December 19, 2013
THE BIG SHOWS
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 Girls Basketball Coach Matt Edwards and players Hannah Cowart, Brittney Davis and Heather Sabella and CHS Baseball Asst Coach Joey Jones and players Dillon Dantin and Preston Fondren. The Sponsor of The Week is Doug Davis of Davis & Sons Collision & Towing.… 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 19: 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 23: 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 21: 9AM—10AM: All Things Football with Scott Holtzman
Monday, December 23: 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 hope, if you have been reading my articles, that you were not “shocked” by the Saints loss to the Rams. We should be discovering that nothing should be shocking in the NFL. Extremely disappointed may be another issue. Sunday’s loss proved a few points I have been trying to make.
First, the Saints issues in losing to the Jets and Seahawks and nothing to do with the weather or New Orleans being a “dome” team, and everything to do with mistakes.
Second, almost all NFL teams are fragile. Blowouts, comebacks, winning close games, finding ways to lose, winning at home, and winning on the road are all about mental toughness. At home the Saints have confidence which leads to the toughness to play through early game mistakes. On the road, this team lacks the same mental fortitude and is now collapsing.
The good news, or bad news depending on your perspective, is that these stigmas are fragile, too. Would this year’s Saints have the home confidence if the Falcons had scored at the end of the game in the season opener? Would this year’s Saints have the lack of confidence on the road if they had held on to beat the Patriots or been able to pull out the game at the Jets on the last drive?
The Saints now have four road losses. They outplayed the Patriots and found a way to lose. Against the Jets, Rams, and Seahawks the Saints committed early turnovers and played most of the game in desperation mode. In beating the Falcons and Bucs on the road the Saints offense shot themselves in the foot as well, but the defense managed to keep the team in the game long enough to win. The one game the Saints played well on the road was against the Bears (cold and windy outside for the record).
In all of the road games, the tone has been set early. The only two games the Saints have been able to be the tougher team mentally in order to win at the end were against the Falcons and Bucs. Those two teams have shown their own mental issues throughout the year.
The conclusion is that it is vital for the Saints to play well in the first quarter at Carolina this week. Any early turnover and the risk of the “here we go again” mentality is very high. The Saints have been slow starting on offense this year even in home games. This week that must change. If that does change and the Saints prove to themselves what they can be on the road, then maybe they can have the same success in the playoffs.
HEY REF
I must start this week’s column with a “Tip of the Hat” to the Louisiana High School Athletic Association; aka: LHSAA for their great work in pulling off, for the first time, a nine game set of championship games held in the Louisiana Super Dome last weekend. Most games were very exciting and lived up to the expectations of all the fans that made the trip down south.
The only “blip” so to speak on the radar was the 5A final where a total of 118 points were scored as #1 Acadiana humbled #2 Parkway 77 -41. On paper it should have been a great championship contest as the top two ranked teams made it all the way to the last game of 2013. #2 Parkway’s travel through the playoff brackets had just one close game and it was a very close one as they were able to just squeak by #14 Covington the week before by a single point 28 – 27.
On the other side of the 5A bracket #1 Acadiana seemed to be coasting each week and the “only”, if you can call it that, close game was their 10 point victory over then #8 ranked Barbe, 27 – 17. They dispatched Slidell in week one, 35 – 7, then Ponchatoula by another romp 49 – 7. They were never challenged in their final 5 games and not even forth ranked Destrehan could muster any offense against the top team in 5A. Destrehan seemed to be nothing but a minor speed bump in the semi-finals as they were tossed aside by another lopsided score of 35 – 7.
But in “Hey Ref’s” world no team left New Orleans a loser. What each school achieved goes without saying. Getting to the Dome any year is a reward in itself. And I will never say or write anything that would dampen the spirits or tarnish the memories these kids will have with them for the rest of their lives. Another “Tip of the Hat” goes to the parents for supporting the student athletes of each school. Without parents being involved none of this would have been possible.
Now for what has to be the most disrespectful happening ever in the professional game of football that is the NFL. I know everyone has heard and/or seen the end of last week’s game between the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys. Dallas is leading by 26 – 3 at half and the home standing fans just knew their Cowboys would want to pile up more points after the break. But the Packers were able to mount a huge comeback then pulled ahead by a single point late in the fourth quarter after Tony Romo threw an interception near midfield.
Dallas still had plenty of time, more than a minute in fact, and everyone would’ve thought the entire Cowboys team would be poised to go out on their home turf and give all they had in a last ditch effort to get in position for a winning field goal attempt. That is all but one Cowboy’s player. Little did they know but their multimillionaire wide receiver Dez Bryant just wasn’t going to be there for the team and fans because he refused to play the final minute.
As the football world looked on he decided he was above the rest of the team and stormed off the field then went to get a warm shower. After the game he gave up this lame excuse “I didn’t want the cameras catching me crying”. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? If that isn’t the biggest pile of bull dung, I don’t know what is. He’s a quitter and a spoiled little kid that should be suspended immediately without pay for the remainder of this season and all of the 2014 season.
It would help if the owner, Mr. Jerry Jones had a pair of nads and pulled his winey-baby receiver’s contract for failure to perform. But that won’t happen as he’s already stated no fine or suspension will be given Mr. Dez. This type of behavior has to have some consequences. Will Dez be giving up some of his game check for bailing out on not only the team BUT THE FANS? Don’t bet on it.
All Jerry needs to do is watch the end of the Auburn – Alabama game. If Dez considers himself a professional then he’d man-up and refund his game check, apologize to the city of Dallas and all their fans across this nation. You can bet your last dollar he’s nothing more than a classless pimp of a human being and should be fined heavily.
I’ll end with this thought; “Quitters never win, Winners never quit”!!
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 our Ugly Sweater Christmas Party held at Big Mike’s. Fellowship begins at 11:30. The meeting/party is from 12:00-1:00. Please bring your family (spouse and kids not aunts and uncles) to celebrate this special time with your fellow Rotarians. Um, yes, we are expecting you to dress in a seasonal fashion.
Last week’s meeting:
• Nominations were presented for next year’s officers.
• Iberville Bank presented a $500.00 donation to support our joint efforts with the Veterans Association to repair Mr. Smith’s house.
• Supply list for animal shelter was distributed. A request for donations was supplied to Lowes.
• 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 27th - no meeting
• Jan 3rd – “Who am I” Heather Pitarro
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:
• Jan 3rd – “Who am I” Heather Pitarro
Brags:
• Abigail DePino launched LEDC’s website to the universe. The aliens scanning the earth for possible business development locations can now learn about the opportunities available to them in Livingston Parish. Very, very good job Abigail. We are impressed!!!
• Brother Curt asked for prayers this week. His nephew was having surgery. I can state we all prayed extra hard this week and I’m certain Curt’s nephew did/will do fine. FYI – if you didn’t pray; better get it in NOW!
• Heather Pitarro had four Christmas parties to attend this past weekend. I have spoken with her since Monday. She did survive all the parties and returned to work. We are happy to know she has such strong liver.
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!
Jon Fine owns the cloning rights to Ivy Graham
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.