MMA ROUND TABLE

The Strikeforce Challengers series returns to the Save Mart Center November 6th. It will feature some of the best MMA talent in Fresno. VSP MMA columnist James Gilliland caught up with a few of the fighters that will be featured on the card. Cole Escovedo (CE), who has overcome insurmountable odds to come back to MMA and is one of the first notable fighters to come out of the valley, Ben Holscher (BH), a teacher at Clovis High and undefeated MMA fighter, Casey Olson (CO), a former Fresno State wrestler and valley MMA favorite, and undefeated Billy Evangelista (BE), who will be fighting in the main event against Jorge Gurgel.

JAMES GILLILAND: What do you think about the growth of MMA?
BH: I think the growth of MMA is awesome. People are starting to become more educated about the sport and we’re starting to break down stereotypes. For a long time, people thought it was just a bunch of thugs going out there fighting. Over the last three years people are starting to learn about the game and all the skills that are involved.
Kids at my school are starting to get involved. They’re starting to see that you have to train you can’t go out there and fight. I think the media has done a good job educating the public that it is a sport. I’m excited to see all the young people training and where the skill level will be in ten years.

CO: If you look at where it has come from to where it is now. It’s exploded especially in the last four years. To see big venues being sold out all over the country, all over the world. It’s definitely exciting to see a sport like this because it is a sport. You train just like any sport, we push our bodies to the max just like any sport you would do. It is neat to see kids now have idols that are in this sport and you can no longer be good at this sport by having one skill. When it started it was a boxer versus a wrestler, if the wrestler got you down it was over. A wrestler versus a jiu-jitsu guy, the jiu-jitsu guy would probably tap you out. You have World champion jiu-jitsu guys, world champion kickboxing guys, and you have national champion wrestlers and that’s all one person. It’s become such a well-rounded sport these younger kids, I can’t wait to see some of these kids I think are phenomenal right now at 12 and 13 when they’re going to be 20. You think GSP (Georges St. Pierre) is good, just wait until this sport gets going.

CE: You see the building blocks for what the sport is going to be… It’s a new lunch box idea to them, you’re going to see guys like Chuck (Liddell) and Randy (Couture) on lunch boxes and trading cards. It’s just a matter of time they already have action figures, that’s the start… It’s like the new Nike; it’s the new sport of the generation.

JG: What’s it like dealing with MMA stereotypes?
CE: It’s not as hard as it was five or six years ago. We have had some much mainstream attention… They (general public) start to see more than just fighting. They see how we are active in the community, we’re not just thugs. Your average MMA fighter is probably a dad or family oriented and they come from a competitive background in sports… We don’t have to deal with the stereotypes as much. Except for people like the Mayor, who think it is still backyard brawling and doesn’t understand the economical ramifications of it and how much revue can be made off what it’s become. Instead of holding it back like (John) McCain. Who still thinks it “human cockfighting” they don’t want to take a step back and look at the big picture. Those are the stereotypes we still have to deal with; more political stereotypes than from the community.

CO: Unfortunately, I still get a little bit of stereotypes of the thugs and the brutal combat of the sport. I do a lot of speaking engagements and I was going to do one at a cancer camp this last summer. It was planned out for a whole year and then a month before they cancelled it because of what I do. The head of directors cancelled it because they didn’t think it was right to have somebody who fights for a living and they didn’t think the parents would like it. I do this because I want to be out there in front of people, I want to be an inspiration for kids to look up to. I think there are so many false idols out there, there’s always going to be the bad apples in any group. I could have been Michael Vick and they probably still would have let me do the speaking engagement because it’s football. But, because I have fighting in my career they didn’t like that so the stereotype is still out there… There are a lot of good idols out there that set good examples. Most of the guys you see on T.V. who are world champions have college degrees. So, how is that not a good example, they are doing the best that they can in they’re sport. It’s sad that the stereotype is still out there. In my way the stereotype is kind of like racism. I don’t see a difference black or white there is no difference to me, whether you play soccer, football, baseball, or you fight.

BH: I think the stereotypes will be broken down. Parents ask me, “you’re a teacher but you fight how do you support that?” After I tell them my reasons for fighting that it’s a sport that I compete… The stereotypes seem to get broken down from what I’ve seen. I think once I’ve said my piece, I’ll get some people that were turned off on fighting to check it out. The more educated the public gets the more the stereotypes will be broken down… The sports going to change in five years, there’s not going to be as many stereotypes.

JG: Where do you think the growth of MMA will end?
CO: Chuck is on ‘Dancing with the Stars.’ that just shows you the sky’s the limit.

BH: We’re just starting it’s going to be up there with football. Whether it’s Strikeforce or UFC there’s going to be Friday night fights just like boxing. Once that all gets packaged, I don’t think there is going to be a difference between MMA, the NBA, and the NFL.

CE: It will be a business thing too clothing lines like Tapout, Dethrone, and Cage Fighter. They will have to start competing with Nike and Reebok. They’re going to start realizing how much money they are missing out on by not being involved in the sport. Once that happens, it’s going to be a huge turning point when the major athletic companies. When that happens it will help bring more legitimacy to our sport…
We are still in our infancy as much as we have accomplished in the past ten years. You see Chuck on Dancing with the Stars you start to notice these kinds of thing. You’re not just seeing Chuck on the Ultimate Fighter and on UFC shows. You’re seeing him on ABC on a show that every family will gather on a Monday night to watch. They’re going to start seeing things and be like “hey, that’s the UFC fighter what’s he doing on this show?” It starts to peak interest then you see him on other show shows. It will start to spread out to mainstream society and it will be become accepted as an everyday thing…

JG: What do you guys think about steroids in MMA?
CO: If somebody needs to use them, let them use them. If that’s what they have to do who cares… I’ve never done anything; I think it just comes down to working hard and the right nutrition. I don’t think it’s a huge thing, I don’t think if my opponent does steroids it’s going to affect the outcome.

CE: It makes them feel dumber after he beats them.

CO: I’ve wrestled guys on who are on steroids and I don’t think it affects the outcome if I’m working hard and I’m suppose to win, I’m suppose to win… I don’t condone them at all just like drugs but if that’s what you think you need to do to get by, then do it to get by. I think I’m going to run extra sprints, you think you’re going to poke yourself in the a** go for it.

CE: It just shows lack of self-confidence in your training. I’ve never been happy about my cardio, okay I start wearing a weigh vest and I’m going to add a snorkel to my training. I’d rather do that than stick a needle in my butt, that’s where I sit down its sore all the time. If you think you need that to win it shows a lack of self-confidence. There is the main problem of why you’re not winning fights. If you think you need to juice yourself to win your fights. Then you need to take a step back and look at why you’re losing your fights to begin with… It’s because, your stand-up sucks and your ground game sucks. I’m with Casey on that I don’t condone it at all; I don’t think people should use it. If you use it and you get caught then you deserve the spanking you get. Its things like that hurt our legitimacy… We don’t need it in our sport.

BH: I agree with what they said it’s dumb and it’s pointless. On the side of our athletic commissions they can take a stand right now and set up a strict testing policy. We’re a new sport and we can avoid those black eyes and things like that… We’re a relatively new sport set-up strict testing where everyone gets tested so many times a year. Fix the problem before it becomes one.

CO: We already have to do physicals, eye exams, neural exams, MRI’s, and blood tests. Every other month every two months, if you’re a fighter and your status is fighting you do a test. If it’s such an issue then might as well just nip it in the butt right then. There are some many little things oh well he’s got point zero milligrams of this in his system. What does that do? Oh well, it helped him hold on to that triangle a little bit longer.

JG: What do you think about the growth of MMA in the Central Valley?
CO: I think it’s grown a lot and it has a lot more to go. We’re in the Save Mart Center now and probably being able to do about 5,000 people. That’s a huge thing from when I first started watching Cole fight in Lemoore at the Palace. They tried to do it at Table Mountain a couple of times it wasn’t very good so the Palace was the only place that really had it. They would probably do about 2,000 people over there but now with Zinkin being a huge manager here. He doesn’t have just any fighters, he has the best of the best he’s got Chuck Liddell, Forrest Griffin, Josh Koscheck, Jon Fitch, and Mike Swick. He’s got the best of the best and brining those guys to Fresno when we have fights is huge. It’s huge for the sport those guys are icons, people look up to them and people want to see them… I think since we have local guys, who are very good, Cole’s been fighting for years he build up his name a long time ago. Billy is the best kept secret of Fresno; he’s going to be the next big thing. He’s been coming up for a long time off and on in fighting but now he is headlining the Strikeforce show with Jorge Gurgel which is on Showtime. It’s a big thing for Fresno.

BE: It’s changed so much. I remember going to Porterville, driving really far. My first amateur fight I went to Medford, Oregon, my first fight they gave a hundred dollars and a gift certificate to Outback Steakhouse (Everyone laughs) it was rough. Now, guys are crying for like a thousand dollars but they don’t understand it’s your first fight. It could be worse; a lot of people had it a lot worse.

CE: I got a trophy and congratulations and I was like ‘Yeah, I got a trophy!’

BE: I was proud of my gift certificate. The hundred dollars went for gas and trail mix. Then come back the next year and so I do it all over again. Maybe this time I can get two gift certificates. (Every laughs)

CE: It’s grown the days of saying thanks for the couple hundred bucks I got. You would get a free flight out of state somewhere and a free hotel room for the night, and here’s a hundred bucks split between your cornermen. Those days, thank God, are long gone and the sports grown enough to where it’s a matter of, as greed as it sounds I hate to say it with this economy and the way things are going you get to auction yourself off…
For some of the smaller guys who aren’t on T.V. yet. I can go fight at the Palace, I can fight at the Save Mart Center, I can go fight in Tulare or Visalia it’s a matter of who wants to pay me the most. How much money can I get for my time and my effort? These guys want to pay me two and two (Earnings are based on a fighter showing up and weighing in then the second portion is based on winning the fight.) but these guys want to pay me four and four. Where do you think I’m going to go? I’m going to go where the money is because that’s what pays the bills and puts food on the table…
As opposed to “oh there are fights in Porterville, how much a couple hundred bucks. Okay, what time do I have to be there? Then it’s just a matter of sitting around wondering am I going to get paid? Okay, I’m getting paid cash the checks not going to bounce.” Now it’s like okay, how much are you going to pay me? Okay cool where is the contract? It’s us bringing more professionalism to the sport… Now, it’s like no, you want me to fight show me the piece of paper. I need to get paid, I have bills and a family to feed because most of the time you’re going to find fighters that are probably fighting to put food on the table. That’s what they do for a living they don’t work a nine to five… That’s how we pay our bills as opposed to sitting in a cubicle working a nine to five wanting to blow his brains out. That’s how I think valley sports have grown, instead of begging for fights you get to pick and choose.

JG: What do you think about the Mayor not wanting to hold MMA in Woodward Park?
CE: I’m sure she’s extremely intelligent. You don’t’ get to be mayor by being a doorknob but I don’t know, its Fresno. I don’t think she realizes the loss of revenue for north Fresno… For the mayor to say no we don’t want to have fights in north Fresno, that’s pulling money from north Fresno businesses. You’ve got the north Fresno hotels, if you can get a promoter to put everybody in up in north Fresno hotels, as opposed to having to go down the 41 to Tulare or Divisadero to get a hotel room for the show. I don’t think she’s an ignorant person, I just think she’s very firm on it and I think it’s a mistake it’s hurting north Fresno businesses… I know people that didn’t want to go to the Fresno Fairgrounds event because they did not want to be down there after dark and I don’t blame them. I was just walking to my car and I told my girlfriend “hey, I’m going to walk you to your car,” then I’m going to walk to my car and then we’ll leave because I didn’t want her walking by herself in the parking lot. That’s just me at a Woodward Park or a Save Mart Center event you can walk to your car and really not have a care in the world… Granted the parking was pretty bad, I guess it took a while to get out of there but were no incidents, no major problems, and no fights. Nothing that she would really have to worry about aside from the north end peoples complaints. Well if you don’t like it don’t go the park is pretty much closed at that time of the night anyway. It’s not like we’re ruining your Sunday picnic and it’s not like we’re going to be there holding an event while you have family time at the park. So it really doesn’t conflict with anything, it’s just hurting north business…

BH: I just don’t see the reasoning; you can have concerts out there things like that. The concert’s going to generate way more noise. I think it’s just the people in that area just being kind of ignorant to the sport and complaining about it. If I was running things as long as it’s a safe environment and putting on a good show that’s regulated. I don’t think I would turn down money in this economy from a business stand point. I would just like to hear her actual reasons other than I don’t like it and people in that area don’t like it. There are a lot of things in life you don’t like but you can work with it and can benefit. There’s definitely a greater good to have an event there as far as revenue… I just think the city is throwing away anywhere from $20 to $40,000 that weekend. If they can do without $40,000 per weekend then that’s cool.

CE: I would like to work in one of those restaurants and be able to $10,000 in a weekend.

CO: It’s a tough situation; I think there’s a lot of old school people involved. I think our mayor now thinks very old school, like I was saying earlier we have to adapt to the times… Now to bring more events over there it doesn’t to me even when they have offered to three times the rent to do it. It doesn’t make sense when they have cut people from jobs in parks and recreation because of the economy. But yet they’re turning down money that could be going into that, it doesn’t make sense. The event is at six o’clock at night, very few times do you see people walking around at six o’clock at night with their kids or nine o’clock. It’s over by nine, the next day if they have a good cleanup crew, everything is cleaned up they won’t even know. The issues of it took too long to get out well look at a baseball game it takes just as long. Sit on the 405 in L.A. travel down south it’s just like anything else, there are going to be good and bad in everything… The fact of what it can do for Fresno, we’re in a bad economy and why are we cutting peoples jobs when you have a chance to bring in money and have a surplus. It’s sad but the fight will go on, you tell us we can’t go somewhere, guess what we’re going to go somewhere else. That’s exactly what’s happened and it costs a lot more money to do it at Save Mart Center but we’ll do it and more people will come. It just stinks that a lot of people aren’t going to the north Fresno side because we’ll be over here now.

BE: I think it’s just a great place, the time that I went there; there were so many people just to watch the fight there were people sitting out on the dirt. If they may made that place bigger, like Casey and everyone said imagine how much more money would come in.

JG: Are you guys excited to fight in front of the hometown crowd for the Strikeforce card?
CO: I think the fight in front of our hometown that’s exactly what we get up for, this is kinda what we do it for. I think everybody could have fought anywhere but to do it in Fresno… This is it, this where we grew up, this is where we were raised… It’s a dream for a fighter to fight in your hometown. As much as we travel in this sport to find fights, it’s nice to do it right here to do it right here in front of everybody.

CE: It’s tough with added the pressure, but there’s pressure with all fights. Nobody wants to lose in front of their friends and family, it’s an opportunity… There’s little perks, aside from being able to fight in your own hometown which is a huge plus. Plus, you get pressure but you get local support. Pretty much everybody there is there for you. It’s not like having to go to Colorado or Utah, when you’re fighting their hometown guy and opposed to all you hear is boos. The arena goes nuts just for you because they hear you’re from Fresno or they know you personally, or train with you, or their kid goes to school with your kid…

BH: I think it’s awesome it’s like they said it’s sweet how much the people of Fresno support local guys. I’m not originally from here but just the way the community, the central valley especially Fresno has taken me in. It’s awesome and when they hear you’re from Fresno it makes them cheer that much louder… I’m very excited, I would rather go into a fight and have all my buddies behind me and that’s what we’re able to do. The fans of Fresno are awesome; I would never imagine I would have as many people yelling for me as I have just being somebody new to the area…. The last time I fought in the Save Mart Center was unreal. I can only imagine what it’s going to be like this time with this many Fresno people on the card, it’s going to be awesome.

BE: There is pressure at the same time the support itself, I think is helping me out. Especially for this fight, I do feel a lot of pressure for this fight. But to each one of us, the family is going to go support you; your friends are going to go support you and everyone that you know is going to go be there and cheer for you. Just a little motivation like “Yeah, right on keep fighting,” it helps you out. You ever see Hulk Hogan do his thing, that’s what it does (everyone laughs). Cheering for you it helps you out during a fight; it gives you a push in motivation to just keep going.

For more information on the event, go to www.strikeforce.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

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KAEDING WINS 16TH ANNUAL TROPHY CUP

Tim Kaeding makes history at Thunderbowl.

By Dan Fleisher
VSP Racing Columnist:

Tim Kaeding made history Saturday night at Thunderbowl Raceway by becoming first ever driver to set fast time and then win the final main event from the 24th starting position, leading to his third overall Cup title. Kaeding started the evening only nine points behind Shane Stewart after Friday’s results. The second-generation driver is slowing but surely catching up with him famous father Brent, who has recorded four Cup titles.

A main results: Tim Kaeding, Randy Hannagan, Kyle Larson, Shane Stewart, Paul McMahan, Craig Stidham, Stephen Allard, Brent Kaeding, Andy Forsberg, Mike Henry, Henry Van Dam, Roger Crockett, Bud Kaeding, Wayne Johnson, Tommy Tarlton, Mark Dobmeier, Tyler Walker, Mason Moore, Sean Becker, Brad Furr, Kyle Hirst, Jonathan Allard, Peter Murphy, Cory Eliason

Final Points standings….Tim Kaeding, Shane Stewart, Paul McMahan, Andy Forsberg, Kyle Larson, Brent Kaeding, Randy Hannagan, Bud Kaeding, Stephen Allard, Craig Stidham, Tommy Tarlton, Tyler Walker, Mike Henry, Wayne Johnson, Henry Van Dam, Bobby McMahan, Brad Furr, Jonathan Allard, Mark Dobmeier, Cory Eliason, Kyle Hirst, Mason Moore, Peter Murphy

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ANOTHER BULLDOG BLOWOUT

Mathews, West, defense shine in Fresno State’s 34-3 rout of New Mexico State.

From gobulldogs.com:

The Fresno State football team improved to 4-3 and 3-1 in WAC after beating New Mexico State 34-3 on Saturday evening. Bulldog running back Ryan Mathews ran for 157 yards on 25 carries and two touchdowns. He continues to lead the nation in rushing as he went over the 1,000 yard barrier. He currently has 1,131 yards, good for an average of 161.6 yards a game.

The win was highlighted by several big plays from the special teams and defense as Lorne Bell had a 17-yard interception return for a touchdown, Ben Jacobs blocked a field goal and Chastin West had an 88-yard punt return for a touchdown.

The offense racked up 410 yards of total offense and Jamel Hamler had a career night as he had 63 yards receiving on three receptions. Seyi Ajirotutu led the receiving corp with 64 yards on three receptions.

The Bulldog defense held the Aggies to 283 total yards. Ben Jacobs had 13 tackles, two being for loss. Lorne Bell had five tackles.

Saturday was the first time in three years that this game has been decided by more than a touchdown. The Bulldogs now lead the overall series 16-0.

The Bulldogs return to Bulldog Stadium on Saturday to host Utah State at 2 p.m.

BULLDOG NOTES:

Early in the second quarter Ryan Mathews surpassed the 1,000-yard mark, becoming the ninth back in the Pat Hill era to accomplish that feat. He’s the first since 2006 when Dwayne Wright rushed for 1,462 yards. Mathews leads the NCAA with 1,132 yards, an average of 161.7 per game.

Mathews had a 68-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, giving in a nation leading seven 50-plus rushing plays this season. He’s had runs of 69, 68, 68, 60, 60, 59 and 55 yards. All but the 55-yard run, which was against Wisconsin, were for touchdowns. He’s scored nine touchdowns this season.

Mathews moved into fourth place on the Bulldog career rushing list with 2,603 yards passing Dean Philpott (1954-57), who had 2,533 yards. With two tonight, he has 29 career rushing touchdowns, tied for second most in school history with Michael Pittman, Bryson Sumlin and Philpott. He needs six more rushing touchdown for the all-time record of 35 set by Anthony Daigle.

Lorne Bell’s second quarter 17-yard interception for a touchdown was the second by the Dogs this season. It was the first interception of Bell’s career. Nico Herron had a 94-yard interception return for a score against UC Davis.

Marlon Moore had a 36-yard punt return in the second quarter, which set up a Bulldog field goal to give a 10-3 lead. It was the longest return by the Dogs this season.

Fresno State’s next opponent Utah State earned a big win at home against Louisiana Tech Saturday, one week after losing a heart-breaking game to Nevada last weekend 35-32.

Bulldog Ben Jacobs picked up his fourth career blocked kick in the second quarter. Fresno State has 83 blocks in the Pat Hill era and 48 since 2002, most in the NCAA. It was the fourth blocked kick of the season for the Dogs, and third straight week. Fresno State had a school record 10 blocks in the 1999 season.

Chastin West’s 88-yard punt return for a score was his third on a return in his career. He had a punt return for a touchdown last season vs. San Jose State and kickoff return for a touchdown against Boise State in 2007. His return was 4 yards shy of the Bulldog school record of 92 yards set by Clifton Smith in 2005 vs. Weber State. The return was Fresno State’s 39th return for a score on special teams in the Pat Hill era, the 20th punt return for a touchdown.

Derek Carr completed four passes on six attempts for 57 yards on Saturday. All the numbers were season and career bests. He had a season long pass of 29 yards to Seyi Ajirotutu.

Fresno State Quotes
Head Coach Pat Hill
“Our defense and special teams played great tonight. It was a tough night running the ball. Give New Mexico State credit. They had a great game plan and really loaded the box. It was tough sledding early. Our coaches made some great adjustments in the second half and it opened up a little bit. We are able to take the pressure off by hitting some big plays in the passing game. It wasn’t Ryan’s (Colburn) best night. Some night’s a pitcher is not going to have his best stuff, but he really hit some big passes when we needed, and managed the game well.”

“I can’t say enough about our defense. They played great. I loved the goal line stands we had, especially with the young guys in there at the end of the game. There was some big-time hitting going on. It’s good to get them experience in those situations.”

“The special teams keep getting better. They didn’t bring a kickoff out past the 20 (yard line) and we had some big plays with the blocked field goal and the big returns by Chastin (West) and Marlon (Moore).”

“We played at a high level tonight like we have all season. It was a good win. We’ve won three in a row and everyone got to play for the third game in a row. We are looking forward to coming back home next week for Utah State. They are playing very well right now. I hope we have a big crowd. The fans only have two more chances to see us play at home this season.”

Quarterback Ryan Colburn
“They (NMSU) did a good job tonight. They gave us some looks we hadn’t seen on film and really stacked the box in ways we weren’t expecting. We made some adjustments though and finally got the running game going.”

“We didn’t play our best offensive game but the defense and special teams really picked us up. They played great and kept their offense off the field. The guys on defense really deserve a lot of credit.”

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MCCURLEY’S LEGS, NOT ARM, SPARK WU WIN OVER RANCHOS

The Panthers win in a non-conventional fashion to gut out a 14-6 victory over Liberty-Madera Ranchos.

By Chris Haynes
VSP Senior Writer:

Washington Union quarterback Adam McCurley is known for using his arm to destroy opposing defenses, but it was his legs that created problems for the Hawks in Easton.

“We definitely didn’t have our ‘A-game’ tonight,” said Panthers’ coach Jeff Freitas. “We really struggled on offense and their defense gave us some trouble all night. We had a lot of penalties and pour execution, which allowed them to stay in the game.”

The Panthers didn’t waste time on their first series; seven plays, three first downs, and a 36-yard touchdown pass to receiver Donald Phelps with 8:49 remaining in the first quarter. Panthers took the lead 7-0.

The Hawks used their hurry-offense repeatedly to catch the Panthers off guard with a constant dose of the running game. Running backs Dylan Ferreira and Josh Garza rushed for 108 and 91 yards respectively. The problem would be converting on third and manageable downs in the red zone. With the Panthers offensive line averaging 6’ 3” in height, pretty much forced the Hawks into being one-dimensional and made it highly unlikely for 5’ 10” quarterback Kyle Melvin to complete a high percentage of passes going only 6-12 for 80-yards.

“We played hard,” says Hawks’ quarterback Kyle Melvin. “We got down in the red zone four times and we couldn’t capitalize on it. This is one the toughest teams in the valley, so we feel pretty good about ourselves.”

The Hawks’ defense would keep them in the game. McCurley, who was California’s player of the week in week 5, was hounded all night by defensive end Ben Cowger. Cowger was double-teamed all evening, but he single-handedly kept McCurley from getting comfortable in the pocket. McCurley was forced to either takeoff or throw some rushed passes that were off the mark. McCurley ended up going 17-34 for 218-yards while converting key first downs using his legs.

“I wasn’t expecting their defensive line to be that good,” says McCurley. “Their defensive end (Cowger) is a legitimate D-1 defensive end.”

“We came out a little slow,” says offensive line coach Max Zuniga. “That Cowger kid put a lot of pressure on our line, which forced us to roll out and run, McCurley did a nice job of running though.”

The game would remain 7-0 Panthers until the Hawks second series of the second half. The Hawks would convert on an eleven-play, 80-yard drive that would produce a 8-yard touchdown slant route to Garza with 3.33 left in the third. The extra point would be no good making the score 7-6 Panthers.
Eager to put some points on the board after the Hawks just drove the length of the field, McCurley looks for receiver Josh Williams, but Garza at the defensive back position picks off his pass on the Hawks’ 20. The Hawks would then go three and out to end the quarter.

The Panthers first series of the fourth would show off the offensive juggernaut that many are accustomed to witnessing. The Panthers would go eight-plays highlighted by the McCurley to Williams tandem. McCurley finds Williams for a 37 and 12-yard reception, and finishes the drive with a Willaims 6-yard touchdown grab to open up the game 14-6. This would be all the scoring the Panthers would need on this night. The Hawks would try to air it out to get back in the game but Melvin would get picked off on two consecutive series, by Williams and Phelps respectively.

“It was a hard fought game,” says Hawks’ coach Mike Nolte. “McCurley has about three of four passes he likes to throw consistently, so we sat on those routes and I think we did a good job covering them for the most part. That team has beaten teams by a lot of points, tonight was only 14-6, so I think we got something to be proud of.”

“I think we fought hard tonight,” says Panthers running back Deshawn Johnson. “Defense kept shutting them down and the offense eventually came through to give us the win.”

Liberty of Madera (4-3, 2-2) will welcome in a struggling Sierra High (4-3, 0-3) ball club in hopes of getting back on the winning track in week 8. This is the Panthers (5-2, 3-0) fifth straight victory going into next week’s matchup on the road against the Redskins of Chowchilla (4-3, 2-1).

WEEK SEVEN SCOREBOARD:

Lemoore 12 Mt Whitney 13 F/OT (Thurs)
Porterville 21 Tulare Union 56 (Thurs)
Sanger 21 Edison 19 (Thurs)
Alpaugh 0 Lighthouse Christian 46
Atwater 42 Pitman 14
Bakersfield Christian 12 Tehachapi 40
Buhach Colony 79 Turlock 56
Bullard 52 Reedley 42
Centennial 14 West 16
Clovis East 7 Central 20
Clovis North 19 Hoover 37
Clovis West 14 Buchanan 38
Coast 6 Mendota 28
Corcoran 63 Riverdale 0
Delano 64 Granite Hills 6
Dinuba 42 Coalinga 21
Exeter 31 Selma 14
Firebaugh 46 Avenal 6
Foothill 14 Bakersfield 40
Fresno Christian 0 Fowler 29
Garces 67 East Bakersfield 41
Golden West 6 Redwood 56
Hanford West 9 El Diamante 56
Highland 10 Frontier 36
Hilmar 20 Central Catholic 48
Kennedy 14 Mission Oak 47
Kings Christian 9 Farmersville 36
Kingsburg 49 Central Valley Christian 7
Laton 6 Orange Cove 56
Liberty-Bakersfield 34 Golden Valley-Bakersfield 0
Liberty-Madera Ranchos 6 Washington Union 14
Lighthouse Academy 0 Clovis Christian 82
Livingston 39 Orestimba 14
Madera 12 Clovis 49
Mariposa 0 Le Grand 14
McLane 14 Fresno 27
Memorial 28 Madera South 0
Merced 55 Golden Valley-Merced 20
Mira Monte 28 Independence 27
Mission Prep 30 McFarland 7
Monache 27 Chavez 46
North 26 South 28
Parlier 9 Caruthers 45
Patterson 35 Gustine 7
Shafter 23 Arvin 19
Sierra 0 Chowchilla 35
Stockdale 41 Ridgeview 7
Strathmore 20 Lindsay 25
Sunnyside 14 Roosevelt 13
Taft 42 Wasco 0
Tulare Western 8 Hanford 35
Turlock Christian 42 Delhi 12
Woodlake 37 Orosi 0
Yosemite 30 Kerman 13

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FORSBERG NABS 2ND CAREER TROPHY CUP WIN

By Ron Rodda
VSP Contributing Racing Writer:

Tulare, CA. – Auburn, CA. driver Andy Forsberg is running his last event ever for his long time car owner, and he made the most of a pole assignment to win the opening night main of the 16th Annual Trophy Cup. His prior main event Cup win was in 2000 at Watsonville.

A 68 car field of winged 360’s checked in and Tim Kaeding again set fast time, bettering last year’s top mark with a 13.502 to take the 150 points available in qualifying. The top 48 cars ran one of six heats, inverting six by time and moving the top 3 into the A main. The cars ranked 49 and higher ran one of a trio of non-qualifier heats.

After all heats, the non-qualifier cars ran a pair of D mains, moving the top 2 from each to a 12 lap C main that included the last two from each of the six heats. Randy Hannagan, Ronnie Day, Davey Pombo, Mike Reinke, Roger Crockett, and Zach Zimmerly took the top 6 C main spots to move into the B main.
A talent laden B main inverted 6 by points and moved the top six finishers to the night’s 30 lap headliner. Mike Henry led 16 of the 20 laps from the outside front row before sixth starting Tim Kaeding drove around him on the top of turn 4 for the win. Henry followed to the line with Kyle Hirst, Tommy Tarlton, Steven Tiner, and Craig Stidham claiming the transfers.

The A main inverted 12 by points and was run on a fast, heavy surface. Some drivers were still able to make forward progress, but no significant pressure was put on Forsberg in his flag to flag run. Bobby McMahan ran the entire race in 2nd and Hirst was 3rd in the early stages.
When Hirst bicycled in turn 2 on the 3rd lap, Henry grabbed 3rd but became a DNF after 17 laps to end his run. Henry’s mechanical issues put rim riding Cory Eliason into 3rd and he put intense pressure on B. McMahan for 2nd until the top 3 came upon a lapped car late in the race.
With only 3 yellows slowing the pace, one for Hirst’s broken axle while in the top 5, incoming point leader, Shane Stewart was still able to move forward and took 3rd from his 12th starting spot, using the top of turn 4 on lap 27 for his final pass Forsberg, B. McMahan, and Stewart filled the podium at race’s end with Tyler Walker and Tim Kaeding next in line.

Points after the opening night are:

1. Shane Stewart 278 2. Tim Kaeding 269 3. Tyler Walker 266 4. Andy Forsberg 265 5. Bobby McMahan 263 6. Bud Kaeding 263 7. Cory Eliason 257 8. Brad Furr 256 9. Tommy Tarlton 255 10. Jonathan Allard 247

Main Event finishes: D main 1–Jesse Hockett, Brett Miller, Chad Compton, Kurt Nelson, Jonathan Logan, Todd Miller, Andy Ferris, Rusty Carlisle, Steve Dyer, Koen Shaw

D main 2–Zack Zimmerly, Stan Yockey, Randy Pierce, Albert Pombo, Pat Harvey, Roberto Kirby, Jim Richardson, Jerry Wise, Jr., Steve Jaquith, Burt Foland

C main–Randy Hannagan, Ronnie Day, Davey Pombo, Mike Reinke, Roger Crockett, Steven Tiner, Miller, Anthony Simone, Brad Bumgarner, Yockey, Jason Statler, Chad Groves, Hockett, Cody Darrah, Matt Sargent

B main–Tim Kaeding, Mike Henry, Kyle Hirst, Tommy Tarlton, Tiner, Craig Stidham, Hannagan, Peter Murphy, Craig Smith, Bradley Terrell, Crockett, Brock Lemley, Mason Moore, Sean Becker, Geoff Ensign, D. Pombo, Shane Golobic, Matt Barber, Reinke, Zimmerly, Justyn Cox, Wes Gutierrez, Day, Kyle Harris

A main–Andy Forsberg, Bobby McMahan, Shane Stewart, Tyler Walker, T. Kaeding, Cory Eliason, Jonathan Allard, Bud Kaeding, Brad Furr, Brent Kaeding, Tarlton, Wayne Johnson, Kyle Larson, Henry Van Dam, Stephen Allard, Paul McMahan, Mark Dobmeier, Andy Gregg, Steven Tiner, Cameron Mendes, Henry, Hirst, Greg DeCaires, Craig Stidham

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HE’S GOOD, BY GEORGE

The national spotlight is creeping up on Fresno State sophomore forward Paul George. Here’s his one-on-one interview with nbadraft.net, giving you an indication that George could be a first round pick in next year’s NBA Draft. Scouts are watching. Translation: enjoy him while you still can. George and Sylvester Seay were selected as Second Team All-WAC selections.

Fresno State is picked to finish in sixth place in the preseason coaches poll and seventh in the media poll. Utah State is favored to win the conference.

http://www.nbadraft.net/node/9237

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THE TEAM TO BEAT

The Bulldog women’s basketball team is picked to have another strong season.

From gobulldogs.com:

The Fresno State women’s basketball team will have a target on its backs this season as they were picked to finish first by the coaches in the WAC. The media picked the Bulldogs second behind Louisiana Tech.

Jaleesa Ross was named to the preseason first-teams by the coaches and media while Hayley Munro earned second-team honors by the coaches and media. It is the second straight year the two players have received the recognition.

“We excited about the upcoming season,” Fresno State coach Adrian Wiggins said. “We have a talented group of players who are working hard to accomplish the goals we have. Our tough nonconference games will prepare us for conference. The teams in the league are improved this year and it should be an exciting race.”

The voting for first place in the coaches’ poll was very close as the Bulldogs had five first place votes, Louisiana Tech three and Boise State one. The Bulldogs and Lady Techsters shared the WAC regular season championship last year.

Following Boise State in third place in the coaches poll, Idaho was picked to finish fourth, New Mexico State fifth, Nevada sixth, Utah State seventh and San Jose State and Hawai’i tied for eighth.

Louisiana Tech senior Shanavia Dowdell was selected the WAC’s Preseason Player of the Year in a vote of the league’s nine head coaches, who could not vote for their own team or players. Dowdell was also named the preseason WAC Player of the Year by the media.

Joining Dowdell on the first team are Tasha Harris of Boise State, Louisiana Tech’s Adrienne Johnson, Ross and New Mexico State’s Madison Spence.

Second-team selections include Munro, Yinka Olorunnife and Derisa Taleni (Idaho), Jessica Van Hoogen (Boise State) and Lydia Whitehead (Utah State).

The media picked the Lady Techsters first with 14 first place votes while the Bulldogs were picked second with six first place votes. Boise State was picked third and did get one first place votes. Idaho was picked fourth, Nevada fifth, New Mexico State sixth, Utah State seventh, Hawai’i eighth and San Jose State ninth.
First-team All-WAC honors for the media included, Dowdell, Johnson, Olorunnife, Ross and Spence. Second-team honors were Crystal Boyd (New Mexico State), Harris, Munro, Taleni and Jessica Van Hoogen from Boise State.

2009-10 Preseason Women’s Basketball Coaches Poll
Rank Teams (1st-Place Votes) Points
1 Fresno State (5) 60
2 Louisiana Tech (3) 58
3 Boise State (1) 53
4 Idaho 39
5 New Mexico State 38
6 Nevada 28
7 Utah State 24
T-8. Hawai’i 12
T-8. San Jose State 12

Preseason Coaches All-WAC Teams
First Team
Shanavia Dowdell, Sr., F, Louisiana Tech
Tasha Harris, Sr., G, Boise State
Adrienne Johnson, Jr., F, Louisiana Tech
Jaleesa Ross, Jr., G, Fresno State
Madison Spence, Jr., G, New Mexico State

Second Team
Hayley Munro, Jr., G/F, Fresno State
Yinka Olorunnife, Jr., P, Idaho
Derisa Taleni, Sr., G/P, Idaho
Jessica Van Hoogen, Sr., G, Boise State
Lydia Whitehead, Sr., C, Utah State

Preseason Player of the Year: Shanavia Dowdell, Louisiana Tech

2009-10 Preseason Women’s Basketball Media Poll
Rank Teams (1st-Place Votes) Points
1 Louisiana Tech (14) 180
2 Fresno State (6) 167
3 Boise State (1) 136
4 Idaho 114
5 Nevada 104
6 New Mexico State 100
7 Utah State 72
8 Hawai’i 46
9 San Jose State 26

Preseason All-WAC Teams
First Team
Shanavia Dowdell, Sr., F, Louisiana Tech
Adrienne Johnson, Jr., F, Louisiana Tech
Yinka Olorunnife, Jr., P, Idaho
Jaleesa Ross, Jr., G, Fresno State
Madison Spence, Jr., G, New Mexico State

Second Team
Crystal Boyd, New Mexico State
Tasha Harris, Sr., G, Boise State
Hayley Munro, Jr., G/F, Fresno State
Derisa Taleni, Sr., G/P, Idaho
Jessica Van Hoogen, Sr., G, Boise State

Player of the Year: Shanavia Dowdell, Louisiana Tech

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AND THE BEAT GOES ON

Ryan Mathews rushes for 233 yards in Fresno State’s 41-21 win over San Jose State.

From The Associated Press:

Ryan Mathews ran for 233 yards and Ryan Colburn threw two touchdown passes as Fresno State defeated San Jose State 41-21 on Saturday night.

Mathews’ night, which ended after three quarters, included a 59-yard touchdown that highlighted the Bulldogs’ 24-point second quarter. It was the junior’s sixth straight game with 100 or more yards. Mathews needs just 26 more yards to reach the 1,000 yard mark.

“”You saw the holes the O-line opened up,” said Mathews. “It was all their work today. They did a good job of getting all my runs in. I owe all my work to them.”

Fresno State (3-3, 2-1 Western Athletic Conference) scored 34 unanswered points after San Jose State (1-5, 0-2) took an early 14-7 lead.

“We just have to worry about next week,” Colburn said, when asked if he thought the Bulldogs could start a long win streak. “There are some good teams in the WAC this year. If we’re not careful, we’ll get bit.”

Lamon Muldrow had 73 rushing yards for the Spartans, and quarterback Jordan La Secla completed 17 of 27 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown.

Bolstered by a strong ground game, Colburn completed 7 of 12 passes for 117 yards before giving way to backups Ebahn Feathers and Derek Carr. Feathers threw the first touchdown pass of his Bulldog career, finding Marlon Moore for a four yard score in the fourth quarter.

VSP’s George Takata added to this story.

MATHEWS GAME BY GAME:
vs. UC Davis: 106 yards, 1 TD
vs. Wisconsin: 107 yards, 0 TD
vs. Boise State: 234 yards, 3 TD
vs. Cincinnati: 145 yards, 1 TD
vs. Hawaii: 149 yards, 1 TD
vs. San Jose State: 233 yards, 1 TD
TOTAL: 974 yards, 7 TD
NEXT: At New Mexico State Saturday, Oct. 24th, 7:15 pm

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VETERAN KNIGHTS THUMP YOUNG BRONCOS

Bullard hands young Clovis North its worst loss of the season, 42-0.

By Chris Haynes
VSP Senior Writer:

After the Clovis North Broncos suffered their first loss in school history to Central in week zero, the Broncos went on to win four in a row while averaging a whopping 51 points per game.

Then it was time to play Bullard.

You couldn’t tell this was the same Broncos team Friday night at Chukchansi Park as both teams opened up league play with an impressive 42-0 win by the Knights.

“We were so sloppy in the first quarter but I’m happy with the shutout,” said Bullard’s head coach Don Arax. “Those kids on the other side can really fly around, we’re just a year older than those kids.”

Bullard displayed their versatility and veteran leadership throughout the contest. They ran the ball at will with the thunder and lightning duo of Demetrius Warren and Jordan Jones. Quarterback Kerr Taubler passed for 239 yards, repeatedly lobbing the ball up to his main target Jajuan Hammond for jaw dropping grabs on his way to 109 receiving yards, and the defense did their part with four takeaways.

“We got beat pretty soundly by a very good team,” says Broncos head coach Tim Simons. “I thought my kids battled and they didn’t give up. We’ve got some heart on this football team but we made too many errors. They’re one of the best teams in this valley if not the best. We got decisively beat but I was pleased with the courage of my kids.”

The game started bad for the Broncos from the outset, as Bullard went the length of the field on a two-minute 80-yard play drive, highlighted by 61-yard reception by Hammond, followed by a two-yard touchdown run off a Taubler quarterback keeper.

The Broncos first possession looked as if they would give the Knights a game, gaining momentum and confidence while collecting two first downs during their first three snaps. The fourth snap would be a momentum dagger. Quarterback Chris Mariscal would be stripped of the ball by linebacker Daniel Snelling, giving the Knights the ball at the Broncos’ 45.

“They’re going to be very good,” says Taubler. “I’m predicting North to win the division three valley championship behind Alec Mechikoff, he’s a great runner.”

One play is all it took the Knights to reach the end zone. Warren broke tackle after tackle before breaking through the secondary and sprinting towards a 45-yard touchdown run, building a 14-0 Knights’ lead with 8:39 left in the first quarter.

The closest the Broncos would come to scoring would be with a minute left in the quarter. A bobbled exchange between Taubler and Jones would be picked up 30-yards from the Broncos’ end zone by defensive back Justin Gallegos. Gallegos had a clear path to the house with no one within 15-yards of him, but he would drop the ball at the 1-yard line assuming he had crossed the cones, but didn’t. Bullard would race to the one-yard line to regain possession, leaving the Broncos’ crowd in disbelief.

The Knights would finish the first half off adding another 14 points in the second quarter off a 10-yard touchdown catch by tailback Caleb Justice and a 5-yard touchdown punch in by Jones, his second of the game. Bullard led 28-0 at halftime.

“The game didn’t go the way I planned,” said Mechikoff,who rushed for 117 yards on 17 carries. “Bullard’s defense is very strong but we just got to stay together, fix our mistakes, and avoid our weaknesses.”

The third quarter would only provide a series each for both offenses, as each tried to establish their running game. However, Bullard ended up scoring on their lone series on a 72-yard 12-play drive. Jones rushed for his third touchdown from 4-yards out making it 35-0 with 36 seconds left in the third quarter.

The Knights would add to their margin in the fourth quarter on their first series; producing a three-play, 70-yard drive culminated by a 17-yard touchdown grab by Hammond, finalizing the score at 42-0.

“I thought we played well defensively but you have to give North credit,” says D-line coach Yosef Fares. “They’re going to be something to mess with next year. They’re very well coached, they get off the ball well up front ,and to be an all junior team, they’re one the best all junior teams I’ve ever seen.”

The Broncos (4-2) will face a tough and rugged Hoover Patriots (5-1) squad at Sunnyside in week seven. The Patriots defense is holding opponents to 9.3 points per game. Bullard (6-0) will go on the road to face the Reedley Pirates (5-1). The Pirates are coming off a 46-0 pounding by the Edison Tigers (4-2).

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WEEK 6 SCOREBOARD

The complete high school football scoreboard from week six. Our VSP Game of the Week featuring Bullard and Clovis North will be up on the site soon!

Arvin 6 Taft 65
Avenal 8 Coast 24
Bakersfield 42 Garces 16
Buchanan 54 Madera 21
Central 24 Clovis West 3
Central Catholic 44 Gustine 0
Central Valley Christian 21 Chowchilla 20
Clovis 0 Clovis East 31
Clovis North 0 Bullard 42
Delano 14 Porterville 23
Dos Palos 13 Kerman 22
East Bakersfield 48 Foothill 42
Edison 46 Reedley 0
El Diamante 30 Lemoore 14
Farmersville 6 Orange Cove 3
Fowler 21 Parlier 19
Fresno 6 Memorial 48
Golden Valley-Bakersfield 28 Highland 13
Granite Hills 0 Chavez 49
Hanford 26 Golden West 6
Hilmar 31 Livingston 14
Hoover 34 Sanger 18
Immanuel 17 Exeter 26
Kings Christian 12 McFarland 39
Kingsburg 14 Dinuba 0
Le Grand 40 Denair 7
Lindsay 21 Caruthers 28
Los Banos 49 Golden Valley-Merced 12
Madera South 6 Sunnyside 15
Merced 33 Buhach Colony 30
Mira Monte 36 Kennedy 6
Mission Oak 22 Independence 50
Mt. Whitney 41 Hanford West 26
Orosi 0 Corcoran 39
Redwood 19 Tulare Union 50
Ridgeview 7 Frontier 27
Riverdale 15 Fresno Christian 19
Roosevelt 12 McLane 3
Selma 34 Coalinga 28
Sierra 7 Washington Union 49
South 6 Centennial 48
Stockdale 17 Liberty-Bakersfield 3
Strathmore 28 Woodlake 20
Tehachapi 28 Shafter 0
Tranquillity 27 Firebaugh 7
Tulare Western 7 Monache 24
Wasco 34 Bakersfield Christian 6
Waterford 50 Delhi 14
West 38 North 18
Yosemite 10 Liberty-Madera Ranchos 20
Atwater xx Johnson-Sacramento xx (Sat)
Clovis Christian xx Alpaugh xx (Sat)
Lighthouse Academy xx Visalia Christian xx (Sat)
Lighthouse Christian xx Anchorpoint Christian xx (Sat)
Riverdale Christian xx Faith Christian xx (Sat)

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