MINNEAPOLIS SOUTHWEST TOOK ON ST. PAUL JOHNSON IN A HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAME

Minneapolis and St. Paul squared off as Minneapolis Southwest and St. Paul Johnson played a high school varsity football game.

Southwest kicked off to Johnson to start the game. Johnson got the ball on their own 28 yard line. Johnson kept the ball on the ground in the opening series. Johnson got a first down on a Southwest infraction.

Johnson got the ball into the hands of running back Undre Smith-Brewer. Smith-Brewer was all over the field. Southwest had a hard time getting their hands around him. The Southwest defense stepped up big as Jimmy Roth came up with interception.

Southwest got the ball back on their own 44 yard line. Quarterback Darin Richardson made a nice pass to Roth on a slant for a first down. Southwest's DeAnthony McKinley was all over the field.

Southwest found the end zone. On a 15 yard touchdown pass to Darin Richardson to Jimmy Roth. The extra point attempt was good. With 5:43 left in the first quarter the score was Southwest 7 and Johnson 0.

Johnson got the ball back after the Southwest touchdown. Johnson got the ball into the hands of Smith -Brewer once again. He looked to use his quickness as he looked to try to outsmart the Southwest players. Johnson punted the ball back to Southwest on fourth down.

Southwest got the ball back and they got the ball into the hands of McKinley who was a over the field but was not able to get a first down so they had to punt the ball back to Johnson.

Johnson used both the air and the ground attacks to try to get Southwest off guard.

At the end of the first quarter the score was Southwest 7 and Johnson 0.

Johnson got the ball to open the second quarter. They were not able to get a first down and they punted the ball to southwest and Jimmy Roth returned the ball 60 yards for a touchdown . The extra point attempt was good.

With 10:53 left to go in the second quarter the score was Southwest 14 and Johnson 0.

Southwest kicked off after the touchdown. Johnson's running back Smith-Brewer tried to run through the Southwest defense but had trouble doing that. Southwest took over on downs.

The game got rough midway through the second quarter. Tempers flared up as there was some trash talking going on between the two teams. It was a very physical game.

Smith-Brewer came up with a nice run that gave Johnson a first down. Johnson wanted to try to move the ball down the field but were not able to and they had to punt the ball back to Southwest.

Johnson threatened to score late in the second quarter. But they were not successful in doing that.

At halftime the score was Southwest 14 and Johnson 0.

Southwest got the ball to start the third quarter. Roth also got it done on the ground as he got the ball and took off for a first yard run. McKinley and Roth switched up running plays as they were all over the field in the red zone. On fourth down and long Southwest went for it but were not able to get a first down.

Johnson got the ball on their own 17 yard line. Johnson went to the air as they tried to air it out. They had to punt the ball on fourth down and 6 yards to go.

Southwest got the ball back and they once again looked to get it into the hands of McKinley. Johnson did a good job of getting to the Southwest's interior players. McKinley received a 65 yard touchdown pass for a Southwest touchdown.

The extra point attempt was not good.

Darin Richardson for Southwest scored a touchdown on a skippered 46 yards. The two point conversion was not good.

With that touchdown the score was Southwest 26 and Johnson 0.

Johnson was not able to get a first down and they gave the ball back to Southwest.

Talon Benavides for Southwest scored a touchdown. The two point conversion was good.

At the end of the third quarter the score was Southwest 34 Johnson 0.

Southwest continued to pound the ball down the field.

In a game that went back and forth from the start. Southwest was able to pound the ball down the field as they were able to come away with the 34-0 victory over Johnson.

ZERO WEEK HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAMES GET UNDERWAY

The first batch of Minnesota High School football games get underway Friday and Saturday August 24, and August 25, 2012. These teams started practice a week earlier then everyone else.

The first regular season high school football games gets underway next week the weekend of August 30, 2012.

If a team plays in a zero week contest they will have to have a bye in their schedule later in the year.

ST. LOUIS PARK OPEN NEW SEASON WITH A NEW FIELD

St. Louis Park High School opened the 2012-2013 sports season with a new athletic field. Before they put down the new turf the field would only be used for Varsity games and graduation.

No sports teams, P.E. Classes or the community could not use the field. If there was poor weather events would be canceled or rescheduled because of poor field conditions.

Lots of support from the community. Pushing for a while. 15Years participation has grown. More kids less space.

The Athletic Director noted that St. Louis Park, The University of Minnesota Gophers practice field and Minnetonka all have the same type of surface. He also mentioned that the field has, “Been used more this season that all of last year. The project also came in under budget and it was school board supportive.” “Lots of support from the community. Pushing for a while. 15 years of sports participation has grown. More kids less space.”

ROBBINSDALE COOPER GAURD RASHAD VAUGHN PICKS UP SCHOLARSHIP OFFERS

According to Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, “Minnesota, Iowa State, Iowa, Kansas Baylor, Texas, Syracuse, Tennessee, Colorado, Michigan State and Michigan have offered basketball tenders to Robbinsdale Cooper incoming senior guard Rashad Vaughn. 

RILEY DEARRING IS HEADED TO WISCONSIN

Minnetonka's 6-foot-5 combo guard Riley Dearring has committed to playing basketball at Wisconsin under head coach Bo Ryan.

RHETT MCDONALD IS DULUTH EAST NEW HEAD BOYS' BASKETBALL COACH

According to Duluth East Activities Director Shawn Rode, Duluth East hires Rhett McDonald as the head coach. Here is the press release from Duluth East.

“Duluth East fills basketball coaching vacancy.

The Duluth East Greyhounds have announced the hiring of Rhett McDonald as their new head boys basketball coach for the 2012-2013 season. McDonald takes over a prestigious East program that has qualified for 13 Minnesota State Tournaments, including the past two. The team will have a much different look in the coming season, as they replace five graduating seniors, including potential Division I talents Johnny Woodard and Taylor Stafford. Yet the most impactful change comes with the new head coach.

"We are very excited to hire a coach with such incredible energy and knowledge of the game," said Duluth East Activities Director Shawn Roed. "Rhett has played the game at a high level, and will coach beyond the scoreboard while instilling positive sportsmanship and class into the program."

McDonald, the grandson of legendary Chisholm head coach Bob McDonald, is a graduate of Cambridge-Isanti High School. He was a standout basketball player for the Bluejackets, earning All-State Honorable Mention and participating in the MBCA All-Star Series. He reached the 1,000-point milestone in his career, set a single-season record for 3-pointers with 99, and finished as the school's all-time assist leader. He also participated in football and track, and claimed a conference title in the shot put.

McDonald went on to the University of Minnesota-Duluth, where he was a four-year letter winner in basketball. He captained the Bulldogs in his senior season, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education, graduating with honors. His former hoops coach at UMD couldn't be happier to see the opportunity arise for McDonald.

"Being a fan of basketball, I am excited to have Rhett McDonald back in Duluth as a coach," said Gary Holquist when told of McDonald's new position. "When Rhett played in the UMD program he was a student of the game and took every opportunity to improve his knowledge concerning all aspects of basketball. He understands that coaching encompasses many areas besides the technical approach to the game, which includes academic and social mentoring. Duluth East is extremely fortunate to have a person of his caliber and potential to lead their basketball program."

McDonald's coaching resume includes a stint last season as an assistant boys basketball coach for Owatonna High School (MN), where he helped lead the team to an appearance in the Section 1AAAA Final. He also had a tenure as the head coach of boys track and field at Blooming Prairie High School (MN).

McDonald also spends time in the summer working at basketball camps throughout Minnesota. He comes to East for his first head basketball coaching position, in what will be a year full of exciting firsts for the McDonald family. He and his wife Kayelyn are expecting their first child in December.

McDonald and the Greyhounds will open the season at Eastview on December 1, 2012.”

HOPKINS TOOK ON SAINT LOUIS PARK IN A GIRLS SOCCER GAME

Hopkins and Saint Louis Park girls soccer team squared off in a game. It looked like it took awhile for each of these teams to get used to the new turf field. This was the first season that St. Louis Park had turf on the field.

Hopkins scored a goal early on in the contest on a Jillaine Deyoung found the goal early in the contest. With that goal that made the score Hopkins 1 and Saint Louis Park 0.

Deyoung was all over the field. She was quick on her feet and was able to blow by her defenders. Saint Louis Park did a good job of spreading the field out and attacking the net.

Both teams did a good job of moving the ball around the field throughout the first half.

At halftime the score was Hopkins 1 and Saint Louis Park 0.

As the second half got underway both teams looked refreshed as they came out for second half action.

Both teams did a good job of getting up and down the field on the turf.

Hopkins scored a goal Rachael St. Clare scored a goal late in the second half that made the score Hopkins 2 and Saint Louis Park 0.

Claire McNary for St. Louis Park scored a goal with 1:24 left in the game.

It was a hard fought game. In the end Hopkins came away with the 2-1 victory over St. Louis Park. 

THE HORNETS STING THE STARS IN A HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAME

It is opening week for teams that participated in zero week games. The Holy Angels Stars and The Edina Hornets took that option and played each other in week zero.

Holy Angels kicked off to Edina to start the game. Edina got the ball on the 37 yard line on the first play from scrimmage. They looked to get the ball into the hands of Mohammed Malim. Malim did a good job of carrying the ball. Edina got a first down on Malim's short yard run. On first down and ten they kept the ball on the ground. On the next series Edina had to punt the ball on fourth down and four yards to go. They punted the ball to Holy Angels.

There was a flag on the kick fourth down punt. Holy Angles was hit with an infraction. They picked up a first down on a running attack by the running back . Holy Angels was not afraid to mix up the passing and running attacks as they wanted to try to throw Holy Angels off guard. Holy Angels had to punt the ball on fourth down.

Edina quarterback Mark Handberg did a good job of reading the defense and was able to get the ball to his receivers and running backs quickly and was able to get out of the pocket. Edina picked up a first down on a short run by Handberg.

Edina kept on pounding the ball down the field trying to get first downs. Ben Boone came up with a nice catch that gave his team a first down.

Holy Angels called a timeout with 1:20 left in the first quarter.

Edina threatened to score late in the quarter.

Edina went for it on fourth down and one yard to go on a quarterback sneak and Edina came up with a first down.

At the end of the first quarter the score was tied at 0.

On the first play from scrimmage. Colin Ritter came up with a 1 yard touchdown run. The extra point by Patrick LeCorre was good.

Holy Angels got the ball after the Edina touchdown. Sam Keys of Holy Angels ran 83 yards for a touchdown. The extra point attempt was good.

With 10:22 left in the second quarter the score was tied at 7.

Edina got the ball after the touchdown. Marley Allison for Edina looked to slip through the Holy Angels defenders as he looked to scamper down the field. Allison came up with some nice catches to kept his team marching down the field. Edina was able to get first downs. Edina's Colin Ritter came up with a four yard touchdown run. The extra point attempt by Pattrick LeCorre was good.

With 4:43 left in the second quarter the score was Edina 14 and Holy Angels 7.

Holy Angels got the ball back after the touchdown. Quarterback Sam Keis was able to escape three guys who tried to tackle him. On the fourth try he was taken down.

At halftime the score was Edina 14 and Holy Angels 7.

Edina kicked off to Holy Angels to start the third quarter. Holy Angels punted the ball away on the first drive on fourth and one yard to go.

Edina got the ball on their 39 yard line. Sam Keis had trouble hanging onto the football. Marley Allison came up with a 66 yard run and gave Edina a first down on the one yard line. Collin Ritter came up with a one yard touchdown run. Patrick LaCorre came up with the extra point attempt.

The score was Edina 21 and Holy Angels 7.

Holy Angels got the ball back and they looked to get the ball down field but were not able to and they punted the ball back to Edina on fourth down.

Holy Angels Anthony Baysah scored a touchdown on a short run. The extra point attempt was good. With 1:52 left in the third quarter the score was Edina 21 and Holy Angels 14.

Edina's Ben Boone came up with a nice catch that gave his team an emotional lift.

After three quarters of play the score was Edina 21 and Holy Angels 14.

Edina fumbled the ball the ball and was not able to come up with the ball. Holy Angels was not able to get a first down and had to punt the ball back to Edina.

Edina got the ball back and looked to score midway through the fourth quarter. They did just that as Collin Ritter scored on a one yard touchdown run.

The extra point attempt was good.

In a hard fought game Edina came away with the 28-14 victory over Holy Angels. 

GET TO KNOW SAMUEL JEFFERY NEUMANN

Samuel Jeffery Neumann was born in 1996 in St. Paul, Minnesota. He has one older brother who just graduated from Cretin Derham Hall and is attending Wofford College via scholarship to play basketball.

Neumann currently attends Cretin Derham Hall High School in St. Paul Minnesota and he will graduate in 2015.

He has been involved in basketball his whole life. Neumann started his basketball career in the 3^rd grade.

Neumann played baseball until last year but he gave that up to focus on playing basketball.

I asked Neumann what he would like to do after he gets out of High School. He said, “I want to play basketball, and see how far that will take me. I haven’t really decided on a secondary profession yet.”

When you have played sports for almost your whole life there will be memories that you take away from the game. Neuman said one of his best memories was, “Actually my best basketball memory was watching my brother make a last second shot in a semi final section game to win.”

When he is not playing basketball he said he likes to hangout with friends and play video games and listen to hip hop music. Preferably Lil B and Yung God.

GET TO KNOW DWIGHT ERIC GOINS JR

Dwight Eric Goins Jr. was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Goins graduated from Washburn High School in 2008.

He played basketball for Washburn and Dakota Technical College and he is looking to go to either Anoka Ramsey or Dayton State College. He is 6 foot 3 inches tall and he plays the guard spot.

Goins has a big family as he has six brothers and three sisters.

He has played sports his whole life, as he started playing basketball when he was four years of age. Goins is an all around athlete as he has played soccer, basketball and football in his free time but basketball is his main sport of choice.

After college he would like to be a personal trainer or an air traffic controller.

I asked him, “What is your best basketball memory?” his response was, “My 1st dunk on somebody and when I scored 37 points in a game.” I also asked him, “What do you like to do in your free time?” “A lot I’m all over , I be here and there , but family is important to me whatever it is I’m doing as long as their involved I’m cool”.

Goins also likes to listen to a lot of different kinds of music, “The realest man , Yo Gotti , Meek Mill Boosie ,Wayne, Drake, Fab Chief Keef Bang Bang. I mess with a lot of people before a game really.”

This summer he has been working on his basketball game and thanks God every chance he gets to become the best person and basketball player that he can be.

I know Dwight Erich Goins and whatever program he ends up at he will be an advantage to the program. He is a down to earth person and a good person to be around.

I finally asked him, “Is there anything else you want people to know about you?” “I’m in my d rose mode this whole year no matter or where I attend I’m feeling like why not, why can’t I be the best player in that conference , I worked hard over the summer and it’s time for things to pay off MN this my year. Thanks for all the support from family friends and others but most of all I want to give thanks to God for the skills and experiences I’ve been through so far, which have gotten me where I stand today.”

THE NORTHSTAR HOOPS REPORT PROSPECT SHOWCASE DAY 1

The Northstar Hoops Report put on a Prospect Showcase at Augsburg College. The Stock Risers Showcase will be on August 18, from 8:00-2:00 Pm which will is for kids going into the 7^th, 8^th and 9^th grades. Then on August 19, from 8:30-2:30 the Prime Time Prospect Showcase which is for kids going into the 10^th 11^th and 12^th grade from 8:30-2:30 Pm.

The gym of Augsburg College was buzzing on Saturday morning as basketball players going into grades 7-9

The day got off to a quick start as the kids went through stations to work on different basketball drills. The drills emphasized off the ball skills that they will use in the feature. There was a big push for the fundamentals on the game in each drill.

Players showed up from around the Twin Cities metro area. Registration was open to just about anyone who wanted to show up and pay the fee.

After drill work everyone got into groups and they went into half court scrimmages.

After the half court scrimmages there was a half time break where the players were fed and hydrated.

After the meal break it was back to drill work. The main focus was footwork. They broke out into stations and everyone worked on the fundamentals of footwork.

After the footwork drills it was time for a little 5 on 5 actions. The coaches divided everyone up into groups and they played 5 on 5. Coaches looked on as kids showcased talent that they had.

After the skill portion of the showcase was over the clinic moved to a classroom where basketball coach and author Larry McKenzie spoke to the athletes about life and basketball after the camp was over.

Over all I enjoyed myself throughout the showcase. I thought that it was run well and everyone did a good job of showing their skills to the coaches in attendance.

RAHSAAN ROLAND ROSS

STEVEN MACDONALD FROEMMING ON CH 45 2010

UNI Panthers football falls to No. 3 Youngstown State in heartbreaker, 42-35

 According to Boxscore World Wide Sports Wire, "Univ. of Northern Iowa: YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (Sept. 22) – The No. 8 University of Northern Iowa Panther football team fell in a shootout to the No. 3 Youngstown State Penguins Saturday night 42-35 in the conference opener.

Sawyer Kollmorgen had another over 200-yard game tonight against Youngstown State finishing 23-38 and 333 yards. Chad Owens led the way for the Panthers in the air with 137 yards and David Johnson finished with 87 yards on the ground and four touchdowns.

The first quarter turned into an early shootout between the two Missouri Valley Football Conference powerhouses with three touchdowns being scored between the two teams in the first ten minutes of the game."

Check out the link below for the full report.

UNI Panthers football falls to No. 3 Youngstown State in heartbreaker, 42-35

MINNEAPOLIS ATHLETICS DIRECTOR JOHN WASHINGTON TO RETIRE

The following is a statement regarding Minneapolis Athletic Director John Washington from Superintendent of Schools Bernadeia H. Johnson, Ed.D. 

 

"Please join me in congratulating Director of Athletics John Washington as he prepares to retire from Minneapolis Public Schools.

 

An alumnus of North High School, John has served the students and families of MPS for since 1969 in both academic and athletic areas. Much of his career was spent at Patrick Henry High School as physical education and health teacher, basketball and baseball coach, assistant principal and athletics director. He became MPS athletic director in 1996. John serves as a National Interscholastic Athletics Administration Association Delegate Member and Executive Committee Member, a member of the Minnesota State High School League (MNHSL) Foundation Board and MNHSL tournament manager for Region 5 Football and Region 6 Basketball.

 

John’s tenure as athletic director has included the successful consolidation of MPS hockey teams, the restructuring of MPS coaches’ pre- and post-season workshops into a format now used by other school districts across the country and the pursuit of the vision to provide every high school with artificial turf. He was also inducted into the Patrick Henry Hall of Fame.

 

In his retirement, John looks forward to spending time with his wife, Annamae, and their children and grandchildren.

 

Jonh’s last day at MPS will be November 20, 2012. We thank him for his long service to our families, staff and students."

 

THREE COACHES ACHIEVE MILESTONE CAREER WINS

The Minnesota Football Coaches Association (MFCA) congratulates these coaches who achieved milestone career wins during week one of the 2012 Minnesota high school football season:

 

Dwight Lundeen, Becker, won his 300th career game on Thursday August 30 with a 61-6 win over Milaca in a Granite Ridge Conference game at Eppard Field in Becker. Dwight is in his 43rd year as Becker's only head coach and now has a career record of 300-139-3. He is the fourth coach to achieve 300 career wins and is also fourth on the all-time career wins list in Minnesota high school football history. Becker has a 2012 record of 1-0. The Bulldogs will play at Foley (1-0) on Friday September 7 at 7:00 PM.

 

Randy Strand, Adrian, won his 200th career game on Thursday August 30 with a 27-14 win over MACCRAY in a Little Sioux Conference game played in Adrian. Randy has been the Adrian head coach since 1985 and is in his 28th season. His career record is 200-87-0. Adrian has a 2012 record of 1-0. The Dragons will play at Minneota/Lincoln HI (1-0) on Friday September 7 at 7:00 PM.

 

Paul Dunn, Springfield, won his 100th career game on Friday August 31 with a 20-13 win over New Ulm Cathedral in a Southern Minnesota Conference game played in New Ulm. Paul has been the Springfield head coach since 1999 and is in his 14th season. His career is 100-42-0. Springfield has a 2012 record of 1-0. The Tigers will play at Red Rock Central on Friday September 7 at 7:00 PM.

 

Congratulations to these outstanding “Keepers of the Game” for their remarkable achievements!

 

'I'm blessed:' Concordia player gets second chance.

Article by: DENNIS BRACKIN , Star Tribune 

"After life on the streets and failure in school, Concordia-St. Paul football player Jermaine Clemon found "Mom and Dad," a stable life - and hope he wants to share.

The call that would alter so many lives came on Feb. 28, 2007. It was early, around 9 a.m., Wendy Webb remembers.

Geneva Clemon was on the other end of the line, crying, saying she could no longer be responsible for her younger brother, Jermaine. Too much heartache. Too much worry, especially with five young children of her own to raise.

Jermaine Clemon was only 14, but he had already been in and out of juvenile detention centers, booted out of the public school system and immersed in the drugs and violence of the tough streets of inner city Racine, Wis.
"I said, 'I will be there in 10 minutes,'" Wendy Webb said.

Clemon remembers getting into Wendy's van, with his earthly belongings filling half a garbage bag, and thinking he did not want to be there. He had met Bob and Wendy Webb a year earlier at a Bible study, his attendance predicated on the free meal that was offered. The Webbs, he knew, were big on rules and religion.

Spend a couple of days with the Webbs, Clemon figured, and then he'd leave and get back to the street life he knew so well, the one he had been seemingly destined for since his father was killed on a Chicago street when he was 3 months old. His childhood was spent in places like the abandoned Chicago apartment he shared with his mother and siblings for almost two years, with no heat or electricity, save for an electric cord that stretched to a neighbor's garage. Many meals, Jermaine says, came from the dumpster behind a nearby White Castle.

A couple of days with the Webbs stretched to weeks, then months and years. The Webbs became legal guardians, and more important, the people Jermaine now calls "Mom and Dad'' with an ease that sounds as if they have held the titles forever.

"Dead or back in jail,'' he replies without hesitation when asked where he'd be today without the Webbs.

Instead, he is on course to become the first person in his biological family to graduate from college, already twice a member of the Dean's list in his third year at Concordia (St. Paul). At 6-4, 240 pounds, the redshirt sophomore tight end is also a core member of the school's football team.

"I'm blessed,'' Jermaine Clemon says, a phrase he repeats multiple times during an hour interview.

Wendy Webb vividly remembers the first time she met Jermaine Clemon. He was standing on a Racine street corner with his brother Jimmy, and cousin Eddie, both older than Jermaine. Wendy was driving an oversized van, picking up youngsters for Bible study.

The Webbs already had raised three children, who were adults and remained in California when their parents moved to Racine in 2004 to help build an inner city ministry through Calvary Chapel.

The day she saw Clemon and his two relatives board the van, Wendy says, was the only time she ever has been afraid driving the van.

"I figured, 'I'm going to have a knife in my neck before I get off this street,''' she says.

The boys became regulars at Bible study. Wendy and Bob already had built a relationship with Geneva, whose children began attending Bible study in 2005, and passed on word of the free meal to their older cousins.

A couple of months after Jermaine moved in, the Webbs also took in Jimmy and Eddie. Jimmy remained almost two years, Eddie, the oldest, for only several months. The Webbs gained guardianship for only Jermaine, in large part because of his youth.

"That's kind of mind-blowing to me, even now,'' Jermaine Clemon says. "For a family to take in three teenage kids at the same time?''

Clemon arrived at his new home with a 0.8 GPA after his freshman first semester at Racine Case High School, and already had been dispatched to the Mack Center, a school for troubled youth. Wendy almost immediately started pleading for Clemon to be readmitted to the public school system. Her campaign proved successful when Racine Horlick High administrators decided to take a chance.

"Jermaine was a very determined young man,'' Webb says. "He wanted a chance at life. ... He had no study skills. The world Jermaine grew up in, there was no time to study. He had a life of survival. We gave him a life of structure.''

The transition wasn't easy. Clemon admits he balked at the nightly homework sessions. And there was so much he didn't understand.

"When I first got there, I would get up at 1 in the morning and go lock the doors because I was so scared,'' he says. "It was just that mindset, that somebody was going to be coming and knock down the doors. ... And I thought it was the most absurd thing that they left their bicycles outside. I'm like, 'Aren't you going to take the bikes inside? Are you going to lock the doors?'"

Wendy says she has told Jermaine numerous times that "he is the most courageous person I ever met. When he was 15 years old, he walked away from everything he had ever known, and walked into a life where every interaction was a risk.''

Clemon was taking college prep classes within a year of his arrival at Horlick. He worked his way onto the school's GPA honor roll for several semesters, and had a 3.4 GPA as a senior. He joined choir, and found he had a natural bass voice.

Success on the athletic fields came slower.

He never had played on a youth team of any kind -- "Never even crossed my mind,'' he says -- before going out for football as a sophomore.

He says his varsity football experience as a sophomore and junior consisted of one play. He was cut from the basketball team as a junior.

By his senior year, he was growing into his body, gaining speed and an understanding of sports he missed out on as a child.

He captained both the football and basketball teams as a senior. Several college football coaches watching highlight video sent by Horlick took an interest, none more so than Concordia's Ryan Williams.

Williams, Concordia's offensive coordinator at the time, was the first coach to make an in-person visit at Horlick.

"What sealed the deal is, they wanted me. They showed interest in me,'' Clemon says.

He was redshirted as a freshman, and became a regular contributor last season, making 19 catches for 237 yards. Williams said "there's no doubt'' that Clemon is a diamond in the rough, the sort of player Division II programs can only hope is missed by major colleges.

"He's got some special gifts. With his power, his athleticism and his intelligence, as he continues to mature, the sky's the limit,'' Williams said.

"Clemon, like so many college players, dreams of playing in the NFL. But he knows the odds are so long against it that he calls it "my backup plan.''

Plan A, he says, is to complete college and find work as a special education teacher and high school football coach. Special education, he says, because he wants to take kids who have "gone through some tough things, and let them know, 'Hey, you have hope.'"

Providing hope has become something of a personal mission for Clemon. Despite all that the Webbs have meant, despite being "my mom and dad,'' he says he never wanted formal adoption and a change of his last name.

The name, he says, is a big part of what drives him today. Part of what makes him embrace academics, the weight room, even two-a-day practices.

"I just want the Clemon last name to be something more than just getting arrested, being involved with drugs or whatever the case may be,'' he says.

The quest often seems a lonely one. Among his biological family members, only Jimmy has seen him play an athletic event, and that was one football game last year at Upper Iowa.

"Bob and Wendy go to every game,'' he says. "But none of my biological family has ever seen me ...''

As he speaks, tears well in his eyes, then slowly trickle down his cheeks. If his Clemon family members could see him play just once, could just see for themselves how far he has come, that, he says, "would be the ultimate. I think that's why I work so hard,'' he says.

"It's more than just me. What I do is for my sisters and my brothers, my nieces and nephews. I'll break every bone in my body so I can succeed if I can give them hope.''

MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY OF MANKATO HEAD FOOTBALL COACH LANDS IN JAIL ACCUSED OF CHILD PORN

According to Paul Walsh of the Minneapolis Start Tribune, “The head football coach at Minnesota State University Mankato was jailed Tuesday afternoon and accused of being involved in child pornography, and a temporary replacement is running the team.

Todd Hoffner, 46, of Eagle Lake, was arrested at his home pending a court appearance and being held on suspicion of "use of minors in a sexual performance" and possessing child pornography, according to the Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff's Office said it received information Monday about Hoffner allegedly possessing pornography. His home was searched Tuesday, and the coach was then taken into custody.

According to the university, Hoffner has been on leave from his coaching position since Friday.

In a statement released Tuesday night university spokesman Dan Benson said, "The University's top priority is 

ensuring the safety and well-being of its students, program participants, and the community. The University is not aware of any allegations affecting university students or program participants."

A university investigation against Hoffner is pending, Benson said.

The Mankato Free Press is reporting that Hoffner was escorted from the practice field Friday.

Assistant Coach Aaron Keen has taken over the Division II team in Hoffner's absence.

"The whole situation comes as a shock and is still a shock," Keen said.

The players have now gone through two days of workouts without Hoffner, and "the guys have responded really well," said Keen, who was the team's offensive coordinator last season.

The players and coaches were scheduled to meet Tuesday night to "share information and to be there with them," Keen added.

Todd Hoffner was entering his fifth year as the field general of the Mavericks, compiling a record of 34-13. 

Over the past four seasons, he has led Minnesota State to the playoffs (2008 and 2009), a Mineral Water Bowl Championship (2011), three Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference South Division Titles (2008, 2009 and 2011) and a share of the NSIC title (2011).

Hoffner is married and has three children. The Star Tribune attempted to call Hoffner's house, but the line was disconnected.”

Tyus Jones Sophomore Apple Valley HS BALLERS SWAG ELITE M.R.E.Z SPORTS

SLAM ONLINE | » Q A: Troy Bell

by Drey Wingate / @ProStatus85

Former Boston College legend and NBA player Troy Bell has come a long way since his childhood dreams growing up in Minnesota. His time in the NBA may have been cut short, but his career as a professional basketball player is one of longevity. We caught up with Bell to talk about his time in the NBA and abroad, his R&B hobby and more.

Check out the link below for the  full report in Slam.

SLAM ONLINE | » Q A: Troy Bell

LAKEVILLE ATHLETE ACCIDENTALLY PARALYZED FINDS HELP AT SISTER KENNY REHAB INSTITUTE

OSSEO FOOTBALL CAPTAIN BEATS CYBER BULLIES AT THEIR OWN GAME, MAKING KINDNESS GO VIRAL

First female NFL ref takes field for Packers-Chargers game - Minneapolis News and Weather KMSP FOX 9

By BARRY WILNER AP Pro Football Writer

The NFL's first female official is welcoming her role as a sports pioneer.

Shannon Eastin says she's excited and a bit nervous but not at all intimidated by the challenge of working a pro game. Eastin makes her NFL debut Thursday night as the line judge when the Green Bay Packers play at San Diego in the preseason opener for both teams. A 42-year-old referee in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference - college football's second-highest level - Eastin has 16 years of officiating experience.

She is among the replacement officials hired by the league while the regular officials are locked out. Like the rest of her current colleagues, she could easily be back to her regular officiating gig once a new labor deal is struck.

"I want to encourage women: Don't be afraid," Eastin said on a conference call Tuesday. "Pursue and have dreams. This is my dream. With very step I hope to show it really doesn't matter if you are male or female."

Eastin is in a particularly difficult spot for three reasons:

- No woman has officiated an NFL game;

- The Chargers host the Packers on national television;

- She is viewed by some of the NFL's regular officials as a scab.

Check out the link from Fox 9 for more information on this report. 

An inside look at sports academies | Minnesota Hockey Hub | MN Boys High School Hockey

Total Hockey Minnesota

Where: Lakeville

Enrollment: Intense Hockey Training program serves about 200 kids.

Club/team affiliations: Fushion AAA

Training facility highlights: Ice rink, speed ramp, hockey treadmill, shot radar gun, shooting accuracy goal, stick work simulator, weight room.

Cost: Examples taken from Intense Hockey Training program registration form: $3,250 -- high school boys; $3,000 -- high school girls; $2,500 -- bantam/pewee. IHT is a seven-month program that includes on- and off-ice training four times a week.

Notable clients: NHL players Zach Parise, Drew Stafford, Kyle Okposo, Derek Stepan.

43 Hoops

Where: Hopkins

Enrollment: "Hundreds of members training year-round."

Training facility highlights: Three basketball/volleyball courts, weight room and classrooms.

Club/team affiliations: 43 Hoops Basketball, Club 43 Volleyball

Cost: Basketball -- membership training package, 12-month unlimited -- $300 month ($3,600 annual); one-on-one session -- $60; team-training session -- $150. Volleyball -- club fees (six months, for top team in 15-17 age group) -- $3,400; one-on-one session -- $25-$60.

Notable alumni: Kris Humphries (NBA, Brooklyn Nets); former Wisconsin point guard Jordan Taylor.

Note: All academy owners said that families that can't afford to pay these fees can work out some sort of payment plan.

JASON GONZALEZ

An inside look at sports academies | Minnesota Hockey Hub | MN Boys High School Hockey

Opportunity – for a price | Minnesota Hockey Hub | MN Boys High School Hockey

By Jason Gonzalez, Star Tribune

 

Behind the walls of an old grocery store in Lakeville is Reed Smith's playground. For at least two hours, four times a week, the 13-year-old bounces around the warehouse with purpose.

The food aisles have been replaced with athletic equipment and ice, and the store clerks with certified trainers, transforming this building into Total Hockey Minnesota training academy.

Along with the couple hundred other hockey players of all ages from all areas of the Twin Cities and beyond, Smith and his older sister Annabeth spend considerable time and family resources for a chance at becoming the sport's elite.

"It's very competitive," Smith said about the training environment. "I do believe it's good for me. It helps me excel in my hockey career to be like the pros. It's necessary."

Check out the link below for the rest of the report.

Opportunity – for a price | Minnesota Hockey Hub | MN Boys High School Hockey

GET TO KNOW QUINTON LEON GARVIS

Quinton Leon Garvis was born on March 28, 1996 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Garvis has been
involved in basketball his whole life. He started playing in the first or second grade and has two
siblings. Currently, he stands 6 feet 2 inches tall.

 

He plans on playing college basketball. He will graduate from Minneapolis Washburn in 2014. One of
the lessons that he said that he was learned from playing basketball was, “No matter what it is, if you
work hard enough, you can do it.”

 

In his free time he likes to hang out with friends, play video games, and clown around with
his friends.

You can also find Garvis in a gym or a local weight room working on his game and strength.

Edited by: Andre Chouravong twitter.com/discokryptonite

123PRINT.COM WENT UP AGAINST PAT MADISON IN THE HOWARD PULLEY PRO CITY SUMMER LEAGUE

123Print.com matched up against Pat Madison in a Howard Pulley Pro City Summer League basketball
game.

123Print.com jumped out to a quick lead early in the contest. Pat Madison hard a difficult time making
shots that they put up. They didn't get frustrated because the shots that they were putting up were not
going in.

123Print.com didn't get down on themselves because they were not able to get shots they wanted to
fall.

At the end of the first quarter the score was 123Print.com 25 and Pat Madison 21.

The second quarter got off to a quick start as each team raced up and down the floor looking to make
quick baskets.

The score went back and forth throughout the second quarter. Both teams were able to able to make
fast break lay-ups.

Both teams dove on the floor as they went after loose balls and rebounds. DeAndre Bear Townsend
was all over the floor for 123Print.com. On the offensive end he was able to blow by his defenders and
get to the basket and make lay-ups. On the defensive end he was able to control his guy and made it
hard for him to hit shots.

The score was relatively tight in the first half as neither team went on a run or gave up easy baskets.

As the quarter continued both teams made some good plays on the offensive end as they both were able
to make lay-ups and jump shots.

123Print.com did a good job of getting loose balls and getting fast breaks.

At halftime the score was Pat Madison 45 and 123Print.com 44.

The third quarter got underway as quickly as the second quarter ended. Both teams were able to use
their quickness as they both tried to maneuver away from the other team.

Townsend continued to drain jump shots in the third quarter. He was dead on.

Kyles made some good moves to the basket as he was able to hit shots that he put up.

Damian Johnson for 123Print.com made some good moves around the basket. He was able to fight for
balls and go after rebounds on both ends of the floor.

123Print.com went on a run midway through the third quarter. Pat Madison called a timeout with 4:36
left in the third quarter 123Print.com had a 62-52 lead.

Johnson came up with some nice slam dunks on the offensive end. He had some good looks at the basket. 

Johnson was not afraid to shoot the ball from anywhere on the floor.

At the end of the third quarter the score was 123Print.com 75 and Pat Madison 64.

123Print.com didn't let up at all. They kept their foot on the gas as they were able to score whenever
they wanted to .

Pat Madison had difficultly shooting the ball from the onset. They were not able to hot shots that they
put up but they didn't get down on them self's at all. 123Print.com came away with the 105-94 victory
over Pat Madison.

 Edited by: Andre Chouravong twitter.com/discokryptonite

"Live Inside You" Troy Bell Prod by G-Mo ft Green Eyed Mammi Brian Gabri...

INFORMATION INVESTORTS GROUP TOOK ON ERROL CARLSTROM PLAYAZ IN THE HOWARD PULLEY LEAGUE

Information Investors went up against Errol Calrstrom Playaz in the Howard Pulley Pro City Summer

League. The game got off to a quick start as each team traded baskets in the first quarter.

It took a while for the teams to get accustomed to each other in the first quarter.

At the end of the first quarter the score was Errol Carlstrom Playaz 20 and Information Investors 21.

The second quarter got off to a quick start as each team traded baskets for a good portion of the quarter.

Neither team went on a run in the first half. Each team played with a lot of passion and pride. Neither

team gave up any easy open shots.

Both teams looked to get easy baskets in transition. They were able to do that as there was very weak

defense by both teams as they were giving up easy looks at the basket.

At halftime the score was Errol Carlstrom Playaz 43 and Information Investors Group 36.

Darren Clover made some nice shots in the game. He was able to blow by his defenders and hit lay-up

after lay-up.

The game remained close throughout the early goings of the third quarter.

Errol Carlstrom Playaz went on a run in the third quarter. Information Investors couldn't hit shots.

At the end of the third quarter the score was Errol Carlstrom Playaz 76 and Information Investors

Group 52.

The fourth quarter was sloppy. Neither team got into a rhythm on either end of the floor. In end Errol

Carlstrom Playaz came away with the 114-87 victory over Information Investors Group.

 

Edited by: Andre Chouravong

 

MILLER TIME TOOK ON FUNDAMENTALLY SOUND ATHLETICS IN A BASKETBALL GAME

Miller Time went up against Fundamentally Sound Athletics in the Howard Pulley Pro City Summer

League.

The game got off to a quick start as each team raced up and down the floor looking for jump shots.

Fundamentally Sound Athletics looked a little quicker than Miller Time.

Miller Time had a hard time making baskets in the first quarter. They were not able to hit shots that

they put up.

Cole David Aldrich, who is from the Twin Cities and is trying out for a few NBA teams, showed up and

played for Miller Time.

Troy Bell for Miller Time made some nice baskets in the lane for his team. He was not afraid to shoot

the ball from anywhere on the court however.

 

At halftime the score was Fundamentally Sound Athletics 56 and Miller Time 34.

The third quarter got off to a rip roaring start as Rodney Williams came up with a nice two handed

power slam dunk that got the crowd into the game.

Siyani Tahir Chambers was all over the floor for his team. He was able to dribble around the

competition. He was much quicker that his defenders.

At the end of the third quarter the score was Fundamentally Sound Athletics 71 and Miller Time 58.

Miller Time looked to go on a run in the fourth quarter. They pushed the ball down the floor as they

were looking for other ways to get the ball into the basket. They didn't get frustrated because their

shots were not falling.

Both teams played with a lot of emotion and energy. The game got chippy down the stretch late in the

game as the brand of ball became more physical.

Bobby Fong for Miller Time was able to hit shots from everywhere on the floor. He was not afraid to

shoot it even if he had a defender guarding him.

In a hard fought game Fundamentally Sound Athletics came away with the 94-81 victory over Miller

Time.

Edited by: Edited by Andre Chouravong