Captain Kangaroo

Funny thing is... his Jacksonville 2004-5 points and rebounding totals will still essentialy match those of his Akron 2003-4 stats. Click Here to Learn More About Antonio Cool

If Michigan State beats Hawaii, the Zips go to Hawai'i? Is that a 100% guaranteed statement? If I stay up to watch the Hawai'i game...MSU wins...and we don't go to Hawai'i, I'll "Go Marshall" (similar to "Going Postal," but instead you beat up things like innocent fast food drive thru machines or OSU football players).

Only 60 players are allowed to travel. If any others want to go, it is on their own dime and they can't suit up. NCAA rules.

Click Me Unhappy campers.

Might still be a chance to get this kid! Recruiting: Moon High School lineman commits to Indiana Friday, October 08, 2004 By Mike White, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette John Bachman had some scholarship offers this summer from Mid-American Conference schools. Then a Big Ten school offered and won his heart. Bachman, a 6-foot-4, 255-pound lineman at Moon High School, has made a verbal commitment to the Indiana Hoosiers. He is the fifth offensive lineman from the WPIAL senior class to commit to a Division I-A school. Bachman had offers from Akron, Bowling Green, Can't State and Central Michigan before Indiana came through. "Whenever you get an offer from a Big Ten school, it kind of changes the situation," said Bachman, who was recruited to play offensive guard. "Probably what turned me around was when I went up there and met the coaches." Bachman participated in Indiana's football camp in June and also attended the Hoosiers' season opener against Central Michigan. Pitt also offered a scholarship to Bachman last week. "I definitely did like Pitt," Bachman said. "Maybe if they would've offered in June or July, I might have taken it. But it just didn't work out." Bachman committed to Indiana last week. "A big part of it is their coaching staff," Bachman said. "When I went out there for their camp, I saw not only are they good coaches, but they're really good guys. They're down to earth and they're real. I feel like I can really relate to them. Plus, they've got first-class facilities and they're in the Big Ten, which in my eyes is the best conference in college football." Indiana is 2-3 this season, but Bachman believes the Hoosiers are on the rise. "I really believe they can be, if not on top in the Big Ten, then at least a top competitor," he said. The other WPIAL offensive linemen who have committed to Division I-A schools are Burrell's John Brown (Pitt), Riverview's Shane Steffy (Bowling Green), Baldwin's Keith Huebner (Akron) and Montour's Josh Byrom (Louisville).

Will Higgins find his shot as 'Instant Offense?' By Dave Mackall TRIBUNE-REVIEW Wednesday, December 1, 2004 A year ago, Jack Higgins was raining shots from all around the arc. He finished second in the Atlantic 10 Conference in 3-point field-goal percentage, earning a reputation as "Instant Offense" in his role as a reserve guard for the Duquesne basketball team. This season has been much different for the slumping Higgins, who has lost his starting job with the Dukes -- at least temporarily -- after his latest effort resulted in another woeful showing. The 6-foot-5 Higgins scored just two points on 1-of-8 shooting during Duquesne's 78-59 loss Saturday at George Mason, and he has made only 5 of 27 field-goal attempts in the past three games, including 1 for 10 in a listless 85-71 setback to Lafayette in the Dukes' home opener Nov. 20. "I want to help Jack be successful," Duquesne coach Danny Nee said Tuesday. "He has been putting a lot of pressure on himself, and I think this might be a good thing for him for now. He has continued to work hard in practice, and he had a good practice today." Freshman Chauncey Duke will replace Higgins when Duquesne (1-5) entertains Akron (2-1) tonight at Palumbo Center with hopes of ending a four-game losing streak that has dampened the spirits of the Dukes' coaches, players and fans alike. Duke, a 6-6 swingman, is averaging 3.0 points and 2.7 rebounds in 13.0 minutes and enjoyed his best game in Duquesne's lone victory -- an 82-69 win over North Carolina A&T, when he hit all four of his 3-point shots. He and fellow freshman DeVario Hudson will begin to get longer looks from Nee. Hudson, a 6-6 power forward, is coming off an impressive, career-high 18-point, 8-rebound performance in 21 minutes at George Mason. "They both will get opportunities to play, but they both have a lot to learn, and we'll help them through it," Nee said. After Saturday's dismal outcome against George Mason, Nee promised changes. This week, he made at least one with regards to the lineup. But, just as he isn't about to hang his head, he doesn't expect anyone else associated with his basketball program to do so, either. "We're in rough times, but the team hasn't quit," Nee said. "Between the tough schedule (Duquesne already will be playing in its seventh game on the first day of December) and injuries, we're underachieving a little." For Higgins, the Schenley High School graduate, it has been a difficult struggle through the first six games. He is shooting 30.4 percent from the arc and just 27.7 overall. As a sophomore last season, he converted 45.6 percent from 3-point range to finish second in the A-10 to Pat Carroll of Saint Joseph's (45.8). "It's been real hard, but you just have to stay positive. Nothing like this has happened to me before," said Higgins, who is averaging 7.5 points after opening the year with a season-high 15 in Duquesne's 74-65 loss to Santa Clara. "All good shooters go through shooting slumps. It gets into your mind and you definitely start thinking more about putting the ball in the hole." Higgins and backcourt mates Bryant McAllister and Martin Osimani struggled to score in the Dukes' most recent game Saturday. The trio combined for just 11 points, including seven by Osimani, the Dukes' pass-first point guard. "I feel that my coaches and teammates expect a lot out of me and that they are behind me. I expect a lot out of myself, too," Higgins said, adding that he won't let pride get in the way of the team's progress. If Higgins' role becomes "Instant Offense" again -- he scored in double figures 10 times off the bench last season -- what will it mean to him? "Coach has been real humble and very positive with me. I understand what he's doing," Higgins said. "I had to play that role last year, and if it does work out that way, if it's going to be good for the team and if it's going to make the university look good, then that's what I'll do." Duquesne (1-5) vs. Akron (2-1) When, where: 7:05 p.m., Palumbo Center Probable starters Duquesne Pos. Name Ht. PPG F Gayden 6-8 8.2 F Duke 6-6 3.0 C Achara 6-9 12.8 G McAllister 6-3 14.3 G Osimani 6-4 9.8 Akron Pos. Name Ht. PPG F Wood 6-6 14.3 F Peterson 6-5 12.7 C Meyers 6-9 2.3 G Collins 5-5 4.3 G Joyce 6-0 6.7 Around the Dukes # After sitting out Saturday's 79-58 loss at George Mason with a sprained ankle, junior forward Keith Gayden will be back in the Duquesne lineup tonight against Akron. The 6-foot-8 Gayden, playing in his first season with the Dukes after transferring from Kennedy-King (Ill.) College, started the Dukes' first three games and has played in 5 of 6, averaging 8.2 points and 5.8 rebounds, which is second on the team. He injured the ankle the day before posting career highs of 15 points and nine rebounds in 22 minutes off the bench in a 72-69 home loss to West Virginia on Nov. 24. # While Gayden will be back in the starting lineup for Duquesne, senior forward Jon Pawlak is out with a similar injury. The 6-9 Pawlak, who has played in all six games, starting two, hurt his ankle during the loss to George Mason. He is averaging 1.7 points and 4.0 rebounds in 16.2 minutes. Meanwhile, redshirt freshman center Sean McKeon remains sidelined with mononucleosis and senior point guard Martin Osimani has nearly recovered from a broken nose that required him to play with a face mask for the Dukes' first five games. # Three of the past five meetings between Duquesne and Akron have been overtime affairs. The Dukes lead the series, 12-5, but Akron has taken the past three meetings, including a 64-61 OT victory a year ago. While Duquesne has lost four in a row, including both of its home games thus far, Akron looks to keep a two-game season winning streak alive. The Zips have posted home victories over NCAA Division III Mount Union (77-47) and Hampton (80-59) after opening with a 90-88 loss at Drake. # Sophomore center Kieron Achara has scored in double digits in Duquesne's first six games and has recorded double-doubles in three of the past four. The 6-9, 255-pound Achara is coming off a 15-point, 11-rebound effort against George Mason. # First-year Akron coach Keith Dambrot's father, Sid, played basketball at Duquesne from 1952 to 1954, when the Dukes competed in the NCAA Tournament and the National Invitation Tournament in 1952 and the NIT in 1953 and 1954. The younger Dambrot also has been a head coach at Central Michigan and at NCAA Division II schools Ashland and Tiffin as well as at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary High School. Digits 60-31 Duquesne's all-time record against schools from the Mid-American Conference, of which Akron is a member. 80.9 Duquesne's free-throw shooting percentage this season. 2.4 Difference in average assists per game between the top returnee in NCAA Division I (Aaron Miles of Kansas, who averaged 7.3 last season) and Duquesne point guard Martin Osimani, who is 12th on the list at 5.9.

Registration on this site is pretty easy. Do it.

QB Omar Jacobs – Bowling Green *** Offensive Player of the Year Honorable Mention: Bruce Gradkowski - Toledo ; Charlie Frye - Akron & Joshua Cribbs – Can't State RB Garrett Wolfe – NIU Jerry Seymour – Central Michigan Alex Hayes - UCF Honorable Mention: Adell Givens – Ball State ; PJ Pope - Bowling Green & Brett Biggs - Akron WR Dante Ridgeway – Ball State Eric Deslauriers – Eastern Michigan Lance Moore – Toledo Greg Jennings – Western Michigan Honorable Mention: Josh Davis – Marshall; Charles Sharon – BGSU; Dan Sheldon – NIU; Domenik Hixon – Akron; Steve Sanders – BGSU; Cole Magner – BGSU & Ryne Robinson - Miami TE Brad Cieslak - Northern Illinois Honorable Mention: Tony Scheffler - Western Michigan & Chris Holmes, Toledo OL Brian Van Acker - NIU Adam Kieft - Central Michigan Jake VerStraete - NIU Nick Kaczur – Toledo Scott Mruczkowski - BGSU Rob Warren - BGSU Ben Lueck – NIU Todd Landot - Miami DL Jonathan Goddard – Marshall *** Defensive Player of the Year Justin Parrish – Can't State Jack Gitler – Western Michigan Jamus Martin – Marshall Marcus Johnson - Miami Chase Blackburn – Akron Honorable Mention: Phil Alexander – Toledo; Jamal Whyce; Dan Muir – Can't State; Jean Oliver Gagnon-Gordillo; Aaron Sanders – Buffalo & Ernest Osbone – Western Michigan LB Kevin Harrison – Eastern Michigan Javon Lee - NIU Eric Mahl – Can't State Thomas Keith – Central Michigan Honorable Mention: Brian Atkinson – NIU; Anthony Jordan – Toledo; James King – Central Michigan; Kevin Adkins – Marshall & Matt Muncy - Ohio DB Chris Royal – Marshall Keon Newsome – BGSU Lionel Hickenbottom – NIU Patrick Body – Toledo Honorable Mention: Justin Beriault – Ball State; JJ Gibson – Buffalo; Jerry Gaines – EMU; John Fuller – Akron; Jelani Jordan – BGSU; Matt Pusateri – Miami & Chip Cox - Ohio Place-Kicker Andrew Wellock – Eastern Michigan Honorable Mention: Chris Nednick – NIU Punter Reggie Hodges – Ball State Honorable Mention: Adam Anderson – Western Michigan & Matthew Miller - Ohio Return Specialists Korey Kirkpatrick – Miami Dominek Hixon - Akron Honorable Mention: Dan Sheldon – NIU; Asante White – Central Michigan; Greg Jennings – Western Michigan & Ryne Robinson - Miami

Click Me Of course in the PD, Ellen had to finish his story "The Zips, who were 7-5 last season, were expected to compete for the conference championship." I elected not to post her column...not worth it. Use the MAC link above.

True.

Jacobs numbers were too overwhelming for Charlie to overcome, I guess. First Team Offense Center - Brian Van Aker, Northern Illinois (Jr., Crystal Lake, Ill.) Lineman - Rob Warren, Bowling Green (Jr., Mentor, Ohio) Lineman - Adam Kieft, Central Michigan (Sr., Rockford, Mich.)## Lineman - Jake VerStraete, Northern Illinois (Sr., Atkinson, Ill.)++ Lineman - Nick Kaczur, Toledo (Sr., Brantford, Ont.)&&/++/%% (tie) Tight End - Brad Cieslak, Northern Illinois (Sr., Long Grove, Ill.) (tie) Tight End - Tony Scheffler, Western Michigan (Jr., Chelsea, Mich.) Wide Receiver - Dante Ridgeway, Ball State (Jr., Decatur, Ill.) Wide Receiver - Lance Moore, Toledo (Sr., Westerville, Ohio)++ Wide Receiver - Greg Jennings, Western Michigan (Jr., Kalamazoo, Mich.)## Quarterback - Omar Jacobs, Bowling Green (So., Delray Beach, Fla.) Running Back - Adell Givens, Ball State (Fr., Hamilton, Ohio) Running Back - Jerry Seymour, Central Michigan (So., Miramar, Fla.)## Running Back - Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois (So., Chicago, Ill.) Placekicker - Andrew Wellock, Eastern Michigan (So., Canton, Ohio)p First Team Defense Outside Linebacker - Terna Nande, Miami (Jr., Grand Rapids, Mich.)## Outside Linebacker - Javan Lee, Northern Illinois (Jr., Michigan City, Ind.) Lineman - Dan Bazuin, Central Michigan (So., McBain, Mich.) Lineman - Johnathan Goddard, Marshall (Sr., Jacksonville, Fla.) Lineman - Marcus Johnson, Miami (Jr., Youngstown, Ohio) Lineman - Travis Moore, Northern Illinois (Sr., Robbins, Ill.) Inside Linebacker - Jovon Burkes, Bowling Green (Sr., Detroit, Mich.) Inside Linebacker - Brian Atkinson, Northern Illinois (Sr., Chicago, Ill.)$$/++ Defensive Back - Justin Beriault, Ball State (Sr., Indianapolis, Ind.)$$/++ Defensive Back - Keon Newson, Bowling Green (Sr., Decatur, Ga.) Defensive Back - Lionel Hickenbottom, Northern Illinois (Sr., Dolton, Ill.) Defensive Back - Patrick Body, Toledo (Sr., Pittsburgh, Pa.) Punter - Reggie Hodges, Ball State (Sr., Champaign, Ill.) Second Team Offense Center - Scott Mruczkowski, Bowling Green (Sr., Garfield Heights, Ohio)++ Lineman - Kory Lichtensteiger, Bowling Green (Fr., Van Wert, Ohio) Lineman - Todd Londot, Miami (Jr., Utica, Ohio)## Lineman - Doug Free, Northern Illinois (So., Manitowoc, Wi.) Lineman - Ben Lueck, Northern Illinois (So., Oswego, Ill.) Tight End - Chris Holmes, Toledo (Sr., Chicago, Ill.) Wide Receiver - Josh Davis, Marshall (Sr., Hickory Grove, S.C.) Wide Receiver - Dan Sheldon, Northern Illinois (Sr., Elgin, Ill.) Wide Receiver - Eric Deslauriers, Eastern Michigan (So., Gatineau, Que.) Quarterback - Charlie Frye, Akron (Sr., Willard, Ohio) Running Back - Brett Biggs, Akron (Jr., Bartow, Fla.) Running Back - P.J. Pope, Bowling Green (Jr., Fairfield, Ohio)++ Running Back - Anthony Sherrell, Eastern Michigan (Sr., Roseville, Mich.)++ Placekicker - Shaun Suisham, Bowling Green (Sr., Wallaceburg, Ont.) Second Team Defense Outside Linebacker - James King, Central Michigan (Sr., Southfield, Mich.)## Outside Linebacker - Keon Jackson, Toledo (Jr., East Chiacgo, Ill.) Lineman - Mitch Crossley, Bowling Green (Jr., Springfield, Ohio)## Lineman - Justin Parrish, Can't State (Jr., Landover Hills, Md.) Lineman - Jamus Martin, Marshall (Sr., Martinsville, Va.)$$/++ Lineman - Kevin Carberry, Ohio (Sr., Oak Lawn, Ill.) Inside Linebacker - Kevin Harrison, Eastern Michigan (Sr., Belleville, Mich.) Inside Linebacker - Eric Mahl, Can't State (Sr., Monroeville, Ohio) ^^ Defensive Back - Curtis Keyes, Marshall (So., Mt. Olive, Miss.) Defensive Back - Alphonso Hodge, Miami (Sr., Cleveland, Ohio) Defensive Back - Matt Pusateri, Miami (Sr., Dublin, Ohio) Defensive Back - Darrell Hunter, Miami (Jr., Middletown, Ohio) Punter - Adam Anderson, Western Michigan (Sr., Chesaning, Mich.)++ Honorable Mention (next top five in voting regardless of position) Placekicker - Chris Nendick, Northern Illinois (Fr., Naperville, Ill.) Quarterback - Joshua Cribbs, Can't State (Sr., Upper Marlboro, Md.) Running Back - Luke Clemens, Miami (Sr., Dayton, Ohio) Outside Linebacker - John Busing, Miami (Jr., Alpharetta, Ga.) Outside Linebacker - Daniel Sayles, Bowling Green (Sr., Warner Robbins, Ga.)

Any idea where he's going. He seems small, but he's piling up the yards.

This would have been his year to sit, right? Would he be elegible in 2005? Don't do it, JD.

Nice guy. Absolutely horrible Division 1 football coach.

If the MAC is looking for a team to replace Marshall, it looks like it could be us...I was hoping that it would be solely in wins/losses, and not the character of the recruit. I hope this isn't true. It would be a PR nightmare. We're doing so well right now, we don't need to take on a kid convicted of aggravated manslaughter. There are other good RB's out there that don't have such baggage. Can't accepted a kid convicted of sexual battery and had a convited felon as a QB. He should go there. Just say no, JD.

I couldn't disagree more. The University knows how huge a bowl berth would be for the program. They want it bad. The MAC office will not promote a CUSA team for a bowl. Marshall fans won't travel to see a 6-5 Herd team play UAB in Boise, or anywhere else. Ever see one of those non-New Year's bowls? They're usually in front of empty seats. Has the "Hawai'i Bowl" ever had more than 10K? I doubt it. TV want Charlie Frye, not Stan Hill I still don't see the Zips getting a bowl bid, but if they don't it won't be because The University or the MAC front office don't want it.

I'm tired, but here goes: Wood looked awesome. Hustled, rebounded, scored...he won't have a sophmore jinx. Peterson was ok. Middleton will be awesome, once he learns to finish his drives. Look out for him in mid-season. Bubba can play. Looks very court-saavy for an 18 year old. Good vision. How much weight has the entire team lost cumulative? I'm guessing 120 lbs? Every player looks pretty "buff" compared to last season. Enpecially Wood. Where does Futch fit in? Looks like a square peg in a round hole at the moment...but it is early. Did Joyce grow another inch or two? Looks like a "regular" D1 point guard! He's solid. Mc Fadden's shot looked like 2002-3, not 2003-4. Flat...a bit hard...dead on, but rattling out. He needs to get used to the pace. I swear after he popped a 17 footer that missed, he looked to the bench expecting Hipsher to yank him...then he realized Dambrot is the coach and he doesn't have a problem with his shooters taking wide open shots. How nice was it not to see a Hipsher at the substitution table? God bless them, but I am so glad that "era" is over. Did UAM approach and local foundries about sponsoring a "<Insert Company Name Here> Bricked Free Throw of the Game?" He should. The Zips appear to be horrid from the line yet again this year. This style of play is so refresing to watch after 9 years of the slo-motion offense. Wonder when the team will gel? Right now it seems all the guys...and the coach...are a work in progress. Looks a bit rough...but it will come around. Milum is about 6' 7", 155 lbs? Gotta believe he'll redshirt, barring an injury or grade casualty. He's active and fun to watch, but I can't see him loggong much PT. I liked Dambrots substitutions. I like the fact that the players can "play" without fear of getting yanked for stupid stuff like shooting too soon, or taking a shot that Hipsher didn't want...even if the shot went in the hoop. I don't see this team quitting on Dambrot. The players all seemed like they listened in the huddle, and expended maximum effort on the court. I don't miss Tarver or Hollingsworthless one bit. I saw no "Me" attitudes on the floor tonight. I saw plenty of them over the past few seasons. Looks like it will be a fun season. I have a feeling it will be like football re-visited. New coach learing his players...players learning the new coach...players learning a new system...and sometime in late December/early January things will begin clicking. I'm happy.

Owens ran away from Hawai'i. I expect better from JD. Keep Purdue, and beat Purdue.

Sept. 10 at Purdue Sept. 17 at Middle Tennessee State Sept. 1 Home Army (a guess on the date, but Army @ home in 2005 seems to be a given) If we can take care of business vs. MTSU, we should be in good shape for the OOC 2005 season. I think Orton will be gone, so Purdue should be a good game. We have Can't and OU at the Rubber Bowl. If BG moves back to the east, I'd hope we get them at home since Miami is @ Oxford. Games at Oxford and BG would be tough. Also...who's the crossover game? I'd love to play Toledo since we haven't met in about 8 years. NIU at the Rubber Bowl would be great too.

Beautiful November evening for a game. Tailgate lot was a bit wet, but temp had to be in the upper 50's. Couldn't ask for better. Tailgate lot was full! Kudos to all the folks that made it live up to the nickname: "The Greatest Neigborhood in Northeast Ohio." Had the pleasure of sharing beers with Big Zip for the first time, as well as former Zips Paul Ondrusek and Brad Detweiler. Guest appearances by Z-P, ZipDude and ZFF made for a great evening. Thanks to all for stopping by! Things looked really good at the beginning. Too bad it was short lived. Opening couple of possessions were a joy to watch. The defense played well all night. I wish our OL and DL had the depth to go into the 4th quarter, but against Miami it wasn't going to happen. Missed FG at before halftime hurt. Gave Miami some hope, and took some major wind out of our sails. With the transfer kicker from Wisconsin now in the fold, was this Swiger's last game? Biggs is so damn good when he gets some room to run. Unfortunately there were few. As was the story the entire season vs. "good" teams, Biggs got no decent holes, and was held to negligible rushing yards. Ringer did a nice job on his few carries. Hixson was outstanding. I can't wait to watch him next season. He could dominate. Mongomery had a hell of a game as well. Why did we abandon the TE after the 2nd quarter? Dan Basch had a great RAC on a screen, mowing down several would be tacklers. Shades of what could have been if injuries hadn't bit him. Beacon's front page sports feature story was the Zips!! On the OSU/Michigan day, nonetheless??!! Has hell frozen over? Wish Elie would have pulled in that easy INT. It didn't hurt us, but man that would have given us some momentum. Frye was awesome. Simply awesome. Damn, I'll miss him. I hope Luke Getsy was taking good notes. That's how you lead a team. The last game of the year is usually Dr. Z, me, players, parents, the band and referees. Total of about 500. To see 17,500 at the Zips final game was awesome. Thanks to the team, staff and Marketing for proving what all of us have said for years...give the Akron fans a quality product...compete for championships...and they will come. Will the MAC take notes on this, and keep the "big" games reserved for late in the season? If attendance is going to be a factor in staying D1, then the MAC MUST schedule its better teams to meet late in the season. You get both fans, and TV interest at a time of year when weather takes a big toll on MAC crowds. I've seen enough of 700 person crowds at the end of the season, vs. Buffalo or Can't. Keep the cupcakes for the beginning of the season. The Zips should now be considered a championship contender and play the Miami's, Toledo's and BG's of the world in November. Let Buffalo play Western Michgan in November, not the Zips. Sucks to see the opposing team celebrate on your turf. Hope to do it to Miami some time soon. Great showing by the students. Stood up an cheered the entire game. It was great to see Hixson gesturing to the endzone crowd (mostly students) getting them pumped up. Nice to have Sullivan back next season. He had another solid game. DB's played great all night. I wish they'd have tightend up the coverage on those sideline passes a bit earlier, but in general you can't complain. Betts had nothing deep all night, and he usually had all day to throw. When we play the crappy MAC teams we get "Players of the Week" on DL. When we play good teams, they turn into "Players of the Weak?" We never could get a decent rush on Miami..or Marshall...etc. Against OU, or UCF...man we were like Gastineau and Klecko. I said before...but I'm too lazy to go back and find the quote...that Murphy would hurt us more than Clemens. We need more speed on D...and better discipline to "stay home" and guard against the cutback next year. The shifty RB's killed us all year. Clemens also had a solid game, but he worked for his yards. We contained him fairly well until the end. Zipboy was right...the beer tent was PACKED! Unlike the Detroit Pistons' fans, apparently Zips fans have the class enough to simply have a couple beers, and enjoy the gamenight. Classiest ending to a Miami/Zips game in a while. No garbage, as I have personally witnessed in some recent games. Teams were very respectful at game's end. Zips need some impact OL's and DL's in this recruiting class if we're going to give these guys a run in Oxford next season. They are a solid, well coached football team. And we aren't all that far behind them. Hell of a game Zips. Be proud. You exceeded everyone's expectations and gave us fans a kick-ass fall 2004. I expect to see all graduating seniors in the tailgate lot next fall!!! Unless of course, you're playing somewhere on Sundays!

SSA football players of the year : Grant Hrabovsky By Dave Schrecengost VALLEY NEWS DISPATCH Thursday, November 18, 2004 At 6-feet-3 and 285 pounds, Grant Hrabovsky makes a big impression on people. "A lineman my size at Shady Side Academy stands out," Hrabovsky said. "I outweigh all the other linemen on my team except one by at least 50 pounds." While Hrabovsky's size caught people's attention, it was his play on the football field that really turned heads. A dominant two-way lineman who started at nose guard and offensive tackle, Hrabovsky was a force on both sides of the football for Shady Side. "(Hrabovsky) was one of our biggest question marks coming into this year, but he really showed he could play at the next level," Shady Side coach Dave Havern said. "He did everything we asked. By the end of the season, everybody was running away from him and double-teaming him, but he still kept making plays." Hrabovsky, The Herald's choice as Shady Side's Football Player of the Year, put up some impressive numbers on defense. He recorded a team-high 53 tackles, including 16 for loss, had six quarterback sacks and forced four fumbles. "He made a lot of tackles, and six sacks -- that's a hell of a number for a noseguard," Havern said. "As big and strong as he is, he had an incredible bull rush, but he could move really well laterally, too." Hrabovsky spent countless hours in the weight room during the off-season, dropping a few pounds while adding muscle. He set team records in the bench press (385 pounds), deadlift (510) and squat (605). There aren't many players with Hrabovsky's combination of size and strength playing at Class AA schools in the WPIAL. Those attributes also make Hrabovsky, who lives in Fox Chapel, attractive to college scouts. Division I Akron and a slew of smaller schools have been recruiting him. "People at the next level are going to like him," Havern said. "He's still raw, but he has a a good mind for football, and he could probably put on another 30 pounds. He has the frame where he could go up to about 310 (pounds)." Hrabovsky's leadership on and off the field were needed during Shady Side's 3-6 season. "I wish we could have won some more games," Hrabovsky said. "I'm just happy that we played our best." Havern says the graduation of Hrabovsky will leave a huge hole in Shady Side's program. "He was a great mentor for some of our younger linemen," Havern said. "We had nine great seniors, but he'll be the hardest to replace because of his size, strength and durability."

Him, Dwight Smith and Jason Taylor. All should be in the "Ring of Honor." I wouldn't retire the jersey.

Put down the crack pipe.

Woo hoo!

I ALWAYS have extra pops in the chiller for Z-P! I'll bring some for the 'dude too...but he doesn't show up much anymore? Victim of some sort of assasination plot? I will be in the lot by 4pm. Hopefully earlier.