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Arthur Hobbs
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Hobbs, former Matadors standout, signs with Chargers
By Bill Dickens
© East County Sports.com
LEMON GROVE (5-17-12) — Former East County
standout ARTHUR HOBBS has signed a 3-year deal with
the San Diego Chargers.
“Arthur is a true warrior,” Hobbs ’
high school coach at Mount Miguel TOM KARLO said.
“He has fought every step of the way and now
is in 'The League.' What an amazing story.”
A 2007 All-East County first team pick for the Matadors,
Hobbs advanced to Grossmont College and then rode
a scholarship to Neb.-Kearney. As a Loper, Hobbs
recorded 50 tackles, logged 8 pass breakups, intercepted
three passes and blocked two kicks.
“There is not a better story than a guy going
to JC, then Division II, then to a rookie tryout,
and signing with his hometown team,” Karlo
said.
“This couldn't have happened to a better person.
Arthur is a role model and should be looked up to
as a guy who did things the right way and made it.”
Hobbs (5-foot-11, 188) earned a berth on the Associated
Press Little All-America Team, which is the highest
honor for Non-Division I teams.
“I would bet he makes at least the practice
squad,” Karlo said of Hobbs . “The guy
has tremendous heart and is a great competitor.”
In 2011, Hobbs picked off six passes for an NCAA
Division II-leading 295 yards. A two-year Loper,
he also had 54 tackles (36 solo), 18 pass break-ups
and two fumble recoveries.
Against Northeastern State in September, Hobbs
set a D2 record for most interception return yards
in a game (214) when he picked off three passes
with two of those coming back for scores.
Lindley, Draheim (El Capitan/SDSU) headed to the
NFL
© East County Sports.com
LAKESIDE (4-29-12) — A pair of former East
County high school stars who continued on to be
standouts at San Diego State earned opportunities
to play in the National Football League.
Quarterback RYAN LINDLEY, who guided El Capitan
High to an 11-1 record in 2006, was selected in
the sixth round by the Arizona Cardinals. Meanwhile,
6--foot-4, 305-pound offensive lineman TOMMIE DRAHEIM,
also of the Vaqueros and Aztecs, reached a free
agent deal with the Green Bay Packers.
The school's all-time leading passer, Lindley heard
his named called with the 15th pick (185th overall)
of the sixth round. He was a four-year starter for
the Aztecs, setting SDSU career records for passing
yards (12,690), touchdown passes (90), total offense
(12,415) and completions (961).
The Alpine native also holds the program record
for most quarterback starts with 49 and most consecutive
starts by a QB with 45. Lindley threw for over 2,500
yards in each of his four campaigns, including three-straight
3,000-yard seasons, which is a first for an Aztec.
He had14 career 300-yard passing games, highlighted
by a 528-yard effort against then No. 25 Utah in
2010.
Lindley is the second consecutive Aztec starting
quarterback to be tabbed in the NFL Draft, joining
Kevin O'Connell, who was picked in the third round
by the New England Patriots in 2008. This is the
also the second season in a row the Cardinals have
drafted an SDSU player with wideout DeMarco Sampson
going in the seventh round.
Draheim is a three-year starter who spent most
of his career at left tackle, earning All-Mountain
West Conference selection as a senior.
The scouting report is Draheim is a hardworking
college lineman. Displays good awareness, keeps
his head on a swivel and works well with teammates.
Stays square, makes good use of angles and keeps
defenders in front of him. Quick out to the second
level and works his hands throughout the action.
Now Draheim, like Lindley, will get a chance to
play for pay.
PRO INDOOR SOCCER: San
Diego Sockers claim record 13th title
Down 2-0, Valhalla High grad Anthony Medina scores
twice for 5-2 halftime lead
en route to another PASL Ron Newman Cup crown WATCH
& LISTEN
PRO BASEBALL
Former Norsemen X's with the O's
© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (2-13-12) — Former Valhalla High pitcher
BOBBY WILKINS has signed as a free agent with the
Baltimore Orioles and will be playing in the American
League ballclub’s minor league system.
A late bloomer, Wilkins was a second-team All-East
County selection as a senior in 2007, although he
led the region with a 1.08 earned run average in 64.2
innings of work, recording 74 strikeouts while posting
a 5-5 record..
PRO INDOOR FOOTBALL: Terrell Owens upstages Staback
debut
© East County Sports.com
ALLEN, Texas (2-27-12) — Former West Hills
High standout PHILIP STABACK threw for two touchdowns
and ran for another, but was upstaged in his Indoor
Football League opener Saturday (Feb. 25).
While Staback propelled the Wichita Wild to early
10-3 lead, former NFL star Terrell Owens caught
three TD passes, allowing the Allen (Texas) Wranglers
to rally for a 50-30 triumph before a record crowd
of 5,711 at Allen Events Center .
Staback rushed for a 1-yard TD and a 10-3 lead,
then tossed for 262 yards. However, three interceptions
and a lost fumble setup two of Owens' TD receptions.
| |
PRO INDOOR
FOOTBALL
Wolf Pack drive The Chisholm Trail
© East County Sports.com
WICHITA, Kan. (11-17-11) — A pair of
East County football products will be joined
by two additional players with Grossmont Conference
roots as part of the Wichita Wild of the Indoor
Football League.
The Wild, already well situated with a pair
of West Hills High standouts, recently signed
receivers JEREMY YOUNG and ELIJAH "E.J."
BROWN.
Young and Brown were two of East County 's
top receivers in 2005. Young, an El Cajon
Valley High alum, ranked second in both receptions
(72) and yards (1,158), while Brown finished
with 43 grabs and six touchdowns.
The Wild already features quarterback PHILIP
STABACK (NAIA All-America at Lindenwood Univ.)
and defensive lineman MATT MOSS (starter at
Texas A&M after receiving JC All-America
laurels for Grossmont College).
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PRO INDOOR SOCCER: Sockers lose Wright, claim Velez
© East County Sports.com
DEL MAR (11-17-11) — The San Diego Sockers
saw 42-year old forward PAUL WRIGHT, a standout
at Grossmont High in the 1980s, bolt as a free agent
for the expansion Anaheim Bolts of the Professional
Arena Soccer League during the offseason. But they
quickly found a replacement.
This Saturday (Nov. 19), in their home opener,
the Sockers will feature the return of midfielder
Eduardo Velez, who agreed on a 1-year contract last
month.
Velez was the leading scorer in PASL-Pro play as
a member of Revolucion Tijuana last season. He registered
a league-best 52 points on 30 goals and 22 assists
in just 14 contests. He now returns to the north
side of the border; Velez once played for the ill-fated
2004-05 Sockers squad which folded mid-seasonunder
previous ownership.
“We are ecstatic to bring a player of Eduardo’s
caliber to the San Diego Sockers,” said Sockers
general manager John Kentera. “Velez is not
only a tremendous soccer player, he’s a great
leader and a great person. He’s a family man
whose numbers speak for themselves in the indoor
game.”
Velez is also a member of the Mexican National
Indoor Soccer Team and the founder/director of operations
of Revolucion Tijuana. Velez played the past two
seasons for Los Revs.
“It’s great for me and I’m excited
to be here,” said Velez after his introductory
press conference, “I never thought I would
get the chance to come back to San Diego, but once
I got the opportunity my family and I talked about
it and it was an easy choice to come here.”
“Eddie,” a Tijuana native, rose through
the amateur ranks of the outdoor game, eventually
earning selection to the Nacional Tijuana first-division
team. After his Sockers career was cut short, Velez
concentrated on the indoor game to great effect,
earning promotion to the Mexican National Indoor
Soccer Team in 2006 and the World United Futbol
Team.
The Sockers will host Anaheim in Saturday's 7 p.m.
home opener at Chevy Del Mar Arena, located next
to the racetrack at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The
teams opened the PASL-Pro season last weekend, with
San Diego scoring the game's final five goals to
rally for a 10-6 victory over the Bolts in their
debut appearance at the Anaheim Convention Center
Arena.
PRO BASEBALL: Griffin tabbed A's Minor Leaguer
of the Year
© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (10-12-11) — Former Grossmont High
pitcher A.J. GRIFFIN has been selected the Oakland
A’s minor league organizational pitcher of
the year by MLB.com.
The 13th-round draft pick out of the University
of San Diego in 2010, Griffin made stops at all
four full-season A's minor league affiliates in
his first full season, finishing second in the system
with his 3.47 ERA and tied for the lead with 156
strikeouts. The 6-foot-5 right-hander also won a
pair of games for Stockton in the California League
playoffs.
Another award to be passed Griffin ’s way
was being selected the No. 2 minor league prospect
by area writers on OaklandClubhouse.com. In another
segment of this web site, the Oakland fans tabbed
the 6-foot-5 right-hander as the minor league pitcher
of year.
Griffin was debuted professionally as a closer
with the short-season Vancouver Canadians in 2010
and earned post-season All-Star honors by saving
15 games and posting a 2.95 ERA in 21.1 innings.
Griffin was only pitching out of the bullpen last
season to keep his innings total down after a heavy
college workload, and the A's didn't hesitate to
move him into the starting rotation in 2011. Griffin
began the year with Low-A Burlington, but after
eight starts it was apparent he was too good for
the Midwest League. He went 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA
and had a 46-to-5 strikeouts to walks ratio.
He was asked to make the jump to the hitter-friendly
California League and he did so with little trouble.
In his first five starts with the Ports, he posted
a 2.93 ERA in 30.2 innings.
In early June, Griffin was asked to make a spot
start for Triple-A Sacramento. He looked every bit
the part of a Triple-A pitcher in the outing versus
Tacoma, striking out eight in six innings. He allowed
three runs (two earned), but was hung with the loss
when the River Cats were unable to mount much of
an offense.
Griffin spent all of July with Double-A Midland.
He struggled with the longball, in particular, with
the Rockhounds, allowing six homers in 32 innings.
After a rough outing during which he allowed eight
runs in three innings, Griffin was sent back to
Stockton for the month of August and the playoffs.
He had a 6.47 ERA for the 'Hounds.
With Stockton, Griffin helped anchor a staff that
propelled the Ports to the California League post-season.
After returning to Stockton, he struck-out 46 over
36 regular season innings and walked only seven.
Then during the playoffs, Griffin went 2-0 with
a 28-to-2 BB ratio in 21 innings spread over three
starts.
All told, Griffin went 11-7 with a 3.47 ERA in
160.2 innings. He tied with Robert Gilliam for the
organizational lead in strikeouts with 156 and Griffin
walked only 32 while holding opposing batters to
a .238 average. He is expected to start next season
with Double-A Midland and could see significant
time with Triple-A Sacramento by the end of the
year.
PRO BASEBALL: Musgrove promoted for 'zero'
© East County Sports.com
BLUEFIELD, West Va. (9-21-11) — Grossmont
High alum JOE MUSGROVE did not log a single pitching
win in his rookie season of professional baseball
as a No. 1 draft pick of the Toronto Blue Jays this
season.
That does not mean the 6-foot-5, 230-pound right-hander
failed to make an impact, however, since turning
pro in June.
Fact is, Musgrove has been rated No. 15 among the
top 20 players in the Gulf Coast Rookie League with
an 0-1 record and a 4.57 ERA in 21 2/3 innings.
That performance earned him a late season promotion
to Bluefield (W.Va.), which is the best-of-three
series of the Class A Appalachian League playoffs.
Musgrove was the only high school rookie out of
this year’s draft promoted to Bluefield, which
is dominated by two-year pros and college rookies.
PRO BASEBALL: Sean O’Sullivan rocked in Triple-A
final
© East County Sports.com
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (9-20-11) — After a quick,
seven-pitch first inning, Omaha starter SEAN O’SULLIVAN
allowed six runs on six hits over the next two innings
as the Storm Chasers fell to the Columbus Clippers
8-3 in Tuesday’s (Sept. 20) nationally televised
Triple-A National Championship game before a paid
crowd of 9,569 at Albuquerque's Isotopes Park.
The former Valhalla High and Grossmont College
standout, who has split this season between the
parent Kansas City Royals and Omaha, finished with
an 8-2 record and a 4.22 ERA for the Storm Chasers
during the regular season. He was 2-5 at Kansas
City when an injury forced him to regroup in the
minors.
A 6-foot-2, 230-pound right-hander, O'Sullivan
posted a dominating first-round start when he allowed
two runs over eight innings in the Storm Chasers'
clinching semifinal playoff win over the Round Rock
(Texas) Express.
| 12-time
North America Indoor Champions |
 |
The 2010-11 San Diego Sockers
scored an arena
soccer double for the second straight season,
capturing the team's 12th league championship,
then winning the U.S. Open Cup crown. MORE |
| |
| NASCAR |
THE
FIFTH DIMENSION |
El Cajon's Jimmie
Johnson claims record
5th consecutive Sprint Cup championship
(NASCAR courtesy photo) 11-21-10
|
PRO BASEBALL: Taijeron's huge pro debut
© East County Sports.com
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (6-20-11) — The professional
playing career for former Granite Hills High standout
TRAVIS
TAIJERON couldn't have gone better.
Opening the New York-Penn League (Class A) season
with the Brooklyn Cyclones, a 3-game series against
crosstown rival Staten Island saw Taijeron bat a
cool .500 after going 5-for-10 against the Yankees.
In his debut on June 17, Taijeron went 2-for-2
including a triple, plus a pair of walks and scored
twice in a 5-3 triumph at Staten Island. The next
night during the Cyclones' home opener, the outfielder
went 2-for-4 in front of 9,003 fans at Brooklyn's
MCU Park on Coney Island.
PRO FOOTBALL: QB
Staback lifts Wichita Wild
Former West Hills High standout goes 5-2 in IFL
Courtesy, Missouri Sports Magazine
PRO FOOTBALL: Indoor season over for Moss
© East County Sports.com
SAN JOSE (6-18-11) — The Arena Football League
season is officially over former MATT MOSS of the
San Jose Sabrecats.
Moss, a product of West Hills High, was placed
on the injured list midway through the season in
April, when the Cats were 5-2. However, Moss was
recently placed for reassigned by the last-place
team in the West Division, which has lost seven
straight contests since several key injuries decimated
the ballclub.
After earning All-Grossmont North League status
following the 2004 and 2005 high school seasons,
Moss moved on to Grossmont College, where he became
a community college All-America selection by J.C.
Grid-Wire, earning a scholarship to Texas A&M.
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While playing for Grossmont
College, West Hills alum Matt Moss spent most
of his times in opponents' backfields, including
sacks of San Diego Mesa College quarterback
Kamy Ahmadian (left) and College of the Canyons
quarterback Andrew Miramontes in 2006.
(East County Sports file photos)
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PRO BASEBALL: Hillers alum McCoy hits first MLB
homer
© Special to East County Sports.com
From the Toronto Sun
NEW YORK (5-1-11) — Grossmont High alum MIKE
McCOY worked a long time to get to the major leagues
so he is entitled to savour his first home run,
an impressive swat of more than 400 feet to right
field at Yankee Stadium on Saturday (Apr. 30).
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Mike McCoy
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"It was pretty cool and to do it here was
a special moment," said McCoy who, at 30 years
old, is in just his third year in the majors.
Yankee Stadium fans always throw back opposition
home runs so McCoy got the ball. Derek Jeter tossed
it to Brian Butterfield, who relayed to Jose Bautista.
Bautista then pretended to throw McCoy's memento
into the stands before handing it over.
The 5-foot-9, 180-pound McCoy also impacted the
game with his glove, making a spectacular over-the-shoulder
catch of a pop-up deep in right field, then wheeling
to double up Robinson Cano at first.
"I take a lot of pride in my defense. I think
it's probably what has gotten me to the big leagues,"
McCoy said. "I love that. But I can't give
back that homer."
McCoy has spent parts of the last three seasons
with the Rockies in 2009 and the Blue Jays the past
two years. In his latest outing McCoy reached base
three times as he was 2-for-4 with a walk.
PRO BASEBALL: Powell belongs to the Windy City
© East County Sports.com
CRESTWOOD, Ill. (4-29-11) — Former Grossmont
College standout MATT POWELL, who went on to an
All-America catching career at Southern Nazarene
(Okla.) University, has been signed off the roster
of the San Diego Stars semipro baseball team to
a professional contract.
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Matt Powell
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On Thursday (Apr. 28) night, the paperwork was faxed
verifying Powell is now a member of the Windy City
ThunderBolts, one of 12 ballclubs in the independent
Frontier League. The T-Bolts are the defending Eastern
Division champions.
Following an All-Pacific Coast Athletic Conference
season with the Griffins, Powell was signed off
the Stars roster to an NCAA Division I scholarship
with Cal State Fullerton. But when the Titans changed
coaches, Powell was signed to the NAIA program,
where he batted .451 in 2009, leading the Crimson
Storm (37-15 record) to their first-ever appearance
to the NAIA national championship.
"We are so proud for Matt – all of his
hard work is paying off," said Stars general
manager KELLY RITAYIK. "He has done so much
for the Stars and now he gets rewarded with a pro
contract."
In 2010, Stars owner-manager MICKEY DEUTSCHMAN
loaned Powell to the Heroes of the Diamond national
military touring ballclub, making appearances at
more than 40 minor league ballparks across the country,
including a stop at the National Baseball Hall of
Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. The exposure landed Powell
his berth with the T-Bolts.
At Grossmont in 2007, Powell played behind the
plate for much of the season, yet was key when injuries
occurred by also playing third base or serving as
designated hitter, finishing with a .370 average.
Powell was also considered a key in aiding a freshman-dominated
pitching staff, then doing the same with Stars pitchers
en route to a Western Baseball Association crown
and a berth to the National Baseball Congress World
Series.
PRO FOOTBALL: Bush expects to depart New Orleans
“It’s been fun New Orleans,” tweeted
Bush
© East County Sports.com
NEW ORLEANS (4-28-11, 9:06 p.m.) — Former Helix
High School and USC standout REGGIE BUSH believes
his playing career with the New Orleans Saints has
ended.
On Thursday night (Apr. 28), Bush announced on
his Twitter page that he expects to be elsewhere
next season after the running back-deep Saints drafted
Mark Ingram, the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner out
of Alabama, with the 28th overall pick in the first
round of the NFL draft.
In five seasons with the Saints, Bush, 26, rushed
524 times for 2,090 yards and caught 294 passes
for 2,142 yards. He scored 29 touchdowns combined
on offense, as the Saints captured Super Bowl XLIV,
31-17, over the Indianapolis Colts.
PRO BASEBALL: Griffin scores with bunny
© East County Sports.com
BURLINGTON, Iowa (4-17-11) — A.J.
GRIFFIN, the 2006 East County pitcher of the
year for Grossmont High, sat alone in his corner
of the Burlington Bees dugout, except for a new
friend.
Accompanying Griffin was a large chocolate Easter
bunny, complete with a big gold chain around its neck,
found during a late-night shopping binge to Wal-Mart.
Oddly, Griffin purchased the confection because he
thought it looked like Bees teammate Tyreace House.
"It looks just like Tyreace," Griffin
told TheHawkEye.com.
"It's a bunny dude!"
The rabbit turned into Griffin's good luck charm
for Thursday's (Apr. 14) Class A Midwest League
game at Community Field.
The right-hander carried a no-hit bid into the
8th inning against the Peoria Chiefs, finally surrendering
a base hit to Sergio Burruel with one out. An out
later, Grififn yielded to the bullpen as he collected
his first victory of the season following a 5-1
decision.
"I came into the clubhouse and looked up there
and I said, 'That's me?' He said, 'Yeah, that's
you,'" House recounted. "I said it was
a good-luck charm, so at the beginning of the game
I told him to put it right next to him when he pitches.
It worked for us."
Griffin – who struck out 10 in a no-decision
at Clinton last week – mowed down the Chiefs
in his second start.
He needed just 16 pitches in the first two innings
as he struck out three across the frames. The first
runner reached base against Griffin in the fourth
when Matt Szczur reached on a fielding error by
third baseman Nino Leyja. Pierre LePage followed
that with a walk.
The no-hitter was still intact, but not for long.
Burrell ended the suspense with a ground ball through
the right side.
Griffin was drafted in the 13th round of the 2010
draft out of the University of San Diego. He split
last season between the Oakland A's rookie team
in Arizona and Vancouver . He led the Northwest
League and ranked third among all A's minor leaguers
in saves with 15 in 20 games.
But Griffin – a starter his junior and senior
years of college – had never come this close
to a no-hitter.
"I've had one through five or six but never
all the way through seven and a third like that,"
Griffin said. "I'm having fun getting back
out there and throwing the ball around."
PRO BASEBALL
Penn pitching professionally in Japan
© East County Sports.com
SANTEE (3-19-11) — Santana High graduate HAYDEN
PENN has been pitching professionally since 2002.
Originally a 5th round draft pick of the Baltimore
Orioles, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound right-hander has
toiled for the Orioles, Florida Marlins and Pittsburgh
Pirates in parts of four major league seasons.
The past two years, Penn has been hurling for the
Chiba Lotte Marines of the Japanese Baseball League.
A year ago, Penn’s lone pitching victory in
The Orient came in the Nippon Championships when
he worked 5 1/3 innings allowing, 2 runs and 5 hits
while striking out three in the Marines 10-4 victory
over the Chunichi Dragons. Chiba Lotte went on to
win the Japanese version of the World Series.
Baseball is one of the most popular sports in Japan
. It was introduced to Japan in 1872 by Horace Wilson,
who taught at the Kaisei School in Tokyo . The first
baseball team was called the Shimbashi Athletic
Club and was established in 1878. Baseball has been
a popular sport ever since.
In eight minor league seasons in the U.S., Penn
posted a mark of 42-37. When he made his Major League
debut on May 5, 2005 with Orioles he was the youngest
player in the Major Leagues at 20 years and seven
months. His career record in MLB is 4-6.
In his first Japanese season, Penn recorded 27
strikeouts and a 3.69 ERA.
PRO FOOTBALL
Notebook: Former Matadors lineman re-signs with Chargers
© East County Sports.com
MUPRHY CANYON (3-3-11) — Former Mount Miguel
High defensive lineman OGEMDI
NWAGBUO, who played collegiately for Michigan
State, accepted a tender offer and signed a 1-year
contract extension with the San Diego Chargers.
 |
|
Ogemdi Nwagbuo re-signs
with Chargers.
(San Diego Chargers courtesy photo)
|
Nwagbuo, who will enter his third season with the
Chargers, played in 15 games this past season, adding
depth to the defensive line as a reserve nose tackle.
He recorded a season-high five tackles Week 12 against
the Oakland Raiders, then posted a fumble recovery
in Week 16 at Cincinnati.
Nwagbuo rose from obscurity in 2009. A practice
squad player in 2008 who was likely destined for
the same role in ’09, he made the opening day
active roster with the help of a solid training
camp and a rash of injuries along the defensive
line and put up some impressive numbers.
Nwagbuo’s background made him one of the more
interesting stories to watch in 2009. His parents
were born in Lagos, Nigeria, and even though “OG,”
as he is referred to by teammates, was born in San
Diego, he was given a Nigerian name, which translated
to English means “my time will come.”
Nwagbuo is the family’s surname.
Although he only played three games of high school
football, he transformed into an All-Foothill Conference
performer at Southwestern College, gaining the chance
to play for Michigan State. Following graduation,
Nwagbuo signed as an undrafted free agent with the
New York Giants in 2008, but got cut before the
season started, then was signed to the Chargers
practice squad.
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Defensive back Trey Young's
runback
with a 2009 interception for the Locos.
(Las Vegas Locomotives courtesy photo)
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Young going Loco
LAS VEGAS (3-3-11) — Former Helix High standout
TREY
YOUNG, the final cut by the Canadian Football
League's Calgary Stampeders three years ago, has planned
to play a third season with the Las Vegas Locomotives
of the United Football League.
Young, 30, a defensive back, led the UFL in interceptions
in 2009, including a 75-yard runback for a touchdown,
helping the Locos (as the team is called for short)
win the UFL Championship Game over Florida.
In college, Young was team captain for Montana
when the Grizzlies captured the 2001 NCAA Division
I-AA national championship. He was a first-team
All-America selection in 2002, when he was Big Sky
Conference defensive player of the year.
Staback gets to stay
GREEN BAY, Wis. (3-3-11) — Former West Hills
High quarterback PHILIP STABACK, a two-time NAIA
All-America performer at Lindenwood University won't
play, yet wasn't cut by the Green Bay Blizzard of
the Indoor Football League, which opens its season
this Friday (Mar. 4).
Staback was placed on the "RTR" (right
to re-sign) list, the IFL's form of practice squad
so a player may stay with a team and develop, and
giving the team the first option to claim the player
back to the main roster.
PRO BASEBALL
Strasburg's
elbow ahead of schedule
GIBBY
Award goes to Strasburg
 |
|
Celebrating their 2009-10
PASL-Pro North America championship are
(l-r) the Sockers' Paul Wright, Scott Martin,
Aaron Susi and Dan Antoniuk.
(San Diego Sockers courtesy photo)
|
PRO SOCCER
Wright still gunning at 41
In third stint with 11-time indoor champion San
Diego Sockers
© East County Sports.com
DEL MAR (12-17-10) — During the tail end of the
San Diego Sockers dynasty of the 1980s, when the franchise
captured 10 arena soccer (then simply called "indoor
soccer") championships over a 12-year span, one
of the team's leading scorers was former Grossmont
High standout
PAUL
WRIGHT.
"It seems every one in San Diego still has great
memories of the Sockers from their glory days,"
said Wright. "Those were great teams."
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Paul Wright
|
More than a decade later, Wright, who turns 42 this
season, is still plying his trade with the latest
incarnation of the Sockers, which is coming off an
11th North American indoor title last winter.
"I feel like I can still contribute and keep
the team winning," added Wright. "Playing
for the Sockers still ranks among my favorite moments
in soccer."
Still contribute? Wright is known among the top free
kick specialists – the David Beckham of indoors
– finishing seventh in the PASL-Pro league in
scoring. Placing the ball into the net is something
Wright has been doing for a long time.
In fact, thanks to a 4-point night against the Louisville
Lightning recently, Wright shared player of the week
honors with defender Diego Rovira, as announced by
Sockers general manager John "The Coach"
Kentera.
"When I came to the States, I was 10 and began
playing for Derek Armstrong of the La Jolla Nomads,"
said the native of England. "At Grossmont (High),
we were known for scoring a lot of goals."
However, the Foothillers never climbed the mountain
to capture CIF crowns, while Helix (1983), Granite
Hills (1985) and Valhalla (1986-88) took titles, while
Monte Vista was a section runner-up (1989) after falling
in a memorable double-overtime thriller to Bonita
Vista.
Wright eventually turned professional with the Cleveland
Crunch in 1989, then was traded to the Sockers in
1990, taking the MISL (Major Indoor Soccer League)
trophy that season.
Wright, now in his third tour of duty in San Diego,
credits his training regiment which he continues as
founder/operator of Speed To Burn, which provides
speed training for enhanced athletic performance.
"We train people to increase their speed,"
noted Wright. "We handle youngsters, high school
and college players, and adults.
Wright's next opportunity to showcase his skills comes
Wednesday (Dec. 29), when San Diego (6-1) hosts the
Southwest final of the U.S. Open Cup series. Kickoff
is at 6:15 p.m. from Del Mar Arena (located next door
to the racetrack on the Del Mar Fairgrounds). The
winner advances to the Open Cup national Final Four.
The contest will feature a ceremony honoring the Sockers
MISL championship team from 1985-96, plus honor
former
head coach Ron Newman.
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|
Oakland Raiders tackle Khalif
Barnes / Raiders.com courtesy photo
|
Former Matadors O-lineman Barnes
makes key TD catch for Raiders, beat KC in OT
© East County Sports.com
OAKLAND (11-7-10) — Former Mount Miguel
High and University of Washington offensive lineman
KHALIF
BARNES scored a rare touchdown Sunday (Nov.
7), keying the Oakland Raiders in a 23-20 overtime
victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Midway through the third quarter, Barnes
hauled in a 2-yard TD pass from Jason Campbell on
a tackle-eligible play, giving the Raiders a
14-13 lead after the team was shutout in the first
half.
In his second season with Oakland, Barnes garnered
just two previous starts in 14 appearances after
moving to the Bay Area following four seasons as
a full-time starter with Jacksonville. The catch
was his first career NFL reception for the Jaguars'
second round (52th overall) pick in the 2005 draft.
By winning its third straight game for the first
time since that season, Oakland (5-4) heads into
its bye week just a half-game behind Kansas City
(5-3) in the division.
Harvey signs with NFL Falcons
© East County Sports.com
ATLANTA (7-27-10) — Passing the ball has never
been a strong trait at Monte Vista High School.
However, as a senior, wide receiver BRANDYN HARVEY
caught 21 passes for 459 yards and five TDs, averaging
21.9 yards per catch for the Monarchs.
Upon entering Villanova University, Harvey became
more of a primary receiver, pulling down 53 aerials
for 694 yards and 5 TDs during his senior season
when the Wildcats captured the Division I-FCS (formerly
I-AA) championship.
Harvey’s numbers turned out to be proof that
professional scouts can find talent – no matter
where the school is. The number of catches don’t
seem to matter. It’s more a case of whether
the receiver can make the big-time catch.
The Atlanta Falcons apparently viewed the 6-foot-4,
205-pound Harvey, liked what they saw and are willing
to gamble on his future as they signed him to a
summer camp contract.
Snyder ready to give UFL his professional
service
© East County Sports.com
SACRAMENTO (7-21-10) — Former Monte Vista
High and Stanford University linebacker-defensive
end CLINTON SNYDER has signed his first professional
football contact with the Sacramento Mountain Lions
of the United Football League.
The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Snyder figures to make
an immediate impact for the Mountain Lions in his
rookie season.
Snyder started 42 of 44 games during his Stanford
career (2006-2009). He recorded 298 tackles, 14
sacks, 25.5 tackles for losses and logged one interception.
He tarted 11 of 12 games as a freshman in 2006
and registered 83 tackles and 2 sacks. He dded 96
tackles and 8 sacks while starting 11 of 12 games
as a sophomore in 2007. The former Monte Vista captain
started all 12 games as a junior in 2008 and notched
58 tackles and 3 sacks. He also started the first
eight games of his senior campaign in 2009 and was
leading the school with 61 tackles and 1 sack before
suffering a season-ending knee injury. Snyder once
recorded a career-high 16 tackles in a game against
Washington on November 3, 2007.
Sacramento also signed former Castle Park High
linebacker ZEKE MORENO, who also figures to step
into the starting plans.
 |
|
The Atlanta Braves bounce
following a walk-off grand slam by
former Monte Vista High standout Brooks Conrad
(second from right).
(Courtesy, The Atlanta Journal & Constitution,
by Curtis Compton)
|
WATCH BROOKS CONRAD'S GRAND SLAM MLB.com
|
Similar: Bobby Thomson's
"Shot Heard 'Round The World" HERE
1951 NL Playoff (Game 3), Giants vs. Dodgers,
Polo Grounds |
Braves' Conrad: PH walk-off slam
© East County Sports.com
ATLANTA (5-21-10) — Nothing has come easy in
the long professional baseball career of former
Monte Vista High product BROOKS CONRAD.
It took eight long years toiling on bus trips through
the minor leagues before Conrad finally advanced
to "The Show," breaking in with the Oakland
A's in July 2008.
Two years later, Conrad gained an opportunity to
do something he had never done in baseball, although
the odds were against him.
Batting just .167 without an RBI as a pinchhitter
this season, all Conrad could do was grab his helmet
in disgust when his long fly ball seemingly landed
in the glove of Cincinnati Reds left fielder Laynce
Nix in front of the 380-foot sign.
"I hit it and I was kind of talking to it
to get out of there and I saw (Nix) jump up, Conrad
told MLB.com. “From my angle, it looked like
he kind of brought it back. I put my hands no my
helmet and said, ‘No way he caught that.”
Lamenting while rounding first base, Conrad suddenly
heard the crowd roar and his teammates pour from
the dugout – the ball deflected off Nix' glove
and went over the wall for a walkoff grand slam,
capping an amazing 7-run rally in the bottom of
the 9th to stun the Reds, 10-9, Thursday afternoon
(May 21) at Ted Turner Field.
It was the Braves' third straight victory in their
final at-bat. They had trailed early, 8-0, thanks
to a grand slam by the Reds' Joey Vetto.
"BRETT FAVRE AND
THE JETS" SONG
(2008)
|
Hurdle: One 'Jam' away from the NBA
© East County Sports.com
BAKERSFIELD (11-7-09) — Former Helix High standout
LANCE
HURDLE has been drafted by the Bakersfield Jam
of the NBA Development League. Hurdle, a product of
Miami
(Fla.), was the Jam’s No. 5 selection in
an 8-round draft.
A 6-foot-1, 183-pound point guard, Hurdle was among
200 NBA prospects available to the 16 teams in the
NBA D-League. Drafted players will join a group
of returning and allocated players in NBA the various
D-League training camps on Sunday, Nov. 15.
The Bakersfield franchise is affiliated with the
Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers.
“These are real exciting times,” Hurdle
said. “I’m looking forward to playing
professional basketball.”
Upon graduating from Helix in 2005 after averaging
24.1 points and 4.8 assists as a senior, Hurdle
was bound for UC Santa Barbara. When that didn’t
work out, he transferred to San Bernardino Valley
Community College for his freshman season.
He spent the final three collegiate seasons with
the Hurricanes, where he was a starter his final
two years. Hurdle was primarily more of a playmaker
than a big scorer playing in the Big East Conference,
scoring a career-high 9 points during his senior
season.
Ex-Foothiller joins Rockies
© East County Sports.com
DENVER (9-22-09) — Former Grossmont High and
USD infielder MIKE McCOY has been promoted to the
Colorado Rockies for their stretch run for a wild
card berth in the National League playoffs.
McCoy hit .307 with five triples, 102 runs and
40 steals for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox of the
Triple-A Pacific Coast League in 132 games prior
to his recall.
A 34th round draft choice of the St. Louis Cardinals,
McCoy reached the Triple-A level as a middle infielder
with the Memphis Red Birds in 2007. He’s spent
the past two seasons in the Rockies ’ organization.
Former El Cap standout joins Blue Jays
© East County Sports.com
| Bellatti
signs with Rays
© East County Sports.com
RANCHO SAN DIEGO (6-26-09) — ANDREW BELLATTI,
a 12th round pick of the American League champion
Tampa Bay Rays, has signed a pro pact.
Bellatti posted a 13-9-1 record with 172
strikeouts in 140 innings in his final two
seasons at Steele Canyon.
Also stationed as a corner infielder, Bellatti
batted .407 (70-172) with 14 home runs and
53 RBI in his last two prep campaigns.
Bellatti had the option of remaining an amateur
athlete as he turned down a baseball scholarship
to Cal State Fullerton.
|
TACOMA, Wash. (6-27-09) — It was pregame warm-ups
as usual for KYLE PHILLIPS, the leading hitter for
the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s of the Pacific Coast League
Friday night (June 26) in Tacoma.
That is, until pitching coach Andy LaRoche hollered
to Phillips that Las Vegas manager Mike Basso wanted
to see him.
“Since I hadn’t played for eight days
I thought it could be one of two things – either
I was going home or being dropped to Double-A,”
said the 25-year-old El Capitan High graduate.
He was wrong on both accounts. Basso informed Phillips
that he’d been called up to the major leagues
by the Toronto Blue Jays. He was ticketed for a
“red-eye” flight that would allow him
to get to the Rogers Centre in the Canadian city
in time for Saturday’s (June 27) game against
the visiting American League champion Tampa Bay
Rays at 10 a.m. (PT).
“It was an out of body experience,” Phillips
said. “I thought he was kidding me, and I started
looking for hidden cameras inside his office.”
A 10th round draft pick of the Minnesota Twins
in 2002, Phillips was batting .338 with three home
runs and a dozen RBI for Las Vegas . He is filling
a void created by Rod Barajas, who was placed on
the 15-day disabled list with a hamstring pull.
Phillips and backup Raul Chavez will serve as Toronto
’s catchers for the time being.
Phillips, whose older brother, Jason (now a coach
with the Seattle Mariners), played for the Jays
in 2006-07, is getting his first chance to play
in the big leagues.
“Kyle had a really good (spring training)
camp," Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi
said. "The pitchers like throwing to him. He's
one of those guys that's kind of like a lifetime
Minor Leaguer – they hang around long enough,
they get a chance. I'm happy for him. He's got to
come up here and help us hold the fort down."
During his 7 ½ seasons of playing minor
league ball, Phillips has had more highs than lows
despite being released by the Twins after four seasons
and then again by the Milwaukee Brewers after two
seasons.
Not to be denied Phillips hooked on with Toronto
and batted .306 at New Hampshire of the Double AA
Eastern League in 2008 after registering a .306
average with 10 home runs and 60 RBI in the Class
A Florida State League the year before.
“When you get released by an organization
it’s like being fired,” Phillips said.
“Since it happened to me twice I was ready
to go back to selling cars at Marvin K. Brown.”
When Toronto pitched him an offer he decided to
hang on a little longer.
“Now I’m one of the top 60 catchers in
the world,” Phillips said. “A lot of people
said I’d never reach the major leagues, but
I never gave up and here I am. As long as they have
a jersey with my name on the back and a paycheck
I need to sign, I’ll be happy no matter how
long it lasts.”
An ironic twist to Phillips’ trek to The Show
was John Leavitt – a major league scout for
the Twins who originally signed the versatile Vaquero
– gave him a ride to the airport Friday night.
“Everybody from Little League on up lives
for this moment,” Phillips said. “I can
tell you all the work you put into it as a kid is
worth it. There is no better feeling.”
Former Norsemen/Griffin cornerback Jones signs
with af2 football team
