MY COLUMN - Mike McMurran, Sports Editor
Never have I claimed to be a journalist, nor a columnist – rather I am simply a lowly, certified 7-12 English teacher. During my years of studying to be a teacher I was required to take more literature and grammar courses than I would ever need. You see I am what most would call an “old school” teacher – I know the content, grammar, literary analysis and such, as that is what they taught us. Today’s educators focus more on “how to teach,” how to address different learning styles, how to create an environment conducive to learning. Though professional development old school teachers, like yours truly, are schooled on how to address the different learning styles, etc. Why do I mention this? There are a couple of reasons: 1. I love to write, both formally and informally. When the opportunity presented itself to write for Tony and Phyllis I jumped on it. 2. I love high school sports – nothing pleasures me more than attending a competitive high school contest, and 3. I love my family. Yeah sure, everyone loves their family, but for the longest time I was not sure that I would have a family. I was 41 years old when Margo, my oldest was born.
It seems the correspondence I receive is equally divided between “stick to sports” and “I love reading about your family.” How do I keep everyone happy? Its kinda like dealing with my wife: damned if I do, damned if I don’t. Lets not forget to factor in I occasionally enjoy sharing my political point of view.
It has been one year now since I have been writing this column, and I have learned a few things. I like my narratives to be as “fresh” as possible. My deadline for submitting articles is noon, or so, on Tuesday. No matter how hard I try I cannot bring myself to sitting down and writing until Tuesday morning (presently it is 9 a.m.). This week I had a column written as early as last Thursday – but I threw it away this morning. The “freshness” I speak of is currently throwing me for a loop. You see, I must submit my articles by noon on Tuesday, but at the same time the U. S. Mail doesn’t bother to deliver my FCN until several days latter. This throws my clock off, significantly. Kindly hang in there with me as I become more tuned in with the new schedule.
The column I originally planned on submitting dealt primarily with the Fort Zumwalt School District’s drug and alcohol policy – and how I admired and respected Dr. Bernie DuBray for standing up for what is clearly best for the student athletes. My clandestine informants tell me there is a star athlete from a Class 6 football semifinalist team facing drug charges. It seems the court proceedings are being put off until the conclusion of the season – “he’s innocent until proven guilty – therefore he keeps his eligibility,” I am told. Something tells me this wouldn’t happen in the Zumwalt District.
Speaking of football semifinalists, Charlie Elmendorf’s Duchesne Pioneers are one win away from a date at the Edward Jones Dome and the Show Me Bowl. Since we do not publish next week due to Thanksgiving, we will not be covering the Pioneer’s semifinal game with Affton. Rest assured ladies and gentlemen, should the Pioneers make it to the Dome, Bob and I will be there. Here’s a trivia question: Since the MSHSAA started football playoffs in 1968, Duchesne has made it to the final four, 4 times (82, 83, 99 and this year). Who is the only Gateway Athletic Conference representative to win a football state championship? (answer at the end of column)
Since we do not publish next week, I would like to share what I am most thankful for with you this week. This Thanksgiving, November 24th, will mark the 21st Thanksgiving I have spent with my wife, Lynn. Remember how I earlier said there was a time in my life when I was not sure if I would ever have a family? Well, on Thanksgiving Day in 1985, my first with Lynn and her family, I knew that she was the person I wanted to raise a family with. I also knew that the holiday environment I was experiencing was one I would someday love for my children to experience. You see, cousins in Lynn’s family are closer than many brothers and sisters I have met. This Thanksgiving, Margo, Joe and Dee will share Thanksgiving with at least 7 of their cousins: Phillip, Stevie (his wife Sarah), Tasha, Meghan (home from Rockhurst), Brad, Paige and Mason. Others may pop in from Tennessee and Texas, we never know, but you can be certain those 10 will be at Lynn’s brother Dave’s (and Debby) house on Thursday. I am thankful for the past 20 Thanksgivings with Lynn, 10 of which we have had a family of our own. Here’s to my wife Lynn, I love you and hope the next 20 Thanksgivings are as special as the past 20.
In November of 1982, head coach Jim Williams’ St. Charles Pirates defeated O’Hara 10-3 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, for the Class 4A state football title.
RAGE By Mike Thompson
FALL LEAGUE MEETINGS BRING AWARDS TO RAGE, EXPANSION TO NIFL
By Mike Thompson
By the end of the evening Thursday at the Adam’s Mark Hotel, after the annual NIFL Fall Banquet had been cleared away, I sat with Rage owners Tye Elliott and Scott Wilson, who were seated between Rage Head Football Coach Mike Wyatt. It was hard for me to determine which of the three looked more like the Cheshire Cat who had suddenly swiped the canary out of mid-flight and gulped it down before grinning from ear to ear. I knew how hard everyone had worked in the past two weeks to put together the three most important days in the current off-season, so I had to ask the question, but ask it I did.
‘Well, was it worth all the planning, catering, all the shuttling to and from the airport, all the t-r-o-u-b-l-e to get this baby up and running?” Rolling his eyes, sighing, and with a half-laugh, Tye summed it up. “Hey, I can finally quit holding my breath, and I probably need to be re-introduced to my wife and kids, but yeah, four awards, it was worth every minute.” Then all heads at the table nodded in agreement when he exclaimed, “but I sure wouldn’t want to have to do it again next month!”
A full agenda, a hectic array of meetings, new owners, new teams, plenty of growth for the league fast becoming the biggest in indoor football, and it’s helmets held high to the RiverCity Rage and the City of St. Louis. If I may be allowed to say so myself, we did the NIFL and the best sports city in the USA quite proud! The annual get-together was a success, and League President Carolyn Shiver left on Friday morning with new reason to be excited about the NIFL in 2006. “Expansion was the key focus of these meetings, and we leave St. Louis with eleven new teams ready to excite football fans in their respective cities. Not only does this type of growth help the league and it’s image, but also it will geographically design our divisions to help reduce travel cost while keeping a national footprint in the sports community. It’s the best of both worlds for the NIFL.”
And the world is getting bigger.... or smaller...larger, of course in terms or more teams, more divisions, more fans drawn to the indoor game. Smaller, when you consider the travel between cities will become less. The idea is to align each respective division and conference with teams in relative proximity to each other, so as to reduce the travel costs in the coming year.
So, introducing the new teams and cities ready to step up and be part of the National Indoor Football League in 2006...
Fort Collins, Colorado
Rapid City, South Dakota
San Antonio, Texas
Katy, Texas
Lafayette, Louisiana
Monroe, Louisiana
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Charlotte, North Carolina
Greensboro, North Carolina
Jacksonville, Florida
West Palm Beach, Florida
The 2006 home and away schedule has yet to be finalized for The Rage and the league, but one or more of those teams could be coming to Savvis Center next season. And lest one think expansion weakens the product, remember this....two expansion teams battled for the NIFL Title last year!
RAGE AWARDS
It was a big night for the RiverCity Rage on Thursday when the ‘Maggie’ (management and entertainment awards) trophies were presented. The home team walked away with four of the more prestigious awards up for grabs. Rage Head Football Coach Mike Wyatt was presented the award for Coach of the Year, although he shared that award, and it was thus labeled Co-Coach of the year. Regardless, Wyatt says it’s really a thrill to be honored by one’s peers and the league owners. “To be in the league for two years and to be honored both times (Wyatt was the Atlantic Conference Coach of the Year in 2004) is really exciting. It’s a great feeling to be that well thought of, but it’s also an award, really, for our entire coaching staff. I’ve got top-notch help in every department, and that makes my job a bit easier.”
Wyatt shared the next award with no one as I had the honor to present to him at the podium the trophy for Atlantic Division General Manager of the Year! And again, Coach gave credit to others in the organization in accepting the award. “It’s an honor that is certainly reflective on everyone at the office, a lot of the credit goes to a very active management team, especially Morris Groves, our Director of Operations. He and I work together in making decisions and implementing those directives for the success of the team in regards to ticket sales, marketing and community outreach. For me, it’s an accent, if you would, to doing what I really enjoy best, and that’s coaching football and working towards putting a quality product on the field for our fans. But, hey, this is sweet!”
The Rage also brought home awards for two of the more celebrated ‘game-day’ type awards.....Best Game Day Presentation and the trophy for having the Most Fun Organization.
Rage Operations Manager Morris Groves normally puts in a 12 to 14 hour day at Rage home games, and the hard work is shared by many others, a fact that doesn’t go unnoticed by him.
“From paid personnel, to volunteer’s, to interns, it’s a joint effort to give the fans the exciting pre-game, halftime and post-game presentations that we’ve been honored for. From the moment we get here (usually 4 to 5 hours before a home game) to the time we leave late at night, everyone knows their job, does their job and really puts heart and soul into making a night at Rage football an all-around fun night for fans of all ages.”
Soooo, a huge THANK YOU to......
Kathy Martinez....who handles the script for the game, including everything from the ‘reads’ (PA announcer), to all the promotions, the cheerleaders, lights and music. Kudos to her husband Steve, who assists.
Don Adams, Jr....The Rage photographer
Diane Burkholder...who also assists Kathy Martinez
Jeff Vossenkemper.... our top-notch audio man
Alicia, Lauren and Anna Hollenbeck.... who handle the Rage merchandise table
Ferd Fetch.... our media co-coordinator
Mark Juen and his wife Denise...Rage game-day radio spotters
John Moberly...with help, here, there, and everywhere
Chris Procasky and Mike Kadillac.... otherwise known as ‘Raggie’ (team mascot)
Rodney Gerdes and David Solomon...Stat crew
Kyle Wilkinson.... Video
KFAV Radio’s Brian Richardson.... Rage PA Announcer
T.L. Ricks.... on-field announcer
And finally, a grateful Rage team salutes our Rage Cheerleaders, our Bellboys and Ball girls, and our interns Casy Moran, Emmalee Steiger, Travis Cooper and Mark Luebbert, and anyone else who contributed to the success of the team in 2005...see ya next year!!
FOOTBALL/CLASS 4 QUARTERFINAL
Duchesne tops defending State Champs
By: Mike McMurran Sports Editor
One of the oldest cliches in sports goes something like this: the game was much closer than the score indicated. The opposite might be said in reference to Duchesne’s 7 – 0 Class 4 quarterfinal win at Concordia Seminary over defending Class 4 state champions, Clayton.
“We put the defense in a tough spot, failing to get in the end zone more, but the defense stepped up,” said head coach Charlie Elmendorf. “At the same time you have to give their defense credit,” as they stopped the Pioneers twice inside the 5-yard line.
Even though the winning margin could have been much larger, the outcome was not finalized until the final play of the game. With less than three minutes remaining in the game, and Clayton driving to the end zone, Duchesne defensive end Matt Dalton did what he does best; he sacked the quarterback. “We were nervous, no doubt,” Dalton said. Clayton’s defense had just stopped Duchesne at the 1-yard line, and were putting together one of their best offensive drives of the game. They drove 67 yards to the Duchesne 26-yard line. That’s when the Pioneer’s defense stepped up and took control of the game.
Following Dalton’s sack, the ‘Hounds faced a third and long. Clayton’s quarterback Carter Sapp tried to throw a screen pass, only to have the Pioneer defense smother it. With less than two minutes remaining, facing a 4th and 20, Sapp’s pass was intercepted by Jeremy Elmendorf. “That’s the biggest play I’ve ever made in my life,” Elmendorf said. “I made the interception, but the play was made by the pressure put on the quarterback by the D-line.”
Most of the first half was a game of field position. Slowly, the Pioneers, though a series of punt exchanges, managed to gain some yardage. With just under two minutes remaining in the first half, Mitch Kohnen galloped 37 of his 105 yards to the Clayton 1-yard line. On the next snap Kohnen gave the Pioneers a 7-0 lead with 50 seconds remaining in the half.
Duchesne moved the ball, almost at will in the second half, as the Duchesne offensive line took control of the game. “The O-line did their job, no doubt about it,” said the senior Elmendorf. “We moved the ball up and down the field, but couldn’t get it in the end zone.” Clayton stopped the Pioneers inside the red zone on three separate occasions. “We should have gone up 10-0 on the second to last drive,” said Elmendorf. “I should have gone for the field goal, which would have required Clayton to score twice.” Instead, Collin Magilligan was stopped at the one-yard line.
Duchesne travels to South County to take on the Suburban East tri-champions Affton Cougars Saturday for a 1:30 p.m. kick off. The winner of Saturdays game will play at the Edward Jones Dome on Friday, November 25, at 3 p.m. for the Class 4 state title.
United Hockey League
River Otters Still
Need Consistency
Players Turn to Violence When Frustrated
Finally get their first win at Fort Wayne
By Louis J. Launer
“They’ve got to get this monkey off their backs,” River Otter fan Colleen Cooke said after the team recorded its eighth consecutive loss at Family Arena.
The River Otters did get their first win at Fort Wayne last week, a 4-1 victory, thanks to a new acquired forward Scott Horvath, who got a goal and two assists in the game. Goaltender Kevin Reiter stopped 33 shots and appeared back in what he was last season during the playoffs, ironically against Fort Wayne. It’s only one win, but there are still problems with the team.
The Missouri River Otters are a cellar dweller in the Western Division standings. Fans and sportswriters notice a lack of consistency in every position this season. The River Otter defensive unit has been lackluster and allows the opponent to cross the blue line untouched and appear in the middle in front of the goaltender ready to dump the puck in. The offense can’t control the puck and constantly has the puck knocked away by the opponents’ defense. The team itself cannot play three periods of consistent hockey.
Long-time River Otters fan Nik Woodward noticed a little consistency in the first game of November at Family Arena compared to the previous month.
“If Reiter had gotten the defense that [Cuthbert] got today, we’d win every game,” he said. “I think the problem has just been a lack of cohesion. But we’re getting there now.”
Woodward still has concern about the Otters’ forwards and their lack of making the play. “[Damian] Surma needs to pass more than he did today. He’s a center for [goodness] sake.”
Released this month from the River Otters are center Dan Carney, right winger Bret Peppler and defenseman Jared Newman. J.P. Beilstein was reactivated after being released a week earlier. Dimitri Toupikov is now on the active playing roster. Brad Church has been out of the lineup for three weeks with a very bad bone bruise on his ankle. Church was struck hard in the foot by a slap shot puck in early November.
Players are starting to express frustration over the problems. The River Otters traveled to Kalamazoo, Michigan to open the first weekend of November. In that game in the first period alone, the K-Wings had 20 shots on goal, compared to the Otters’ 6, enroute to an 8-1 loss. Unnecessary penalties also hurt the River Otters. In the first period, left winger Jimmy Callahan became frustrated with the immediate stoppage of play by the officials that he expressed his displeasure. Callahan was given an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, along with a 10-minute misconduct. That set of penalties cost the Otters two goals by the K-Wings and most likely took the momentum away from the River Otters including a chance for their first win.
Another costly penalty for the River Otters that put the game out of reach (including starting a 4-goal third period by the K-Wings) was Brian Heckendorn’s blatant slash of Kalamazoo’s Joe Seroski, who assisted on the first K-Wing goal in the third period. The referee interpreted it as a cheap shot and gave Heckendorn a 5-minute major for slashing. Heckendorn continued to retaliate and argue with the referee and was given an additional 10-minute misconduct for “abuse of officials.”
When the team returned to Family Arena the next evening, there were questions as to what is really wrong with the River Otters. Some River Otter fans are putting the blame right square at General Manager Frank Buonomo for not getting Head Coach Kevin Kaminski the players needed to win UHL games.
It is also frustrating to welcome 60 Rockford IceHog fans who arrive at Family Arena and find the place much better than their MetroCentre located in downtown Rockford. IceHog fans have reason to celebrate and travel this autumn with their team. The team remained undefeated in the first six weeks of the season—never achieved before since the franchise existed. IceHog fans dream of having an arena like Family Arena in their hometown. But they also appreciate the hospitality of River Otter fans, who are considered the best sportsmanlike of all UHL teams. It’s quite complementary to River Otter fans. But a losing record and positive compliments on the arena really don’t mix well.
Playing Rockford several times during the first five weeks of the regular season could be exciting or devastating. This year, it was the latter. The November 5 game against the IceHogs started as a dull game in the first period, with Rockford scoring two quick goals. Fans and sportswriters had a feeling inside of their heads of “here we go again.”
River Otter retaliation started at 17:19 of the second period when Lars Pettersen stick slapped Rockford defenseman Evgue Nourislamov in the face. The referee saw the entire incident as he skated right next to both of them. Pettersen received a five-minute major plus a game misconduct. Pettersen was finished for the night and took any potential opportunity for the River Otters with him.
River Otter players continued their frustrated rage. At 19:26 of the second period, right winter Frank Littlejohn started a fight with Jason Noterman, where Littlejohn threw continuous right hands at the Rockford left winger. Both linesmen and the referee had to pull them apart and try to restore order. But once Littlejohn skated by the Rockford bench on the way off the ice, Rockford’s Corey Hessler high sticked Littlejohn while sitting on the bench. Littlejohn approached the bench in fighting mode and both benches almost cleared.
At 3:47 of the third period, defenseman Tim O’Connell scored on a Dave Stewart pass, cutting Rockford’s lead in half. The River Otters had a chance to tie and turn around their woes. But unnecessary penalties by Tyler Butler, Mark Lindsay, Jim Murphy and Brad MacMillan put the River Otters two men short for six minutes—at a time when Rockford regrouped and returned their rested players to the ice. The River Otters lack of simple passing, the inability to pick up loose pucks and further inconsistency got the River Otters nowhere.
Late in the game at 18:49, the River Otters pulled goaltender Kevin Reiter for an additional attacker. Rockford’s Evgue Noruslamov cleared a loose puck intended for Dave Stewart. Noruslamov slapped the puck away and it went 125 feet directly into the empty net. That gave Rockford a 3-1 lead and eventually the victory. After that score, the River Otters decided to go all-out on the violence.
At 19:50, Rockford’s Oliver Proulx and Missouri’s Damian Surma roughed up each other along the boards behind the Rockford goal. Both received roughing minors. After the horn sounded ending the game, Rockford’s Robin Big Snake decided to retaliate again, just like what he did two weeks before. This time, Big Snake stick slapped Missouri’s Damian Surma and again drew blood.
Three days after the game, the UHL League Office in Lake Saint Louis announced four players were punished for their actions after the game at Family Arena. Rockford defenseman Corey Hessler was suspended for one game after receiving a match penalty for high sticking. Rockford’s Robin Big Snake was given a three game suspension, which included another game against Missouri in Rockford. The three-game suspension was for being an instigator in the last five minutes of a game and also making contact with the referee.
River Otter players Brad MacMillan and Frank Littlejohn were given one game suspensions by the league office. MacMillan was another instigator in the final five minutes of the game and Littlejohn engaged the Rockford team bench.
Without MacMillan and Littlejohn, the River Otters continued their losing ways, losing to Port Huron, 4-1. By mid-November, the River Otters remain the UHL’s only winless team. Head Coach Kevin Kaminski said scoring is a problem.
“It’s hard to win, too, when you’re only scoring one goal a game,” Kaminski said. “When you score 12 goals in nine games, you won’t win many.”
Fans and the front office are discovering that it is going to be a long season. Being more of a consistent team is a first start to salvaging the season.
First Capitol News High School Athlete of the Week
Logan McGuire, Junior, Duchesne High School
By: Mike McMurran
Sports Editor
Duchesne High Junior football player Logan McGuire has been a busy fellow the past six days. All he has done is lead the Duchesne Pioneers into semifinal action of the Missouri Class 4 football tournament.
McGuire seldom leaves the field as he starts at both inside linebacker and running back. All he did against Gateway Athletic Conference – North Division rival Timberland was open the scoring with a 2-yard run, make 5 unassisted tackles on defense, and run the ball 24 times for 88 yards in leading the Pioneers to a 14-6 sectional win.
As the old Bachman, Turner Overdrive song suggested: “You ain’t seen nothing yet.” In Wednesday night’s 7-0 quarterfinal win over defending state champion Clayton, McGuire led the Pioneers with 105 yards rushing in 17attempts. A day’s work for most, but not McGuire, as he also led the defense in tackles with 11 unassisted and 5 assisted.
For his accomplishments on the football field, Logan has been selected the First Capitol News High School Athlete of the Week.
