Night Terror

I discovered a new band that I appear to like this week in We Were Promised Jetpacks. Although a little wordy, WWPJ is a pretty cool band. I chose the song "Night Terror" from their latest release "Unravelling." It's worth a listen.

It is already fall sports playoff time, and I'll be pretty busy this week covering and photographing both volleyball and football playoffs. I won't make it to cross country sections, because they are all the way in New London and Alexandria respectively. It should mean quite a few late nights, and little to no fun this weekend, but at least Halloween is coming soon. Oh wait, I have to work then too. What a surprise.

It was a good week for me in fantasy football as both of my teams rumbled along for wins, despite sub-par performances and continued injury problems. Greg Olsen continues to be my most consistent performer in my main league, and I got a welcome explosive game from Shane Vereen on Thursday. It was exactly what I was hoping for when I drafted him in the third round as my No. 1 running back. At 5-2 in both leagues, I can already see the playoffs in my future, but everything changes once they begin.

I went another solid 8-2 in T.O's Picks last week. I once again stupidly picked the Vikings to win, ignoring the fact that they hadn't had a heartbreaking, last-second loss yet this season. I should have seen that one coming. I also underestimated St. John's as they topped undefeated Gustavus. Here are this week's picks:
Thief River Falls over Little Falls: I feel like TRF will get their revenge, despite a home game for the Flyers in the first round of sections.
Cathedral over Milaca: As tough as it is to win two weeks in a row against the same team, Cathedral has the passing game to do it.
Royalton over Prairie Valley (Parker's Prairie): The Royals too will have to beat the same team two weeks in a row, but if last week's blowout win is any indication, the Royals should take care of business at home.
Pierz over Pine City/Mora: It won't even matter who wins the first round game, Pierz should roll into the section finals on Saturday.
USA over West Central Area: The Patriots trounced them in their first match up, and it will be no different this time around.
Holdingford over Wadena-Deer Creek: WDC should be no problem for the Huskers, who's losses came against a pair of AAA teams and Maple Lake, the ninth-ranked team in the state.
St. John's over Carleton College: No problem for the Johnnie's at home.
SCSU over Northern State: Tough road game for the Huskies, but they should use the momentum from this week's win to head to victory again.
Gophers over Illinois: Should be their easiest conference game this season, and an easy victory on the road.
Vikings over Tampa Bay: If the Vikings lose this week, all hope is definitely lost. The Buccaneers suck. 

I have many pictures from Oct. 9-14 to share. Enjoy.

Laura Fregin (left) and Melanie Dorn fought over a ball that was hit over the net, Oct. 9 against Albany.

Fregin digs out an Albany shot.

Dorn receives a serve.

Little Falls' Riley Loukinen defends Sauk Rapids-Rice's Landon Kobluk in the first round of the Section 8A playoffs.

Thea Lidi Kjaer of the Flyers races with St. John's Prep's Emma Backes for a ball in front of the SJP net in the first round of the Section 8A playoffs, Oct. 9 in Little Falls.

The Little Falls student section greets each Albany player with a hearty hello.

Little Falls forward Kia Friel shoots past SJP defender Taylor Nydeen.

Katelyn Staab boots the ball back toward the SJP side of the field.

Mikel Vacek tries to control a ball.

Emily Marlette drives past an SJP player.

Flyers goalie Lauren Thielman puts a big kick on the ball from the goal box.

Little Fall's Sam Beam (middle) leaps up with the Storms' Jonathon Wick (near) and another defender. 

Little Falls senior Thomas Bell (right) and Loukinen fight with Sauk Rapids-Rice player Alex Martins.

Bell out manuevers a Storm defender near the goal.

Aaron Orth winds up for a big kick.

Connor Jorgensen corrals a ball.

Pierz libero Claire Reardon after digging out a tough serve.

Fregin earns a dig.

A golf cart leads the girls race at the CMC meet Oct. 9 in Pierz.

Royalton celebrates after senior Abby Duevel hits the game-winning shot in the fifth set, Oct. 9 against WCA.

Duevel passes the ball up toward the net.

Kayla Eli receives a serve.

Senior Hayley Gottwalt (left) and junior Brandi Kloss go up for a block early in the match.

Royalton's Ben Borash tries to fend off Holdingford's Marcus Rick.

Andrew Zachman was the top finisher for Holdingford, and second place overall.

Pierz's Beau Winscher had a drink of water and an interesting haircut last Wednesday.