Football – Page 45 – North Platte Post Archive

High School Cancels Football Season over Bullying

Posted on October 7, 2014

PARLIN, N.J. (AP) — A central New Jersey town is reeling after its high school football season was cut short by allegations of bullying and harassment among players.

Sayreville War Memorial High has been a powerhouse, winning three sectional titles in the last four years.

On Monday night, school district officials canceled the rest of the season after speaking with the county prosecutor’s office, which is conducting an investigation into the bullying allegations.

The prosecutor’s office hasn’t released any details and didn’t respond to a message seeking comment Tuesday.

The school superintendent says there was evidence of pervasive harassment, intimidation and bullying.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

Officials at a central New Jersey high school that has won three sectional titles over the past four years canceled the football season amid allegations of harassment, intimidation and bullying among players.

Sayreville school officials made the announcement Monday night during a meeting with the players’ parents. The district already had canceled and forfeited a game that was scheduled last Thursday between Sayreville War Memorial and South Brunswick, and announced that the Middlesex County prosecutor’s office was investigating the allegations.

“There was enough evidence that there were incidents of harassment, of intimidation and bullying that took place on a pervasive level, on a wide-scale level and at a level at which the players knew, tolerated and generally accepted,” Superintendent Richard Labbe told reporters Monday night. “Based upon what has been substantiated to have occurred, we have canceled the remainder of the football season.”

Labbe said he could not discuss the investigation, and the prosecutor’s office has declined to release any details. No charges have been filed. Labbe said Prosecutor Andrew Carey told him there is credible evidence to back up the allegations of bullying and harassment within the program.

Also last week, an assistant football coach at the high school resigned amid allegations that he possessed steroids. Labbe said at the time that the allegations against the former defensive coordinator were the focus of a separate investigation and were not related to the cancellation of last week’s game.

Chiefs’ Hali Lends Support as Ebola Epidemic Rages

Posted on October 7, 2014

LENEXA, Kan. (AP) — Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali is lending his support to a humanitarian organization that plans to open a clinic in his native Liberia to help combat the Ebola epidemic.

Hali was joined Tuesday by officials from Heart to Heart International, which is based in suburban Kansas City, to announced the construction of a clinic near the capital of Monrovia that will offer 70 beds for patients stricken by the disease.

Liberia has been among the hardest-hit of the West African nations at the center of the months-long outbreak, which has killed at least 3,500 people.

Hali fled with his father from Liberia at the age of 10, when it was in the midst of a bloody civil war. He still has family there but they have not been infected with Ebola.

Nebraska AP High School Football Rankings

Posted on October 7, 2014

Here are the Associated Press Nebraska high school football rankings in Classes A through D-2. Listings include name of school, season record, previous week’s ranking, previous week’s result and this week’s 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: Andrew Bottrell, North Platte Telegraph. Class D2: Nick Blasnitz, Hastings Tribune.

CLASS A

1. Omaha North (6-0), 1, def. Omaha Central def. 35-28, Omaha South.

2. Millard North (6-0), 2, def. Omaha Northwest 55-14, Bellevue West.

3. Bellevue West (5-1), 3, def. South Sioux City 58-17, at Millard North.

4. Papillion-La Vista South (5-1), 4, def. Lincoln North Star 34-6, Omaha Northwest.

5. Creighton Preparatory School (5-1), 5, def. Bellevue East 57-13, South Sioux City.

6. Omaha Central (4-2), 7, lost to Omaha North 35-28, at Bellevue East.

7. Grand Island (5-1), 9, def. Fremont 46-6, at Millard South.

8. Lincoln East (4-2), NR, def. Kearney 31-12, Lincoln Southeast.

9. Norfolk (5-1), NR, def. Millard West 28-7, at Lincoln Northeast.

10. Millard West (3-3), 6, lost to Norfolk 28-7, at North Platte.

Others receiving votes: None.

CLASS B

1. Elkhorn (6-0), 1, def. Omaha Roncalli Catholic 60-13, at Elkhorn South.

2. Gretna (6-0), 2, def. Plattsmouth 45-14, Omaha Skutt Catholic.

3. Elkhorn South (6-0), 3, def. Mount Michael Benedictine 28-14, Elkhorn.

4. Omaha Skutt Catholic (5-1), 4, def. Lincoln Pius X 38-6, at Gretna.

5. McCook (5-1), 6, def. Gering 56-7, at Lexington.

6. Sidney (5-1), 7, def. Northwest 32-31, Scottsbluff.

7. Scottsbluff (5-1), 8, def. Aurora 37-29, at Sidney.

8. Aurora (4-2), 5, lost to Scottsbluff 37-29, at Seward.

9. Seward (5-1), 9, def. Norris 45-14, Aurora.

10. Beatrice (4-2), 10, def. Omaha Gross Catholic 42-6, at Crete.

Others receiving votes: Blair.

CLASS C1

1. Boone Central/Newman Grove (6-0), 1, def. Pierce 49-21, at Madison.

2. Norfolk Catholic (6-0), 2, def. West Point-Beemer 51-7, Wayne.

3. Ashland-Greenwood (6-0), 3, def. Fort Calhoun 35-7, at Omaha Concordia.

4. Kearney Catholic (6-0), 4, def. Central City 35-14, at Grand Island Central Catholic.

5. Columbus Scotus (5-1), 5, def. Bishop Neumann 42-6, Wahoo.

6. Wilber-Clatonia (6-0), 6, def. Raymond Central 42-7, at Fairbury.

7. Cozad (5-1), 8, def. Ord 34-0, Broken Bow.

8. Chadron (5-1), 9, def. Mitchell 57-0, Chase County.

9. Syracuse (4-2), 10, def. Conestoga 76-14, Louisville.

10. Pierce (4-2), 7, lost to Boone Central/Newman Grove 49-21, West Point-Beemer.

Others receiving votes: Chase County.

CLASS C2

1. Battle Creek (6-0), 1, def. Hartington Cedar Catholic 36-14, West Holt.

2. Hastings St. Cecilia (6-0), 2, def. Southern Valley 48-0, Superior.

3. North Platte St. Patrick’s (6-0), 3, def. Bridgeport 36-0, Kimball.

4. Aquinas Catholic (5-1), 4, def. Omaha Brownell-Talbot 57-13, at Tekamah-Herman.

5. Archbishop Bergan (5-1), 6, def. Logan View 41-0, Omaha Brownell-Talbot.

6. Sutton (6-0), 7, def. Doniphan-Trumbull 34-0, Southern Valley.

7. Lutheran High Northeast (5-1), 8, def. Crofton 44-26, at Hartington Cedar Catholic.

8. Hartington Cedar Catholic (4-2), 5, lost to Battle Creek 36-14, Lutheran High Northeast.

9. Malcolm (6-0), 9, def. Centennial 20-7, Shelby-Rising City.

10. Oakland-Craig (5-1), 10, def. Stanton 44-14, Laurel-Concord-Coleridge.

Others receiving votes: None.

CLASS D1

1. Hemingford (5-0), 1, def. Morrill 72-16, at Dundy County-Stratton.

2. Creighton (5-0), 2, def. Plainview 72-6, Howells-Dodge.

3. Guardian Angels Central Catholic (5-0), 3, def. Scribner-Snyder 24-20, Pender.

4. Heartland (5-0), 4, def. Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family 50-34, at Cross County.

5. BDS (5-0), 5, def. Diller-Odell 34-0, at Friend.

6. Elm Creek (5-0), 6, def. Arapahoe 42-36, Blue Hill.

7. Amherst (5-0), 7, def. South Loup 46-12, at Twin Loup.

8. Howells-Dodge (4-1), 8, def. Nebraska Christian 40-26, at Creighton.

9. Fullerton (5-0), NR, def. Clarkson/Leigh 58-14, at Nebraska Christian.

10. Friend (5-0), NR, def. Pawnee City 44-22, BDS.

Others receiving votes: Scribner-Snyder.

CLASS D2

1. Falls City Sacred Heart (4-1), 1, def. Lewiston 68-0, at Exeter-Milligan.

2. Stuart (5-0), 2, def. CWC 36-20, at Osmond.

3. Exeter-Milligan (5-0), 3, def. Lawrence-Nelson 66-24, Falls City Sacred Heart.

4. Humphrey St. Francis (5-0), 4, def. Hampton 78-3, Osceola.

5. Anselmo-Merna (5-0), 5, def. Sandhills/Thedford 34-29, Overton.

6. Kenesaw (4-1), 6, def. Parkview Christian 86-8, Loomis.

7. Giltner (3-2), 7, def. Meridian 52-42, at Red Cloud.

8. Elwood (4-1), 9, def. Bertrand 40-38, at Sumner-Eddyville-Miller.

9. Randolph (4-1), 10, def. St. Mary’s 46-12, at Wausa.

10. Garden County (5-0), NR, def. Hay Springs 72-8, at Potter-Dix.

Others receiving votes: St. Mary’s.

Julius Thomas Says Chop Block Wasn’t Intentional

Posted on October 6, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Julius Thomas said Monday that he never intended to hurt Calais Campbell despite Arizona coach Bruce Arians calling the Pro Bowl tight end’s chop block the “dirtiest play I’ve ever seen” in 37 years in the NFL.

Thomas said he and tackle Ryan Clady would never try to hurt anyone and the play Sunday that sent Arizona’s star defensive end out with a sprained right MCL was a matter of miscommunication, not malice.

Broncos coach John Fox passionately defended Thomas, too. He said he’s been in the league just two years less than Arians and “it’s not the dirtiest play I’ve seen this year, let alone in 35 years.”

Dad Accused of Tackling Son’s Youth Football Coach

Posted on October 6, 2014

TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — Authorities say a youth football coach has been attacked by the father of one of his players after a game in southern New Jersey.

Toms River police say the 46-year-old parent was charged with simple assault following the altercation, which was reported around 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

The 45-year-old male coach says the parent ran across the field toward him and tackled him. The two men then fought on the ground until bystanders separated them.

The coach says the attack was unprovoked. The parent says he acted in self-defense when the coach “took an aggressive stance,” but authorities say witnesses told them the parent was the sole aggressor.

The altercation came after the coach told his players that their season was over because of their ongoing poor sportsmanship and bad attitudes.

HGH Testing Finally Begins in NFL

Posted on October 6, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — Testing for human growth hormone in NFL players has begun.

The testing originally was agreed to in the 2011 labor agreement but was delayed because the union was not comfortable with the procedures or science involved. Both sides agreed last month on the new policy, which took effect Monday and brings HGH testing to the NFL for the first time.

A total of 950 tests will be performed in the regular season, postseason and preseason. In the offseason, approximately 385 tests will be done.

The league and union also agreed to a minimum two-game suspension for a first driving-under-the-influence conviction. Longtime suspensions would be imposed for cases with extenuating circumstances such as personal injury or property damage, or in cases of repeat offenders.

Manning’s 500th TD Leads Broncos past Cards 41-20

Posted on October 6, 2014

DENVER (AP) — Peyton Manning joined Brett Favre in the NFL’s most exclusive of clubs with his 500th touchdown pass Sunday when the Denver Broncos handed the Arizona Cardinals their first loss, 41-20.

Manning finished with four TD throws, moving him within five of Favre’s record 508.

Manning found tight end Julius Thomas twice in the end zone, including the touchstone touchdown, a 7-yard dart in the first quarter.

Yet, it was wide receiver Demaryius Thomas who had the biggest day for the Broncos (3-1) with eight catches for a team-record 226 yards and two TDs. That beat Shannon Sharpe’s mark of 214 yards set against Kansas City in 2002.

Arizona (3-1) lost for the first time and saw quarterback Drew Stanton leave with a possible concussion.

Fake Punt Helps 49ers Beat Chiefs 22-17

Posted on October 6, 2014

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Colin Kaepernick threw for 201 yards and a touchdown, Frank Gore ran for 107 yards and the San Francisco 49ers converted a fake punt to beat the Kansas City Chiefs 22-17 on Sunday.

The 49ers (3-2) turned to a trick play on fourth-and-1 from their own 29 early in the fourth quarter, giving a direct snap to Craig Dahl for a 3-yard run up the middle. Kaepernick directed the offense down field, and Phil Dawson kicked a 27-yard field goal with 8:42 to play for the go-ahead score.

Dawson also connected from 55, 52, 35 and 30 yards.

The 49ers held off former franchise quarterback Alex Smith and the Chiefs (2-3) twice in the closing moments. Smith threw for 175 yards and two touchdowns, but Perrish Cox intercepted his overthrown pass to end any chance Kansas City had to rally.

Peyton Manning Throws 500th Career TD Pass

Posted on October 6, 2014

DENVER (AP) — Peyton Manning has thrown his 500th career touchdown pass, joining Brett Favre as the only members of the exclusive club.

Manning threw a 7-yard dart to tight end Julius Thomas to give Denver a 7-3 lead over Arizona in the first quarter Sunday. Thomas has caught six of Manning’s nine TD throws this season.

Manning reached the mark in his 244th career regular season game, 49 fewer games than it took Favre.

It was Manning’s 101st TD pass since coming to Denver in 2012 following his tearful goodbye in Indianapolis, where he played his first 13 NFL seasons before sitting out all of 2011 following neck fusion surgery.

Manning figures to surpass Favre’s record of 508 TD throws later this month.

Nebraska Hoping for Another Shot at Michigan St.

Posted on October 6, 2014

With a bye this week, Nebraska will have some extra time to ponder what could have been and what could be.

A fourth-quarter rally that came up short in a 27-22 loss at No. 8 Michigan State on Saturday night left coach Bo Pelini rejecting the notion of a moral victory and his players hankering for another crack at the Spartans in the Big Ten championship game Dec. 6.

“Definitely, if we take care of our business, I don’t see why we can’t get there,” cornerback Josh Mitchell said. “They’re a good team, so I see them getting there, too, so it would be a nice little rematch.”

The Cornhuskers (5-1, 1-1) play at resurgent Northwestern in two weeks, and there are big West Division road games at Wisconsin and Iowa in November. Michigan State (4-1, 1-0) has a manageable schedule until it hosts Ohio State on Nov. 8 in a game that could decide the East Division.

Meanwhile, the Huskers will address areas that were exposed by their toughest opponent to date.

The offensive line will get a long look after allowing five sacks and failing to create running room for Ameer Abdullah.

Left tackle Alex Lewis had a couple penalties, left guard Jake Cotton fell over backward in a failed attempt to avoid a false start, and center Mark Pelini twice snapped the ball before quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. was ready.

“It was pretty obvious,” Bo Pelini said of the line’s struggle. “It surprised me. We didn’t play well enough the whole game. We didn’t play well enough in the second half, either. Give Michigan State credit. They took it to us up front. It wasn’t blitzing or scheme. They outplayed us.”

Abdullah netted 45 yards on 24 carries, a 1.9-yard average, and the Huskers totaled only 47 yards on the ground. That was the fewest since Southern California held them to 31 rushing yards in 2007.

“I put the lack of running game on myself. I didn’t hit the creases where I needed to, and that’s on me,” said Abdullah, whose Heisman Trophy campaign was on its biggest stage of the season.

Nebraska converted 3 of 15 third downs, and Armstrong was 20 of 43 for 273 yards with two interceptions.

Still, the Huskers nearly pulled off what would have been their greatest comeback after entering the fourth quarter down 24 points.

Nebraska’s defense allowed 257 yards in the first half and 165 in the second, forcing five punts and three three-and-outs after half. Better than half the Spartans’ second-half yards came on one drive that resulted in a touchdown.

“Defensively, we played well enough to win this football game,” Bo Pelini said.

It was a five-point game after freshman Demornay Pierson-El went 62 yards for his second punt return for a touchdown this season. The Huskers got the ball back with 1:07 left and drove to the MSU 37 but couldn’t score the go-ahead touchdown before Marcus Rush intercepted Armstrong.

“We lost the football game. I don’t care whether it was by 30 or whatever it was,” Bo Pelini said. “I’m not into moral victories.”

Neither is Armstrong, who already is planning on another game against Michigan State when the stakes are higher.

“Honestly, it’s not the last time they’re going to see us, I can promise you that,” Armstrong said. “We plan on going 11-1 and making the Big Ten championship. We plan on seeing MSU again.”