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Football Fridays in Georgia checks in with Creekside head coach Maurice Dixon after the Seminoles' perfect 15-0 season and 2025 Class 4A state championship. Jon Nelson and Hannah Goodin discuss Creekside's record-setting offense, championship defense, national schedule, and what comes next for one of Georgia high school football's most watched programs.
After eight seasons, two state championships and a remarkable run of success, Jackson head basketball coach Anthony Hayes resigned to become Monroe County High School's coach. Hayes was 129-29 with the Aggies while establishing one of the state's premier basketball programs. Veteran assistant coach Jimmy Martin was named the new head coach. “Coaching at Jackson has been one of the greatest experiences of my career,” Hayes said. “Winning back-to-back state championships was special and a blessing, but what made it meaningful was the relationships built with our players, coaches, faculty and community.” Under Hayes, Jackson captured consecutive Class 4A state... Article Link
John McKenzie, who took Vigor to the Class 4A state championship in 2021, has been named the new head football coach at McIntosh, where he said he intends to build on the recent success of former coach Josh Harris. McKenzie, who was fired a few weeks after leading the Wolves to the 2024 Class 5A semifinals, is 36-22 overall in his career. He was 31-8 in two stints at Vigor and also coached at Murphy and Paul Bryant High. “I want to be a state champion and I want that opportunity again,” McKenzie said. “I was looking for a place... Article Link
After advancing to a state final for the third time in the last four years, coach Mike Frownfelter, senior pitcher Evan Zarroli and senior catcher D.J. Staub are this week's guests on The Final Score podcast. Host Greg Swatek asks Frownfelter and the players if this is the season the Hawks finally get the monkey off their backs and overcome that final hurdle and claim their first state title in baseball. Weather permitting, Urbana is scheduled to face Dulaney in the Class 4A championship game at 4 p.m. Friday at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen. Frownfelter and the players talk about why the team is playing its best at the right time — Urbana has outscored the opposition 25-2 in three playoff games so far — and why the program has been so remarkably consistent. Tuesday's 5-0 victory over Broadneck marked the Hawks' fourth consecutive appearance in the state semifinals. They discuss a lineup that doesn't have any easy outs and a pitching staff that has consistently shut down the opposition when it has mattered most this season. They talk about what it's going to take to beat Dulaney, how previous adversity in big games has strengthened the team and what it would mean for all three of them to finally break through and claim that elusive state title. Prior to that conversation, FNP sports reporter Alexander Dacy joins Greg to discuss state finals week for Frederick County teams in baseball, softball and boys and girls lacrosse.
GULF SHORES — Jackson High School won a third straight state championship in the Class 4A boys 4x100-meter relay at the Alabama High School Athletic Association's outdoor track and field championships on Saturday. The Aggies pulled off the threepeat with two new members of the squad and without Mr. Football E.J. Crowell, now playing at Alabama, and Landon Duckworth, now playing at South Carolina. Keeyun and Keegan Chapman are the only two members of the team that played a part in all three titles but newcomers Jamarcus Locke and Victor Darrington helped Jackson finish in 43.88 seconds in extremely windy... Article Link
No. 8-ranked Orange Beach hammered Jackson 12-0 and 20-1 Friday to sweep the Aggies from the Class 4A baseball playoffs. In the opener, the Makos scored 10 runs in the first inning and never looked back. Starter Lance Moseley took the loss, giving up nine runs on three hits in 2/3 of an inning. Carlos Barientos recorded the lone hit for Jackson, which finished 11-17. In Game 2, Orange Beach again jumped out to a big early lead, scoring eight runs in the first, and was aided by six Jackson errors. Barientos took the loss, giving up three earned runs... Article Link
After his team produced a momentous and unusual victory over arch rival Urbana last week, Linganore High girls lacrosse coach Dean Coccia is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast. Coccia talks with host Greg Swatek about the Lancers' 9-7 victory over Urbana, the two-time reigning Class 4A runner-up. Both Coccia and Urbana coach Ryan Hines agreed to end the game with 8 minutes and 35 seconds to play because both teams were severely short-handed due to the number of yellow cards issued in the game. On the podcast, Coccia discusses why that decision was made, the way the game was being officiated and the gesture made by Hines in a game his team still had a chance to come back and win. How big of a victory was it for Linganore and how might the Lancers benefit from it going forward? Now in his fourth season on the job, Coccia also talks about the growth and development of his young team, why it is having such a strong season and his overall expectations as the playoff approach. Can the Lancers contend for a state title in Class 3A? Prior to that conversation, FNP sports writer Alexander Dacy stops in to chat with Greg about that unusual Linganore-Urbana girls lacrosse result, the pecking order on the boys lacrosse scene in the county behind Urbana and other happenings with spring sports around Frederick County.
Jackson headed into the Class 4A playoffs with some momentum after winning two games last week. The Aggies (10-14) visit Orange Beach (19-14) in a best-of-three first-round series beginning with a doubleheader Friday at 5 p.m. A third game, if needed, is Saturday at 1 p.m. • Jackson 3, S. Choctaw 0 On April 14, the Aggies scored all three runs in the first on Kylin Gates' bases-loaded walk and sacrifice flies by Carlos Barientos and Damion Taylor. Winning pitcher Kemauri Bryant set the tone on the mound, striking out the side in an immaculate first. • Jackson 16, Fruitdale 4... Article Link
MINNESOTA — In this episode of the Echo Press News Minute, reporter Lisa Johnson says the Alexandria Jaycees have ceased operations after almost 80 years; yes, there were Irish pioneers in Douglas County, and Alexandria DECA students excelled at the state Career Development Conference. Plus bad art, good hotdish and more, this week on the Echo Press News Minute. Check out the top headlines from March 18 and March 20 below: Here are the top stories in our Wednesday, March 18 issue: Alexandria Jaycees cease operations after almost 80 years A look at Irish pioneers in Douglas, Otter Tail counties Mount Carmel will be new option for preschool this fall Kindness Night is this Thursday in Hoffman Alexandria DECA students excel at the Minnesota State Career Development Conference Boys Basketball: Alexandria fends off late Elk River challenge to win Section 8-4A title Here are the top stories in our Friday, March 20 issue: Kyle Momsen takes Oath of Office at Alexandria School Board meeting Douglas County Library holds first 'Bad Art Night' A hotdish that bowled over the judges Class 4A boys basketball: Alexandria opens state tournament against Maple Grove Opinion
It’s championship Saturday in downtown for the the IHSAA Girls State tournament and we’ve got you covered on Indiana Sports Talk! We start with the last game in the Jungle at IU-Indy as coach Bob Lovell and Greg Rakestraw were on the call for it. We then get updates from Brendan King on the Class 4A state championship between Center Grove and Norwell. Then, Brendan and coach Lovell preview the college basketball slate this weekend before talking about what Purdue needs to do to be ready for March. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
News of this week’s passing of former University of Southwestern Louisiana (now UL-Lafayette) basketball star Dwight “Bo” Lamar sparked a lot of memories. Lamar was 74 and passed away at a nursing home in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio. College basketball in Louisiana when Lamar played during the late 1960’s and early 1970’s was filled with dominant scorers and very little defense. The word “defense” seemed to have been banned during this period. Explosive offense had become the name of the game. This brief period was defined by expert marksmanship and crowd-pleasing showmanship. The high scoring antics of college basketball players like LSU’s “Pistol” Pete Maravich and the University of Houston’s “Big E” Elvin Hayes (born in Rayville, Louisiana) captured the imagination of fans. Less than an hour west of Pistol Pete Maravich and LSU, Bo Lamar and the USL Ragin’ Cajuns were entertaining fans in front of packed basketball arenas, too. Lamar was a virtual basketball scoring machine for the Ragin’ Cajuns from 1969-1973. He averaged 31.2 points per game over his entire four-year college basketball career. A first-team All-American as a senior, he was joined on that squad by future basketball Hall-of-Famers Bill Walton of UCLA and David Thompson of North Carolina State. The 6’2” Bo Lamar had one of the best jump shots I have ever seen. He elevated off the floor with ease and then lofted up a high arcing shot from long-distance. This came nearly 20 years before college basketball would adopt the three-point shot. He would have averaged over 40 points per game with today’s three-point line. Bo Lamar glided down the basketball court with ease in leading USL’s frantic fast breaks. He bombed-in a school-record 62 points during a game against Northeast Louisiana University (now UL-Monroe). Scoreboards routinely registered more than 100 points during Ragin’ Cajun basketball games in this era. A 1984 Louisiana Sports Hall-of-Fame inductee, Bo Lamar opted to play professional basketball for the ABA’s San Diego Conquistadors in 1973. He scored 50 points in one game during his rookie year while averaging nearly 21 points per game. After several years in the pro ranks, Lamar later became part of the radio broadcast team for Ragin’ Cajuns basketball games. Mike Green at Louisiana Tech became one of Bo Lamar’s biggest foes If you have watched current NBA star Kevin Durant of the Houston Rockets, he looks and plays like a modern version of former Louisiana Tech basketball star, Mike Green. The 6’10” Green played for the Bulldogs from 1969-1974. Mike Green was listed as a center but possessed an incredible outside shooting touch to stretch the opposing defenses. Like Bo Lamar at USL, Green was a prolific college basketball scorer. He averaged 31 points per game as a senior at Louisiana Tech. Add a 15.4 rebounds per game career average, and you understand why Mike Green earned the AP’s Small College Player of the Year award in 1973. He was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall-of-Fame in 1996. A friend of mine attended Louisiana Tech in 1971 during the Mike Green basketball era. He recalled a highly anticipated home game against high-scoring Bo Lamar and the nationally ranked Ragin’ Cajuns. Fans lined up for hours hoping to gain entrance to watch this game. Mike Green scored 22 points, grabbed 16 rebounds, and blocked numerous shots as the Bulldogs raced to 103-94 win at Tech’s Memorial Gymnasium. Future Louisiana Tech Hall-of-Fame women’s basketball coach Leon Barmore also witnessed that encounter. He recalled, “It was the greatest game ever at Louisiana Tech – bar none!” While he was a sophomore, Mike Green’s Louisiana Tech team averaged 101 points per game for the entire season. Defense? What defense? Mike Green passed away in 2018 at the age of 67. Time to celebrate Centenary College center Robert Parish! Shreveport’s 7’1” center Robert Parish took Louisiana’s top college basketball player baton from Bo Lamar and Mike Green during the early 1970’s. Robert Parish played high school basketball in the late 1960’s during a difficult time when federal integration mandates forced some schools to close. Parish and his fellow Union High School students suddenly found themselves being bussed to nearby Woodlawn High School. Though this period caused angst for both students and teachers, Woodlawn’s basketball team morphed into a state powerhouse with the addition of talented center Robert Parish. He led Shreveport’s Woodlawn High School to the Class 4A state basketball title as a senior in 1972. Parish was named a national high school All-American. To the dismay of national college recruiters, Robert Parish chose to stay in Shreveport and attend Centenary College. As a freshman, Parish lined-up to play in one game against Louisiana Tech’s talented senior big man Mike Green. Green dazzled the crowd by scoring 40 points on the young Robert Parish. Robert Parish continued to work and improve his game every year. He collected a school record 33 rebounds in one game. Parish’ gifted shooting touch produced 25 points per game for Centenary. His dominant offensive and defensive play as a senior led to a first-team college basketball All-America selection. Parish became a first round draft choice of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors. Traded four years later to the Boston Celtics, Robert Parish (along with Larry Bird and Kevin McHale) won three NBA titles and played 21 seasons in the NBA. Parish was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Naismith Basketball Hall-of-Fame in 2003. Have you heard of Olympic gold medal winner Glynn Saulters? Today’s story about talented Louisiana college basketball stars of the late 1960’s and early 1970’s wouldn’t be complete without mentioning an Olympic gold medal winner. In the year 1968, Northeast Louisiana University (now ULM) basketball star Grady Glynn Saulters was nearly invisible on the national college basketball stage. The Lisbon, Louisiana native didn’t possess the blazing court speed of Southwestern Louisiana’s Bo Lamar or the shot-blocking skills of Louisiana Tech’s Mike Green. Oh, but Glynn Saulters could shoot a basketball with the best of them. He became a prolific college scorer. Saulters averaged a nifty 31 points per game as a senior in 1968 to lead the Gulf States Conference in scoring. Not too shabby. The Olympics games were being held in Mexico City a few months following Saulters’ senior season. The year 1968 was an extremely politically charged period as Dr. Martin Luther King and presidential candidate Bobby Kennedy were assassinated. Several top college basketball players such as Lew Alcindor and Elvin Hayes decided not to even try-out for the US Olympic team in 1968. That opened the door for NLU’s 6’2” guard Glynn Saulters to qualify for the Olympic basketball team. His competition included stars like high-scoring Pistol Pete Maravich of LSU and Niagara guard Calvin Murphy. Surprisingly, neither Maravich nor Murphy made the final cut. Ditto for Kentucky’s Dan Issel and Purdue sharpshooter Rick Mount. But Glynn Saulters from tiny Class “C” Lisbon High School in north Louisiana made the US team. Legendary college basketball coach Hank Iba’s “No Name” US Olympic basketball squad was comprised of several small college role players and just a few top college stars. Future NBA Hall-of-Fame forward Spencer Haywood and guard JoJo White led the US team in scoring. Glynn Saulters and the US Olympic team went a perfect 9-0 in Mexico City to bring home the gold medal. Glynn Saulters was inducted into the ULM Sports Hall-of-Fame in 1978 and into the Louisiana Sports Hall-of-Fame in 1981. Don’t forget “AJ from the Parking Lot!” New Orleans’ Cohen High School basketball player Aaron James journeyed northward from the Crescent City to Grambling State University to begin a memorable college basketball career. The 6’8” sharpshooting forward poured in more than 32 points per game as a senior at Grambling to become the Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Year in ’73-74. He earned the nickname “AJ from the Parking Lot” for his uncanny accuracy on long-distance shots. Aaron James was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. Minden and Webster High School product Louis “Sweet Lou” Dunbar was another prolific high school scoring sensation. This 6’9” big man also possessed a sweet jump shot. Dunbar received numerous college scholarship offers and left his home state to play for the University of Houston in the early 1970’s. He averaged 22 points and eight rebounds over his career with the Cougars. Louis Dunbar would join the Harlem Globetrotters and play for the next 27 years! “Sweet Lou” is one of only eight Globetrotters to have his jersey (#41) retired. Dunbar was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2020. Let’s not forget Shreveport Valencia High School basketball star Roosevelt Fuller. This silky-smooth high-scoring guard torched the nets for 64 points in a Shreveport high school basketball game in the late 1960’s. Fuller averaged an incredible 44 points per game one season at Valencia High. He played college hoops from 1970-1972 at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, TX. He still holds the school scoring record of 53 points and posted a 28 points per game average as a sophomore. Roosevelt Fuller was inducted into the Trinity Valley Sports Hall of Fame in 2025. No, it wasn’t just Pistol Pete Maravich exciting Louisiana’s basketball fans during the late 1960’s into the early 70’s. This week’s passing of Dwight “Bo” Lamar served as a reminder of just how special his era of basketball was in the Pelican State. The post Remembering Dwight “Bo” Lamar and Louisiana’s High Scoring Basketball Era appeared first on SwampSwamiSports.com.
After winning three individual races and anchoring a winning relay last week in the Frederick County Public Schools Indoor Track and Field Championships, Urbana High senior Korey Kauflin is this week's guest on The Final Score podcast. Kauflin chats with host Greg Swatek about his season and how a race two week ago in Virginia Beach changed his overall outlook on it and set the stage for him to win the 500-meter dash, the 1,600 run, the 800 run and anchor the winning 4x800 relay at the county championships. He also talks about how and why he started running and the overall impact it has had on his life. He discusses the cross county season last fall and Urbana's dominant run to the Class 4A boys team championship, and he discusses his future in the sport and what he would like to accomplish before he graduates from high school. Prior to this conversation, FNP sports reporter Alexander Dacy joins Greg to talk about how the winter weather and school closures are impacting the schedules of all Frederick County basketball, wrestling, swimming and diving and indoor track and field teams.
Montini junior quarterback Israel Abrams, who threw for over 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns and led the Broncos to a 14-0 record and the Class 4A state championship, is the 2025 Friday Night Drive Offensive Player of the Year.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.
Join hosts Matt Rodewald and Steve Souce as they break down the Class 4A-1A Illinois high school football state title games, talk about the weather postponements, and preview the Class 8A-5A state title games.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.
Israel Abrams threw four touchdown passes, two on long ones to Luca Florio, and Montini beat Rochester 47-33 in the Class 4A state final for its second straight state title, eighth overall, and completed the program's second undefeated season with its 24th straight win.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.
Israel Abrams threw four touchdown passes, two on long ones to Luca Florio, and Montini beat Rochester 47-33 in the Class 4A state final for its second straight state title, eighth overall, and completed the program's second undefeated season with its 24th straight win.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.
Two schools that aren't exactly strangers to state title games grapple here as Montini who is making its 11th championship game appearance faces off against Rochester who has 10. Steve Soucie previews Friday's Class 4A title game.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.
After leading Urbana to the Class 4A team championship in boys cross country on Nov. 8 at Hereford High School, coach Jackie Suarez and senior runner Josh Rothery are this week's guests on the Final Score podcast. Suarez and Rothery chat with host Greg Swatek and winning the championship, which was Urbana's first in boys cross country since 2003 and fourth overall. What made the Hawks such a tight pack of runners? How did they react to winning the championship? Rothery, who finished sixth overall in 16:47.51, talks about growing up in England and how he got into running. And Suarez talks about the future of the team and looks ahead to the indoor track and field season at Urbana. Prior to that conversation, FNP sports reporter Alexander Dacy joins Greg to recap the state quarterfinal in high school football and look ahead to Linganore and Oakdale playing in the Class 3A state semifinals this week.
Luca Florio had a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and a 53-yard TD reception to help lead Montini to the Class 4A state title game with a 47-27 win over MorrisBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.
Powerhouses remain prominent in Class 4A, with three of the four teams no stranger to deep playoff advancements. Steve Soucie breaks down the semifinal round of the 2025 IHSA Class 4A Playoffs.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.
Montini started slow but finished strong in its Class 4A quarterfinal with Coal City, topping the Coalers 35-0 to advance to face Morris next weekend.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.
There are some programs in the 4A draw that we aren't used to seeing there and many of them are shaping the quarterfinal round of the 4A playoffs. Steve Soucie breaks down the quarterfinal round of the 2025 IHSA Class 4A 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.
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.
Caeden Curran ran for 181 yards and three touchdowns in the second half as Morris came away with a 64-50 win over Metamora in the second round of the Class 4A playoffsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.
The Montini defense needed a little while to dig in and find its footing against a high-scoring Peoria Notre Dame offense. The Broncos offense, on the other hand, needed no such thing in a 47-17 Class 4A victory Saturday in Peoria.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.
The field is set for the WPIAL football playoffs, and our high school insiders Keith Barnes and Mike White say the league's football committee made some head-scratching decisions in the Class 4A bracket. New Castle and Montour tied for a conference championship, so why in the world did the WPIAL put them against each other in the first round of the playoffs? Did Trinity deserve the No. 2 seed?Central Catholic, Pine-Richland, McKeesport, Avonworth, Seton LaSalle and Fort Cherry are the No. 1 seeds. Will they all end up as champions? Seton LaSalle's Kymarr Freeman and Burrell's Antonio Perkins are this week's "Shining Stars," and Keith and Mike play remember when with the most memorable playoff games they ever witnessed. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Heading into the final weekend of the WPIAL football regular season, high school insiders Keith Barnes and Mike White tell you who should be the top seeds in each classification. Should Aliquippa get one of the two wild card playoffs spots in Class 4A and should Clairton or Fort Cherry get the No. 1 seed in Class 1A? Mohawk's Bobby Fadden is a five-sport athlete who has made WPIAL football history and is one of our Shining Stars. And who wins this week's big games of Westinghouse vs. University Prep (Pittsburgh City League championship), Steel Valley at South Allegheny, Montour at West Allegheny, Washington at Seton LaSalle, California at Jefferson-Morgan and North Catholic at Hopewell. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Heading into the seventh week of the football season, Post-Gazette high school insiders Keith Barnes and Mike White examine the subject of WPIAL teams looking for mercy. Also, exactly who is the No. 1 team in Class 4A? Anyone? It's time to say who the top 10 teams are in the first 25 years of this century. Trinity's Jonah Williamson and Hempfield's Dom Detruf are shining stars. While "Famous" Amos Glenn of Freeport scores big in the Post-Gazette Fantasy League. The guys also predict top games, including Montour at New Castle, Norwin at Hempfield, South Fayette at Upper St. Clair and Moon at Peters Township. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.