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Railers
dominate in opener
I am so proud of the Lincoln Railer
football team and the coaching squad that I could almost hug 'em!
Following their 33-14 victory over Olympia Friday night, you could
not wipe a smile off any of our players' faces. And why would you
want to?
When coach John Oaks came to Lincoln he
cautioned us that rebuilding would be a huge undertaking that would
take a lot of time. I think many were skeptical. I'm so pleased for
him, his staff and their players. They have worked so hard for this.
Will they win the CS8 and go to the playoffs? I don't know. But they
did win their opener and find themselves sitting at 1-0.
What was really cool about the whole
experience was watching the looks on the boys' faces for several
days leading up to their game with Olympia. They were determined and
expected to win!
How 'bout the job turned in by both
lines? I know that many others will get lots of credit, but
controlling those lines of scrimmage may make Lincoln a threat in a
lot more games this season! We're not going to mention any names
this week… It was a team win and we want them to bask in some glory
as a whole. We also want them to make every preparation to win in
week two! The Railers are easily our team of the week!
Nice going, Coach Oaks and Railers.
We're looking for more wins and a productive and exciting season!
Taylor
was right/wrong?
Once again LDN writer and CITV
commentator Greg Taylor was correct in predicting the successes and
failures of the Cards and Cubs this weekend. He rightly predicted
that the Cubs would struggle with the Brewers and that the Cards
would solve the Great American Ballpark riddle. This is why we hire
the best and why money is no object when doing so. I just hope the
bookmakers don't start calling!
I don't understand why St. Louis has
had so much trouble with Cincy, but I'm glad they finally got off
the snied! What a performance by Sterling Hitchcock! And does Albert
Pujols even surprise you anymore? And for those who think Barry
Bonds is an easy runaway winner for the MVP award, I'd like you to
tell us where the Birds would be if not for Pujols. He is every bit
as valuable as Bonds and maybe then some. San Francisco has a little
bit better team around Barry; take it from someone who roots for the
Giants! At the least they should be co-MVPs!
As for the Cubs and their Milwaukee
troubles, it's time to stop taking them lightly! It's also time to
stop making base-running blunders in games that are decided by one
or two runs!
That kind of stuff drives me crazy.
When I managed (actually on the collegiate level I coached,
not managed), I let the players conduct their own kangaroo court.
They fined players for bonehead plays like poor base running. Then I
would look over their fines and make adjustments to the lineups.
They liked the fairness, and it helped me and the coaching staff
stay objective.
At any rate, these Central Division and
wild card races are as zany as any I can ever remember. Any one of
the six teams could run away with it, or it could go down to the
final day of the season! And the wild cards might even have to have
a playoff. MLB wanted parity, and I think they have reached it at
least on some level.
And speaking of figuring things out… It
appears as if the White Sox finally discovered how to beat
Detroit. There was an uprising about Manual's pitching decisions
this week, but like coach Randy Kirk has always said, "We have to
assume that the manager and the GM both no more about it than any of
us fans do." Touche, Coach, and good luck down in Corydon, Ind.!
Illini's
opener NOT Railer good
Greg was wrong about the Illini… He
told me he had a good feeling, and I let it go at that. He and the
boyz tell me that I missed a heartbreaker Saturday at the dome in
St. Louis, as the Illini came up short 22-15.
I stayed behind for the parade, and it
sounds like we had more fun. I'll let Greg and the others bring you
up to speed on the game, and I'll check in with you next week.
[to top of second column in this
article]
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 Redbirds
not pretty in opening win…
But ISU did dust off Drake 27-13 in
Normal on Thursday night. A nice crowd, including the LDN, watched
the Redbirds overmatch the Bulldogs behind some great running. A
great halftime show by the band coupled with one of the most
inspiring fireworks shows that you'll find anywhere may have even
overshadowed the game! If you want another good fun-filled family
trip, we recommend a trip to an ISU football game. Our family and
friends love 'em!
We'll have more on the Redbirds and the
Illini next week since they meet each other Saturday in Chambana!
Paid
football
According to NFL sources, the St. Louis
Rams have signed Lincoln's
Andy King, and he
is on the roster as a backup lineman. News out of Detroit is that
Lincoln's Tony Semple has not been signed. The source did not
indicate whether he would sign a lesser contract and stay with the
Lions or if he would try to hook on with someone else. We'll keep
you posted on any developments.
"FANdamonium"
is just one week away
Since we know that many gear their
calendars around "FANdamonium," it seems only fitting to warn you
that Greg and I will be back starting this next Monday night, Sept.
8, from 6 to 7 p.m.! Give us a call at 735-3306 with your question
or comment. We are really looking forward to another exciting year
of sports talk and happenings!
Farewell,
Preston Carnahan
That's right. We said so long to yet
another former Railer great as Preston Carnahan flew off to Seattle
this past weekend on his way to catch his new assignment on his new
boat sailing Alaska's Inside Passage.
IF any LDN reader would like to fund
this LDN reporter's trip to get an inside look at that way of life,
call the editor and let us know of your desires.
Seriously, we are really proud of
Preston, as we are of all our students who have matriculated here in
Logan County and are now in all parts of the world representing us.
I think we take a few shots because sports brings our friends like
Brian Cook and others into the limelight.
I don't know how the rest of the LDN
staff feels, but as for me, I'm just as proud of the kids who can't
even spell sports! I'm proud of the ones who are academic successes.
I'm proud of the ones who can sing and dance. I'm even proud of the
ones who think they can't do anything and struggle with their
self-esteem and their self-worth. And, yes, I feel that kids from
all walks off life should get as much press and as much coverage as
any sports superstar, but I don't make the rules. However, if you
agree with me, maybe together we can either start or continue to
encourage all Logan County students to just make their lives count!
I had some good people encourage me throughout my whole life; maybe
you have too. Let's all work together to let our area kids know that
they are special to us now and that they always will be!
Preston just reminded me that I wanted
to make that statement here this week. He was never 6-foot-10. He
never did spectacular dunks or audition for any of the fashionable
street ball teams. He was not a flashy or a selfish player. But he
has the heart of a champion! The Railers would have NEVER gone to
state without him, period! And the characteristics that made him a
great Railer athlete are making him an even better man, officer and
a gentleman!
And, yes, I know that there are other
Logan County kids making good all over the place. Why don't you
write us and tell us about them? Include some photos if you've got 'em.
We'll create an inspiring scrapbook through the auspices of the LDN
that will encourage all kids who come after them that there is a
right way to do things and that our community stands on guard to
help you succeed and to share in your proudest moments. We will also
be there when you fail, to help you pull yourself back up by your
shoelaces! If the sesquicentennial can teach us anything, it is that
our youth are our legacy!
Have a great
week, everybody!
[Jeff Mayfield]
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