PAGES - TC Sports September 20th

VOLLEYBALL STANDINGS - Week 4

Iowa Farm Bureau and University of Iowa Athletics Team Up for ANF Game on Sept. 23

Chad Greenway named this year’s recipient of the ANF Wall of Honor

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa—September 18, 2017— Iowa Farm Bureau and the University of Iowa will showcase the many ways “America Needs Farmers” at the seventh annual ANF Game Day, held Saturday, Sept. 23 at Kinnick Stadium. This nationally televised game against Penn State will bring the story of agriculture to a whole new audience of consumers, but there will also be plenty of ways to celebrate ANF before the 6:30 p.m. kickoff.  Once again, many family-friendly activities are on tap at the Iowa Farm Bureau ANF Legends Tent in Krause Family Plaza, beginning at 1:00 p.m. leading up to the kickoff. 

            New this year, fans will have the opportunity to be part of the first Iowa Hawkeye ANF picture mosaic. Beginning Sept. 20, Hawkeye fans can submit on americaneedsfarmers.org or tag photos with #ANFPoster on Twitter or Instagram to make up a larger photo displayed on an 80-inch monitor which will be on display at the Iowa Farm Bureau ANF Legends tent located south of the stadium. Fans who get their photo taken at the tent to add to the collage have an opportunity to win ANF gear instantly and will also receive an 8-inch by 10-inch mosaic “selfie” print made up of photos of other Hawkeye fans as well as Iowa farmers. 

 “This mosaic will be a fun addition for Hawkeye fans to enjoy, and it embodies what America Needs Farmers is all about,” said IFBF President Craig Hill. “As the picture comes together, we’ll see Iowa is made up of diverse farmers and Iowans who rely on the goods farmers help produce including those that make up everyday items like tires, medicine, and batteries. And it takes Iowans’ support of agriculture to make it all happen.”

Tent visitors can visit with farmers and play tailgate toss for a chance to win ANF prizes and get autographs from former Hawkeye greats including Marvin McNutt, Kevonte Martin-Manley, James Vandenberg and this year’s ANF Wall of Honoree Chad Greenway.

Greenway played linebacker for the Iowa Hawkeyes from 2002 to 2005, and during his tenure was named first-team All-American by Pro Football Weekly, first-team All-Big Ten and Iowa Hawkeye Special Teams Player of the Year. He played his NFL entire career with the Minnesota Vikings, earning accolades for his work on and off the field, including being named the Byron “Whizzer” White Award winner and the Vikings’ Community Man of the Year for his charitable work to causes and communities. Greenway credits his strong work ethic to the work he did on his family farm near Mount Vernon, South Dakota where they raised pigs, cow-calf pairs, corn, soybeans, and wheat.

“My family and I are so proud to represent the U of Iowa and ANF on the wall of fame!  This honor is truly special to me as I grew up on a farm in rural South Dakota and love all aspects of farming,” stated Greenway. “Being a part of such a special movement is something I will cherish forever.  On Iowa Go Hawks!”

Greenway is the sixth recipient of the America Needs Farmers Wall of Honor, saluting former University of Iowa football players who exemplify the tenacity, work ethic and character of the Iowa farmer.   Greenway will be introduced on-field during the game, and a special ANF presentation by the Hawkeye Marching Band will happen during the pregame.

            ANF was created by former University of Iowa football head coach Hayden Fry in 1985 during the Farm Crisis of the 1980’s, a severe economic situation affecting farmers in the Midwest. This year marks the 32nd anniversary of ANF, a longstanding tribute to America’s farmers and a way to connect with Iowa’s farm families to learn more about the production of food, fuel, and fiber. Fans can show their ANF and Hawkeye pride by purchasing merchandise during game day in shops around the stadium with a portion of the proceeds by these sales supporting the Iowa Food Bank Association. This year, ANF gear sales have contributed $32,000 to the Iowa Food Bank Association, and since the inception of the Iowa Farm Bureau and University of Iowa’s partnership in 2011 have raised $145,750 to feed hungry Iowans.

For more information about ANF and Game Day activities, visit www.americaneedsfarmers.org.

FOOTBALL STANDINGS - Week 4 class 1A District 3 and 4 standings

Here are the football standings for week 4 of the Iowa High School Football season.  These standings and scores are for class 1A District 3 and 4 of which, all of the Conservative area football teams reside.

Scarbrough's Take: End of First Quarter, Who's Really Still In The Game?

September 16 2017, Tuscaloosa, AL.  Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs (49) puts the pressure on Colorado State Rams quarterback Nick Stevens (7) at Bryant-Denny Stadium.  Photo credit: Marvin Gentry-USA Today Sports.

By Lyn Scarbrough, Lindy's Sports

Many times, maybe most times, you can’t tell what the outcome of a game will be at the end of the first quarter.

Take this past Saturday. East Carolina led Virginia Tech, 17-7, after 15 minutes. The final … Hokies 64, Pirates 17.

Tulane led Oklahoma in Norman, 14-7, in the first quarter. The final … Sooners 56, Green Wave 14.

Even the smaller schools aren’t immune. The Michigan Tech Huskies led after one period over the Grand Valley State Lakers, 7-0, before being crushed, 42-7, in their Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference opener.

So, while it’s no guarantee of the final outcome, evaluating the first quarter can give insight into what might happen by halftime.

With three games of the 12-game schedule in the books for most SEC teams, which teams are really still in the game after the first quarter?

The Favorites are still Alabama and Georgia.

The Crimson Tide, everybody’s preseason choice, is still favored by a majority of voters in the national polls. The wins have been impressive on the scoreboard and Bama should stay at the top until somebody proves they shouldn’t be there. This team shouldn’t have a weakness and shouldn’t lose a regular season game.

But, is everything as it should be? Alabama ranks 64th nationally in total offense despite having played two non-powers (Fresno State, Colorado State) at home and its pass completion percentage ranks 40th nationally.

The defense, acclaimed as football’s best, has raised even more questions. Fresno State, which entered this season with the nation’s longest losing streak, had 18 first downs and almost 300 yards at Bryant-Denney two weeks ago. Last Saturday, Colorado State had 22 first downs, almost 400 yards and converted on 10 third downs.

Still, being realistic, there’s nobody before December that should be favored over Alabama. The record should be 12-0 heading into the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta. Right now the polls say this is the No. 1 team in the country, but after watching Clemson, Oklahoma, Penn State and Oklahoma State, it hasn’t looked that way on the field.

Like Bama, Georgia continues to look like the best team in its division. The Bulldogs have the SEC’s most significant non-conference road victory, winning at Notre Dame. This may not be a championship contending Fighting Irish team, but it is Notre Dame, and the ‘Dawgs played with a first-time starting true freshman quarterback and had to come from behind late.

Both favorites face what could be challenging tests on Saturday, each playing one of the teams that have been …

Pleasant Surprises … Vanderbilt, Mississippi State and Kentucky.

On paper, Vandy could present a big hurdle for Alabama, which plays in Nashville. The Commodores rank No. 1 nationally in total defense, No. 1 in scoring defense, No. 1 in fewest passing yards allowed, No. 2 in tackles for loss and in the Top 30 in rushing defense. They are 3-0 for the first time since 2011; their win over Kansas State was the first over a ranked non-conference team in 70 years. And, the ‘Dores feel like they have something to prove. Despite everything listed here, they were left out of this week’s Top 25. In fact, six other SEC teams are ranked above them and they opened as an 18-point underdog to Bama at home.

Unfortunately for Vanderbilt, the game isn’t played on paper. Look for Alabama to get it together, the Commodores to meet reality and the Crimson Tide to comfortably cover the line. But, bowl eligibility for Vandy does look more plausible
now than it appeared three weeks ago.

The visiting Bulldogs have a better chance to pull the upset in Athens. Mississippi State has the SEC’s best quarterback in Nick Fitzgerald and his supporting cast is playing much better than predicted. Nobody was surprised at the 2-0 start, and a few picked the win over LSU … but not 37-7.

State will travel from Starkville with momentum and confidence. Opposite Fitzgerald is a unit that is No. 4 nationally in total defense, No. 6 in passing yards allowed, No. 6 in scoring defense and in the Top 30 in rushing defense. This is not a one-man team. If State can win in Sanford Stadium, they will become the most likely threat for Alabama in the division … at least for another week. (The Tide plays in Starkville on Nov. 11.)

The third pleasant surprise team, Kentucky, has the best chance to make a statement – and end one the most dominating streaks in college football – when Florida plays in Lexington. The Gators have won 30 consecutive games against The Wildcats. That losing streak is the longest in the nation and the longest in Southeastern Conference history in any series.

But things seem different this time. Florida, with zero offense in the season-opening disaster against Michigan, avoided back-to-back losses to Tennessee on a miracle game-winning Hail Mary pass with no time remaining. The Gators had only 14 first downs and were outgained on their home field by the struggling Volunteers. The Wildcats (3-0, 1-0) with a win at South Carolina picked up its second road victory of the season and is in position to become Georgia’s biggest threat in the division with a win.

The Gators are among several conference teams that could still be league contenders, but must overcome weaknesses that have caused legitimate questions.

Auburn may be the biggest mystery after one quarter. Despite the 2-1 start and national ranking, many fans are critical, near hostile, in voicing the dissatisfaction that has come from an 11-sack outing at Clemson and five lost turnovers against Mercer which caused a dominating game on the field to have a shockingly dangerous margin on the scoreboard.

Defensively, few have been better. After three games, the Tigers are No. 2 nationally in total defense, No. 6 in tackles for loss, No. 9 in fewest passing yards allowed, No. 11 in scoring defense and No. 12 in rushing defense. And, that comes despite playing at Clemson, the team that one week later amassed 610 yards and scored 47 points in massacring Louisville on the road. The kicking game is solid and the offense has been adequate against opponents not named Clemson. This team could win a lot or lose several more. By halftime of the season, fans will have better idea of which will be right.

After the debacle in Starkville, there may be only one solution for LSU – fire Les Miles … oh, never mind …

So what other solution can the Tigers find? This is an extremely young team, playing as many as 20 freshmen. Even so, you can’t explain away a 30-point loss. Thirty points! To Mississippi State!

Fortunately, Syracuse and Troy come to Baton Rouge before the end of September. While nothing is certain … just ask Baylor … LSU should be 4-1 before playing at Florida and entertaining Auburn in early October.

When Texas A&M and Arkansas meet in Arlington, Tex. on Saturday, this will determine which team realistically stays alive and which one has a head coach with his seat getting hotter. The Aggies have already suffered the second greatest comeback defeat in college football history to UCLA, a team that lost to Memphis a few days ago. The Razorbacks were hammered, 28-7 at home, by TCU, a team they beat on the road last season. Critics are loud in College Station and Fayetteville.

Ole Miss lost to California on the road in a game that it led 10-0 after one quarter (there that is again), and led 16-0 at intermission before the Bears outscored them in the second half, 20-0. With no bowl trip possible, NCAA action ongoing, and facing trips to Alabama, Auburn, Kentucky and Mississippi State, positive results by halftime of the season, or most anytime, don’t seem likely.

In the East, South Carolina’s high hopes came crashing down as Kentucky stopped several late Gamecock scoring threats in the upset win, while Carolina was losing Deebo Samuel, the SEC’s most dynamic scoring threat, for the season with a leg injury. But, rebounding by the season’s halftime is not out of reach. The ‘Cocks next three games are winnable, before the last six games that are more challenging.

Tennessee has an off week to recover from the gut-wrenching loss in Gainesville. Not really, the Volunteers play UMass, but that’s about the same thing. After that, it’s Georgia and South Carolina in Knoxville, then at Alabama and at Kentucky. If more than one of those is a loss, the coach’s seat will be getting hotter there, too.

Then, there’s Missouri. The team that opened the season with 72 points and 815 total yards against Missouri State, had three points and 203 yards against Purdue.

Three points! Against Purdue! At home!

Missouri won’t contend for any titles and almost for sure won’t play a game after the week of Thanksgiving. But, the Tigers do host Auburn, Florida and Tennessee. A win over any of those would make its season and there are still a few other possible wins.

The SEC’s second quarter starts on Saturday. If it’s anything like the first one, there will be more surprises, more disappointments and many more answers when the conference reaches halftime.

Lindy's Sports columnist Lyn Scarbrough is a contributor to this blog.  He lives deep in SEC country and offers his take on the College Football landscape.

Moustakas breaks Royals single-season home run record!

MLB News: Royals Third baseman Mike Moustakas Breaks Kansas City Royals Home Rrun Record

TORONTO — Mike Moustakas has become the Royals' all-time single-season home run king, hitting his 37th roundtripper of the year tonight off Carlos Ramirez of the Toronto Blue Jays. Moose's 37 home runs top Steve Balboni's 1985 total of 36, which stood as the club record for 32 seasons. Moose's stellar season has been one for the ages as he hit more home runs than any other Royals player before the All-Star break, clubbing 25 of them prior to the Midsummer Classic. He also became the third Royal to participate in the Home Run Derby, joining Bo Jackson (1989) and Danny Tartabull (1991). His 37th home run this season was also his 118th in a Royals uniform, one behind Balboni for 12th on the franchise's all-time list.

FOOTBALL STANDINGS - Week 3 class 1A District 3 and 4 standings

Here are the football standings for week 3 of the Iowa High School Football season.  These standings and scores are for class 1A District 3 and 4 of which, all of the Conservative area football teams reside.

PODCAST - Coaches Corner Podcast September 8th

PODCAST - Coaches Corner Podcast - September 8th


On today's CCP:

Tipton Football Coach Joe Zeutenhorst
Wilton Football Coach Ryan Hetzler
Durant Football Coach Joel Diedrichs
Tipton Cross-Country Coach Eric Walsh
Tipton Volleyball Coach Amy Calonder

FOOTBALL STANDINGS - Week 2 Class 1A District 3 and 4 standings

Here are the football standings for week 2 of the Iowa High School Football season.  These standings and scores are for class 1A District 3 and 4 of which, all of the Conservative area football teams reside.

PODCAST - Coaches Corner Podcast - September 1st

PODCAST - Coaches Corner Podcast - September 1st

On the Podcast This week: 

Tipton Football Coach Joe Zeutenhorst

Wilton Football Coach Ryan Hetzler 

Wilton AD Marc Snavely

Durant Football Coach Joel Diedrichs

Tipton Swimming Coach Whitney Gehrs