This Week in College Football History: Sept. 13 - Sept. 19

As part of an ongoing series throughout the fall, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame posts This Week in College Football History, which takes a look back at some of college football's landmark moments over the last 141 years.

FEATURED MOMENT:

September 17, 1988- In Iowa City, 2010 College Football Hall of Fame inductee Alfred Williams led the Colorado defense with seven tackles, four for losses including two sacks, a forced fumble, a recovery, a pass deflection and a blocked punt in a 24-21 win over No. 19 Iowa. Williams' forced fumble late in the fourth quarter ended the Hawkeyes late charge.


OTHER NOTABLE DATES:

September 13, 1980- East Carolina recovered fumbles on five consecutive Louisiana-Lafayette drives in the third quarter, tying an NCAA record for fumbles recovered in a quarter. The Ragin' Cajuns, however, rebounded to win 27-21 in Greensboro.

September 14, 1991- In Ann Arbor, 2010 College Football Hall of Fame inductee Desmond Howard made a diving fourth down catch in the back of the endzone with 9:02 remaining in the fourth quarter to lead No. 3 Michigan passed rival No. 7 Notre Dame, 24-14. The win snapped the Irish's four-game winning streak over the Wolverines.

September 15, 1973- College Football Hall of Famer and NFF board member Archie Griffin began an NCAA record streak of 31 straight 100 yard rushing games, leading Ohio State over Minnesota 56-7 in Columbus.

September 16, 1967- After losing starting quarterback Mike Livingston to a knee injury, the smallest player in the Southwest Conference, 5'4", 149 pound backup quarterback Ines Perez led SMU to a 20-17 comeback win over Texas A&M in College Station. Perez completed 10 of 11 passes for 107 yards in the second half, including a six-yard touchdown strike to College Football Hall of Famer Jerry Levias with four seconds remaining in the game.

September 18, 1976- Brown beat Ivy League rival Yale 14-6 in Providence. Yale quarterback and NFF National Scholar-Athlete Stone Phillips scored the only Eli touchdown in spite of the offense getting past the Brown 30-yard line four times. Brown would go on to win a share of its first Ivy League title.

September 19, 1952- Duke defeated South Carolina 20-7 in Columbia in the inaugural game of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Team captain Howard Pitt caught a 29-yard pass on a Blue Devils scoring drive, and returned an interception 25 yards in the second quarter. The win propelled Duke to capture the first-ever ACC title.

Colorado linebacker Alfred Williams was instrumental in the Buffs upset of No. 19 Iowa in 1988.

Williams will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010. (Photo Credit: CU)

Eagles Face Adversity and Remain Standing

BERRYVILLE, VA - Sept. 6, 2010 The Clarke County Eagles listened closely to Coach Chris Parker as he talked about adversity. The adversity they were facing was in the form of another Eagle, this one being from Hedgesville(1-1) as the visitors from the Mountain State jumped all over Clarke County (2-0) scoring on their first two possessions to jump out to a 13-0 lead.

Casey Horn goes in for a TD
Moe Murphy / Clarke County Sports

Hedgesville quarterback Casey Horn scored once in the first quarter and once in the second quarter on runs of 17 and 30 yards. Michael Waters hit one of the two extra points and just like that, the crowd at "the Felt" was temporarily taken out of the game.

With Hedgesville driving late in the first half Horn tried to go to Walters in the right corner and Demetrius Mason picked off the pass and returned it to the Hedgesville 6 yard line, with Matt Moyer recovering a loose ball in the end zone on the next play to put the Eagles with in one score at the half.                     

The Eagles came out in the second half a new team scoring 29 unanswered points to take a 29 - 13 lead, but a pesky Hedgesville squad would not give in and hit pay dirt late in the game to bring the score closer.

Grant Shaw bust a 49 yard TD
Moe Murphy / Clarke County Sports

Grant Shaw broke loose and scored three times in the second half on runs of 4, 49, and 3. The Eagles defense was credited with 2 points when Hedgesville snapped the ball over the punters head and out of the end zone.

Clarke County Quarterback Drew Paice had a decent night throwing the ball going 4-11 and 86 yards. The windy conditions did not seem to bother the JR quarterback. "It was pretty windy in pre game warm ups and I felt pretty good, it didn't really affect me." Paice said.

The Eagles defense registered five interceptions in the game with Demetrius Mason grabbing two.

Eagles Coach Chris Parker talked about adversity
Moe Murphy / Clarke County Sports

Punting was also a factor as Clarke punter Matt Moyer consistently punted in and against the wind to keep Hedgesville deep in their own territory most of the game.

"Last week Matt [Moyer] didn't even have to punt once. Tonight it was a weapon, we pinned them deep every time we punted. I'm proud of how our guys played in the second half and I think we wore them down."

The Eagles travel to Quicksburg to play the Stonewall Jackson Generals (0-1) out of the Shenandoah District.

Contact the reporter

moe@clarkecountysports.com  

Shenandoah University Athletics Announces Major Award Winners

WINCHESTER, Va. - As part of its welcome to the student-athletes competing in 2010-11, the Shenandoah University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced its major award winners from 2009-10 Thursday evening.

Eight awards: Coach of the Year for men's and women's sports, Male and Female Athlete of the Year, Male and Female Student-Athlete of the Year and Male and Female Rookie of the Year - were handed out prior to the taking of the "Big Picture" in Shingleton Gymnasium.

Additionally, a school record 94 student-athletes were honored for their inclusion on the USA South All-Academic team.

Seniors Brandi Sobanko (cross country/track) and Greg Van Sickler (baseball) were named as the department's female and male Athletes of the Year with Van Sickler also picking up male Student-Athlete of the Year honors.

Senior Paola Aguilar (field hockey/lacrosse) is the female Student-Athlete of the Year.

The final awards for student-athletes, male and female Rookie of the Year, were grabbed by Keaton Neeb (baseball) and Amber Womack (soccer), respectively.

Two new awards: Coach of the Year for men's sports and Coach of the Year for women's sports, were also presented.

Kevin Anderson, who led the baseball team to a No. 6 national finish, was the CoY for men's sports and cross country coach Andy Marrocco was tabbed for the CoY-women's.

Sobanko was a first team All-USA South Conference selection in cross country on the strength of her finish at the conference championships, and then duplicated that feat in both indoor and outdoor track.

Indoors, she combined with three others to win the Distance Medley Relay and be named first team All-MAC before she winning the pentathlon at the Outdoor MAC Championships in May.

Sobanko was also an All-USA South and All-MAC Academic team honoree.

Van Sickler became the first SU student-athlete to earn both playing and academic All-America honors in the same season in 2009-10.

A two-time ABCA All-America, Van Sickler was a first team selection at utility after winning eight games on the mound and hitting .412 with a school-record 27 doubles at the plate.

In the classroom, Van Sickler has a 3.54 GPA as a business administration student and he was named to ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America third team in May.

Aguilar is a four-year starter for the women's field hockey and lacrosse teams who led the field hockey team in scoring last fall and was a first team All-USA South lacrosse honoree in the spring as a defender.

She has a 3.64 GPA as a Political Science/Business major, was selected to the USA South, MAC and IWLCA All-Academic teams as well as being named Academic All-State by the Virginia State Sports Information Directors (VaSID).
In April, she earned ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District second team honors.

Neeb helped the SU baseball team to its second straight NCAA South Region title and its first-ever USA South title by hitting .310 on the year with two home runs and 22 RBI.

He was particularly strong in the Fayetteville Regional tournament, hitting an even .500 (8 for 16) to earn a spot on the All-Tournament team.

Womack was named as a Rookie of the Year by both the USA South women's soccer coaches and VaSIDA as she helped her team to 10 overall and five conference victories with a team-leading 12 goals and 10 assists for 34 points.

She was named as the league Rookie of the Week on two occasions.

Anderson was named as the ABCA South Region and VaSID Coach of the Year for the second straight year as his Hornets won a school-record-tying 38 games and were ranked nationally all season long.

Fourteen of his players earned some type of honor last season with two: Van Sickler and Kevin Brashears, earning first team All-America honors from two publications.

Marrocco, who coaches six teams at the university, was tabbed for Coach of the Year - women's sports after leading the women's cross country team to a second place finish at the conference championships and a No. 10 South Region ranking.

The 2010 squad, which returns its top seven runners from 2009, is currently ranked No. 7 in the South.

The "Big Picture" is an annual event in which a photograph is taken of all student-athletes slated to compete in the upcoming school year. The current picture hangs in the lobby of Shingleton Gymnasium with the previous year pictures displayed in Aikens Athletic Center.

The student-athlete major award winners were selected via a vote of the department's head coaches, full-time administrative staff and head athletics trainer. The coaches of the year were selected from a vote of the department's head coaches.

To be eligible for student-athlete of the year, a student-athlete must meet the same criteria as those for ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America.

 Official Athletic Site of the Shenandoah University Hornets

Shenandoah University Hornet Athletics

ALABAMA TOPS FWAA'S PRESEASON GRANTLAND RICE POLL

ALABAMA TOPS FWAA'S PRESEASON GRANTLAND RICE POLL

Sept. 2, 2010

DALLAS (FWAA) - The Alabama Crimson Tide is the favorite to repeat as the Grantland Rice Trophy champion in the Football Writers Association of America's annual preseason poll.
Alabama, which finished 14-0 last season after beating Texas in Pasadena, Calif., would become the fifth straight Southeastern Conference team to win the FWAA trophy if the voters are accurate. Before last season, Florida won in 2008 and '06 and LSU in '07.

Alabama claimed nine of 15 first-place votes and tallied 231 votes in the poll. Ohio State, which garnered three first-place votes, was second with 205 points. Boise State had two first-place votes and was third with 199 points. The other first-place vote from the 15 voters went to Nebraska, which was eighth in the poll with 133 points.

Rounding out the Top 10 are Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, TCU, Nebraska, Virginia Tech and Iowa.

For the complete FWAA preseason poll visit:

www.sportswriters.net/fwaa/news/2010/poll100901.html

Virginia Tech and Boise State Provide Marquee Match-Up

_____________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 1, 2010

DAVEY O'BRIEN NATIONAL QUARTERBACK AWARD

MARQUEE MATCH-UP

O'Brien Watch List candidates go head-to-head at FedExField

FORT WORTH, Texas - The 2010 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award® (The O'Brien) Marquee Match-up for week one features two O'Brien Watch List candidates as they go head-to-head in the most anticipated opening game of the season.



Throughout the season, The O'Brien will highlight the best weekly quarterback match-up as the race for the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award continues. Quarterbacks from all 120 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools are eligible for the award until the field is narrowed to 16 semifinalists on Monday, Oct. 25.

Marquee Match-up: No. 3* Boise State vs. No. 10* Virginia Tech at FedExField

Monday, September 6 at 7 p.m. (CT) on ESPN

The Boise State Broncos and 2009 O'Brien Semifinalist Kellen Moore return from their second consecutive undefeated regular season to face off against Tyrod Taylor and the Virginia Tech Hokies at FedExField in Landover, Md. Both teams enter the season in the hunt for a national title and both quarterbacks will begin their campaign for the coveted O'Brien Quarterback Award during primetime on ESPN.

*All rankings reflect The Associated Press preseason Top 25 poll

Other Notable Games (based on start times)

• Cincinnati (Zach Collaros) at Fresno State (Ryan Colburn)

Saturday, September 4 at 9 p.m. (CT) on ESPN2

• SMU (Kyle Padron) at Texas Tech (Taylor Potts)

Sunday, September 5 at 2:30 p.m. (CT) on ESPN

About The O'Brien Fan Vote

Fans are invited to cast their vote for the nation's best college quarterback as often as once daily at www.VoteOBrien.org. The Fan Vote counts as 5% during each round of the voting process, and it is combined with the results from The O'Brien National Selection Committee, which is comprised of journalists, broadcasters, commentators and former winners. The 2010 O'Brien Winner will be announced on The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show airing Dec. 9 on ESPN and will be honored at the 34th Annual Davey O'Brien Awards Dinner held at The Fort Worth Club on Feb. 21, 2011 in Fort Worth, Texas.

About the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award®

The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award® (The O'Brien) is presented annually to the nation's best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award. The O'Brien honors candidates who exemplify Davey O'Brien's enduring character while exhibiting teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership in both academics and athletics. The O'Brien is overseen by the Davey O'Brien Foundation, which is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, and has given away more than $800,000 in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field into leadership in life. For more information, visit http://www.daveyobrien.org./

Dan Sousa's Week 1 Dulles Round Up

Dan Sousa of Viva Loudoun has recapped the week 1 action for football in the Dulles District..Go to Viva Loudoun to read complete game articles with stats, photo's and more.

Loudoun Valley 57, Dominion 7


The Skinny: Viking senior quarterback Andrew Taylor threw for five touchdowns and 189 yards on 11 of 18 passing as the Vikings and senior David Mellstrom accounted for four touchdowns including two returns as Valley flew past the Titans. Also for Valley - Junior Donald Devine ran for 130 yards on 19 carries and had a rushing and receiving TD. Mellstrom caught TDs and had 65 yards on three catches. He also had 111 yards in punt returns including a 75-yard score and he had an 85-yard kickoff return for a score on the season's opening kick. The Vikes defense forced five turnovers. Titan senior and West Virginia recruit Deandre Reaves finished with 145 yards rushing on 21 attempts but was just 3 of 11 for 37 yards and two interceptions at quarterback.

Loudoun County 14, Musselman (WV) 13

The Skinny: Raider junior Marcus Crews made his debut at quarterback a winning one with a rushing touchdown and 233 yards in the air on 20 of 26 passing including a 70-yard score to senior Jack Reimers, who finished with 156 yards on eight receptions. Junior RB Antonio Rutherford gained 83 yards on 14 carries for County. Musselman missed an extra point and three field goal attempts in the loss.

Sherando 35, Park View 32

The Skinny: The Warriors and Patriots combined for 36 points in a wild fourth quarter but Park View fell just short in a comeback bid to make new coach Ferris Eways a winner in his PV debut. Pat junior Alec Dombkowski made his debut at QB with three TD throws and a TD run.

Potomac Falls 14, Jefferson (WV) 7

The Skinny: Panther senior Marquis Vasciannie scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 2-yard dive with six minuets left int he game to make Mike Gims a winner in his debut as the Panthers new head coach. Sophomore John Fischetti also made his debut, at quarterback, throwing for 184 yards on 13 of 34 pass including a 77-yard TD to junior Kyle Bulger, who finished with 102 yards receiving on four catches.

Tuscarora 33, Woodgrove 21

Briar Woods 10, Millbrook 8

Broad Run 21, Fauquier 0

2nd Annual Touchdowns for Tommy Details Released

Please join us as local rivals Loudoun County HS and Park View HS play the 2nd annual Touchdowns for Tommy charity football game. The game features over 50 football alumni from previous LCHS and PVHS graduating classes. This event is in honor of Thomas Andrew Marshall, son of Park High School class of 1995 alumni Andy Marshall and his wife Beth. The game will be held Thursday, September 30 at Park View High School at 7:00PM.

Tommy was a healthy, happy, thriving toddler, who passed away unexpectedly in May, 2008. At the age of 2, Tommy went to sleep and never woke up. To this day, we have not been given a medical reason for why we lost our little boy. His passing is not considered Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Instead, it belongs to a lesser-known category, Sudden Unexplained Death In Childhood (SUDC) http://www.sudc.org/ which occurs when an apparently healthy child beyond the age of 12 months dies without warning and without a known cause. The SUDC Program is part of the CJ Foundation for SIDS, a national non-profit organization leading the fight against SIDS and SUDC.

Soon after our loss we learned of The SUDC Program, which provided us with crucial support services, information and access to research. The SUDC Program was created in 2001 as part of the CJ Foundation for SIDS. It is the only program in the world devoted solely to supporting families affected by SUDC and advocating for SUDC research to find answers. While The SUDC Program is making progress, much work remains ahead. All donations will directly benefit the SUDC Program which is part of the CJ Foundation for SIDS (national non-profit organization).

The official website of Touchdowns for Tommy

Eagles All Business in Victory over Indians

By Michael “Moe” Murphy
Sports Editor / Clarke County Sports


Friday August 27, 2010

Drew Paice scampers 37 Yards for his 2nd TD of the Game

BERRYVILLE, VA – The Clarke County Eagles came to play in their home opener against the Berkeley Springs, WV Indians. Resembling the opener from a year ago the Eagles manhandled the Indians 49-7 in front of a standing room only crowd at Wilbur M. Feltner Stadium.

With only four returning starters from last year’s Bull Run Champion team questions were in the minds of most of the Eagle faithful. The Shiley Twins, and one of the best lines in the area, and the leading tackler in the Shenandoah Valley (Jeremy Rhoads) all gone. Could the void be filled?

Grant Shaw Streaks Down the sideline for 65 YD Punt Return

It certainly appears that the voids are filled pretty well. Grant Shaw, one of the area’s top returning players from last year, Shaw electrified the crowd at “the Felt” returning two punts for touchdowns, scoring another on the ground, and wreaking havoc on the blitz when on defense.

“We wanted to come out fast tonight and get on the board.” Shaw said. “We played well on both offense and defense and it was a good win for us.”

Shaw, spoke business like and did not appear to be overly excited being on the end of 49 – 7 victory, scoring three times. Shaw did twist his ankle in the third quarter, but his business like attitude is much like last year, as the Eagles won many games by over forty points but rarely bragged or celebrated excessively. The team remains grounded and is plainly on a mission for a fourth straight post season run.

The mood was solemn as Clarke County High School Principal Dr.John Werner took the microphone prior to the start of the game and introduced Eagle Seniors Taylor Nichols and Jeremy Baker. Nichols read a statement as Baker held the number 80 jersey towards the crowd.

Aaron Shirley Jersey Retired
 CCHS photo

The Eagles have decided to retire the jersey for three years to honor fellow team mate Aaron Shirley who was killed in an automobile accident earlier this summer.

Clarke County (1-0) stalled on their first possession, but then came to life scoring twice in the first quarter and three times in the second quarter with the ball at the Berkeley Springs 1 yard line as the first half ended.

“Once we got our offense going, I thought we played pretty well.” Eagles Head Coach Chris Parker said. “We have a few things to work on, but overall I am pretty happy with the way things went tonight.”

Junior Quarterback Drew Paice, in his first varsity start scored twice on the ground, getting the teams first score of the season on a five yard plunge, and a 37 yard run that showed his speed as he broke to the right sidelines and went in untouched. Paice ended up with 87 yards on the ground. Paice connected once with Grant Shaw for seven yards. Paice showed good composure and looks to have a bright future ahead for the Eagles.

Matt Moyer was 7 for 7 on P.A.T.'s

Shaw got the other first quarter score, breaking tackles and reversing field en route to a 65 yard punt return, his first of two. The second coming in the third quarter, a 55 yarder. Shaw also scored on a one yard run. Shaw led the Eagles with a workman like 91 yards rushing.

The other key to the backfield seems to be seems to be held by Junior Jesse Smoot. Smoot had a good night on both sides of the ball, and had the longest score of the game a 66 yard scamper to the house.

Davey Hardesty, a rising sophomore scored the last Eagles touchdown on a 10 yard run, and had several nice runs around end.

The Eagles shut out was foiled when Berkeley Springs (0-1) scored in the fourth quarter. Andrew Truax broke two tackles and went in from 36 yards. Truax ended up with 83 yards rushing.

Senior kicker Matt Moyer was 7 for 7 on extra points and had several kick offs touched back in the end zone.

Taylor Nichols, Logan Large, Levi Hagerdon, and Chance Ramey all played well in the trenches; the Eagles line controlled both sides of the Ball all night long.

“We knew they had size and they plattooned all night.” Parker said. “We had scouted them and knew our line was going to have to play tough, and they did.”

Jesse Smoot Delivers the Hit of the Game

This week the Eagles will host another West Virginia team as the Eagles host the Hedgesville Eagles.

Hedgesville (1-0) defeated the Washington, WV Patriots 20-6. This should be a good matchup, as the Eagles posted a similar score against Washington this summer.

“It’s going to be tough.” Parker said. “They have a new coach, a former pro player, (Rich Thomaselli), and a whole new attitude. We have been scouting them and they are much improved over last year.”

Game time at Wilbur M. Feltner Stadium is 7:30PM.

Contact the reporter moe@clarkecountysports.com

All Game Photos by Moe Murphy / Clarke County Sports

VivaLoudoun and Clarke County Sports Announce Media Partnership

(Aug. 27, 2010) ASHBURN, VA– VivaLoudoun and Clarke County Sports announced today that they have entered into a media partnership aimed at broadening their coverage of high school sports in Loudoun County, Clarke County and the Winchester area.

As part of the media partnership some content will run on both VivaLoudoun.com and ClarkeCountySports.com and the two locally-owned media ventures will look to share resources wherever they can.

“I have known Moe for a long time and enjoyed in the past when he was able to provide content for our previous website,” said VivaLoudoun editor and founder Dan Sousa. “Now that we are entering year two of VivaLoudoun, it will help our coverage to be able to share the coverage Moe provides, especially since his coverage area is especially important come regional playoff time.”

Sousa, the former editor and founder of LoudounPrepSports.com, started VivaLoudoun in August, 2009 and expects nearly two million page views for this coming high school sports year.

“Having worked for Dan [Sousa] over the years, I know our view about prep athletics are the same: to provide the local communities with coverage of their local youth and their sporting endeavors,” said Murphy. “I get no greater thrill than seeing youth excel both on and off the field, and I know Dan feels the same way. I know partnering with VivaLoudoun is going to be a win-win situation.”

Clarke County Sports History

Clarke County Sports was formed as a Sports Photography Website in 2003 by Michael “Moe” Murphy. For several years the sight covered mainly Clarke County High School, Johnson Williams Middle School and some Little League action.

The Clarke Times-Courier, a former partner of the Loudoun Times-Mirror, hired Murphy as a part time Sports Reporter/Photographer. Murphy worked his way up to the position of Sports Editor, a position held until the paper sold out to the Winchester Star and eventually closed. The Courier and Clarke County Sports were mutual content partners and all the Courier Sports was posted on Clarke County Sports as well.

About four years ago Clarke County Sports expanded coverage to the Winchester, Loudoun County, Fauquier County, Warren County and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia on a very limited basis, mostly consisting of photography or short articles. Basically a one man operation, the site has experienced its ups and downs over the years.

The biggest honor for Murphy came four years ago when The Clarke County Education Foundation along with Clarke County Public Schools created the Michael “Moe” Murphy Journalism Scholarship. The annual scholarship is awarded to a Clarke County High School Senior who shows excellence in Journalism with an emphasis on Sports to help in their advancement of College Journalism.

High School Football has always been one of the most popular areas of the site and Clarke County Sports is set to start their fourth season of the Football Game of the Week. The Game of the Week features coverage of all Clarke County High School home and playoff games as well as coverage of selected Northwestern, Dulles, Bull Run, Shenandoah, and Evergreen Districts in Virginia as well as several schools from Jefferson, Berkeley, Hampshire, and Morgan County WV.

The game coverage features game photography, article, stats, video interviews and some limited video action high light coverage.

This Week in College Football History

This Week in College Football History:

Aug. 30 - Sept. 5

As part of an ongoing series throughout the fall, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame posts This Week in College Football History, which takes a look back at some of college football's landmark moments over the last 141 years.

If you choose to use this content in whole or in part, as a courtesy, please credit The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame.

FEATURED MOMENT:

September 1, 1984- College Football Hall of Famer LaVell Edwards' BYU team kick-started its national title chase with an upset of No. 3 Pittsburgh and Hall of Famer Bill Fralic with a 20-14 shocker in the Steel City. It was the first live, regular season college football game ever televised by ESPN. Cougars quarterback Robbie Bosco threw for 325 yards, including a 50-yard touchdown strike to Adam Haysbert with 1:37 remaining. The victory jumped BYU from unranked to No. 13 en route to their first national crown.

OTHER NOTABLE DATES:

August 30, 1997-  William V. Campbell Trophy winner Peyton Manning tossed a Tennessee record-tying five touchdown passes as the fifth-ranked Volunteers beat Texas Tech, 52-17, in Knoxville. Only up 10-3 with 1:37 to go in the half, Manning torched the Red Raiders for two touchdown passes in 13 seconds to take a 24-3 lead into the half.

August 31, 1994- No. 7 Arizona opened the season with a 19-14 win over Georgia Tech in Atlanta. The Wildcats overcame three fumbles and took the lead with 26 seconds remaining on a run by freshman running back Kevin Schmidtke.

September 2, 1978- Top-ranked Alabama, coached by College Football Hall of Famer Paul "Bear" Bryant, opened the season with a 20-3 win over No. 10 Nebraska and College Football Hall of Fame coach Tom Osborne in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide would go on to win the first of back-to-back national championships, the final two of Bryant's legendary coaching career.

September 3, 1983- No. 7 Florida State and College Football Hall of Fame coach Bobby Bowden avoided a season-opening upset, beating unranked East Carolina 47-46 in Tallahassee. Seminole quarterback Keith Lowery connected with tight end Tom Wheeler on the game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter. East Carolina came within three points of the most points scored by a losing team in NCAA history.

September 4, 1976- No. 19 Kansas opened the season with a 28-16 win over Oregon State and new head coach Craig Fertig in Corvallis. Jayhawks quarterback Nolan Cromwell scored late in fourth quarter to put the game out or reach for the Beavers.

September 5, 1992- FCS member The Citadel capitalized on a new rule allowing the advancement of a fumble from any spot on the field, converting a late fourth quarter fumble into the game-winning touchdown over Arkansas, 10-3, in Fayetteville. The Citadel had won five of its last six meetings with FBS opponents.





Head coach LaVell Edwards led BYU to its first national title in 1984 and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004.

Story Reprinted with Permission

Another Football Season Set to Begin

By Michael "Moe" Murphy
Editor/Clarke County Sports


BLUEMONT, VA - It’s hard to believe that another fall is upon us. Tomorrow night marks the start of the VHSL 2010 High School Football Season. For players, teams, managers and coaching staff personnel the season started some time ago.


The first few weeks of the season bring about many interesting match ups. Teams from other districts, regions and in the case of our area, other states play to fill open dates before each district starts league play.

Some games, such as Loudoun County vs. Mussleman, WV date back for decades. As new schools open up, especially in the Dulles District, open dates become scarce, and some old rivalries, such as Loudoun County vs. Loudoun Valley have been dropped, but not forgotten.

First year schools sometimes will drop down in class to get a full schedule, such as in the case of Bull Run Single A George Mason playing at Dulles Double A Woodgrove. This will probably not turn into a long range series, but makes for an interesting matchup.

Smaller districts have the luxury of shopping around more, as half their schedule will consist of non league opponents. Many times old coaching buddies will schedule games with their old teams as a favor to one another.

This week finds about half the teams playing, the others not opening up till next week. All of the Dulles District with the exception of Freedom in action; only Clarke and Strasburg play from the Bull Run, Warren County and Fauquier County are the only Evergreen District, Sherando and Millbrook representing the Northwestern District open up tomorrow. Spotswood at E. Rockingham is the only game in the Shenandoah District being played.

Clarke County opens at home this year facing the AA Berkeley Springs, WV Indians, a team Clarke has built a good relationship with.

One of the games in the area generating the most interest is a Dulles / Northwestern matchup between Park View (D) and Sherando (NW) at Arrowhead Stadium in Stephens City. A rematch of last year’s classic, Justin Haines hit a 43 yard game winning field goal at the end of the game. Park View will look to enact revenge, at a noisy Arrowhead Stadium.

The 2 time Defending Champion Broad Run Spartans will play the Fauquier Falcons. The Falcons want to be the team to knock the Spartans off the 28 game win streak.

Strasburg and Warren County match up in a local area rivalry. Both teams want to make a statement about this year.

Finally, two new schools make their VHSL Debut tomorrow as the Tuscarora Huskies host the Woodgrove Wolverines as both teams play their first ever game in the Dulles District. A free tailgate party is being offered by the school, check their website at www.lcps.org



Local Teams in action

Friday 8/27

Berkeley Springs, WV at Clarke County

Strasburg at Warren County

Loudoun Valley at Dominion

Loudoun County at Mussleman, WV

Potomac Falls at Jefferson County, WV

Fauquier at Broad Run

Woodgrove at Tuscarora

Briar Woods at Millbrook

Park View at Sherando

Rappahannock County at E. Hardy, WV



Heritage, Stonebridge, Skyline, James Wood, Liberty, Freedom, Brentsville District, George Mason, Manassas Park, Madison County, and Kettle Run all have BYES

contact the reporter moe@clarkecountysports.com

2010 Game of the Week Show Now Online

Moe Murphy speaks with Eagles Head Coach Chris Parker

BLUEMONT, VA - The 2010 Pre Season Editon of the Clarke County Sports Game of the Week show can now be seen online at Clarke County Sports  Show host Moe Murphy speaks about the upcoming season, new schools in the area and some preseason scrimmage action.

Clarke County Eagles Head Varsity Football Coach Chris Parker is interviewed in the Bell Tower at Clarke County High School. Parker starts his 11th season as the Eagles Head coach and has took the Eagles into the Post Season the past three seasons. 

A short set of video clips from the Loudoun County at Handley Scrimmage in Winchester and the Clarke County at Washington, WV scrimmage in Charles Town round out the show.

The show covers the Eagles home games and other area schools when Clarke has a bye or on the road. Video highlights, interviews and photo slideshows and news articles will accompany each game of the week.

contact the reporter moe@clarkecountysports.com

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Clarke County Sports 2010 Football Game of the Week Announced

Clarke County Sports Releases 2010 Football Game of the Week Schedule


By Michael “Moe” Murphy Editor - Clarke County Sports

BLUEMONT, VA – Clarke County Sports has released their 2010 Football Game of the Week Schedule. The schedule includes 16 regular season games, with several interstate rivalries from teams in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle.

“We are very pleased to go into our fourth season of the Game of the Week.” Clarke County Sports Editor and CEO announced. “This year looks to be very exciting with two new area schools and venues along with our game coverage of teams in the Bull Run, Northwestern, Dulles, Cedar Run, and Evergreen Districts.”

This year will feature several doubleheader weekends with games on Friday and Saturday, along with the return of the Special Thursday Night Edition as we travel to Raider Field in Leesburg for the rematch of one of our most exciting games last year, Sherando at Loudoun County.

We will also cover the first Battle of Purcellville as the new Woodgrove Wolverines travel to Bootsy Leonard Stadium to face cross town rival Loudoun Valley.

The games will feature a full write up, a photo slideshow, along with video interviews with players and coaches and some limited video highlight coverage as well.

As always, games are subject to change at Clarke County Sports decision.

Clarke County Sports 2010 Football Game of the Week Schedule




Date Game Time Notes



Fri. Aug. 27 Berkeley Springs, WV at Clarke County 7:30PM Clarke’s Home Opener

Fri. Sep. 3 Hedgesville, WV at Clarke County 7:30PM Double Header Weekend

Sat. Sep. 4 Harrisonburg at Handley 1:00PM Special Saturday Edition

Fri. Sep. 10 Warren County at Woodgrove 7:00PM New Team / New Stadium

Thur Sep.16 Sherando at Loudoun County 7:30PM Special Thursday Edition

Fri. Sep. 17 E. Rockingham at Clarke County 7:30PM Double Header Weekend

Fri. Sep. 24 Jefferson County, WV at Sherando 7:00PM Interstate Clash WV vs VA

Fri. Oct . 1 Woodgrove at Loudoun Valley 7:00PM Battle of Purcellville

Fri. Oct. 8 George Mason at Woodgrove 7:00PM Bull Run vs. Dulles Game

Fri. Oct. 15 Skyline at James Wood 7:00PM Doubleheader Weekend

Sat. Oct. 16 Sherando at Handley 1:00PM Special Saturday Edition

Fri. Oct 23 Strasburg at Clarke County 7:30PM Bull Run District Game

Fri. Oct. 29 James Wood at Tuscarora 7:00PM New Team/ New Stadium

Sat. Oct. 30 Millbrook at Handley 1:00PM Special Saturday Edition

Fri. Nov. 5 Handley at James Wood 7:00PM Classic Battle at the Jake

Fri. Nov. 12 Madison County at Clarke County 7:30PM Regular season finale



All games subject to change. Start times subject to change according to home school.

Clarke County Sports will present limited video highlight coverage, a photo slideshow, interviews and press conferences along with write up for each game we cover.*

*Photo show, video interviews and press write up will accompany each show, video highlights will be available on most shows..

Moe Murphy Photography Releases New Reprint Site

BLUEMONT, VA -  Clarke County Sports in conjunction with Moe Murphy Photography will be releasing a new photography site soon. Moe Murphy Photography will be the hub for the massive collection of photography compiled over the last 8 years, covering VHSL A, AA, AAA athletics, along with some college football, East Coast High School Football and a seperate section for Nature and Fine Arts Photography.

Clarke County Sports Editor and CEO Michael R. "Moe" Murphy  released the following statement earlier this week.

"I am pleased to announce a new photography website that is now under construction with SmugMug Pro." Murphy said. "Clarke County Sports massive collection of sports action photography dating back to 2003 will soon have a new home, and reprints will be available at a very modest price."

Watch for the new release soon of Moe Murphy Photography, updates will be posted as new galleries are posted.

Eagle Goalie Jon Clawson Accepts VHSL Runner Up Trophy  /Photo by Moe Murphy

Welcome to the new Clarke County Sports

BLUEMONT, VA- Welcome to the new and improved Clarke County Sports. Over the next few months you will start to see several new features on the site. You are at our blog and news site currently.

There will also be a new photo gallery system for the viewing and purchasing of Moe Murphy Photography and Clarke County Sports massive collection of event photgraphy dating back to 2003.

Expanded coverage of the Bull Run and Shenandoah Districts, with still a flavor of the neighboring counties thrown in. We also hope to dedicate a section for the area Middle Schools to post content.

Please watch for changes and also we will soon be starting a new mailing list for site updates, when that feature is available it will be posted.

We are excited about continuing our coverage of the Northern Shenandoah Valley and look forward to some big changes this year.

Please stay tuned and check back often.

Thanks,

Moe Murphy
Editor

Clarke County Sports