2017 UIL Texas State 6A High School Football Championship Broadcast
ALLEN VS LAKE TRAVIS 3:00PM CST
WACO MIDWAY VS CY-FAIR 7:00PM CST
DFW 6A High School Football Rankings Week 2
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| DeSoto Eagles still ranked #1. |
Our weekly 6A DFW Area High School Rankings for Week 2 are here folks! Did we get it right?
1. DeSoto (1-0)
2. Allen (1-0)
3. Duncanville (1-0)
4. Sachse (1-0)
5. Southlake Carroll (1-0)
6. Rockwall (1-0)
7. Coppell (1-0)
8. Arlington Martin (1-0)
9. Mansfield (1-0)
10. Denton Guyer (1-0)
11. Plano (1-0)
12. Flowermound Marcus (1-0)
13. Cedar Hill (0-1)
14. Euless Trinity (0-1)
15. Jesuit (0-1)
16. Rockwall Heath (1-0)
17. Hebron (0-1)
18. Arlington (1-0)
19. Mesquite Horn (1-0)
20. Arlington Bowie (0-1)
2. Allen (1-0)
3. Duncanville (1-0)
4. Sachse (1-0)
5. Southlake Carroll (1-0)
6. Rockwall (1-0)
7. Coppell (1-0)
8. Arlington Martin (1-0)
9. Mansfield (1-0)
10. Denton Guyer (1-0)
11. Plano (1-0)
12. Flowermound Marcus (1-0)
13. Cedar Hill (0-1)
14. Euless Trinity (0-1)
15. Jesuit (0-1)
16. Rockwall Heath (1-0)
17. Hebron (0-1)
18. Arlington (1-0)
19. Mesquite Horn (1-0)
20. Arlington Bowie (0-1)
DeSoto Head Coach Peterman Show Episode 1
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| DeSoto Eagles head coach Todd Peterman set to open the season. |
MAVERICKS SIGN CENTER NERLENS NOEL
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| Nerlens Noel will remain in Dallas for one more year. Photo credit: Scout.com |
MAVERICKS SIGN CENTER NERLENS NOEL
DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks announced today that they have signed center Nerlens Noel. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Noel (6-11, 220), who was acquired by the Mavericks from the Philadelphia 76ers in a trade-deadline deal on Feb. 23, averaged 8.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 1.0 steal, 1.1 blocks and 21.9 minutes in 22 games (12 starts) with Dallas last year.
For the 2016-17 season, Noel posted averages of 8.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 1.3 steals, 1.0 block and 20.5 minutes in 51 games (19 starts) with Philadelphia and Dallas.
The three-year veteran out of Kentucky holds career averages of 10.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.6 steals, 1.5 blocks and 27.6 minutes in 193 games (152 starts) with the Sixers and the Mavericks. He has shot 51.1 percent from the floor for his career.
A native of Malden, Mass., Noel was originally selected by the New Orleans Pelicans with the sixth overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. His rights were later traded to Philadelphia along with a future first-round pick in exchange for Jrue Holiday and Pierre Jackson.
As a rookie in 2014-15, Noel averaged 9.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.9 blocks and 30.8 minutes per game in 75 games (71 starts) while garnering NBA All-Rookie First Team honors.
In his lone season at Kentucky (2012-13), Noel averaged 10.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 2.1 steals, 4.4 blocks and 31.9 minutes en route to earning First Team All-SEC, SEC Defensive Player of the Year and SEC Rookie of the Year honors. On Jan. 29, 2013, Noel set the UK single-game record with 12 blocked shots in a victory over No. 16 Ole Miss.
Noel suffered a torn ACL in a game against the Florida Gators on Feb. 12, 2013, ending his 2012-13 season. Despite the injury, Noel declared for the 2013 NBA Draft following his freshman year. He missed the entire 2013-14 NBA season recovering from knee surgery.
The 23-year-old was the top-rated player by both ESPNU recruiting and Scout.com coming out of high school and was rated the second-best prospect by Rivals.com
The Mavericks’ 2017-18 training camp roster is now set at 20 players.
© 2017 Dallas Mavericks
SWAC Preview: 2017 Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils
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Football Preview: Mississippi Valley State
Courtesy SWAC.org
Thu, August 24, 2017
With less than a week before the first game of the 2017 Division I college football season, the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) will be releasing team previews for all 10 SWAC schools each business day for the next couple weeks in the lead up to the kickoff opener between Texas Southern at Florida A&M on Saturday, August 26 at 11 a.m.scheduled be to broadcast on ESPNU.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Mississippi Valley State head football coach Rick Comegy isn’t shying away from a road-heavy start to the season against battle-tested teams from around the nation.The Delta Devils (1-10 overall, 1-8 SWAC in 2016) will open with five of their first six games on the road away from the friendly confines of Itta Bena, Miss. and mixes in some challenging non-conference opponents including a huge test at FCS national powerhouse No. 2 ranked North Dakota State in the season opener on Sept. 2 that will be aired on ESPN3.
“They’re a good football team,” Comegy said. “There’s no doubt about it. The only thing that we can do is try this thing out and see if our formula works because I know they’ve got a great formula. But, I want to see if our formula works rather than having to prepare for what they’re doing all the time.”
The schedule continues with a trip to Southern Illinois of the Missouri Valley Conference in week two and then will host the defending SWAC Champions and Celebration Bowl winners Grambling State (ranked #21) in week four.
“That’s the way the schedule is,” Comegy added. “The only thing that I can say right now is we got to get our kids prepared to play football. And, if we can prepare our kids correctly, then we’ll be alright. Hard work is the only way that I can answer that.”
In 2016, the Delta Devils ranked ninth in scoring offense with 14.0 points per game, was 10th in total offense (245.3 yards per game), and finished 10th in rushing offense by running for 25.0 yards per contest. The Delta Devils passing offense was more toward the middle of the pack with 220.3 passing yards per game (fifth in the SWAC).
New quarterbacks have entered the fray at Mississippi Valley State and there could be open competition between transfer Jett Even, senior James Crosby, and freshmen Dewayne Betts and Christopher Fowler.
Running back will be a position of note as the Delta Devils will look to find a dependable option to take some pressure off their new quarterback. Charlie Crenshaw, Stavonski Wilkes, Kyuntrae Bell and Tyler Brewer could all share that responsibility. None received more than 32 carries a season ago (Crenshaw).
The offense should also be aided by senior offensive lineman and All-SWAC Preseason Second Team selection Alvin Solomon, who offers some size and skill up front at 6-2 and 305 pounds.
Lining up at receiver will be returning senior Jesse Bryant, who averaged 19.4 yards per catch in 2016. But again, there will be plenty of opportunities for others to step into a larger role with the departure of top receiver Joshua Banks, who led the team with 48 receptions for 652 yards and five touchdowns.
Mississippi Valley State will have work as a whole in improve in all areas, but should key in on the turnover battle as a way to alleviate some of their troubles. The Delta Devils were a conference-worst minus 11 in that category as the team forced 20 turnovers, but turned it over on 31 occasions in 2016.
Last season, Mississippi Valley State ranked 10th in scoring defense (45.8 points allowed per game), eighth in total defense (446.1 yards allowed per game), eighth in rushing defense (200.7 yards allowed per game) and eighth in passing defense (245.4 yards allowed per game).
The Delta Devils defense will have to improve their red zone defense as the team allowed opposing teams to score a league-high 37 touchdowns in that situation and tied for the worst red zone defense as it allowed teams to come away with points 89.6 percent of the time.
The secondary has the potential to be a strength of the team.
Senior defensive back Everett Nicholas leads the Mississippi Valley State defense as he is coming off a season in which he totaled 24 tackles and four interceptions. Additionally, Mark Pegues shifts to the defensive back position after recording a returning team-high with 63 tackles.
The Delta Devils had two players in all named to the All-SWAC Preseason Team including one First Team selections in defensive back Everett Nicholas and one on Second Team in offensive lineman Alvin Solomon.
Head coach: Rick Comegy; Record at Mississippi Valley State 4-29 (fourth year); Overall 177-115-2 (27th year).
2016 record and finish: 1-10 overall, 1-8 SWAC (fifth in the SWAC East Division)
Returning statistical leaders
Passing: Will Dean (8-of-15, 30 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INTs)
Rushing: Charlie Crenshaw (32 carries, 62 yards, 0 TDs)
Receiving: Jesse Bryant (17 receptions, 194 yards, 2 TDs)
Tackles: Mark Pegues (63)
Sacks: Willie Clay (three)
Interceptions: Everett Nicholas (four)
Potential game breaker: Nicholas. The redshirt junior ranked in the top 20 in the conference in both interceptions (tied for second with four) and also ranked 17th in passes defended with seven to his credit. With Pegues shifting to assist him in the secondary, the Atlanta, Ga. native has an opportunity to make even more plays in 2017.
2017 schedule
Sat, Sept. 2 @ North Dakota State, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN3)
Sat, Sept. 9 @ Southern Illinois, 6 p.m.
Sat, Sept. 16 Open
Sat, Sept. 23 Grambling State, 6 p.m.
Sat, Sept. 30 @ Charleston Southern, 6 p.m.
Sat, Oct. 7 @ Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 6 p.m.
Sat, Oct. 14 @ Alabama A&M, 3 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 21 Virginia Lynchburg, 2 p.m. (Homecoming)
Sat, Oct. 28 Jackson State, 2 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 4 Texas Southern, 1 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 11 @ Alcorn State, 2 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 18 Alabama State, 1 p.m.
SWAC Football team preview schedule
Monday, August 14: Alabama A&M
Tuesday, August 15: Texas Southern
Wednesday, August 16: Alabama State
Thursday, August 17: Southern
Friday, August 18: Alcorn State
Monday, August 21: Prairie View A&M
Tuesday, August 22: Jackson State
Wednesday, August 23: Grambling State
Thursday, August 24: Mississippi Valley State
Friday, August 25: Arkansas-Pine Bluff
SWAC Preview: 2017 Grambling State Tigers
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Football Preview: Grambling State
Courtesy Elizabeth Conley
Wed, August 23, 2017
With less than two weeks before the first game of the 2017 Division I college football season, the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) will be releasing team previews for all 10 SWAC schools each business day for the next couple weeks in the lead up to the kickoff opener between Texas Southern at Florida A&M on Saturday, August 26 at 11 a.m.scheduled be to broadcast on ESPNU.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – On the heels of a largely dominant 2016 campaign that saw Grambling State take its place atop the HBCU football mountain once again, the Tigers head into 2017 as the team to beat in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – On the heels of a largely dominant 2016 campaign that saw Grambling State take its place atop the HBCU football mountain once again, the Tigers head into 2017 as the team to beat in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
The Tigers were a sparkling 11-1 (9-0 SWAC) in 2016, claiming the SWAC football title and a Celebration Bowl victory. Coach Broderick Fobbs’ unit does lose impact players, but for the most part there are enough returning standouts to where the G-men’s talent level is good enough for a title defense.
Starting in the backfield, reigning SWAC Offensive Player of the Year Devante Kincade will again lead the offense at quarterback. Kincade was one of the most efficient signal-callers in the nation last year, throwing for 3,022 yards with a stunning 31 touchdowns to just four picks. Alongside him at running back is perhaps the premier all-purpose weapon in the league in Martez Carter.
With Jestin Kelly having graduated, Carter – who has bulked up compared to last season – stands to be leaned on even more to power the lion’s share of the running game with Lyndemian Brooks offering some pop as well. That said, expect Carter to make an impact all over the place, as he accounted for 1892 total yards (876 rush, 625 return, 376 receiving) and 14 scores on 184 total chances in 2016, good for a first-down-per-touch average.
With Jestin Kelly having graduated, Carter – who has bulked up compared to last season – stands to be leaned on even more to power the lion’s share of the running game with Lyndemian Brooks offering some pop as well. That said, expect Carter to make an impact all over the place, as he accounted for 1892 total yards (876 rush, 625 return, 376 receiving) and 14 scores on 184 total chances in 2016, good for a first-down-per-touch average.
Grambling State does have fellow lineman William Waddell returning up front, but all-conference performer Trent Scott – who was set to return – may be lost for the season due to injury, so there are four spots still left to sort out.
Jordan Jones remains in place as the top tight end on the team. Along with that, wide receiver is a potential area of concern as nearly 75 percent of Kincade’s yardage and touchdown totals left with the graduation of Arizona Cardinal Chad Williams and Verlan Hunter among others. DeVohn Lindsey projects as the top weapon out wide, but the preseason second-team All-SWAC pick as well as names like Darrell Clark must come along quickly as Grambling looks to remain as potent offensively as they were last season.
Jordan Jones remains in place as the top tight end on the team. Along with that, wide receiver is a potential area of concern as nearly 75 percent of Kincade’s yardage and touchdown totals left with the graduation of Arizona Cardinal Chad Williams and Verlan Hunter among others. DeVohn Lindsey projects as the top weapon out wide, but the preseason second-team All-SWAC pick as well as names like Darrell Clark must come along quickly as Grambling looks to remain as potent offensively as they were last season.
Defensively, the Tigers’ strength appears to lie in the back seven as the graduation of 2016 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year Donovan McCray as well as Blain Winston and All-SWAC players Arkez Cooper and Samuel Reese leaves questions up front. Led by Preseason First-Teamer De’Arius Christmas, most of the linebacker corps returns, and the majority of the secondary is also set to return, though it must proceed ahead with All-SWAC defenders Guy Stallworth and Jameel Jackson (graduation)
Head coach: Broderick Fobbs; Record at GSU 28-8 (fourth year); Overall 28-9 (fourth year).
2016 record and finish: 11-1 overall, 9-0 SWAC (Won SWAC West Division, SWAC Championship and Celebration Bowl
Returning statistical leadersPassing: Devante Kincade (218-of-341, 3022 yards, 31 TD, 4 INT)
Rushing: Martez Carter (116 carries, 891 yards, 10 TDs)
Receiving: Martez Carter (28 receptions, 376 yards, 3 TDs)
Tackles: De’Arius Christmas (69)
Sacks: Deontae Hatter (4.5)
Interceptions: Deaumante Johnson (3)
Rushing: Martez Carter (116 carries, 891 yards, 10 TDs)
Receiving: Martez Carter (28 receptions, 376 yards, 3 TDs)
Tackles: De’Arius Christmas (69)
Sacks: Deontae Hatter (4.5)
Interceptions: Deaumante Johnson (3)
Potential game breaker: The Defensive Line. On paper, this area has the most to replace from 2016, but reports from training camp indicates that the new faces up front are more than ready to answer the bell, as the D-line is stocked with size, length and athleticism and has looked unstoppable at times in team scrimmages. If this performance carries over into the season, the Tigers’ defense may be better than it was last season and could intermittently carry the team as a potentially explosive offense continues to come together in the early goings of the 2017 slate.
2017 scheduleSat, Sept. 2 @ Tulane 7:00 PM (ESPN3)
Sat, Sept. 9 vs. Northwestern State 6:00 PM
Sat, Sept. 16 vs. Jackson State 6:00 PM
Sat, Sept. 23 @ Mississippi Valley State 6:00 PM Sat, Sept. 30 vs. Clark Atlanta 3:30 PM (Chicago Football Classic in Chicago, Ill.)
Sat, Oct. 7 vs. Prairie View A&M 4:00 PM (State Fair Classic in Dallas, Texas)
Sat, Oct. 21 vs. Alcorn State 2:00 PM
Sat, Oct. 28 vs. Texas Southern 2:00 PM (Homecoming)
Sat, Nov. 4 @ Arkansas-Pine Bluff 2:30 PM
Sat, Nov. 11 @ Alabama State 2:00 PM
Sat, Nov. 25 vs. Southern 4:30 PM (Bayou Classic in New Orleans, La. on NBCSN)
Tuesday, August 15: Texas Southern
Wednesday, August 16: Alabama State
Thursday, August 17: Southern
Friday, August 18: Alcorn State
Monday, August 21: Prairie View A&M
Tuesday, August 22: Jackson State
Wednesday, August 23: Grambling StateThursday, August 24: Mississippi Valley State
Friday, August 25: Arkansas-Pine Bluff
15 2017 Fantasy Football Sleepers
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| Carson Wentz is one of the fifteen NFL players you should keep your eyes in the late rounds of your fantasy football drat in 2017. Photo credit: CSN Philly |
2017 Fantasy Football - 15 Sleepers
This is a list of my favorite 2017 fantasy football sleepers - underrated players who are going way later than they should. The Average Draft Position (ADP) is found on FantasyFootballCalculator.com.
The past two years of Fantasy Football Sleepers have been a mixed bag. For 2015, three of my top six sleepers were Dion Lewis, Jordan Reed and Cam Newton. On the flip side, however, I was way wrong on Kendall Wright, Stevie Johnson and Breshad Perriman. As for last season, I nailed Michael Thomas, Spencer Ware, Robert Kelley, Kenneth Dixon. Some whiffs, however, were Tajae Sharpe, DeAndre Washington, Devin Funchess and Devontae Booker.
- Joe Williams was a fourth-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, but would've gone earlier had it not been for character concerns. The 49ers love him and think he's a better fit for the offense than Carlos Hyde, so I would definitely target Williams in the middle rounds.
Joe Williams, RB, 49ers. ADP: 12.02. - C.J. Prosise had two explosive performances against the Patriots and Eagles last year before landing on injured reserve. Durability is obviously an issue with Prosise, but he's worth the risk in the 11th round. The Seahawks will definitely give Prosise plenty of touches when he's healthy.
C.J. Prosise, RB, Seahawks. ADP: 11.02. - Zach Ertz has been Carson Wentz's favorite target throughout the offseason, so he should be drafted much higher than the 11th round. He and Wentz developed a great rapport toward the end of this past season, so that should carry over into 2017.
Zach Ertz, TE, Eagles. ADP: 11.04. - Spencer Ware may begin the year as Kansas City's starting running back, but Kareem Hunt will likely finish the season as the primary runner. Hunt is more talented than Ware, who struggled down the stretch last season after a hot start. Unfortunately, Hunt's ADP has risen from the 11th round to the eighth recently.
Kareem Hunt, RB, Chiefs. ADP: 8.05. - Tyler Lockett is 29th in my Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings, so I don't know why he's being chosen so late. Lockett showed great potential as a rookie in 2015, but was banged up last year. He should be able to rebound with a strong season.
Tyler Lockett, WR, Seahawks. ADP: 14.01. - Prior to the Jeremy Maclin release, I was pretty confused about why Taylor Gabriel and Tyreek Hill were being drafted nine rounds apart. I didn't even have them nine spots apart in my Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings! Gabriel and Hill are effectively the same player, and Gabriel is in the better offense. Hill's role will increase with Maclin gone, but the fact remains that Gabriel still provides much more value.
Taylor Gabriel, WR, Falcons. ADP: 11.02. - Carson Wentz is my No. 11 quarterback, yet he's the 19th signal-caller off the board. Wentz has a top-five offensive line and an improved receiving corps to work with. Plus, he has worked very hard on his mechanics this offseason. He seems poised for a great sophomore campaign.
Carson Wentz, QB, Eagles. ADP: 12.08. - Allen Hurns was a major disappointment in 2016, but he was never 100 percent because of a problematic knee. Now healthy, Hurns can go back to collecting lots of yardage in garbage time.
Allen Hurns, WR, Jaguars. ADP: 14.08. - Here's another Seattle running back who is well worth his ADP than Eddie Lacy. Thomas Rawls has worked out extremely hard this offseason to make amends for his disappointing 2016 campaign. That should pay off, so I like taking a chance on him at the end of the ninth round.
Thomas Rawls, RB, Seahawks. ADP: 9.12. - Kenny Golladay has been the star of Lions' training camp. He's only a rookie, but he's a massive receiver who will provide a huge presence in the red zone. He's worth looking into in the final rounds.
Kenny Golladay, WR, Lions. ADP: Undrafted. - I don't understand why Pierre Garcon is the 36th receiver off the board at his 8.02 ADP. Garcon is a great route runner and can thrive in any system. Sure, his quarterback will be Brian Hoyer, but if Cameron Meredith can be productive with Hoyer, Garcon certainly can, too.
Pierre Garcon, WR, 49ers. ADP: 8.02. - I had John Brown listed in the Fantasy Football Busts last year, but I like him to rebound from his dreadful 2016 campaign. Brown dealt with a nasty injury all season, but figures to be healthy now. Carson Palmer's regression is still an issue, but with Michael Floyd gone, Palmer will target Brown more often.
John Brown, WR, Cardinals. ADP: 9.04. - Austin Hooper didn't do much as a rookie, but he's had a great offseason and has earned the praise of Matt Ryan. Hooper is a highly athletic tight end with tremendous upside, so he could post TE1-type numbers this year.
Austin Hooper, TE, Falcons. ADP: 14.02. - Marlon Mack has been getting some positive press recently. Chuck Pagano said Mack has the potential to be a "special player," citing how Mack has performed well in pass-protection drills. That's key for a young running back, so Mack could get some playing time this year with Frank Gore on the decline.
Marlon Mack, RB, Colts. ADP: 12.06. - It feels weird to call a fifth-round pick a sleeper, but I think C.J. Anderson provides a ton of value in the early rounds. Anderson is in great shape this year, so he might be able to avoid injury. He's 14th in my Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings, yet he's the 25th player at his position to come off the board, per the ADP.
C.J. Anderson, RB, Broncos. ADP: 5.05. - The Chargers spent the seventh-overall pick on Mike Williams, but he could miss most of the season with a back injury. Tyrell Williams, as a result, provides quality value at his ninth-round ADP. Williams' ADP has risen recently in the wake of the Williams news, but I liked him beforehand.
Tyrell Williams, WR, Chargers. ADP: 9.05. - I don't think spending a final non-defense, non-kicker pick on J.J. Nelson is the worst idea. Nelson is Arizona's No. 3 receiver, and he could easily become the second option, given John Brown's injury history. There have been positive reports about Carson Palmer this offseason, so that could help Nelson's fantasy outlook.
J.J. Nelson, WR, Cardinals. ADP: 14.11.
SWAC Preview: 2017 Alabama A&M Bulldogs
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Football Preview: Alabama A&M
Courtesy SWAC.org
Mon, August 14, 2017
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Alabama A&M head football coach James Spady said during the 2017 SWAC Media Day that he loves everything about his football team.
Alabama A&M appeared to be heading into a positive direction as it produced a one-game improvement from a season ago (4-7 overall, 4-5 SWAC) with a second-place finish in the SWAC Eastern Division in 2016.
Now, the Bulldogs return their entire starting offensive line along with a top running back in the conference and signs from their spring games that they may be able to take the next step forward this upcoming season.
“I wanted to see great effort and we got that on both sides of the ball,” coach Spady said.
“Our defense did dominate us offensively, but there were some things that the offense did that I was fired up about. We converted more third downs than we had. We grew as an offensive unit in getting the ball to our different weapons and so it was a successful spring.”
Freshman of the Year running back Jordan Bentley looks to build upon his impressive first season where the All-SWAC First Team Preseason selection rushed for 851 yards on 159 carries (5.4 rushing yards per carry) with nine touchdowns. The six-foot, 200-pound back from Guntersville, Ala. was strong enough to finish with the fourth most rushing yards per contest in the conference with 77.4 yards per contest. Among returning players for the 2017 campaign, Bentley holds the second most rushing yards (only behind 2016 SWAC Championship Game Offensive MVP Martez Carter of Grambling State).
As far as the Bulldogs’ offense as a whole, it showed a slight uptick in production, producing 23.8 points per game (good for sixth in the conference). Alabama A&M ranked ninth in passing offense (188.6 yards per game), fifth in rushing (178.8 ypg), and was sixth in total offense (367.5 ypg).
The Bulldogs will have to look to a new signal caller this season with the departure of De’Angelo Ballard. Quarterbacks on the roster who could step into that starting role include redshirt junior Damion May, freshman Aqeel Glass and redshirt freshman Dylan Smith.
A key for the Alabama A&M defense in 2017 will be to get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks as no individual Bulldog player ranked inside the top 20 in sacks and the team totaled a league-low nine sacks.
Leading the Bulldogs defense will be senior linebacker Kenneth Davis, who ranked second in the conference in tackles with 98 and had 10.5 tackles for a loss.
In 2016, Alabama A&M ranked eighth in scoring defense (allowed 38.7 points per game), ninth in total defense (460.7 yards allowed per game), 10th in rushing defense (238.8 yards allowed per game) and fourth in passing defense (221.9 yards allowed per game).
The Bulldogs had five players named to the All-SWAC Preseason Team including four First Team selections. It’s the most in Spady’s tenure. Bentley (RB), Davis (LB), Tere Calloway (DB), Nick Carden (K) were named as First Teamers while OL Austin Simmons made the Second Team.
Head coach: James Spady (Record at A&M 11-23 (fourth year); Overall 11-23 (fourth year).
2016 record and finish: 4-7 overall, 4-5 SWAC (second in the SWAC East Division)
Returning statistical leaders
Passing: Damion May (1-of-3, 12 yards, 0 TDs, 1 Int)
Rushing: Bentley (159 carries, 851 yards, 9 TDs)
Receiving: Ledarion Heath (22 receptions, 247 yards, 0 TDs)
Tackles: Davis (98)
Sacks: Yurik Bethune, Davis (two apiece)
Interceptions: Calloway (two)
Potential game breaker: R-So Marceles Clash. The 6-1, 170-pound wide receiver from Altadena, Calif. showed promise this spring and has Bulldogs coaching staff excited for what he may be able to do to alleviate the loss of departing WR Tevin McKenzie, who ranked ninth in the SWAC in receptions (50 catches), fifth in receptions per game (4.5) and totaled 529 receiving yards.
2017 schedule
Sat, Sept. 2 @ UAB 2:30 p.m.
Sat, Sept. 9 @ Vanderbilt 3 p.m.
Sat, Sept. 16 @ South Alabama 6 p.m.
Sat, Sept. 23 Texas Southern 6 p.m. (Louis Crews Classic)
Sat, Sept. 30 Arkansas Pine-Bluff 2 p.m. (Homecoming)
Sat, Oct. 7 @ Southern 6 p.m.
Sat, Oct. 14 Miss. Valley State 2 p.m.
Sat, Oct. 28 Alabama State TBA (Magic City Classic in Birmingham, Ala.)
Sat, Nov. 4 @ Alcorn State 1 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 11 Jackson State 1 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 18 Kentucky State 1 p.m.
Alabama A&M appeared to be heading into a positive direction as it produced a one-game improvement from a season ago (4-7 overall, 4-5 SWAC) with a second-place finish in the SWAC Eastern Division in 2016.
Now, the Bulldogs return their entire starting offensive line along with a top running back in the conference and signs from their spring games that they may be able to take the next step forward this upcoming season.
“I wanted to see great effort and we got that on both sides of the ball,” coach Spady said.
“Our defense did dominate us offensively, but there were some things that the offense did that I was fired up about. We converted more third downs than we had. We grew as an offensive unit in getting the ball to our different weapons and so it was a successful spring.”
Freshman of the Year running back Jordan Bentley looks to build upon his impressive first season where the All-SWAC First Team Preseason selection rushed for 851 yards on 159 carries (5.4 rushing yards per carry) with nine touchdowns. The six-foot, 200-pound back from Guntersville, Ala. was strong enough to finish with the fourth most rushing yards per contest in the conference with 77.4 yards per contest. Among returning players for the 2017 campaign, Bentley holds the second most rushing yards (only behind 2016 SWAC Championship Game Offensive MVP Martez Carter of Grambling State).
As far as the Bulldogs’ offense as a whole, it showed a slight uptick in production, producing 23.8 points per game (good for sixth in the conference). Alabama A&M ranked ninth in passing offense (188.6 yards per game), fifth in rushing (178.8 ypg), and was sixth in total offense (367.5 ypg).
The Bulldogs will have to look to a new signal caller this season with the departure of De’Angelo Ballard. Quarterbacks on the roster who could step into that starting role include redshirt junior Damion May, freshman Aqeel Glass and redshirt freshman Dylan Smith.
A key for the Alabama A&M defense in 2017 will be to get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks as no individual Bulldog player ranked inside the top 20 in sacks and the team totaled a league-low nine sacks.
Leading the Bulldogs defense will be senior linebacker Kenneth Davis, who ranked second in the conference in tackles with 98 and had 10.5 tackles for a loss.
In 2016, Alabama A&M ranked eighth in scoring defense (allowed 38.7 points per game), ninth in total defense (460.7 yards allowed per game), 10th in rushing defense (238.8 yards allowed per game) and fourth in passing defense (221.9 yards allowed per game).
The Bulldogs had five players named to the All-SWAC Preseason Team including four First Team selections. It’s the most in Spady’s tenure. Bentley (RB), Davis (LB), Tere Calloway (DB), Nick Carden (K) were named as First Teamers while OL Austin Simmons made the Second Team.
Head coach: James Spady (Record at A&M 11-23 (fourth year); Overall 11-23 (fourth year).
2016 record and finish: 4-7 overall, 4-5 SWAC (second in the SWAC East Division)
Returning statistical leaders
Passing: Damion May (1-of-3, 12 yards, 0 TDs, 1 Int)
Rushing: Bentley (159 carries, 851 yards, 9 TDs)
Receiving: Ledarion Heath (22 receptions, 247 yards, 0 TDs)
Tackles: Davis (98)
Sacks: Yurik Bethune, Davis (two apiece)
Interceptions: Calloway (two)
Potential game breaker: R-So Marceles Clash. The 6-1, 170-pound wide receiver from Altadena, Calif. showed promise this spring and has Bulldogs coaching staff excited for what he may be able to do to alleviate the loss of departing WR Tevin McKenzie, who ranked ninth in the SWAC in receptions (50 catches), fifth in receptions per game (4.5) and totaled 529 receiving yards.
2017 schedule
Sat, Sept. 2 @ UAB 2:30 p.m.
Sat, Sept. 9 @ Vanderbilt 3 p.m.
Sat, Sept. 16 @ South Alabama 6 p.m.
Sat, Sept. 23 Texas Southern 6 p.m. (Louis Crews Classic)
Sat, Sept. 30 Arkansas Pine-Bluff 2 p.m. (Homecoming)
Sat, Oct. 7 @ Southern 6 p.m.
Sat, Oct. 14 Miss. Valley State 2 p.m.
Sat, Oct. 28 Alabama State TBA (Magic City Classic in Birmingham, Ala.)
Sat, Nov. 4 @ Alcorn State 1 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 11 Jackson State 1 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 18 Kentucky State 1 p.m.
SWAC Football team preview schedule
Monday, August 14: Alabama A&M
Tuesday, August 15: Texas Southern
Wednesday, August 16: Alabama State
Thursday, August 17: Southern
Friday, August 18: Alcorn State
Monday, August 21: Prairie View A&M
Tuesday, August 22: Jackson State
Wednesday, August 23: Grambling State
Thursday, August 24: Mississippi Valley State
Friday, August 25: Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Big 3: Playoff Picture Finalized
TRILOGY REMAINS UNDEFEATED AS REGULAR SEASON COMES TO A CLOSE IN FRONT OF STAR-STUDDED CROWD AT STAPLES CENTER; 3 HEADED MONSTERS, POWER & GHOST BALLERS ALSO ADVANCE TO THE PLAYOFFS
-- Ghost Ballers Pull Off Upset With Fate In Their Own Hands --
-- BIG3 Moves To Seattle For Playoffs August 20, Las Vegas For Championship August 26 --
LOS ANGELES, CA - August 14, 2017 -- In front of an energetic crowd of more than 10,000 fans, including music, sports and entertainment icons, BIG3 took the STAPLES Center by storm on Sunday, pulling out all of the stops to close out the professional 3-on-3 league’s regular season. Fans have become accustomed to seeing hard-nosed, competitive basketball. In LA, they also witnessed their favorite stars flocking to see the games in person.
Seated courtside alongside BIG3 co-founder Ice Cube were Oscar De La Hoya, Dwyane Wade, Chad Ochocinco Johnson, LL Cool J, Jeanie Buss, Jesse Williams, Snoop Dogg, Chris Brown, Lamar Odom, T-Pain, Kenny Smith, Martin Lawrence, Jeffrey Osborne, Raphael Saadiq, Pooch Hall, Gilbert Arenas, Sam Cassell, LaVar Ball, LaMelo Ball and others.
With a host of playoff scenarios set to be sorted out and Trilogy’s perfect season on the line, fans witnessed another aggressive, action-packed day of basketball resulting in Trilogy, 3 Headed Monsters, Power, and Ghost Ballers moving on to the playoffs to compete for the first-ever BIG3 championship title.
Rashard Lewis ended the regular season as the scoring leader in total points (170) and points per game (21.3). Reggie Evans led the league in total rebounds (87) and rebounds per game (12.4). Mike Bibby topped the league in total assists (30), assists per game (3.8), and 4-point field goals (6).
In the most thrilling game of the day, Trilogy’s unblemished record was put on the line in a matchup against the Killer 3’s. Having already been eliminated from championship contention, Chauncey Billups and Stephen Jackson’s Killer 3’s unleashed Player Coach Charles Oakley for his season debut as a player in a final effort to tarnish Trilogy’s undefeated record. However, Trilogy’s Rashad McCants and Al Harrington proved to be unstoppable yet again, with McCants scoring 17 points and Harrington adding 16, leading their team to a 50-41 win to close out the regular season with a perfect 8-0 record.
Each of the three other games featured playoff ramifications, as Tri-State beat Power to keep their championship dreams alive. Even with a loss, Power still secured the 3-seed via 3’s Company loss and subsequent elimination at the hands of Ball Hogs which came into the week with the worst record in the league only to ruin 3’s Company’s post-season hopes.
In a major upset with their fate in their own hands, Ghost Ballers (previously 3-4) wrapped up the day of reckoning by securing the 4-seed after beating 3 Headed Monsters (previously 6-1).
In addition to four competitive games, fans were treated to a halftime performance by West Coast legend Snoop Dogg, rapping his classic songs, “Next Episode” and “Drop It Like It’s Hot.”
While fans attended in order to see their favorite professional basketball players compete, anticipation was at an all-time high for the much talked about 4-point challenge between Ice Cube and Big Baller Brand’s LaVar Ball. Following a week of back and forth social media conversation, Ice Cube beat Ball after draining more 4-point shots.
Official attendance was 10,288.
BIG3 Week 8 games will air on Fox Sports 1 Monday Night Basketball at 5pm PST / 8pm EST.
Next week, BIG3 moves to Seattle, WA for the playoffs at KeyArena on Sunday, August 20th. All eight teams will compete -- the top four teams for the championship title, the bottom four teams for consolation ranking.
GAME 1
Power (4-4) 42 vs. Tri-State (3-5) 51
Coming into Week 8, the 2-5 Tri-State’s playoff berth hopes remained alive, if slim, as a win over Power plus a loss by 3’s Company and a loss by Ghost Ballers would have secured the 4-seed. Meanwhile, Power entered the game having already clinched a playoff berth, fighting for a 3-seed with a win over Tri-State or a loss by 3's Company.
Tri-State opened the game strong, but quickly fell behind to Power, at one point trailing 18-10. Down most of the first half, Mike James led the team on a dominant run that resulted in a 25-20 lead at halftime, and a lead that Tri-State would never relinquish throughout the 2nd half. Trailing 49-42, Power’s Cuttino Mobley faced tight defense and threw up an air ball that was rebounded by Tri-State’s Bonzi Wells who swiftly put in the game winning lay up.
Led by James’ 17 points on 3 of 7 shooting from behind the 3 point arc, Dominic McGuire’s 10 points and 5 rebounds, and Wells’ 8 points and 8 boards, Tri-State kept their playoff hopes alive with a 51-42 win over Power (still needing a loss by 3’s Company and a loss by Ghost Ballers later in the day). DeShawn Stevenson contributed a solid performance for Power, knocking down what would prove to be the day’s league-leading 22 points on 50% (6 of 12) shooting from the 3-point line.
Power (4-4) moves on to the playoffs as the 3-seed.
GAME 2
Killer 3’s (2-6) 41 vs. Trilogy (8-0) 50
The second game of the day featured undefeated Trilogy facing off against Chauncey Billups and Stephen Jackson’s Killer 3’s in a bid to keep its perfect season intact. Trilogy didn’t disappoint, opening on a 7-0 run that eventually resulted in an 18-point lead at the half. As lopsided as the first half was, Killer 3’s made things interesting battling back with a 13-0 run to start the second half, pulling to within 3 points. With all that energy expended, Killer 3’s proved to be overmatched as Trilogy regained its footing and rolled back to a 14 point lead.
Perhaps with frustration setting in, Killer 3’s committed a total of 14 fouls led by Charles Oakley who made his BIG3 player debut adding four fouls in 8 minutes of play, including a flagrant foul after leveling Al Harrington while trying to break free after an inbound play. Subsequently leading 47-41, Trilogy’s Dion Glover drained a 3-point shot for the win.
Trilogy rolled to victory and secured an undefeated regular season record (8-0) in a true team effort. Rashad McCants led with 17 points and 5 rebounds, followed by Al Harrington’s 16 points and 6 rebounds and James White’s 10 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds. Killer 3’s Brian Cook led his team in scoring with 17 while Stephen Jackson contributed 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Trilogy moves on to the playoffs as the 1-seed.
GAME 3
Ball Hogs (2-6) 50 vs. 3’s Company (3-5) 47
Game 3 featured 3’s Company coached by Allen Iverson fighting for a chance at a playoff berth against a Ball Hogs team with only one win on the season. 3’s Company entered Week 8 in a must-win scenario while also needing to rely on a Ghost Ballers loss.
The game was competitive from start to finish with 7 lead changes. The first half ended as expected with 3’s Company up by 6, led in part by Al Thornton’s 4-point shot (the first of the day for any BIG3 player). However, during the 2nd half, Ball Hogs battled back, eventually taking the lead 38-37. After a series of lead changes and the game tied at 44, 3’s Company’s Andre Owens drained a 3 point shot. Down 47-44, Ball Hogs’ Xavier Silas capped off his 20 point, 5 rebound performance by sinking a clutch 4-point shot (only the 2nd of the day among all players) to put his team up 48-47. Following a diving rebound and several passes, Byars drove to the lane and dished the ball off to Josh Childress who laid it up for the win, capping his 16 point, 5 rebound day. Andre Owens contributed 19 points and 8 boards for 3’s Company, while Al Thornton added 11 points on 4 for 7 shooting.
3’s Company didn’t need to wait around for the result of the day’s 4th game, as they were eliminated from championship contention with their loss.
GAME 4
3 Headed Monsters (6-2) 33 vs. Ghost Ballers (4-4) 50
3 Headed Monsters had already clinched the 2-seed, but Ghost Ballers entered the game needing to win in order to make the playoffs after Tri-State won earlier in the day. With the season on the line, Ghost Ballers maintained a small advantage throughout the entire first half, pushing to a 25-20 lead. During halftime, Ice Cube and LaVar Ball competed head to head in the much talked about and highly anticipated 4-point challenge. Ice Cube prevailed after thrilling the crowd by draining the most 4-point shots.
The second half saw Ghost Ballers take charge and begin to pull away, sparked by Mike Bibby’s 4-point shot early in the half. Leading 48-33, Bibby received a pass from Ricky Davis and swished a jumper just inside the 3 point line for the win. With their fate in their own hands, Ghost Ballers outscored 3 Headed Monsters 25-13 in the 2nd half on 9 of 11 (82%) shooting with a strong team effort (Ricky Davis 13 points, 4 assists; Mike Bibby 13 points, 4 assists; Ivan Johnson 12 points; Marcus Banks 10 points).
Ghost Ballers advances to the playoffs as the 4-seed.
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