Blog

BY RANDY GARDNER

How many years have I been writing my column for the Independent News. I’ll answer that for you, it’s been over 10 years and I have been loving every minute of it? The reason I bring this up is that if you look back over the years almost all the way back to the beginning, I have consistently talked about the strength of the Suburban North when it comes to sports. This past weekend proved my point exactly as both Hazelwood High Schools won state championships in their respective classes.

A few weeks ago I had Hazelwood East Coach Mike Jones on our TV sports talk show and he talked about his move from the NFL to coaching and that all he wanted was a state championship for his players. Well he got it in dramatic fashion on a bomb on the last play of the game to win the game for the Spartans Friday night. It was exactly what every kid does growing up— don’t lie, you did it too. Hers the scenario “Last play of the game, he drops back, it’s a bomb, touchdown, and we win the game”, well that exactly how it happened.

I talked to Mike Jones on Sunday on the sidelines of the Rams games and even though he wasn’t boastful about the event, I could just tell that he was full of pride inside.

Then on Saturday night, Hazelwood Central had a bit of an easier time in their game. It was great to see the black and yellow march up and down the field. I don’t think that it has ever happened in history that two different high schools from the same school district won championships in two different divisions in the same year. I could be totally wrong, as I could not find the state— let’s go with it anyway, it sounds really good.

Also it ended the Kansas City vs. St. Louis jinks in the state championship games. For both schools, it will make it very interesting next year as everybody will be gunning for them.

Mizzou By 10 Over O.U.!

Between the two championship games on Friday and Saturday, the Missouri Tigers played against Kansas University. I get into a lot of games but nothing like this one. What a barnburner, back and forth the whole game until the end when Mizzou let up that terrible play and gave up a touchdown.

This is what I don’t understand. On a play with 10 seconds left and two timeouts they throw an out route for 7 yards in the rain. All season long, Chase Daniel has been able to throw the ball down the middle of the field for 15 or so yards and then they could have called a timeout. This is the play calling that I just don’t get; it’s the same stuff that goes on with the Rams every week.

Are we as fans just as smart as these coaches making millions of dollars? I bet if they gave you the headset you would make a better call on a play than either of these two offensive coaches. I am really starting to believe, it might not be the players but the coaches calling the plays. The Tigers will be playing for the Big 12 Championship game this weekend, a lot of people are saying including the experts that Mizzou will lose by 20. I will go out on a limb and go Mizzou by 10. How about that!!

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us