Sports
Losing by the Rules
“How do you have five points?” I asked. “I thought each basket was worth just one point.” Daniel explained the shots he took while demonstrating counted because “they were educational”. I didn’t remember that rule at the outset, but let it slide.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 4 so far )Miniature Golf Mystery
Daniel whacked his green golf ball. It rolled into the hole and… nothing. It wouldn’t come out. We kicked the side of the course and tried banging around in the hole with our clubs to no avail. Grandpa teed up his ball and got it in one shot. Two balls came out onto the green: one green one and one red one. Neither of them were Grandpa’s. I knocked my ball into the hole and Grandpa’s came out along with a pink ball. Mine was gone.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 1 so far )Chicago Winters Exposed
We don’t like the cold any more than anyone else does. We watch Bears games in the snow… I don’t know why we watch Bears games in the snow. I think alcohol might be involved.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 2 so far )An American Take on Cricket
At the top of each hour, the very properly professional (or professionally proper) English voice will intone the headlines of the day. However, it doesn’t matter what they are: assassination, flooding, general upheaval. “It’s the end of the world, you’re listening to BBC World News, but first – the Cricket Report.”
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 4 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 )A Rose, Myanmar, and The Cell
Russia ceased being the Soviet Union around the same time. Since then, Czechoslovakia has split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Yugoslavia has been subdivided as well. Yet we don’t hear any of them still being referred to by their old names. What made Myanmar (also known as Burma) so special?
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 )High School Memory – Swimming
In preparation for my 20 year reunion, I’ve been trying to remember back to high school. I had to swim in the pool at school. The chlorine had a little water mixed in, but it wasn’t diluted enough to allow me to breathe easily. On top of that, I had gym first hour. I think – in theory – the pool was heated, but they didn’t start the heat up until school started. So, it was not warm when we’d have to jump in and do laps. I ended up in the low group of swimmers: group one, otherwise known as the “rocks”.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )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 )Trying to Follow the Olympics
I’ve been watching the Olympics off and on for the last week or so. I really haven’t planned to watch anything specifically. I just tend to wander into the family room and flip on the TV to see what’s going on. Given the fact five or six channels are showing the Olympics, that pretty much [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Watching the Opening Ceremony from Beijing
Daniel was very concerned about the torch ceremony. “What if it goes out?” he asked. I replied confidently they had a backup torch to relight it. There was an anxious moment when Li Ning first took flight. I hoped they did have a backup torch.
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 )Cub Scout Kickball Report
Daniel’s last pack meeting was on Saturday. This was the official graduation. Daniel finished the requirements to become a Bear Scout a couple of months ago; we had the Blue and Gold Dinner affirm that. Still, this was where they actually got their new neckerchiefs and new books full of things to do for next [...]
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… [...]
Bucs Take One in Playoffs, Drop to Rockford Lutheran
Belvidere had to wait a day before starting their regional playoff run last Thursday night. The small stands were full at Marengo Community High School, but the crowd was quiet for most of the game. Perhaps it was the lack of a band, or perhaps the fact the announcers introduced the teams but said nothing [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Split Last Two on the Road, Look to Playoffs
It was a short game and far from home, but for the small band of fans who made the trek out to the suburbs got to see the Bucs battle it out and ultimately come away with their final win of the season against the Dundee-Crown Chargers.
The Chargers took an early lead, going up 14 [...]
Bucs Beat Huskies at Home, Take One on the Road
The Bucs led the Harlem Huskies for less than three minutes in the game. However, two of those minutes happened to be the last two of the game as the Bucs battled their way back to beat the Huskies 67 – 61 last Wednesday at Wood Gym in their last home game of the [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 1 so far )Boylan Escapes Belvidere with a Win
It’s rare to see free throws be the difference in a game between Belvidere and Boylan, but last Friday night, the Titans took on the scrappy Bucs team at Wood Gym and barely escaped with a victory.
The Titans got on the board first, jumping out to a four point lead before George Waddell made his [...]
Bucs Split Two at Home
After the Bucs battled Boylan at Boylan High School the weekend before, it could be assumed the game against the Hononegah Indians would be hard fought and a close game. After they beat Belvidere North at the home of the Blue Thunder, it could be expected that the basement dwelling J-Hawks would not much of [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Split Away Games
The Bucs scored first after Brandon Fowler made a pass in to George Waddell for two points. Boylan was blocked inside on the other end, but pulled out to a 10 – 2 lead. The Bucs were trying to work the perimeter and failing to grab rebounds. They took a time out at 5:40 left [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )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 )Bucs Downed by Pretzels in Final Home Game
There was a good crowd on hand to watch Belvidere’s final home game of the season last Friday night. Despite the snow, there was a long line at the ticket window and game flyers were at a premium. The last few weeks, the Bucs have been playing with energy and intensity that had taken teams [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Give Vikings Close Call
The last time the Bucs played Guilford, the game was essentially over by the end of the first quarter. Outscored 26 – 6, the Bucs were never able to recover. Last Friday, the Bucs took on Guilford on the Vikings home court, vowing not to make the same mistake again. Using the lessons from their [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Take Two
It wasn’t easy, but the Bucs beat East in overtime in Belvidere last Thursday night, 67 – 62. The Bucs swept the E-rabs for the season before talking on a non-conference opponent last Friday night.
The Spartans jumped out to a 6 – 0 lead in the opening minutes of the game. Sycamore seemed to [...]
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 Beat Huskies on the Road
Maybe the Super Bowl was on everyone’s mind last Friday night. Sloppy ball handling and poor shooting marred both teams’ performance on the court at Harlem High School. However, the Bucs were able to overcome their difficulties and overwhelm the Huskies at the line to sweep Harlem for the season.
Neither team was able to hang [...]
Bucs Split Weekend Games
The Bucs hosted the J-Hawks last Friday night. Winless in NIC-9 play, the J-Hawks played the Bucs pretty close, staying within two points most of the game. However, Jack Adams scored eight of his twelve total in the fourth period to help the Bucs pull away and win 49 – 37.
Saturday night, the Auburn Knights [...]
Bucs Drop Weekend Pair
The Bucs started the weekend, traveling to Freeport last Friday night to take on the Pretzels. The Bucs scored first, but that was the only lead they would have all night. Freeport went on an 11 – 0 run and all but shut down the Belvidere offense. The Bucs were down 17 – 4 at [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bad Weekend for Bucs on the Road
The Bucs had a pair of long trips last Friday and Saturday as they traveled to Rockton on Friday night to take on the third place Indians and then trekked into the Chicago suburbs to take on the 7 – 7 Chargers.
Hononegah jumped out to a 9 – 0 lead in Friday’s game on a [...]
Bucs Overwhelmed by Vikings
The Bucs Boys Basketball team was back in action last Friday night. The stands were filled on the home side of Wood Gym. Across the court, the Vikings visitors were half empty. Unfortunately, that was one of the few points of the game that Belvidere was able to beat the Vikings. The large home crowd [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Survive East Challenge
To get to the gymnasium at Rockford East, one must walk down a paneled hall, covered in pictures of league leading players and championship teams from all manner of sports. This year’s E-rabs were winless coming into the game last Friday night, but they were able to channel the spirit of those elder athletes and [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Split Weekend Games
After Mother Nature cancelled last week’s home opener, the Bucs were able to finally play their first home game of the season Saturday night. First, they had to travel to Auburn Friday. While the Knights didn’t have cheerleaders, they did have a DJ and a loud home crowd.
The Bucs scored first; Josh Easley hitting a [...]
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 Drop Last Two, Look to Playoffs
Senior Night at Belvidere High School a few Friday nights ago seemed like it should have been the swan song for the graduating Bucs; full of the pomp and circumstance and tradition to make the game seem special. By contrast, the Bucs actual last home game last Wednesday seemed like an afterthought. It was a [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Win at Home, Lose on the Road
Senior Night at Belvidere High School Friday night started with tributes to the players graduating this year, the cheerleaders and all of the people who supported them throughout the season. However, the best tribute for the seniors was inspired play to give the Bucs a victory over the visiting Harlem Huskies.The Bucs missed their first [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Bucs Split Weekend Games
It was a colorful crowd at Belvidere High School Friday night. A number of the band members were dressed like Disney characters. Favorite teachers sported Bucs jerseys and were honored by the players in a ceremony at half-time. While the crowd may have been colorful, the game was primarily dominated by black and white as [...]
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