Monday, August 30, 2010

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

Saturday, August 28, 2010

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.






Friday, August 27, 2010

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




Thursday, August 26, 2010

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


                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Monday, August 16, 2010

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..