Football
First Football of the Season
The sun was dipping down below the houses across the street. I don’t know if there was much actual difference in temperature, but it sure felt colder in the shadows. Daniel thought of one last place it might be. We walked around back, the wind magnified between the houses bringing tears to our eyes.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )The Big Game
On the other hand, there were the Cardinals. They had been a Chicago team at one time. And while they had moved from city to city, they still retained that aura of futility that only Chicago sports fans can appreciate (there is a reason Cubs spring training is in Arizona).
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 1 so far )The Vow of the Raiders
You’d think flag football is the civilized version of the sport. The kids are young, they don’t wear pads. It’s a “learning experience” where kids learn the value of teamwork. It’s run by the YMCA. They don’t even keep score. Well, don’t you believe it.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Chalk Up First Win
Belvidere and Rockford East both have long and storied athletic traditions. Both teams have enjoyed greatness and both teams – like this year – have been in a rebuilding mode. In recent memory, the E-rabs have not posed a serious threat to the Bucs. While Belvidere never trailed in last Friday’s game, the E-rabs had enough surprises up their sleeves to keep the outcome in doubt until the very end.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Shooting Flag Football for Public Consumption
Flag football kicks off the 2008 season this weekend, weather permitting. I’ve already been out to Daniel’s practices, camcorder at the ready. With a little practice and a little patience, football actually lends itself to being shot by a single camera unlike – say, basketball, where you need at least two cameras (three is better) to reasonably capture all the action. Football games also lend themselves being shot as narrative.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Drop to Huskies on the Road
It was a long bus ride to Machesney Park and – unfortunately – it was an even longer ride home for the Belvidere Bucs last Friday night after they dropped their second game on the road to the Harlem Huskies.
Belvidere lost the toss, so they kicked off to Harlem. Their 32 yard run back gave [...]
Indians Smash Bucs in Opening Game
It’s a long drive to Rockton from Belvidere. Not many made the trek north to see the Bucs opening game. There were plenty of gaps in the visitor stands. Those that braved the traffic and could manage to find a parking spot didn’t have a lot to cheer about. Down at the half, they could [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )The View from the Press Box
Football season kicked off once again in northern Illinois last Friday night. I dusted off my press pass from the Boone County Journal and made the trek up to Rockton to watch the first game of the season. It’s a long drive up to Hononegah High School; more than 40 miles one way. I like [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Go – Whatever Your Name Is!
This year is all about style. They practiced three point stances. The coaches pushed on their shoulders to make sure they were braced correctly (the ones who weren’t fell on their butts).
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )The Name of the Game is Football
In my life, I have enjoyed both kinds of football. I enjoy watching American football on television. I have followed the ups and downs of the Chicago Bears (as my ulcers will attest). As for what the rest of the world calls football (soccer here in the U.S.) I played several seasons as a kid. [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Poof Ball
“Dad…” I hear Daniel say in a voice about one octave higher than usual. I know I am being buttered up for something.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Thoughts on the Retirement of Brett Farve
I cannot say that I am a fan of the Green Bay Packers. I grew up in Chicago and I am a Bears fan. I grew up in the 70’s. We had Walter Payton, but that was about it. Here’s a typical play by play call from that era:
“Handoff to Payton… to Payton… Payton again… [...]
Belvidere Advances in Playoffs
The stands were filled with purple and gold last Friday night as the Bucs hosted the Wauconda Bulldogs in the first 5A playoff game. At first, it was hard to tell which side of the stands was the home team. The Wauconda fans – armed with purple and gold noisemakers – rattled and [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Boylan Machine Rolls Over Belvidere
Looking at these two teams on paper before the game, one would not have thought the outcome would be so lopsided. Belvidere knew they were in for a tough time with Boylan. Two quarterbacks cycle in and out for the Titans on every down. The defense has only given up 14 points in five games. [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Finish East in Half a Game
The Bucs returned to Swanson Stadium briefly last Friday to take on the Rockford East E-rabs. The Bucs biggest challenge turned out to be avoiding a look ahead to the Boylan game as the E-rabs did almost as much damage to their own game as the Bucs did.
East started the game with the ball and [...]
Bucs Run Over Freeport
It was Homecoming at Belvidere, but the weather made it feel like the playoffs. A stiff breeze made a cool night feel downright cold at Funderburg Stadium. However, both teams came out hot in what turned out to be a battle of attrition. The Bucs ultimately wore down the Pretzels defense with [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Drop Away Game to Guilford
Over the years, Swanson Stadium has been a “home away from home” for Belvidere. Home to the Guilford Vikings and the Rockford East E-rabs, the Bucs hadn’t lost a game there since the twentieth century. Unfortunately, this was the year for Guilford. They had beaten their first Belvidere team – Belvidere North – at home [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Take Home Opener
There was a tension in the air at Funderburg Stadium Friday night, dark like the surrounding clouds and threatening as the rain. With a new coach and half the school body attending a new school, even the band seemed subdued. The Bucs took the field against the Hononegah Indians and – despite a slow start [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )New HDTV
Cut to a few weeks ago. The final minutes of the New Orleans game are winding down. I’m in the family room with Daniel, watching the game and Meka’s behind me in the kitchen.
“So, what kind of TV are you getting?” she asked. I had no idea what she was talking about at first. Honestly, I had been joking about the HDTV. Of course, I didn’t mention that out loud.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 1 so far )Bucs Stopped by Jacobs
There had been talk of rain earlier, but by nightfall last Friday, the skies were clear, the wind had died down and the time was right for football. Under the lights of the Funderburg Stadium and surrounded by a full crowd, the Bucs took to the field looking for a win to advance in the [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Blank Guilford; Take on Algonquin in Playoffs
It was a cold and cloudy Senior Night last Friday at Funderburg Stadium, but there was a full stadium on hand to watch the action. The Bucs and Vikings were tied for second place after both losing to Boylan. However, that appeared to be the only thing they had in common on the field Friday [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Smash Hononegah
It was all purple and gold on the field at Funderburg Stadium last Friday. While that’s to be expected when Hononegah comes to town, the Indians were probably hoping that some of that purple and gold would be theirs. The Bucs took advantage of the many miscues made by the Indians as they completely overwhelmed [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Wipe Out Knights on Homecoming
It was a cold night in Mount Prospect Saturday, but that didn’t stop an army of loyal Bucs fans from making the trip into the Chicago suburbs. The visiting bleachers were filled to capacity and then some.
Belvidere’s woes began early with poor field position on the opening kick-off. Tyler Pearse was unable to [...]
Bucs Outlast Freeport in Home Opener
The Bucs returned home last Friday night to better weather, a larger crowd of fans and a much better opponent. Freeport has been overwhelmed in their season opener by Boylan, but they came to Belvidere to play.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Blow Out Jefferson in Short Season Opener
The Bucs started their 2006 football season last Friday night where they left off last season, with a decisive win against the Jefferson J-Hawks. The only part of the game in doubt was whether it would be played at all. Hard rain and high winds canceled the sophomore game earlier in the evening. Flooding prevented [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Stopped in Semis
It was a cold night in Mount Prospect Saturday, but that didn’t stop an army of loyal Bucs fans from making the trip into the Chicago suburbs. The visiting bleachers were filled to capacity and then some.
Belvidere’s woes began early with poor field position on the opening kick-off. Tyler Pearse was unable to [...]
Bucs Finish Up at Funderburg, Finish Off St. Charles East
Funderburg Stadium was packed Friday night. Even with a Bucs win, this would be the last game of the season in Belvidere. There was a moment of silence to honor the veterans, but that was the only silence from the standing room only crowd. Belvidere provided plenty of excuses to cheer as they ran over [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Roll Past Harlem in Second Playoff Win
It was a lousy day weather-wise. The announcer reminded fans to hang onto their ticket stubs should the game get postponed. The fans were treated to a driving rain which turned to hail at one point. The band was forced to retreat back into the school, protecting their instruments. The cheerleaders gamely danced on, all [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Win First Playoff Game
When the sun went down, so did the temperature at Funderburg Stadium Friday night. But neither cold nor dark of night stopped the fans from filling the stands. And nothing stopped the Bucs as they dominated both offensively and defensively and kicked off their playoff run with a first round victory against the Hononegah Indians.
The [...]
Bucs NIC-9 Champs
Friday night at Funderburg Stadium would have been a night to remember, even without the game. Senior night at Belvidere High School: a 20 minute parade of senior players, team managers, cheerleaders and poms, all escorted by proud parents and reps. The weather was perfect: the sun had set in a cloudless sky and the [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Indians No Match for Bucs
The Bucs expected a battle when they traveled to Rockton last Friday. The Indians were coming off their biggest win of the season, topping the undefeated Guilford Vikings on a last minute touchdown to give them a 20 – 19 victory. However, Hononegah’s hopes for a second upset were dashed as the Bucs came away [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Crush Streamwood, Top In NIC-9
Friday night was the perfect Homecoming game for Belvidere: a beautiful clear night with a fall chill, an energetic crowd in a packed Funderburg Stadium, and a Bucs team that rolled over the visiting Streamwood Sabres 48 – 6. Before the game, Brandon Smaha was awarded Homecoming King honors. He was given a crown and [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs All Over Auburn, 55 – 0
School spirit was symbolized by the winning float: a knight (an Auburn Knight, presumably) stood wielding a stop-sign like a battle-axe over a fallen Belvidere football player. “The Bucs Stop Here,” proclaimed the float. Unfortunately for Auburn, they parked the float just beyond the end zone.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Beat Boylan, Tied for Top Spot in Conference
Belvidere marched into Boylan’s home turf last season and marched out winners for the first time in eight years thanks to a broken pass play that was magically transformed into a wild throw and a clear shot into the end zone in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter. This year’s game looked to be even bigger.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Roll Over E-rabs
Last Friday’s game against East came between an emotional win at Freeport and the upcoming match up against Boylan. Considering a 48 – 0 rout last year, the Bucs could be forgiven for not taking the E-rabs all that seriously. However, East came to play at Funderburg Stadium and managed a few surprises.
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Bucs Win Big on the Road
While the blow out win last week against Jefferson was a welcome way to begin the season, it wasn’t considered a true test of the Belvidere Bucs as a football team. Friday night’s game in Freeport was another story.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Start Season with a Win
The Belvidere Bucs game against the Jefferson J-Hawks Friday night was nearly perfect. Almost everything went right for the Bucs offensively and defensively and almost everything went wrong for the J-Hawks. The game was never in doubt; even from the get-go.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Comeback Fails Against Trojans
In a tale of two halves, it was truly the best of times and the worst of times for the Bucs Friday night. In the first half, Cary-Grove looked and played like an undefeated football team. In the second half, the Bucs came back with an offensive and defensive combination that had the crowd wondering whether Belvidere would pull off another last minute miracle. In the end, however, there just wasn’t enough time.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Avenge Homecoming Loss
October started badly for the Bucs. On a cold rainy Homecoming night, Hononegah came into Belvidere and beat the Bucs 13 – 12. However, the Bucs finished October on a high note. The Indians came back into Belvidere last Friday for the first round of the Division 7A playoffs and left as losers, 24 – 12. Coach Hearn says second chances don’t come around too often, “We were glad to get revenge. It was our primary motivation.”
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Head to Playoffs on a Winning Note
It was a dark and stormy night, “Senior Night” for Jefferson, but few J-Hawks fans braved the rain to watch their last game of the season. By halftime, Bucs fans outnumbered the home team crowd.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Win Last Home Game
It was “Senior Night” at Funderburg Stadium as the Bucs returned to play their last home game of the season. It could have been a melancholy affair. The parents of the seniors stood on the sidelines in a ceremony before the game began. The wind and the rain drove most of the crowd away by halftime. Instead it was a celebration
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Harlem Comes Back to Beat Bucs
…the Huskies were inspired to work a little magic of their own against the Bucs. Where straightforward plays may not have worked, misdirections and substitutions were able to confuse Belvidere in key situations and cost the Bucs the game.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Homecoming Heartbreak: Bucs Fall to Indians
It was everything Homecoming is not supposed to be. The skies turned dark before the sun set and a cold hard rain poured down on Funderburg Stadium. The Homecoming Queen and her court almost ran through the halftime presentation with the Belvidere High School band nowhere to be found. Worst of all, the Bucs lost a heartbreaking game; coming back with time running out, only to be stopped at the last moment.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Hang On to Beat Lancers in OT
In the end, it came down to the kicking game. Lake Park didn’t try to kick an extra point all night, instead going 2 / 5 for two point conversions. Meanwhile Chris Barta was perfect for the Bucs, going 5 / 5, including the game winner in overtime.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Make Quick Work of Auburn
The Auburn Knights won the toss before the game started, but had little else to celebrate Friday night. The Bucs blanked the Knights 48 – 0, winning their first game at home this season, extending their winning streak to three in a row and continuing a winning streak against Auburn going back to 1997. Coach [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Beat Boylan on the Road
It was “Boylan Week” at Belvidere. Starting on Labor Day, while the rest of us were relaxing and enjoying the holiday, the Bucs were practicing under the lights. All week, the players worked extra sprints and drills. But while it may have been Boylan Week at Belvidere, the Bucs worked hard to make it Belvidere Day at Boylan last Friday.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Blank E-rabs in 48 – 0 Rout
The Bucs started by marching down the field in four minutes to score their first touchdown. It would be the first of many. By halftime, the only contest in question was which fan could eat the most cheeseburgers while Jimmy Buffett played on the PA.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Lose Home Opener to Freeport
Belvidere Bucs coach described Freeport as a team that generates big plays. “You can play even with them for 52 out of 60 plays,” said Coach Hearn. “But those other eight plays will win the game.”
“I hate being that kind of a prophet,” he remarked afterwards.
Bucs Football Preview 2004
The Belvidere Bucs kick off their NIC-9 season with what may be their biggest game of the year. Last year’s conference champions, the Freeport Pretzels, are coming off a 10 – 1 record and an undefeated record in the NIC-9 for the last three seasons. That’s a record that no other team has been able [...]
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