Chiefs Shine in Rain

Derrick Johnson makes a tackle in the fourth quarter. He had 11 of them and forced a fumble too. (picture from nfl dot com)

If you are a Kansas City Chiefs fan, you just had to enjoy yourself yesterday. Nearly full stadium. Loud fans fouling up the opposition's offense. Exciting plays. Defensive stands in the forth quarter. Most importantly, a win. In fact, the Chiefs stand as the only AFC West team to win its opener.

Now there are flaws in this team. Matt Cassell was not very good. The only thing you can say good about him is that he did not turn the ball over. The defense, particularly after the last KC three-and-out, picked Cassell and the offense up by holding the Chargers out. Special teams contributed too, especially with the fine kick run backs, including one for a TD.

This feels good, but lets see what happens next week at Cleveland. Monday night teams often struggle in the next week. If we can get a win in Cleveland, well, then, even the naysayers might have to get a little bit enthused.

Monday Night Doubleheader

AP photo of Joe Flacco getting sacked and losing the ball in the first half of the Jets game.

The Jets and Ravens have just started the third quarter with the score 7-6 Ravens. The game was utterly dominated by defense until the Ravens put together a 4 minute drive in the last 4 minutes of the second quarter to score a touchdown. Should be interesting to see if defense still prevails in the second half, or the offenses adjust and there are more points.

The Chiefs and Chargers follow at 9:15 pm. Chiefs could surprise. I just hope they show well, even though the eastern time zones might tune out due to the late start--that's 10:15 eastern time!

Update: Jets lost to Ravens in a dreary game that bored most everyone. With the score 10-9 and about 1:37 left and one time out left, the Jets could not manage the two minute quick step down the field to get in position for a field goal that would have won the game. This could be a problem as the year goes on.

Prep and College Round Up

The beginning of the winning play by Smith Cotton against Ruskin.

What a difference a week made for Kansas. The team that looked ill prepared and disorganized against a far inferior opponant got their crap together and upset a top 25 opponent, Georgia Tech. They did it with great defense and a power running game and steady play from QB. They are probably not this good, just as they were not as bad as last week. So everyone in Jayhawk nation, take a breath. Your football team does not stink. Meantime Missouri and Kansas State took care of business against cupcakes, both squads able to get lots of players playing time.

In the preps, a bunch of games were suspended and continued on Saturday afternoon. It was wonderful weather! Ruskin had its first close game for this combined team. Ruskin had quick strike offense and some defensive turnovers against Smith-Cotton. But the Eagles could never consistently stop the Tigers' run and penalties again reared their ugly heads, stealing vital yards from the offense and giving up yards for the defense. In addition, in the tensest part of the game, there was a short lived scuffle on the sideline between Ruskin players. Let me tell you, the crowd in the stands, which was mostly adults, shouted down the fighting players and urged them to stop and save it for the field. In the end the Eagles lost by two on a touchdown run in the last minute by Smith Cotton. My hope is that the coaches use this first close game extensively as a teaching opportunity for the team. At the end of the season, when winning the last couple games can give an opportunity to go to state play offs, this experience should serve the team well.

Your Josh Freeman Update

Josh Freeman and the Tampa Bay Bucs played the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, and came away 17-14 winners. Josh Freeman was 17/28 for 182 yards, with one interception and two touchdowns.

He looked steady in the pocket, and appears to have grown over the off season. It was noted that he was wearing the Captain's patch--even for a QB, for a second year player to be elected one of the captains--that's not a small thing.

He did have one horrendous throw, an overthrow over the middle, that was intercepted, but his bad throw was overshadowed by one even worse--the throw of Cleveland's Jake Delhomme on the resulting offensive possession of the Browns that was picked off by Ronde Barber and nearly returned for a TD.

Josh had a long run of 33 yards. He was sacked three times--without seeing the game it is hard to know if these sacks were related to any of the common sins of the young QB--holding the ball too long, missing open receivers, etc. So a good steady game it appears for Josh Freeman, but the game was won for Tampa Bay by old man Barber.

Weather Impacts High School Football

Weather postponed/suspended several high school football games this evening, including Ruskin-Smith Cotton. The Ruskin game will be resumed tomorrow at 3 p.m. Other games impacted by the weather include Grandview and Raytown. We at Hickman Mills District Stadium were bummed as we were leading 13-7 when play was suspended in the middle of the second quarter around 8 p.m. for lightening in the area.

People circulate as they head for shelter at Ruskin High School.

Once in the auditorium, the cheerleaders did some cheers from the stage. A talented young lady also played the piano and sung a little while we waited for the verdict on continuing the game.

Who Pitched?

North Dakota State collects a KU fumble. (Kansas City Star photo)

This must have been absolutely no fun to watch, this KU-NDSU game, ending in a baseball like score of 6-3. For Kansas it was a cascade of fumbles, bumbles, offensive ineptness, and special teams misses. A bad bad debut for Turner Gill. If this was a movie, it would have gone straight to DVD. Universally panned by the critics, this Jayhawks team has a lot of work to do.

Meantime, both Kansas State and Missouri win their openers with strong second halves, especially from the Wildcat running game and the Missouri defense.

Tough Night for Southland Football

The Park Hill Trojans proved to be tough foes for Ruskin Friday night.

Tough night for Hickman Mills C-1 football Friday. Park Hill thumped Ruskin 35-13. Ruskin was just plagued by penalties, especially a holding call in the waning moments of the second quarter that took a TD off the board. Park Hill held at the start of the third quarter, and the game was pretty much over at that point. Ruskin is now 1-1. In order to join the elites of the conference, the Eagles need to eliminate the penalties, running now in the double digits in both games.

Grandview took a thumping from Raytown South, and Center was beaten by St. Pius so a tough night for southland preps all around.