Category Archives: Sports

Sports

Bulldogs lose to Comets in second overtime

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The Comets of Solon high school flew through James G. Tyree Gymnasium on Feb. 4, but were not able to leave without a fight.

In a game filled with large comebacks, lost teeth, and double overtime, it was certainly a night to remember for Stow and Solon fans alike.

The two teams have already met up once this year, resulting in a loss for Stow, leading to a Bulldog team looking for revenge on their home court.

That revenge seemed to be apparent the first quarter when the Bulldogs took control of the game, pulling ahead with a 15-2 lead. Senior Chrissie Vaughn was leading the way for Stow, scoring the first five points and more to follow. Stow’s defensive dynamics contained any sort of Solon offense, forcing turnovers and causing early frustration for the Comets.

Stow’s first quarter strengths carried over into the second quarter, but the Comets presence was beginning to felt. Solon’s shots began to fall, but they still could not stop the offensive game of seniors Morgan Thompson, Sam Shaver and Vaughn. The Bulldogs led 33-20 at the half.

The third quarter held a constant level of defensive and offensive aggression for both teams. Stow continued to hold off Solon and took the score to 50-35 lead in favor of Stow, going into the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter started the collapse of Stow’s night, and the rise of Solon’s comeback. Stow began to settle for poor shots and gave up many turnovers which Solon took full advantage of. Cutting the deficit to one point with 1:54 left to go, Stow began to panic with the ball. With the scored tied 58-58 Solon scored a layup at the buzzer, but was quickly waved off by the referee, sending the game into its first overtime.

Solon showed signs of taking over the game in overtime, but a three-pointer from Thompson with 11 seconds left on the clock gave Stow a 62-60 lead. Lack of defense allowed Solon to drive right to the rim and tie the game at 62-62 sending it into its second overtime.

The second overtime held the most intensity of any other time during the night. Questionable calls from referees brought some parents to anger, and with both teams in the double bonus, free throws were very valuable for victory. Solon began taking control of the game, but the Bulldogs would keep them within reach. With seconds left on the clock,  a potential game tying three pointer by a Stow player was missed, and the clock ran out to zero, ending the long and exciting night with a score in favor of Solon 67-71.

Sports

Bulldog wrestlers are decimated by Blue Devils

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The Brunswick Blue Devils visited the James G. Tyree Gym to face off against the Stow Bulldogs in an exhibition wrestling match. The dual meet took place on January 22. The Bulldogs were looking to bounce back after only taking 15th overall at the Bill Dies Tournament last weekend.

The match began in the lightweights and a 106-pound intense duel between Logan Reiheld of Stow and Joe Cacuzza of Brunswick started the meet off. Reiheld emerged victorious in an 8-6 decision, making the team score 3-0 in favor of Stow.

The following match was at 113 pounds, John Koneval versus DJ Skiba. Skiba was able to take the win in comfortable fashion, taking the score to 8-1 before his first period pin in 1:32, giving Brunswick the 6-3 overall lead.

Next up was Luke Black facing Branton Lantz at 120. Black was victorious in a 4-1 win, tying the team score up at 6-6.

Then it was 126, Justin George and his counterpart Thomas Castenoda were locked in a close one until Castenoda was able to secure the 11-7 victory. The team score became 6-9.

Anthony Valore, returning from earning eighth place at the Bill Dies Tournament, was looking to keep his momentum going facing off against Josh Heil. The match was one sided from the start. Heil took the score to 17-4 before he pinned Valore with 15 seconds left in the second period, increasing the Blue Devil’s lead to 15-6.

The middleweights started in a 138-pound match with Billy Muncy and Nick Kuissis. Kuissis was in control the entire match, finishing Muncy off by way of pin with 59 seconds left in the second period. Brunswick’s team score grew to 21-6.

Joey Andrassy and Austin Fallon had their skirmish at the 145-pound weight class. Andrassy, who took sixth at the Bill Dies Tournament, and his counterpart were unable to score any points in the first period. The nail-biting match ended in favor of Andrassy 2-1. Stow was back on the board, chipping away at the lead making the team score 21-9.

At 152, Logan Emery wrestled Cade Bonds. Bonds won the match by major decision 15-5. Turning the score into 25-9.

Bill Dies Tournament 160-pound fifth place wrestler Nick Planicka was up against Frank Tusick. In a tight one, Tusick was victorious in a 3-1 win, again increasing Brunswick’s total score to 28-9.

170-pound Travis Bodjanac grappled with Brandon Bryant. Bryant walked away with the easy win by pin in 1:31. The team score then became 34-9.

The heavyweight classes began in a quick, 182-pound pin by Mike Bekney who defeated Kiyal Izaldine in 45 seconds. Making the team score an incredible 40-9 in favor of Brunswick.

The 195-pound weight class, with Aaron Naples, granted Brunswick with a free six team points due to forfeit. Team scores 46-9.

Brian Baranowski was defeated at the 220 pound weight class by Collin Sustersic 5-2. Making Brunswick’s lead 49-9.

Even with the insurmountable 40 point lead, heavyweight Jared Tatgenhorst seemed unfazed. He hastily pinned Mike Fontana in 1:42, bringing the final team score to 49-15 in favor of Brunswick.

Sports Opinion

New England Patriots crush legacy with new allegations

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     The New England Patriots’ dynasty may officially be tarnished due to new allegations.
     On Sun., Jan. 18, the Patriots were set to play the Colts at home in Fox borough, Massachusetts. During the game, Tom Brady, Patriots quarterback, threw an interception to D’quell Jackson. Jackson noticed that the ball felt softer and lighter than a normal football. Game officials were alerted of this at half time of this under inflation.
     The Patriots now stand accused of deflating footballs during the AFC championship game. The Colts organization was even alerted by the Ravens, the previous team the Patriots played. They warned the Colts about New England’s potential doctoring of the football.
     Each and every NFL quarterback receives 12 balls before each game. They can then do what they want to them to break them in to their liking before the game. However, Deflating the football is illegal because it makes the football easier to catch and throw, especially in rainy conditions. The referees check the footballs before the game and then give them back to the team.
     How then could the New England Patriots have pulled this off? No one is absolutely certain how they did it, but they do know that it was done. ESPN investigators discovered that of the 12 balls, 11 of them were under inflated by 2 lbs. each.
     New England is now threatened by fines to both head coach Bill Belichick and All pro quarterback Tom Brady. The team also faces a potential loss of draft picks in the upcoming draft. Despite overwhelming evidence that the Patriots did deflate footballs, they continue to deny it.
     According to Yahoosports.com, Tom Brady said, “I didn’t alter the ball in any way. Everybody is trying to figure out what happened. I was as surprised as anybody on when I heard Monday morning what was happening.”
     Nobody in the Patriots organization seems to know what is happening, despite their history of cheating.
     Bill Belichick is one of the greatest coaches in NFL history and he is very good at cheating. In 2007, the Patriots were caught illegally filming a the New York Jets defensive hand signals. Before “Spy Gate” in 2007, the Patriots had won three super bowls, creating a dynasty. Belichick was fined $500,000 and the team has not won a super bowl since.
     It seems as though the only way the Patriots succeed is through cheating. The Patriots have returned to the super bowl for the first time sine 2011 despite being in the two previous AFC championship games. The organization made a connection that when they cheat, they succeed. Belichick’s legacy is in question because of his constant compromises to the integrity of the game of football.
         Due to these allegations, the Patriots are under fire once again. Their legacy has become tarnished and a tarnished legacy, is not really a legacy at all.
Sports Opinion

Superbowl XLIX stats and predictions

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The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Green Bay Packers, advancing them to Super Bowl 49. Later in the same day, the New England Patriots defeated the Indianapolis Colts, which sent them to the Super Bowl to face off against the Seahawks.

The big game is set to take place in Arizona on Feb. 1. Both teams get an extra week of preparation before it is all left on the line. The fact of the matter is that Tom Brady and the Patriots could get three weeks of preparation and they will still not be ready for the Seahawks, and this will be proven in a Seahawks victory.

It is not just the Seahawks feared defense that will beat the Patriots: it is their much underrated offense. Russell Wilson simply does not say the game is over until he wants it to be. This act was put on display in the NFC Championship game vs the Packers. To say the least, Wilson played horribly, throwing four interceptions, and according to Espnstatsinfo.com, the Seahawks had a 3.9% chance of winning with 5:04 left in regulation; however, with a little magic and possibly some luck, Wilson and company came away with the earned victory.

I am not saying that Seattle will dominate New England like they did last year against Manning and the Broncos, but I am saying they will win, and I am very confident in saying that. Brady is not washed up. Belicheck is still one of the best coaches to ever live. So why am I counting out the Pats so confidently?

In ten starts against Super Bowl winning quarterbacks, Russell Wilson boasts a—you guessed it—perfect 10-0 record; however, come Feb.1, when the confetti rains down blue and green in Glendale, he will be 11-0. The Seahawks will also be victorious because of a quiet and very misunderstood running back by the name of Marshawn Lynch. All Lynch has done is run for 1306 yards and 13 touchdowns during the regular season.

At the end of the day, the Patriots have still earned the right to play the Seahawks and have many of threats on their team. The only way the Patriots have a chance to win is with man coverage and have a linebacker spy Wilson.

This time last year, most people took their bets on the Broncos high-powered offense defeating the young Seahawks team, which was followed up with a 43-8 Seattle victory. While the Patriots and Broncos are different teams, they are built the same. The only differences are that Brady does not have the weapons Manning had, and the Patriots defense is slightly better. Offense wins game, and like many do not understand, defense wins championships.

If you do not wish to know the final score of Super Bowl 49, stop reading. Spoiler alert, the Seahawks will beat the Patriots 23-17 in Glendale Arizona.