December 12, 2013
THE BIG DAWG ON THE AIR
Tonight’s The Central Sports & Business Report on The Central Story with Steve Johnson (broadcasting live from Me’ Pa’s Diner in Central, 5:30pm—6:30pm, WPFC, 1550AM and JonFineProductions.com) will feature guests including Central HS Baseball Coach Mike Forbes, Wrestling Coach Justin Stafford along with Senior baseball players Dillon Dantin and Jansen Browning and Senior wrestlers Kade McAdams and Ryan Huffy… Monday night, it’s Destined to Win on The Central Story, with Rocky Bezet, Pastor, The Rock Church (5:30pm—6:30pm, WPFC and JonFineProductions.com)
BROADCASTING SCHEDULE:
Thursday, December 12: 5:30pm—6:30pm: The Central Sports & Business Report (on The Central Story)… with Steve Johnson … broadcasting live from Me’ Pa’s Diner in Central
WPFC, 1550AM, BR
Internet: JonFineProductions.com
Monday, December 16: 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 Radio, Lake Charles Programming of Interest (also heard on KEZMOnLine.com:
Saturday, December 14: 9AM—10AM: All Things Football with Scott Holtzman
Monday, December 16: 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
I don’t want to say it, but I told you so. People think that parity in a sport equates to every game will be close. In actuality, parity in sports means that anything can happen including a good team losing badly on the scoreboard one week and then winning by a large margin the next.
The Saints handled the Panthers impressively at home. That was a relief to see more than anything with all the momentum the Panthers had gathered on their winning streak and the Saints tough loss to Seattle. Nevertheless, had the Panthers scored a TD on either of their first two drives that game would have played out much differently. Instead, the Saints held the Panthers to field goals and once the Saints scored a touchdown they were able to dictate the tempo of the game.
As I stated last week, it is a waste of time in the NFL to judge the post season based off the regular season. They are such different animals. Baseball is similar in that the formula to be successful over 162 games playing the entire league is different than winning a 5 or 7 game series against a select few teams. Considering weather, matchups, and the single elimination format of the NFL postseason you can understand why regular season success is not the best predictor of postseason success.
At the same time, I wish everyone would move past the “dome team” versus outdoor team angle. Do people think the Eagles practiced all week outside in a foot of snow to prepare for their game this week? Please.
As we move closer to the post season of football, the bowls have picked their teams. The BCS worked again in getting the two most deserving teams. The panic and controversy of a month ago has subsided thanks to the difficulty of going undefeated.
For those who think the new system will be any better in settling controversies on who should have the right to play for the championship, think again. Just take this year as an example. How do you choose the top four from this year’s BCS top 7?
1. FSU 13-0
2. Auburn 12-1
3. Alabama 11-1
4. Michigan State 12-1
5. Stanford 11-2
6. Baylor 11-1
7. Ohio State 12-1
In my mind, I would have no problem with the top 4 being in the playoff. But, Baylor and Ohio State would have the same argument that Michigan State would have had this year if Auburn had lost and Alabama had been second. It is the same argument Oklahoma State had when Alabama was second and LSU was one.
If you are wondering where I fall on the issue, it really isn’t on either side. As I have stated in the past, all I want is a well defined system to where the bar doesn’t constantly change. A system to where everyone is aware of what is necessary to qualify. Then play it on the field. The BCS through its tweaks has been pretty good in my mind. I think the playoff can work as well, but it will need tweaks. My guess is an 8 team format will eventually be the best.
HEY REF
Just want to get something off my chest before I begin enlightening my loyal readers; MERRY CHRISTMAS! There I said it so if I offended anyone just be happy that you live in a country where you still have the right to disagree with me and discontinue reading. I’m so sick of this “Happy Holidays” crap; I just felt the need to let everyone know where this ref stands on a very personal issue.
With that done I can go onto less important things like the first ever nine classification final divisional championships played in the LOUISIANA SUPERDOME! We, LOUISIANA’s taxpayer paid for it, so I’ll always call it by its proper name and not the one that came with payoffs from corporate America.
It will be very interesting to see how this new three day, nine championship game format plays out in the Big Easy’s roofed football environment. If you saw highlights of this past weekend’s NFL games on the eastern seaboard you no doubt noticed some games were played outdoors in 1 to 10 inches of driving snow. As a kid I loved playing in bad weather be it rain or snow the sloppier the better.
But now as a fan I must admit sitting all season long in a 72 degree controlled climate is the way to go. So, for all eighteen teams, their coaching staffs and fans this week’s games is just icing on the ‘ole cake and I know only nine teams will leave New Orleans happy, I’d just like to take a short second and congratulate each and every one of them.
If the LHSAA can pull this expanded classic off without many glitches it’ll be very hard for the principals that opposed the new format to have it repealed when the organization holds its annual January meetings. The principals that want to repeal the expanded playoffs and dividing schools into two divisions (select/private and the non-select/public) have been successful in placing the matter up for debate just a couple weeks down the road.
With every new endeavor you can expect trouble and problems that only the marketplace will be able to identify. Once those problems are identified it’ll be just a short time before solutions will follow. Without a doubt I believe this will be the case because when you look at the new lineup of nine games where are any losers going to come from?
Having eighteen teams make the trip to New Orleans instead of the customary ten teams is a blessing for all involved. I don’t care if every hotel, restaurant, gas station, beer joint or whatever it may be losses their collective bee-hinds, as long as the kids are kept number one and go home with lifelong happy memories of their trip to a Championship Game it’ll all be worth it.
After all is said and done it’s the kids that we must be assure of and are kept at the top of everything then businesses no doubt will find a way to turn a profit next year. If your motivation is money, money, money then this won’t be a fun week for you because the players and schools must be everyone’s concern. With so much violence happening in our daily lives it’s time we, parents and/or adults, take a back seat and do nothing to dampen the kid’s experience for once in our lifetime.
The expanded playoff/Championship game format experiment should continue as a reward for all the hard work our kids put in to get this far. It will be a damn shame if some short sighted adults are victorious is turning this cherished annual event back into a five game set.
I agree there needs to be some tweaking of the brackets, etc. but adults ask yourself this question “do you really want to cut eight schools out of this caliber of an event, A once in a lifetime event in your kid’s life”? If you said yes take all the presents that are under the tree right now because there can be no bigger Grinch than you!
Till next week… …
The Rotary Club of Livingston Parish
Rotary Bull
By Ivy Graham
“Service Above Self”
Please visit our website at www.rotaryclublp.org.
This week’s meeting:
• This week’s meeting will be held at Big Mike’s. Fellowship begins at 11:30. The meeting is from 12:00-1:00. This week is elections of new officers! Please do your best to attend the meeting. Your investment in our future leadership is important and valuable. In addition, Winter Committee will be presenting the upcoming activities for our club.
Last week’s meeting:
• Trey Sanders officially became our newest member of the club!!! Welcome Trey! We are ecstatic to have another passionate Rotarian to help our projects along.
• Our Clubs Christmas party will be at lunch time on December 20th. All members are encouraged to bring their families with them to the meeting as we celebrate the holidays with an ugly sweater party
•Ivy Graham was our “Who am I” presenter. Everyone learned about Ivy’s passion for animal rescue, food, history, and other facts possibly totaling 30. Her effervescence, warmth, and cupcakes were enjoyed by all present and we were grateful to learn more about her.
• Available leadership seats were discussed and all were asked to consider being an officer of the club.
• Supply list for the animal shelter was discussed and a request for donations of said materials will be made to Lowe’s.
• Supply lists for the veteran’s house were distributed. It was asked that members follow up with their contacts to see who is willing to donate what items.
Upcoming Events/Projects:
• Dec 20 – Club “ugly sweater” Christmas Party
• Dec 27th - no meeting
Note from the President:
• December’s educational focus is Families. During the holiday season it is important to take a step back and celebrate our families that support our work as Rotarians, who assist our Rotarian efforts and projects, as well as the family of Rotary. Rotary is an important and valuable connector. You know you are dealing with good people when you deal with Rotarians.
Guest Speakers and General Membership Meeting Dates:
• Dec 20: Christmas Party
• Dec 27: No meeting
• Jan 3: “Who am I” Heather Pitarro
Brags:
• Heather Pitarro shared with us a wonderful thank you from our favorite Elementary school in Walker. They are very appreciative of our continued literacy project and support of their library.
• Tony Jarreau is planning is one year anniversary of opening Good Ole Boys. I am certain there is a serious party in the works.
• John Watsom visited Honduras and met Rotarians during his travels. He has a greater appreciation of the worldwide effect of Rotary.
• Kay Landry was very proud to announce the launch of a national website for realtors. It is certain to revolutionize the real estate industry and its exciting to be able to celebrate this advancement with our Rotarian.
• Joey McClendon was off to the Saints game. We certainly hope he cheered the team to victory
• Jonathan Whitman plans to kill bambi and all of his relatives as well as forest friends in the near future. We do not wish him success in his ventures.
• Lisa Casas as well as Ivy Graham and Leesha Gleber visited Hammond’s Rotary. They received a warm welcome and learned about the monumental projects occurring in our neighboring district. Fellowship was shared by all and it was a good thing
Members:
• Your quarterly dues will be emailed. Keep a lookout! AND Please kindly and timely submit your payment to Lisa Casas.
• Shirts for sale only $7.00 for members. These things are selling like hotcakes!
Cloning Rights to Ivy Graham are owned by Jon Fine
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.