Sports – Page 680 – North Platte Post Archive

Papuchis Sees Progress in Defense

Posted on October 3, 2013

Lincoln, Neb.-The Nebraska football team continued its preparation for Saturday’s Big Ten conference opener against Illinois on Wednesday afternoon. The team practiced in shoulder pads and shorts for just over two hours inside the Hawks Center and outside at the Ed and Joyanne Gass Practice Fields.

Defensive Coordinator John Papuchis met with media after practice, noting that as a whole, the defensive staff has had a few sleepless nights while preparing for Illinois dynamic offense.

“One of things they do a nice job of is they have a lot of diversity in their offense. They do pretty much anything you can do.” Papuchis said, “They have all the personnel packages, spread packages, it forces you to prepare for a lot of things and obviously that is the challenge this week.”

One of the reasons the Illini have such a dynamic offense is the play of their senior quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase, who has recorded 1162 passing yards including 12 touchdowns and only three interceptions. Scheelhaase not only displays talent throwing the ball, he also is a tremendous dual-threat quarterback, racking up 1,826 rushing yards with 16 touchdowns in his career, making Papuchis and the rest of the defensive staff respect not only what he does in the air, but on the ground as well.

“We have a lot of respect for him as an athlete, so whether he runs it or not is out of our control in terms of what they call. We’ve got to be prepared for it.” Papuchis said.

Much has been said about the Nebraska Blackshirt defense over the past few weeks, but one thing that is certain is that during the bye week and so far this week, Papuchis believes that the Husker defense has came out and worked hard every day at practice. Papuchis did note that the coaches can’t fully measure how much progress has been made until they see the team in action Saturday.

“One thing about our guys is that they come to work every day, I thought our guys have worked hard over the past few weeks.” Papuchis said, “We will see the progress Saturday. I think we have made strides but until you really test it, sometimes it is a little bit difficult in how far you have come.”

A key thing the Nebraska defense has been working on has been communication on the defensive side of the ball. Papuchis believes that one of the biggest things the Husker defense struggled at while playing South Dakota State was not communicating enough on the defense.

“It was a lot communication issues, just getting our guys comfortable and making the calls and taking command.” Papuchis said, “One thing we have been blessed with while we have been here is a Mike linebacker that is willing to take charge. Whether it was Phil Dillard or Lavonte or Will Compton those guys took charge. That is what we need, a field general that is going to help people get lined up.”

Nebraska will hit the practice field again on Thursday as the team moves closer to its fifth game of the season. NU will face the Illinois Fighting Illini on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPNU.

Fans Invited to Big Red Tip-Off Tuesday

Posted on October 3, 2013

Lincoln – The Nebraska women’s basketball team will celebrate the start of the 2013-14 season with Big Red Tip-Off Tuesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Oct. 15 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Coach Connie Yori and the Huskers, who are coming off their second NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in the past four years, are inviting fans for a sneak peek at this season’s crop of Huskers. Fans are encouraged to arrive at 5 p.m. to get a glimpse of Nebraska at practice on their new home court.

Fans also will have the opportunity to select their seats for tickets to watch the Nebraska women’s basketball team play throughout the year in Season One at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Ticket office representatives will be available throughout the event to process season ticket orders. Fans also can purchase tickets right now at Huskers.com/arena with lower level season tickets starting at just $80 for Nebraska’s 20 home games throughout the season.

In addition to the chance to watch the Huskers during a portion of their practice, fans will be introduced to the team, which returns four starters and eight letterwinners from a team that went 25-9 overall and 12-4 in the Big Ten in 2012-13. The Huskers will be available to meet and greet fans while also signing autographs during the event. Nebraska’s returning starters are led by two-time All-American and two-time first-team All-Big Ten forward Jordan Hooper. The 6-2 senior from Alliance, Neb., enters her final season at Nebraska in position to challenge school scoring, rebounding and three-point records.

Hooper will be joined by fellow two-year starting forwards Emily Cady and Hailie Sample. Cady, a 6-2 junior from Seward, Neb., is a two-time honorable-mention All-Big Ten pick. Sample, a 6-1 junior from Flower Mound, Texas, has started 67 consecutive games alongside Hooper and Cady in the Husker lineup. Junior Katie Simon, a 6-2 junior from Roseville, Calif., and freshman Allie Havers, a 6-5 center from Paw Paw, Mich., will add more size to the Husker front court.

Sophomore Rachel Theriot, who earned Big Ten All-Freshman honors a year ago, also returns to the Husker starting five. The 6-0 point guard from Middleburg Heights, Ohio, will be joined in the Husker backcourt by experienced junior guards Tear’a Laudermill and Brandi Jeffery, and sophomore guard Sadie Murren from Wahoo, Neb. Another native Nebraskan, Hannah Tvrdy from Seward, joins fellow freshman guard Esther Ramacieri (Repentigny, Quebec, Canada) as newcomers to the NU backcourt this season.

Admission to Big Red Tip-Off Tuesday is free and concessions will be available at the arena during the event.

Spencer Long Named NFF Scholar-Athlete Candidate

Posted on October 2, 2013

Lincoln – Nebraska All-American Spencer Long was chosen as one of 170 candidates for the 2013 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards, presented by Fidelity Investments, on Wednesday. The candidates also comprise the list of semifinalists for the 2013 William V. Campbell Trophy, endowed by HealthSouth, which recognizes an individual as the absolute best scholar-athlete in the nation.

Long, a senior offensive guard has been a mainstay in the Husker offense line the past two-plus seasons. The 6-foot-4, 315-pounder has started 31 straight games for Nebraska. As a junior, he earned second-team All-America and first-team All-Big Ten honors, as Nebraska lead the Big Ten in rushing offense and total offense. A team co-captain this season, Long has helped Nebraska rank 14^th nationally in both rushing offense (280.8 yards per game) and scoring offense (43.3 points per game) heading into Saturday’s Big Ten opener.

In the classroom, he has been a first-team Academic All-District VII pick in each of the last two years and has been on the academic honor roll in each of his eight semesters at Nebraska. Long, who originally walked on to the Husker program, is active in the Huskers’ Life Skills program, volunteering his time for visits to local hospitals and schools.

Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the awards must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first-team player or significant contributor and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. The class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, which is comprised of a nationally recognized group of media, College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators. The 170 nominees come from all levels of college football, including FBS, FCS, Division II, Division III and NAIA.

The NFF Awards Committee will select up to 16 recipients, and the results will be announced via a national press release on Thursday, October 31. Each recipient will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship, and they will vie as finalists for the 2013 William V. Campbell Trophy. Each member of the 2013 National Scholar-Athlete Class will also travel to New York City to be honored Dec. 10 during the 56th NFF Annual Awards Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria, where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports. One member of the class will also be announced live at the event as the winner of the William V. Campbell Trophy.

2013 NFF NATIONAL SCHOLAR-ATHLETE CANDIDATE NOTES

· NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards program launched in 1959.
· 170 nominations, record number since minimum GPA increased in 2006.
· 3.60 Average GPA
· 7 nominees with a perfect 4.0 GPA
· 39 nominees with a 3.8 GPA or better
· 105 Team Captains
· 97 All-Conference Picks
· 29 Academic All-America Selections
· 21 All-America Selections
· One former NFF National High School Scholar-Athlete
· 54 Nominees from the Football Bowl Subdivision
· 46 Nominees from the Football Championship Subdivision
· 24 Nominees from the Division II
· 39 Nominees from the Division III
· 7 Nominees from the NAIA
· 86 Offensive Players
· 64 Defensive Players
· 20 Special Teams Players

NPCC Lady Knights Host Northeast Community College Thursday

Posted on October 2, 2013

The North Platte Community College Lady Knights (15-7) volleyball team welcomes the Northeast Community College Lady Hawks to McDonald-Belton Gymnasium Thursday night with the first serve set for 7 p.m.

The Lady Knights return to the floor for the first time since competing in the Johnson County Invite this past weekend. The Lady Knights and Lady Hawks will face off two times in the next 11 days as the Lady Knights travel to Norfolk for the return game on October 18.

The Lady Knights are led by freshman Samantha Kennedy who averages 2.47 kills per set and freshman Samantha Byrn who averages 1.95 kills per set. Shannon Liewer leads the Lady Knights with 6.06 digs per set and Joli Hopping leads the in assists at 5.09 per set.

The Lady Knights remain at home next week in their final two home games of the season as they host Northeastern Junior College on Monday at 7 p.m. and Southeast Community College on Wednesday November 9 at 6 p.m.

AP Nebraska High School Football Rankings

Posted on October 2, 2013

Here are the Associated Press Nebraska high school football rankings in Classes A through D2. Listings include name of school, season record, previous week’s ranking, previous opponent and result, and next opponent. (NR_Not ranked). The rankings are based on a formula that includes ratings from the Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal Star plus experts for each class. Class A: Dale Miller, Grand Island Independent. Class B: Jeff Fielder, Scottsbluff Star-Herald. Class C1: Tom Behmer, Norfolk Daily News. Class C2: Brent Wasinius, Fremont Tribune. Class D1: Mark Obermeier, North Platte Telegraph. Class D2: Nick Blasnitz, Hastings Tribune.

CLASS A

1. Omaha Westside (5-0), 1, def. Omaha Benson 63-7, at Millard South.

2. Omaha North (5-0), 2, def. Papillion-La Vista South 46-16, at Omaha Burke.

3. Creighton Preparatory School (4-1), 3, def. Omaha Northwest 48-0, at Omaha Bryan.

4. Omaha Burke (4-1), 4, def. Millard North 35-21, Omaha North.

5. Millard West, (4-1), 6, def. Omaha Bryan 69-0, at Omaha Central.

6. Papillion-La Vista (4-1), 9, def. Bellevue West 31-21, Millard North.

7. Omaha Central (3-2), 8, def. Bellevue East 48-19, Millard West.

8. Bellevue West (4-1), 5, lost to Papillion-La Vista 31-21, Omaha South.

9. Grand Island (4-1), 10, def. Kearney 26-0, Fremont.

10. Millard North (1-4), NR, lost to Omaha Burke 34-28 OT, at Papillion-La Vista.

Others receiving votes: Lincoln East, Millard South.

CLASS B

1. Gretna (5-0), 1, def. Crete 31-0, Waverly.

2. Aurora (5-0), 2, def. Scottsbluff 28-21, Crete.

3. Elkhorn South (5-0), 3, def. Plattsmouth 38-17, at Omaha Gross Catholic.

4. Omaha Skutt Catholic (4-1), 4, def. Seward 38-0, Columbus.

5. Ralston (5-0), 5, def. Bennington 43-0, at Beatrice.

6. Beatrice (4-1), 7, def. Hastings 49-13, Ralston.

7. York (4-1), 10, def. Holdrege 28-12, Schuyler.

8. Omaha Gross Catholic (3-2), 8, def. Waverly 41-7, Elkhorn South.

9. McCook (4-1), 9, def. Sidney 17-6, Alliance.

10. Crete (3-2), 6, lost to Gretna 31-0, at Aurora.

Others receiving votes: Elkhorn, Scottsbluff, Sidney.

CLASS C1

1. Boone Central/Newman Grove (4-0), 1, def. Columbus Scotus 35-14, David City.

2. Norfolk Catholic (4-1), 2 def. Wahoo 42-0, bye.

3. Lincoln Christian (4-0), 4, def. Auburn 59-33, at Wilber-Clatonia.

4. Kearney Catholic (4-0) 5, def. Central City 35-12, at Minden.

5. Columbus Lakeview (4-1), 6, def. David City 37-13, at Madison.

6. Cozad (4-0), 7, def. Chase County 42-0, Gothenburg.

7. Pierce (3-1), 8, bye, at Columbus Scotus.

8. Adams Central (3-1), 9, def. Gibbon 28-12, at Central City.

9. Wahoo (3-1), 3, lost to Norfolk Catholic 42-0, Raymond Central.

10. Ashland-Greenwood (4-0), 10, def. Raymond Central 30-23, Bishop Neumann.

Others receiving votes: Syracuse, Wayne.

CLASS C2

1. Doniphan-Trumbull (4-0), 1, def. Thayer Central 42-13, at Superior.

2. Sutton (4-0), 2, bye, Hastings St. Cecilia.

3. Lutheran High Northeast (4-0), 3, def. West Holt 29-14, at Hartington Cedar Catholic.

4. Archbishop Bergan (3-1), 4, def. Tekamah-Herman 40-6, Stanton.

5. Aquinas Catholic (3-1), 6, def. Twin River 65-0, Yutan.

6. North Platte St. Patrick’s (5-0), 7, def. Wood River 48-14, bye.

7. Hartington Cedar Catholic (4-0), 8, def. Crofton 26-13, Lutheran High Northeast.

8. Crofton (3-1), 5, lost to Hartington Cedar Catholic 26-13, Homer.

9. Battle Creek (4-0), 10, def. Wakefield 49-0, at West Holt.

10. West Holt (3-1), 9, lost to Lutheran High Northeast 29-14, Battle Creek.

Others receiving votes: Blue Hill, Omaha Brownell-Talbot.

CLASS D1

1. Exeter-Milligan (4-0), 1, def. Johnson-Brock 76-14, at Lourdes Central Catholic.

2. Howells-Dodge (4-0), 2, def. Cedar Bluffs 64-18, Omaha Christian Academy.

3. Guardian Angels Central Catholic (4-0), 3, def. Omaha Christian Academy 62-6, at Clarkson/Leigh.

4. Creighton (4-0), 4, def. Elgin Public/Pope John 62-14, at Bloomfield.

5. Bruning-Davenport/Shickley (4-0), 6, def. McCool Junction 36-19, at Red Cloud.

6. High Plains Community (4-1), 9, def. East Butler 76-34, Shelby-Rising City.

7. Elm Creek (4-0), 8, def. Arapahoe 41-22, Twin Loup.

8. Freeman (4-0), 7, def. Lourdes Central Catholic 32-28, at Pawnee City.

9. Overton (4-0), 10, def. Southwest 55-8, at Arapahoe.

10. Randolph (3-1), NR, def. Emerson-Hubbard 52-16, Allen.

Others receiving votes: Arapahoe, Hemingford, Twin Loup.

CLASS D2

1. Falls City Sacred Heart (4-0), 1, def. Diller-Odell 64-6, at Meridian.

2. Shelton (4-0), 2, def. Axtell 62-6, Amherst.

3. Wynot (4-0), 3, def. Osmond 60-18, Stuart.

4. Giltner (3-1), 4, def. Heartland Lutheran 69-0, at Fullerton.

5. Fullerton (3-1), 5, Cedar Valley 82-20, Giltner.

6. Sterling (3-1), 6, def. Meridian 60-14, Lewiston.

7. Humphrey St. Francis (3-1), 7, bye, at Lyons-Decatur Northeast.

8. Lyons-Decatur Northeast (5-0), 8, def. Humphrey 56-14, Humphrey St. Francis.

9. Wallace (5-0), 9, def. Hayes Center 46-0, Brady.

10. Amherst (4-0), 10, def. Wilcox-Hildreth 53-0, at Shelton.

Others receiving votes: Hitchcock County, Stuart.

Huskers Confident in QBs, Ready for Illini

Posted on October 2, 2013

Lincoln, Neb.- The Nebraska football team continued its preparation for Saturday’s Big Ten conference opener against Illinois on Tuesday afternoon. The team practiced in full pads for just over two hours inside the Hawks Center and outside at the Ed and Joyanne Gass Practice Fields.

Offensive Coordinator Tim Beck addressed the media after practice, beginning with the status of senior quarterback Taylor Martinez.

“We’re just getting (Taylor Martinez) ready mentally right now by making sure he understands the game plan,” Beck said. “He’s played a lot of football around here. If there’s a guy who could miss a couple of practices, it’s probably him, but it’s a day-to-day situation.”

Martinez, suffering from turf toe, sat out the Sept. 21 game against South Dakota State, snapping a 32-game starting streak that dated back to his redshirt freshman season in 2010.

However, Coach Beck made it clear that he has confidence in backup quarterbacks Ron Kellogg and Tommy Armstrong to get the job done if needed on Saturday.

“Those guys are competing hard and having a really good week of practice,” Beck said. “I like how they’re running the offense and competing. It’s very similar to what they were doing leading up to the last game.”

Kellogg and Armstrong combined for 305 yards passing and two touchdowns in Nebraska’s 59-20 victory over South Dakota State. The two quarterbacks alternated series in that game, which is something Beck said he isn’t opposed to doing again.

“I kind of play it by ear as we go into a game,” Beck said. “I like to see if someone’s got a hot hand or is seeing things better. There are so many scenarios that go into the decisions that are made, and those guys understand that. But they’ll both play if it helps us win.”

A large part of the two quarterbacks’ success has been a focus on the mental aspect of the game. Kellogg and Armstrong combined to complete 20 of 24 passes without an interception against the Jackrabbits, helping the Huskers convert seven of 10 third down opportunities.

According to Beck, that’s the recipe for success.

“Most teams that are winning games aren’t turning the ball over,” Beck said. “They’re converting on third downs and they aren’t shooting themselves in the foot with penalties. You are going to win more games than you lose if you’re doing that. I liked our mentality going into last game and I like where we’re at right now.”

Nebraska will hit the practice field again on Wednesday as the team moves closer to its fifth game of the season. NU will face the Illinois Fighting Illini on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPNU.

Pink In The Rink Kicks Off Jerseys For A Cause

Posted on October 2, 2013

KEARNEY, Neb. – For the third consecutive year, the Tri-City Storm is partnering with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska to present the Jerseys For A Cause program, which begins with Pink In The Rink night this Friday, Oct. 4.

Storm players will don limited edition pink jerseys during Friday’s game against Sioux City, and the ice surface will be painted pink in honor of the program.

One jersey will be raffled off during every home game this season, with different cancer awareness organizations receiving 100 percent of the proceeds each month.

“This is one of many community based programs that we feature throughout our hockey season, but this one carries a great amount of significance because it’s actually an opportunity to generate some dollars that stay right here in Central Nebraska,” said Storm President Greg Shea. “To have a partner like Blue Cross Blue Shield to continue to support us and the program says a lot about what we’re doing and what we’re accomplishing.”

October’s recipient is the Good Samaritan Hospital’s Kearney Tackles Cancer Fund, which raises money to help those that are struggling financially while fighting cancer.

“This week is a great way to kick off our program for the year,” Shea said. We get an opportunity to contribute here locally to the Kearney Tackles Cancer campaign and it’s something that all the fans get to participate in.”

Other beneficiaries include:

November: Central Nebraska’s Relay for Life

December: The Make-A-Wish Foundation

January: Phelps Memorial Health Center Holdrege

February/April: Susan G. Komen Foundation

March: Mary Lanning Healthcare’s Morrison Cancer Center

“We try to have a good mix of organizations that have ties throughout the region,” Shea said. We have also looked to places like Hastings and Holdrege as examples outside of Kearney where we want to have an impact.”

In total during the past two seasons, the Storm and their dedicated fan base has raised over $25,000 for their various recipients.

This season, the special edition jersey is gray with the commemorative Pink In The Rink logo in the center, along with a pink stripe across the chest and the traditional Storm logo on each shoulder.

The Storm will wear the uniforms and help contribute to this cause Friday night when they host the Sioux City Musketeers at the Viaero Event Center at 7:30 p.m.

NPCC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Start Practice

Posted on October 2, 2013

The North Platte Community College men’s and women’s basketball teams started practice Tuesday to kick off the 2013-14 season.

The North Platte Community College Knights men’s basketball team starts their defense of the Region IX Tournament title and opening round win at the NJCAA National Tournament. The Knights return their leading scorer and rebounder in Ethan Montalvo (15.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg) who was an All-Region IX Second-Team selection a year ago along with starter Tim Simmons (10.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg) and top reserve Jake Maslo (4.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg). The Knights also welcome back Tre’Vaun Hymer who redshirted at North Platte during the spring semester after playing at New Mexico Junior College in the fall, Jimma Lew who appeared in 19 games a year ago and Marcus Linson who redshirted last season for the Knights.

The Knights welcome 12 freshmen to the program. Cameron Williams of Omaha, Luke Pittle of Deception Bay, Australia, Kenyon Gist of Chicago, Xavier Hall of Woodbury, Minnesota, James Kirksey of Strasburg, Virginia, Aireon Porter of Omaha, Brandon Pressley of Stephens City, Virginia, Abraham Branch of Baltimore, Maryland, Akau Deng of Sunshine, Australia, Marco Pascolo of Udine, Italy, Riley Rice of Mullen and Dazeshawn Crim of Detroit, Michigan are all freshman for the Knights.

The Knights are led by head coach Kevin O’Connor who is entering his 29^th season at the helm. Coach O’Connor has compiled 567 wins at North Platte, including a school-record 30 wins a year ago. He is assisted by Nathan Wieseler who is entering his second season.

The Knights play their first home game on November 12 at 7 p.m. against York College JV after traveling to McCook for the McCook Community College Classic and to Garden City for the Garden City Classic to start their season.

“The guys have been ready for this day since they stepped on campus,” said coach O’Connor. “We are ready to get things going.”

The North Platte Community College Lady Knights women’s basketball team starts their defense of their Region IX Division II Tournament title and District F championship. The Lady Knights return their second leading scorer and rebounder in DeVontaye Merritt (12.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg) who was an All-Region IX Division II selection a year ago. Courtney Widick (9.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg), Jordan Dickerson (7.7 ppg, 3.4 apg) and Samantha Hyatt (2.2 ppg) also return as sophomore for the Lady Knights.

The Lady Knights add nine new freshmen. The new freshman include Aliyah Brown of Omaha, Elisha Coleman of Omaha, Briana Dickerson of Westminster, Colorado, Kirra Hall-Carter of Maribyrnong, Australia, Stephanie Casteel of Gillette, Wyoming, NaShawn Williams of Omaha, Kristian Roth of Beaver Crossing, Alleyah Evans of McKinney, Texas and April Stull of Sweeny, Texas.

The Lady Knights are led by head coach Richard Thurin who is entering his 13^th season at North Platte. Coach Thurin has won 164 games in his career at North Platte. Nolan Collins is the assistant for the Lady Knights and enters his second year.

The Lady Knights open up the regular season on November 1 at home as part of the Hampton Inn Classic. The Lady Knights will also play an exhibition game at home on October 26 at 7 p.m. against NPCC Alumni.

“I am very excited to get started,” said coach Thurin. “I think we have more overall depth, speed and height than we did a year ago.”

NU Soccer: Huskers Earn Spot in Top 25

Posted on October 2, 2013

Lincoln – The Nebraska soccer team debuted at No. 23 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Continental Tire Women’s Division I poll released on Tuesday. This designation marks the team’s first appearance in the Top 25 since 2005.

The Huskers are currently on a six-game win streak for the first time since 2004 en route to an 8-2-1 record, already besting last year’s win total of seven. NU is also 3-0-0 in the Big Ten Conference and tied atop the standings with No. 7 Penn State.

Nebraska will play host to Iowa on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 4 p.m., before welcoming No. 21 Michigan to Lincoln for a Top 25 matchup onSunday, Oct. 6 at 1 p.m.

Chargers-Raiders Game Moved To Night

Posted on September 30, 2013

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) — This weekend’s game between the San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders has been moved to a night game because of the baseball playoffs.

The Raiders said Monday that kickoff for Sunday’s game will be at 8:35 p.m. PDT instead of the originally scheduled 1:25 p.m. game time.

The reason for the switch is the Oakland Athletics are playing Game 2 of their division series on Saturday night and it takes too long to convert the Coliseum from baseball to football to play an afternoon game. The Raiders are the only NFL team that still plays in a stadium shared by a Major League Baseball team.

The game will be televised by NFL Network instead of CBS.