If you don’t know what the “Hail Murray” means watch the video.   In 2005 Iowa City Regina won a state title with a ton of talent.  Two of those players are Iowa kicker Daniel Murray and ISU saftey  Michael O’Connell.  Both were key elements in their title run… the ICS clip I put together today is from the semifinal victory over DNH..  We show this stuff, because we have that Kind of Video.. It is cool and you can’t get it anywhere else.

The Iowa ISU game reminds me of moments like these..  Iowans that play in the game..  and do something special in this rivalry. Iowans like.. Tork Hook,  Mike Banks, Tyler Sash, and Shaggy.  I like to see what the Iowa kids  do to impact the IOWA ISU game.       Obviously Murray(hip flexor) will not be a factor, but I wonder what moment will be bigger.. his kick against Penn State or this catch you just saw on the video against DNH..  either way lets hope his biggest moment is yet to come..   

Now O’Connell has a chance to be “That Guy.”.. I just think Sash or Greenwood  have a better chance to be “That Guy”..  What about Sandvig or Knott..    I think it’s  more fun to dig deep and find a player that really can come out of no where…  Last year, Wegher finally got some reps and people realized during this game,  that he had some talent.  I think  Mr. Jewel Hampton is going to remind us of how good he is during the course of this game, but he’s not from Iowa.. 

 For me the one sneaky player to come out of no where is James Morris.  I know the pride of Solon is a true freshman, but he is not your garden variety true freshman..  James is a difference maker with instinct speed and a mean streak.   We have not seen many kids like this ever!  Morris lights someone up on Saturday.. I’m guessing at 2:36 if Iowa Kicks off..  

On the Cyclone side it is no secret.  Ames Native Austen Arnaud ,needs to play well but not perfect as some say..  AA needs to   be very physical, be a running threat, be tight with his throws, and be willing to let his team punt.      Look, Alexander Robinson is not from Melcher or Dallas or from anywhere in Iowa..  He’s from Minnesota eh’     but he is the best offensive football that will play in this game.. and if AA does anything.. This Makes the ISU A-rob a home run threat.. and the dude can go deep. 

No score prediction.. but I do believe there will be a safety in the game..

Either Stanzi falls and breaks his ankle in the end zone on a Waggle.. or Adrian Claybourne Rushes through the line on a punt knocks ISU punter Daniel Kuehl through the End Zone and he lands somewhere near the Coarlville Mall. 

Gotta go..  Iowa by 11  or  5 or so

UPDATED RANKS ARE IN..

LATE DB

Newton Pella meet for the first time since 1942.   Probably two of the most class programs in Iowa.     Tonight Jay McKinstrey tallied his 100th win.  We have been in the locker room for hundreds of high school coaches and Jay and Ed are two of the best people you could have coach your student athlete. Tonight the Dutch got the win, the Kyln kid gave them some stability right away from the QB position and it looks as though the have plenty of play makers to help him. Newton will get their feet under them and the timing of that classic wishbone style will pay off as the season progresses. Coach Ergenbright is proud member of the Newton Tradition. He was a player for the only state championship team coached by Frank Gilson back in 1980.. Coach told me before the game that star player from the 1980 team, Trey Jackson is battling colon cancer.    We wish him our best.

 Now here is a look at Coach Ergenbright’s pregame speech from tonight’s game. More on week one and rankings to follow later this week.

We will be in Newton tonight for the blitz Extra.  I’m sure a few Dutch fans will be heading up  too..    should be fun  Highlights Later toinght..

I have wanted to post some thoughts on the Iowa Hawkeye football season this year.  However, the Hawks were having a once in a lifetime season, and I did not want to jinx it.  Now it’s time to talk!!  Later today I’m going to follow up with some thoughts on why I think Hawkeye fans should be jacked up about Saturday’s game at Ohio State.

Did you know? That a substate win does not count as a playoff win.. And a substate loss means you did not qualify for the playoffs. Well now you do..

5 BOLD Predictions? More fun to be bold.

1 Cedar falls beats Clinton next Monday night in Clinton

2. Wapsie Valley makes it out of their quad to play in the dome

3. Dowling Catholic sacks AJ Derby 4 Times in their championship win.

4 The winner of the State Center IKM-Manning substate Game is your state runner up to Solon

5. That said, still Beware of Pocahontas and AP!

Bob you had it right in 1-A District 3..   AP needed a big win at Home.. and then as you pointed out would need a G-Center win over GR to get in!!! 

Aplington-Parkersburg 34, Denver 7————Grundy Center21, Gladbrook-Reinbeck 7

Now the Falcons will face a familiar trip as they head to take on the E-Hawks and Emmetsburg Wednesday night.

Also Friday Night Casey’s presented a check at the Game to the Ed Thomas Family Foundation. Thanks to Cory Hart for presenting the Check.. and for Jan and Aaron Thomas for being there with Cory. 

We were at Madrid tonight.. here are just some clips from the 42-41 AHST victory.. Great job out of these two programs playing this non district game the past two seasons.

In week three we had a blast doing 8-man football ACA-ICA vs Defending State Champ Lenox..  If you did not see the blitz extra watch the clips below.  If you did see the blitz extra YOU DID NOT SEE the first clip below.  Lenox QB Autin Hancock gets stoned near the Sideline… Just great small town football stuff .

1st Half

2nd Half

We did some Recruiting work for the Wegher’s. Brandon became big time recruit, and he is worthy. During his rise, the thing that amazed me was how many u-tube posts I had to delete each day. It is one reason I have not jumped more into recruiting. The hate, criticism and doubt was unreal. I simply don’t understand it. Neat to see, Brandon has already proved there is no doubt he is a Division one talent. A healthy Wegher is going to be part of 4 special years as a Hawk.. I hope the HAWKS give him the rock 30 times this weekend… give A-Rob some rest.. Let Stanzi just hand off… what the heck.. In fact, I’m also going to try to dig up some of our A-rob stuff and post it this week.. SOUTH SIIIIDEEEEEE…
Here is a look back at some of Brandon’s best during his senior season.!!

We will have another first tonight in Iowa Classic Sports history the tweets will be flying from Drake Stadium with live updates via http://twitter.com/iaclassicsports. The whole ICS gang is ready for another action packed week of Iowa High School Football. Todd Stites will be armed with his ever ready blackberry to keep everyone informed on the VALLEY/DOWLING classic and check back each and every week for live updates of twitter. http://twitter.com/iaclassicsports

Contact: Dave Bingham, Keep it Memorable Sports

(515) 577-1437 or kimsports@msn.com

Cory Hart, Casey’s General Stores (515) 965-6100

***For Immediate Release***

“Touchdown in the Heartland” Honors Parkersburg Community and Coaching Legend Ed Thomas

　
August 26, 2009 (Ankeny, Iowa) – A documentary covering the events of the Aplington Parkersburg 2008 football season will be showcased on ESPN, at the Iowa Hall of Pride, and will be available for sale at Casey’s General Stores statewide in Iowa. Portions of the DVD sales are going to the Ed Thomas Foundation. Casey’s hopes to have the DVD in stock in early September. The two-hour documentary “Touchdown in the Heartland” was completed prior to the loss of Coach Ed Thomas. Now, with the blessing of the Thomas family, Keep it Memorable Sports, Casey’s General Stores, The Iowa Hall of Pride and WOI-ABC-5 are all working together to support this documentary.
　
ESPN will air part of the documentary during the pre-game of their Broadcast of the Aplington-Parkersburg vs. Dike-New Hartford football opener at 6 pm CST, Friday August, 28th.
In central Iowa, ABC-5 will simulcast the ESPN broadcast. The Friday Night Blitz and Blitz Extra shows will follow the broadcast with more live coverage of the game and a special look back at Aplington-Parkersburg vs. Emmetsburg Quarterfinal Game from last season.
The Iowa Hall of Pride will also pay tribute to Coach Ed Thomas throughout the football season. The Documentary and several other video clips will be on Display along with other memorabilia honoring Coach Thomas.

ABOUT “TOUCHDOWN in the HEARTLAND”
In just 34 seconds 220 houses were knocked to the ground, 22 businesses destroyed and six people died.
The high school and the Ed Thomas Football Field was the heart of the small town, also taken by the tornado. It was the home of one of the best football programs in the state of Iowa.
The idea to create this documentary was to capture the Aplington-Parkesburg football team and its role in the rebuilding and rebirth of a community.
Aplington-Parkersburg High School Football Coach Ed Thomas stands in the center of this amazing story. Despite the devastation, Thomas encouraged everyone that the Falcon football team would take the field for their first home game. His perseverance generated a spirit of pride that brought the community together, and helped everyone move forward.
Thomas coached for 37 years. His teams won two state championships, made the playoffs 19 times…and four of his former players are currently in the NFL.
Upon the completion of this documentary, Coach Ed Thomas was tragically killed.

“Touchdown In the Heartland” was created to honor those lost and those who sacrificed their time and resources to rebuild Parkersburg. Now the hope is that this story captures the essence of one of greatest coaches to ever work with student athletes.

Keep it Memorable Sports covers Iowa sports through the minds of the athletes and captures the heartfelt moments found on the sidelines and behind the scenes. Since 2001, KIMS is a leader in preserving high school sports for years to come.

Bob it wasn’t a dream.  In fact if our loyal High School football fans want proof.. just click on the ICS football rankings… I woke up with a yellow note book the same day.. and this is what was written on it…  In your Hand writing..  

NEW WEB LOGO

FIrst I’d like to thank my tag team partner Bob for all the work he puts into our golf tourney.   Mike Worthington and everyone at PG&C has always saved us a date, so that has been nice.   Since it was Year 10 my Brother Brandon came out and got some vid,  enjoy!

I’m getting sick of hearing about news stories like the one out of Parkersburg today about the tragic death of Coach Ed Thomas.  It makes you wonder, ‘what is wrong with the people of this world?’  There are no answers to that question, though.  It seems horrible news is always right around the corner.  Selfish and senseless acts of cowardice and violence that rip communities and families apart happen everyday in all parts of the globe.  It never goes away or gets better, and when it hits this close it scares you to think that something this horrific can happen to us at any time.  As I write this, I do not know about the details.  I do not know of any circumstances that may have led to this.  I do not know of a backstory.  It doesn’t matter though.  I can’t possibly imagine what the Thomas family is going through, but I know they will need our help, support and prayers.  David has worked closely with Ed Thomas and the people in this program for a year now on an ICS  project that documents a turbulent time in the lives of the people in the A-P school district.  Their strength and courage were put to the test time and again, but they rose above disaster and loss to rebuild and rebound.  This inexplicable action may take more resolve to recover from.  More than anyone should ever have to summon, without a doubt.  I cannot find the correct words to describe the unbearable pain and anguish this will cause, but I suggest we all keep the good people of A-P in our thoughts and remember to cherish each moment we have together.  Don’t try and figure it out, though.  If there’s anything we can agree on in this world it’s that there is no explanation…  I have a big notebook that I keep all of my high school football stuff in.  It’s full of records, stats, teams, etc.  Everything that keeps me on top of what’s going on and what I need for our work here at ICS.  It is and has been my ‘Bible’ of sorts for years now every Fall.  In the front sleeve of this binder is a picture of Ed Thomas that the IHSAA put out a few years ago to commemorate the program and his accomplishments.  Something about that picture and the words that accompany it made me keep it prominately displayed.  The title is “We know the value of a coach”.  Anyone who ever met Ed Thomas truly understands that…  Maybe something will be brought up along these lines once the upcoming season is upon us, but I think it wouldn’t be overdoing it by having every high school football team in Iowa wear Falcon logos on their helmets this season.     

Perhaps the best coaching role model in the United States.   There are not words to describe the loss of coach Ed Thomas.  

For details you can go to the DM-Register’s website. http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090624/NEWS/90624008