Bob Jones High School Football Booster Website: Alumni Players
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Harmon Gage Graduates With Athletic Disctincion from the United States Air Force Academy
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Congratulations to a very honored BJHS Football Grad!!!!
Harmon Cage graduated from the AF Academy. He was 188 out of 1046, and was one out of 87 selected to continue for their Masters and graduated with Athletic Distinction.
Grad School:
http://www.usafa.af.mil/scripts/aweb/newsPopUp.cfm?newsid=2806
NCAA accomplishments:
Qualified for the NCAA Midwest Regional’s:http://www.goairforcefalcons.com/sports/c-track/recaps/052909aaa.html
http://www.goairforcefalcons.com/sports/c-track/spec-rel/052409aaa.html
JUNIOR (2008): Recorded the seventh-best javelin throw in Academy history...posted a personal-best distance of 202'0" to win the Jack Christiansen Invitational...became just the seventh Falcon to clear the 200-foot mark...threw a 192'0" to fifth in the javelin throw at the Mountain West Conference Championships...one of three Falcons to finish within the top seven at that meet...also won the javelin at the first-ever Front Range Invitational...earned the team's Field Athlete of the Week award twice during the outdoor season.
SOPHOMORE (2007): Set a new career-high mark in the javelin with a throw of 193'8" at the Sun Angel Classic...that distance was the second-best throw on the team...won the Potts Invitational with a throw of 191'6"...was the top collegian at the Wyoming Invitational, finishing second overall with a throw of 189'7"...finished ninth in the javelin at the Mountain West Conference championships.
FRESHMAN (2006): Threw a career-best 186'5" in the javelin at the Air Force Twilight Meet...that was the best throw of the season by a rookie...earned the team's Field Athlete of the Week award following that meet. HIGH SCHOOL: Served as co-captain of baseball team...super all-metro honoree...named to the Alabama Super 100...played in the East-West All-Star game...also a member of the football team...was team co-captain...earned all-region honors...member of the Student Government Association (SGA)...member of the National Honor Society.
PERSONAL: Son of Jerry and Mary Gage...has one sister (Jenny) and one brother (Justin)...majoring in operations research...hobbies include watching and playing sports, listening to music, sleeping and eating...three-time academic all-conference honoree...named to the Superintendent's List for excellence in military, academic and athletic performance...member of the 2009 track and field leadership council.
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Big plays help Golden Eagles claim 47-19 win over Central Methodist
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| Bob Jones alum Justin Vann with Big Game! |
• Tech freshman Justin Vann, making his first career start, made his second interception of the game early in the third quarter.
• Five Golden Eagles have scored touchdowns, including RB Henry Sailes and Tremain Hudson, WR Tim Benford and Colin Allen, and DB Justin Vann.
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Huntingdon College - Montgomery, Alabama
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| Cody started in his 2nd game against MacMurray. Cody was 4-4 on PATs & 28yd FG |
The preseason favorites in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference dominated their first conference game on Saturday with a 49-20 win over MacMurray. "Playing in a conference is one of the things we've been working for," Huntingdon de-fensive lineman Josh Robertson said. "We got our first confer-ence win today and now we have to take it in stride, prepare each week and try to win the rest of them." Huntingdon scored 12 points in the first quarter, led 35-0 at the half and enjoyed the SLIAC debut. "We've been looking forward to this day for a year and a half, since we found out they had let us in the conference," Hunting-don head coach Mike Turk said. "We wanted to make sure we started off on the right foot. We didn't look that pretty early on, but we took advantage of some things, built a commanding lead and were able to play some young guys in the second half." The conference challenge should be a little tougher next week as the Hawks travel to Greenville College in Illinois. Greenville was the only other SLIAC team to receive a first-place vote in the preseason poll. "We've got some tough confer-ence games coming up and we're going to have to play well," Turk said. "It was very obvious today that we had been off a week. We weren't as sharp as we needed to be but we'll learn from it and get better. Going on the road to Greenville next week, we have to make sure we're prepared for what will be one of the best teams we'll face." Despite playing younger play-ers for much of the second half, the Hawks (3-0, 1-0) put up im-pressive offensive numbers. Huntingdon rushed for 347 yards and finished with 565 yards of offense. "It was a pretty good day," running back Jamal Gardner said. "We tried to get some points on the board and get some young guys in the game." Gardner scored three times and rushed for 79 yards on 12 carries. "I'm awfully proud of him," Turk said. "He's a great role model for our younger players at that position. He's grown up and become as solid a guy as we've had." Gardner's first score, a 4-yard run, gave Huntingdon the lead less than six minutes into the game. His 3-yard run in the sec-ond quarter made it 28-0 before his final score signaled the end of the day for the Hawks' start-ers. Gardner capped his scoring with a 33-yard run, 44 seconds into the second half. "When we came out after the half and scored on the second play, that's when I knew it was over," Gardner said. Quarterback Justin Ridgeway was 15-for-27 with 221 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Ridgeway, who also rushed for 43 yards, completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Young in the second quarter. Running back Miguel Gilmore added 60 yards and two scores. Cody Step-ko's 28-yard field goal made it 12-0 at the end of the first quar-ter. "When the offense produces like it did today, it makes our job easier on defense," Rob-ertson said. Robertson got in on the scor-ing early in the game, recording a safety with 2:49 left in the first quarter. "That's the first one in my ca-reer -- college, high school or pee wee," Robertson said. "Carl (Sanders) really helped us out with his punt. It backed them up and on the safety, the play just opened up and he came right to me." Robertson finished with two tackles. Chad Hatfield, Granger Shook and Mike Payson led the defense with four tackles apiece...(Taken from Montgomery Advertiser)
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Sewanee Has 11 Honored by SCAC
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| Andrew Walters |
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Blazers Sign Eight Football Prospects
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- UAB head football coach Neil Callaway announced Wednesday that eight prospects have signed with the Blazers and will enroll at the University in January. Callaway and his staff picked up seven from the junior college ranks and one prep school student-athlete who had originally signed with the Blazers last February also committed Wednesday to UAB. Here are the UAB football signees announced by Callaway on Wednesday: Nick Adams, WR, 6-2, 195, Walterboro, S.C., Ft. Scott CC; Hiram Atwater, Safety, 6-0, 200, Decatur, Ga., Garden City CC; Daniel Borne, RB, 5-11, 200, New Orleans, La., Jones County CC; Joei Fiegler, QB/P, Alcoa, Ga., Georgia Military College; Derek Slaughter, DE, 6-2, 245, Jonesboro, Ga., Coffeyville CC; Justin Wells, DT, 6-4, 285, Madison, Ala., Highlands CC; Danny White, LB, 6-2, 225, Apopka, Fla., Hargrave Military Academy; Darrion Wilson, LB, 6-2, 220, Crawfordville, Fla., Jones County JC). Wilson has the highest Rivals.com rating among the group as he is listed No. 45 among JUCO prospects on Rivals' 2009 rankings. Atwater is listed 78th on the list. "We went into the recruiting process feeling like we had to, and wanted to, sign nine mid-term guys," said Callaway. "We got eight today. We're excited about this group and getting them on campus in January. We felt like we were able to address several different needs on our football team."
Saturday, August 9
BJHS Alumni Active in 2008 College Football
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BJHS Alumni Active in 2008 College Football |
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| College | Class | Player |
# |
Position | Ht | Wt | Yr | |
| UNLV / Predators | 2003 | Tim Goins | 55 | Offensive Line | 6'-4" | 295 | Grad | |
| Georgia Tech | 2004 | David Brown | 55 | Offensive Guard | 6'-3" | 271 | RS Sr | |
| Alabama A&M | 2006 | Jeremy Cunningham | 12 | Tight End | 6'-1" | 227 | RS So | |
| Marshall | 2006 | Kevin Perry | 22 | Defensive Back | 5'-10" | 175 | RS So | |
| North Alabama | 2006 | Zack Taylor | 56 | Defensive Line | 6'-4" | 230 | Jr | |
| Huntingdon | 2008 | Bobby Daniels | 18 | Quarterback | 6'-4" | 210 | Fr | |
| Huntingdon | 2008 | Brock Newsome | 89 | Wide Receiver | 6'-3" | 180 | Fr | |
| Huntingdon | 2008 | Tyson Parker | 83 | Wide Receiver | 6'-3" | 175 | Fr | |
| Huntingdon | 2008 | Jared Sill | 93 | Defensive Line | 6'-1" | 210 | Fr | |
| Huntingdon | 2006 | Cody Stepko | 38 | Kicker | 5'-10" | 140 | So | |
| Sewanee | 2008 | Gary Ray, Jr. | 64 | Offensive Line | 5'-10" | 250 | Fr | |
| Sewanee | 2008 | Andrew Walters | 41 | Linebacker | 6'-0" | 185 | Fr | |
| Southwest Baptist | 2008 | Thaddeus Everson | 33 | Running Back | 5'-9" | 180 | Fr | |
| Southwest Baptist | 2008 | Scott McDowell | 31 | Defensive Back | 5'-10" | 170 | Fr | |
| Southwest Baptist | 2008 | Hosea Perkins | 5 | Cornerback | 5'-11" | 180 | Fr | |
| Tennessee Tech | 2008 | Justin Vann | 35 | Outside Linebacker | 5'-11" | 195 | Fr | |
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BJHS Patriots in the NFL?
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| Cleveland's Ralph D. Malone |
Sunday, August 17
BJHS's David Brown was the projected starter at RT for Georgia Tech in 2008 before injury!
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| David with Mom and Dad |
Sunday, August 17
Huntingdon player collapses, dies
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Okpara withdraws from school
Defensive end Justin Okpara, a former Bob Jones High star, won't be with the team this season, Jones said Monday. Okpara, who finished the spring as the backup left end behind All-SWAC performer Jeremy Maddox, encountered some personal problems during the offseason. "Justin has withdraw from school this semester due to medical reasons," Jones said. "Once he gets better, we will welcome him back to our football team. He has some issues he's got to take care of and we're going to allow him room to do that." Okpara played some as a freshman two years ago, but was redshirted last season after sustaining a thumb injury during training camp. If he returns, he will have two years of eligibility remaining.
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New tight ends aim to catch on
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| BJHS's Jeremy Cunningham |
Aside from quarterback Kelcy Luke, Alabama A&M's biggest losses on offense were tight ends three-time All-SWAC selection Charles Moody and John Smith. A&M's new tight ends offer few credentials and no numbers to speak of. Todd Leichtfuss and Jeremy Cunningham have caught one pass between them, but despite their lack of playing time and production, they're confident they can be just as effective. "I feel that we can handle this," said Leichtfuss, a 6-foot-2, 217-pound junior who will serve as the Bulldogs' long- snapper for the third straight year in addition to his tight end duties. "As long as we do our job and not worry about anybody else, everything will take care of itself." Cunningham was a little more adamant. "I'm confident in our ability," said Cunningham, a 6-1, 227-pound redshirt sophomore who started his career at Mississippi State before transferring to A&M last season. "I feel like there will be no drop off at all. I feel like we're going to hold our own in the SWAC and perform well." SWAC coaches feel the same way. ... Former Auburn standout, Andy Fuller, handles A&M's tight ends and said Leichtfuss and Cunningham will be a solid tandem for the Bulldogs... "Jeremy is still trying to learn the system, but he gives us a big, physical presence." ... A&M's season opener is still three weeks away, but Leichtfuss and Cunningham can't wait. ... Added Cunningham, "I'm very anxious. I haven't played in a game in two years. I'm anxious to go out there and play and fly around."
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Tim Goins, former Rebel blocker, activated by AFL's Orlando Predators
LAS VEGAS - Former UNLV offensive lineman Tim Goins (Madison, AL) made his Arena Football League debut over the weekend after he was activated by the Orlando Predators. Goins, a four-year letterwinner for the Rebels out of Bob Jones High School, was signed to the franchise's practice squad last month and promoted to the main roster in time for the Predators' 71-61 loss at Tampa Bay Saturday. With the recent retirements of longtime stars Randy Gatewood and Lorenzo Reed, Goins is currently the only former Rebel to appear on an active AFL roster as former UNLV receiver Troy Mason is on the practice squad of the Dallas Deperados. Three other former Rebels are playing on AFL2 teams: OL Joe Critchfield, DB Ruschard Dodd-Masters and DB Charles Ealy. A versatile blocker, Goins started 30 games at UNLV playing at left guard and center. One of four team captains in 2007, Goins earned the Robert Cline Award, which annually goes to a senior who demonstrated a strong commitment to his team, university and community while also showing good sportsmanship on the field. He graduated in December with a degree in electrical engineering.
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| BJHS Alumni Harmon Gage |
Harmon Gage, One of the Elite
With a career-best javelin throw of 202'0" at the Jack Christiansen Invitational, Harmon Gage becomes just the seventh Air Force Falcon to clear 200-foot plateau in that event. He improved his personal-best distance by over five feet to move into seventh on the program's all-time list. Also, Harmon's junior class boasted the most academic all-conference selections this year with seven. Thrower Harmon Gage had a 3.27 grade point average in Operations Research.
Thursday, April 17
North-South Football Teams Selected (4-10-08)
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| Justin Vann |
The teams are made up of seniors.
NORTH
Head coach for the North football team is Fred Yancey of Briarwood Christian. His assistants are Mac Thompson of Calera, Chris Mahand of Talladega County Central, Mike Battles of Handley, Cody Gross of Colbert County, Dwight Bowling of Sulligent, Mark Britton of Cullman and Jason Black of Clements (administrative coach).
Members of the North football squad are:
Defensive Backs—Ty Shrader, North Jackson; Caleb Mitchell, Russellville; Zack Townley, Winfield; LaDarrius Madden, Colbert Heights; Andrew Shannon, Hewitt-Trussville;
Linebackers—Deon Lacey, Hueytown; Reginald Virges, Talladega County Central; Jarquise Peoples, Tanner; Chandler Tyree, Oxford; Thomas Brown, Tuscaloosa County; Justin Vann, Bob Jones; Alex Davis, Briarwood; Demerius Dareus, Huffman.
Defensive Linemen—Vernon Williams, Gadsden City; Justin Hawkins, Erwin; Marcel Dareus, Huffman; Roy Whitlow, Handley.
Quarterbacks—Paul Winterbottom, Calera; Derek Thomas, Oxford; Alan Reeves, Thompson.
Running Backs—Robert Reynolds, Talladega County Central; D’Eric Jackson, Piedmont; Mike Timmons, Cullman; Jonathan Sillers, Briarwood; Adrian Marcus, Thompson.
Wide Receivers— Earl Haynes, Calera; Christon Simpson, Cullman; Gavin Ellis, Cullman; Tae Keith, Talladega.
Offensive Lineman— Nathan Holmes, Sulligent; Justin Rhodes, Jess Lanier; Derek Rhodes, Winfield; Kyle Kirkwood, Cullman; Chris Smith, Gadsden City; Quinton Roberts, Anniston; Adam Gillespie, Decatur.
Kicker—Pablo Makepeace, Red Bay.
SOUTH
Heading the South football coaching staff is Bobby Parrish of Williamson. Assistants are Keith Powell, McGill-Toolen; Wayne Grant, Pike County; Andro Williams, Linden; Kyle Glover, Marbury; Chad Anderson, Wetumpka; Mike McCombs, Benjamin Russell; and Ross Reed, Auburn (administrative coach).
Players include: ...
The Alabama High School Athletic Directors and Coaches Association operates under the auspices of the Alabama High School Athletic Association. Membership includes coaches of all AHSAA sports as well as administrators of member schools.![]() |
Pursuing the NFL Dream: OL Tim Goins
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| BJHS Alum, Tim Goins |
Ed Thompson: Talk about your pursuit of your NFL dream...
Tim Goins: I graduated in December in electrical engineering, so right now I'm just trying to go full-throttle towards football. I'm originally from Alabama and I really love the game. Everything I do is about football 24/7, so I figured I'd set out here and go to work and do pursue every avenue I could to try and make it to the NFL. Photo: UNLV Athletics
Thompson: When I look at the awards you've won — for the strongest commitment to the team on and off the field, as the player who leads by example, the student-athlete with a great academic and community service record — it's easy to tell that going full-throttle is your approach to life in general, isn't it?.
Goins: Yeah, it is. If you go talk to any of the coaches on campus right now, I pretty much live up there. They probably want me to pay rent. It's something I've done since I was seven. I did it through middle school, high school, college and now I want to go ahead and play in the NFL. You only get one chance, so hopefully I'm blessed to get my shot.
Thompson: Your offensive line coach called you one of the hardest working guys on the team. Do you feel that's been your key to success?
Goins: I wouldn't say I had the best God-given ability, but I would say that God gave me the ability to work hard everyday. I would say that I'm one of the most dedicated guys you'll meet. I think the harder you work at something the better you get at it. I always try to put 110 percent effort into what I do and hopefully make those dreams come true.
Thompson: It's obvious you were not only dedicated to your football career, but your academics as well.
Goins: Oh yeah, the biggest thing with electrical engineering was there was a lot of math, a lot of physics, and a lot of science. During my college career it was a big-time balance between football and school. That's one of the big reasons I chose to go to UNLV is because they had a nice engineering program that's catered towards minorities excelling in the classroom. I made sure I went there and got that done, but it demonstrates what kind of work ethic I have because now without engineering I have to focus that time on football.
Thompson: So you certainly shouldn't have any problem picking up the playbook at the NFL level.
Goins: Yep. It definitely can't be harder than calculus and all the other maths. I think the playbook is actually pretty easy. You just have to put some time into studying it if you want to pick up anything, but some of those engineering classes were pretty complex. A playbook in the NFL compared to those classes will be nothing.
Thompson: Let's talk about your versatility playing on the offensive line...
Goins: I remember one spring I actually played every position on the line. I think that's good because when I started out at center, I realized the importance of each person beside me, reading defenses and stuff like that. When I went to guard, I realized you have to help your center and your tackle — they really need you. By playing different positions, you realize how you can be a help not only to yourself, but your also to the teammates beside you.
Thompson: What about your technique do you think stands out?
Goins: I'm not the biggest guy, but I have nice long arms and I can get underneath guys. My run blocking is probably the number one thing, coming off the ball hard and being aggressive. As far as pass blocking, I can use my arms to keep defenders off of me. That's one of the biggest things I'm working on, even in this offseason. Right now I feel like I'm at the fastest point of my life. One of the biggest things for me is I'm a mover-type guy. They use me a lot to pull and I feel like I can move well, get out there and block well. I use my quickness to separate myself from other guys on the offensive line.
Thompson: Anything else I haven't brought up during this interview that you want to make sure people know about you?
Goins: Basically that the biggest thing that people probably don't know is that I'm a guy who's going to give you 100 percent effort. I'm going to put all of my heart into the work that I do and I'm never going to be a guy you have to worry about getting into any issues off the field. I'm always going to be a guy who is going to be good in the locker room. I want to motivate not only myself, but my teammates. I want to have fun because the game of football is all about having fun.
Ed Thompson's player interviews and NFL features are published across the Scout.com network and at FOXSports.com. You can contact him by email through this link.... by Ed Thompson @ ScoutNFLExperts.com
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Gage's mark is the 10th-best throw in Academy history.
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| BJHS Alum, Harmon Gage |
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Gage Sets A New Career-high Mark in the Javelin
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| Harmon Gage |
In 2006: Harmon threw a career-best 186'5" in the javelin at the Air Force Twilight Meet...that was the best throw of the season by a rookie...earned the team's Field Athlete of the Week award following that meet.
At BJHS: Harmon served as co-captain of baseball team...super all-metro honoree...named to the Alabama Super 100...played in the East-West All-Star game...also a member of the football team...was team co-captain...earned all-region honors...member of the Student Government Association (SGA)...member of the National Honor Society.
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BJHS Alumni Active in 2007 College Football
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BJHS Alumni Active in 2007 College Football |
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| College | Class | Player |
# |
Position | Ht | Wt | Yr | |
| UNLV | 2003 | Tim Goins | 55 | Offensive Line | 6'-4" | 295 | Sr | |
| Georgia Tech | 2004 | David Brown | 55 | Offensive Guard | 6'-3" | 275 | RS Jr | |
| Alabama A&M | 2004 | Max Martin | 26 | Running Back | 6'-1" | 205 | Jr | |
| Marshall | 2006 | Kevin Perry | 22 | Defensive Back | 5'-10" | 162 | RS Fr | |
| Alabama A&M | 2006 | Justin Okpara | 94 | Defensive End | 6'-1" | 253 | So | |
| Alabama A&M | 2006 | Jeremy Cunningham | 12 | Tight End | 6'-1" | 227 | RS Fr | |
| North Alabama | 2006 | Zack Taylor | 56 | Defensive Line | 6'-4" | 230 | So | |
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Air Force | 2007 | Eric Collins | 46 | Cornerback | 5'-8" | 170 | Fr |
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UNLV Captains, Oh, Captains
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| Four-year letterwinner Tim Goins is one of four 2007 team captains |
Dec. 7, 2007 - LAS VEGAS - Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year Beau Bell led the way with four honors, including Most Valuable Player on Defense, as UNLV held its annual postseason football banquet on campus at the Student Union Ballroom Friday night. Tim Goins (Madison, AL) also took home the Robert Cline Award, which annually goes to a senior who demonstrated a strong commitment to his team, university and community while also showing good sportsmanship on the field.
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Tim Goins Update
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| BJHS Alum Tim Goins |
Thursday, September 27
Brown shows his adaptability
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| GA Tech's David Brown |
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Running back Martin yet to be cleared by NCAA
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Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones said Tuesday night that four football players have been declared ineligible. Jones said wide receiver Anthony Mitchell, offensive linemen Anquez Jackson and Antonio Regist and defensive end Jonathan Jones were all ruled ineligible. "We're moving on without those guys," said Jones, four days before A&M opens the season against Tennessee State. "It would have been nice to have them, but we don't. We're going to look elsewhere for answers." Meanwhile, former Bob Jones running back Max Martin has yet to be cleared due to an NCAA issue. Jones said Martin has a chance to get eligible, but it won't happen before Saturday's season opener. "There's a possibility," he said, "but the NCAA has to decide that. I don't want to say anything to derail that possibility. He's still trying to get himself eligible. When and if that happens ..." Sources say Regist also has an outside chance to get eligible. Martin transferred to A&M last January from Alabama and was expected to give the Bulldogs a tough, hard-nosed running back at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds. Mitchell and Regist's status had been up in the air throughout training camp, while Jones failed to get eligible during summer school. Mitchell, who would have been a starter, was A&M's third-leading receiver a year ago with 20 catches for 205 yards and three touchdowns. Regist, a second-team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference performer two years ago, missed all of last season with an ankle injury and was listed as the third team left guard. Jackson was listed as the second team left tackle and was being counted on heavily in A&M's thin and inexperienced offensive line, while Jones was a reserve defensive end and a solid special teams player. "All of them made plays during camp," Jones said. "We were hoping to have them available." Losing Martin, Mitchell and Jackson were big blows. Without Martin, A&M will have to rely on Ulysses Banks and Anthony Green, a pair of undersized running backs. The loss of Mitchell leaves A&M with only one proven receiver in Thomas Harris and he's only a sophomore. Jackson's departure leaves A&M's offensive line even thinner. Jones said Martin, Mitchell, Regist and Jones will continue to practice with the team...(Taken from the Huntsville Times)
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It's Goins Good: Player Of The Day - Tim Goins
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| UNLV's TimGoins |
UNLV PLAYER OF THE DAY:
Tim Goins, OL, 6-4, 295, SR-3L, Madison, AL (Bob Jones HS)
UNLV senior lineman Tim Goins is one versatile guy, whether moving up and down the line in the trenches during his time for the Rebels or off the field where, among other things, he is fluent in Japanese. That flexibility is why he is the Player of the Day for Friday. A three-time letterwinner entering his final collegiate season, Goins played multiple positions along the offensive line early in his career before finding a home at left guard. Goins was a preseason third team All-MWC selection by Phil Steele's at left guard, where he started all 12 games last season and he is primed for a strong senior campaign. "Camp is going very well right now," Goins said. "Everyone has strong team chemistry along the offensive line and we have a good attitude right now." Off the field Goins is a strong student, majoring in electrical engineering and earning 2005 Academic All-MWC honors. Hailing from Madison, Ala., he also can speak Japanese after his girlfriend helped teach him the language. The fact that he is such a well-rounded individual has made him a strong leader along the Rebel offensive line. "He is one of the hardest working guys on the team who had a great offseason and spring which he carried over to the fall," offensive line coach Gary Bernardi said. "He is an outstanding leader for us."
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Max Martin's winding path
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Friday, August 17, 2007, By REGGIE BENSON, Times Sports Staff reggie.benson@htimes.com
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UNLV Camp Report: Day Six
LAS VEGAS - For the first time during preseason camp the UNLV football team conducted a traditional two-a-day session, with the full team practicing in pads in both the morning and the evening at Rebel Park on Wednesday. The Rebels went through 24 five-minute periods in full pads to open the day and then closed with another 20 spirited periods in the evening. Players were adapting to having full gear on, resulting in crisper practices according to head coach Mike Sanford. "We got a lot done today and got better as a team," Sanford said. "We have to continue to improve the tempo and speed of our practices, but we were better today than yesterday and we are going to keep getting better every practice." After three full practices in pads Sanford said there are several Rebels who have had strong performances early on in camp. Running back Frank Summers (Oakland, CA/Skyline HS) continues to impress as well as receiver Rodelin Anthony (Immokalee, FL/Immokalee HS), and the interior offensive line has also been a bright spot. "Tim Goins, Mike McKiski, Perry Eppenger, Siosifa Moala and Joe Hawley have been playing extremely well," Sanford said. "They give us a great core and there is a lot of competition going on between them." UNLV will hold its final on-campus practice on Thursday before leaving town for 12 days to practice at an off-site location. Tomorrow's session is slated to run from 8:45-11:05 a.m. and will last 26 periods.
REBEL CAMP NOTES:-SCHOLARSHIP ADDITIONS... At the end of Wednesday's practice, head coach Mike Sanford announced that five Rebels had been awarded scholarships. The recipients were Mike Donato (Las Vegas, NV/Eldorado HS), Dack Ishii (Huntington Beach, CA/Knoxville Catholic HS), Kamu Kapanui (Honolulu, HI/Kamehameha HS), Marquel Martin (Rialto, CA/Rialto HS) and Ryan Tillman (Rialto, CA/Rialto HS).
-TWINS TIMES TWO... Visiting preseason camp Wednesday morning was Reggie Davis' wife Jennifer and their five children, which includes two sets of twin boys, two of which were born this past July. Jordan and Tyson were born on July 21, and those pair joined fellow twin boys DeSean and Jalen, who were born on May 6, 2005. Reggie and Jennifer also have a daughter, Kayla, who is three.
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A&M looks to transfers
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| Max Martin while at Michigan |
Five arrivals from Division I schools may have impact
Eric Chappelle. Ardante Dawson. Brandon Reed. Jeremiah Bonds. Nic Luke. Kelcy Luke. What do they all have in common? They were all Division I transfers that found success at Alabama A&M. Chappelle was a hard-hitting safety/linebacker from Notre Dame. Dawson was a terrific defensive end from Louisville. Reed was a cover corner/kick returner from Auburn. Bonds was a speedy running back from Memphis. Nic Luke was a hard-charging running back from Alabama, while Kelcy Luke has been a highly productive quarterback since coming from Auburn. Dawson, Bonds, Nic Luke and defensive back Corey Hardin, a transfer from Morehouse College, all went on to earn All-Southwestern Athletic Conference honors. When A&M practices for the first time this afternoon, coach Anthony Jones hopes a few more quality transfers emerge. Five Division I transfers were among the 90 players that reported for preseason practice on Wednesday. Carlton Rice, a former Johnson High star, transferred to A&M from Mississippi State in January and went through spring practice. He is expected to compete with senior Jimmy Richardson for playing time at inside linebacker. Wednesday's group of transfers included former Bob Jones High running back Max Martin, offensive linemen Leon Thompson and Anquez Jackson, linebacker Kris Guyton and tight end Jeremy Cunningham. Martin, a redshirt junior, comes to A&M from Alabama after spending his first two seasons at Michigan. Thompson and Jackson, who are coming from Auburn and UAB, respectively, are both redshirt freshmen. Guyton, a redshirt junior from UAB, won't likely return until next week after finishing summer school, but was a productive player for the Blazers. Cunningham, a redshirt freshman from Mississippi State after playing his high school ball at Bob Jones, could likely find playing time hard to come by with seniors Charles Moody and John Smith entrenched at that position. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs are still awaiting word from Mississippi State fullback Cleveland Tubbs. "We're hoping they can make an impact on our team immediately," Jones said of the transfers Wednesday night. Martin, Rice, Guyton and possibly Thompson and Jackson could make a difference early on. The Bulldogs need help at running back with the loss of Nic Luke and Ta'mar Scott, lack quality depth at linebacker and must replace three fifth-year seniors along the offensive line. Still, Jones says the newcomers won't get any special favors. "I'm going to give them the same amount of time I'm going to give everybody else," he said. "Where they define themselves ... we'll see. I'm not going to speculate. It wouldn't be fair for me to speculate or give someone the upper hand. Whatever they get ... they're going to earn." While Division I transfers seemingly come with better credentials, they still must prove themselves. "They haven't played or competed at this level and sometimes players take this level for granted," Jones said. "They don't always prepare themselves properly and when that happens, credentials mean absolutely nothing. We just have to wait and see how they stack up with what we have." ...(Taken in full from the Huntsville Times)
Tuesday, July 31
UNLV Summer Spotlight: Offensive Line
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| Tim Goins is a returning starter at left guard for the Rebels |
Inexperienced, but not young, is how Sanford describes the intriguing lineup at offensive line this season. While only two starters return, the staff thinks year three of building the line should mean the unit is beginning to take shape as a team strength. In the middle of it all is a budding star in Joe Hawley (6-3, 280, SO-1L/Yorba Linda, CA/Esperanza HS). A part-time starter at guard a year ago, the former top recruit moves over to snap the ball full-time and could eventually become an all-conference center. He will be backed up by grayshirt John Gianninoto (6-3, 275, FR-HS/Tucson, AZ/Catalina Foothills HS) or Siosifa Moala (6-2, 330, JR-TR/Inglewood, CA/El Camino CC), a highly touted but late addition to the program's recruiting haul. UNLV senior Mike McKiski is a veteran along the Rebel offensive line. At left tackle, former Colorado State transfer Richie Plunkett (6-6, 290, JR-TR/Las Vegas/Las Vegas HS) returns home to play at the same school his NFL father, Art, starred for in the late-'70s. Another nice-sized blocker, former JC recruit Johan Asiata (6-4, 325, JR-RS/Kalihi, HI/Yuba College) will get his first snaps for the Rebels after redshirting in '06. Hard-working Mario Jeberaeel (6-4, 265, JR-2L/Las Vegas/Chaparral HS) and big youngster Evan Marchal (6-6, 295, FR-RS/Petaluma, CA/Casa Grande HS) are the projected backups. Tim Goins (6-4, 295, SR-3L/Madison, AL/Bob Jones HS) is the returning starter at left guard while fellow-senior Mike McKiski (6-6, 310, SR-3L/Henderson/Coronado HS) is back to man the right side. Top reserves include supersized Ramsey Feagai (6-2, 360, FR-RS/Honolulu, HI/Radford HS) and local product Perry Eppenger (6-3, 315, SO-1L/N. Las Vegas/Cheyenne HS), who made the move to offense after lettering his first season on the D-line.
SANFORD SAYS:
"Offensive line is an interesting position. We have returning players at two positions and Joe Hawley, who has an extremely bright future here, played very well last year and is essentially a returning starter. He is smart and loves football. Joe will be one of the best linemen to ever play here. "The returning guards - Goins and McKiski - look to have their best seasons as seniors.
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Track and Field Place 19 on Academic All-Conference List
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| Harmon Gage |
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Air Force track and field program placed 19 cadet-athletes on the Mountain West Conference spring all-academic team, the league announced today (June 27). With 13 selections, the men's team posted the most honorees of any of the Academy's 10 spring sports. With a 3.96 GPA in mathematics, junior Kenny Grosselin posted one of the highest grade-point-average of the 49 Falcons on the list. He was joined by classmates Ian McFarland (3.01-civil engineering), Erik Mirandette (3.07-political engineering) and Josh van Wyngaarden (3.63-biology). The senior class was represented by four Falcons with multiple selections to the academic all-conference team. Jason Beck (3.54-legal studies), Nick Luina (3.09-aeronautical engineering), Brandon Murphy (3.27-systems engineering management) and Matt Pinson (3.46-physics) were all named to the list. Five sophomores were named to the list and were highlighted by Joe Curran and his 3.83 GPA in aeronautical engineering. Classmate Daniel Castle, another aeronautical engineering major, posted a 3.73 GPA, while Harmon Gage (3.21-operations research), Aaron Nelson (3.23-geospatial sciences) and Matt Williams (3.31-behavioral sciences) round out the contingent.
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Harmon Gage doing well throwing Javelin at Air Force
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Air Force | 2005 | Harmon Gage | Javelin | Threw a career-best 186'5" in the javelin at the Air Force Twilight Meet...that was the best throw of the season by a rookie...earned the team's Field Athlete of the Week award following that meet. |
Monday, October 2
A walk-on to the Troy program
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| Troy's Cody Stepko |
Height: 5-10
Weight: 137
Class: FR
Hometown: Madison, Ala.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A walk-on to the Troy program.
PREP: Was a three-year letter winner for coach Mike Bates and Shannon Brown at Bob Jones HS ... Served as the teams' punter and place kicker ... Averaged 34.6 yards punting as a senior while connecting on 13 of 20 field goal attempts and 29 of 30 PATs ... Had a long field goal of 47 yards, which came in the closing seconds to beat Butler HS.
PERSONAL: Full name is Thomas Cody Stepko ... Was born on July 10, 1987, in Montgomery ... Is the son of Gene and Susie Stepko ... Has one brother, Scott (21) and one sister, Laura (26) ... Is undecided on a major.
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Patriot Alumni Notes
Tim Goins, UNLV
Practice Report: Day 15 Rebels work on starting fast
A healthy Marco Guerra combined with returners Chris Bowser and Aaron Mueller are a major reason that the Rebel offensive line is an improved group under offensive line coaches Keith Uperesa and Gary Bernardi. Veteran linemen Tim Goins and Mike McKiski along with newcomer Joe Hawley give UNLV a solid core of six linemen.
Kevin Perry, Marshall University
Herd Wraps Up Camp With Final Two-A-Day, Scout.com
..."That means perhaps all the freshmen would get a chance to attend this opener with in-state rival West Virginia, but Snyder was sure of a few newcomers, starting with tight end Cody Slate. Slate joined the Herd for spring drills from Fork Union and has been an impact player from day one. "Yes, Cody, for sure. Courtney (Edmondson), Bryant (Milligan), they are on the bubble. They will bus to West Virginia and we'll make a decision that week." Snyder also mentioned young cornerbacks Ashton Hall and Kevin Perry. "They are going to play. (Offensive guard) Josh Evans will have to travel and play. (Offensive tackle) Brandon Campbell will travel. We have got to get both of those guys ready to play. (Running back Kelvin) Turner, he will play. (Receiver William) Barber, he will play, and when we get (Travius) Thompson back at receiver, he will play."
Justin Okpara, Alabama A&M
Linebacker Holmes pleases coach, Huntsville Times
...New faces: A handful of newcomers will likely play in the season opener against Tennessee State, Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones said Wednesday. Offensively, Jones said wide receivers Thomas Harris and Nate Baxter will play, along with fullback Generion McWhorter and lineman Charles Meade. Long snapper Todd Leichtfuss will also play. Defensively, Jones said, end Justin Okpara, tackle Jeremy Maddox and cornerback Shelton Danzy will see action.
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Alabama A&M notebook
Sunday, August 20, 2006, Huntsville Times
Bulldogs' defense enjoys sack-fest at scrimmage
Alabama A&M's defense, which has been ranked among the Division I-AA leaders in sacks during the last several years, was at it again Saturday in the team's second preseason scrimmage. The Bulldogs came up with 11 sacks on the day, forced five turnovers, including four interceptions, and recorded two sacks. Defensive tackle Justin Harper led the way with three sacks. Kevin Lockhart, Chris Traylor, Avery Moland, Jimmy Richardson, Whitney Garrett, Jonathan Jones, Justin Okpara and Bobby McClain had one each. "Our effort was a lot better today," defensive coordinator Brawnski Towns said. "We had some players out last week due to injury and we had them back today and that made a big difference." ..(Read more in the Huntsville Times)
Friday, August 18
Move to offense suits Brown
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| Georgia Tech's David Brown |
David Brown needed a second chance.
One of Georgia Tech's top recruits in 2004, he went from the Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100 to the bottom of the depth chart on Tech's defensive line. Strep throat and mononucleosis hit him with a one-two punch after his first fall as a redshirt, and he lost 25 pounds. He missed spring practice, regained his strength slowly and didn't play a down last season. When the Jackets needed a defensive tackle, they turned to freshman Vance Walker. Brown became the forgotten man. But coach Chan Gailey remembered him. On Sunday, Gailey approached Brown about moving to offense. Brown talked it over with his parents and a day later became a right tackle. "He's very smart, he's strong and he's hunting a home. He just couldn't find it on defense, and he wants to play," Gailey said. "Instead of letting him stand over there on defense, at least he gets on the field and gets a chance to try on offense. I don't know if he'll make it or not, but he's intelligent and he's strong, he needs to put some weight on, but a year from now, who knows?" "It's definitely hard, but it's a good hard, because I'm actually out there working," said Brown, who because of injuries moved up to second team by his third day on offense. "I'm glad to be out on the field, because it's been awhile." Brown, 6 feet 3, said he's just now back to the 270 pounds he weighed before getting sick. He needs to bulk up a lot to play right tackle, but he is eager to do it. "The first step is 275 [pounds]," he said. "From there, I'm going to just keep on trying to go up."
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Newcomers climbing depth chart
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| Marshall's Kevin Perry |
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Aiming high
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| Harmon Gage |
Justin Schuver, Madison Record
A former Patriot is earning his wings at the Air Force Academy, while picking up an academic accolade along the way. Air Force track team member Harmon Gage, who attended high school at Bob Jones, was recently named a member of the Mountain West Conference's All-Academic team for the spring semester. Gage's 3.24 grade-point average landed him along the list along with 63 fellow Air Force athletes. Gage was originally recruited to Air Force on a football scholarship, but lost his place on the team after the team over-recruited for the season. Undaunted, he walked on to the track team and earned a position, throwing the javelin in four meets during the 2006 season. His duties at track are just part of what makes up a grueling schedule. Gage said that he typically wakes up in time to get breakfast at 6:30 a.m., with classes starting around 7. Classes and team practice fill most of the void from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with only an hour or two between dinner and getting to work studying. "It's taxing, but you just have to keep a balanced schedule," Gage said. "It's hard, but it's certainly not impossible by any means." In addition to school and the track team, Gage is also required to take a pair of physical endurance tests every semester. He said that the minimum requirements for his physical fitness test include seven pull-ups and 54 sit-ups. Getting used to that full schedule hasn't been the only adjustment for Gage, however. The Air Force Academy is located in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, at an elevation of over 7,500 feet. "The air is thinner, so that affects your training," Gage said. "Plus, since we're on the side of a mountain, the weather can get really crazy. It'll be really sunny one minute then suddenly it'll be raining. "The weather's nice in the summer, but in the winter it's a whole lot colder than it is in Alabama." Because he joined the team late this season, Gage only got to participate in a couple of regular-season meets and missed out on an opportunity to qualify for either the Mountain West or NCAA meets. But he has his sights set on those goals in the near future. "Right now my goal is to qualify for our regional next year," he said. "If I qualify for the regionals, then I should score in the conference, which is my main goal right now. I'm not really sure what I want to do in my last two seasons, but next year I want to at least make it to the regionals." As for his academic goals, Gage has yet to select a major, but is planning to major in systems engineering management. To be eligible for the All-Academic team, student-athletes must have completed at least one academic term at the school, while maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better and be a starter or significant contributor on their team...(Taken from the Madison County Record)
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Kevin Perry sets school record for position players for Dips at Marshall
Marshall brought in freshman DB Kevin Perry from Madison Alabama. He is coming to Marshall with the reputation of really hitting the weightroom hard. He recently demonstrated his strength by setting the school record for Position Players at the Defensive Back position for Dips shattering the old record of 42 by performing 52 during summer wokouts.
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Air Force places 64 athletes on academic all-conference team
The Air Force Academy had 64 student-athletes earn Mountain West Conference academic all-conference honors for the spring semester. The conference recognized a total of 731 student-athletes. To be eligible for selection student-athletes must have completed at least one academic term at the member institution, while maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better, and be a starter or significant contributor on their athletic team. ...
Track: Jeffrey Coverdale, senior, 3.10, English; Nicholas Wilson, senior, 3.42, mechanical engineering; Jason Beck, junior, 3.47, legal studies; Nicholas Luina, junior, 3.08, systems engineering; Brandon Murphy, junior, 3.15, systems engineering; Matthew Pinson, junior, 3.48, physics; Kenneth Grosselin, sophomore, 3.96, math; Ian McFarland, sophomore, 3.15, civil engineering; Creighton Moorman, sophomore, 3.72, Aeronautical engineering; Joel Nolan, sophomore, 3.31, behavioral science; Joshua Van Wyngaarden, sophomore, 3.74, biology; Harmon Gage, freshman, 3.24, undeclared; Justin Mason, freshman, 3.59, Aeronautical engineering; Addison Schenk, freshman, 3.22, undeclared; Matthew Williams, freshman, 3.46, behavioral science; Jennifer Neville, senior, 3.06, Astronautical engineering; Andrea Pinchak, senior, 3.27, behavioral science; Kimberley Brady, junior, 3.14, environmental engineering; Margaret Frash, junior, 3.79, Aeronautical engineering; Caitlin Holliday, junior, 3.16, civil engineering; Rebecca Stone, junior, 3.54, chemistry; Kate Papenberg, sophomore, 3.04; foreign area studies; Kelly Robinson, sophomore, 3.20, political science;
Sunday, July 9
Lindy Magazine 2006 Preview National Colleges Football (2006 ALL-MWC Team)
Tim Goins is listed as Second Team Center.
Handout: 2006 Lindy Magazine Preview National Colleges Football
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Harmon Gage throws Javelin for Air Force
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Christy went from sports to world evangelism
| Ralph Malone | |
| view full size |
Former Auburn player one of 14 to join local Hall
Former Auburn University football coach Doug Barfield was among the crowd of 800-plus who showed up Monday night at the North Hall of the Von Braun Center for the 14th induction ceremonies of the Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame. Barfield, who now works for a company headquartered in Decatur, drove up from his home in Montgomery to support one of the 14 inductees in the Class of 2006, Foster Christy. "Foster was the first guy I recruited after I got the head coaching job at Auburn, and he was my first commitment,'' Barfield said. "He's a special person.'' Christy, an All-State player at Grissom High School, was a four-year letterman and an offensive back at Auburn. He went on to become an evangelist and now lives in Columbia, S.C., from where he travels throughout the country and around the world on behalf of Kingdom Building Ministries. Christy formally accepted induction on behalf of the Hall of Fame's 2006 class, which included four other former football players (Mike Adcock, Ralph Malone, Gary Otten and Bill Wieseman), former baseball players Don Mundie, Danny Parks and Stuart Tate, figure skating champion Editha Dotson-Bowser, veteran distance runner Malcolm Gillis, bowler Jean Hollingsworth Robertson, team physician Calame Sammons, former tennis star Bryan Shelton and former Madison County basketball legend John Paseur, who died last weekend...
Among the highlights of the evening:
Malone, who played at Bob Jones and Georgia Tech, played four years in the NFL, moved back to Madison County, and worked his way into the CEO position at Triana Industries.
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Katrina helped bring Martin back home
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| Alabama's Max Martin |
Ex-Bob Jones star's family grew closer after hurricane
TUSCALOOSA - For all the heartache wrought by Hurricane Katrina, maybe the storm that slammed into New Orleans last August helped bring a family back together. Former Bob Jones High star Max Martin transferred to Alabama from Michigan in January in large part because he missed his family. And that family got a lot closer together after Katrina. Martin said his father, Dexter, is originally from New Orleans and grew up in the city's Ninth Ward - which absorbed the brunt of Katrina's force. "When it first happened, my mom (Valerie) said we had about 20 people living in our house," Martin said. "The neighborhood really came out to support my family a lot. "When they would come up to Michigan to visit me, every time they left, I would get real homesick. And I felt like if I was going to make a change, this would be the time to do it." So Martin is going through spring practice with the Crimson Tide as a walk-on with the hope of someday earning a scholarship. He played two years at Michigan as a backup tailback and gained 358 yards and scored three touchdowns with the Wolverines. Martin must sit out the 2006 season as a transfer under NCAA rules. But he's already looking ahead to the '07 season when he said he will "be ready to crack some heads." ...(Read More in the Huntsville Times)
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Area hall welcomes in another big class
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| Malone enters Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame |
The Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame will welcome 14 new members when the class of 2006 is honored Monday night during the 14th annual induction dinner at the Von Braun Center. Two other pioneers of the local sports media will receive Special Achievement Awards. The social hour will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the North Hall with the dinner to follow at 7. A crowd of more than 800 is expected to attend. This year's Hall of Fame class features 12 men and two women. Five former players who went on to play college football - Mike Adcock, Foster Christy, Ralph Malone, Gary Otten and Bill Wieseman - are among the headliners on a list that includes Don Mundie, Danny Parks and Stuart Tate (baseball), Editha Dotson-Bowser (figure skating), Malcolm Gillis (running), Jean Hollingsworth Robertson (bowling), John Paseur (basketball), Calame Sammons (team physician) and Bryan Shelton (tennis). Adcock, Otten and Christy played high school football locally, Adcock at Johnson and Otten at Lee and later at Alabama, Christy at Grissom and then Auburn. Malone played at Bob Jones and Georgia Tech, and later for four years in the NFL. Wieseman played at Alabama and was later an assistant coach at Huntsville High and head coach at Sparkman. Of the baseball honorees, Mundie played at Grissom and Mississippi State, Parks at Lee and Memphis and Tate at Hazel Green and Auburn. Tate also pitched in the major leagues. Dotson-Bowser, the skating director at Huntsville Ice Palace, is a former champion skater who won 10 national and international medals. She has performed at both the Kennedy Center and the Metropolitan Opera. Gillis, who has competed in 94 marathons and finished first in his age group 35 times, won his age group twice at the Boston Marathon and four times in the Rocket City Marathon. Robertson, a charter member of the Huntsville Women's Bowling Association, won the Alabama State Women's Senior Singles tournament championship in 1985 and was inducted into Huntsville Women's Bowling Association Hall of Fame for Meritorious Service in 1989. More than 50 years after his high school days, Paseur is regarded as one of the best basketball players ever to play in Madison County. As a senior at New Hope, he averaged 31 points a game before going on to David Lipscomb College. Sammons, whose late father was also inducted into the Hall of Fame, is an acclaimed orthopedic surgeon who serves as team doctor for Huntsville High, Lee, Randolph and the Huntsville Stars. Shelton, a 1985 graduate of Randolph and later an All-America tennis player at Georgia Tech, played six times at Wimbledon and seven times in the U.S. Open as a professional. He's the women's tennis coach at Tech. The late Grady Reeves, Huntsville's first television sports director when he came to Channel 19 in the early 1960s, and UAH assistant professor Peggy Hays, who covered sports for the Huntsville News and later The Huntsville Times from 1975-90, are the recipients of the Special Achievement Awards...(Taken from the Huntsville Times)
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Welcome Home, Max Martin
Max Martin returned to Alabama on Tuesday afternoon, checked into a dorm room that evening and got registered into school on Wednesday. He's still being processed as far as classes and selection of a major is concerned, but everything seems to be going well. Max has discussed his situation with some of the Alabama coaches and answered questions as to why he decided to leave Michigan and why he chose Alabama. His reasons were broad but for the most part they centered on his desire to be closer to his family and the stresses the Michigan program were bringing. He felt that his production and commitments to the team weren't being responded to as he had hoped. It has been a very difficult decision for him to make given that Michigan was always his childhood dream. Max seems very happy in making his decision to enroll at Alabama and is embracing his move forward. He feels very welcome in Tuscaloosa and is looking forward to being close to home and seeing many old friends. Max's family took in Katrina victims this year and has been a part of the booster club family for years. We are proud of them and hope that this situation will be a great experience for the entire family. Everyone that has talked to me about the situation has been extremely positive and cannot wait for Max to pick up where he left off at Bob Jones High School, which by the way, was a pretty good ride. Max rushed for 3,117 yards in three years for the Patriots, including 1,348 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior and is most likely the all-time leading rusher in the school's history. We hope to book Max and other recent college players from Bob Jones like Tim Goins, David Brown, Harmon Gage, Jonathan Kenlaw, Dustin Lauterbaucher, and Steven Sullivan for our summer camp.
Tuesday, January 10
Max Martin at Alabama
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| Ex-BJHS Patriot Max Martin |
...ANN ARBOR -- Michigan will be without backup tailback Max Martin this fall, according to university officials. Martin is transferring to Alabama -- he is from Madison, Ala. -- where he will sit out this season and have two years of eligibility. The Wolverines also have lost backup quarterback Matt Gutierrez via transfer. Gutierrez revealed last Saturday he will play for Division I-AA Idaho State this fall. Martin, a 6-foot-1, 216-pounder, arrived at Michigan as one of the nation's highly acclaimed tailbacks and appeared to have promise as a college back. He ran for 3,117 yards in high school and scored 17 touchdowns as a senior. Martin played two seasons for the Wolverines but never made his mark in Ann Arbor. That was, in part, because classmate Mike Hart became the starting tailback early in their freshman season. Martin, who did not return a call, had 53 carries for 226 yards and two touchdowns his sophomore year. He was not on the Wolverines' Alamo Bowl travel roster because officials said he violated an undisclosed team rule.
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Martin to enroll at Bama
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| Max Martin playing for BJHS |
Former Bob Jones star to meet with Tide's Shula
Former Bob Jones High star running back Max Martin may soon become a member of the Alabama football team. Martin has left the University of Michigan and applied for enrollment at Alabama, sources at UA said Tuesday night. Martin is also expected to meet with Tide football coach Mike Shula later this week. Martin signed with Michigan and played two seasons with the Wolverines but never had a significant impact. He rushed for 226 yards and two touchdowns this season and had 358 yards rushing with three touchdowns in his Michigan career playing for coach Lloyd Carr. He did not accompany the Wolverines to the Alamo Bowl last month after violating an undisclosed team rule. Classes for the spring semester begin today at Alabama. Shula is away from campus until later this week, when he is expected to meet with the 6-foot-1, 216-pound Martin. As a transfer, Martin would have to sit out the 2006 season but would have two seasons of eligibility remaining. He did not redshirt at Michigan. It is not immediately clear if Martin will go on scholarship or if he will be a walk-on. Attempts to reach Martin on Tuesday were not successful. Martin was highly recruited at Bob Jones but committed to Michigan before his senior season in the summer of 2003. He rushed for 3,117 yards in three years for the Patriots, including 1,348 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior. Martin's family relocated to Madison from Chicago before his sophomore year in high school. His parents still live in Madison. Martin followed Michigan while growing up in Chicago. He was also offered scholarships by Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, Notre Dame and Georgia. Martin could have a chance to compete for the starting job in '07. Alabama's leading rusher, Kenneth Darby of Huntsville, will be a senior next season. Expected to battle for Darby's job will be rising sophomores Glen Coffee and Jimmy Johns as well as freshmen Roy Upchurch and Ali Sharrief of Stevenson. Alabama is also hopeful of landing 2005 signee Mike Ford, who failed to qualify initially and is still working to make a qualifying test score...(Taken in full from the Huntsville Times)
Sunday, August 14
Ex-Patriots Active in 2005 College Football
|
Ex-Patriots Active in 2005 College Football |
|||||||
| Sr Class | Player |
# |
School | Position | Ht | Wt | Yr |
| 2003 | Tim Goins | 55 | UNLV | Offensive Line | 6'-4" | 280 | Fr |
| 2004 | Max Martin | 23 | Michigan | Running Back | 6'-1" | 201 | So |
| 2004 | David Brown | 55 | Georgia Tech | Defensive End | 6'-3" | 255 | Fr |
| 2005 | Harmon Gage | 21 | Air Force | Athlete | 6'-1.5" | 195 | RSFr |
| 2005 | Jonathan Kenlaw | UNA | Defensive End | 6'-3" | 250 | RSFr | |
| 2005 | Dustin Lauterbaucher | UNA | Linebacker | 5'-10" | 180 | RSFr | |
| 2005 | Steven Sullivan | Vanderbilt | Offensive Line | 5'-11" | 285 | RSFr | |
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Harmon Gage updated status at Air Force Academy
Air Force freshman, Harmon Gage, is on the Junior Varsity (JV) team, Air force does not have Red shirt Freshman. He is listed at 6 ft 1 ½ 195. Harmon is starting on the Special teams and is playing back up at Free Safety. He is currently #2 on the depth chart out of 8. This picture of was taken in early September before the JV annual Blue Silver scrimmage at the academy. The Action shot was of him during the rivalry game against the academy prep school.
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U-M Dominates Eagles in Battle of Washtenaw County
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan football team defeated Eastern Michigan 55-0 Saturday (Sept. 17) afternoon in front of 109,511 fans at Michigan Stadium. The win gives Lloyd Carr his 60th home victory in his 11th season as Wolverines head coach, against the team in which he started his college coaching career almost 30 years ago. The Maize and Blue rode a wave of first half points to a 38-0 halftime lead. Michigan would finish the game with a total of 446 yards, allowing eight Wolverines to produce points. Sophomore running back Max Martin (Madison, Ala./Bob Jones HS) cleared the way for the Wolverines posting a career day with 26 carries for 117 yards and two touchdowns. Senior receiver Jason Avant (Chicago, Ill./Carver HS) matched Martin with two touchdowns on eight catches and 93 yards. Throwing the ball to Avant was sophomore quarterback Chad Henne (Wyomissing, Pa./Wilson HS) who went 13 of 19 for 147 yards and three touchdowns. The Wolverines defense held the Eagles to 134 total yards, including only 15 yards on the ground, while pitching their first shutout since 2003. Posting eight tackles for loss, totaling 55 yards, Michigan held Eastern Michigan per-play average to two and a half yards. Corner Grant Mason (Pontiac, Mich./Orchard Lake St. Mary's) gathered six tackles to lead the Wolverines. Martin, starting for an injured Mike Hart (Syracuse, N.Y./Onondaga Central), got the Wolverines on the board first with a one-yard touchdown run, capping a three-play 10-yard drive spanning 45 seconds. The Wolverines' first offensive series was set up by an electrifying 72-yard punt return by senior Steve Breaston (North Braddock, Pa./Woodland Hills HS), which set up Michigan at Eastern Michigan's 10-yard line...(More at MGoBlue)
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Goins finds home here
Tim Goins is like thousands of people these days who visit Las Vegas on a vacation and then decide to make it their permanent residence. The difference is that the 6-foot-4, 280-pound sophomore center from Madison, Ala., made the move to play college football for UNLV. This despite scholarship offers from schools much closer to home like Southern Mississippi and Central Florida, and strong recruiting interest from Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt and home state SEC powerhouse Auburn. "My family took a vacation to Los Angeles to watch the (2003) Rose Bowl," Goins said, referring to Oklahoma's 34-14 victory against Washington State. "And my dad (Ferdinand) drove us out here so we could see Vegas, too. We had a spare (highlight) tape on me and he said, 'Hey, why don't we drop it off at UNLV?' " Goins, a member of the Huntsville Times All-Metro Team after starring at Bob Jones High School, wasn't exactly overwhelmed by the idea. "I said I don't even know where UNLV is," Goins recalled. "But I said we could do it." Goins stopped by and checked out the Rebel Park practice facility as well as the Lied Athletic Complex, meeting former UNLV star Adam Seward in the process. "Then we bumped into (former assistant head coach John) Jackson," Goins said. "He showed me around a little bit and told me he'd call me back if he liked my tape. But he said there was one condition. He said, 'If I offer you, will you come out here?"' Goins thought it over for a few seconds and replied, "Yeah, I'll come. "I was just kidding around with him though," Goins continued. "I was pretty much leaning toward Southern Miss at the time. But when we got back from our trip, Coach Jackson told me they were going to offer me a full scholarship. And the more I thought about it, the more I thought it was a pretty good deal for me." Turns out it was also a pretty good deal for the Rebels. Goins, an electrical engineering major who earned Academic all-Mountain West Conference honors as a freshman, will replace Marcus Johnson as the team's starting center this fall and has already notched a spot on the team's Leadership Committee. "He's from a part of the country where football is pretty important, you know?" UNLV head coach Mike Sanford said with a smile. "He's an extremely hard worker who loves football. And he's on the Leadership Committee as just a sophomore, which tells you something about how the team views him." Goins, whose father works as an engineer for Chrysler in Huntsville, plays arguably the most demanding position in Sanford's vaunted Shotgun Spread Offense. Besides having to regularly block 300-pound nose guards, he also must make a good long snap to the quarterback on most plays. He's also responsible for making blocking calls for the offensive line. "In this offense there's a lot of mental stuff that takes place for the center," Sanford said. "And he's really good at it." Goins didn't play center in high school and came to UNLV expecting to play guard. "But when I got here, Coach (Rob) Boras said, 'So are you ready to play center?' " Goins said. "I didn't know how to snap the ball or anything. It was a big change for me having to snap the ball, but I finally got to snapping it good." But when Sanford replaced John Robinson as head coach last December, Goins had to learn how to make the long shotgun snap as well. "I worked on it hard every day," Goins said. "Now it's like nothing. It's like playing a video game." "He's done a good job snapping for the most part," Sanford said. "But that's one of those things where you have to be perfect on it." Goins says he has no regrets moving from the deep south to hot desert of Southern Nevada. "Besides my family, the only thing I miss is the food," he said. "Other than that I really like it out here. I'm just so thankful my parents took me on that trip because it turned out to be something that changed my life."...(Taken from Vegas.com)
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Understudy's ready Martin, Hart's backup, has improved significantly
Thursday, August 18, 2005, BY ANTOINE PITTS, News Sports Reporter
Someone has to be ready to carry the football when Mike Hart is not. During the latter half of the 2004 University of Michigan football season, that was Max Martin, who could help lighten the running load that Hart has to bear this year. The arrival of promising freshman Kevin Grady adds more competition in the backfield, but compared to where he was a year ago at this time, Martin has a better understanding of how to do the job. "Let me put it this way: He started off to where he didn't really have a good hold on the offense,'' running backs coach Fred Jackson said. "And now that he has a hold on the offense, I think that makes him look the way I thought he would look after seeing him in high school.'' Martin, like Hart a freshman a season ago, ended up second on the team with a modest 132 rushing yards after not appearing in the first four games. Hart racked up 1,455 yards, leading the Big Ten. Michigan would prefer to have multiple options in the backfield so it doesn't have to rely solely on Hart in every game all season. During the spring, Jackson said Martin displayed tremendous power and speed, which showed that he might be able to help the Wolverines more this season. "He can hit a home run,'' Jackson said. "He needs to improve on a lot of things, but those are two things, power and speed, he's exceptional at.'' Martin, an all-state running back in Alabama, admits he had a tough adjustment to the college game, especially the blocking responsibilities of a tailback. But after a half season of learning on the job as Hart's backup, productive spring practices and summer workouts, he's never felt more comfortable at Michigan. "I know a lot more now,'' Martin said. "Everything is like second nature now. I got to know my coaches a lot better and how to learn from what they're trying to teach me.'' Away from the practice facility, Martin, Hart and Grady spent a lot of time together all summer, competing against each other in video games, going to the mall or movies and doing other things good friends do. Hart definitely notices a difference in Martin's play. "Max just looks like such a smarter player,'' Hart said. "In the spring, you could tell he had learned the playbook and was ready to show the coaches and show everybody that he could play football.'' Martin made his debut in the fourth quarter of Michigan's 35-14 win at Indiana on Oct. 2, carrying seven times for 21 yards. He scored his lone touchdown of the season two weeks later in the first quarter at Illinois, where he rushed for 67 yards on 12 carries. "I was real excited,'' Martin said. "I had been working real hard in practice, trying to get myself a chance to get on the field. When it finally happened, I was really ecstatic.'' More carries came for Martin at Purdue, in overtime of the Michigan State game when an injury left Hart unavailable for a series, against Northwestern and in the Rose Bowl against Texas. But mostly it was Hart running the ball for Michigan, and he goes into this season as the likely No. 1 back. Plans can change in a hurry, though, as the Wolverines found out when an injury to starter David Underwood in the Notre Dame game helped make room for Hart. "We had a guy go down and another guy step up,'' Martin said. "That's what has to happen on a championship team. If something happens this year, we've got to be able to do the same thing.''...(More from the The Ann Arbor News)
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UNLV LINE SHAPING UP
Sanford said he'd like to come up with his starting offensive line combination by the end of the week so the players can begin developing some cohesiveness as a unit.
Sophomore Tim Goins has locked up the starting center spot but nothing has been settled at guard or tackle yet. "We've got a group of three guards and three tackles that are the top guys," Sanford said. Those battling for the two starting guard spots are juniors Marco Guerra and Aaron Mueller, and sophomore Mike McKiski of Coronado High in Henderson. Those battling for the two starting tackle spots are senior Jesse Knight and juniors Chris Bowser and Brandon Gray. "We'd like to get a five-man unit together soon," Sanford said...(More from the Las Vegas Sun)
Friday, August 19
Backs Martin, Grady will contribute for U-M
By Angelique S. Chengelis / The Detroit News
Q. Michigan appears to be loaded at tailback. Mike Hart will get the bulk of the carries, but who will get the second-most?
A: Position coach Fred Jackson has called Max Martin the fastest big back -- Martin is 6-1, 215 pounds -- he has coached at Michigan since Tyrone Wheatley. That's high praise. Martin received high marks for his performance in spring practice and has become more careful with the football, while also improving as a pass protector. It seems Martin will be the No. 2 back, but freshman Kevin Grady (5-9, 228) is an imposing power runner and definitely will see playing time. I think Martin will have a breakout year. Look for Grady on the field in third-and-short situations.
Thursday, July 21
Michigan appears solid at quarterback
Question: Michigan has a deep group of running backs. Will there be enough room in the backfield for all of them?
Answer: Hard to say, but this much is true -- they will have to wait their turn behind sophomore Michael Hart. The Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Hart is expected to get the bulk of carries this fall, but the element of surprise is gone. Teams will be more geared to stop Hart, which probably means a bit more playing time for sophomore Max Martin and freshman Kevin Grady. Hart and Grady will be in the backfield together and will prove a formidable pair. But Martin will be the key. His position coach, Fred Jackson, already has said he's the fastest big back Michigan has had since Tyrone Wheatley. Hart is smaller and shifty and difficult to bring down while Grady is short, strong and barrels through defenders. With that kind of changeup in looks -- defenses should be kept on their heels.
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With his first UNLV spring football practices behind him, coach Mike Sanford gave his team a passing grade. But he said the Rebels aren't close to being ready for the Sept. 3 season opener at New Mexico. "I think our players learned a lot," he said. "I think our coaching staff learned a lot about our players. What we've got to do is develop our skills during the summer and our knowledge and understanding. "I would say we're maybe halfway to where I want to be for New Mexico." A look at UNLV after spring drills:...
OFFENSIVE LINE
With returning starters Chris Bowser (shoulders), Marco Guerra (leg and knee) and Zach Gorham (ankle) missing spring drills, the front took a big hit. In fact, all three players no longer are listed as starters. "After (other) guys have been through spring, I don't think you inject guys as starters," Sanford said. "They've got to earn it." Running No. 1 are: junior Brandon Gray (6-4, 315) at left tackle, junior Aaron Mueller (6-2, 285) at left guard, sophomore Tim Goins (6-4, 280) at center, sophomore Mike McKiski (6-6, 315) of Coronado at right guard and senior Jesse Knight (6-4, 265) at right tackle...(Read More)
Inside College Football: Blue on Thorpe watch list
Georgia Tech's new-look defense
Georgia Tech will start preseason practice with a much different defensive line than it had at the end of the spring. Lineman Mansfield Wrotto, who practiced at offensive guard in the spring, returns to the defensive tackle spot where he started the past two seasons. That shores up a line that lost Travis Parker to academics and Darryl Richard to injury. "I felt like it was important for our defense to have a guy who was experienced and had played in games on that side of the ball," Tech coach Chan Gailey said. Wrotto will play alongside returning starter Joe Anoai, who Gailey said should be 100 percent recovered from offseason surgery by the start of preseason practice. Backups at tackle will come from Elris Anyaibe, who probably would have been a starter if Wrotto hadn't moved back, Omar Billy, who couldn't practice in the spring because the NCAA hadn't yet granted him a final season of eligibility, and David Brown, who missed most of spring practice.
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UNLV Depth Chart Released
New UNLV head coach Mike Sanford released his post-spring practice depth chart Monday with no real surprises. Juniors Shane Steichen and Jarrod Jackson are listed as co-No. 1's at quarterback with Bishop Gorman product Blake Sartini listed as the backup. Junior Erick Jackson will go into the fall as the No. 1 tailback with Cheyenne High product David Peeples No. 2 ahead of oft-injured senior JaJa Riley. Sophomore Tim Goins is listed as the starter at center with senior Jesse Knight at right tackle, sophomore Mike McKiski at right guard, junior Aaron Mueller at left guard and junior Brandon Gray at left tackle. That figures to change a bit in the fall when returning starters Chris Bowser (left tackle), Marco Guerra (left guard) and Zach Gorham (right guard) return from injuries. Junior Ernest Gordon has the edge at left corner against junior college transfer E.J. Whitley while J.C. All-American John Guice is listed No. 1 at right corner and senior Chanti Bloomer is listed as the nickel back. Three battles that are even going into fall camp are at strongside linebacker, where junior Matt Pattison and senior Bobby Kelly are listed as co-No. 1's, middle linebacker, where junior Dan Catalano and redshirt freshman Ryan Flasch are even, and right safety, where senior Will Tagoai and junior Jay Staggs are listed as co-starters.
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Steichen battling to be UNLV's starting QB
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Players vote six onto 'leadership committee'
The high-scoring spread option offense and tough, fast-paced practices aren't the only things new UNLV head football coach Mike Sanford has brought along with him from Utah. Sanford has also formed a six-player group that he calls "The Leadership Committee." Those players will have a role in everything from helping Sanford form discipline for players on the squad to being liaisons between players and coaches on the team. "It worked extremely well (at Utah)," Sanford said. "You want players to have a voice on the major things that happen in a program. "We'll consult with them on discipline matters," Sanford continued. "Obviously, we have standards and high expectations. But when it gets to the point of possibly removing a guy from a team and some of those kinds of things ... I think the best kind of judgment can be peer judgment. So I'm going to consult the Leadership Committee on those types of things." Six players were voted by their peers to the committee earlier this month. They were senior safety Joe Miklos, senior tight end Greg Estandia, junior safety Jay Staggs, junior running back Erick Jackson, junior wide receiver Donell Wheaton and sophomore center Tim Goins. "Anything that involves the team, I want to get their feedback on," Sanford said. "Things like where we are and what the attitude is like. I also want them to be leaders for us. I want them to be the guys who stand up and take charge of this team and move it in the right direction." Player leadership has been noticeably absent in recent years for the Rebels, especially during last season's 2-9 debacle. One of the expected leaders, quarterback Kurt Nantkes, even quit the team midway through the season when he was benched in favor of backup Shane Steichen. "We've got a good group," Sanford said. "I wanted everybody to be around each other for a few months before we picked the group so they could get to know each other. I'm going to have my first meeting with them on Friday and we're going to start the whole process." Jackson, a fourth-string running back last year as a sophomore who has been getting most of the first team reps so far in spring practice, said he was "honored" to be picked to the Leadership Committee. "It felt good," Jackson said. "It's pretty good to have that position with the team. But the most important thing is to find out that my teammates thought of me like that. I'm going to make decisions that I feel are the best for the team and enjoy it." Sanford said Utah's Leadership Committee played a key role in allowing troubled starting running back Marty Johnson, who had a series of off-the-field issues before Urban Meyer arrived in Salt Lake City, back on the team last fall. "Coach Meyer let the Leadership Committee make some decisions about some of the qualifications he needed to meet before he would be let back on the team," Sanford said. "And he met all of those qualifications and came back did a very good job for us. I think the best pressure is peer pressure."...(Taken from the Las Vegas Sun)
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Tim Goins continues to Shine!
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| UNLV Sophomore Tim Goins |
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Michigan's Max Martin 2004 Totals
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| Max Martin |
While at Max attended Bob Jones High School he ran 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds, bench presses 330 pounds and squats 430 pounds ... Key Statistics ... rushed for 3,117 in his three-year high school career ... rushed for 1,348 yards and had 17 touchdowns as a senior ... recorded 56 tackles and four sacks as a senior ... rushed for 1,069 yards and 9 touchdowns on 138 attempts in eight games and also caught five passes for 133 yards as a junior ... made 53 tackles, two sacks, broke up seven passes and totaled 14 tackles for losses on defense ... rushed for 850 yards as a sophomore ... Honors and Rankings ... rated as nations No. 73 player and No. 14 running back by Tom Lemming ... rated No. 15 running back in the nation and No. 81 prospect in the Southeast by Rivals100.com ... graded a four-star prospect by Rivals100.com ... listed as the No. 9 running back in the nation and the No. 5 prospect in the state of Alabama by SuperPrep ... rated as the No. 15 running back and No. 107 prospect in the nation by Collegefootballnews.com ... rated No. 7 fullback or H-back in the nation by MaxEmfingerRecruiting.com ... graded a five-star prospect by MaxEmfingerRecruiting.com ... rated No. 14 running back in the country by TheInsiders.com ... graded a four-star prospect by TheInsiders.com ... was chosen to play in the 2004 U.S. Army All-American Bowl ... named Class 6A first-team all-state by the Alabama Sportswriters Association as a senior ... named Offensive Player of the Year for the Huntsville Metro area his senior season ... was a three-time Super All-Metro selection by the Huntsville Times and All-Region 8 selection by the coaches ... voted his teams MVP and best offensive back as a junior and senior ... Other Sports ... two-year letter winner in track and field, running the 4x100-meter relays and threw the shot put as a sophomore and junior.
| Max Martin during 2005 Spring Practice |
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