This blog is about basketball and football with a focus on Minnesota players and teams. From time to time I will explore other athletic activities. If you would like to contribute your information or news send me an email at stevenmgr@hotmail.com or call me at 1 (612) 267-6709
Showing posts with label STEVEN MAC DONALD FROEMMING. Show all posts
Showing posts with label STEVEN MAC DONALD FROEMMING. Show all posts
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre starting streak of 297 consecutive regular-season games and 321 games overall has come to an end. He did not start against the New York Giants.
The quarterback began his starting streak on Sept.27, 1992.
The University Of Minnesota opened its doors as they held an open house. They gave free tours of TCF Bank Stadium.
This was the first time that I had been inside the TCF Bank Stadium. I have driven around the Stadium and I when I first got to the stadium I was amazed at all the buzz around it. When I got into the parking lot, parking at the stadium for this event was $3.75. I was surprised at first that they were charging for parking but then again I wasn’t because I figured that they wanted to simulate a game situation.
I arrived at the field and from the outside and the stadium was beautiful. There were all the names of all of the counties in Minnesota carved in brick lining the outside of the stadium.
I had to wait about 20 minutes before I was able to get into the stadium because I was early. The college radio station was there handing out free stuff. After about a 10-minute wait the doors were opened to the Stadium.
After I got past security I walked up a flight of stairs where there were tables of all of the colleges that the University of Minnesota provides. They were handing out information about their courses they offer. After all that they provided free tours of the locker rooms. The University of Minnesota locker room is the largest of any pro or college sports. The locker room is in a shape of a football. The only other stadium that has a locker room shaped like a football is the Green Bay Packers of the NFL.
After the locker room tour it was time to hit the field. The field was awesome. People were only allowed to stay in the end zone. When I was on the field it brought memories of screaming fans in a tournament appearance. When I go down and cover the Minnesota state football and you have thousands of screaming fans and I am trying to interview the players. There is a lot of happiness and emotion that the fans bring.
After I got done with the field there was a tunnel that leads off the field and brought us out to the stadium entrance. There was an usher that was handing out free woman’s hockey tickets for the afternoon’s hockey game. The Gopher women’s hockey team was able to beat Syracuse 4-1. It was a fun and entertaining game. It was the first time that I had been in Ridder Arena. On the backside of Ridder Arena is the university tennis center. I walked around in there for a bit. That was the first time that I had been in either two of those arenas.
After I was done with tours I have to say I was pretty impressed with the new TCF Bank Stadium. That is a pretty cool complex.
It’s an annual tradition to have a big rivalry game between Minneapolis South and Minneapolis Southwest on a Saturday. This time the meeting was held at Southwest. The last time they played each other was in early September. Southwest boys won 3-1 and girls won 3-0.
The girls game got started out on a fast pace as each team wanted to try to play keep away with the ball and shoot for the goal. Both teams really got after it in the early goings. With 25:22 in the first half Laura Maltby made a nice head shot goal and that gave the Lakers there first lead at 1-0 of the game.
At half time the score was Southwest 1 and South 0. In the start of the second half both teams really got after it. Both of these teams really went after it throughout the game.
In a hard fought game with a lot of action Southwest came away with victory. Their defense was able to come up with some big stops.
Minneapolis Southwest was able to come up with the 1-0 victory over Minneapolis South.
The Minneapolis Southwest Lakers took on the Minneapolis North Polars. Southwest started the game with the ball. They were able to get short running yards up the field. Getting off to a quick start is key to this Southwest team. David Coffee wants to score on every drive possible. Ayrton Scott found the end zone on a quarterback keeper for a two yard touchdown run. The extra point attempt failed. With 6:58 in the first quarter the score was Minneapolis Southwest 6 and Minneapolis North 0.
After the Southwest touchdown North was looking to do something. They wanted to get the ball down the field as they wanted to run through holes in the Southwest defense. Marcus Littlejohn got a touchdown with 3:12 remaining in the first quarter. The two point conversion was good. The score after the touchdown and conversion was North 8 and Southwest 6.
North tried to air it out many different times throughout the first half. North was not afraid to run with the ball either.
At the end of the first quarter the score was Minneapolis North 8 and Minneapolis Southwest 6.
Southwest had the ball going on a drive to start the second quarter. In the middle of the drive Marcus Thames picked off another pass for an interception. Robert Cannady found the end zone with 8:06 remaining in the second quarter for a North touchdown. With 8:06 to play in the second quarter the score was Minneapolis North 14 and Minneapolis Southwest 6.
After the North touchdown Southwest was not able to convert on the next drive. They had to put the ball back to the Polars. North made threats of scoring on the drive as they were able to march down the field. They tested the Southwest. Then they were not able to convert on fourth down and they turned it over to the Lakers.
At half time the score was Minneapolis North 14 and Minneapolis Southwest 6.
North got things going early in the third quarter. They were able to march down the field and find the end zone on the first drive in the third quarter on Carlton Littlejohn’s short carry. The two point conversion failed. After that touchdown the score was Minneapolis North 20 and Minneapolis Southwest 6.
Southwest again took control of the football after the North touchdown. Southwest continued to pound the ball down the field. Aryton Scott found Evan Gray. Gray was able to make some head way down the field. Southwest was intercepted in the end zone so that gave North the ball back on the 20 yard line.
North’s Robert Cannady was able to make a pass and he took it to the end zone in a hurt. He played well the whole game and he was one of many of the leaders on the North’s team. He has been all over the field in this game doing whatever he could to propel the Polars. The score after three quarters was Minneapolis North 26 and Minneapolis Southwest 6.
Southwest wanted to get something going at the beginning of the fourth quarter. As the fourth quarter got underway, North had the ball and they looked to chew up some major yards, They were able to score a touchdown. The extra point was good. With 9:02 in the fourth quarter the score was Minneapolis North 32 and Minneapolis Southwest 6.
Minneapolis Southwest threatened to score midway through the fourth quarter. Evan Gray was able to find the end zone and he scored a touchdown on a short run. The score with 7:41 left in the contest it was North 32 and Southwest 12.
Both teams battled it out in the fourth. North was able to strike again with 3:00 in regulation as they were able to get a touchdown. The two point conversion was no good. With 3:00 left in the contest the score was Minneapolis North 38 and Minneapolis Southwest 12.
Southwest wanted to try to find the end zone but was not able to muster anything on its last drive.
North was just able to make plays throughout the game. Southwest could not find the end zone when they needed to. Both of these teams put up a great fight and battled each other the whole game. But in the end Minneapolis North was able to come away with the 38-12 victory over Minneapolis Southwest.
~15 years coaching experience ~11 years at Simley High School ~Offensive Coordinator ~Defensive Coordinator ~South St. Paul High School ~Shakopee High School ~Columbia Heights High School ~Normandale Community College ~Right Guard ~1990 State Champions ~ Bloomington Kennedy High School ~Two-year starter at offensive guard ~Senior captain ~Special Education teacher ~*Resides in St. Paul ~Wife, Jeannie* ~Daughter, Morgan* (9) ~Son, Evan* (6)
GENE WISE – CO-DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
Truly a Minnesota Coaching Legend! ~Defensive Coordinator ~12 years at Eden Prairie ~Six state championship teams ~Bethel College ~Holy Angels High School ~Offensive Coordinator ~17 years for Normandale Community College ~Nationally rated rushing attacks ~Head Coach at Bloomington Lincoln High School ~*Resides in Bloomington ~Wife, Marion* ~3 children ~Matt ~Ellen ~Bev ~9 grandchildren
MARTY LEADENS – CO-DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
~Simley High School ~Four years as Defensive Coordinator ~2002 state tournament appearance ~South St. Paul High School - 1989-2001 ~Offensive Coordinator ~two state tournament appearances ~Isle High School ~ Seven years as Offensive Coordinator ~ Seven years as Head Coach for basketball ~Wisconsin-Superior ~Four-year starting Linebacker ~1975 graduate of Anoka High School ~Played for high school coaching legend Stan Nelson ~Member of 1975 Minnesota State High School Football All-Star team ~Member of 1975 Minnesota State High School Baseball All-Star team ~Elementary Education Teacher ~*Resides in South Saint Paul ~Wife, Robin* ~Meghan ~Ryan ~Anna*
RANDY JONES – OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR
~Head Coach ~Four years at Simley High School ~2002 state tournament appearance ~Holy Angels High School ~Shakopee High School ~Playing career ~CFL ~USFL ~Wisconsin-Superior ~Standout Wide Receiver ~Adapted Physical Education teacher ~*Resides in Shakopee ~Wife, Renita* ~Daughter, Ariel ~Son, Marcel*
MARCEL JONES – QUARTERBACK COACH
~Played professionally in Switzerland ~Collegiate career ~University of Minnesota ~University of Northern Iowa ~South Dakota State University ~High school career ~Four-year starting quarterback at Simley High School ~All State player ~Current record holder of all purpose yards by any player ~Aspiring to continue career in CFL ~Resides in Shakopee
PAT SOMMERS – LINEBACKER AND RUNNING BACK COACH
~14 years coaching experience ~Simley High School ~Head coach for 9th grade football ~Varsity running back coach ~Former MP in USMC ~Henry Sibley ~All Conference guard for 1991 Championship team ~Special Education Paraprofessional ~Resides in Inver Grove Heights
ROBERT GRACE – 9TH GRADE COACH
~Southwest High School ~Head coach for girls basketball ~Weight Room supervisor ~Employed by the Minnesota Timberwolves ~Resides in Minneapolis
KEDRICK WILLIAMS – 9th GRADE COACH
~McRae Park ~President and Athletic Director MARC Inc. ~Head Coach 14U team ~Head Coach 12U team ~Patrick Henry High School ~Running Back and Defensive Backs Coach ~Martin Luther King Park ~ Assistant Head Coach ~Offensive Coordinator ~1994 Graduate of Patrick Henry High School ~Resides in Richfield
BRIAN VOLKMEIER – VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT – DEFENSIVE BACKS
~1989 Bloomington Kennedy High School ~Student athlete ~Outside Salesman ~Resides in Eagan
JOSH ZOUCH – VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT
~Highland Park High School ~Five years as Offensive Assistant ~Kearney University – Nebraska ~Offensive Tackle ~Scholarship ~Teacher ~Resides in Robbinsdale
In the first game of the play offs it was Pat Madison Magic against El-Amin Fish House. Dan Coleman looked good from the start for the Fish House. He made started out making aggressive moves with the ball and he was not afraid to put the ball on the floor.
Both of these teams were not afraid to go after each other hard at the beginning of the game.
At the end of the first quarter the score was El-Amin Fish House 26 and Pat Madison Magic 24.
Devron Bostick really played well. He really went after the loose balls as he was diving all over the ground. He played really aggressive. He also came up with some very nice high light reel slam dunks.
Paul Carter got a lot of steals in the game. He looked really good. He made some nice stops on the defensive end.
In a half that there were a lot of good plays by each team the score at half time was El-Amin Fish House 57 and Pat Madison Magic 50.
As the second half got going each team made a valid effort to go out and play aggressively on both ends of the court.
Khalid El-Amin showed up at half time of his game and got in mid way through the third quarter. He provided a spark for his team because he brought new energy.
Toward the end of the third quarter the Fish House team got fancy with their passes and they were able to make some great passes that usually ended in a high light reel dunk by one of the players.
At the end of the third quarter the score was El-Amin Fish House 84 and Pat Madison Magic 67.
As the fourth quarter got underway the Fish House came out strong and they were just relentless. They kept the pressure on and they were able to come away with the 122-93 victory.
The Howard Pulley Pro Am that takes place Monday through Thursday at the Salvation Army gym in St Paul. On any given night there are many different Gopher basketball players that are playing.
The thing that I think I like about the Pro Am is that the players are so accessible. They are willing to talk to you. They are willing to talk about everything that you want to talk about. You really get to know the players for who they are. They are not just sound bites from press conferences.
Through this league I have gotten to know different University of Minnesota players for who they are off the court. I think that this league is a good league for the casual fan to come and enjoy some summer time basketball as well at the serious fan to see what the Gopher talent was to bring against some older competition.
JP Tokoto who is from Menomonee Falls, WI has been national looks from top programs across the country. He just finished his freshman year and he already has college coaches buzzing. He has received many different offers to play college basketball. Some of the schools that have offered JP Toko are Iowa State, Kansas, Marquette, Wisconsin and the University of Minnesota. We will have to wait and see how he will progress throughout his high school career. He is playing summer basketball (summer of 2009) with the Wisconsin Playground AAU program.
The Minnesota State High School League has placed Edina, Hopkins, Minnetonka and Wayzata into the Lake Conference, effective with the 2010-11 school year. Those four schools currently belong to the Classic Lake, which will dissolve at the end of 2009-10. The Lake Conference will become a 12-team league this fall when the new Chanhassen High School opens. But Chanhassen and Chaska, sister schools in District 112, have applied for membership in the Missota Conference for 2010-11.
During a meeting last week with the MSHSL placement committee, Lake officials said they were willing to accept two Classic Lake schools as new members. All four Classic Lake schools had earlier applied for membership in the Lake as well as the Northwest Suburban Conference; both leagues denied those requests by all four schools. The Northwest Suburban has accepted Armstrong from the Classic Lake for membership in 2010-11.
The Minnesota State High School Football Coaches Association puts on a football all star game in late June to honor the top 80 football players from across the state. This year’s game was broken down from players from the seven county metro area and the outstate. The game was played at St Cloud State University. The OutState team kicked off to the Metro team. Ryan Goetziner kicked off the for the OutState team. It started to rain at the beginning of the game and the fans still enjoyed the game. With the field being wet the ball was hard to hold on to. The Metro All Stars were able to drive down the field and Alex Jensen caught a nine yard touchdown pass. Luke DeWall kicked the point after attempt and made it. With 10:24 left in the first quarter the score was the Metro All Stars 7 and the OutState All Stars 0. After the Metro All Stars scored the touchdown the OutState All Stars got the ball and they got the ball they were looking to do a bunch of short passes on short dumps to the running backs. Chad Peterson did most of the running of the ball in the first quarter for the OutState Team. The OutState All Star team turned the ball over on downs. The Metro Team marched down the field and they kept on getting first down after first down. Marcus Binns had some nice moves when he had the ball. He used a nice spin move. He scored a 1 yard touchdown run with 5:03 left in the first quarter. Luke DeWall kicked the extra point and it was good. With 5:03 in the first quarter the score was the Metro All Stars 14 and the OutState All Stars 0. The OutState scored a touchdown on Aaron Richter’s touchdown pass. The Point after attempt by Jordan Taylor was no good as the ball bounced off the goal post and the kick was no good. After the first quarter the score was the Metro All Stars 14 and the OutState All Stars 6. Varmah Sonie has been in on every play he has been all over the field in this game. He has done a good job of bringing down his opponent. He is also back on the kick off team and he has made some good returns on the special teams. Stephen Johnson scored a touchdown on a seven yard run. The point after failed. The score with 12:44 left to go in the second quarter was the Metro All Stars 20 and the OutState All Stars 6. Isacc Dolan from the OutState team has made some nice rushes in the game. He was given the ball in critical times of the game. He was used when the OutState team wanted to get 10-15 yards of offense at a time.
Kevin Lindh carried for a 14 yard gain and he scored a touchdown on the play. The extra point was good. After the touch down the score, the OutState All Stars 13 and the Metro All Stars 20. Tyler Swanson caught a 22 yard touchdown catch in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown. The extra point was good. At the end of the first half the score was the Metro All Stars 27 and the OutState All Stars 13. The second half started out with both teams very excited. Varmah Sonie had a nice interruption to give the Metro All Stars the ball back. Marcus Binns did a nice job running with the ball he really held on to it. He was able to shake off his receivers and he looked to get the ball. the Metro All Stars lined up as they were going to make a field goal and then they decided to run in for the touch down Chase Vogel had a seven yard touchdown run. The Metro All Stars got on the board again late in the third quarter when Blair Townsend hooked up with Taylor Nelson for a 58 yard touchdown pass. Stephen Johnson had a 52 yard run for a touchdown. The extra point was good. At the end of the third quarter the score was the Metro All Stars 48 and OutState All Stars 13. James Peterson found Tyler Swanson in the end zone for another touchdown. The extra point was no good.
The score at the end of the game was Metro All Stars 54 and OutState All Stars 13.
Errol Carlstrom Playaz went up against Madison Magic.The Playaz started the game playing in a man to man defense. They wanted to get out and run from the start. Pat Madison was able to hit some shots early on. They built a 5 point lead with 6:00 to go in the first quarter.
Each team wanted to get an early jump on the scoring they were taking as many shots that were going in.
For Errol Carlstrom Playaz Devoe Josph looked well he was able to make shots that he put up early in the game.He also made some nice plays on the defensive end. He was able to stop his man off the dribble.
At the end of the first quarter the score was Pat Madison 21 and Errol Carlstrom Playaz 20.
This game was close throughout the first half.Xavier Reed came through and made some nice strong passes to his open guys on the court.
Each team continued to shoot the ball in the second quarter.Neither team was able to go on a run in the first half.
Devoe Josph led the charge on the offensive end. He pushed the ball up the court with ease and he was able to weave his way in and out of traffic with no problem.He was just so quick with the ball.
At half time the score was Pat Madison 35 and Errol Carlstrom Playaz 43.
The third quarter started out with a bang. Both teams played aggressively in the game. The Errol Carlstrom Playaz went on a run in the third quarter and they were able to gain a 79-59 lead at the end of the third quarter.
At the fourth quarter got underway Errol Carlstrom Playaz went on a run they were able to put the game away.
Errol Carlstrom Playaz was able to come away the 103-83 victory.
In a regular season high school game this would be a great match up year in and year out. You have two of the top power houses in Minnesota high school going up against each other when Hopkins and Henry Sibley go at each other.
Both of these teams really were playing scrappy on both ends of the court. Neither team was going to give up.
Mike Rostampour made some nice plays in the pant. He used a nice drop step and he was able to find the basket.
Hopkins played mostly a zone defense in the first half. Both teams traded baskets with each other for a period in the first half.
Both of these teams looked to get the ball up the court at a pretty quick pace.
At half time the score was Henry Sibley 20 and Hopkins 26.
The teams came out and played just as intense in the first half as they did in the second half. They traded baskets in the early goings in the second half.
Each of these teams battled the whole game. Each of them tried to outsmart the other. Hopkins went on a little run with just over 4:00 left to go in regulation.
Sibley put on a full court press late in the game. They wanted to try to get Hopkins out of there zone but It was a little too late because Sibley was not able to make the shots that they were putting up.
In a very exciting game which is always a battle Hopkins was able to come away with the 49- 45 victory.
Hopkins took on Champlin Park in Hopkins second game of the tournament. Both of these teams started out slow. Neither team was able to hit a shot to start the game out.
Hopkins started playing zone defense to begin the game. That kind of gave Champlin Park some difficultly. They were able to make some shots. Hopkins kind of broke down in the middle of the first half as their shots were not able to fall. Champlin Park took full advantage of that and they went on a run in the first half.
Both of these teams knew that they were going to be in a dog fight the whole entire game. At the end of the first half the score was Champlin Park 19 and Hopkins 16.
Hopkins kind of fell asleep at the wheel early on. They looked lethargic they didn’t make good passes and they were letting Champlin Park do what they wanted.
Champlin Park didn’t want Hopkins to get into their flow on the offensive end. But Hopkins was able to do that in the second have as they went on a run midway through the second half.
Hopkins went to a motion offense in the second half. They wanted to get a lot of movement in their offense.
Both teams traded baskets in the second half for a long time. Neither team was able to go on a run in the second half.
This game came down to the end each of these teams went back and forth and played very hard. Hopkins was able to come back and hold off Champlin Park the final of the game was Hopkins 44 and Champlin Park 40.
The Hopkins Royals took on St Cloud Apollo. Hopkins was able to make some shots early and St Cloud was able to match shots with Hopkins in the early goings.
Apollo played zone defense in the first half. They made Hopkins spread the floor out. If Apollo slowed Hopkins down they would be able get in the game.
In the first half Hopkins was able to make shots that they put up. They were up by the score of 36-20.
Hopkins came out on fire in the second half as they were able to knock down shot after shot with ease. St Cloud Apollo didn’t give up. They kept playing hard till the end. But Hopkins was just too much.
Hopkins was able to come away with the 72-49 victory.
2009 Howard Pulley Pro City Schedule Mon, Jun 22 7:00 El-Amin Fish House vs. HP – Bye 8:45 A & A Millwork vs. B 2 X Tue, Jun 23 7:00 Errol Carlstrom Playaz vs. Madison Magic 8:45 TRP Group vs. Hudson Enterprises Wed, Jun 24 7:00 HP – Bye vs. B 2 X 8:45 El-Amin Fish House vs. Madison Magic Thu, Jun 25 7:00 A & A Millwork vs. Hudson Enterprises 8:45 Errol Carlstrom Playaz vs. TRP Group Mon, Jun 29 7:00 B 2 X vs. Madison Magic 8:45 HP – Bye vs. Hudson Enterprises Tue, Jun 30 7:00 El-Amin Fish House vs. TRP Group 8:45 A & A Millwork vs. Errol Carlstrom Playaz Mon, Jul 6 7:00 Madison Magic vs. Hudson Enterprises 8:45 B 2 X vs. TRP Group Tue, Jul 7 7:00 A & A Millwork vs. El-Amin Fish House 8:45 HP – Bye vs. Errol Carlstrom Playaz Wed, Jul 8 7:00 B 2 X vs. Errol Carlstrom Playaz 8:45 Madison Magic vs. A & A Millwork Thu, Jul 9 7:00 Hudson Enterprises vs. El-Amin Fish House 8:45 HP – Bye vs. TRP Group Mon, Jul 13 7:00 El-Amin Fish House vs. B 2 X 8:45 TRP Group vs. Madison Magic Tue, Jul 14 7:00 Errol Carlstrom Playaz vs. Hudson Enterprises 8:45 A & A Millwork vs. HP – Bye Wed, Jul 15 7:00 El-Amin Fish House vs. Errol Carlstrom Playaz 8:45 Hudson Enterprises vs. B 2 X Thu, Jul 16 7:00 A & A Millwork vs. TRP Group 8:45 Madison Magic vs. HP – Bye Mon, Jul 20 Playoffs Begin - TBD
Apple Valley high school has hired Zach Goring as there head boys basketball coach. He has a rich background at Apple Valley where he graduated in 1995. He has been an assistant coach for the past 7 years.
Making an appearance on Joe Buck Live on HBO former Green Bay Packer great football player Brett Farve made it quite clear to me that he would be interested in playing football again and playing football in Minnesota.
Brett Farve said that he would be interested in playing in Minnesota because he knows the type of offensive system that the Vikings run and he thinks that he could fit right into the offense.
Brett Farve started playing for the Green Bay Packers where some would he is considered a legend. He also has played for the New York Jets.
This wouldn’t be the first time Brett Farve would be coming back out of retirement again. He first retired from football when he left Green Bay then he came out of retirement when he left the New York Jets.
So the question still remains out there will Brett Farve stay in retirement or will he join the Minnesota Vikings.
I myself would like to see him join the Minnesota Vikings. The reason I would like to see him join the Minnesota Vikings is because I think he is still one of the better quarterbacks out there when you look at the popularity of all the players one of the guys that always comes to mind is Bret Farve. The other reason that I would like to see him come back is because of his tight lipped approach that he is taking at the current time. He is creating a buzz and people like my self who are looking for some thing to write about are having a fun time trying to figure out what he is going to do.
Come on Brett, come to the land of 10,000 lakes you might be able to hook a walleye on Lake Minnetonka while hooking up to receivers deep in the end zone for touch downs.