GENERAL UPDATE: 9/14

“The first casualty of War is the truth.”- Winston Churchill

Another heavy meal of football this weekend featuring both round and oblong versions. Although I will confess now that I did not see one second of the round ball due to the call of the wild that I heard bellowing from the mountain tops. Originally, I was going to trek up after the Arsenal game, but that all changed with the first breath of fresh air at 4:15.

Like any true European soccer fan that lives in the Western United States, I had my alarm set early enough to listen to the pregame and get the pot of Peruvian percolating while letting the furbeast stretch her legs on a short walk to the corner of the block. Unlike a true European Soccer fan, I changed my plans by the time we passed the second house.

The air was chilly. The first calm morning that I’d needed a jacket. Truly, the first time it had felt like fall. In an instant I was awake. One hundred percent functional. I’d been awake less than five minutes, but these conditions had my blood pumping and brain active. There is nothing else that gets my blood pumping more than waking up to this type of environment and having a reason to be outside in it. Nothing else. Certainly not watching football round or oblong. This was one of those mornings that made me grateful for the air in my lungs and passion in my veins. Energy that shouldn’t be wasted on a spectator sport. I was wearing a full pack walking away from a locked car towards the mysterious shadows of the alpine no more than 45 minutes later.

I approved of the starting lineup that I heard coming through my earbuds and was confident that my 3-0 prediction would come to fruition and watching the game on replay would suffice.

The coffee made the trip in a trusty hunter green thermos. It was enjoyed at 10,000 feet while seated on a boulder, staring at mountain peaks that resembled golden steeples, and listening to the Sparrow and Mountain Chickadees song. Perfect morning. Eyes never shined so bright as the ones staring back at me. We watched the sunrise chase away the shadows.

Don’t worry, I returned home in plenty of time for the oblong football action to add to the previous night’s Friday Night Lights. This means we’ve got football to update before the Sunday Night Kickoff.

It’s time for a “General Update.” General Update.

What to expect:

Friday Night Lights
The Round Game
The Saturday Game
The Sunday Grown Man’s Game
Update from Nashville
Remember the Grace, Not the Gross

“If it ain’t fun, then what’s the point?”-

Dixie Youth Baseball Coach David Kelley c1999

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

Perfect. It was perfect Friday Night Football weather. It was 76 degrees and cooling at kickoff with clear skies and a slight breeze across the valley. Charcoal briquets smoldered underneath half foot long hot dogs, three bean chili smothered hand-cut french fries fresh out of the grease, and varying colors of snow cones were smeared across the faces of youngsters with dirt on their pants and energy in their feet. Friday Night Lights at its best.

The season will continue to get more competitive as the top teams are set to begin facing off as early as next week. This past Friday produced more of the same that we have seen so far–top teams winning by 30+ over lesser opponents.

Brighton 14 @ 56 Corner Canyon
- Casuga 6 Passing Touchdowns
- Defensive Lineman Jase Koslowski’s Birthday
- No one has stopped the Chargers offense through five games.
Farmington 7 @ 34 Lone Peak
- The defense produced two pick-sixes
- Kepa rushed for one
- Fresh off their emotional away defeat in Vegas, Lone Peak elected to play it slow and let the little things and defense win this game.
Davis 49 @ 14 Olympus
- Tradon Bessinger: Twenty (20) passing touchdowns entering this game threw another five (5)
- Junior ATH Bode Sparrow finished the game with two TD’s
Fremont 63 @ Clearfield 6
- Salesi Moa scored Two TD’s in the first half
- (4-1) Fremont @ (1-3) Northridge 9/19
Syracuse 25 @ 20 Alta
- Alta was the underdog and surged late but could not complete the upset.

– Corner Canyon has flaws but there has not been one team that has been able to exploit and capitalize on them. On the other hand, when teams have made mistakes against them, they’ve been exploited and turned into points. As long as teams continue to let the Chargers get away with mistakes, they will continue to steam roll opponents. Absolute monster game against Lone Peak incoming this Friday.

-There are three regions in Utah 6A. Region 3 has been my primary focus since one of the teams is just down the road from me, but I wanted to take a moment to highlight the other top-level squads in the area.

Top Records across 6A:

Herriman 5-0 Region 2
American Fork 5-0 Region 3
Corner Canyon 5-0 Region 3
Davis 4-1 Region 1
Syracuse 4-1 Region 1
Westlake 4-1 Region 2
Lone Peak 4-1 Region 3
Skyridge 4-1 Region 3
Lehi 3-1 Region 3

There will be some premier High School Football matchups between teams on this list as early as Thursday Night.

Upcoming Top Level Games:

(3-1) Lehi @ Skyridge (4-1) 9/18 Thurs
(4-1) Westlake @ Herriman (5-0)
(5-0) Corner Canyon @ Lone Peak (4-1)
(4-1) Davis @ American Fork (5-0)

The cream is rising to the top and this next weekend’s results will separate the Title contenders from the rest of the pack except in Region 3. Region 3 has been dubbed “the SEC of Utah High School Football” and will be competitive throughout the season.

UHSAA 6A Region 3 Standings:

Corner Canyon 5-0
American Fork 5-0
Lone Peak 4-1
Skyridge 4-1
Lehi 3-1

Getting through this season unscathed in Region 3 is going to be no small feat. Corner Canyon is not the only team that can win the Title but they are the only ones who can ‘threepeat.’ Get a hot dog, some french fries, and a snow cone and find a seat. The Corner Canyon Chargers may be imperfect, but they are certainly elite.

NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL Nugget

Oklahoma Rivalry Games
- #4 Edmond Memorial 35 @ 18 Edward North
  - Ed Memorial picked off Ed North on the first play of the game and scored on a passing touchdown on the next.
  - Running Back Isaiah Roberson ripped a fifty-yard touchdown run that showcased his speed.
- Moore 28 @ 20 #5 Southmoore
  - Maverick Gardner ran for an impressive 70-yard touchdown to give Moore their first lead
  - Southmoore’s Na’kwaine Carter DL committed to Kansas

“We are not at war. We are having a nervous breakdown.” HST KINGDOM OF FEAR

SOCCER: The Round Game

Arsenal 3 – Nottingham Forest 0

Arsenal Starting XI:

GK Raya
RB Timber
CB Mosquera
CB Gabriel
LB Calafiori
CM Zubimendi (goal x2)
CM Merino
CM Odegaard
RW Madauke
ST Gyokeres (goal)
LW Eze
BENCH:
- Trossard
- Skelly
- Nwaneri
- Dowman
- Martinelli
- White
- Rice

The Gunners did just fine without me watching yesterday morning. In a game that kicked at half five A.M. here in the mountains and half twelve in mild London, Arsenal re-opened the Premier League with a resounding and dominant win. The type of win that defines a championship team. With Saka, Havertz, and Saliba still unavailable, Arteta was able to show off the new look Gunners that have depth at nearly every position.

Five of the Starting XI were wearing other uniforms last season, and their addition only raises the floor and ceiling for this already talented squad.

Arsenal play:

Athletico in Bilbao at 10:45 9/16 in a Champions League Match
Home to Manchester City 9/21 at 9:30 in the Premier League

OTHER SCORES:

Sunderland 0 @ Crystal Palace 0

The Black Cats entered the game tied for 5th with Everton. Away from the Stadium of Light this team plays with a little less energy. This proved true this weekend as Sunderland drew 0-0 to the London based club.
Sunderland currently sit Seventh in the table. One point above Manchester City and five points off the top.
Aston Villa visits the Stadium of Light 9/21 at 7:00. This game should have fireworks.

QPR 3 @ 1 Wrexham

The “Big Lug” Kiefer Moore scored the one goal.
Wrexham still struggle to gain momentum at the Championship level. Currently 21st out of 24 teams in the league.
Wrexham travel to Norwich City 9/20 at 8:00

There is not an update from Como this week as they host Genoa tomorrow afternoon. Check them game out on Paramount+ at 2:45Est

Man City 3 – 0 Man U

“Farewell. Somebody’s gonna wish that you were here. That somebody’s me”- Rihanna

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: The Saturday Game

Hometown Tigers

2-0 Memphis travelled the long 5 1/2 hours to Troy, Alabama where they battled with the Trojans inside Veteran’s Memorial Stadium. Troy coming back home from playing Clemson close for a half seemed slow and a bit defeated out of the gate. It was a slowly played professional win by the Tigers as they came away victors 28-7 and improve to 3-0.
Arkansas who lost by one score in Oxford last night, travel to the Hometown for a Noon game inside the old Liberty Bowl.
These Hometown Tigers are grinding through these first few games and understandably so due to their tricky road trips.

Top Games:

Texas A&M 41 @ Notre Dame 40
- Although a high scoring game, there were still moments where ‘McNelly Award watchlist’ Leonard Moore and Will Lee shined at Cornerback. Moore outplayed Lee, but both stepped up for their team when they were needed. Most notably, Notre Dame’s Moore as he played most of the night with a limp and left the game a couple of times for treatment but was still able to make key plays including an interception.
- Notre Dame is 0-2. There is a definite weakness at QB and receiver, but I love their defense, trenches, and backs. Coach Freeman gives his all and it shows.
- This A&M offense is lightning. I’d like to see the QB improve on his throwing, but there is some top talent at the skill positions.
  - Casuga will be learning in this QB room next season
- The Aggies are 3-0, Auburn on deck
Georgia 44 @ Tennessee 41
- Gunner Stockton 342 total yards 3 total TD’s
- Joey Aguilar 371 passing yards 5 total TD’s
- WR Chris Brazzell 177 yards 3 TD’s
  - Fremont’s Salesi Moa will be Brazzell’s understudy next year in Knoxville.
- McNelly Award Watchlist: Safety KJ Bolden had an interception to go along with seven tackles.
- Tennessee had a chance to win the game outright but completely whiffed on the forty-yard potential game-winner as time expired.
- UGA is 3-0, Vols 2-1
South Florida 12 @ Miami 49
- This game was not competitive.
- Miami moves to 3-0, USF 2-1. Both impressive records with impressive wins.
- South Florida needs a breather

Other CFB Scores:
- Wisconsin 14 @ Alabama 38
- Arkansas 35 @ Ole Miss 41
- Florida 10 @ LSU 20
- USC 33 @ Purdue 17
- Oregon St 14 @ Texas Tech 45
- Utah 31 @ Wyoming 6
  - Massive game against Texas Tech at home at 10AM local this Saturday.
- Air Force 30 @ Utah St 49
- Kansas St 17 @ Arizona 23
  - Coach Brennan is building a team that believes. Wildcats 3-0. Bear Down

Next week’s “Saturday Game” section will feature this site’s first ranking of the teams since the preseason. If I had to pick my top four teams right now, I’d say Ohio St, Penn St, Oregon, Georgia.

NFL: The Sunday Grown Mans Game

Update from Nashville: Rams 33 @ 19 Titans
- Cam Ward 19/33 175yds 1 TD
- Kalel Mullings inactive
- Titans fall to 0-2
- Puka Nacua led all fantasy scorers in this game with 27
- Future MVP Cam Ward and the Titans host this season’s future MVP Daniel Jones and the Colts next Sunday at Noon
Other NFL Scores:
- Bills 30 @ 10 Jets
- Vrabel 33 @ 27 Miami
  - New look New England 2-0
- Broncos28 @ Colts 29
  - Future MVP Daniel Jones was 6/9 on 3rd down throws for five first downs
    - 318 total yards with two touchdowns
  - Jonathon Taylor
    - 215 Total Yards with a touchdown
  - Denver’s J.K. Dobbins finished with 85 yards and a TD
  - Colts Kicker Spencer Schrader is 10/10 for the season after nailing the 45 yard field goal to win it as time expired.
  - Colts are 2-0
- Seattle 31 @ 17 Pittsburgh
  - Jonnu Smith had 4 receptions for 27 yards

Daniel Jones looks as natural in the Indy Blue and White as Manning did back in his day. This team is the right fit for him. There were many built-in failures within the Giants that explained why he struggled the past few years. If he fails with this team–it’s on him. My bet is that he not only does not fail–he continues to thrive. No pressure Daniel.

Cam Ward is still growing and learning, but he has all of tools and the physical makeup of a future gunslinger. I still see him as a future MVP and that’s not hyperbolic. Cam Ward will have an elite season. Just be fair to him and don’t expect it tomorrow.

The Las Vegas Pete Carrolls host the Los Angeles Jim Harbaughs tomorrow night. I’d rather it be USC vs Stanford.

A FINAL WORD

“Remember the Grace, not the Gross”

In 1849, Dr. George Parkman of Harvard Medical disappeared in what became a famous murder case.

Sometime before his disappearance, Dr. Parkman lent money to his colleague Dr. John White Webster. As collateral, Dr. White offered the mortgage of his personal property and a valuable mineral collection. Parkman accepted the terms but became suspicious later when he found out the same property and mineral collection had been used to secure another loan with someone else.

Naturally Parkman wanted his money back and began “relentlessly pursuing Webster for his debt.” Suddenly, Dr. Parkman disappeared.

One week after Dr. Parkman’s disappearance, “a suspicious janitor” broke through a brick vault below Dr. Webster’s lab and found human body parts in different locations of the room.

Authorities would find Webster guilty of first-degree murder and Webster ‘belatedly’ confessed to appeal for clemency. He was not granted it.

On August 30, 1850 Webster was hanged.

It’s safe to assume that Webster had financial troubles and this fell at the feet of his wife and children who survived him. I mean, the fact that he mortgaged his own home for a loan speaks to his level of financial desperation.

Recently widowed Mrs. Parkman (Sarah Rogers) led a fund drive to support the wife and children of her husband’s assailant to help lift their financial burdens. She loved another when love couldn’t have ever been expected, and that my friends is called–grace. What White did to Parkman was despicable and gross, but what Sarah did was love in spite of this atrocity. She let Grace and Love win in her own life and this was the result.

11/23/1849 was the day Dr. Parkman perished. Perhaps we make that “Sarah Rogers Day.” A day to remember the graceful act that was produced from such a heinous one. Sometimes the 23rd of November will be Thanksgiving, and don’t we all need a reminder of Grace on that day.

Remember the grace, not the gross.

CONCLUSION

“I. Hold. On.”- Dierks Bentley

This wraps the “General Update” for this week and the football weekend. Well, except for this one about to kick off in a matter of moments and the double dose of Monday Night Football tomorrow. Houston host Tampa Bay in the matinee. In this game, I’ll take Isaiah Rodgers and the Vikings to win 23-13.

More to come. This football season has barely begun. Be like Justin Jefferson and love someone.

Let’s love our neighbor until the next one.

Find the Humor and Keep on Movin’

Whit W.

General Update: 9/14