Football is back, and not just at the collegiate and professional level, either. We'll take a look at each of the classes, and the players and teams to look out for, as well as our pick of the week. AAAA Team to Beat: Central Catholic- Boasting a ranking of 22nd in a national poll, Central Catholic is the early favorite for team to beat in AAAA. The Vikings are led on offense by Vinnie Emanuele, who averaged 6.5 yards per carry last season. On the defensive side of the ball, University ... Read More
Archives for September 2015
Cal football program continues to put players in NFL
When playing football at a high level, the goal is to advance to the next level of competition. For Division I athletes, the next step tends to lead toward the NFL. But for Division II athletes, chances of getting looked at by an NFL squad are rare. Somehow, though, Cal (Pa.) has found a way to put players into the NFL. Heading into the regular season, the Vulcans have three former players currently on NFL rosters — Rontez Miles (S, N.Y. Jets), Tommie Campbell (DB, Jacksonville) and Dewey ... Read More
Brady suspension nullification latest challenge for Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers got their wish. Now the question becomes should the Steelers be careful what they wish for? In a ruling that is certain to send shockwaves throughout the NFL and bring outrage to most fans outside of New England, Judge Richard Berman announced this morning that the four game suspension of Tom Brady related to the "deflategate" scandal has been nullified. In other words, this time next week the Steelers will head to Foxboro not only with the challenge of facing the ... Read More
AM Joe: Football is back!
Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here's your day in sports for Thursday, September 3, 2015. What's on tap for today: The Pirates (79-52) will l0ok to avoid their second consecutive sweep this season at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers (57-75) at Miller Park. Francisco Liriano will try to be the stopper for the Bucs. First pitch is at 7:20 p.m. ROOT Sports Pittsburgh At Heinz Field, the Steelers will wrap up their 2015 preseason slate by hosting the Carolina Panthers at 7:30 p.m. before final ... Read More
Locke, Pirates continue struggles versus NL Central
Coming into Wednesday night's start against the Milwaukee Brewers, Jeff Locke had made two quality starts since June 17. After departing the start, Locke still had two quality starts since June 17 as the Pittsburgh Pirates lost 9-4 to the Brewers. Locke pitched 3.2 innings, matching his shortest outing of the season, which previously came April 28 against the Chicago Cubs. Additionally, relievers Joe Blanton and Arquimedes Caminero saw their scoreless streaks come to an end. Blanton ... Read More
ACC Power Rankings: Week 1
We are set to begin another season of ACC football and there are plenty of questions heading into the 2015 season. Can anyone unseat Florida State as ACC champions? After the Seminoles and Clemson, what do we make of the rest of the conference? There are plenty of more questions to be answered, but now that camps are officially over and the season is upon us, each team will get to make their own statement beginning this weekend. With that being said, let's take a look at how the ... Read More
Pirates recall Florimon, move Guerra to 60-day DL
One day after added six players to their Major League roster, the Pirates have added one more, selecting the contract of shortstop Pedro Florimon from Triple-A Indianapolis. Florimon, 28, had a .105 batting average in 15 games with the Pirates earlier this season. He was designated for assignment on August 19, one day after hitting a walk-off triple to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 15th inning. Today was the first day that he was eligible to be recalled after being assigned to ... Read More
Pitt announces 2015-16 men’s basketball schedule
The Pitt Panthers men’s basketball team and the rest of the Atlantic Coast Conference announced their 2015-16 schedules today. Jamie Dixon’s squad will start the regular season with a trip to Okinawa, Japan to play Gonzaga in the Armed Forces Classic on November 13. That contest will be broadcast on ESPN as the first of 10 nationally televised contests for the Panthers. The next big game on the slate for Pitt will be at the Pedersen Events Center for a showdown with Purdue on December 1 as ... Read More
Jordan Whitehead ready to begin Pitt career
There was a lot of fanfare surrounding Central Valley’s Jordan Whitehead when he decided to commit to Pitt. Once camp started, Whitehead underwent a position change, as despite being ranked the No. 6 cornerback in the nation, Whitehead will begin his Pitt career open Saturday against Youngstown State at safety. While Whitehead isn’t listed as a starter on Pitt’s depth chart, one thing is for sure and that is he will see some playing time on Saturday. For Whitehead, like any other ... Read More
Bryant suspension provides big opportunity for Steelers Heyward-Bey
When Darrius Heyward-Bey was taken seventh overall in the 2009 draft by the Oakland Raiders, he was known more for his speed than production as a player. Immediately labeled another one of the late Al Davis's famous "reaches" before he had even played a down for silver and black, Heyward-Bey struggled to live up to the heightened expectations that come with being a top-10 pick. Though Heyward-Bey would have success as a return specialist and put together a 64-catch, 975-yard season in 2011, ... Read More