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Thursday, November 3, 2011
SPORTS
TROY DAILY NEWS • WWW.TROYDAILYNEWS.COM
■ High School Football
Trojans ■ CONTINUED FROM 13 seconds to go before halftime, the Eagles lined up for a punt. Troy linebacker Zach Butcher broke through the line and blocked the punt, knocking it into the Chaminade end zone, where Miles Hibbler fell on it, giving the Trojans a 17-0 lead — and a wealth of momentum — going into halftime. Troy would cruise to a 30-0 victory. The very next week against Middletown, Troy led 7-6 just before halftime. On the final play of the second quarter, Butcher blocked a field a field goal attempt and appeared to have returned it for a touch-
down, only to have it called back on a penalty. Instead of going into halftime with a 14-6 lead and all the momentum, the Trojans went in up by a point and ended up losing 29-21 — the blocked field goal being the difference in the game. Troy’s special teams will be put to the test Saturday as the Trojans travel to Upper Arlington for a Division I, Region 3 regional playoff game. Aside from the botched blocked field goal return against Middletown, Troy’s special teams have been solid all season. Nolan hopes that will continue against the Golden Bears.
■ Major League Baseball
“In a close game, special teams can win or lose a football game for you — which is why we spend so much time working on special teams,” Nolan said. “Obviously we’ve seen already this season how important special teams can be. We’ve been pretty good on special teams this year. Our kickoff and punt returns have been pretty stable. We’ve had pretty good coverage — we’ve had a couple of scary ones, but no one has taken any back on us. Hopefully that will continue Saturday.” Senior wide receiver Ian Dunaway is the face of the Trojans’ special teams units. He is Troy’s punter, averag-
ing 34.8 yards per punt this season. He’s also Troy’s punt returner, having returned a punt for a touchdown last week against Sidney and returned a punt 86 yards against Piqua to set up a game-clinching touchdown. As if that weren’t enough, he’s also the holder on field goal attempts — where he’s thrown two passes for twopoint conversions on botched extra point attempts. “Special teams can be a game-changer,” Dunaway said. “Big plays can go with you or go against you. You have to have good special teams. It’s the third part of the game, along with offense
and defense, and you can’t ignore them. This year we’ve been pretty good on special teams. The coaches have done a good job incorporating special teams into practice — probably more than we have any other year.” Troy’s kicking game is short on experience — but long on talent. The kicker is a freshman, Zach Thompson, while the long snapper is a sophomore, Alex Dalton. “Our kicking game has done outstanding this year,” Nolan said. “That’s asking an awful lot for a freshman to come in and kick at the varsity level, but he’s handled it really well. And he’s
done a nice job on the kickoffs, as well. He’s put them in the right places and hasn’t allowed and big returns.” Upper Arlington features special teams units as good as any the Trojans have faced this season. Senior Frank Epitropoulos — who will play next season at Ohio State — is both a returner and an All-Ohio punter. “They’ve got speed everywhere on their return teams,” Nolan said. “That’s something we have to be aware of. We can’t afford to let them have any big returns.” As Troy has already learned this season, it could make all the difference.
■ High School Football
Dodgers headed to bankruptcy NEW YORK (AP) — Maybe a “For Sale” sign should be erected outside Dodger Stadium. Team, ballpark, land and television rights available. Price: $1 billion and up. The process of finding a new owner for the Los Angeles Dodgers began early Wednesday when current boss Frank McCourt and Major League Baseball released a joint statement saying they had agreed to a court-supervised sale of the once-glamorous and now bankrupt franchise. In the long-term, the deal will allow the Dodgers move ahead and try to get back to baseball’s elite. But the club’s fans may well have to endure another season adrift as the sale works itself out. While the sides hope for a quick deal, giving McCourt the money to pay his divorce settlement by April, MLB sales sometimes drag on for six months to 1 year. Once bidders are identified, the court is likely to conduct an auction. “Baseball can choose to have their approval process move like molasses in winter or like Castor oil through a baby,” said Marc Ganis, president of Sportscorp, a Chicago-based consulting firm. The price likely will break the record for a baseball franchise, topping the $845 million paid by the Ricketts family for the Chicago Cubs in 2009. Investors will be solicited by the Blackstone Group, McCourt’s investment banker. Dallas Mavericks co-owner Mark Cuban and Pittsburgh Penguins co-owner Ron Burkle, who lives in California, have been mentioned as possibilities. Asian investors have made inquiries. Former agent Dennis Gilbert, a friend of Chicago White Sox chair-
man Jerry Reinsdorf, hopes to put together a group. Former Dodgers Steve Garvey and Orel Hershiser have said they might be interested, as has former general manager Fred Claire. Claire is aligned with former Oakland Athletics president Andy Dolich and former Dodgers batboy Ben Hwang, who brought in the financial backers. Claire, the Dodgers’ GM from 198798, assumes the price will be $800 million to $1 billion and up. “I’ve been working on this venture since early July,” Claire said. “My motivation is to see the Dodgers be what they need to be in the community.” Given the future broadcasting rights at stake and their ownership of regional sports networks in southern California, News Corp. and Time Warner Inc. have been considered possible bidders, as could The Walt Disney Co. But News Corp. is out, an executive said. “Contrary to questions I got today, we’re not buying the Dodgers,” News Corp. chief operating officer Chase Carey told analysts on a conference call Wednesday afternoon. “Sports rights are probably becoming more complicated. I think it’s just a reality of the marketplace. … Outside Southern California, we’ve got pretty longterm agreements in place. I feel we’ll be able to navigate Southern California reasonably well.” Real estate companies may join in, given the land the Dodgers own in Chavez Ravine that potentially could be developed. Massive amounts of bank financing will have to be arranged. “And you’ve got plenty of FOBs interested in the Dodgers,” Ganis said, referring to “Friends of Bud” Commissioner Bud Selig.
STAFF FILE PHOTO/ANTHONY WEBER
Covington’s Alex Baskerville carries the ball against Bethel on Sept. 9 in Brandt.The Buccs host Coldwater in the opening round of the Division V playoffs on Friday.
Up for the challenge Covington set to host Coldwater in playoff opener BY ROB KISER Ohio Community Media rkiser@dailycall.com
COVINGTON
COVINGTON — Covington just finished off a second straight 10-0 regular season. And for the Buccs, who haven not lost a regular season since 2009, what is the reward? Moving up to Division V this season and hosting a 7-3 Coldwater team that has 41 playoff wins and advanced to the state title game a year ago. But Covington is embracing that opportunity. “They have a great football team,” Covington coach Dave Miller said. “There is no question about it. This is going to be a much different challenge for us. But, the kids are excited about the opportunity.” Coldwater runs a spread offense, with quarterback Austin Bruns hav-
ing passed for 1,661 yards and 17 touchdowns, while throwing 12 interceptions. He has completed 133 of 260 passes and is also the team’s leading rusher with 483 yards on 150 carries, running for four TDs. “He is a prospect,” Miller said. “He is only a junior, but he is 6-4, 205. And he can run the ball. He is a player and it is going to be a challenge for our defense.” Caleb Siefring leads the receivers with 29 catches for 427 yards and nine TDs. Josh Huber has caught 26 passes for 341 yards and Aaron Mestemaker has caught 23 passes for 305 yards. They will be matched up against a Covington defense that leads the area, allowing just 145 yards per game. “There is no question, the defense has played
great all year,” Miller said. “This is one of the better defenses I have had. We had a pretty good one my first year, but this defense is real good. But this is going to be a whole different challenge. The kids are excited about it.” Covington had impressive numbers on offense as well. Running back Alex Baskerville (6-0, 174, 11) went over 1,000 yards rushing last week to lead a potent attack out of the Buccs triple-option attack. Senior Isaiah Wintson (5-10, 174) and junior Trent Tobias (5-10, 164) have split time at the quarterback position. Winston has rushed for almost 1,000 yards and Tobias has completed almost 70 percent of his passes, although the Buccs don’t throw often. “It (the triple-option) has been very effective for us,” Miller said. “Nobody
else around here runs it, so I think that gives us an advantage. We don’t throw it a lot, but we can throw it if we need to.” And like the Buccs’ defense, Miller said Covington’s offense may well face its biggest challenge of the year against the Cavaliers seven-front defense. “That is a heck of a defense we are going up against,” Miller said. “They are going to bring a lot of pressure. There is no question our offensive line will be a big key.” And it doesn’t hurt to be playing on the friendly confines of Smith Field. “I think it is a big advanatage,” Miller said. “Especially when you are playing a team like Coldwater. It’s a goal for us every year and the kids are excited about this opportunity.” And looking forward to their biggest challenge thus far.
■ Major League Baseball
Cubs fire manager Quade CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Cubs manager Mike Quade was fired Wednesday in the first major move by Theo Epstein since becoming the team’s president of baseball operations. Epstein, who was introduced in his new position last week, said Quade would not return after traveling to Florida to tell him in person. He called Quade an “outstanding baseball guy” but it was time for a change. Quade got the job after a 37-game audition at the end of the 2010 season, replacing Lou Piniella on
an interim basis. The Cubs went 24-13 and he was chosen over Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg for the job last season. The Cubs went out and stumbled through another disappointing year, finishing fifth in the NL Central with a 71-91 record that extended their infamous World Series championship drought to 103 years. Epstein and new GM Jed Hoyer had a long meeting with Quade last week. Epstein had another lengthy conversation with him after a news conference Tuesday to introduce Hoyer and new scouting director
Jason McLeod. “While Mike is clearly an asset to any organization and any major league staff, Jed and I believe that the Cubs would benefit longterm from bringing in a manager for 2012 who can come in with a clean slate and offer new direction,” Epstein said. He said the search for Quade’s replacement would begin immediately. “The next manager must have leadership and communication skills; he must place an emphasis on preparation and accountability; he must establish high standards and a win-
ning culture; he must have integrity and an open mind; and he must have managerial or coaching experience at the major league level,” he said. Epstein spoke with Sandberg on Wednesday and let him know that he wasn’t in the Cubs’ plans. Sandberg, who managed in Chicago’s minor league system and left the organization after Quade was chosen to replace Piniella, does not have major league managerial or coaching experiAP PHOT ence. He managed Philadelphia’s Triple-A Chicago Cubs’ manager Mike Quade stands in the team last season and could dugout during a baseball game against the be a candidate in St. Louis. Pittsburgh Pirates on Aug. 2 in Pittsburgh.