POPULARITY
Gilbert returns to the state title match with a 2-0 win over Bishop Heelan, while Des Moines Christian punched its ticket on a late corner-kick winner in a tense battle with Unity Christian. Ben and Blake break down the weather chaos, tactical moments, standout performances, and what to expect in Saturday's all-central Iowa final.
After the Walkersville High boys lacrosse team won the Central Maryland Conference small school championship, continuing one of its best seasons in school history, star face-off man Angelo Torres and standout goalie Gavyn Dodson are this week's guests on The Final Score podcast. Torres tells host Greg Swatek how he became a face-off man and the key to becoming a good one, while Dodson explains why he wanted to be a goalie and how fearless one has to be to play the position. Torres and Dodson also discuss why this has been such a great season for Walkersville lacrosse, some of the most memorable moments and victories along the way and the key going forward for the Lions if they are going to seriously challenge for the Class 2A state championship. Prior to that conversation, FNP sports reporter Alexander Dacy joins Greg to talk about the spring sports playoffs across Frederick County and the paths forward for some of the top state-title contenders in various sports.
Tate is joined by Nashville Collegiate Prep’s (NCP) head football coach, Jamie Graham, to discuss the opening of the new tuition-free charter school in Antioch. Spanning 82 acres, the campus features a turf football stadium and a full baseball field, serving a diverse student body. Coach Graham, a Nashville native and former athlete at White’s Creek and Vanderbilt, shares his vision for a program built on passion, discipline, and detail, with plans for the football team to compete in Division 1, Class 2A. He is joined at NCP by Athletic Director and basketball coach Devon Arnold, and the two aim to establish a new athletic and academic legacy at a school that just opened its doors in August 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Final Score podcast continues its state-championship series this week with sophomore standout Ryker Keeney of the Middletown High School wrestling team. Keeney chats with host Greg Swatek about his 43-6 season, which included placing third in the Frederick County tournament at 144 pounds, winning the Class 2A-1A West regional title in that weight class and then placing fifth at the state tournament. He talks about what it was like to be a part of such a powerhouse team at Middletown this season. The Knights capped an undefeated season by winning the Class 2A state duals championship, and they crushed nearly all of their opponents along the way. Keeney talks about what made the team so strong and how it felt after winning the state title. There is also discussion about why he is so passionate about wrestling, leading a team despite being one of its youngest members, how he got into wrestling and what the future looks like for the Middletown High wrestling program. Prior to this conversation, News-Post sports reporter Alexander Dacy joins Greg to discuss spring sports around Frederick County and the players from the county playing minor-league baseball, keeping the dream alive with Opening Day on tap across Major League Baseball.
After winning the Class 2A high jump at the state indoor track and field meet with a personal-best leap of 6 feet, 10 inches, Walkersville High junior Masiah Martin and his coach, Amy Pezenoski, are this week's guests on The Final Score podcast. Martin tells host Greg Swatek what it meant to win a state title in the high jump and how it felt to clear such a lofty standard, and Pezenoski talks about what makes Martin such a special athlete, teammate and person. The conversation turns to how Martin prepares for meets, how he helps teammates and even rival jumpers during meets, his inner confidence and strong self-belief, how he started high jumping in the first place and, ultimately, how high he might fly during this upcoming outdoor season. What are his goals? How much higher can he raise the bar? Prior to that discussion, FNP sports report Alexander Dacy joins Greg to discuss the high school basketball regional finals and what's ahead for Frederick County teams in the state quarterfinals, as well as Hood College's impressive run to hosting at least one game in the NCAA Division III men's basketball tournament this weekend and a banner night for Frederick County ice hockey.
A deep postseason run nearly carried Columbia River to the Class 2A championship game, and Evergreen's girls program made its own history at the Class 3A state tournament. The Rapids finished fifth after a tight third-place game against Anacortes, while Evergreen secured the program's first state trophy with a sixth-place finish after facing White River at the Tacoma Dome. In this episode, Paul Valencia breaks down the final results, standout performances from players like Luca Phillips and Amaya Paschal, and what these state tournament runs mean for Vancouver high school basketball moving forward. Listen now, then read the full story at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/sports/trophy-games-columbia-river-boys-finish-fifth-evergreen-girls-take-sixth-at-state-tournaments/ #VancouverWA #HighSchoolBasketball #WIAA #ColumbiaRiverRapids #EvergreenPlainsmen #ClarkCountySports #WashingtonSports
A frantic final sequence in Yakima decided one of the most dramatic games of the Washington high school basketball season. Columbia River held the lead late in regulation and again in overtime before Bremerton's Jalen Davis delivered the tying play and a buzzer-beating finish to win the Class 2A semifinal 55-54. The Rapids now shift to the third-place game while Evergreen's girls reached a trophy matchup in the Class 3A tournament and several other Clark County teams closed their state tournament runs. Reporter Paul Valencia breaks down the biggest moments from the WIAA state basketball tournament, standout performances, and what comes next for Columbia River and Evergreen. Read the full story at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/sports/high-school-state-basketball-columbia-river-suffers-heartache-in-overtime-loss-in-semifinals/ #ClarkCounty #HighSchoolBasketball #WIAA #ColumbiaRiver #EvergreenPlainsmen #YakimaSunDome #TacomaDome #WashingtonSports
A 6–3 U.S. Supreme Court ruling tied to parental rights and gender identity policies quickly became part of the ongoing debate surrounding the La Center School District's dispute with the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. At the same time, Columbia River's boys basketball team surged into the Class 2A state semifinals after a dramatic win in Yakima, while lawmakers raised new concerns that the Interstate Bridge Replacement project could face a funding gap approaching $10 billion. This weekly roundup highlights the major stories shaping education, politics, transportation, sports, and community life across Clark County. Read the full stories at https://mailchi.mp/clarkcountytoday/this-weeks-top-news_march_06_2026. #ClarkCounty #LocalNews #WashingtonPolitics #HighSchoolBasketball #InterstateBridge #PNWNews
A massive 29-1 scoring stretch helped Columbia River turn an early deficit into a commanding win over Pullman in the Class 2A state basketball quarterfinals in Yakima. The Rapids, an 11-seed, are headed to the state semifinals after victories over higher-seeded teams in the Washington high school basketball tournament. Meanwhile, Union, Evergreen, Seton Catholic and Columbia Adventist saw their championship bracket runs end in quarterfinal matchups across Yakima, Tacoma and Spokane. Story by Paul Valencia. Listen for the latest from the state basketball playoffs, then read the full report at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/sports/state-basketball-quarterfinals-columbia-river-rapids-keep-dream-alive-advance-to-final-four/. #WashingtonStateBasketball #ColumbiaRiverRapids #ClarkCountySports #HighSchoolBasketball #YakimaSunDome #TacomaDome #SpokaneArena
The guys give you an in-depth preview of the FHSAA Class 2A State Wrestling Tournament. They break down every single weight class, talking about who could win a title, what matches you shouldn't miss, and some surprises to watch for. Everything you want to know about the Class 2A state tournament is in there. Links from the show:https://www.kabrawrestling.com/https://sewrestle.substack.com/https://shotbyward.substack.com/
The Minnesota high school boys hockey state tournament brackets are out, and Daily Delivery host Michael Rand is joined by Moorhead senior Tyden Bergeson for his reaction to the field. Moorhead is the defending Class 2A champion and is seeded No. 2 this year. The Spuds will face Lakeville South in the quarterfinals Thursday.
As his team prepares for the upcoming playoffs, Urbana High girls basketball coach J.R. Rawlins is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast. Rawlins talks with host Greg Swatek about the very competitive and tightly packed girls basketball landscape in Frederick County and how his talented team at Urbana fits into the mix. He talks about how he got his start in coaching and his time spent as a basketball referee in the county and the respect he has for both jobs. And he outlines the road ahead for his team at Urbana and what he expects as the Hawks head into the Class 4A West regional playoffs. Prior to that conversation, FNP sports reporter Alexander Dacy joins Greg to discuss Middletown's state championship over the weekend in the Class 2A wrestling duals and the end of the high school basketball regular season in Frederick County.
On a special edition of Daily Delivery, host Michael Rand checks in with Bemidji girls' hockey star Bailey Rupp. She helped Bemidji to the girls' hockey state tournament for the first time since 2007, where they will face Edina in Thursdays' Class 2A quarterfinals.
With two weeks remaining in the regular season, there remain two schools — Sewickley Academy in Class 2A and Class 6A New Castle — with unblemished records. Our Post-Gazette WPIAL insiders, high school sports editor Keith Barnes and the incomparable Mike White, delve into their belief if one, both — or neither — can finish the regular season undefeated. Also in this week's episode, the two chat about which of the contenders — Moon, Lincoln Park, Chartiers Valley, Gateway or someone else — will end up at the top of the heap in Class 5A. Then there is Central Catholic — how impressive is the Vikings defense? And don't forget Shining Stars, predictions and the PG Fantasy Basketball League! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
With the Middletown boys looking like the county's top basketball team and poised to make a run at a potential state championship, Knights coach John Keimig is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast. Keimig chats with host Greg Swatek about how the Knights are handling the lofty expectations with most of their team back from a season ago when they took eventual Class 2A runner-up New Town to double overtime in the state semifinals. What are Keimig's fondest memories from that playoff run? What does he like the most about this current team? Who are the key players? And what will it take for Middletown to win its first state title in boys basketball in March? Prior to that conversation, FNP sports writer Alexander Dacy joins Greg to discuss the boys and girls basketball scenes in Frederick County and what lies ahead during the holiday weeks.
Wilmington won its third state title in the last five years and fourth in program history after downing Maroa-Forsyth 42-6 in the IHSA Class 2A State championship game on SaturdayBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.
Wilmington will look to win its third state title in the last five years and fourth in program history when the Wildcats face Maroa-Forsyth in Friday's IHSA Class 2A state championship.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.
Peters Township's comeback against Pine-Richland in the WPIAL 5A championship was one for the ages. On their weekly podcast, Post-Gazette high school insiders Keith Barnes and Mike White react to that game and the rest WPIAL championships at Acrisure Stadium. How did Cole Neupaver, Nolan DiLucia and Co. storm back? How impressive were Will Martin's three touchdowns for Seton LaSalle in the Class 2A final? Why were coach Duke Johncour, RB Luca Neal and Avonworth able to repeat in Class 3A? And how did Clairton coach Wayne Wade and star Deon Lovelace-Pompey help the Bears pull away in Class 1A? Our duo tackles those questions; offers predictions for the PIAA semifinals this week and previews of the rankings for basketball season, which begins Friday. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Can anyone stop the Wilmington freight train? State championship game regular Maroa-Forysth seems poised to give it its best shot. Steve Soucie previews Friday's Class 2A title game between Wilmington and Maroa-Forsyth.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.
For the second straight week, Wilmington had five touchdown drives of one or two plays, tallying 483 rushing yards in a 41-0 win over El Paso-Gridley in Saturday's Class 2A state semifinal.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.
Wilmington will host undefeated El Paso-Gridley on Saturday for a trip to the IHSA Class 2A state championship.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.
Wilmington continues to storm its way through the 2A field, can anyone slow down the Wildcats? Steve Soucie breaks down the semifinal round of the 2025 IHSA Class 2A playoffs.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.
Coal City visits Montini in Class 4A and Wilmington welcomes Tri-Valley in Class 2A in the Daily Journal's quarterfinal football previews.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.
A playoff field that started with seven undefeated teams is down to just three. But the group is still chock full of teams that can make a serious run to the title. Steve Soucie breaks down the quarterfinal round of the 2025 IHSA Class 2A playoffs.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.
It's the most wonderful time of year. No, it's not Christmas. It's the WPIAL football championships, with finals in Class 4A and Class 6A slated for Saturday at Pine-Richland. After analyzing the ramifications of the PIAA biennial realignment on football conferences, our Post-Gazette High School insiders Keith Barnes and Mike White delve into the matchups as McKeesport and running back Kemon Spell, who have been to the finals each of the last two years, hope to avenge a 2023 finals loss to the Quips, who have been bolstered by the return of quarterback Marques Council. In the Class 6A final, familiar foes meet as defending champion Central Catholic once again squares off with North Allegheny. They then look deeply at the Friday slate of eight semifinal matchups in Class 1A, Class 2A, Class 3A and Class 5A, featuring rematches from the regular season from Western Hills Conference foes Avonworth-North Catholic and Peters Township-Upper St. Clair from the Allegheny Six. As a bonus, they look at the PIAA Class 1A game featuring Westinghouse and District 5 champion Meyersdale Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Wilmington rushed 54 times for 418 yards and six touchdowns and held host Seneca to just 42 total yards in a 42-0 rain-soaked victory on Saturday in the second round of the Class 2A playoffs.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.