Archive | DeKalb TV

Trine Loses Volleyball Match to 4th Ranked Hope College

I had the opportunity on Wednesday evening to venture up to Trine University in Angola to cover the Thunder volleyball team, as they would be doing battle with the number 4 ranked Hope College Flying Dutch.

Coach Wozniak Gives Instructions to Her Players

Trine went into this match with a 5-2 MIAA conference record, and a 12-4 record overall. The Flying Dutch were 5-1 in the conference, and 13-2 overall. Hope’s only losses were at the hands of the number 2 & 3 ranked teams in NCAA Division III.

Up until last week, The Thunder were 12-2, with their only 2 losses being to Ohio Northern & Hiram, both non-conference opponents. But then last Friday & Saturday, Trine suffered back-to-back 3 games to none defeats at the hands of MIAA foes Alma & Calvin.

So a win over the highly ranked Flying Dutch would be just what the doctor ordered to “get the house back in order” before they would leave for a tourney in Washington D.C. this weekend.

The first game was a hard fought battle, but Hope would prevail by the score of 25-21. Trine got to 22-21 late in the game, but the Flying Dutch would score the final three points for the victory.

The second game wasn’t nearly as close, as Hope dominated throughout, and they would win by the score of 25-11.

The third game was more of the same, as The Thunder just couldn’t make a sustained run at the tough defense of Hope. The final would be 25-15, and Trine would drop to 5-3 in the conference, and 12-5 overall.

From my perspective, I felt that freshman Lauren Verkamp, as well as senior Betsy Irwin both played well for coach Jamie Wozniak’s Trine squad.

As I stated, The Thunder will be in our Nation’s capital this weekend playing in a tournament against Gallaudet College, Wheaton College, Marymount College, and a yet to be determined opponent.

Dekalb & Norwell Promises to be a Great Game

On Friday, the Dekalb Barons travel to Ossian, Indiana to play their NHC foe, the Norwell Knights. In my opinion, this is one of the premiere high school football games in the area on that evening.

You look at the records, with the Barons being 1-5, and the Knights at 0-6, and you might say, how can that be?

I look at 2 factors that I think will loom quite large in the game. First, no matter what sport you play, you NEVER want to go through an entire schedule without a win. I’m sure Norwell, looking at their docket, probably figure that this is a game they have a chance to win. Their closest game to date has been an 8 point loss to Bellmont. Playing at home, they will be fighting tooth and nail to get a “W.” Secondly, from the Dekalb perspective, I’m sure that they want to prove that the “win” they had over Norwell last year was no fluke.

If you recall, when these 2 teams met up last year, both were 0-6, and both desperate for that elusive win. In cold, wet, windy, & blustery conditions, the Barons “won” 14-0, and a huge weight had been lifted from their backs.

Oops. A few days after that contest, it was announced that Dekalb had to forfeit the game due to use of an ineligible player. So the record books say that Norwell “won” the game. It was Norwell’s only “win” of the season. The Barons finished 0-10.

So for those 2 reasons alone, make the drive to Ossian on Friday, and watch one of the best match-ups in high school football in the NE Indiana area.

Trine Dominates Second Half

The eventful sports weekend started Friday night at Dekalb High School covering the DHS varsity football game as they were taking on their NHC foe, the Homestead Spartans. The Barons fought hard, but the Spartans had just too many weapons, and they defeated Dekalb by the score of 44-6.

The Barons only score came on a 6 yard TD pass from Evan Cochran to Dylan Caegle. This coming Friday, Dekalb will travel to Ossian, Indiana to take on the 0-6 Norwell Knights. If you recall, the Barons defeated Norwell last year 14-0, but they ended up having to forfeit that contest because of an ineligible player.

Action During the Dekalb – Homestead Game

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The high point was the Trine Thunder ending their 2 game losing streak, as they defeated Taylor University on Saturday afternoon by the score of 28-13.

The Trine Thunder in Angola trailed at the half of their contest in Angola vs Taylor 10-0. But keyed by the pass catching and punt returns of JaVontae Hence, as well as a punishing running game delivered by Mike Inge, Trine completely dominated the second half to win by that final 15 point margin.

The Thunder will open MIAA conference play this Saturday when they travel to Kalamazoo, Michigan to take on Kalamazoo college. A big thanks to Austin and Ethan for their coverage of the contest.

We are bringing you Dekalb football games live!. Listen Friday at 7:00 pm!!

A Tremendous Basketball Team From a Bygone Era

In our lives, as we are approaching, living, and even moving towards the latter part of our “middle age” years, we have a tendency to reminisce in a positive way about our high school years. Remembering and embellishing the good, putting the not so good far back in the recesses of our minds.

Something that I like to reminisce and think about, and is always a positive & happy thought, is that when I was in high school, we had a GREAT basketball team. I graduated in 1973. But from my freshman year, until the year 1974 when Manchester won the state championship, Friday & Saturday nights were always “rockin” in the small gym just South of Akron, Ohio.

I look back at those times, and think that it was truly a time of massive cultural change for people who grew up during that period. When Manchester won the title in 1974, one of the most turbulent 10 year periods in American history was coming to an end. It started with the assassination of President Kennedy in 1963, and over the next decade, we experienced the Vietnam War, violent & peaceful demonstrations everywhere, The Beatles, drugs, clothes & hair styles, the killings of Bobby Kennedy & Martin Luther King, Kent State, Muhammad Ali, Black Civil Rights, the Cold War, landing on the moon, Richard Nixon & Watergate, just to name a few.

Back then, there were 3 classes in high school basketball, and Manchester was one of the smaller schools in “Class AA.”

Manchester was led by 6-10 center, Mike Phillips. After he graduated, Phillips went on to star at Kentucky, where he helped lead them to a National Championship in 1978. But the Panthers also had great players besides the big, burly center. The other starters during the 1973 & 1974 seasons were Tommy Thompson & Tim Neff at forwards, and Jack Sliger & Jeff Roberts at guards.

My senior year in 73, we were undefeated until regional play. Phillips was injured in the district title against Hudson. He couldn’t play the next game, and our season ended in a game against a team from Youngstown.

In 74, Manchester came back with a vengeance. They rolled through their schedule with ease. Included during this time was the last time I ever saw them play before moving to Florida to attend college. It was an early season game against the same, and very much disliked Hudson Explorers. The Panthers won 102-49, which included what I consider the greatest quarter I ever saw a team play. In the second stanza, Manchester outscored Hudson 37-5.

The Panthers had 2 separate 6 point wins during the season. Other than that, they were pretty much unstoppable until the tourney. Their only close game in post season was a narrow, 4 point win over Beloit West Branch.

Besides the starting 5, Manchester’s supporting cast was excellent. Gary Edwards, Joe Schler, Mike Arnold, Bill Dover, Larry Simmons, Bobby Eckert, and Brian Thompson all played key roles in the Panthers success.

As a sidenote, in his junior & senior years of high school, in games Phillips participated in, Manchester was 49-0.

Ah, the good old days!

Barons & Thunder – Both in Need of a Win

This weekend, the Dekalb Barons, as well as the Trine Thunder, will both be seeking that very elusive second win of their respective football seasons.

The Barons sit at 1-4, while Trine will go into their game at 1-2. Dekalb will be hosting the high-flying Homestead Spartans Friday at 7:00 pm. While the Thunder will host Taylor Saturday at 1:00 pm up in Angola.

Dekalbs’ “Achilles heel” has been the fact that they get down early in the game, and then having to play catch up has proven difficult. They have trailed in the last three games a combined 110-0 at the halves.

Offensively, the Barons have proven that they can move the football, but they have trouble finishing drives. Also, penalties & turnovers have not helped the cause.

Trine’s problems have stemmed from the fact that they are having trouble putting the ball in the end zone. The offense, in what looked to be a real strength going into the season, has sputtered, no more so than in last weeks 13-10 loss to Concordia College up in Wisconsin. The Thunders’ only score came on a blocked punt for a TD.
The week before against Elmhurst College, they scored a TD early, and a TD late, but in between, they gave up 31 points.

If you follow both of these local teams, a win this weekend would certainly fill the bill for both the Barons& the Thunder to get things turned around.

A Visit to Michigan & Trumbull: The Site of Old Tiger Stadium

Bernie In the Batters Box at the Site of Old Tiger Stadium

I was on business in Detroit last week. When my meeting was finished around noon, I decided to take a ride over to where the old Tiger Stadium used to be located. To fans of the Tigers, especially the one’s who remember the heyday of this famous ball yard, all you had to say was “the corner of Michigan & Trumbull,” and they knew immediately what you were referring to.

My 2 older sons, Brandon & Joey, and I had the opportunity to be at Tiger Stadium the last weekend that games were played there back in 1999. It was a weekend series against the Kansas City Royals, and we were there for the Saturday game. We had media passes for the game, so we had the chance to be down on the field before the game taking some video, and doing some coverage of the festivities. It was a great time, but a nostalgic time. My only regret was that I didn’t get the chance to talk with Ernie Harwell, the legendary Tigers radio announcer.

Fast forward to last week, and as I approached the area, I really didn’t know what to expect. As I drove around the block 3-4 times, just looking & observing, you notice right away that the entire structure of the ball park is gone.

There is a group of people who now do take care of the field area. The infield area is in nice condition. It is laid out exactly over where home plate and the batters boxes, as well as where the pitchers mound and base paths used to be. There are also small benches on each side, in the approximate location of where the dugouts were located.

Even though there is fencing all the way around, the section of original gateway along the first baseline is still intact, and you can enter the area through the gate there. It was open and unlocked. Next to the gate is a small sign that simply reads “Ernie Harwell Field.”

For an old baseball fan like myself who truly enjoys the history of the game, walking around the field area was truly a rare treat. I enjoyed standing in the batters boxes where many of the greats of the game plied their trade. To me, it was almost breathtaking knowing that who I consider the greatest of them all, Ty Cobb, hit from that very spot thousands of times. Also Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, and countless other “hall of famers,” did the very same.

I loved walking around the outfield area, taking in the ambiance of it all, and just picturing 50-60 thousand people cheering your every move.

I also recalled the 1971 all-star game, when Reggie Jackson hit one of the longest home runs ever hit there. It would have went completely out of the stadium if not for some construction that was going on atop the roof in right field.

If you love the history of the game, and are in the area, make the trip to “Michigan & Trumbull.” As I like to say, you won’t be disappointed

Barons Drop Third Conference Game in a Row

The Dekalb Barons went into Friday night’s football game vs. Columbia City looking to pick up their first league win after losses to New Haven & East Noble. But for Dekalb, it was the same script once again, as they fell behind early, and were never able to mount a comeback,and they lost to the Eagles 62-10.

Dekalb’s Henry Smaltz was named Homecoming King During Friday Night’s Game

Last week against East Noble, senior receiver Henry Smaltz had a nice game from his wideout slot, and we named him our Dekalb TV – BJP Enterprises player of the game. On Friday, which was the annual homecoming game, Henry had the honor of being named the homecoming king.

Unfortunately for the Barons, this was one of the few highlights on the night. Besides committing a number of costly turnovers, Dekalb’s defense just couldn’t stop the offensive attack of Columbia City. The Eagles mixed a nice running & passing attack that had the Barons on their heels most of the night.

Dekalb did have a nice play of their own in the third quarter when sophomore Riley Seavers helped force a quarterback sack, and the QB then fumbled, and Seavers picked up the loose pigskin and raced 45 yards for the Barons only touchdown on the evening.

Dekalb needs to forget about this one in a hurry, as they go from the frying pan into the fire when the Homestead Spartans come marching into Cecil E. Young field next Friday night.

Rhodes Reviews 2012 Baseball Season

A few days ago, I had the chance to interview Dekalb Baron baseball coach Chris Rhodes. I hadn’t had a chance to catch up with Chris over the Summer, so we thought it would be a good time to talk a little baseball. To add to the festivities, Chris was able to bring his son Easton along to listen in.

This past Spring, Coach Rhodes finished up his 15th season leading the Barons. Dekalb was eliminated in the sectional semi-finals by Columbia City. With that loss, the Barons lost a number of seniors. Three of those players are going on to play college baseball. Ty Rottger is playing at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Bayley Coleman is playing at Indiana Tech, and Nick McDonald is playing at Bethel.

Coach Rhodes told me he does with his incoming squad as the new school has gotten underway. A number of years ago, he started “open fields” in the Fall. The Barons will go until the weather doesn’t cooperate any more. Then it’s on to weights, and indoor conditioning, and before you know it, it is time to get going in the Spring once again.

I then switched gears with him to talk some pro ball, and he told me he has been a lifelong Cincinnati Reds fan. His favorite player growing up was Pete Rose. He likes “Charley Hustle” because of the way he approached and played the game. His favorite players he likes to watch now are Joey Votto & Josh Hamilton.

We talked some about the division races and the possible wild card teams. Even though Oakland has been scorching hot, he still thinks the LA Angels are going to make a run.

I asked him his prediction on a world series match up. He said as much as he likes the Reds, he thinks that the San Francisco Giants pitching is going to make the difference in the National League. Then he said that the Texas Rangers lineup is pretty powerful up & down. And that their pitching was pretty good as well. So it was Rangers vs Giants in world series. We didn’t pick a winner, but I’m going with the Rangers as the third time will be the charm.

We discussed the current state of the Auburn area youth baseball situation. He said it is in the hands of some very good people, and that a number of future Barons are well on their way to becoming part of “Dekalb Baseball.”

Tremendous Fireworks Display Cap Off Evening in Cleveland

I had the opportunity last week to “go on the road” and take in a baseball game between the Texas Rangers and the Cleveland Indians over at Progressive Field in Cleveland.

If you read the stories that I post, you know how much I enjoy watching baseball. Watching the game though, was only one of a few reasons that made the night special.

My oldest son Joey, who has worked for the Rangers for a number of years,has always had a great sense of family, and family values. Since we grew up in Akron,Ohio, and have a number of family members who still live in that area, he invited many family members to come to the game(s) over the weekend so we could spend some time together. For that reason alone, it was pretty special.

We had attended a game in Chicago on the fourth of July, and the folks there put on a dazzling fireworks display. I thought that one was one of the best I had ever witnessed.

O-H-I-O, performed by Krista, Michael, Ethan, & Joey

But after last Saturday’s nights game, I saw, bar none, the absolute best fireworks show I have ever watched. It was Labor Day weekend, so the show promised to be special. The show was a non-stop, 40 minutes of “grand finale” fireworks the entire time. It had laser lights interspersed while the fireworks were going off, and the best was, the show was synchronized to Beatles music.

While the music was playing, which included a wide array of Fab Four songs, Beatles video was playing on the “jumbotron” to make it even more enjoyable.

I’ve always loved the Beatles music, so I was in entertainment heaven while the show was going on. I was totally mesmerized. It was fantastic!

Family, baseball, fireworks, Beatles music. A great time was had by all.

Dekalb Loses to New Haven, Faces East Noble Next

If you are around the Dekalb High School football sports scene, the question this week has been can the Barons start another win streak against their NHC rivals to the west, the East Noble Knights?

Landon Cochran Kicks Off for the Barons Last Week Against New Haven

To put it mildly, it won’t be easy. Dekalb was beaten by New Haven last Friday by the score of 47-7. While the Barons were losing to the Bulldogs, the Knights were getting it handed to them by the Homestead Spartans by the score of 65-21.

With the game Friday being played in Kendallville, it will be doubly hard for Dekalb to bounce back against East Noble, and their first year head coach, Luke Amstutz.

Both teams need to come into this contest fired up, ready to play & play hard for 4 quarters, and to try and control both the offensive and defensive lines of scrimmage. Whoever does that, should have a pretty good chance of having a W at around 9:45 pm.

Oh yea, a couple of other “keys” to the game. Limit your penalties, and take care of the football! These 2 issues plagued Dekalb in last Friday’s game, and if I’m a betting man, Coach Mike Cochran and his coaching staff have addressed those “keys.”

Coach Amstutz loves to put the football in the air. You probably remember the success that he had at Angola over the past few years with his aerial attack.

Dekalb must limit what East Noble does throwing the football, as well as being physical and nasty up front. The Barons must have time consuming drives that culminate in points.

For what should be an entertaining night of high school football, make the short drive west on Friday, and enjoy Dekalb & East Noble.