Wednesday, October 21, 2020

SID HARTMAN HAS DIED

Legendary sports columnist Sid Hartman has died. Hartman was 100 years old at his time of death.

Hartman was best known for a long run as a sports columnist for the Minneapolis Star Tribune. He also had a weekly radio show on WCCO radio.

I have been able to work with Sid as I have seen him at multiple college games where we would be covering the same game.

His son Chad Hartman is also a radio personality on WCCO radio as well.

RIP Sid Hartman.


Wednesday, October 14, 2020

LEGENDARY BOYS’ BASKETBALL COACH BOB MCDONALD HAS PASSED AWAY

Bob McDonald has died. McDonald was from Chisholm, Minn. McDonald coached basketball for 59 years. His coaching career began in 1959 at McGregor where he coached for four seasons. Then he coached two more years at Barnum. He returned to Chisholm for the 1961-62 season.

McDonald’s coaching record for 59 years was 1,012-428.

McDonald coached high school boys’ basketball in Minnesota for 59 years, compiling a record of 1,012 wins and 428 losses. He began his coaching career in 1959 with four seasons at McGregor, then two at Barnum before returning to his hometown of Chisholm for the 1961-62 season.

McDonald had tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19). He was 87 years old.

RASHAAN ROLAND ROSS STILL PLANS ON PLAYING BASKETBALL FOR SOMEONE SOON

I was able to get in contact with Rahsaan Roland Ross. Ross graduated from Minneapolis Southwest High School in 2012. Ross took a year off and then he played basketball for Minnesota State at Fergus Falls in 2014-16. He has not finished his degree yet, but he plans on getting it soon.

He said,” My plan for this upcoming season is to be working, maintain my game and staying fit, play in some leagues and get some more highlight films out there for this year! My game for basketball is that I play a huge role on the court, which is the point guard position, I love to score, shoot, pass, dribble, and play defense! My goals on the basketball court is to of course obviously to WIN, get my teammates involved, and have a great stat line as well to contribute to those wins. Basketball means A lot to me! I eat, sleep and breathe basketball literally I love to watch or play it each and every day of my life and wish and hope for the dream or Reality to come true if I keep working hard.”

Ross continues to work hard on his game and get into weight rooms and get on the court to play pickup basketball. Look for Ross on a basketball court near you.

Saturday, October 10, 2020

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS WENT UP WENT UP AGAINST MINNEAPOLIS SOUTHWEST IN A BOYS’ FOOTBALL GAME

On Oct. 9 Columbia Heights and Minneapolis Southwest went up against each other in a football game. The game was played at Southwest High School. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there were no fans allowed in the stands. This was the first game played by each team this season.

Columbia Heights kicked off to start the game. Southwest got the ball on their own 25-yard line. Southwest got the ball into the hands of Nick Flaskamp. Flaskamp looked to keep the ball on the ground and get first downs.

Southwest called a timeout with 9:07 left in the first half. The score was tied at 0.

Southwest’s Flaskamp came up with a short run for a first down. Southwest went long as they look to get into the end zone midway through the first quarter. Southwest was able to get past the first down. Marcus Mattox came up with a 30-yard touchdown reception. The extra point attempt was good.

With 6:32 left in the first quarter, the score was Southwest 7, Columbia Heights 0.

Columbia Heights took over on their own 20-yard line Columbia Heights continued to look to get the ball down the field. The defense stepped up big and was able to slow down the Columbia Heights offense. They punted on 4th-and long.

Southwest once again got the ball into the hands of Flaskamp. Flaskamp came up with big runs throughout the first quarter. Southwest kept the ball on the ground on their next drive. Southwest came up with a 35-yard pass attempt by Jaden Reed. The extra point attempt was a fake and it was a two-point conversion by Maddox good. With 2:32 left in the first quarter, the score was Southwest 15, Columbia Heights 0.

Columbia Heights took over on their own 20-yard line. Columbia Heights continued to look to move the ball down the field. Columbia Height’s quarterback Matt Rockwell looked to get his receivers the ball. The defensive pressure made it difficult for him to get the ball down the field.

Columbia Heights Amil Clark came up with a long run for a first down.

After one quarter the score was Southwest 15, Columbia Heights 0.

As the second quarter got underway Columbia Heights kept the ball on the ground. On 4th-and-long, Columbia Heights punted the ball and there was no return. Southwest took over on its own 5-yard line. Columbia Heights got a safety with 10:47 left in the second quarter.

The score with 10:47 left in the second quarter the score was Southwest 15, Columbia Heights 2.

Columbia Heights took over on their own 29-yard line. Columbia Heights continued to struggle to move the ball down the field.

Columbia Heights called a timeout with 7:10 left in the second quarter. The score was Southwest 15, Columbia Heights 2.

Columbia Heights kept the ball on the ground. The Southwest defense stepped up and slowed down the Columbia Heights offense. On 4th-and-6 Columbia Height’s went for it and they were not able to come up with a first down and Southwest took over on downs.

Southwest kept the ball on the ground as they looked for Flaskamp to come up with runs. On 4th-and short Southwest punted.

Columbia Heights took over on the 50-yard line. Columbia Heights punted on 4th down.

At halftime, the score was Southwest 15, Columbia Heights 2.

Southwest kicked off to start the third quarter. The ball went into the end zone for a touchback. Columbia Heights took over on their own 20-yard line.

Columbia Heights looked to move the ball down the field once again. Columbia Heights had trouble moving the ball down the field. Columbia Heights punted on 4th down.

Southwest took over on its own 35-yard line. Southwest once again looked to get the ball down the field and come up with a first down. Southwest turned the ball over on an interception.

Columbia Heights took over on their own 29-yard line. They once again tried to move the ball down the field and come up with a first down. Columbia Heights fumbled the ball and Southwest came up with the ball.

Southwest took over on its own 43-yard line. They had to punt on 4th-and short.

Southwest’s Jaden Reed intercepted a pass and Southwest took over on their own 40-yard line. Southwest kept on getting the ball to Flaskamp who came up with long runs for first downs throughout the third quarter.

Southwest continued to look to move the ball down the field. Southwest was intercepted by Jonathan Hackett. Columbia Heights took over on their own 20-yard line.

Columbia Heights continued to look to move the ball down the field they wanted to come up with first downs. On 4th- down Columbia Heights elected to punt but they fumbled the ball and were not able to punt the ball.

Southwest took over on the Columbia Heights 32-yard line. Flaskamp got the ball and was able to find holes in the Columba Heights defense.

After three quarters of play, the score was Southwest 15, Columbia Heights 2.

Southwest looked to get into the end zone once again early in the end zone. Southwest’s Charlie Boucher came up with a touchdown reception. The extra point attempt was not good. With 11:12 left in regulation, the score was Southwest 21, Columbia Heights 2.

Columbia Heights took over on their own 20-yard line. Columbia Heights went to a hurry-up offense as they looked to move the ball down the field quickly.

Columbia Heights continued to look to move the ball down the field. Jaden Reed incepted the ball, and they took over on their own 40-yard line.

Southwest stuck to their running attack as they kept the ball on the ground. Southwest kept on getting the ball into the hands of Flaskamp who came up with another 20-yard run for a first down. On 4th-and-short Southwest went for it and they came up with a Touchdown reception by Kaden Sullivan. The two-point conversion was good.

With 3:41 left in regulation, the score was Southwest 29, Columbia Heights 2.

Columbia Heights took over on their own 20-yard line. Columbia Heights punted on 4th-down.

Southwest took over on their own 40-yard line. The clock ran out.

Southwest came away with the 29-2 victory over Columbia Heights.


Friday, October 2, 2020

EDEN PRARIE’S MIKE GRANT TO STEP DOWN AS ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR

Eden Prairie’s head football coach Mike Grant plans to step down as the school’s activities director on Jan. 1. He will remain the school’s varsity head football coach.

Grant has been the football coach since 1992. He is the son of former Minnesota Vikings coach Bud Grant.

Thursday, October 1, 2020

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA WIDE RECEIVER RASHOD BATMEN HAS BEEN CLEARED TO PLAY IN 2020

Gopher Football WR Rashod Bateman has been cleared to play for the 2020 season. Batmen had thoughts of leaving the university and signing with an agent in August.

Bateman is considered a top draft prospect in the 2021 NFL Draft.

THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS SHUT DOWN TEAM FACLITY DUE TO COVID-19 CONCERNS

On Tuesday, Sept. 29, the Minnesota Vikings have shut down their team facility due to COVID-19 concerns.

On Sunday, Sept. 27, the Vikings hosted the Tennessee Titans in an NFL football game that had no fans due to the Vikings and the NFL Covid-19 policy.

On Monday, Sept 28, three Titans players and staffers test positive for COVID-19.

The Titans beat the Vikings 31-30 in a close game that came down to the wire.

The Vikings will continue testing players throughout the week. The Vikings are scheduled to play in Houston on Sunday, Oct. 4. They are currently 0-3.