24
Sports
The Boiling Point
October 2013
Quarterbacks shine in debut Flag Football games By Noah Rothman, Staff Writer In spite of great passing, speed, and powerful defense, the Shalhevet Boys and Girls Flag Football teams both fell short against L.A. Adventist Eagles in their opening games last night at LACES High School. It was the first game ever for the boys’ team, which formed last spring and whose members were all playing the first football games of their lives. When the game was over, the team was elated, even though the final score was 18 – 13. “Many kids go in the backyard and run a twominute drill with their pee-wee footballs and tiny helmets, simulating the thrill of competitive football,” said co-captain junior Mati Hurwitz. “ I am exuberant to be part of that real game situation.” Starting their third season, the girls played first and lost 21-6, with junior running back Shoshi Miller catching a pass from junior quarterback Nicole Feder in the game’s final seconds to get the Firehwawks on the boards. LA Adventist is a team from South Central LA that Shalhevet plays also in basketball and volleyball. Kick-off was at 5 pm at LACES, a public high school located close to Fairfax. The crowd was enthusiastic with parents, teachers, and students, even though there were no bleachers for anyone to sit on. BP Photo By Goldie Fields In the boys game, it seemed as if every play START: Center and team captain Mati Hurwitz snaps the football to quarterback Jacob Dauer during the first-ever Boys started with sophomore quarterback Jacob Dauer holding on to the ball, trying to make a decision on Flag Football game at LACES on Sept. 17. The Firehawks lost to the much more experienced LA Adventist Eagles, 18 - 13. where to throw it as the rest of the team scurried to find an opening against the much bigger Eagles. still on top. The Firehawks then had the ball and came The Firehawks started with the ball. They began with up with nothing. Then the Eagles got the ball again and the running game. Jacob threw the first touchdown of the converted a drive into a touchdown, making the score 18Jacob threw a 40-yard pass to sophomore season to junior receiver Max Helfand, making the score 13, this time with the Firehawks trailing. The Firehawks 7-0. got the ball again and on the third down, Jacob threw his running back Micah Gill, who then ran the Next, with the Firehawks on defense, senior co-captain second interception of the night. ball done the field with the Eagles trailing Josh Einalhori sacked the opposing quarterback. The Ea“The first interception I threw, I thought that I had gles then turned the ball over. Jacob then threw an inter- my receiver,” Jacob said. “But the second one, it was behind, unable to catch him. He blazed into ception, and Adventist got the ball back. The Eagles then third down and I threw it hoping for it to be caught — but the end zone, and the score was 13 - 6. scored but did not get the extra point making the score 7-6. was ultimately intercepted.” Shalhevet then had the ball again and Jacob threw a 40At this point it was not looking good for the Fireyard pass to sophomore running back Micah Gill. who then hawks, but with just two minutes left, Shalhevet got the ran the ball down the field with the Eagles trailing behind, ball back. Jacob threw a series of short-range passes to The Lady Firehawks had started with the ball and were unable to catch him. He blazed into the end zone for the advance his team downfield. unable to make anything out of their first drive. Shalhevet touchdown, and the score was 13 - 6, Firehawks’ lead. The Firehawks were about 15 yards from the end zone then turned over the ball the Eagles scored on their first Adventist then got the ball back and ran it 50 yards for with only two seconds left. They quickly got the play go- drive. The score was then 6-0, Shalhevet trailing. a touchdown, making the score 13-12 with the Firehawks ing but Jacob was only able The next time the Lady Firehawks had the ball, junior to make a short-range pass quarterback Nicole Feder threw an interception, the first to Mati Hurwitz. Mati was of the season. Later on, the Eagles scored again and did not unable to score, leaving the get the extra point, making the score 13-0. Firehawks with the loss of The Eagles then scored once more and instead of decid18-13. ing to go for one extra point, they attempted two. The atScience Teacher and De- tempt was a success and the Lady Firehawks were behind bate Coach Mr. Chris Buck- 21-0 with just a few minutes left of play. Shalhevet got the ley coaches both the Girls ball and, with Nicole leading, were able to get in position team and the Boys team. within 10 yards of the end zone. “I am extremely proud With only 11 seconds to play, Nicole started the play. that the boys fought every She then threw the ball to junior running back Shoshi Millplay,” Mr. Buckley said. er, who was standing in the end zone. “Looking back, we had no An Eagles wwplayer tipped the ball in the air, at which penalties and got so close point Shoshi snagged it, causing the Lady Firehawks to fito the win. We were up nally score. against a very athletic and “I felt great when I caught the ball,” Shoshi said later. “I well-coached team, and was thinking that I was definitely not going to catch the ball with just 10 more seconds and I was shocked when I caught it.” we could have won. The Lady Firehawks ended up losing 21-6, averting the “Jacob Dauer threw a shutout. Mr. Buckley had some positive things to say. great game, and I didn’t “Last year the Lady Eagles beat us 36-0,” Mr. Buckley coach as well as I could said. “This year we were only down 6-0 at the half. We BP Photo By Jillian Einalhori have,” he added. “We have didn’t give up any kick returns like last year. some practice to do but we “They were a very talented team, but we scored a nice OVERHEAD: Quarterback Nicole Feder evades a sack as she quickly throws the ball will win the next game.” touchdown right at the end. We definitely have a lot of imon Sept.17 against the LA Adventist Eagles. The Firehawks lost 21 - 6. Earlier in the evening, provement and will play better next time.”
SportsBriefs
Mixed results in LA summer basketball offseason moves While most LA fans’ attention was focused on the Dodgers (see related story, page 23), basketball fans had news to follow as well. Los Angeles Clippers star point guard Chris Paul signed a $107 million contract for five years. The team also signed small forward Matt Barnes to a three-year, $10 million contract and seven-footer Ryan Hollins to a one-year, $1.2 million contract. Over the summer the team continued to sign more players, hoping to make sure that they reach the playoffs once again. The Clippers also acquired guard J.J. Redick and forward Jared Dudley for point guard Eric Bledsoe, and replaced Head Coach Vinny Del Negro with Doc Rivers.
Meanwhile, the Lakers did not have such a great offseason. With the 48 draft, the Lakers selected forward Ryan Kelly from Duke. The Lakers had not selected a first-round pick since 2007. But the Lakers did sign Jewish point guard Jordan Farmar, guard Nick Young, and center Chris Kaman. The Lakers had two players not re-sign this offseason. They lost Metta World Peace and Dwight Howard. Metta World Peace went to the New York Knicks and Dwight Howard went to the Houston Rockets. --Noah Rothman, Staff Writer