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Which teams will make MLB’s postseason?
Let’s do this by division:
(Standings as of Thursday’s games)
NL WEST
First Place: D’backs
Second Place: Dodgers (3.5 back)
NL CENTRAL
First Place: Cubs
Second Place: Brewers (6.5 gb, WC leader)
NL EAST
First Place: Mets
Second Place: Phillies (1 gb)
MY NL TAKE: There certainly could be a Colorado Comeback Version 2.0 this season, but I’m doubting it. Its pitching can’t do it again. I think in the end it will finish like it is now. Arizona seems hungrier to me, and its pitching is better.
The NL Central is the strongest division in all of baseball right now. There are three legitimate playoffs-caliber teams (Cubs, Brewers, Cardinals). I think this one is wrapped up, though. Cubs win the division, and the Brewers take the Wild Card.
The Mets will collapse again. The Phillies will become the luckiest team in baseball for the second year in a row. These teams are similar: Strong lineups, shaky pitching.
Will the Cubs choke in the playoffs? That remains to be seen. I do know that the Brewers’ top two in the rotation (Sabathia, Sheets) are awesome and would be trouble for foes in the postseason.
NL SURPRISES: For me, I’m surprised to see the Cubs perform up to expectations. I’ve really never seen that. I also thought the Dodgers would be better. Goes to show that Joe Torre isn’t a deity. Other than that, the league has played out according to more projections.
AL WEST
First Place: Angels
Second Place: Rangers (16 gb)
AL CENTRAL
First Place: White Sox
Second Place: Twins (1.5 gb)
AL EAST
First Place: Rays
Second Place: Red Sox (4.5 gb, WC leader)
MY AL TAKE: The Angels are the best team in baseball. They’re only 13 games from the magic number with 29 games remaining.
The White Sox don’t exactly scare other teams, but they haven’t had much of a threat in their own division. The Twins are scrappy, but clearly aren’t a true contender. The White Sox are getting lucky here. I do like the tenacity of their GM, Ken Williams. He makes aggressive, offseason moves. He’s a gambler and that style has put a ring around one of his fingers already.
The Rays are going to the playoffs. Amazing. They have a good rotation and a solid lineup. The Angels will mow them down, but it’ll be a franchise first to make the playoffs. The Red Sox probably will earn the Wild Card, but they aren’t the great team many labeled them heading into 2008. They’re good, but there are several teams better.
AL SURPRISES: The Rays are one, no question. So are the White Sox. But two teams I expected to see mentioned in this group would be the Tigers and the Yankees. The Tigers have had internal issues all season. The Yankees rushed young pitchers and were ravaged by injuries. A horrible combination. Frankly, I’m surprised they have a winning record. I guess $200 million payrolls have too much talent to finish below .500.
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The annual Must-Have Beer returns
First and foremost, I promise I don’t drink anything other than water, tea and Coke Zero that often. But this is one of the times of the year I break away from the everyday beverages.
Samuel Adams’ Octoberfest has made its triumphant return. It’s as delicious as ever.
If you like beer and have never tried one, I’d recommend it.
Listen, I’m not connoisseur like my friend Gabe, but just about everybody I know who drinks suds likes this one.
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This week’s Twin Counties High School Matchups
I said to myself that I want to predict the entire season schedule for the Twin Counties teams after our football tour, but I’ll pass for now. I’d like all teams to play a regular-season game first, so I’ll wait for Southern Nash and SouthWest Edgecombe to begin their seasons.
Until then, here’s my quick thoughts on the games this week:
FRIDAY (Moved on Wednesday) - Rocky Mount High at Wilson Hunt: Will Rocky Mount High go undefeated this season? Yes.
I’ll talk about the rest of the games Wednesday. Just thought I’d get my Gryphons prediction out of the way. If you haven’t seem them play, you should. Coach B.W. Holt has built a true program over there.
I haven’t been here long enough to see Northern Nash when it was a powerhouse, but I heard the stories — some of which when I was working at the Wilmington paper.
North Edgecombe was the toughest 1-A school in the state for years. Coach Raymond Cobb carried his legendary status, and the pundits’ reverberations, with him to SouthWest Edgecombe.
Tarboro put high school football on the Eastern side of the N.C. map — at least for 2-A ball.
I didn’t hear much — if any — about Rocky Mount High then.
Now, the whole state is talking about the Gryphons.
UPDATE: 2:08 a.m. Thursday -
Here are the rest of the games:
Southern Nash at Bunn - Southern Nash will have its hands full with the lil’ 2-A power. Bunn is always tough. This is a great test for the Firebirds, which are talented, but raw.
Washington at Tarboro - Washington always surprises people. But I think Tarboro is going to do the same this year. Its pounding of Nash Central last week opened some eyes.
SouthWest Edgecombe at West Craven - Is Raymond Cobb still the coach? Yes. Need I add more?
Rocky Mount Academy at Cary Christian - Cary Christian is rather new, but they know what it takes to win. It really would be saying something if RMA bounces back with a victory here. This game is at 5 p.m.
Greenville Conley at Northern Nash - Can Northern Nash become the little team that could Friday night? Yes. Conley smells blood, though. The Knights need to keep Conley off the board.
Nash Central at Smithfield-Selma - SSS is legit. Nash Central has work to do. It could be more ugly than the Tarboro game.
Roanoke at North Edgecombe - North Edgecombe shouldn’t lose by large margins this season. I’m thinking last week was a fluke. The Warriors could win tonight, too. Will they prove me right? I think so.
All games, except RMA, begin at 7:30 p.m.
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A week of College Football previews
Here’s a rundown of what you’ll find in the paper with regard to college football this week:
Sunday - National preview page
Monday - App. State
Tuesday - East Carolina
Wednesday - Duke
Thursday - N.C. State
Friday - North Carolina
N.C. Wesleyan fans: The Battling Bishops’ preview comes out next week. Their first game is Sept. 6.
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Andrew Miller to start tonight at Five County Stadium
The Carolina Mudcats will have former first-round draft pick Andrew Miller on the mound for the start of game two tonight at Five County Stadium in Zebulon.
Here is the release from the Mudcats:
LHP Andrew Miller, who was a first round pick in the 2006 draft from the University of North Carolina, has been added to the Carolina roster as part of a major league rehab assignment. Miller, who is presently on the 15-day disabled list with right patella tendonitis, will start for the Mudcats on Thursday against the Braves. Miller is 5-9, 5.63 over 20 starts with the Marlins this season. Miller was acquired by the Marlins in the Dontrelle Willis, Miguel Cabrera December, 2007 trade, which netted Cameron Maybin, among others. Miller will start the nightcap of tonight’s Carolina-Mississippi doubleheader at Five County Stadium. Wednesday night’s game was suspended by rain after one half inning, and RHP Nick McCurdy will continue in his Carolina debut when the game resumes at 5:30 PM ET. The opener will be a full nine-inning game, with a seven-inning game to follow. Miller, presently on the 15-day disabled list for the Florida Marlins, will start the seven inning nightcap. Carolina’s series with Mississippi concludes on Friday night. The Mudcats magic number was reduced to six last night with second place Tennessee falling to Montgomery 6-4. For ticket information visit www.carolinamudcats.com or call the Mudcats ticket office at (919) 269-2287.
It’s also Thirsty Thursday night at the ballpark. Oh, and the Mudcats are very good.
A perfect storm for attending the ballgame.
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Friday’s High School Football Games
The 2008 regular season opens Friday night, and several Twin Counties teams are in action. Here’s the schedule:
East Forsyth at Rocky Mount High, 7:30 p.m.
Nash Central at Tarboro, 7:30 p.m.
Trinity Christian at Rocky Mount Academy, 7:30 p.m.
Northern Nash at Wilson Beddingfield, 7:30 p.m.
North Edgecombe at Northwest Halifax, 7:30 p.m.
Obviously, Tarboro vs. Nash Central could be classified as our Game of the Week since there are two area teams battling, but I really have to go with Trinity Christian vs. Rocky Mount Academy.
Trinity Christian is a defending NCISAA state champion. There won’t be a better test for the Eagles this season. RMA has a chance to find out right away where it stands with the big boys.
The Nash Central/Tarboro matchup has implications, too. Nash Central has a new coach and several new players at key positions. A win here is important to start the season on the right foot.
Tarboro needs to show the state that it’s no pushover. The 2-A Vikings would prove it by knocking off the 3-A Bulldogs.
YOUR THOUGHTS: List your comments on the games in the Comments below. I’m curious of what you consider to be the best game of the weekend, and how important some of these games are to their players/coaches/schools.
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The Big Prep Football Rundown
Here’s everything you’ll find on the Telegram’s Web site regarding high school football today:
Sports writer Jessie H. Nunery’s story about the Rocky Mount Football Jamboree.
My column about the jamboree and its future.
Sports writer Matt LaWell’s story about the Tarboro Jamboree.
A photo gallery dedicated to both jamborees.
Nunery’s blog entry on the RMF Jamboree.
LaWell’s blog entry on the Tarboro Jamboree.
The Northern Nash season preview.
The Q&A with Knights coach Chad Smith.
Thank you for reading. The two videos are both touchdown plays. Here is Northern Nash:
Here is Rocky Mount High:
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Panthers Preseason Game 2: The Good and Bad
It’s late, and it’s just preseason game two, so I’ll make this quick tonight.
Eagles win, 24-13.
The game story is here.
Stats breakdown, etc., is here.
GOOD - Jake Delhomme looked good. It’s important for the Panthers’ QB to have a strong season if the crew expects any sort of success. Delhomme was 9-of-14 for 54 yards in his first real action since ligament-replacement surgery in October.
Richard Marshall has made rookie-type mistakes in the past, but he returned an interception off a fake field goal 78 yards for a score in the first quarter. The Panthers will need more of that in the regular season.
Place-kicker John Kasay’s leg is still strong. The 38-year-old booted a 49-yarder in the contest.
BAD - The weather stunk. The game was delayed 58 minutes in the first quarter due to lightning. Tough for the coaches to scout cuttable players in those conditions.
- The Panthers were missing cornerbacks Ken Lucas (nose) and Chris Gamble (hamstring) and strong safety Chris Harris (groin). Wide receiver Steve Smith (concussion) also didn’t play. Tough for the players to be ready for the regular season if they don’t get dirty in the preseason. Don’t listen to the macho talk, either. They need the warmup time.
That’s pretty much it given the circumstances. On to preseason game three vs. Washington at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 23 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
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NEW 6 Conference Football Media Day Coaches’ Videos
Here are the videos from the NEW 6 Conference Football Media Day.
UPDATE, 11:30 p.m.: It took a while to get all six videos up here, so I appreciate your patience, especially regarding Southern Nash. As far as usability, I’m disappointed anyone had trouble with the videos today, but I had trouble with uploading via YouTube, so it might be all related. Anyway, enjoy the coaches’ comments.
Southern Nash’s Brian Foster:
SouthWest Edgecombe’s Raymond Cobb:
Rocky Mount High’s B.W. Holt:
Northern Nash’s Chad Smith:
Nash Central’s Kevin Crudup:
Wilson Fike’s Richie Pridgen:
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Nash Central Video
Here is the final video from the third annual Telegram Football Tour. It’s from Nash Central with its new coach, Kevin Crudup:
Videos by Joel Hodges. Narration by Matt LaWell. Other work done by me and Jessie H. Nunery.
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NEW 6 Conference Football Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Here is how the NEW 6 Conference coaches foresee the league shaking out:
- Rocky Mount High
- SouthWest Edgecombe
- Wilson Fike
- Nash Central
- Northern Nash
- Southern Nash
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Running Goodwin thread
In an attempt to keep up with the national coverage of Brian Goodwin, here is a place to turn to for this week.
Here is my post from the other day.
And here’s what was said about his performance at the East Coast Showcase.
Here and here are a couple of stories we wrote about him during the past week.
Here’s the Los Angeles Times story on the Aflac game.
Here’s prospect blog Breaking Bats’ entry on Goodwin
Rich Lederer of The Baseball Analysts is another well-known MLB draft source. Here’s what he said about Goodwin:
Many of the top players from the Area Code Games also participated in the Aflac All-American High School Baseball Classic at Dodger Stadium on Saturday. The Aflac game, which was televised nationally by FoxSports, tends to attract the best of the best, including several who did not appear at the Area Code Games. Unlike the Area Code Games, all Aflac players must have completed their junior year of high school to be eligible for participation. The Aflac participants are required “to be in good academic standing and display redeeming qualities off the field that embody the ideals of the sport of baseball, including discipline, determination and hard work.” The six-year-old Aflac high school classic has produced 52 first-round draft picks during the past five years, including at least eight (2005) and as many as 13 (2007). Down 2-0 going into the ninth inning, the East staged a sterling comeback victory by scoring four runs, including a game-tying-and-winning single by MVP Brian Goodwin (Rocky Mount HS, NC). The lefthanded-hitting outfielder also singled in the second and impressed me when he took an extra base on a heads-up play while center fielder Kyrell Hudson (Evergreen HS, WA) was trying to sell the umpires that he caught the speedy Goodwin’s line drive.
Here is his bio page for this weekend’s Under Armour All-America Baseball Game, which will be played at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
As more material pops up, I’ll add it here.
UPDATE: Aug. 18 - Brian Goodwin, reportedly — and I use that term because there isn’t much (if any) coverage of Saturday’s Under Armour All-America game at Wrigley Field — went 2-for-4 with a stolen base. I wish I had more, but ESPNU isn’t a station we have on TV here, and I can’t find any newspaper Web sites that covered the game — or at least mentioned Goodwin’s stats.
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SouthWest Edgecombe video
Here is the third annual Telegram Football Tour video from our SouthWest Edgecombe stop:
Thanks for watching.
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Southern Nash video
Here is video from the Southern Nash stop of the third annual Telegram Football Tour:
Video work by Joel Hodges. Narration by Matt LaWell.
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North Edgecombe video
Here is the North Edgecombe video from the third annual Telegram Football Tour:
Nice work by staff photographer Joel Hodges and sports writer Jessie H. Nunery.
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More on Goodwin
Rocky Mount High senior Brian Goodwin has garnered extra attention over the past 24 hours after being named MVP of the Aflac All-American High School Game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
Here’s what Matt Blood of the renowned Baseball America had to say:
Goodwin was given the MVP award, in a no-brainer decision, as he had two hits, drove in two runs and scored a run in the game. Goodwin’s performance on the field over the past nine days (East Coast Pro and Aflac All-American Game) has vaulted his prospect status. Every scout I talk to about Goodwin really likes his speed (In the fifth inning of the game on Saturday, I clocked him at 3.94 seconds from home to first base—the fastest time I have gotten all year), defense, bat and especially the way he plays the game. I’d have to agree. I have now seen Goodwin play in eight games this summer and have liked him more and more every time he takes the field.
Blood also added this:
This evening, I quickly ran down a top-10 prospect list of my own from the performances I saw out of these kids on Friday and Saturday. 1. Tyler Matzek, lhp 2. Donovan Tate, cf, Cartersville (Ga.) HS 3. Matt Purke, lhp 4. Jacob Turner, rhp 5. Mychal Givens, rhp 6. Brian Goodwin, cf 7. Zack Wheeler, rhp 8. Austin Maddox, c 9. Matt Davidson, 1b/3b 10. Slade Heathcott, of/lhp
Not too bad for the homegrown product, who will play football for B.W. Holt this fall.
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The good and bad from the Panthers’ first preseason game
OK, following the Carolina Panthers’ 23-20 win over the visiting Indianapolis Colts (0-2), let’s break down the pros and cons of the contest. Sure, it’s only preseason, but there are still things we can take away from the first scrimmage of the season:
PROS - Julius Peppers, a Twin Counties athletic hero, fared well following a rough 2007 (three total sacks). Saturday night, Peppers had a sack, a forced fumble and quarterback hurry to give the Panthers the ball inside the 20 on their first two possessions. Not too shabby.
From the AP: Peppers, whose three-year streak of Pro Bowl selections was snapped after he was nearly invisible last season, dominated Colts left tackle Tony Ugoh early. His sack forced (Colts backup QB Jim) Sorgi to fumble and Carolina’s Charles Johnson recovered. On the second possession, Peppers hurried Sorgi, and his forced pass was deflected by Gary Gibson and intercepted by Adam Seward. Williams’ TD runs of 1 and 10 yards after both turnovers put Carolina ahead 14-0.
Peppers clearly came out ready to play, ready to show all of us that he’s nowhere close to the end of his All-Pro career.
DeAngelo Williams converted Colts miscues into touchdown runs, finishing with nine carries for 55 yards. The Panthers (1-0) need a big season out of him.
The home crowd didn’t give WR Steve Smith a hard time about his fight with teammate Ken Lucas. Smith received cheers when he made his only catch on the evening.
CONS - QB Jake Delhomme didn’t return from his elbow injury with much success. Well, any success. In his first game after undergoing ligament-replacement surgery in October, Delhomme threw just one pass, an incompletion in the end zone. At least it wasn’t an interception.
The Panthers were facing Sorgi, not All-Pro QB Peyton Manning. Manning is still recovering from knee surgery. Manning has missed both of the Colts’ preseason games. Without Manning, the Panthers couldn’t have a true test for its defense.
The Panthers played without defensive starters Lucas, Chris Gamble, Chris Harris, Jon Beason and Damione Lewis. First-round pick Jonathan Stewart also sat out following his offseason toe surgery. It never helps to have starters not ready to play. But that many this early in 2008? Sheesh.
I give the team a B- tonight. It would be a C, but Peppers reminded us all what he can do.
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Rocky Mount High video
Here is the third annual Telegram Football Tour video from Rocky Mount High:
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Tarboro Video
Here is the Tarboro football video from the third annual Telegram Football Tour:
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Everything you need to follow the Carolina Panthers
Here’s a list of things to get you all the information you’ll need about the Carolina Panthers.
First, we’ll cover games, so make the Telegram a stop for news.
We have a page dedicated to Panthers news, too.
Other great stops:
Here’s a well-made blog about the team in Charlotte.
Another good fan blog.
The Topcats. Purrrrrr. Tiffany is from Rocky Mount.
Another acclaimed fan site
I’m going to add more links to this as good ones pop up.
Again, we’ll post as much information as the preseason progresses and really catalyze once the regular season gets underway.
Thanks for reading. Oh, have thoughts, opinions or questions about the Panthers? Post them here. I’d love to start a discussion and share outlooks.
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Rocky Mount Academy video
Here is the third annual Telegram Football Tour video from Rocky Mount Academy:
Editing and taping by Telegram photographer Joel Hodges; narration by sports writer Matt LaWell.
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Latest comments
Why yes, Samuel Adams’ Octoberfest is a delicate blend of seasonal spices which complement various food offerings of the fall months.
I like mine with nacho cheese.
... read the full comment by Alawishes | Comment on The annual Must-Have Beer returns Read The annual Must-Have Beer returns
I still can’t get the coaches interviews to play beyond the first two seconds, then they hang up. Recently I discovered that’s only when I click them on the rockymounttelegram.com site, but if I do a youtube search under the coaches’
... read the full comment by Ernie Murray | Comment on This week's Twin Counties High School Matchups Read This week's Twin Counties High School Matchups
Worked for me. Nice stuff. That’s something I’ve never seen before.
... read the full comment by Dan Thompson | Comment on NEW 6 Conference Football Media Day Coaches' Videos Read NEW 6 Conference Football Media Day Coaches' Videos
Tried to watch coaches interviews. They don’t work.
... read the full comment by Ernie Murray | Comment on NEW 6 Conference Football Media Day Coaches' Videos Read NEW 6 Conference Football Media Day Coaches' Videos