October 24, 2013
ON THE AIR!: Denham Springs HS Football radio broadcasts
Plaquemine HS Football radio broadcasts
St. John HS Football radio broadcasts
SECOND STRAIGHT SWITCHEROO
We will be broadcasting the St. John HS –
East Iberville HS Football game this Friday night on WPFC Radio and on the internet at JonFineProductions.com. With last week’s change in broadcasts from the St. John HS game to Plaquemine HS game, we needed to change an ensuing broadcast from Plaquemine to St. John. And, that is what we are doing this Friday night.
Press Release (Amended)
The Dru Nettles Show
Final 4 referee and Denham Springs native Mark Whitehead heads up the list of guests to appear on The Dru Nettles Show this week. Whitehead, a Denham Springs HS graduate, has officiated hundreds of college basketball games and multiple Final 4’s in his officiating career.
The program will also feature Denham Springs HS Senior Safety Wes Brown and University HS assistant football Coach Burke Broussard. The Jackets will be in action on Friday night, facing University High School.
The sponsor of the week is Mark Boyer, of Boyer, Hebert, Abels and Angelle. Boyer played Quarterback at Louisiana Tech.
There will be highlights of the Scotlandville game shown and a look ahead at this week’s Denham Springs—University matchup.
That’s The Dru Nettles Show, hosted by Denham Springs HS Athletic Director/Head Football Coach Dru Nettles and long-time Jackets play-by-play announcer Jon Fine. The Dru Nettles Show airs Thursday nights, 6pm—7pm, with replays on Friday mornings at 10:30 and Saturdays at 12:30pm. The program is a Jon Fine Production.
For more information, please visit The Dru Nettles Show page on JonFineProductions.com or “Like” TheDruNettlesShow on Facebook.
THE CENTRAL STORY
Tonight on The Central Sports & Business Report, Steve Johnson and Matt Price will be joined by Central HS Senior offensive linemen Brandon Lee, Ryan Morris and Braylen Mattox. Kaleb Saucer of Chick-fil-A will also appear on the program, which will be broadcast live from Me Pa’s Diner in Central.
Monday night on The Central Story, it’s Destined to Win, with Rocky Bezet, Pastor, The Rock Church.
The Central Story airs Monday and Thursday nights, 5:30pm—6:30pm, on WPFC, 1550AM, Baton Rouge and on the Net at JonFineProductions.com.
BOESCH IS BACK
After a brief hiatus, A VIEW FROM THE SIDELINES returns. Please see Tommy Boesch’s bi-weekly column below.
GREAT CAUSE
The JDRF Walk For A Cure is Saturday, November 2 at the LSU old front nine at 9 AM. Please consider sponsoring Denham Springs HS Athletic Hall Of Fame Member (and prominent local dentist) Dr. Michael Scheroler’s daughter, Morgan. You can make a donation by going to the JDRF website for the walk in Baton Rouge. Donate under Morgan’s team, “Morgan’s Monkeys” (name possibly inspired by DSHS announcers Jon Fine, Brian Abels and Chris Ledoux and some prior Yellow Jackets announcers?) Thank you in advance for whatever you can give to this extraordinarily worthwhile cause—helping to find a cure to Juvenile Diabetes.
BROADCASTING SCHEDULE:
Thursday, October 24: 5:30pm—6:30pm: The Central Sports & Business Report (on The Central Story)… with Steve Johnson and Matt Price… broadcasting live from Me’ Pa’s Diner in Central
WPFC, 1550AM, BR
Internet: JonFineProductions.com
Thursday, October 24: 6:00pm—7:00pm: The Dru Nettles Show… with Dru Nettles & Jon Fine
Cox 4 Television, Baton Rouge (replays on Friday, October 18, 10:30am—11:30am and Saturday, October 19, 12:30pm—1:30pm)
Friday, October 25: 6:00pm: HS Football: Denham Springs HS vs University HS
Jon Fine, Brian Abels, Chris Ledoux
Comedy-1210-Baton Rouge.. JonFineProductions.com
Friday, October 25: 6:00 pm: HS Football: St. John HS vs East Iberville
J. B. Barker, Brian “Baco” Romero
WPFC, 1550AM, BatonRouge.. JonFineProductions.com
Monday, October 28: 5:30pm—6:30pm: Destined To Win (on The Central Story)
Pastor Rocky Bezet, Pastor, The Rock Church
WPFC, 1550AM, BR
Internet: JonFineProductions.com
SportsRadio—1310-KEZM-Lake Charles Programming of Interest (also heard on KEZMOnLine.com)
Saturday, October 26: 9AM—10AM: All Things Football with Scott Holtzman
Monday, October 28: 8AM—10AM: The Locker Room with John Goodman and Jim Gazzolo
WE THANK YOU FOR DOING YOUR UTMOST TO PATRONIZE SPONSORS OF OUR PROGRAMMING. THIS HELPS US TREMENDOUSLY IN SUSTAINING OUR WEEKLY LINE-UP AND WILL ASSIST US IN ADDING MORE PROGRAMS IN THE FUTURE. KINDLY MAKE AN EFFORT TO LET SPONSORS KNOW YOU HEARD THEIR BUSINESS MENTIONED ON OUR BROADCAST(S).
THE WIZARDRY OF OS
Assistant Basketball Coach and Head Swimming Coach at Central High School
I am going to do Coach Miles a favor. I am going to say all the things he can't say, but I bet he wanted to say when he was taking blame for the loss.
Mettenberger played terrible. LSU should have beat Ole Miss 40-27, and would have if a Mettenerger hadn't played his worst game of the year. The offensive coordinator has been calling passes for big plays all year while the run game has been working without it turning into interceptions. It is not Cameron's fault.
The defense is not busting coverages like they did against UGA, but the defense is average. Not LSU average, but average. At this point, LSU does not have a first round pick on defense. Hunter, White, Johnson, Robinson, etc. might turn into one before they leave, but as of now, they aren't. So the offense has to score more than 30 against good offenses.
This is a team that has to win by scoring a lot on offense. But it has to do so in a way to keep the defense off the field. That means no turnovers and more runs than passes.
So now that LSU is out of the SEC title hunt, I will make a few suggestions to Coach Miles that he might not want to take, but must make for the future of the program.
Decide who you think will be the best middle linebacker next year, start that player this year, and stick with him no matter how bad it gets. That position has been as weak as I can ever remember at LSU and you can start moving in the right direction now.
Put in a package for Jennings and start giving him a series or two each game. He is your starter next year and must get some experience.
Mettenberger did play badly, but try giving him some easy quick throws to start the game and get in a groove. I know you want to send a message to start each game, but help your quarterback get in the flow of the game by throwing before third down and giving him high percentage throws to start.
While you are at it, play some young receivers and tight ends. Landry and Beckham will be gone next year. Their replacements could use some real game experience too. If not, the offense next year might look like the defense this year. Besides, this aspect of the offense hasn't developed this year and it cost the Tigers against Ole Miss.
The last time a quarterback threw a bunch of interceptions (Lee), you shut down the offense for four years. It opened up the beginning of the year and you broke records. Then against Florida you shut it down again, apparently to make a point. Throwing the ball is not the reason LSU lost to Ole Miss. Just running the ball the rest of the year will not solve all problems and lead to wins against Bama and A&M.
I have some advice for Joe Alleva as well.
Don't announce ticket increases during what will be a three to four loss season. Wait till we have signed a top 5 recruiting class.
If you want more people in the stadium when LSU plays non top 10 teams, you need to find a way for people to be able to attend the game without committing a minimum of 6 hours in order to attend the game. LSU games these days are great for those that spend the whole day tailgating. But if you have other commitments or have other priorities to where you want the game to be a part of your day, but not the whole game, it doesn't work.
Finally to fans of LSU and the Saints like me:
We were the anti-Boston fans like week. While they enjoyed two miracle wins last Sunday, we suffered through two gut wrenching losses in the same calendar week. I would like to say I did research to say if this has ever happened before, but I don't have the stomach.
In weeks like this one, it is easy to remember all the failures of our teams. For LSU fans, the last four losses have all come at the end of the game with the defense giving up a scoring drive or the offense failing to convert. While it is a bad streak, it may help to see the larger picture going back a year.
LSU beat Auburn 12-10 in a poorly played game by LSU. But Auburn had the ball at the end with a chance to win with a field goal and the defense got the stop.
LSU lost at Florida 14-6 with the ball at the end and a chance to tie.
LSU beat South Carolina 23-21. The Gamecocks had the ball at the end with a slight chance to win with a field goal and LSU stopped them.
LSU lost to Bama 21-17 and we know what happened.
LSU put together a game winning drive to score with under a minute and beat Ole Miss 41-35.
LSU kicked a late field goal and stopped Arkansas on the end to win 20-17. The Hogs drove the length of the field and had a good chance to tie before LSU stopped them.
LSU lost to Clemson 25-24. We know what happened.
LSU lost at Georgia. Easy to remember.
LSU lost at Ole Miss.
So 4 wins late in games and 5 close losses. About the average. Maybe that makes some feel better. Maybe it makes some feel worse because they don't believe LSU should be average in close games when they are frequently the more talented team in the situation. I am sure a win late against A&M or Bama would help.
HEY REF
I hate clichés but I find one ringing in my head and it goes something like this “The more things change, the more they stay the same”. If you’re trying to figure my lead story let me keep you from guessing any further. This week the final decisions by the NCAA in dealing, yet again, with the University of Miami have come to light.
The source for so much of the evidence against the school came by way of Hurricane supporter, booster and CONVICTED FELON Nevin Shapiro. We all know that name don’t we? He’s the guy found guilty of masterminding a $930 million dollar Ponzi scheme. Was his conscience bothering him while sitting in prison or was he hoping that by ratting out everyone that accepted cash and other prizes from him might get him some time off for good behavior?
Then I ask those passing judgment this question “do you think this is an isolated incidence”? If you do then I’ve got some ocean front property to sell you in Little Rock. It’s very sad but the truth is these kinds of events are happening at every campus in the United States. I believe that statement with my complete being. With the BILLIONS, that BILLIONS with a “B”, of dollars at stake the truth is not one school is capable of casting the first stone. Oh, crap, didn’t mean to use another cliché.
The system is completely broke as the main problem going on is the fact that many of the athletes recruited come from improvised (poor) homes and I don’t mean the homes are substandard. No, rather many of these kids come from homes in “the hood” and most have never had enough money in their pockets to buy anything more than a six pack of cheap beer. I keep bringing up the name Cam Newton as he should be the poster boy of how to get paid and laugh all the way to the bank. Crap, another cliché.
But he did get away with it and his case should be a model all schools and athletes should use so your chosen university won’t have to worry about NCAA investigators looking up your skirt once you/your school becomes ranked by the latest polls. No, this scourge of improprieties is one that infects all schools. But how do we fix the problem? As I’ve stated on many occasions the very first step is to pay all athletes a livable wage along with the scholarships they’ve earned.
Seems the ones making the billions of dollars are getting a massive screwing by those living in the Ivory Towers. And the inhabitants of said towers are fighting any chance of righting this immense wrongdoing by keeping those employees responsible for them being able to live in those ivory towers living in poverty by not opening up the purses and giving them their well-deserved wages. If for nothing else look at the new taxes that’ll be going into the coffers of the United States.
Before I run out of space, I must answer those who’ve asked me about “The Call” in last Sunday’s game between the Patriots and Jets. If you missed it, the score is tied with only a few seconds left and the Jets are lined up for a game wining 46 yard field goal. The kick isn’t good and looks like we’re headed to overtime but wait. There’s a flag down and the call is improperly adding leverage to a teammate in an attempt to block the kick. Sure the call is correct if you follow the book but knowing when to call a foul and being able to separate book sense from common sense makes an average official a great official.
Yes, I know of the reports of Rex Ryan’s brother, Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, calling the Jets and warning them that the very same play cost New Orleans a game just a few short weeks ago. Got no problem with a coach crying in his corn flakes but I do when officials allow this to alter the way they call a game. This call should never have been allowed simply because officials should never make a call that’ll cost any team a game.
This official had to of know the impact of his call. When we start learning the ropes we’re taught to allow the teams to play and only call a foul when a team gains an advantage by not following the rules. We can call holding on every play but if it doesn’t affect the outcome of the game all you do is walk up to the player and let him know you’ve seen what he’s doing and to cut it out. It’s called preventive officiating and all great officials know how to use it. On the mentioned play, no advantage was made and no penetration towards the kicker occurred so the white hat should’ve had the flag picked up.
Intimidation is a hard thing to overcome when you officiate games. Once during a recent football game the coach near me wanted to try and get under my skin. After a couple minutes I turned to him and said “Look coach, I’m here to call balls and strikes and that’s it”. His eyes were like a deer in the headlights. He couldn’t believe what I had said but in just 60 seconds he got quiet and we both knew he couldn’t intimidate nor get under my skin. The NFL official who called this foul has very thin skin and I hope a very short career in the NFL!!
Till next week… …
A VIEW FROM THE SIDELINES
HS Sportscaster, WWL Radio, New Orleans
(This column was written prior to Game 1 of the World Series.)
The World Series
I know everyone is caught up in the Saints, LSU and high school football and volleyball, but this is the best time of the year for me, MLB World Series. Even though the Series does not include the teams I would have liked (Detroit and Los Angeles), it is going to be a great, competitive series.
This series has it all, great starting pitching, hitting, both long ball and small ball, excellent defense and great coaching. Both managers have great approaches to the game, strong pitching and big innings. Neither team bunts a lot, but they do move base runners around and sacrifice appropriately. But I think the key to this series is simple, can the Cardinals pitching silence the Red Sox bats.
Boston is really hitting the ball well, as they did all year. They are not on a hot streak; they are all just good hitters. Boston has four starters remaining from their last WS appearance, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury and Jon Lester, so they have enough clubhouse experience and manager John Farrell was the pitching coach on the 2007 World Series Red Sox team, so the environment should not shake this team. They have improved with additions like Mike Napoli, Shane Victorino and Jonny Gnomes, and when they play the rookie Xander Bogarts, it adds youthful excitement to the lineup.
They also have great pitching with Jon Lester, Clay Buchholtz, John Lackey and Jake Peavey. The Boston starting pitching is deeper than St. Louis, but you don’t always need 4 great starters to win a series. The Boston bullpen has transitioned great, Koji Uhara as the closer and Brandon Workman, Craig Breslow and Junichi Tazawa in the setup roles, the bullpen only allowed 2 earned runs in 26 innings.
St. Louis is also a quality club with its starting pitching ranking second in the major leagues in ERA and the entire staff was 5th overall with a 3.42 ERA. The first two Cardinal starters (Adam Wainwright and Michael Wacha) are as good as Boston’s and Joe Kelly has had some solid starts as has Lance Lynn, but Boston’s starters are deeper and are veterans. The Cardinals are young, but they have not looked it in the playoffs.
The Cardinals have a lot of veteran hitters in the lineup, but the key is Carlos Beltran. He is the veteran presence and he needs to have an outstanding series to make sure the Cardinals can complete their run; however, he has never played a single inning in a World Series. Usually the National League teams suffer when using the DH, but this year I think the Cardinals will use it to their advantage by using Allen Craig, who was having a monster year before an injury, as the DH, if he is healthy enough. Add in Matt Holliday, Matt Carpenter, and David Freese, you have a lineup that can compete with Boston. But I think the X factor is Yadier Molina! His ability to call the game, manage the pitchers, throw out runners and provide offensive power makes him the key to the St. Louis lineup. As Yadier goers, so do the Cardinals!!
This series is as even as any I have watched and either team winning would not surprise me. Maybe home field advantage will come into play, but I think the team that will win, is the one who comes up with the clutch hits and if you forced me to pick a team, I’d have to pick Boston, but I didn’t hear you force me to pick a team!!
Enjoy the fall classic!!!!
I have been away for a few weeks due to work, but I am glad to be back covering prep football. I will be at the EA vs. Dutchtown game this week, but will be keeping a close ear to the Lutcher vs. Plaquemine game down the road. This running back for Plaquemine, Julius Maracalin is a very good athlete, go see him if you get a chance. I also got to cover the Barbe at Acadiana game a few weeks ago, both teams are very strong and Acadiana blocked a game tying field goal at the end. I would not be surprised to see both teams play again in the playoffs.
JON IS PROUD TO WORK AS A MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE FOR SPORTSRADIO-1310-KEZM-LAKE CHARLES, IN ESTABLSHING THE “DOLLAR A HOLLER” MARKETING PROGRAM AND HELPING SELL SULPHUR HS FOOTBALL BROADCASTS AND BARBE HS BASEBALL PLAYOFF BROADCASTS.