“Players dive for football passes, perfect weather for skipping classes! Rainy days are back, keeping students on track. Leaves fill gutters, making homeowners mutter. Few chilly nights to make us shudder.”- OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

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It was well into Sunday Morning when Hawaii completed their beatdown of Utah St. A monster fourth quarter earned the Rainbow Warriors a 44-26 victory. This game capped a busy College Football Saturday that was full of surprises. We will get to all of those scores in a bit along with everything else from the sports weekend.

—

From 76 degrees yesterday afternoon, to rain/ sleet around 7:45Pm, to 38 degrees and first frost of the season this morning–this weekend has shown us just about every season but Summer. Fine by me. I’ll take three seasons in a day just as long as one of them isn’t Summer. Those high temps can wait until July. This–is football season. This is football weather. Also, delicious food weather and great recipes are needed for both winning late season football games and quelling the cold temps.

However, the air is not cold or even cool in Kansas City this evening. Over 80 degrees right now as the Chiefs host the Lions from Detroit. Give me Gibbs for 80+ yards and two TD”s. Who knows–Al Michaels can tell us all about it while we go on a journey recapping the weekend’s highlights.

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 American Pastime Game
The Grown Man’s Sunday Game

—

GENERAL UPDATE

RECIPE: Cazzola

A Lombardy Regional Favorite: Cassouela or Cazzouela, or Italianized as Cazzola.

Cazzola is a winter dish of pork and cabbage with decisive flavor. On page 95 of Piazzesi’s CUCINA ITALIANA EDIZ INGLES, it is described as “pleasure that furnishes the soul as well as the palate especially on a wintry day.”

The dish consists of the least valuable parts of the pig such as, ribs, rind, head, trotters, ears, nose, and tail. You could use chicken or goose on occasion.

This is cooked slowly for nearly 3 hours with onions, carrots, celery, and black pepper before adding Savoy Cabbage for the final half hour.

It’s traditionally served with polenta and red wine and prepared cultually to celebrate the first heavy frost of the season.

Single mother of eight Maria-Letizia Ramolino would have served many portions of this dish to her children that included Napolean Bonaparte.

It was lasagna for me last night, but Cazzola would’ve been just fine.

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FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

Matinee (Bonus coverage)

Crossview A played against Belle Pointe B early Friday evening. This was a game that on paper looked to be an easy win for Crossview as it was their First team against the home side’s second team. Crossview A came into the night 3-2 having lost to Akin and Belle Pointe A and Belle Pointe B had yet to win a game against superior opponents.

Belle Pointe A is unbeaten and boasts scoring 47.8/ ppg and has only surrendered three touchdowns so far. In their game with Crossview to open the season they won 49-0.

Fives and fives of people sat huddled on the 4 level 18 foot long grandstand with 5-6 more scattered down the sideline to take in this matinee game on Field 3-C.

The game was played at a sports complex that had a full size soccer field and three softball fields. The soccer field was cut in half and had 4 different tiny tyke soccer games being played on it. A bunch of miniatures wearing highlighter colors with fast upper bodies and infinite energy. Softball Field One which was the furthest from me had young adult softball being played, Field 2 had older youths practicing football spread throughout the outfield, and Field 3 was quartered into four mini football fields that only had one endzone and were relatively narrow for my liking.

Crossview was looking forward to a ‘get right’ game against a team that again–on paper looked to be the worst team in the league. I mean with a QB barely 3′ 7 and a running back around 3’4, Belle Pointe B had no right winning against anyone. I mean, Crossview’s QB had to be nearly 4’1 maybe even 4’2 and looked to be the main one that knew the game. At least, he had watched enough on TV to look the part.

Belle Pointe B’s coach had a proper understanding with his younger side against the superior opposition. Before the game he instructed the lads to not worry about the other team and to just listen to him the entire game. “We will take it one play at a time. Just listen to me” the lean college aged coach instructed. Blonde surfer hair with a loud clear voice. The players were locked in on their coaches’ instructions. Well, most of them.

As one may expect, there were at least a few handfuls of dirt being clutched as proof of their side quest that included ‘digging to China’ in lieu of paying attention to their mellow-mannered coach. Afterall, this was the ‘B’ team. There was a reason they didn’t get picked for the ‘A’ squad.

Crossview looked ready to win by at least 40.

The funny thing was that somehow, someway the game was 12-6 with just 40 seconds left. I say, ‘somehow, someway’ because basically nothing happened. Well, not nothing. There were three touchdowns scored but all at the beginning and nobody converted their two point tries.

Crossview was holding the lead and on defense but could have been winning by 40 as they were supposed to if they had only not fumbled so many times. All they needed now was one stop to win and that seemed quite likely as the defense had been near perfect the entire game.

Number 10 for Crossview had nearly every tackle and was looking primed for another. He was also the QB. #8 was at QB and #5 was at RB for Belle Meade. At least 19 yards or so from the endzone. A distance that seemed insurmountable for such a tiny group.

The fives and fives of fans exclaiming their support of each little one on the field. “You got this sweetie,” “Pay attention honey,” “Don’t pick your wedgie Carl”–you know, normal things to hear on a football field. The coaches negotiated with each player hoping to squeeze out just a fraction of their attention. A much tougher job than one would expect.

#10 on defense was locked in and ready. #8 shouted the commands, #5 all 3’4 or so of him stood ready just behind him. The ball was snapped, and immediate chaos broke out as had been the M.O. the entire game. The QB clutched the ball in his right arm and pinned it against his chest and began to run to the right. I don’t think this was the play but it’s what seemed best at the time for him perhaps, so that’s what he did. #5 trailed just behind him in a little brother chasing big brother kind of way.

#10 had his eyes dead set on the QB scrambling laterally to the right and was closing in fast. The QB, perhaps in a panic, dropped the ball just as #10 and a couple of other good Crossview players were about to drop him for a loss. Instead, the ball hit the ground and jutted back to the left awkwardly. #10 and the QB jostled back and forth as they both fought to recover the ball. Most of the other players were clueless to what was happening as the crowd noise reached its apex. You couldn’t understand a word being said but there was noise like you wouldn’t believe. Mommas love their sons and that’s all there is to it. Real stuff.

The one who picked up the fumble was the most likely. Being the closest to the ground, #5 simply reached down and picked up the ball with both hands and ran straightforward all the way for a touchdown. It really was that simple. Out of fear or ability #5 showed top level speed as he pulled away from everyone on the 19-yard game tying score. #10 was tangled with #8 the entire time and couldn’t pursue. The Crossview coach lobbied for a holding call, but the Teen aged referee was having none of it. It was now 12-12 with a 2-point try incoming.

With there being so little time left, this felt like the last play of the game. “If Belle Pointe B converts this, they win” said the man to my right.

Now, this seemed unlikely. #10 was mad. Crying mad. If you know, you know. It gets that way on the field sometimes. He felt that he was held on the previous play and the injustice had him in pieces. Nevertheless, he was locked in.

Crossview’s coach was the one that wouldn’t let it go. It was at this point that an official looking man wearing a tucked in white polo and khaki pants stepped in to settle the coach down. I hadn’t noticed this person until he just appeared on the field. After a minute or so, play would resume.

Look, it was holding. #10 was pulling away from the 50/50 hand fight and as he was accelerating, #8 grabbed his right wrist with both hands and pulled him back. He immediately let go but by that time, not even Tyreek Hill could’ve covered that much ground and caught #5. That little dude was gone.
- It was holding BUT recognize the moment. It just isn’t that big of a deal.
  - Found out later that #10 was the coach’s son.

Momentum was with the underdogs. Coach Surfer Dude kept the vibes up with his young group during the brief delay. #8 and #5 were smiling. They were one play away from winning their first game.

The teams lined up. Same formation as last time. #10 at the Mike and ready to combust.

On the snap the QB ran immediately to the right in the same manner he had on the last play when he fumbled. #10 read this all the way and burst towards the edge to seal it off. #5 loafed behind disinterested. #8 ran as hard as he could but it was inevitable that he wouldn’t make the goaline with #10 in hot pursuit.

But just as he was about to be brought down, he turned and tossed the ball with both hands backwards to #5 who had barely moved from where he stood pre-snap. The ball hit the ground and tumbled once before bouncing off of the running back’s shin. #5 quickly picked the ball up and scored without being touched. 14-12 Belle Meade B.

Crossview’s sideline was at their depths. Belle Meade B was at their peak. It goes without saying that the final 30 seconds did not go Crossview A’s way and they fell in what turned out to be a major upset. Major Upset.

I caught up with the coach of the winning side and asked if that 2 point conversion play was planned and he said, “Yep. I told them to do what they had just done, but this time do it on purpose.”

In the oblong game, it’s risky to intentionally fumble like that but this coach risked it. There was already going to be chaos, so he played into the chaos with his own terms. The rest is just up to luck.

-Hope you enjoyed the matinee. Now–On to the real Friday Night Lights.

—

MARQUEE GAME THURSDAY

American Fork 21 @ Corner Canyon 37

Senior night in Draper. Strong young men ready to step into the next chapter of life were escorted to midfield by proud loved ones before the game. It was a special time for all involved. Beaming proud mommas clutching the arm or holding the hand of their sons who were walking tall and proud. In the stands, at least one Dad was rocking his newborn to Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” that was playing. His #DadLife flat bill bobbing while his baby draped on his shoulder like an Afghan over a lounge chair. Real stuff.

Striking skies were in every direction as the game was set to kick. Fluffy grey and white clouds sporadically filled the western sky as the sun faded for the day. Deep ocean blue clouds could be seen brewing to the south of Mt. Timpanogos which was glowing orange from the last glimpse of the sun that was stretching towards its high reaching peak. More clouds could be seen to the North and East behind the warm glow that was reflecting off the Wasatch.

Just before the coin toss, Davis Nelson kicked two balls into the teeth of the wind that was swirling from the south. Impressively both landed mid endzone from the 50.

Windy, relatively warm. A great night for football. It always is.

As far as the game goes–Corner Canyon earned a comfortable 21-point lead at the half on the backs and legs of Weston Briggs, Casuga, and the ever-consistent offensive line that did just about everything right all night. Every time Casuga dropped into pocket, he looked more comfortable than the baby sleeping like a rock on ‘Dad’s’ shoulder. While American Fork’s d-line and pass rush did everything they could, the Corner Canyon O-line proved far superior. A trend consistent to the entire season. As elite as certain players are on the team and as deep as certain position groups are the O-line unit has been the most consistent all season.

Fast-footed Esun Tafa has been mentioned several times but I’ve yet to mention any others that are part of this hard-working group. Last night, I took note of three.

#71 Will Chandler 6’3/ 260
#72 Jackson Overstreet 6’5/ 300
#55 Robby Whelan 6’3/ 280

Regarding all three: Relentless to the whistle on every play. Disciplined to the plan, blocking as a group, picking each other up, selling out on every play. #72 got that dog in him is something I specifically scribbled. Great job to all of the giant young men on the Charger O-Line.

#9 EDGE Jayden Pearce is playing his best ball right now. I love having an excuse to use this word yet again–relentless. #9 is quicker and quicker every week. Explosive first step and relentless in pursuit.

Corner Canyon played well and look to have the little things buttoned up as any coach would want to see late season. As good as the Chargers looked Week one against Bingham, this current team is worlds better. The Corner Canyon that played last night would beat the Corner Canyon from week one by 30 and that’s the improvement every team strives for. Always being a little better than the last time. Lessons for us all.

Great Job Coach Kjar.

NOTABLE SCORE on Thursday:

Lone Peak 6 @ Lehi 34

This was a struggle of late-season wills between two three loss teams. Both teams have looked at times as though they could run the gauntlet and win it all come playoff time. The nature of the oblong game is that the ball could always bounce one way or another. Had that lemon shaped pigskin bounced either of these team’s ways one or two more times, this could just as easily have been a Top 5 matchup.

That said–only one team looked State playoff ready last night. Absolutely outstanding to see Lehi battling each week. ‘The best three loss team in the state’ was how it was written here three weeks ago. That continues to be true as Lehi improves to 5-3. Just to write it one more time, Lehi’s three losses are by 1 point, 2 points, and 4 points. This is a solid team and will continue to be formidable especially at home. (Corner Canyon @ Lehi 10/15)

MARQUEE GAME FRIDAY NIGHT

5A West 42 @ Granger 0

It was all West from start to finish. All West. The visitors led 21-0 at the half but the score very well could’ve…should’ve been 35-0. Sophomore ATH Lester Falatea’s impressive 80-yard punt return for a touchdown in the 2nd quarter was called back due to an ‘inadvertent whistle.’ “Come on Stripes! Get it together!” A passionate fan on the West side justifiably blurted this loud enough to be heard from the parking lot. Had the touchdown stood, Lester would’ve taken the top spot in the state in returns for a touchdown with 4.

Not to worry. The 4th ranked team in the state of Utah didn’t need it.

Running Back Louie Hamilton and QB Kamden Lopati ran all over and at times through the Granger defense. The Granger DB’s absorbed blow after blow from the hard-hitting offensive duo. Hamilton ran as hard as any other back I’ve watched this year and multiple times Lopati ripped off runs that ended in a DB getting pancaked. Impressive hard runs. Runs that were stretched into big gains due to some key blocking. In fact, on multiple big runs, senior ATH King Long held some key blocks long enough for the back to get around the edge.

But the physical play was not limited to just the offense. On defense, Senior LB/ EDGE/ SS #28 Spencer Mafi was all over the field and always in on the action and never missed an opportunity to lay a big hit. Tough as nails and hungry for more. The entire defense carried this mentality, but #28 stood out above the rest.

West looked strong. One of the best teams in the state for sure.

QB Kamden Lopati Class ’27 turned down offers from 17 schools including Oregon, Arkansas, and Utah and has committed to play for Illinois.

NOTABLE SCORES provided by Deseret News:

4A Green Canyon 14 @ Ridgeline 49
- Ridgeline 9-0
Bingham 6 @ Mountain Ridge 35
Cedar Valley 41 @ Westlake 56
Farmington 27 @ Syracuse 21
Davis 42 @ Layton 7
- Tradon Bessinger 4 passing touchdowns (41 for the year)
- Bode Sparrow 2 TD
Herriman 42 @ Copper Hills 7
West Field 3 @ Fremont 65
- Salesi Moa 2 TD’s
- Roy @ Fremont 10/15

TOP RECORDS across UHSAA 6A:

Herriman (8-1) Region 1: (4-1)
Davis (8-1) Region 2: (3-0)
Skyridge (7-2) Region 3: (2-1)
Corner Canyon (7-1) Region 3: (2-1)
Mountain Ridge (7-2) Region 2: (5-0)
Westlake (7-2) Region 2: (4-1)

Upcoming Top Level Games:

Corner Canyon @ Lehi 10/15
Lone Peak @ Bingham
Skyridge @ American Fork
Weber @ Davis
Herriman @ Cedar Valley 10/16
Brighton @ Alta 10/17
Westlake @ Mountain Ridge

UHSAA 6A Region 3 Standings:

Corner Canyon 7-1
Skyridge 7-2
Lehi 5-3
American Fork 6-3
Lone Peak 5-4

Corner Canyon @ Lehi is a massive game.

TOP TEAMS RANKED in State:

Corner Canyon 7-1
Davis 8-1
Skyridge 7-2
5A West 8-1
4A Ridgeline 9-0
5A Orem 7-2
Mountain Ridge 7-2
Herriman 8-1
Lehi 5-3
American Fork 6-3

Next week will wrap the regular season which means, the playoffs are just around the corner. The matchups could be electric. My popcorn is ready.

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NATIONAL FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS Nugget

Southwind High (TN)

The number one high school football in Memphis as stated by the “Commercial Appeal.” Deservedly so when looking at their (8-0) resume.

Southwind Schedule:

@Lausanne 42-10
@ Ridgeway 47-0
Houston 49-0
@White Station 38-0
Holly Springs 53-0
Briarcrest 48-42
@Kirby 50-0
Whitehaven 42-21

With two games left to go, Southwind is number one in Memphis and 8-0. Coach Jerome Griffin will be proud of his team’s work so far, but he knows, and he will instill in his young men the fact that the toughest part of their season is yet to come. Those chilly nights on the road in middle Tennessee are tough to win. The O-Line dubbed the “Uhaul Boys” will do their best to continue to lead the way.

Good luck the rest of the way Southwind!

“It was incomplete–Simply unacceptable.”-Marco Pierre White

—

THE ROUND GAME

The Hometown Tigers: Lady Tigers Soccer

North Texas 1 @ Memphis 4
Florida Atlantic @ Memphis 10/12 6PM

Good luck to Coach Monaghan and the Lady Tigers the rest of the way. 8th in the Nation and still climbing!

European Club Soccer is still on the International Break. Be back next week.

ARSENAL

Arsenal @ Fulham 10:30 10/18
Arsenal are TOP of the League!

Sunderland

Wolverhampton @ Sunderland 10/18 at 8:00
Sunderland 9th in Premier League

OTHER SOCCER:

COMO 1907

Juventus @ Como 10/19 at 4:30 A.M.
Como are 7th in Serie A

WREXHAM

Wrexham travel to Stoke 10/18 at 8:00
18th in Standings

“That soccer–never could understand that. Anything a five-year-old can do ain’t a sport. Who invented it? Aztecs. Kickin’ round skulls or something, right?”- Marcus Hamilton

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RECIPE: HOTTY TODDY

“This age old remedy can help you fall asleep, especially if you’ve got a cold or the flu. To make a child’s toddy, replace the whiskey” with codeine. Whiskey don’t get wasted on kids. Whoops–that appears to be the fictitious 1850’s version of the recipe. Ahem, “to make a child’s toddy, replace the whiskey with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice.”

HOT TODDY

2/3 cup of boiling water
2 teaspoons of honey
2 tablespoons of whiskey or bourbon
1 lemon slice
1 cinnamon stick
ground nutmeg (for topping optional)

“In a mug, combine water and honey. Stir until the honey is dissolved. Add whiskey, lemon, and cinnamon stick. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes, then remove lemon and cinnamon stick. Sprinkle with nutmeg, and serve.”- OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC

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THE SATURDAY GAME

“Enough jimmer-jammer and hogwallerin–get out there and kick some ass!”-Beetlejuice as a football coach

Hometown Tigers

The Tigers return to play 10/18 at 2:00 on the road against UAB. Memphis is 6-0.

GO Tigers, Go!

TOP GAMES:

Alabama27 @ Missouri 24
Ohio St 34 @ Illinois 16
Indiana 30 @ Oregon 20
Georgia 20 @ Auburn 10
Michigan 13 @ USC 31

OTHER CFB Scores:

Northwestern 22 @ Penn St 21
- Franklin Fired
Cal Poly 9 @ Montana 28
- WR Michael Wortham 140 All Purpose Yards, 1 TD
- The Grizzlies are 6-0!
Texas 23 vs Oklahoma 6
Air Force 48 @ UNLV 51
South Carolina 10 @ LSU 20
South Florida 63 @ North Texas 36
BYU 33 @ Arizona 27 in 2 OT
- Cougs 6-0
Arizona St 10 @ Utah 42

TOP 12 WEEK 6:

Ohio St
Miami
Georgia
Texas A&M
Indiana
Mississippi
Tennessee
Oregon
Alabama
Georgia Tech
Texas Tech
LSU

—

Where will the season go from here? Some teams seem destined to win them all this season. I’m talking to you Georgia Tech, BYU, and UNLV. Somehow, someway these teams win every week.

Some teams are sliding with seemingly no bottom. I’m talking to both Penn and Florida St. Penn St has zero excuse with that roster.

Some teams have already found the bottom of their slide and are on the rise back into the good conversations. I’m talking to you Texas, Notre Dame, and of course UCLA.

Some teams have poor records that do not reflect their level of play.

Air Force is 1-5 and they are the best 1-5 team in the country. It isn’t even close. With Szarka at QB they can play with anyone.
UCLA is the best four loss team in the country. The newly led team is 2-0.

Some teams are barely .500 and that’s just the way it is. I’m talking to you Rutgers, Michigan St, Kansas, NC St, Auburn, and South Carolina. All of these teams are right about where they are supposed to be.

Some teams play Long Island Week one and then go on to play the toughest schedule ever imagined and are 2-4 with a “championship caliber defense.” Ok, this is only one team and that’s the Florida Gators. What a gauntlet to run. Five of their first six opponents are in my Top 27. No other team can say that. “Florida fans should be thrilled with 6-7 wins this year” is what I wrote back in June. That should continue to be the expectation.

Some teams look head and shoulders above the rest. Ohio St and Georgia–and Oregon before they lost to Indiana who I have no idea how to categorize. The Hoosiers may just win them all.

Who knows? Certainly not me, but by golly I’ll be here to watch the rest unfold.

“”You smell that, Sonny? That’s the smell of baseball.”- Brent Musburger

—

THE AMERICAN PASTIME GAME

RECIPE: Corn Dog

October 15th, 2006. St. Louis Missouri. The Cardinals were hosting the Mets in Game 5 of the NLCS. It was chilly and packed inside Busch Stadium. 22 Rows above 1st Base the camera zoomed in on a teen with his face painted red and wearing a Cardinals warm up jacket over a hoodie. He was next to a guy old enough to be his dad dressed exactly how any other dad would be at a chilly ball game. Chill bumps from the cold, nerves, and playoff energy on the necks of everyone as the Cardinals took the field in their Home White and Red uniforms.

It was a back-and-forth game for five innings or so. Cards scored 1, Mets scored 2 in the 2nd, Cards scored 1, Mets 0 in the 3rd, a scoreless fourth, Mets scored 3, Cards 1 in the 5th to make it 5-3 visitors. All 46,600 inside Busch Stadium felt the nerves. Red face fought the urge to itch his face as the paint began to peel due to the nervous perspiration under his ball cap. It was time to respond in a big way. The 6th inning was certainly pivotal.

Unfortunately, the Mets pivoted the game their way in big way tallying 6 runs. The Cardinals responded with homers from Edmonds and Molina but that was all the home team would score the rest of the game. All itchy red face could think about was how bad of an idea it was to paint his face and how cold his toes were.

The Mets brought in former Billy Beane standout Chad Bradford and a couple of other bullpen guys to shut us down the rest of the way. Why did I come to this freezing cold game? More importantly, why did paint my entire face Cardinal red? Not as fun as it looks.

Respite came by way of a late game footlong corn dog with mustard and a classic coke. I don’t care how bad life gets or how bad the team is losing, a footlong corndog with mustard that’s been out of the oil for about 5-6 minutes is sure to lift the spirit and tickle the taste buds. Sort of like Cazzola at first frost, but the Rockaway Beach version. No one does it like the original: 602 Hwy 101 S Rockaway Beach. I’m salivating thinking about those hot dogs bathed in pancake batter and fried to perfection. The one on that cold, somber St. Louis October night did the job just fine.

The Cardinals lost the game but ended up beating the Mets in epic Game 7 fashion and went on to win the entire thing that year. The guy that was ‘next to me and old enough to be my dad’ was at the World Series winning game. This time with someone old enough to be my mom. Special.

—

Now onto the present October version of America’s pastime.

So, it’s either Toronto or Seattle for the AL and Milwaukee or Los Angeles for the NL. That’s what I said it would be–right? Pretty sure. There’s no way I would’ve said anything different.

Seattle play at Toronto in just a couple of minutes. In fact, if you began reading this when I posted it, it may be in the second inning or so by now. Oh well, Game one of the ALCS is on Fox basically now. I’ll take Seattle for Nora Ephron.

Brewers or Dodgers? I guess I’ll take the cheese brewers over Dodger blue. Don’t ask me. I just work here.

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

—

THE SUNDAY GROWN MANS GAME

Jaxson Dart and the New York Giants won by a wide margin over Philadelphia on Thursday Night to kick off the NFL weekend. Jaxson put up over 250 yards and two touchdowns in primetime to make his friends and family proud. He’s got a lot of positive support from what I’ve observed.

This morning’s sleepy game from London played to a riveting 13-11 final score. Denver won, but I would argue that nobody won that one except for maybe Joe Lewis and ENIC Group who own the North London premier sporting venue.

Since then, there was a lot of action. Some of it was interesting. Let’s take a dip:

UPDATE from Nashville:

TITANS

Tennessee 10 @ Las Vegas 20

Cam Ward 222 yards with a touchdown

Now, we are right back on track for the number one pick. TJ Parker, John Henry Daley, Caleb Downs or Jeremiah Smith. Any will work for me. Titan Up.

OTHER NFL Scores:

Philadelphia 17 @ New York (N) 34 (THUR)
Arizona 27 @ Indianapolis 31
- 232 Total Yards and Three Touchdowns for Future MVP Daniel Jones
New England 25 @ New Orleans 19
- The Fightin’ Vrabels are 4-2
San Francisco 19 @ Tampa Bay 30
- Tampa Bay is 5-1 and Number One in the NFC

The Sunday game continues to struggle. Let’s see if the showrunners write some better scripts as the season progresses. Not even Kevin Harlan can make these games exciting. He is one of the few great ones still talking into the microphone.

Real question–is anyone actually sitting down to intentionally watch the NFL right now?

I’m gravitating towards Vrabel, Jaxson, and the Titans, but everything else seems vanilla.

Like the MLB and NBA have already done, the NFL is losing its fastball quick. I’ll give it until the end of this month. There is not a logical reason that these faster, stronger, smarter players look like a ‘scout team’ from the early 2000’s. Be better script writers. If you need a hand, just ask.

A little tongue in cheek there but to speak frankly, there hasn’t been an NFL game that I’ve enjoyed since Buffalo/ Baltimore Week 1. Maybe it’s just me. I’ll leave it alone for now.

I’ll be settled in for a Halloween flick with a Hotty Toddy in hand during this matchup on NBC and Peacock. Nothing against Al Michaels. He’s another one of my all-time favorites along with Kenny Albert. When it comes to the younger guys, I continue to enjoy listening to Jason Benetti and Noah Eagle call a game. Those guys will be around until they turn into old men. Born to do it…Kevin Harlan is probably my number one that still does it. Any sport. Al Michaels would’ve been there for me many times on a Sunday Night when I needed someone the most. He’s probably lifting someone else’s day right now. So, thank you NFL and NBC.

There–we end on a positive.

—

The recipe for success goes as follows: Be cohesive, be diligent, be kind.

RECIPE: “HAPPINESS RECIPE”

1 C. of good thoughts
1 C. of kind deeds
1 C. of consideration of others
2 C. of sacrifice
2 C. of well beaten faults
3 C. of forgiveness

-“Mix thoroughly. Add tears of joy, sorrow, and sympathy. Flavor with love and kindly service. Fold-in 4 Cups of faith. Bake well in the warmth of human kindness and serve with a smile, anytime. It will satisfy the hunger of starved souls for friendship.”- Ancient Newspaper clipping from Pocahontas, AR. By way of Mamaw. Thank you for passing the wisdom, Mamaw.

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.

General Update: 10/12