Football for All

Football for All
Nicholas Holzschuh
9-30-13  1:03 pm

Tailgating, Friday nights at your high school, and spending Sundays watching every game; football is something that is incorporated into anyone's life whether they personally play it or not. Football is a game yes, but at the high school level football serves as one of the biggest tools in bringing a major part of a school together outside of an average school day. All those games, the pep rallies, the dressing up, these factors will be what a class remembers the most. It is such a simple thing to just go to a football game on a Fridaynight, but to do as a student of the school it seems to bring so much more intensity. One has four years to experience everything that goes along with being in school with all these activities, but once it is over, going back and redoing what has already been done is not an option. Take advantage of all these chances to make memories with the people that have been there since Pre-K.

Thinking about this same factor and applying it to when one is older or out of school, it is just as effective. On many Sundays, bunches and bunches of people gather to sit around and enjoy each others company while kicking back and watching the game. Football brings people together and allows for many reasons to have a gathering. Comparative to baseball, football is something where each team only plays once a week making a game a little more meaningful because your home team is not going to be playing again the following night.

Not only is football a big deal in a fan's perspective, but additionally  even more to a players. Football could be compared to being at school every time a step is taken onto the field. The game can teach a person so much based on how disciplined

it is. Being a part of something like a football teams make ones responsibility level much higher than others. Football forces a player to be the best they can be, and to challenge themselves to their maximum potential. When this is applied on the field, it seems to show a lot off the field as well. Someone can catch themselves just being courteous and keeping someones head up just because they have learned and been accustomed to staying positive and always being positive even in a negative situation.

To some people, football really is not their style. They may just never watch it or have no idea how the game works anyways. Anyone who is on this bandwagon needs to jump off and go to an NFL Sunday once in awhile. Meeting up with a bunch of people and watching a sporting event is tradition all over the nation. Its tradition for a reason; it is a fun and enjoyable time, so to all the people against watching a good game , I suggest  going to the television next Sunday and watching a game or two because your mind just might be changed.

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Cross Country - Dedication, Discipline, and Desire

Cross Country - Dedication, Discipline, and Desire
Nicholas Holzschuh
9-30-13  12:54 pm

Everybody is physically fit to their own potential, some are more physically capable than others because of hard work and dedication and others just because of being born with the correct gene. Even the guys that consider themselves to be very physically fit could only do a slight amount of what this sport consists of. Imagine running miles upon miles a day. All the sweat, the hard work, the dedication, it takes so much to be a cross country runner.

Running is something that a person thinks they can just go out and do and they will be amazing at it. The fact of the matter is that having such an endurance requires much training. Additionally, to do it right, one has to be able to change their running form and run like a cross country runner would; comparative to baseball when one has to change their batting form to properly hit the ball.

To some people going out onto the cross country course or stepping onto the track is just like running out onto the football field right before the game. Most people are not big fans of running nor would they voluntarily do it, but to the ones that run miles upon miles daily running is a boost of excitement. To many it is like a natural high just to be able to go out and go for a jog. Some people will go on a run when they are feeling bad or down in the dumps because it releases stress.

Anyone who is as dedicated as a cross country runner should be developing many of the quality essentials for life. There are so many things that are learning factors earlier in life to help us develop the attributes of a responsible adult. It is crazy to think how much people have evolved and grown up just in ones own class. Much of the reason for this evolvement or “growing up” is sports. Sports give us that extra that school itself does not. Sports in high school help people to grow and develop into who they are going to become. Many things are required to become a responsible human being and cross country itself is not the only thing, but something that requires being apart of something a little bigger than just one's own self and something that requires structure can only help thriving in life whether one decides to believe it or not.

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Upcoming Spirit Days!

Upcoming Spirit Days!
Anna Nicks
9-26-13  1:00 pm

OWENSVILLE, MO-With the homecoming football game and dance quickly approaching, it's that time of year again!  It's time to roll out your imagination, because the spirit days have returned.  This year's theme is Hollywood.  This Fall's theme is Reaching for the Stars and Win.  Without further ado, here are the dress-up days!

Monday - Silent Movie Day (Dress in Black and White)
Tuesday - Favorite Movie (Dress like your favorite movie character)
Wednesday - Bright Like a Star (Wear bright colors)
Thursday - Hex Day (Wear opposing team colors)
Friday - Game Day! (Wear all of your orange and black!)

The game will be on October 4th.  The dance will be on October 5th at the ROSEBUD AMERICAN LEGION.  It is semi-formal and will go from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm.  Show up and show some spirit!

NFL Playoff Predictions

NFL Playoff Predictions
Zane Derby-West
9-26-13  12:52

OWENSVILLE, MO-This year the playoff bracket will be hard to predict from both leagues. In the NFC, there are about five teams who are going to dominate, and a few teams left for one wild card spot. The AFC is very hard to predict because there are three teams that have shown they are  playoff teams. The rest of the teams have a lot to prove in the AFC.

The NFC is loaded with teams who could end up winning the Super Bowl. The five teams I think will automatically make the playoffs are Seattle, San Francisco, Atlanta , New Orleans, and Green Bay. Other teams do have a chance, like Philadelphia, Washington, Tampa Bay, Arizona, or St.Louis. They definitely have talent ,however, there is only one spot open because those other teams have proven that they are better.

I have Seattle winning the NFC West and being the number one seed. From the same division San Francisco has the second seed. That means both teams with a bye will be from the NFC West. My third seed is Atlanta coming out of the NFC South. The fourth and fifth seed will be between New Orleans and Green Bay, with New Orleans being a wild card and Green Bay winning the NFC North. The NFC East used to be the powerhouse division in the NFC, but many of the teams have had downfalls besides Philadelphia, who has a new coach in Chip Kelly and they look very good. They are my sixth seed, winning the NFC East in front of the Redskins, where RG3 is not healthy. The Giants look terrible and Dallas does not have a run game.

The AFC is definitely not the powerhouse conference. Although, there are three teams right now that could end up competing up with the NFC champs. Denver, Houston, and New England are the teams that could compete against the very talented NFC. There are  many teams though that are talented but, have not proven themselves. Like, the Bengals, Ravens, Colts, Chiefs, and Chargers.

If injuries do not affect the Broncos, they will sure be the top contender for the number one seed in the AFC and win the AFC West. The other playoff bye will be between Houston, who wins the AFC South, and New England, who wins the NFC East. I think it will go to Houston because of their defense and because New England does not have any receivers. I have Baltimore getting the first wild card and the fourth seed. The fifth seed and the second wild card goes to Kansas City who is very talented. Alll they needed was a quarterback and a coach the last couple of years and they have that now so do not be surprised if they go even higher with the talent they have. Winning the AFC North and taking the sixth seed will be Cincinnati. They are very raw, but  it could definitely happen in Cincinnati.

The matchups in the first round of AFC Playoffs will be New England vs. Cincinnati and Baltimore vs. Kansas City with Denver and Houston having the two byes. I have New England and Kansas City winning.  Second round matchups are Denver vs. Kansas City and New England vs. Houston. Denver and Houston are the last two left and Denver will beat Houston to win the AFC.

In the NFC, the first round matchups will be Atlanta vs. Green Bay and New Orleans vs. Philadelphia. Philadelphia and Atlanta will come out on top. Second round matchups will be Seattle vs. Philadelphia and San Francisco vs. Atlanta. Seattle and San Francisco come out on top and Seattle defeats San Francisco.

That means the Denver Broncos will face the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl. This matchup is Offense vs. Defense. Offence being Peyton Manning who looks better than ever and arguably the best set of receivers he has ever had. Seattle’s defense will not be enough to handle Denver’s offense and veteran leadership. I have Denver winning 34-14.

RG3: Is He Back?

RG3:  Is He Back?
Zane West-Derby
9-26-13  12:50 pm

OWENSVILLE, MO-Everybody is wondering, if Robert Griffin 3 will be back to normal after he tore his ACL.

Dr. James Andrews, a highly respected doctor, had to repair Griffin’s ACL after he had fell awkwardly on his knee on January 6th, 2013.

On January 9th, 2013 Andrews performed knee reconstruction surgery. At first Andrews thought he had just a slight tear in his ACL and LCL ,however, that was not the case. He had a full tear in his ACL and LCL. Once the surgery was done he asked for the dates of the first day of training camp and the season opener. His dad told him those dates and Griffin put the date of the opener as his password to his phone.

In February, Andrews said that Griffin should be back for the start of the season. After that, Adidas started running a promotional video and Griffin had said he was “all in” for the beginning of the season.

In March, Griffin texted ESPN’s Trey Wingo, “My knee is getting better every day. The doctors say I'm ahead of schedule. My goal is to return healthy in week one but if I'm not ready then I will wait until I am, however long that is. My first NFL season and my injury that ended it showed me a lot about the league, my team, and myself. I know where my responsibility is within the dilemma that led to me having surgery to repair my knee and all parties involved know their responsibilities as well. I’m looking forward to playing the game we all love so much again and not behind at the negative. thanks for the overwhelming level of support that I've received, sic’em Bears and hail to the Redskins!!”.

When May came around, there were pictures of Griffin throwing.

In July, Griffin married the love of his life and started full practices.

August 7th Griffin started ramping up drills and started 11-on-11 drills. Griffin did not play a single preseason game, but wanted to play in the regular season.The rest of August Griffin was waiting for an approval from Andrews to play in the first game.

On September 2nd, Griffin finally received the news he was wanting for a long time: Andrews cleared him to play the first game and Coach Shannahan named Griffin the starter for week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Griffin’s return did not start off well at all. On the first play he handed the ball off to Alfred Morris and Morris fumbled the ball letting the Eagles recovered. On his second possession he threw his first pass that was complete, but was taken back because of an illegal shift. His second throw was an interception. The third possession ended up with a safety because of a bad shovel pass to Morris. The quarter had ended after that and Philadelphia tied the record for most plays in the 1st quarter (30).

In the second quarter, and Griffin’s fourth possession, he almost threw an interception (defender dropped the pass) and it ended with a punt. The fifth possession ended with a punt, and Griffin looked terrible as he was throwing off his back foot the whole time. The sixth possession ended with yet another punt in which he was hit very hard two times and was slow to get up. In the seventh possession, the Redskins got nowhere because of two false starts and that ended the half.

To start the half the Redskins had a good drive going until a sloppy pass ending the eighth possession with an interception. Ninth possession Griffin had his first run of the year for 8 yards. It was the first time they passed the 50 yard line and get into the redzone, but ended with a missed field goal. Tenth possession Griffin still looked bad but Morris took them down the field for a touchdown. That ended the third quarter.

Eleventh possession Griffin actually looked good and ended with a touchdown pass. Twelfth possession Griffin started to get on a roll but, could not convert on fourth down. To end the game and the thirteenth possession Griffin threw for a long touchdown pass

Although Griffin is a freak of nature and is able to play to the level he is at in just 8 months he is going to need a couple more months to get back to the standards he was at last year. Griffin is not back yet, but about half way through the season he should be back to normal.

In the Halls

In the Halls
Kelsey Kern
9-24-13  1:10 pm

OWENSVILLE, MO-4 minutes, that’s all the time you get. That’s right; we’re talking about the short amount of time we get in-between classes. In this amount of time students manage to fit, getting to class, socializing, and talking with their special someone. Is it enough though? What about bathroom breaks, maybe picking up a snack, or switching the correct books out in your locker?

     “It’s really just not enough sometimes, It’s like I’m always rushing,” Junior Sue Meyer states.  Do you feel like you’re always rushing to get to class? Through the crowded hallways and almost impossible to avoid traffic jams it almost seems like rushing is a must. Others complain that they have to walk half way across the building; they don’t even get time for a bathroom break!

“I have to go from the English hallway, all the way down to the math hallway, I don’t get to socialize and not even use the restroom. I really wish we had a few extra minutes.”  Junior Danika Donatii informs us.

So there you have it, do you wish we had more time in the halls? Or would that just cause chaos? 

Dutchmen Soccer?

Dutchmen Soccer?
Kelsey Kern
9-24-13  1:08 pm

OWENSVILLE, MO-So, now that we’re getting pumped for this spring’s new girls soccer team, what about those boys? Since the new girl’s soccer team was passed at the beginning of this school year there’s been quite the fuss. “If the girls get a soccer team, we should have one too!” Has been a common quote heard throughout many of the halls in the school.  Well should the boys get one too, or is this just a test run?

  “I think this is just like a test run to see if soccer will become a big sport at the school.” Sophomore Angelia Dolan States.  Soccer in general is a pretty big sport worldwide, but will it become a big sport in our school?  Most people seem to think so, after all a lot of students have been waiting for this team to come along.

“I honestly think by next fall the boys are going to have a team too.” Sophomore Blake Bohl told us.  After all wouldn’t it only be fair? So I guess by next fall we’ll find out if the boys get their wish, so stick around and go out there and support our teams!