born into "Steeler Nation."  In addition, my mother and grandparents lived in the same neighborhood in Pittsburgh as the Rooney family, who own the Steelers. They my mother and her parents, went to the same church as the Rooneys and my mother went to school with Dan Rooney (American executive and diplomat best known for his association with the Pittsburgh Steelers) and son of the Steelers' founder, Art Rooney. I guess you can say the Black and Gold is in my blood. 

For some, the Black and Gold is embodied by the last 16 years, with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at the helm of the Steelers offense. Big Ben stands 6'5" and 240 pounds, and is not easily taken down. Defenses know that the Steelers are going to throw the ball especially since 2010. He is the NFL leader in Empty Backfield Snaps and yet they seldom can stop him. Notwithstanding, a season ending injury in 2019, Big Ben is as durable they come, having missed just one game to injury in the previous three seasons, before 2019. Since 2013, he has missed just five games due to injury. That durability is what has led to much of the Steelers s playoff success. The Steelers with Roethlisberger under center have never missed the playoffs more then two consecutive years which, adheres to their franchise where they have appeared in the playoffs in 30 times in 60 years. Behind Roethlisberger, the Steelers are 13-8 headed into his  22nd postseason start with two Super Bowl titles in three tries.

"Ben Roethlisberger is a competitor," continued Kelly. "In all his years in football; high school, college, and professional; he has always found a way to win.  It is as if to say he "has to win." It is ingrained in his persona."

Without much of a run game, the Steelers will depend on Big Ben to be the quarterback of the Pittsburgh team that started 12-0 where he completed 67% of his passes for 25 touchdowns against five INT's. The Steelers are 25-3-1 with Roethlisberger against the Browns including 15-0 at home. The Steelers franchise quarterback owns the Browns having more wins against the team that passed on him in 2004 draft allowing him to travel the 133 miles from Cleveland to  Pittsburgh then any signal caller in NFL history. 

As the patriarch of this team, the Steelers will go as far as Big Ben's arm will take them. 

"If Ben is at his peak, and all of his teammate are "with him," concluded Kelly, "they will be unstoppable." 

SOUTHLAND WOMEN’S BASKETBALL GAMES POSTPONED

FRISCO, TEXAS (January 9, 2020) The Southland Conference has announced the postponement of two women’s basketball games, in accordance with COVID-19 protocols.

Houston Baptist’s matchup against Lamar (January 9) and the Huskies’ game at Abilene Christian (January 13) will be rescheduled in consultation with the two opponents and the Southland office and announced at a later date.

Is this the Cleveland Browns moment?

Photo Credit: Erik Dorst

By Lou Roesch

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved 

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 8, 2021) 

Cleveland Browns fans have probably heard it all. Mistake by the Lake. NFL version of the Chicago Cubs. Perennial cellar dwellers and the list goes on. For decades they have endured the good natured and not so good natured ribbing about their team and then came 2020 the year of the unexpected. In 2020, the Cleveland Browns found themselves a success on and off the field and now in 2021 they have an opportunity to erase all the heartache, pain and disappointments of decades gone by. The Cleveland fanbase is as ardent and loyal a following as any you will find on the American sports scene. For the Browns, the wait has been 18 years between playoff appearances and 57 years since Jim Brown led them to the promised land in 1964. For Renee Beck, it has been a lifetime.

Brought home from the hospital swaddled in a Browns shirt, Beck has been a Cleveland fan ever since. She knows the heartache, the pain, the disappointment firsthand having with her dad made the drive from Rochester, NY to Cleveland for games when the Browns weren't necessarily their best. All that is now forgotten as they have earned 2020 a season in which to relish victory rather then the agony of defeat for the first time in forever. And with the turning of the page to 2021, she believes this is the Browns moment. Standing in their way are the Pittsburgh Steelers, completing the oldest rivalry in the history of the AFC and the fifth oldest in NFL history.

On Sunday, the Browns will be battling not only their biggest rival but history as well. Not since October 5, 2003 has Cleveland downed the Steelers in a road gridiron battle. Fifteen consecutive losses at the confluence of the Ohio, Monongahela and Allegheny rivers known better as Heinz Field where Tim Couch last led them to victory over the Steelers.

The Browns have tried a variety of formulas since that Sunday. Thirty different quarterbacks and eight different head coaches have all come and gone in failure. Now Baker Mayfield assumes the reins of history as he leads Cleveland into game of meaning for the first time in in 6,307 days but hey who's counting. The former number one draft pick has been at the helm of the Cleveland offense for the last 45 starts. Remarkable if for nothing else as the Browns had used nine different quarterbacks to start the previous 45 games dating back to Johnny Manziel. Even more stunning, it took the Browns nearly seven seasons from October 23, 2011 until Mayfield came on in relief of Tyrod Tayler on September 20, 2018 for Cleveland to win 23 games. The former Oklahoma Sooner has rushed onto the scene winning 23 games in two plus seasons of work. 

According to Beck, Mayfield is the difference. 

"Baker and his passion and intensity are contagious. This is family. The fans, the coaches, the players the organization. They play for their teammates, the fans and the city and not for themselves."

Mayfield came to Cleveland with a lot of hype. HIs brashness although refreshing to some didn't play well early on when the team was losing. Now the third year signal caller has taken control of this team and silenced many doubters. He has never been afraid of the spotlight. After all how can you be when you played in two big time college programs, won the prestigious Maxwell Player of the Year Trophy, the Davey O'Brien Award (best college quarterback) and of course the granddaddy of them all The Heisman. Now everything is coming together as expected.

Behind Mayfield's leadership, the Cleveland offense ranked just outside the NFL's top ten overall offenses but where it counts the most.....red-zone efficiency.....they are among the NFL best. The Browns over the course of 2020 found the end zone 74% of the time inside the 20. Mayfield threw 20 TD strikes inside the 20 without an interception. That is deadly accurate. Over the last four games of 2020, the Browns red zone efficiency jumped to 90%. Only the Green Bay Packers and the New Orleans Saint could say they were better. 

Head coach Kevin Stefanski has done something that maybe no other coach since Paul Brown back in the 60's did. He instilled a sense of family into this team. It's why no one worries about whether they are a starter or a role player. It's why no one worries about who gets the credit or looks good on the stat sheet. It's why as Beck says they will win on Sunday against a Pittsburgh team that has created generations of "family."

"Let’s talk team. Stefanski. Baker. Landry. Garrett," continued Beck. "A team full of heart. A team determined never to be satisfied. This team plays for each other. They are a family. Each week we have faced adversity of injury, illness, etc. and the next man up mentality.  Each player has stepped up to do their part knowing they all need each other."

The Cleveland defense is nothing to sneeze about either. They find themselves in the top 10 in a category that many would say is the most important - turnover differential. Whoever wins the turnover battle usually wins the game and as the old cliche goes - defense wins championship. The Steelers may have TJ Watt but the Browns have Myles Garrett. 

Described by Mayfield using a Lil Wayne lyric "Real G's run in silence like lasagna" Big #95 has led the charge in 2020 recording 12 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries plus 12 tackles for losses letting his play and not his mouth do the talking. It is an opportunistic defense that claims a plus five turnover differential. On that October Sunday in 2003, the defense came to play winning the turnover battle and holding the Steelers to just a 9% conversion rate on third down.

So here they are the Cleveland Browns just shy of 18 years to the day marking their last win in Pittsburgh. Sunday night's prime time game will come down to one thing - execution. The Browns will come with their balanced attack not preferring running over throwing or throwing over running but simply doing what they do best. Baker Mayfield and company have every intention of rerouting "The Turnpike Rivalry" back in Cleveland's direction and that begins with a playoff win in 2021.

"Passion. Heart. Team. Family. We want more and to do it against Pittsburgh will make it only that much sweeter," concluded Beck. "This is our time.

North Texas' Jaelon Darden Named Walter Camp Second Team All-American

Photo by Ted Gangi
CollegePressBox
(collegepressbox.com) 
Used with permission

DENTON, TEXAS (January 7, 2021) University of North Texas senior wide receiver Jaelon Darden (shown left) was named a Walter Camp Second Team All-America selection on Thursday, officially making him a consensus All-American. Darden is the Mean Green's first consensus All-American since "Mean" Joe Greene was a consensus first team selection in 1968.

Darden is among the nation's leaders in all of the major receiving categories. The Houston native finished with 74 receptions for 1,190 yards and a single-season program record 19 touchdowns in just nine games. His 19 receiving scores are second in the Football Bowl Subdivision, only trailing Alabama's DeVonta Smith, who has 20 through 12 games and was named the Heisman Trophy winner on Monday. Darden ranks seventh in the country in receptions per game (8.2). Darden led the nation in games with three or more receiving touchdowns, with four, and also tied for the most receiving scores in a single game in the country with four. Darden ranks third nationally in receiving yards per game (132.2) and receiving yards (1,190) and fourth in receptions (74). Darden concluded his time in Denton as the program's career record-holder in receptions (230), receiving yards (2,782) and receiving touchdowns (38).

Darden is a finalist for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, was named the Conference USA MVP, a First Team All-America selection by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), a First Team All-America selection by Phil Steele, a Pro Football Focus First Team All-American.

Baylor's Trestan Ebner Named Walter Camp Second Team All-American

Photo by Ted Gangi
CollegePressBox
(collegepressbox.com) 
Used with permission

WACO, TEXAS (January 7, 2021) Trestan Ebner (shown right) earned his fourth All-America honor on Thursday, after being tabbed Walter Camp Second Team All-American as a kick returner. It is the 17^th time a Baylor player has been named to the Walter Camp All-America Team, and the first as a kick returner.

 

This is the most recent accolade for Ebner, who has been named Second Team All-American (AFCA & Sporting News), the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year, First Team All-Big 12 (AP), Second Team All-Big 12, Second Team All-Texas (DCTF) and Second Team All-Big 12 (Waco Tribune-Herald) for his play during the season.

 

The Henderson, Texas, native ended the year second in the Big 12 in kick return average (32.2) and first kick return touchdowns with his two in the season opener against Kansas. He was fourth in the Big 12 in all-purpose yards with 116.3 per game, a majority of those coming in the return game.

 

Against KU, Ebner compiled 272 all-purpose yards (third-most in program history) and four total touchdowns, two of his touchdowns were via kickoff return with one going for 100 yards and the other for 83 yards.

First Baptist Christian Academy competes in first meet of 2021

Story and Photos by Tracy Brown
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

DEER PARK, TEXAS (January 7, 2021) The First Baptist Christian Academy Warriors competed in their first swimming meet of 2021 against the Deer Park Deer at Deer Park High School on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. The Warriors top performers of the meet were Harrison Brown (shown right, pictured left), in the boy's division and and Keeleigh Wilbanks (shown below) on the women's side.. 

When the Warriors stepped to the blocks in the individual events, they shined despite their lack of access to consistent practice pools over the break. Timothy Henry (shown right, pictured right) swam a personal best in the 200-yard freestyle dropping almost two seconds, to touch the wall with a time of 2:32.40. Wilbanks swam a new personal best in the 50-yard freestyle when she finished with the time of 35.91 seconds.

When the boy's team took to the blocks to swim the 50-yard freestyle the, Warriors finished in record time once again. Owen Lambert set a new personal best of 31.25 seconds with George Gutierrez clocking 32.13 seconds.  Ayden Moore finished right in the thick of things with his time of 31.68.

Competing in the 100-yard butterfly, Brown swam a new personal best time of 1:05.93, breaking his previous school record by seven seconds. In the 100-yard freestyle the Warriors finished in order Lambert (1:16.78), Gutierrez (1:16.79), and Moore (1:23.83) to round out the field of 12. Brown also set a new personal best and a new school record with his fourth place finish in the 100-yard breaststroke with the time of 1:15.88. Henry finished seventh with his time of 1:34.09.

The Warriors next meet will be Monday, January 11, at Cypress Christian Academy.  Due to current restrictions, spectators are not allowed, but the meet will be livestreamed.

AUSTIN FC ACQUIRES SPORTING KANSAS CITY CAPTAIN MATT BESLER VIA FREE AGENCY

AUSTIN, TEXAS (January 6, 2021)  Austin FC, the 27^th club in Major League Soccer (MLS), announced today that the Club has acquired free agent defender and former Sporting Kansas City Captain Matt Besler. Per League and Club policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Besler, a five-time MLS All-Star and 2014 FIFA World Cup performer, becomes Austin FC’s 17th acquisition ahead of the Club’s inaugural season in 2021.

 

“We are pleased to add a proven defender to the squad that fits the profile we are looking for in a player. Matt’s unique blend of  leadership and competitive experience is valuable combination of strengths, and we are excited to have him continue his career in Austin,” commented Austin FC Sporting Director, Claudio Reyna. “We welcome Matt to Austin and look forward to his many contributions to the Club.”

 

“I’m ecstatic about this opportunity,” said Besler. “After playing in MLS for so many years, I can’t help but feel excited to join an ambitious project with Austin FC. I’ve seen amazing things from Austin’s fanbase already, and I truly look forward to playing in front of them.”

 

Besler (pronounced BEEZ-ler) joins Austin FC after playing 12 consecutive seasons with Sporting Kansas City (2009-20), where he led the club to one (1) MLS Cup championship (2013) and three (3) Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup titles (2012, 2015, 2017). The five-time MLS All-Star (2011, 2013-16) was appointed Captain of Sporting KC in 2014 and is the first player in Club history to record 348 appearances (337 starts) across all competitions, while leading the Club in regular-season appearances (294) and starts (285). Besler has made 18 appearances (18 starts) in the MLS postseason, 20 appearances (18 starts) in USOC play and 16 appearances (16 starts) across CONCACAF Champions League and SuperLiga competitions.  

 

The native of Overland Park, Kansas earned MLS Best XI honors twice (2012-13). Besler was also named MLS Defender of the Year and MLS Breakout Player of the Year in 2012 after being selected in the 1^st Round (#8) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft from the University of Notre Dame, where he received All-American and Academic All-American honors as a senior.

 

Internationally, Besler has represented the United States Men’s National Team 47 times (44 starts) since debuting in January 29, 2013. Besler was part of the U.S. squad that won the 2013 and 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup titles. Besler, who becomes the first Austin FC rostered player to have featured in a FIFA World Cup, played in all four (4) USMNT matches (four (4) starts) at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, helping the U.S. advance to the Round of 16 in the tournament. Additionally, Besler represented the U.S. in the 2017 CONCACAF Confederations Cup and the 2016 CONMEBOL Copa América Centenario.

Dash GK Jane Campbell & MF Kristie Mewis called in to January U.S. Women’s National Team camp

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 6, 2020) – Houston Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell (No. 19, shown above) and midfielder Kristie Mewis were called in to the January U.S. Women’s National Team training camp ahead of two international friendlies against Colombia, U.S. Soccer announced today. The matches are set to take place on January 18 and 22 at Exploria Stadium during the training camp period in Orlando, Florida. 

Both players re-join head coach Vlatko Andonovski’s 27-player roster after joining USWNT for the team’s friendly against Netherlands on Nov. 27. The team is set to take on Colombia for their first domestic game since the 2020 SheBelieves Cup last March. Kickoff for both games is set for 6 p.m. CT and will be televised on FS1 (Jan. 18) and ESPN2 (Jan. 22).  

 

Campbell played a crucial role in Houston’s first league title during the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup. Throughout the tournament, she held it down in goal, keeping four clean sheets, three of which happened during the knockout rounds. The goalkeeper stopped two penalty kicks against Utah Royals FC to send the Dash into the semifinals. 

 

The Georgia native has earned three caps with the U.S. Women’s National Team, two of which have come in Houston at BBVA Stadium. She made her senior international debut in Houston during a 5-1 USWNT victory over Russia in April 2017. Since then, Campbell has earned two more caps for the national team, including an appearance in a 6-2 win over Mexico in Houston in April of 2018. She was also called in to the national team in December 2019. 

 

The international friendly against Netherlands marked Mewis’ first cap since 2014 when she came in as a second-half substitute. To cap her stellar performance throughout 2020, the midfielder went on to score the second goal of the match in the 70th minute to give the U.S. a 2-0 victory. The goal was Mewis’ second in 16 appearances with the senior team.  

 

Mewis, who signed a multi-year contract with the Dash that is set to go through the 2023 season, scored three goals and tallied three assists for Houston in 2020. The Boston native earned NWSL Player of the Week honors on Oct. 6 after scoring a goal and providing three assists in Houston’s 4-1 victory over the North Carolina Courage in the NWSL Fall Series. Mewis played in every game of the Challenge Cup, scoring a goal in Houston’s 2-0 victory over OL Reign and drawing a penalty that resulted in the tournament-winning goal in the Challenge Cup Final against the Chicago Red Stars.  

AUSTIN FC ACQUIRES 25-YEAR-OLD FREE AGENT MIDFIELDER DIEGO FAGUNDEZ

Photo courtesy of 
Paul-Michael Ochoa,
Major League Soccer, and Austin FC
Used with permission

AUSTIN, TEXAS (January 5, 2021)  Austin FC, the 27^th club in Major League Soccer (MLS), announced today the signing of 25-year-old free agent midfielder Diego Fagundez (shown right). Per League and Club policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Fagundez becomes Austin FC's 16th acquisition ahead of the Club's inaugural season in 2021. 

 

“Diego is a player in the prime of his career who has scored over 50 goals, played over 250 matches and comes with significant MLS experience. We are fortunate to bring a 25-year-old with vast and proven experience to the Club,” commented Austin FC Sporting Director, Claudio Reyna. “Diego has played in a number of positions throughout his career and his dynamic positional flexibility is a strength that Austin FC will have the opportunity to benefit from.”

 

“I’m excited to start this new chapter in my career, alongside a Club creating a new chapter for an amazing city like Austin,” said Fagundez. “I am ready and motivated to represent Austin FC next season, and I look forward to giving my best for the Club.”

 

Fagundez, who grew up in Leominster, MA, joins Austin FC after spending the entirety of his career with the New England Revolution (2011-20), where he played 265 league games (189 starts), tying a Revolution record for appearances while scoring 53 goals (second highest in Revolution history) and tallying 45 assists. Fagundez became the youngest player to reach 100 appearances in MLS history on June 13, 2015 (20 years and 119-days-old) in a 2-0 win against the Chicago Fire, and the youngest player to score 25 goals in the League after scoring in a 1-0 road win against the Philadelphia Union on August 29, 2015 at the age of 20 years and 196 days. Fagundez has also registered 15 appearances (12 starts) in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup between 2012-19.
 

The experienced midfielder signed as a Homegrown Player with New England at the age of 15 in 2010 and debuted professionally in MLS as a 16-year-old the following year, making a substitute appearance against Chivas USA on August 6, 2011. Fagundez, who was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, made four (4) appearances (two (2) starts) with the U-20 Uruguay National Team during the 2015 Campeonato Sudamericano Sub-20, helping the country qualify for its 12^th U-20 FIFA World Cup.  

 

Fagundez was eligible for MLS free agency ahead of the 2021 season after qualifying under the new League free agency rules which allow an existing MLS player who is at least 24-years-old with five (5) years of MLS experience to explore free agency if they are out-of-contract. 

HBU's Darius Lee Named Southland Player of the Week

Junior Darius Lee scored 30 points in HBU’s win over Northwestern State

Photo courtesy of
HBU Media Relations Department
Used with permission

FRISCO, TEXAS (January 5, 2021)  HBU junior Darius Lee has earned Player of the Week recognition from the Southland Conference for his double-double performance this past Saturday against Northwestern State.

Lee finished the Huskies’ 99-93 overtime victory over the Demons with career-highs of 30 points and 10 rebounds while also dishing out three assists with a blocked shot and a steal in 28 minutes off the bench. He went 9-of-14 from the floor, 2-of-4 from three-point range and knocked down 10-of-11 from the free throw line.

After scoring nine in the first half and the Huskies trailing by seven at the break, Lee erupted for 16 in the second half and made a pair of free throws with two seconds left in regulation to tie the game and send it to overtime. He then scored five in the overtime period, including a pair of crucial free throws with 25 seconds left that pushed the HBU advantage to four.

Lee is now averaging 9.4 points per game and is shooting 57.1 percent (28-of-49) from the floor, 64.3 percent (9-of-14) from three and 90.9 percent (22-of-22) from the charity stripe.

Houston Dash sign defender Annika Schmidt

Photo courtesy of
Butler University
Athletic Communications
Used with permission 

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 4, 2021) The Houston Dash have announced the signing of defender Annika Schmidt to a one-year contract through 2021, with an option to extend said contract through 2022. The Zionsville, Indiana native spend the 2020 season with Göteborg FC in Sweden. 

Prior to her time in Sweden, the Zionsville, Indiana native played collegiately at Butler University and the University of Connecticut. She was a three-time All-Big East first-team selection while starting 53 of 57 career appearances for the Bulldogs; scoring five goals with two assists.

Before playing at Butler, she spent her freshman year (2016-2017) at the University of Connecticut where she made 15 appearances for the Huskies; scoring one goal. 

Schmidt will join Allysha Chapman, Megan Oyster, All Prisock, and Katie Naughton as defenders for the Dash.

Deshaun Watson should be the NFL's MVP

Photo credit: K A Sports Photos via flickr.com

By Lou Roesch
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 4, 2021) Not to many things went right in 2020 for the Houston Texans but quarterback Deshaun Watson is not one of those things. In fact, he might be the only real bright spot for this team and the one certainty moving forward.

After a 4-12 season in which Watson singlehandedly kept the Houston Texans in the hunt for a win each week, there is little room doubt that he is the most important puzzle piece going forward. Had this team been 12-4 instead of what they are, the Texans field general would be in the conversation for MVP. Throw out the records. Deshaun Watson should be the NFL's 2020 MVP. What you say? It should be Patrick Mahomes. Did I hear you say it should be Aaron Rodgers? Well, you are right all three should be in the conversation. Let's compare the numbers.

In the the statistical categories of attempts. completions, passing percentage and yardage, Watson finishes second in the NFL. He is number one in yards per pass completed at 8.8. He has thrown the second fewest interceptions of the top five quarterbacks in the league in 2020 despite the fact he was sacked twice as many times as Mahomes and 2.5 times more then Rodgers in spite of having the best left tackle in football (tongue in cheek).

As a rushing quarterback, he had the most most attempts, yards, average and touchdowns when compared to Mahomes and Rodgers. Of the top five quarterbacks only Buffalo's  Josh Allen had more rushing attempts, yards and touchdowns then Watson.

Of the seven statistical categories rating NFL quarterbacks, Watson finished first or second in six of them. On the ground, he was first or second in all five categories. All this while playing for a losing no make that a dismally, horrendously losing team.

If the MVP trophy is really about the value of one player, the team could not have otherwise done this well without number four on the field . Simply put, were Watson to be on the Chiefs, Packers, Bills or Seahawks with what he posted for the Texans they would all basically be in the same spot but flip the table and none of the others would have elevated the Texans any differently. Watson will not be the NFL MVP in 2020, but he should. 

Texas QB Sam Ehlinger declares for NFL Draft

Photo courtesy of
collegepressbox.com

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

AUSTIN, TEXAS (January 3, 2021) It is being reported by various news outlets, including ESPN and KXAN television that Texas Longhorns quarterback Sam Ehlinger has declared his intention to enter the NFL Draft in 2021. 

The Austin native made 43 career starts for the Longhorns, including 11,276 yards passing, 1,912 yards rushing and 126 touchdowns (rushing and passing). In addition , he is one of only three players in FBS history to throw for at least 11,000 career yards and rush for more than 1,500 yards.

The 2021 NFL Draft will occur on April 29.

HBU Huskies downs Northwestern State Demons to kickoff conference schedule

Darius Lee shown 
against Arizona State
 on Nov 23, 2021.
Photo courtesy of
HBU Media Relations
 Department.
Used with permission

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 2, 2021) Darius Lee hit two free throws with one second remaining in regulation to tie the score at 84 and send the HBU Huskies and Northwestern State Demons to overtime. The Huskies outscored the Demons 15-9 in overtime in route to a 99-93 win on Saturday night at Sharp Gymnasium. The win pushed the Huskies to a 2-7 record and 1-0 in the Southland Conference. The Demons fell to 1-11 and 0-1 in conference play. 

Two Huskies tallied double-doubles in the game; Daniel and Pedro Castro (shown right). Daniel put up big numbers against the Demons. He completed 9-of-14 from the field, including 2-of-4 from three-point range and 10-of-11 free throws for 30 points. In addition, pulled down 10 rebounds. Castro tallied 19 points and 11 rebounds. Janacek Hunter and Boothman Za-Ontay added 16 and 13 points, respectively. For the Demons, Larry Owens put in 24 points, with Trenton Massner adding 22. In previous game between the two teams, the Demons hold a 7-5 edge dating back to 2007. 

The Huskies will next face Abilene Christian on Wednesday, January 6 at Sharp Gymnasium. The Demons will take on Incarnate Word in Natchitoches, also on January 6.

McNeese State drops 81-67 decision to Central Arkansas

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2021
All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (January 2, 2021) Central Arkansas had four starters shoot in double figures as the Bears downed the McNeese State Cowboys 81-67 in the first conference match for both team at Burton Coliseum. The 477 fans in attendance (due to COVID-19 restrictions) witnessed the Cowboys jump out to a nine point lead early in the first half, with the Bears rebounding to take a 43-31 lead into the locker room at the half. McNeese began a comeback in the second half, but the Bears still outscored McNeese 38-36 in the final period in route to the win.

McNeese starting guard Dru Kuxhausen led all scorers with 22 points,. Fellow guard A.L. Lawson (shown left) added 12 points, along with 11 rebounds. Braelon Bush also tallied 12 points. Bears guard Rylan Bergersen scored 18, with Deandre Jones adding 14.  Khaleem Bennett and Jared Chatman accounted for 13 each. Jones led all players with three steals with Churchill Bounds tallying three blocked shots. 

The Bears commanded McNeese in field goals (49%-32%), free throws (73%-66%), in-the-paint scoring (34-16), and bench points (20-16). The Cowboys led in three-pointers (39%-36%) and fast break points (15-12). 

Next up for the Cowboys is a Saturday, January 9 matchup against Northwestern State at Burton Coliseum. The Bears will take on New Orleans on Wednesday, January 6 in Conway, Arkansas.

McNeese State Cowgirls upend Central Arkansas Sugar Bears to kickoff Southland Conference schedule

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (January 2, 2021) The McNeese State Cowgirls kicked off their 2021 Southland Conference schedule by downing the Central Arkansas Sugar Bears by the score of 59-45 at Burton Coliseum on Saturday afternoon. The Cowgirls (1-7) suited up only eight players, with everyone seeing action, due to injuries. 

McNeese jumped out to a 14-6 lead after 10 minutes of play; increasing their lead t0 35-15 at the half. The Sugar Bears mounted a comeback in the third quarter, outscoring McNeese 17-10. The fourth period saw -the Cowgirls hold on for a one-point advantage (14-13) to secure the win. Starting guard Kyla Hamilton (No. 12, shown above) topped the scoring with 15 points while pulling down seven rebounds; all of them on defense.

Fellow starting guards Claralee Richard  and Mychala Linzy also scored in double figures; 13 and 11 respectively. Jayla Cody came off the bench to lead the scoring for the Sugar Bears, with nine points.  Ayanna Trigg led the way in rebounds with eight (five on offense, three on defense).

Statistically, the Sugar Bears led scoring in the paint (28-22), second chance points (15-3) and off the bench scoring (19-10) and rebounds (51-25). McNeese held the edge in fast break points (21-0), field goal shooting (38%-29%), three-pointers (35%-12%) and free throws (70%-58%), and steals (17-6). The Cowgirls led the entire game, with their largest lead, 22 points, coming at the 8:52 mark of the third quarter.

Next up for McNeese is a Saturday, January 9 meeting against Northwestern State, with tip off scheduled for 1 p.m. CST at Burton Coliseum. The Sugar Bears will travel to New Orleans with a 7 p.m. start against the Privateers, on Wednesday, January 6.

North Shore advances to state semifinals with 56-14 win over Ridge Point

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 1, 2021) With five different offensive players scoring touchdowns, the No. 1 North Shore Mustangs galloped to a 56-14 victory over the Ridge Point Panthers to take the UIL 6A Division 1 title. The win inched them closer to their third state championship appearance and a semi-final matchup against the Austin Westlake vs. Cibolo Steele game, scheduled to take place on Saturday, January 2.

Quarterback Dematrius Davis rushed for three TDs and passed for two more; running for 92 yards on 13 carries and completing six passes, on nine attempts, for 156 yards. His passings scores were a 91-yard completion to Shadrach Banks and a seven-yarder to Charles King. Sophomore Rashaad Johnson scored on a 35-yard run. with junior Xavier Owens added a 54-yard rushing TD to close out the offense's scoring. Junior linebacker Josh Garrett picked off a Devin McComas' pass; returning it 40 yards for the score. Freshman kicker Stephen Guzman split the uprights seven times for the extra points with Carlos Dominguez kicking one. The Panthers touchdowns came on runs of 45 yards by Bert Emanuel and 70 yards by Keith Jackson, with Davis Mohn adding two kicking conversions. 

The Mustangs piled up 545 yards of total offense; with 382 of them on the ground. On the other side of the ball, the Panthers posted 259 yards, with 176 yards rushing. Ridge Point completes their season with a 8-3 record. while North Shore 14-0

Fights breaks out between Mississippi State, Tulsa players after final whistle of 2020 Armed Forces Bowl

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

FORT WORTH, TEXAS (December 31, 2020) The Mississippi State Bulldogs downed No. 24 Tulsa Golden Hurricane by the score of 28-26 at the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl on Thursday. However, the action after the game garnered more attention and more media coverage than the actual game.

After the final whistle, the fans at TCU's Amon G. Carter Stadium saw a massive brawl break pout between players, managers and team support staff of both teams. While it is not clear what led to the incident, a number of players and coaches could be seen involved in the ugly scene along the sidelines. Tensions had been high during the entire game with both teams taunting each other before kickoff. It was not apparent what started the incident, but punches began flying and at that point, things got out of hands. 

A video clip (courtesy of CBS Sports)of the incident is posted above. Numerous players were invoo;led in the  melee and those involved surely will be identified. Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach was interviewed, and questioned about the fight, after the game. He stated, 

"It's dumb. The root of it's dumb, no matter what the root of it is. The root of it's dumb and the continuation of it's dumb. I would have that solidly in the category of dumb. Now where the dumb started, I'm not entirely sure."

Tulsa head coach Philip Montgomery stated he did not know what started the fight either, but did say his players were supporting each other. 

"The one thing I'll say is our program, our guys, we're a team that is going to stand up for each other and we're going to battle. We talked about faith, family, football and family is going to take care of family. We're a team that has battled all year long. We battled again today and from that standpoint our guys are going to continue to protect each other and go from there." 

Look for further details to emerge regatding this incident in the coming days.