Uncategorized – Page 13 – North Platte Post Archive

Lady Bulldogs Pick Up Pair of Wins over Ranked Teams

Posted on September 6, 2014September 7, 2014

The North Platte Lady Bulldogs volleyball team rose early Saturday morning and made the trip to Lincoln Southwest High School and came away with two upset victories over Lincoln North Star and Lincoln Southwest.

The ninth-ranked Lady Dawgs drew No. 8 North Star in the first match of the quad. North Platte jumped out to an early lead against the Navigators. Led by senior Kaitlynn Harvey’s five first-set kills North Platte won the first set 25-19. Star juniors Olivia Nicholson and Allison Kuenle took over in the second set leading the Lady Dawgs to a 25-16 win and taking the best-of-three match in straight sets. Nicholson finished with eight kills and four aces. Kuenle had seven kills, including six in the second set. She also added two aces while serving.

North Star ended North Platte’s season in 2013 with a 3-1 win in the district finals. Harvey enjoyed getting a little revenge on the Navigators.

“It was awesome,” Harvey said.

Coach Laura Miller echoed those statements.

“I was kind of like that pit [of losing last year] is gone,” Miller said. “That was pretty awesome.”

North Platte played No. 4 Lincoln Southwest in the second match of the day. The Lady Dawgs once again took the first set with a 25-22 win over the Silver Hawks. Nicholson and Kuenle led the way once again with seven kills each in the set. North Platte jumped out to a three point lead in the second set, but Lincoln Southwest came storming back and won the set 25-18. The Dawgs very easily could have hung their heads and accepted a loss to the fourth-ranked team, but instead they displayed great confidence and didn’t back down as they dominated the third set 25-16 for the 2-1 match win. Miller said there is a reason for the resilience her team showed.

“They’ve all gained a lot of confidence from last season,” Miller said. “I think we just started off at a higher level [this year] than we normally do so our confidence level is definitely there and that’s exciting.”

Nicholson finished the match with 22 kills, Kuenle followed with 13 kills, including the exclamation point, a resounding blast from the left side to finish it. Junior setter Alex Neff had three aces in the match and helped lead a stout North Platte defense.

North Platte showed great hustle in both matches and gave everything they had on every ball. Harvey said that’s a great way to play.

“It was really fun today,” she said. “I’m really glad we played well.”

Miller said the hustle displayed by North Platte was key to getting the two wins.

“With that kind of effort we kind of wear the other team down a little bit,” she said. “They’re kind of like ‘what do we got to do to get the ball on the ground’ and they finally just give up or make a mistake.”

With the two wins North Platte improves to 4-0 on the season, including wins over three ranked teams, No. 8 Lincoln North Star, No. 4 Lincoln Southwest and C1 No. 3 Ogallala. Miller said the other teams in the state have noticed the Bulldogs.

“We will definitely have a target on our back,” Miller said. “I’m going to welcome that and I think the kids will too.”

The Lady Bulldogs next game is on Thursday, September 11 at Grand Island Northwest. The Vikings are ranked fourth in Class B. First serve of the varsity match is scheduled for 7:00 PM and the game can be heard on ESPN Radio 1410 with the pregame show starting at approximately 6:45.

Special Teams Helps Lead North Platte to Win over Lincoln High

Posted on September 6, 2014

The North Platte Bulldogs punt team came up with a fumble recovery on the Lincoln High 29-yard line with just over three minutes left, leading to the game-winning touchdown in the Dawgs 28-21 win.

North Platte jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on its opening drive when senior quarterback Shane Mauch carried the ball into the endzone from inside the 1-yard line. Mauch would add two more 1-yard touchdown runs in the game to lead North Platte.

Lincoln High tied the game on its ensuing drive highlighted by a 56-yard run from Marcus Haynes. The drive was capped off by a two yard touchdown run by Tyren Baker.

The second quarter began with North Platte fumbling the kick return and giving the Links the ball at the NP 18-yard line. The North Platte defense stepped up and got a big stop on third down by tackling Haynes four yards in the backfield. Dawgs junior linebacker Ricky Sandoval led the charge. Lincoln High was forced to kick a field goal and Jose Perez-Blanco was true on the 33-yard attempt to give the Links a 10-7 lead.

North Platte’s next drive stalled near midfield and they were forced to punt. The Dawgs defense forced a Lincoln High three-and-out and North Platte took over at their own 49-yard line. The Dawgs then took the lead on the second one-yard touchdown run from Mauch, 14-10. North Platte took the four-point lead into halftime.

The third quarter began with North Platte being forced to punt and Mauch pinned the Links deep as they ball was touched down at the Lincoln High 3-yard line. The Links though were undeterred as they drove down the field and Perez-Blanco kicked a 36-yard field goal to make it 14-13.

North Platte turned the ball over on downs as the fourth quarter started, but Lincoln gave it back quickly with a fumble on the third play of its drive. The Dawgs took over at the Lincoln High 33-yard line and a six-play drive was capped by the third one-yard Mauch touchdown run.

Lincoln was given a gift on its next drive. The North Platte defense had the Links pinned deep but a roughing-the-kicker penalty on fourth-and-19 gave Lincoln the automatic first down. Three plays later quarterback Anthony Evans connected with Jamie Davis for a 61-yard touchdown pass. The Links went for two and running back Terry Jones converted it for Lincoln to tie the game at 21 with just under five minutes to go.

The Dawgs were forced to punt on their ensuing drive, but the Links returned the favor with a roughing-the-kicker penalty and also as the ball hit the ground it hit a Lincoln player and North Platte recovered it. The Dawgs declined the penalty and took over with 3:06 left at the Lincoln High 29-yard line. Five plays later Mauch threw a bullet that threaded the needle to junior wide receiver Grant Pavelka for a 14-yard touchdown pass to give North Platte the 28-21 lead with 53 seconds left.

The Dawgs defense held Lincoln High for the final minute and North Platte improved to 2-0 on the season.

North Platte finished with 239 yards of total offense and gave up 302 yards to Lincoln High. The Links were able to pound the ball up the middle in the first half and had 116 yards rushing after the first two quarters. The Dawgs’ defense tightened up and only allowed 55 rushing yards in the second half.

Mauch finished the game 12/19 for 117 yards passing with a touchdown. He also rushed for 81 yards and three touchdowns. Pavelka had five receptions for 50 yards, including the game-winning touchdown.

North Platte’s next game is Friday, September 12 at home against rival Kearney. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm at Bauer Field and the game can be heard on ESPN Radio 1410 with the pregame show starting at 6:30 pm.

Neb HS Hall of Fame Foundation Leader is Resigning

Posted on September 5, 2014

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Larry Munksgaard is resigning as executive director of the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame Foundation at the end of the month.

Munksgaard was a longtime athletic director at Lincoln Southeast High School and has been executive director of the Hall of Fame Foundation since 2011.

Munksgaard said he’s resigning to spend more time with his family.

Foundation president Dick Beechner said he hopes to have a new executive director in place by next month.

‘Friday Night Lights’ Initiative Urges Nebraska Teens to Buckle Up

Posted on August 27, 2014

Fans attending high school football games across the state will once again be the focus of a special initiative designed to increase awareness of the need to wear your seat belt, every trip, every time.

The “Friday Night Lights” initiative is designed to help reduce serious injury and fatality crashes involving teen drivers by providing them with firsthand knowledge of what can happen when you don’t buckle up.

Fans at select high school football games will have the opportunity to experience a ride in the NSP Seat Belt Convincer and/or view a presentation of the Rollover Simulator prior to kick-off.

“Football is a team sport and highway safety is a team effort,” said Colonel David Sankey, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “Far too often teen drivers are seriously injured or killed in crashes in which they aren’t buckled up. We hope to encourage young drivers to join our team and make safety a priority every time they get behind the wheel.”

During breaks in the football action, troopers will use a T-shirt shooter to catapult shirts with a seat belt safety message to football fans. The shirts were purchased through a $10,000 grant to the Nebraska State Patrol Foundation from the AAA Nebraska/Cornhusker Motor Club Foundation.

Colonel David Sankey said, “We encourage teens to wear their t-shirts and help us promote seat belt safety.”

Goalie Giguere Retires after 16 Seasons in NHL

Posted on August 21, 2014

DENVER (AP) — Goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere is retiring after 16 NHL seasons in which he won 262 games, a Conn Smythe Trophy and a Stanley Cup championship.

The Colorado Avalanche say Giguere made the announcement in Quebec on Thursday while with the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada hockey team. He’s part owner of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League squad.

Avs executive Joe Sakic calls Giguere a “top-notch goalie.” Giguere served as Semyon Varlamov’s backup last season in Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy’s first season behind the bench.

The 37-year-old Giguere is best known for his time with the Anaheim Ducks. He led the team to two appearances in the Stanley Cup finals, capturing the Conn Smythe Trophy in defeat in 2003 and hoisting the Cup in 2007.

Chiefs’ Charles Back to Practice in Limited Role

Posted on August 21, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jamaal Charles returned to Chiefs practice Thursday for the first time since hurting his foot last week, though he’s unlikely to play in Saturday night’s preseason game against Minnesota.

Charles hurt the foot last Thursday while moving out of the dormitories at Missouri Western, where the Chiefs start their training camp workouts. He did not make the trip to Carolina for their second preseason game last weekend.

Wide receiver De’Anthony Thomas returned after missing a day of practice with spasms in his hamstring. Defensive back Chris Owens was also back on the field after leaving a day earlier with a knee injury.

Pro Bowl safety Eric Berry, wide receiver Dwayne Bowe and linebacker Joe Mays did not practice.

Nebraska’s Athletic Budget Will Top $100 Million

Posted on August 14, 2014

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s athletic budget will top $100 million for the first time in 2014-15, with much of the increased spending coming in the area of football recruiting.

The Athletic Department says the budget for the 24-sport program this year is $103 million. That’s up 10.7 percent from the $93 million budget of 2013-14.

The football program added six positions that will work specifically in recruiting. Including air travel, the Cornhuskers will spend $1.2 million on recruiting this year. That’s up 32.7 percent from the $904,000 spent in 2013-14.

After 3 Boring Majors, McIlroy Wins Riveting PGA

Posted on August 10, 2014

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Rory McIlroy won his second straight major championship and fourth of his young career, rallying on the back nine in the PGA Championship.

The tournament finished in near-darkness Sunday at Valhalla Golf Club, with the final two groups essentially morphing into a foursome as they raced to beat nightfall. A nearly two-hour rain delay set up the possibility of a Monday finish, especially if there had been a three-hole playoff.

McIlroy took care of that by shooting 3-under 68, beating Phil Mickelson by one stroke. McIlroy rallied from a three-shot deficit at the turn, setting up an eagle at the 10th with a brilliant second shot. He built a two-stroke lead with a 10-foot birdie putt at the 17th.

McIlroy finished at 16-under 268.

Rickie Fowler and Henrik Stenson tied for third, two shots behind.

B1G Preview: Michigan St. Girding for Ohio St. in Big Ten East

Posted on August 5, 2014August 5, 2014

Michigan State has played in two of the three Big Ten title games, is the defending Rose Bowl champion and on the best run in program history with 42 wins in four years.

Yet the Spartans cling to an underdog mentality. It’s the product of being overshadowed historically by Michigan and Ohio State. Coach Mark Dantonio never wants his team to stop playing with that edge.

The Spartans likely will have to beat the Buckeyes to win the East Division. They also have a major September test with a road game against Oregon.

Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin are the top contenders in the West.

Chiefs’ Charles Sets Sights on Hall of Fame

Posted on August 4, 2014

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — At some point this season, likely within the first couple of games, Jamaal Charles will slide past Larry Johnson and breeze past Priest Holmes to become the Chiefs’ career rushing leader.

It’s a goal, sure. But it’s only a rest-stop on the way to loftier expectations.

After arguably the best season of his career and now armed with a new contract extension, Charles has his sights set on the Hall of Fame. The two-time All-Pro running back wants his name to be mentioned in the same breath as Emmitt Smith and Barry Sanders, players he grew up idolizing in Port Arthur, Texas, and who will forever be considered some of the best to play the game.

“It’s all about staying consistent,” Charles said. “I want to be in the Hall of Fame when I retire. I want to win a championship. That’s what it’s all about.”