Trine Dominates Second Half

Dekalb TV Announcers Austin & Bernie

The eventful sports weekend started  Friday night at Dekalb High School covering the DHS varsity football game as they were taking on their NHC foe, the Homestead Spartans. The Barons fought hard, but the Spartans had just too many weapons, and they defeated Dekalb by the score of 44-6.

The Barons only score came on a 6 yard TD pass from Evan Cochran to Dylan Caegle. This coming Friday, Dekalb will travel to Ossian, Indiana to take on the 0-6 Norwell Knights. If you recall, the Barons defeated Norwell last year 14-0, but they ended up having to forfeit that contest because of an ineligible player.

Action During the Dekalb – Homestead Game

***

The high point was the Trine Thunder ending their 2 game losing streak, as they defeated Taylor University on Saturday afternoon by the score of 28-13.

The Trine Thunder in Angola  trailed at the half of their contest in Angola vs Taylor 10-0. But keyed by the pass catching and punt returns of JaVontae Hence, as well as a punishing running game delivered by Mike Inge, Trine completely dominated the second half to win by that final 15 point margin.

The Thunder will open MIAA conference play this Saturday when they travel to Kalamazoo, Michigan to take on Kalamazoo college. A big thanks to Austin and Ethan for their coverage of the contest.

We are bringing you Dekalb football games live!. Listen Friday at 7:00 pm!!

A Tremendous Basketball Team From a Bygone Era

In our lives, as we are approaching, living, and even moving towards the latter part of our “middle age” years, we have a tendency to reminisce in a positive way about our high school years. Remembering and embellishing the good, putting the not so good far back in the recesses of our minds.

Something that I like to reminisce and think about, and is always a positive & happy thought, is that when I was in high school, we had a GREAT basketball team. I graduated in 1973. But from my freshman year, until the year 1974 when Manchester won the state championship, Friday & Saturday nights were always “rockin” in the small gym just South of Akron, Ohio.

I look back at those times, and think that it was truly a time of massive cultural change for people who grew up during that period. When Manchester won the title in 1974, one of the most turbulent 10 year periods in American history was coming to an end. It started with the assassination of President Kennedy in 1963, and over the next decade, we experienced the Vietnam War, violent & peaceful demonstrations everywhere, The Beatles, drugs, clothes & hair styles, the killings of Bobby Kennedy & Martin Luther King, Kent State, Muhammad Ali, Black Civil Rights, the Cold War, landing on the moon, Richard Nixon & Watergate, just to name a few.

Back then, there were 3 classes in high school basketball, and Manchester was one of the smaller schools in “Class AA.”

Manchester was led by 6-10 center, Mike Phillips. After he graduated, Phillips went on to star at Kentucky, where he helped lead them to a National Championship in 1978. But the Panthers also had great players besides the big, burly center. The other starters during the 1973 & 1974 seasons were Tommy Thompson & Tim Neff at forwards, and Jack Sliger & Jeff Roberts at guards.

My senior year in 73, we were undefeated until regional play. Phillips was injured in the district title against Hudson. He couldn’t play the next game, and our season ended in a game against a team from Youngstown.

In 74, Manchester came back with a vengeance. They rolled through their schedule with ease. Included during this time was the last time I ever saw them play before moving to Florida to attend college. It was an early season game against the same, and very much disliked Hudson Explorers. The Panthers won 102-49, which included what I consider the greatest quarter I ever saw a team play. In the second stanza, Manchester outscored Hudson 37-5.

The Panthers had 2 separate 6 point wins during the season. Other than that, they were pretty much unstoppable until the tourney. Their only close game in post season was a narrow, 4 point win over Beloit West Branch.

Besides the starting 5, Manchester’s supporting cast was excellent. Gary Edwards, Joe Schler, Mike Arnold, Bill Dover, Larry Simmons, Bobby Eckert, and Brian Thompson all played key roles in the Panthers success.

As a sidenote, in his junior & senior years of high school, in games Phillips participated in, Manchester was 49-0.

Ah, the good old days!

Barons & Thunder – Both in Need of a Win

Trine Captains Before a Recent Game

This weekend, the Dekalb Barons, as well as the Trine Thunder, will both be seeking that very elusive second win of their respective football seasons.

The Barons sit at 1-4, while Trine will go into their game at 1-2. Dekalb will be hosting the high-flying Homestead Spartans Friday at 7:00 pm. While the Thunder will host Taylor Saturday at 1:00 pm up in Angola.

Dekalbs’ “Achilles heel” has been the fact that they get down early in the game, and then having to play catch up has proven difficult. They have trailed in the last three games a combined 110-0 at the halves.

Offensively, the Barons have proven that they can move the football, but they have trouble finishing drives. Also, penalties & turnovers have not helped the cause.

Trine’s problems have stemmed from the fact that they are having trouble putting the ball in the end zone. The offense, in what looked to be a real strength going into the season, has sputtered, no more so than in last weeks 13-10 loss to Concordia College up in Wisconsin. The Thunders’ only score came on a blocked punt for a TD.
The week before against Elmhurst College, they scored a TD early, and a TD late, but in between, they gave up 31 points.

If you follow both of these local teams, a win this weekend would certainly fill the bill for both the Barons& the Thunder to get things turned around.

A Visit to Michigan & Trumbull: The Site of Old Tiger Stadium

Bernie In the Batters Box at the Site of Old Tiger Stadium

I was on business in Detroit last week. When my meeting was finished around noon, I decided to take a ride over to where the old Tiger Stadium used to be located. To fans of the Tigers, especially the one’s who remember the heyday of this famous ball yard, all you had to say was “the corner of Michigan & Trumbull,” and they knew immediately what you were referring to.

My 2 older sons, Brandon & Joey, and I had the opportunity to be at Tiger Stadium the last weekend that games were played there back in 1999. It was a weekend series against the Kansas City Royals, and we were there for the Saturday game. We had media passes for the game, so we had the chance to be down on the field before the game taking some video, and doing some coverage of the festivities. It was a great time, but a nostalgic time. My only regret was that I didn’t get the chance to talk with Ernie Harwell, the legendary Tigers radio announcer.

Fast forward to last week, and as I approached the area, I really didn’t know what to expect. As I drove around the block 3-4 times, just looking & observing, you notice right away that the entire structure of the ball park is gone.

There is a group of people who now do take care of the field area. The infield area is in nice condition. It is laid out exactly over where home plate and the batters boxes, as well as where the pitchers mound and base paths used to be. There are also small benches on each side, in the approximate location of where the dugouts were located.

Even though there is fencing all the way around, the section of original gateway along the first baseline is still intact, and you can enter the area through the gate there. It was open and unlocked. Next to the gate is a small sign that simply reads “Ernie Harwell Field.”

For an old baseball fan like myself who truly enjoys the history of the game, walking around the field area was truly a rare treat. I enjoyed standing in the batters boxes where many of the greats of the game plied their trade. To me, it was almost breathtaking knowing that who I consider the greatest of them all, Ty Cobb, hit from that very spot thousands of times. Also Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, and countless other “hall of famers,” did the very same.

I loved walking around the outfield area, taking in the ambiance of it all, and just picturing 50-60 thousand people cheering your every move.

I also recalled the 1971 all-star game, when Reggie Jackson hit one of the longest home runs ever hit there. It would have went completely out of the stadium if not for some construction that was going on atop the roof in right field.

If you love the history of the game, and are in the area, make the trip to “Michigan & Trumbull.” As I like to say, you won’t be disappointed

Barons Drop Third Conference Game in a Row

The Dekalb Barons went into Friday night’s football game vs. Columbia City looking to pick up their first league win after losses to New Haven & East Noble. But for Dekalb, it was the same script once again, as they fell behind early, and were never able to mount a comeback,and they lost to the Eagles 62-10.

Dekalb’s Henry Smaltz was named Homecoming King During Friday Night’s Game

Last week against East Noble, senior receiver Henry Smaltz had a nice game from his wideout slot, and we named him our Dekalb TV – BJP Enterprises player of the game. On Friday, which was the annual homecoming game, Henry had the honor of being named the homecoming king.

Unfortunately for the Barons, this was one of the few highlights on the night. Besides committing a number of costly turnovers, Dekalb’s defense just couldn’t stop the offensive attack of Columbia City. The Eagles mixed a nice running & passing attack that had the Barons on their heels most of the night.

Dekalb did have a nice play of their own in the third quarter when sophomore Riley Seavers helped force a quarterback sack, and the QB then fumbled, and Seavers picked up the loose pigskin and raced 45 yards for the Barons only touchdown on the evening.

Dekalb needs to forget about this one in a hurry, as they go from the frying pan into the fire when the Homestead Spartans come marching into Cecil E. Young field next Friday night.

Rhodes Reviews 2012 Baseball Season

Coach Chris Rhodes & Son Easton

A few days ago, I had the chance to interview Dekalb Baron baseball coach Chris Rhodes. I hadn’t had a chance to catch up with Chris over the Summer, so we thought it would be a good time to talk a little baseball. To add to the festivities, Chris was able to bring his son Easton along to listen in.

This past Spring, Coach Rhodes finished up his 15th season leading the Barons. Dekalb was eliminated in the sectional semi-finals by Columbia City. With that loss, the Barons lost a number of seniors. Three of those players are going on to play college baseball. Ty Rottger is playing at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Bayley Coleman is playing at Indiana Tech, and Nick McDonald is playing at Bethel.

Coach Rhodes told me he does with his incoming squad as the new school has gotten underway. A number of years ago, he started “open fields” in the Fall. The Barons will go until the weather doesn’t cooperate any more. Then it’s on to weights, and indoor conditioning, and before you know it, it is time to get going in the Spring once again.

I then switched gears with him to talk some pro ball, and he told me he has been a lifelong Cincinnati Reds fan. His favorite player growing up was Pete Rose. He likes “Charley Hustle” because of the way he approached and played the game. His favorite players he likes to watch now are Joey Votto & Josh Hamilton.

We talked some about the division races and the possible wild card teams. Even though Oakland has been scorching hot, he still thinks the LA Angels are going to make a run.

I asked him his prediction on a world series match up. He said as much as he likes the Reds, he thinks that the San Francisco Giants pitching is going to make the difference in the National League. Then he said that the Texas Rangers lineup is pretty powerful up & down. And that their pitching was pretty good as well. So it was Rangers vs Giants in world series. We didn’t pick a winner, but I’m going with the Rangers as the third time will be the charm.

We discussed the current state of the Auburn area youth baseball situation. He said it is in the hands of some very good people, and that a number of future Barons are well on their way to becoming part of “Dekalb Baseball.”

Tremendous Fireworks Display Cap Off Evening in Cleveland

I had the opportunity last week to “go on the road” and take in a baseball game between the Texas Rangers and the Cleveland Indians over at Progressive Field in Cleveland.

One of the Many Fireworks

If you read the stories that I post, you know how much I enjoy watching baseball. Watching the game though, was only one of a few reasons that made the night special.

My oldest son Joey, who has worked for the Rangers for a number of years,has always had a great sense of family, and family values. Since we grew up in Akron,Ohio, and have a number of family members who still live in that area, he invited many family members to come to the game(s) over the weekend so we could spend some time together. For that reason alone, it was pretty special.

We had attended a game in Chicago on the fourth of July, and the folks there put on a dazzling fireworks display. I thought that one was one of the best I had ever witnessed.

O-H-I-O, performed by Krista, Michael, Ethan, & Joey

But after last Saturday’s nights game, I saw, bar none, the absolute best fireworks show I have ever watched. It was Labor Day weekend, so the show promised to be special. The show was a non-stop, 40 minutes of “grand finale” fireworks the entire time. It had laser lights interspersed while the fireworks were going off, and the best was, the show was synchronized to Beatles music.

While the music was playing, which included a wide array of Fab Four songs, Beatles video was playing on the “jumbotron” to make it even more enjoyable.

I’ve always loved the Beatles music, so I was in entertainment heaven while the show was going on. I was totally mesmerized. It was fantastic!

Family, baseball, fireworks, Beatles music. A great time was had by all.

Dekalb Loses to New Haven, Faces East Noble Next

If you are around the Dekalb High School football sports scene, the question this week has been can the Barons start another win streak against their NHC rivals to the west, the East Noble Knights?

Landon Cochran Kicks Off for the Barons Last Week Against New Haven

To put it mildly, it won’t be easy. Dekalb was beaten by New Haven last Friday by the score of 47-7. While the Barons were losing to the Bulldogs, the Knights were getting it handed to them by the Homestead Spartans by the score of 65-21.

With the game Friday being played in Kendallville, it will be doubly hard for Dekalb to bounce back against East Noble, and their first year head coach, Luke Amstutz.

Both teams need to come into this contest fired up, ready to play & play hard for 4 quarters, and to try and control both the offensive and defensive lines of scrimmage. Whoever does that, should have a pretty good chance of having a W at around 9:45 pm.

Oh yea, a couple of other “keys” to the game. Limit your penalties, and take care of the football! These 2 issues plagued Dekalb in last Friday’s game, and if I’m a betting man, Coach Mike Cochran and his coaching staff have addressed those “keys.”

Coach Amstutz loves to put the football in the air. You probably remember the success that he had at Angola over the past few years with his aerial attack.

Dekalb must limit what East Noble does throwing the football, as well as being physical and nasty up front. The Barons must have time consuming drives that culminate in points.

For what should be an entertaining night of high school football, make the short drive west on Friday, and enjoy Dekalb & East Noble.

Electrifying Kickoff Return Leads Trine to Season Opening Victory

The Trine University Thunder opened their 2012 football season on Thursday night, as they hosted the Manchester Spartans at Shive Field.

The Thunder Taking the Field

Trine, with 15 starters returning from last season’s 7-3 campaign, were looking to get the season started in a big way against the young Manchester ballclub.

The Spartans had other ideas as they went toe-to-toe with the Thunder throughout the first half. Senior quarterback Ryan Hargraves had given Trine a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter on a 2 yard dash around left end.

That was the only scoring until Austin Adams scored for Manchester on a 4 yard scamper with 3:28 to go in the first half, and the Trine faithful were getting a bit uneasy.

But then, in the blink of an eye, senior return man Myron Puryear, who also doubles as one of the best defensive backs in the country, took the ensuing kickoff, started up the middle, headed for the right sideline, and went untouched 92 yards for the go ahead score, and the Thunder had momentum, as well as control of the game back on their sideline.

Trine added a 39 yard field goal by Tyler Keck right before halftime, and the Thunder had some breathing room as they went to the lockerroom with a 10 point cushion at 17-7.

The Spartans made it interesting, as they scored in the 4th quarter to pull within 3 at 17-14, but another short touchdown jaunt by Hargraves sealed the deal for the Thunder.

As you look back and analyze everything that transpired during the contest, in my mind, it was certainly the Puryear kickoff return that changed the fortunes of both teams on this night, and gave Coach Matt Land and his Trine Thunder another season opening W.

“I’m Your Huckleberry!”

If you are at all familiar with the movie “Tombstone,” you know that the phrase “I’m your Huckleberry” is said by the legendary Doc Holliday many times throughout the picture.

The movie is a truly great “western” that glamorizes the exploits of the aforementioned Holliday, as well as Virgil, Morgan, and Wyatt Earp. A central theme of the movie is that it tries to convey the togetherness, as well as “family above all else” when it comes to addressing issues that need to be addressed.

Virgil, Doc, Wyatt, & Morgan, A.K.A. Bernie, Brandon, Joey, & Ethan

Whether you agree or not as to how close the movie is to the actual historical record, it does convey the “central themes” in a very enjoyable, as well as believable way. It is a family favorite of ours that has been watched many, many times.

As a family, we kid around as to what characters each of us might be in the movie. It always comes down to me being Virgil Earp. I think the reasoning behind this is just that I’m old, and Virgil was the oldest brother. Brandon ends up being Doc Holliday, Ethan is Morgan Earp, and Joey is Wyatt Earp. Obviously, this is just fun fantasy.

I would always like to think that our family is quite close. Such as the relationships that are displayed in Tombstone. We are always there for each other, no matter what the problem, through thick and thin. We always have each others backs. No issue is either too big or too small that we can’t be there for each other to offer advice, or a helping hand.

Brandon is in California, Joey is in Texas, Ethan is in his second year of college at Trine, and Maureen & I are at home. If we don’t talk every day, we talk a few times a week to stay abreast of what is going on in each of our lives.

Like the Earp’s & Holliday, it is all for one, and one for all in our family. Don’t ever forget, that “I’m your Huckleberry!”