Friday, August 31, 2012
Continuing coverage by Carl Lukat
UPDATE: Cooley Gallery to remain in Leesburg | LoudounTimes.com
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| Chris Cooley in his last game as a Redskin Photo by Moe Murphy for the Loudoun Times-Mirror |
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Redskins vs. Colts photo gallery | LoudounTimes.com Carl Lukat and Moe Murphy
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| Robert Griffin vs. Indianapolis Colts photo by Moe Murphy for the Loudoun Times-Mirror |
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Shenandoah University | Brandon's Huddle Buzz
August 28, 2012
WINCHESTER, Va. - After a two-day delay, it is time for another edition of 'Brandon's Huddle Buzz.
Now that camp is over and the regular season is about to start, I can fully reflect on most likely, my last football camp ever. This year's camp was by far the hardest I have experienced at Shenandoah. At times I felt like the coaches wanted to make everyone of us quit with conditioning. Never have they run us in the ground like they did this past camp, but overall it will only make us better.
We lost two very important games last year versus two ODAC opponents in the 4th quarter (Bridgewater, RandolphRandolph-Macon) and that was the main emphasis on getting us in tip-top shape. There were mornings where I was begging for five more minutes of sleep while getting up at 5:30am just to be on the field for the first practice of a two-a-day at 6:15am.
The first full day of pads was intense. Hornet drill (modified Oklahoma hitting drill) got the whole team amped. Bodies were flying, pads were cracking, and while players were waiting their turn to enter the gauntlet they were screaming and cheering their brothers on. Every practice is offense versus defense and there has to be a winner and a loser. We have competed hard against each other this camp because in the end both sides of the ball come together to accomplish one goal: WINNING.
Watching film is essential to our preparation of games and also a key learning tool that we use. By being able to watch every practice and see our mistakes helps become better football players and students of the game. We have watched countless hours of film this camp. Coaches and us players take our film sessions pretty seriously. But there are times when we see big hits or clumsy plays occur that we just can't help to laugh at. Coach Brock McCullough and Coach Kalvin Oliver often like to point out when somebody gets demolished or when somebody gets their ankles broken. There was one day in a film session Coach Brock had to rewind and play a play in slow motion because freshman d-lineman Jake Payne got leveled on a pile-back block by fellow freshman o-lineman Marcus Jenkins. Film sessions have been great learning tools but also can be very comical which can help lighten the mood when one of the coaches get on one of us for making a mistake. Comic relief.
The competition for playing time has been intense as well. On the offensive side of the ball there has been competition battles at almost every skilled position. Calvin Wright and Adam Tibbs have been competing hard for the receiver spot on the other side of Qiydaar Murphy. Freshman Troy Baldwin has made an impact already by taking over the number three receiver spot and punt return duties. Another freshman that has made quiet an impression is running back Andrew Smith who will help the run game out a lot and most likely spell Carl Joseph. The quarterback competition has also been pretty stiff, all three quarterbacks: Phil Gardner, Shawn Lloyd and Corey Taylor, have shown flashes of good things.
The defensive competition had been pretty stout as well. Sean Blackman and LA St. Hill have been rotating in and out with the first team defense at cornerback. Phillip Schoeffel and Buddy Findley have both been getting work at hornet (strong safety) with the first team defense as well. A freshman that is making an impact on defense this year is Michael Messick at weak-side linebacker, who may see some playing time soon. Also the competition between the Griffin brothers, Evan Griffin and Ian Griffin, has been intense.
Even though they are both going to see significant playing time, it's always going to be looked at as a sibling rivalry. Everything they do will be compared to the other.
Annually the defense has a freshman/first-year player talent show where we make all the new guys get up in front of the whole defense and do a "talent". It's not really a talent show; more like a comical thing, just get up there and make everybody laugh type of deal.
This year we had some pretty funny acts. My top two favorite was freshman George Cluster's "first impression of the starting defense", and Evan Griffin's lemon meringue pie to senior Matt Bennett's face. The most popular acts were making fun of our offensive lineman.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Eagles post strong showing in season opener
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| Eagles QB Sean McDonald in his first varsity start. Photo by Moe Murphy/ Clarke County Sports |
BERRYVILLE – There was no doubt that the Clarke County Eagles meant business as they coasted to a 40-0 shutout of the Berkeley Springs Indians before a capacity crowd at Wilbur M. Feltner Stadium.
The Eagles (1-0, 1-0) got off to a quick start scoring three touchdowns in the first quarter and going into the locker room with a 26 point lead at the half.
“I was pleased with the overall performance of our team.” Eagles Coach Chris Parker said, “I thought we dominated the line play on both sides and that opened other things up.”
Sophomore quarterback Sean McDonald scored on a 3 yard run to open the 2012 scoring for the Eagles, followed by 31 yard scamper from Senior Davey Hardesty, the first of 3 scores for Hardesty.
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| Senior Davey Hardesty rushed for 200 Yds and 3 touchdowns. Photo Moe Murphy / CCS |
“Our line made blocks all night, even our running backs were opening big holes for me.” Hardesty said. Hardesty, 200 yards on 17 carries also added touchdown runs of 22 and 17 in the third and fourth quarters respectively.
McDonald looked very poised in his first start as the Eagles Varsity quarterback. Besides, scoring the first touchdown of the game McDonald through for a touchdown, connecting with Senior Todd Benton on a 44 yard touchdown in the second quarter. McDonald finished 2 for 5 for 45 yards. Benton also scored on an 18 yard run, scoring both times he touched the ball.
The Eagles Defense gave up only 66 yards total offense, yielding only 6 first downs. Indians Senior Quarterback Mark Cowles threw for 30 yards on 5 of 13 attempts, with the Eagles defense recording 2 interceptions.
“They [Berkeley Springs] gave us a tough time up there last year.” Parker said, “I was glad to open up at home, it makes a difference.”
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| The Eagles line dominated both sides of the ball Photo by Moe Murphy/ CCS. |
Contact the reporter
moe@clarkecountysports.com
© 2012 Clarke County Sports
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Fall Sports: 2012 Schedules for Loudoun - Football Kicks of this Week!
Fall Sports: 2012 Schedules for Loudoun - Football Kicks of this Week! Thanks to Dan Sousa at VivaLoudoun.com for his hard dedicated work.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
UVA football to hold meet the team day Aug. 19 | LoudounTimes.com
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| #92 Rob Burns FR Defensive End Hometown: Ashburn, VA HS Stone Bridge |
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| #67 Jackson Matteo FR Center Hometown: Ashburn, VA HS Broad Run |
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| #7 Kyle McCartin SR Tight End Hometown: Warrenton, VA HS Fauquier County |
Photo's Courtesy of University of Virginia Athletic Department
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Tuscarora wins Licklider tournament
By Dennis Atwood - sports@nvdaily.com
FRONT ROYAL -- A heavy fog hung over the Shenandoah Valley Golf Club, and persisted for nearly an hour after the 9 a.m. tee time Thursday for the teams from 24 high schools entered in the 11th annual Curly Licklider Memorial Invitational Tournament.
With the four highest scores from each six-player team counting, Tuscarora took top honors with a combined 456 strokes, and Broad Run finished second with 460.
Sherando scored 500, Strasburg tallied 517, Skyline finished at 541, and Warren County 652 in the tournament, unique for Virginia prep players in being their only 27-hole, par-107 event, with golf carts authorized.
The course was designed by renowned golf course architect Raymond Loving, and consists of three separate nine-hole courses -- Blue (par 36), White (par 35) and Red (par 36).
A sudden-death playoff was needed to resolve the tie for first-place medalist between Desiree Razon of Broad Run and Robbie Failes of Spotswood, who carded 107s.
The playoff was held on the par-3, 307-yard, Red No. 1 hole, which Failes succeeded in completing in three strokes, while Razon needed four to get her ball in the cup.
Ian Hildebrand of Loudoun Valley was one stroke behind at 108 to take third, Caleb Keel of Tuscarora took fourth with 110, and Loudoun Valley's Scott Manpower captured fifth place with 112.
Sherando's No. 1 player Chris Slater, a rising senior, turned in a 117 outing.
"Actually I'm not real happy [with my score]," Slater said. "I actually started off bad. I was five over through the first five holes. But I got my act together on the White, with a 35, and for Red I shot 38, but fell apart with a 44 on Blue, where I started, so it raised my score a bit.
"The early damp conditions had something to do with the bad start because the putts were rolling really slow and I wasn't used to dealing with it, which resulted in some three-putts. I recovered with five birdies on White and Red."
Strasburg's No. 1, rising senior Jared Werner, explained that he didn't have a particularly good day either, finishing at 127.
"I had a problem with inaccuracies with second shots -- I was missing left or right, short or long," Werner said. "For 12 or 13 holes, I had a bogey streak, and my putting was kind of streaky. My driving distance often left me with between-clubs choices for approach shots. But I recovered OK towards the end of the day."
But rising junior Tyler Doman, Strasburg's No. 2, shot a respectable 118.
"Once it got hotter, the conditions got firmer and the greens weren't as soft," Doman said. "My putting worked really well. It's what saved me. I would hit a bad approach shot, then I'd get on the green and make a good putt. I had three birdies on the Blue course. I've worked really hard on my putting, and changed my putting stance since last year."
Skyline No. 1, Joe Dawkins, a rising senior, carded a 131.
"It's not the best I've played," Dawkins said. "I just had a couple of bad holes. Everything was there, I just wasn't getting good lies or a good bounce. I would hit a good shot, but then get a bad bounce. But today helped me see what I need to work on."
"Because it's 27 holes and carts are used, the results can't be used for district or regional standings, so it's all for the benefit of the players," host Warren County athletic director Jim Grooms said. "The kids love this tournament. It's all about the kids, as a special way for most of them to start the season. They enjoy the focus required to go 27 holes, and they enjoy using the carts.
"Buck Smith, my predecessor as AD, Curley Hazelette [then golf coach] and Richard Runyon [Shenandoah Valley Golf Club general manager] got together to organize the first Curly Licklider tournament. Curly Licklider played golf, and other sports, at Warren County, but he loved and taught golf. He died prematurely, and left his wife, Terry, and sons Wes and Cody.
Reprinted by permission.
2012 Copyright © The Northern Virginia Daily nvdaily.com
FRONT ROYAL -- A heavy fog hung over the Shenandoah Valley Golf Club, and persisted for nearly an hour after the 9 a.m. tee time Thursday for the teams from 24 high schools entered in the 11th annual Curly Licklider Memorial Invitational Tournament.
With the four highest scores from each six-player team counting, Tuscarora took top honors with a combined 456 strokes, and Broad Run finished second with 460.
Sherando scored 500, Strasburg tallied 517, Skyline finished at 541, and Warren County 652 in the tournament, unique for Virginia prep players in being their only 27-hole, par-107 event, with golf carts authorized.
The course was designed by renowned golf course architect Raymond Loving, and consists of three separate nine-hole courses -- Blue (par 36), White (par 35) and Red (par 36).
A sudden-death playoff was needed to resolve the tie for first-place medalist between Desiree Razon of Broad Run and Robbie Failes of Spotswood, who carded 107s.
The playoff was held on the par-3, 307-yard, Red No. 1 hole, which Failes succeeded in completing in three strokes, while Razon needed four to get her ball in the cup.
Ian Hildebrand of Loudoun Valley was one stroke behind at 108 to take third, Caleb Keel of Tuscarora took fourth with 110, and Loudoun Valley's Scott Manpower captured fifth place with 112.
Sherando's No. 1 player Chris Slater, a rising senior, turned in a 117 outing.
"Actually I'm not real happy [with my score]," Slater said. "I actually started off bad. I was five over through the first five holes. But I got my act together on the White, with a 35, and for Red I shot 38, but fell apart with a 44 on Blue, where I started, so it raised my score a bit.
"The early damp conditions had something to do with the bad start because the putts were rolling really slow and I wasn't used to dealing with it, which resulted in some three-putts. I recovered with five birdies on White and Red."
Strasburg's No. 1, rising senior Jared Werner, explained that he didn't have a particularly good day either, finishing at 127.
"I had a problem with inaccuracies with second shots -- I was missing left or right, short or long," Werner said. "For 12 or 13 holes, I had a bogey streak, and my putting was kind of streaky. My driving distance often left me with between-clubs choices for approach shots. But I recovered OK towards the end of the day."
But rising junior Tyler Doman, Strasburg's No. 2, shot a respectable 118.
"Once it got hotter, the conditions got firmer and the greens weren't as soft," Doman said. "My putting worked really well. It's what saved me. I would hit a bad approach shot, then I'd get on the green and make a good putt. I had three birdies on the Blue course. I've worked really hard on my putting, and changed my putting stance since last year."
Skyline No. 1, Joe Dawkins, a rising senior, carded a 131.
"It's not the best I've played," Dawkins said. "I just had a couple of bad holes. Everything was there, I just wasn't getting good lies or a good bounce. I would hit a good shot, but then get a bad bounce. But today helped me see what I need to work on."
"Because it's 27 holes and carts are used, the results can't be used for district or regional standings, so it's all for the benefit of the players," host Warren County athletic director Jim Grooms said. "The kids love this tournament. It's all about the kids, as a special way for most of them to start the season. They enjoy the focus required to go 27 holes, and they enjoy using the carts.
"Buck Smith, my predecessor as AD, Curley Hazelette [then golf coach] and Richard Runyon [Shenandoah Valley Golf Club general manager] got together to organize the first Curly Licklider tournament. Curly Licklider played golf, and other sports, at Warren County, but he loved and taught golf. He died prematurely, and left his wife, Terry, and sons Wes and Cody.
Reprinted by permission.
2012 Copyright © The Northern Virginia Daily nvdaily.com
Friday, August 10, 2012
Williams stands the test of time as Redskins Greatest Fan
ASHBURN – As the Washington Redskins celebrate their 80th Anniversary there have been too many organizational changes to mention. One thing however has remained constant for nearly half of that time and that is Zema Williams.
Williams, better known as “Chief Zee” has been the Redskins Mascot for 34 years and has only missed two home games since 1978, one after the death of his father and the other when he escorted the wife of the late “Crazy Ray”, his Dallas Cowboys counterpart at a special ceremony honoring Ray at Texas Stadium.”
“Ray passed in 07.” Williams said. “We became really close friends over the years, off the field of course.”
Williams gained national recognition in 1983 when at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Eagles fans attacked him outside the stadium breaking his leg and destroying his headdress and outfit.
“We were having fun, and 3 or 4 fans attacked me” Williams said. “You know Philadelphia is a poor sports town, in all sports, I haven’t been back since and I’ll leave it at that.”
In 2008 the Chief lost his beloved toy tomahawk at a game, and actually sat in the parking lot of FedEx Field hoping somebody would return it to him. It was later discovered to be in the possession of a fan and Redskins TE Chris Cooley exchanged an autographed jersey to get the prized prop back for the Chief.
Williams was hospitalized in 2011 with a cyst on his spine, but has not let up on his enthusiasm and his willingness to promote his passion, the Washington Redskins.
The Chief was mobbed as he entered Fan Day in Ashburn, not once refusing to talk, pose with a photo or in my case do an interview.
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| Chief Zee and Moe at Redskinn Park photo by Billy Ector |
By Michael “Moe” Murphy
Training Camp Correspondent
ASHBURN – As the Washington Redskins celebrate their 80th Anniversary there have been too many organizational changes to mention. One thing however has remained constant for nearly half of that time and that is Zema Williams.
Williams, better known as “Chief Zee” has been the Redskins Mascot for 34 years and has only missed two home games since 1978, one after the death of his father and the other when he escorted the wife of the late “Crazy Ray”, his Dallas Cowboys counterpart at a special ceremony honoring Ray at Texas Stadium.”
“Ray passed in 07.” Williams said. “We became really close friends over the years, off the field of course.”
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| Chief Zee enters Redskin Park photo by Moe Murphy |
“We were having fun, and 3 or 4 fans attacked me” Williams said. “You know Philadelphia is a poor sports town, in all sports, I haven’t been back since and I’ll leave it at that.”
In 2008 the Chief lost his beloved toy tomahawk at a game, and actually sat in the parking lot of FedEx Field hoping somebody would return it to him. It was later discovered to be in the possession of a fan and Redskins TE Chris Cooley exchanged an autographed jersey to get the prized prop back for the Chief.
Williams was hospitalized in 2011 with a cyst on his spine, but has not let up on his enthusiasm and his willingness to promote his passion, the Washington Redskins.
“In 34 years I’ve seen them come and go, come and go, but I feel good about this season, and I feel like it’s gonna make a difference.” said Williams.
The Chief was mobbed as he entered Fan Day in Ashburn, not once refusing to talk, pose with a photo or in my case do an interview.
It’s too early to tell yet how the Redskins will fare this season, but one thing is for sure Chief Zee will do his part to get the Burgundy and Gold back into Glory.
Williams has had many honors over the years including Chief Zee Day in Washington, D.C...His biggest honor, no doubt came in 2000 when the Pro Football Hall of Fame and VISA named him the Washington Redskins All Time Biggest Fan, and honored him with a special display at Canton.
It’s too early to tell yet how the Redskins will fare this season, but one thing is for sure Chief Zee will do his part to get the Burgundy and Gold back into Glory.
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| Zema "Chief Zee" always a fan favorite. photo by Moe Murphy |
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Eagles Place 2nd at Bull Run District Mini Tournament
BAYSE — The Clarke County golf team placed second in the second and final Bull Run District mini golf tournament Wednesday at the Bryce Resort. The Eagles shot a four-player score of 346, 30 shots behind first-place William Monroe (316). Strasburg was third (363), Central was fourth (365), Madison County was fifth (370), Manassas Park was sixth (401) and George Mason was seventh (446). The Eagles were led by Brandon Dang (82), Ben Williams (86) and Matt Lohmann and Danny O’Donnell, who each shot an 89. Tying for first place was the William Monroe duo of Logan Yates and Austin Batten, who each shot a 4-over par 71.
Courtesy of the Winchester Star
Courtesy of the Winchester Star
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Clarke County Sports to undergo reorganization
BLUEMONT- As Clarke County Sports approaches the 10 year anniversary, site publisher and editor Michael "Moe" Murphy has announced the following changes and plans for Clarke County Sports. With the start of www.clarkecountyahtletic.org there was no longer a need to cover the school as a sports site. Not only that but due to time constraints the site just could not keep up on a timely manner. Over nearly 10 years I have accumulated mountains of material, articles, videos, and mostly photographs. As time permits I am going to start an archival section that will allow viewers to relive the last 10 years. In addition to the archives, I will continue to post my current assignments, such as my work for the Loudoun Times Mirror, VivaLoudoun and other local media outlets. Thanks for your patience and continue to check back for updates. God Bless, Moe
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