—

November 9. Only two things come to mind when I read this date. Neither have to do with sports. Both have to do with the heart. There is love between me and these two things. Deep love. A love that is similar to the one described in “Predicting the Unpredictable.” Maybe you’ve read it, but you could be one of the 99.99 pct of humans on earth that haven’t up to this point.

In the paragraph that builds towards the AAC Preview, I reference the deep bond that I share with the Hometown Tigers and the reason why. It’s this exact type of love that I feel for the two humans that were born on this day over three decades ago. Feliz Cumpuleanos! Spes et fides.

With that–It’s time for this Week’s “General Update.” General Update.

What to Expect:

• Friday Night Lights
• The Round Game
• The Saturday Game
• Top 12 Rankings in CFB
• The Grown Man’s Sunday Game

—

GENERAL UPDATE

“I felt as if I was perched on top of the highest mountain. I could go no further.”- Marco Pierre White

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

The Quarterfinals are complete, and the semifinal matchups are set for the UHSAA Football playoffs.

Near perfect conditions led to some great ball being played by the Utah young men on Friday. As they continue to pursue towards the holy grail of a State Championship, the stakes continue to increase and the intensity of each moment swells. Victories will feel sweeter and losses more bitter. It’s the nature of the playoffs. Let’s see who made the final four.

But before we get to the results, this is how I’ve ranked the teams remaining.

TOP TEAMS RANKED in State:

1. Corner Canyon
2. Skyridge
3. 5A West
4. 4A Ridgeline
5. Mountain Ridge
6. Lone Peak
7. 5A Orem
8. 5A Springville
9. 5A Brighton

No Davis. What does that mean?

6A Quarterfinals:

• Syracuse 14 @ 1 Corner Canyon 56
• Herriman 14 @ Mountain Ridge 22
• Lone Peak 41 @ Davis 38 (2OT)
  • UPSET!

In what may have been the Game of the Year, Davis lost at home to Lone Peak. Lone Peak QB and Idaho St commit, Kepa Niumeitolu rushed in the game tying score with thirty seconds to go in the game. Kicker Jake Barker won the game with a field goal. A game that began 3-3 on his make in the first quarter. Barker made every field goal and every extra point and is my player of the game.

In a game where the stakes were that high, the pressure of the moment could very easily have led to a mistake. Because the Kicker performed his best with the season on the line, he is my player of the game. Well done to all.

Lone Peak continue their journey back up the mountain. They’ve had their pitfalls and hardships this year but have overcome them all to find themselves one game away from a potential rematch with the back-to-back state champs. Oh buddy. I’d love to see this game.

Davis had a tremendous season. Bessinger will go on to Boise St where he will help the Broncos passing attack and players like Itaaheau and Sparrow will load up for next season’s senior campaign.

What a game.

I was attending American Fork and Skyridge, and a youngster rushed past me then turned and shouted in my direction, “Lone Peak just won bro!” He was elated because if his team advanced, they would dodge the number one passing attack in the state and play four-loss Lone Peak instead.

So, who won in the matchup?

• American Fork 29 @ Skyridge 56

I love watching football at Skyridge. If there is a better High School venue, I’ve yet to visit it.

The game was dominated by the home team from start to finish. Sweetwyne to Oswald was a connection made several times throughout the night. Three were for touchdowns.

The defense was electric. #24, #1, and jungle cat like #0 were real-deal impact players. Barrus, Parker, and Kunz. My kind of players on defense.

—

5A Quarterfinals:

• Bountiful 3 @ West 14
• Woods Cross 7 @ Orem 35
• Box Elder 21 @ Springville 28
• Brighton 27 @ Fremont 14
  • UPSET!

4A Key Matchup

• Park City 3 @ 5 Ridgeline 49
  • Ridgeline 12-0
  • vs Provo in Semi’s 11/13 6PM

These results set up next week’s semifinals that will be played at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Games will be on November 13th and 14th. 

6A Semifinals:

• Corner Canyon vs Mountain Ridge 11:00 11/14
• Lone Peak vs Skyridge 2:30 11/14

5A Semifinals:

• West vs Orem 11:00 11/13
• Springville vs Brighton 2:30 11/13

Daytime Friday Night Lights on Thursday and Friday and then play for it all next week.

Who will make it to the state final?

I’ll take Corner to rematch Lone Peak in 6A, and I’ll root for Louie Hamilton and West to face white hot Brighton in 5A.

—

NATIONAL FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS Nugget

• Monte Vista High (CA)

“The 1987 Mustang Football Team completed an unprecedented undefeated 13-0 season by defeating the De La Salle Spartans 14-13 in the North Coast Section Championship at the Oakland Coliseum, ending De La Salle’s 44 game win streak and avenging a loss to the Spartans a year earlier in the 86-championship game.”

The 87 Mustangs were a truly exceptional group of young men from top to bottom, including 9 members who went on to the college football ranks. They are as follows:

• Stuart Hansen QB- Utah State/Utah
• Kristian Hansen QB- Oregon
• Shad Hansen OG/LB- Air Force Academy Prep/BYU
• Schon Branum FB/DE- Air Force Academy Prep
• Steve Abrams RB/FS- Utah
• Chris Swartz WR/FS- Indiana
• Trent Strickland WB/CB- Idaho
• Dave Zeising OT- San Jose State
• Grant Steunenberg FB/LB- San Jose State 

“The 1987 Monte Vista Football Highlight Video, still available on YouTube was an ‘ahead of its time’ production capturing every game (put to music), interviews with coaches and an iconic Oakland Coliseum halftime speech delivered by Defensive Coordinator George Cockerton. Thirty years after their storied season, the 87 Monte Vista Football Team is considered by many as the most accomplished football team in school history.” mvhs.net

A wonderful story worth sharing.

“If you want it, it’s there to be had.”-George Cockerton

You hear that Lone Peak?

—

THE ROUND GAME

A Brief Flashback to a Purple team duo that once dominated the sport of soccer.

These two were legends in the local city soccer league. Legends and outlaws. One of the two would dispossess the other team, usually while delivering a friendly hip check, then drive the full length of the pitch, be two on one with a helpless goalie and slam it home. On repeat over and over again.

Perhaps, there was a mom aged female shouting at the referee over ‘silly’ foul calls. Looking back the poor ref was probably trying to keep the game fair.

The relentless nature of the purple clad duo led them to an undefeated season and to add to their invincible worthy season, I don’t think they won a game by less than 5 and their largest scoreline was 12 or 13-0 depending on who you ask.

It was dominance in its true form. I don’t think I missed a game. Legends of the hayfield.

That was just about the condition of the pitch–a hayfield. Of course, that was way back in the 1900’s. Things have changed a bit since then. Just about every square inch of amateur sports parks are covered in a perfectly leveled turf. No more rocks, holes, bumps, and uneven grass, but the purple duo didn’t mind those things. They were there to win and win big. Week in and week out producing the same inflated scorelines.

You know? Legend has it that a team almost scored on them once, but it’s only that–legend. I don’t think the opposition completed more than two to three dribbles before one the two relentless purple clad players simply ran up and took it from them.

Who knew soccer could be so simple?

—

The Hometown Tigers: Lady Tigers Soccer

AAC Tournament Quarterfinals

• Memphis 3 vs UTSA 3
  • Lost (3-1) on penalty kicks
  • Led 3-1 in the 85th minute

It was a horrific way to lose but, in my opinion, a necessary pain to endure before the NCAA Tournament.

With wins over Mississippi and Vanderbilt and a draw with Tennessee, this Tiger team carries a nice resume into the NCAA Tournament and should still be granted a number one seed.

There is so much more to accomplish. Last night’s loss does not matter in terms of the Memphis Lady Tiger Soccer Team to win the National Championship. The fires of defeat should merely make the team stronger. The team that has won games by five and has also come back to win by one late. The easy breezy wins are nice, but it’s in the fire that true character is formed. It takes both resilience and strength to win a championship, and those are not forged without suffering.

Pick yourselves up Hometown squad; there are plenty that believe in you.

It’s time for the NCAA Tournament. The bracket will be revealed tomorrow around midday.

GO Tigers, GO!

ARSENAL

Champions League

• Arsenal 3– Slavia Prague 0
  • Goals: Merino (2), Saka
  • Arsenal host Bayern Munich 11/26

It was a wonderful night in Prague.

Premier League

• Arsenal 2 @ Sunderland 2
  • Goals: Trossard, Saka

A game that lived up to my expectations. Game of the Weekend across all of sports.

I mean, no offense to Lone Peak/ Davis and the epic game they played, but this was the game of the weekend.

This ain’t Saturday morning orange slice and juice box type of soccer. 

That’s how I wrote it during the game. It was physical, but what any team should expect when making the trip up North. It was only a draw, but a draw will do.

Let’s heal our bruises and be back in two weeks.

Next up for the Gunners:

• Tottenham @ Arsenal 11/23

Arsenal– Still top of the league! This was the first time a goal was conceded by this team since September 28th when Newcastle scored in the 34th minute and lost 2-1. Ballard’s goal in the first half broke the streak on a rocket no doubter shot “full of froth and belief.”

I enjoyed the midweek match in Prague and the fun facts that led up to the match. Champions League nights across Europe are my favorite part of the season. Well, as long as the Gunners are in it. COYG!

SUNDERLAND

• Arsenal 2 @ Sunderland 2

I love this team. It grows every day. A draw was a fair result for the team and their fans. I love the football up North. It just means more to them.

• Sunderland–Currently, fourth in the Premier League standings. What a run for the recently promoted side. Keep going you Black Cats. I’ll keep rooting for you ever game except Arsenal.

Next:

• Sunderland @ Fulham 11/22

OTHER SOCCER:

COMO 1907

• Como 0 – Cagliari 0

Rough one to watch. Another beautiful Como setting, but the football was rough.

Next: 7th Placed Como play at Torino 11/24 at 10:30

WREXHAM

• Wrexham 0 at Portsmouth 0
  • 21 shots between the two.
• Charlton 0 @ Wrexham 1
  • Goal: Windass

Wrexham are up to 13th in the standings and showing the potential to continue the rise.

Next: Wrexham at Ipswich 11/22 at 8:00

—

A big shoutout to the Belgian Leandro Trossard. He played just about the best game I’ve ever seen him play. He was elite in every aspect on Saturday and deserves to be praised. For a while, the question had been “who is the Arsenal out-and out starter on the left?” Well, the answer is clear. It’s Leandro Trossard. The Belgian can hold his own.

—

THE SATURDAY GAME

“The drama’s done. Why then here does any one step forth? — Because one did survive the wreck.” Herman Melville MOBY DICK

• Hometown Tigers

Tulane 38 @ Memphis 32 (FRI)

I can’t help but mourn the Tigers loss for a moment. It truly hurts. I only wish I could’ve done more.

Memphis will travel to Greenville next week for a 2PM game. They finally put us on a Saturday.

On the bright side, the Hometown Tigers are an outstanding 8-2.

Memphis Football is 8-2. Those are words my sweet grandmother would’ve said with the sweetest, softest tone while wearing a Tiger blue crewneck and glowing with joy. That’s the real stuff.

GO Tigers, Go!

TOP GAMES:

• BYU 7 @ Texas Tech 29
• Georgia 41 @ Miss State 21
  • Gunner Stockton 295 Yards, 3 TD, Picks
• Wake Forest 16 @ Virginia 9
  • The “How Can you not root for a puppy game”

OTHER CFB Scores:

• Northwestern 17 @ USC 38 (FRI)
• Oregon 18 @ Iowa 16
• Auburn 38 @ Vanderbilt 45 (OT)
• Wisconsin 13 @ Washington 10
• Syracuse 10 @ Miami 38
• Texas A&M 38 @ Missouri 17
• Cal 29 @ Louisville 26 (OT)
  • CAL bowl eligible
• Montana 29- Eastern Washington 24
  • Montana is 10-0
• Missouri St 21 – Liberty 17
  • Bears are 6-3!
  • Jacob Clark 286 Yards, 3 TD’s
• Arizona 24 – Kansas 20
  • Arizona is Bowl Eligible!
• Ohio St 34 @ Purdue 10

Does anyone want to win the ACC?

By my count, there are eight teams that can make the conference championship game in the ACC in four weeks.

• Wake Forest
• SMU
• Miami
• Pitt
• Georgia Tech
• Louisville
• Duke
• Virginia

I know Wake is a stretch, but if they win out and other teams lose, they will get in. It’s a low probability, but the math makes sense since they hold the head-to-head tie breaker against SMU and Virginia.

Louisville and Virgina blew their chance to take firm hold of the conference by losing to inferior opponents and this only continues to muddy the narrative the rest of the way.

It’s just a matter of time before the ACC picture becomes clear, but it certainly makes picking the ACC rep in the CFP12 a little difficult.

So, enough of the speculation. Let’s look at the playoff rankings as I seeded them last night.

Single High Sports 12 Team Playoff:

1. Ohio St
2. Georgia
3. Indiana
4. Texas A&M
5. Alabama
6. Oregon
7. Mississippi
8. Notre Dame
9. Texas Tech
10. Texas
11. Georgia Tech
12. South Florida

–I’ll still take Ohio St and Georgia, but Indiana is looking mighty strong.

-I like GT to win the ACC due to Haynes King being the best player in the conference. At the end of the day, give me the team with a determined spirit at QB.

-South Florida is my G5 representative at this point. That can still change, but the Bulls have by far and away, the best resume of any of the other qualified teams. Had North Texas not been completely shredded by South Florida 63-36, they would have been my choice, but USF is more deserving. Wins over Boise St, Florida, and North Texas and losses to Miami and Memphis. There are much worse resumes out there–none better than USF at this point.

-This wraps the weekend that was for the Saturday Game. The drama still builds towards the Chosen 12. Things happened, but in a way nothing happened. There is still much we don’t know.

So, let’s do it again next week. At this point, it’s about which one will “survive the wreck.”

The Saturday Game returns November 11th at 5:30 as Running Backs Coach Mo Ibrahim and Kent St travel to Akron.

—

HEISMAN WATCH

• ND RB Jeremiyah Love: 1121 yards, 14 TD’s
• IND QB Fernando Mendoza 2344 yards, 29 TD’s
• OSU QB Julian Sayin 2188 yards, 23 TD, QB Rate 197.1
• UGA QB Gunner Stockton 2066 Yards, 19 TD’s
• GT QB Haynes King 2642 Yards, 23 TD’s

“I never stood a chance.”- Steve McQueen

—

A quick word to our Veterans and all active Military on this Veteran’s Day weekend. May clarity and courage accompany you on the mission and may peace follow you to the hereafter once it’s been completed.

A Lt. Colonel Bombardier that served in WWII is one that is on my mind on this day along with a few others that have served or are currently serving in the Military.

Bravery is required and obedience is necessary to accomplish the mission.

“Jocko had always encouraged us to be aggressive in decision-making. But part of being decisive was knowing and understanding that some decisions, while immediately impactful, can be quickly reversed or altered; other decisions–cannot be undone.”- Leif Babin former U.S. Navy Seal, EXTREME OWNERSHIP

THE SUNDAY GROWN MANS GAME

“Don’t call me sir. I’m not in the Army–just call me Bill.”- Bill Parcells

UPDATE from Nashville:

• Tennessee on a BYE

Tennessee will host Houston 11/16

OTHER NFL Scores:

• Indianapolis 31 – Atlanta 25
  • Future MVP Daniel Jones had 303 Yards and one touchdown in a bounce back game.
  • RB Jon Taylor Stole the show.

Jonathan Taylor carried the ball 32 times for 244 yards and three touchdowns. 244 yards on the ground! Unreal. That’s good for 49.6 Fantasy Football Points! There is not a running back alive doing what this man is doing this year. It’s good to have him back at the top.

• New England 28 – Tampa Bay 23
  • Vrabel is 8-2!
• NYG 20 – Chicago 24
  • Jaxson Dart 308 Yards, Two TD’s
    • Took a knock and left the game late

It’s good to see Vrabel thrive. Football is back in New England. TreVeyon Henderson with a couple of big blasts thru the secondary like he used to do at Ohio St. Love to see it.

Keep grinding Coach Vrabel.

The Patriots are 8-2. Short week before a desperately needed BYE week.

-Jon Taylor. Well done sir. I’m sure the Colts Running Back would respond like this, “Don’t call me sir. I’m not in the Army. Just call me, Jon.”

He’s running straight past his teammate to the MVP.

—

Peace, and love, and family. Well, I don’t have much but I’ve got ‘These 3.’

It’s still November 9th and while that day is important to me for other reasons, it also so happens to be a Sunday Evening and football is just about to kick off on NBC. It’s the modern day “Steel Curtain” Steelers versus hardnosed Harbaugh, gunslinger Herbert, and the Los Angeles Chargers. As always, Al Michaels will tell us the story.

I’m guessing the home team finds a way to win.

With drama at every level and across all leagues, this has been quite a week of both the round and oblong football. Fun, tense, dramatic. I’d go see that movie.

For that–well done football, you always leave me wanting more.

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”- Edmond Burke

THE END

Another “General Update” will be out this same time next Sunday.

Until then,

Find the Humor and Keep on Movin’

Whit W.

Thank you for reading. I Know the site is primitive, but I hope you enjoy the content. It’s wonderful to write each day.