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Tuesday, September 30, 2014

FUNKNROLL

In an unusual twist that only Prince could pull off, he released two albums simultaneously today. The rock-heavy "PLECTRUMELECTRUM" and the out of this world "ART OFFICIAL AGE" are two diametrically opposed albums. "AOA" is a very Daft Punk-esque combination of rap, R&B and soul in a way that only Prince can do. The other album is more rock-vibey and a little more digestible, and yet not as vibrant. I absolutely despise typing in all caps, so that initially made we wary, but as long as I don't look at the screen and see the name while I'm listening, I found both albums to be somewhat enjoyable. Not something I'd usually listen to, and certainly not the same as Prince's classics, but surprisingly all right.

Since last Tuesday, I have now begun working for the Morrison County Record full-time. Not that I won't help out the Times if Milaca happens to play out here, but I won't be in the Princeton office or roaming  around at Milaca events anymore. Instead you'll see me places like where I was last Thursday, a Little Falls girls soccer game. Or like on Friday, when I was at the USA and Royalton battle of the undefeateds. I will be heading over to Swanville this afternoon for a match between the Bulldogs and the Royalton Royals. On Thursday I will head over to Swanville again to see the Upsala/Swanville rivalry match (both volleyball games). On Friday I'll head out to both the Little Falls and Pierz homecomings in some capacity, I haven't decided how best to do that as of yet, but I'll figure something out.

As for fantasy football, I earned two more victories this week. I'm really doing well, having gone 3-1 in my main league, and 4-0 in the league I won last season. Philip Rivers helped majorly in both leagues, and I had Matt Asiata in another, so skol Vikings.

As for T.O's Picks, it wasn't as productive of a week as I went 6-4, but I was still above .500. I made an error in picking Milaca in the prep scene. I put too much faith in the rankings and failed to see the Johnnies upsetting the Tommies, and I may have been too much of a homer in the SCSU/Upper Iowa contest, although that came down to the wire. The most disappointing pick though was that I didn't have enough faith to pick the Vikings. I ended up swaying my mind back picking the Vikings later in the week (just ask my family from the bon fire on Saturday night), but I should have had that faith last Tuesday too.  I am 14-6 overall after the second week.
For this week's picks:  
Little Falls over Foley: Little Falls should be able to guide their way past a formidable Foley team at homecoming.
Becker over Milaca: It does not where Milaca plays Becker, the Bulldogs will roll easily. Sorry Wolves fans.
Pierz over EVW: This will be the toughest challenge yet for the Pioneers, but it's homecoming and they have no "fearz in Pierz."
Holdingford over HL-W-W: Should be no problem for the Huskers, a multiple touchdown victory.
Royalton over New York Mills: No problem for the Royals as they bounce back after a big loss to USA last week.
USA over WCA: Speaking of the Patriots, they will cruise to yet another blowout and remain undefeated over the Knights.
St. Johns over Hamline: Hard one to predict, but I'll give the Johnnies the edge at homecoming.
SCSU over Crookston: SCSU regains their confidence as they clobber the Golden Eagles.
Packers over Vikings: I know I did this last week, and the Vikings won, so maybe it will work again. If not, then at least I got another game right. It's a win-win pick really.
Seattle over Washington: Since I need a 10th pick with the Gophers' week off, I'll pick the MNF game from the NFL, and it's an easy one. Defending champs win easy.

Well, I have a few tennis pictures to share, and then I'll be done for the week, thanks as always.

Talyre Boser serves on Sept. 18 against Mora.

Boser eyes a strong backhand.

Boser's partner Alivia Leidenfrost rips a forehand in a three-set victory against Mora.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Father Electricity

This week I chose the song "Father Electricity" from Julian Casablancas + The Voidz's latest release "Tyranny." The Strokes' frontman makes this band sound very similar, and that's why I like it. This is a cool and weird in a good way tune.

This past week I took some photos at a Milaca 3-0 loss to Mora in volleyball. I then switched over to my Little Falls coverage, attending Pierz tennis and volleyball matches last Thursday (tennis won, volleyball didn't). I also photographed some of a Royalton football game last Friday (they won). Last Saturday was a crazy day at the Milaca Mega Meet. I took pictures for several publications, and watched some great races.

Today is my last day in Princeton/Milaca, and that is pretty bittersweet. I know I have only been here for about five months, but I fit in really well here, and made it a home quickly. I will definitely miss my co-workers and the community. However, I look forward to new challenges at the Morrison County Record, and I will continue to update the blog, though there may be less pictures.

This past weekend I won both of my match ups in my fantasy football leagues. Things could not be much better as I am 2-1 and 3-0 in said leagues. I have quite a few byes this week, so it could be a test for me.

Last week I began a segment that I called T.O's Picks. Before I make my picks for this week, we should look at how I did last week. Not to my surprise, but perhaps yours I did well, going 8-2 in my picks. The only two games I picked incorrectly were Cathedral over Little Falls, as the Flyers upset the Crusaders at home, and the Johnnies, who were upset by the Cobbers in Clemens Stadium.
Despite the fact that I'm leaving Milaca, I will still leave Milaca in the picks section, because I know them well enough to pick their wins and losses.
For this week:
USA over Royalton: The Patriots will win the battle of the unbeaten Prairie Conference foes. Despite them both coming off of routs last week, the home field advantage will be too much for the Royals to overcome.
Zimmerman over Little Falls: I know I picked against the Flyers last week, but Zimmerman is a strong team this year with big wins over Fridley, Mora and Foley. There only loss is to juggernaut Becker, and they play in Zimmerman. Oh, and it's Zimmerman's homecoming.
Milaca over Mora: Mora's been blown out four times, so should be a win this week for the Wolves on homecoming.
Holdingford over Eden Valley-Watkins: Going to be a real tough test for the Huskers at their homecoming, but I think they can overcome and beat a very good EVW squad.
Pierz over Kimball: Easy win for the Pioneers, who have a legit shot at running the table.
Tommies over Johnnies: Sorry St. Johns fans, I think the St. Thomas has your number this year.
SCSU over Upper Iowa: Despite a great start for the Peacocks, I think they run into too good of a Huskies team. Have to go with my alma mater in this one.
Minnesota over Michigan: Big blue is a big mess this year, and the Gophers should mop them up, even in the Big House.
Atlanta over Minnesota: Don't think the Vikes can make this happen, even with Teddy at the helm.
New York Giants over Washington: This is basically a home game for both teams, and they have both been rejuvenated lately. Both offenses have been really good, so it comes down to defenses, in which the Giants are better by a bit.

That's all my picks for this week, hopefully I can keep up the good run. Here are a few pictures to share from this week:
Milaca senior Kim Shipman sets the ball as Carrie Rosenberg waits to go for the kill in the background.

Melanie Drew is announced before the match on Sept. 16 against Mora.

Junior Molly Banks gets one of seven kills. 

Senior Makenzie Horrigan (right) looks on as fellow senior and libero Kristina Loegering receives a serve.

St. Jame's teammates Thor Anderson (left) and Aaron Askeland (right) sprint to the finish last Saturday at the Milaca Mega Meet. 




Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Fireball

Easily the most catchy dance song out right now, Pitbull's "Fireball" is not only a great song to shake the booty to, but it is also shares a name with some great whiskey. Who can say no to that?

This past week I covered some Milaca volleyball and Milaca/Little Falls football in my last week where I will be in Milaca for the majority. For the next two weeks I'll be 50/50 between Milaca and Little Falls, and then I'll transition fully to Little Falls after that. Tonight I have Milaca volleyball once again, and on Thursday I will be in Pierz for tennis and volleyball. I'm going to head to Royalton for some football on Friday.

In my fantasy football leagues this week I went 1-1. I lost in my main league by quite a bit and dropped from second to seventh place. However, I am the only remaining undefeated team in my other league. Still feel pretty confident that my team will come through when it matters most.

Before I get to the photos, this week I'm going to start a new segment called T.O's picks. This is where I pick winners for both area, college and NFL football games. Without further ado, here is the first ever T.O's picks:

Cathedral over Little Falls: Cathedral has a strong team this fall, and nearly upset a good Albany team last week, plus it is in St. Cloud.

Albany over Milaca: Speaking of Albany they should cruise over Milaca. Milaca has had trouble stopping the run, and the Huskies are all about that ground game.

Holdingford over Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa. BBE hasn't done much of anything on offense this year. Expect the Huskers to roll.

Pierz over Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted. Pierz will remain undefeated as they cruise to a fourth straight easy victory.

Royalton over West Central Area. Probably the biggest test for the Royals thus far, but they should still earn a 'W' at home.

Upsala-Swanville over Browerville. Speaking of a challenge the 3-0 Browerville Tigers will pose a threat to what could easily be an undefeated season for USA. Expect USA to come out on top by a narrow margin.

St. Johns over Concordia. No chance that the Johnnies lose to the Cobbers at home.

Sioux Falls over SCSU. I don't think SCSU can pull of a road upset of a super talented Sioux Falls squad.

Minnesota over San Jose St. Should be a steam-roller victory for the Gophers this week against little-known football school of San Jose St.

New Orleans over Vikings. Despite having Peterson back, it won't matter for the Vikings who will be out matched by a pissed off 0-2 Saints team that has a great offense and a solid defense.

We'll look back at how I did this week next week, and hopefully keep this rolling. I have a few volleyball photos from Milaca's win over Zimmerman on Sept. 9.

Senior Nadesha Dohm is announced prior to the game against Zimmerman on Sept. 9. 

Senior hitter Paige Quaintance spikes the ball against Zimmerman.

Libero Kristina Loegering digs out a shot. 

The Milaca crowd goes wild during a point. 

Kaylee Rothanburg puts it over the net from the left side. 

Quaintance pushes the ball over for the third shot. 

Senior Makenzie Horrigan digs out a shot, and she had a strong service game as well.

Junior Molly Banks gets one of 11 kills. 

Karna Terpstra shows off her hitting skills. 

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Worried Bout the Weather

Country/blues guru Justin Townes Earle (son of the great Steve Earle) recently released "Single Mothers," and the opening track "Worried Bout the Weather" was pretty apt to the current situation outside my non-existent office window.

As I type in this windowless prison cell that I will call my office for about two more weeks, it is maybe 50 degrees outside. It's going to be a chilly football game tomorrow night, but that's how it should be shouldn't it? Playing football in 70 degree weather feels wrong. Now 40-45 and breezy, that's better.

This past week I covered one of those 70 degree football games, as well as a swim meet, both in Milaca.

As I alluded to earlier, I will be leaving my post at the Mille Lacs County Times sometime toward the end of the month (or earlier if a suitable candidate is picked to replace me). I will be staying within the ECM family, but moving north and west to Little Falls to become the Sports Editor at the Morrison County Record. Since Little Falls is still in the Granite Ridge Conference, I will still get to see Milaca athletics, which will be nice, because I sort of fell in love with the programs in the short time that I've been here.

However, I could not pass up an opportunity to be a full-time sports reporter and editor again, and that coupled with a little closer proximity to my hometown (Albany) ultimately made the tough decision for me.

I hope to continue posting here after I move to Little Falls, but unfortunately it may be without the use of photos. Haven't had the discussion, but I have a feeling it may not continue. Either way I'll keep anyone who cares updated on my comings and goings, the music scene and sports happenings in my life.

Anyways, enough of that. I excitedly won both of my fantasy football leagues. One was a blowout and the other was in come from behind fashion. I'm pretty stoked that my draft has worked out, at least thus far.

I'm also pumped for the Big Brother season finale that is next week Wednesday, I think. Whenever it is, this week is going to be sick, with evictions on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Now that Donny has been kicked out, I have been cheering for Derrick. I really hope he wins.

Wow. OK that was a lot of info, but I'm pretty jacked up about September this year, and a lot is going on in my life. Here are a good number of football and swimming/diving shots from the past week.

Milaca junior quarterback Nathan Hass fires a pass out wide last Friday at home against Foley.

Members of the Milaca American Legion raise the flag prior to the 28-27 Milaca victory.

Hass fires one on the run. 

A wide shot of senior Nick Wolbert hauling in and turning upfield on one of his seven grabs.

Levi Hunt booms a punt from inside his own 20 yard line last Friday.

Josh Otten, a Wolves senior, goes to wrap up the Falcons ball carrier.

Milaca head coach Cory Anderson speaks to the Wolves before the game. 

Jake Merten high fives fellow senior Christian Kruse prior to last Friday's game. Kruse broke his leg in the opening game loss to Pierz. 

Another look at the Otten tackle.

Hass floats a pass to a receiver in the first half. 

Junior Madison Shores swims in a race in a dual win over Becker in Milaca last Thursday.

The Wolves swim and dive team warms up prior to last Thursday's dual.

Teammates cheer on Chloe Hendrickson in lane three during the 200 yard IM. 

Milaca senior diver Tara Airhart does a back dive during the 1-meter diving event.

Airhart hits the water expertly to earn a high score.

Shores during a freestyle event, which she took third place. 

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Annual NFL Picks


With the impending awesomeness that is the NFL season is finally upon us (Packers vs. Seahawks tonight), it is once again that time of the year for me to make a feeble attempt at predicting the NFL season.

After pouring through each match up and trying to do my best at predicting each game, then tweaking the records to make them fit for the visions of the future that exist in my monkey brain, I finally cranked out my playoffs and final records for the teams.

Some surprises: Both San Francisco and Seattle miss the playoffs with 9-7 records. After strong 2013 seasons, Kansas City and Carolina regress dramatically, finishing 6-10 and 4-12 respectively. Also the NY Giants finish 10-6, but miss the playoffs.

As far as what those playoffs look like, feast your eyes on this:

NFC:
6) Chicago (10-6)
vs. 3) Philadelphia (11-5)

5)Tampa Bay (11-5)
vs. 4) Minnesota (10-6)

1) New Orleans (12-4) bye
2) Arizona (11-5) bye

Second round:
6) Chicago
vs. 1) New Orleans

4) Minnesota
vs. 2) Arizona

NFC Championship:
2) Arizona
vs. 1) New Orleans


AFC: 
6) Tennessee (10-6) 
vs. 3) New England (11-5) 

5) San Diego (11-5) 
vs. 4) Cincinnati (11-5)

1) Indianapolis (13-3) bye
2) Denver (12-4) bye 

Second round: 
5) San Diego 
vs. 1) Indy

3) New England 
vs. 2) Denver

AFC Championship: 
5) San Diego
vs. 2) Denver 

Super Bowl: Denver over New Orleans

Rainbow

Post-Led Zepplin, Robert Plant is still making music. His 10th solo album "Lullaby and... the ceaseless roar" comes out on Sept. 8. His recently released single "Rainbow" from the album is both haunting and technically sound. While it isn't Led Zepplin, it is a reminder of Plant's musical talent.

As for sports this past week it was finally the start of football season, as I covered the Milaca season opener last Thursday. I also photographed the swim and dive opener in Princeton. This week I have swimming and diving again tonight, and football once again tomorrow. Volleyball pictures will come next week. Read about what I covered, and check out my Fall Sports Preview at www.millelacscountytimes.com.

I had my two fantasy football drafts this past weekend, and I am pretty happy with my picks. While I did not snag a top-tier running back, I instead employed the tactic of taking two premiere pass receivers, and taking two upside guys at back. In the one draft that mattered the most, I snagged Calvin Johnson at six and took Brandon Marshall on the way back at 15. In the third round I nabbed possible PPR stud Shane Vereen, and then snatched Rashad Jennings in the fourth round. I grabbed Kendall Wright as a third wideout in the fifth. My quarterbacks were Philip Rivers and Andy Dalton and I took them in the 11th an 13th rounds respectively. I did not do this draft the traditional way, and hopefully that works out. Oh, I also got Emmanuel Sanders in both leagues, so the Wes Welker news that happened this week really helped me out too.

Anyhow, I have a few photos from this past week that I'd like to share:

The season and home opener for the Wolves was also Youth Football Day. The youth players got to join the varsity team on the field before the game to get hyped up. 

Teddy Blenkush (left) and Levi Hunt combine to make the tackle on Pierz's Robert Skiba. 

Milaca senior Hannah Johnson about to enter the pool for her leg of the 200 meter freestyle relay.