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Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
On opening day of football practices, QB Jeremy Pacheco of University has real joy
On the first official day for high school football practice in Southern California, few can say they were more excited than University High quarterback Jeremy Pacheco. In the second quarter of the first game last season, he sustained a season-ending knee injury. After surgery in October, he went six weeks without walking and had to study from home taking online courses. After months of rehabbing, he's been cleared to play in his senior season. "The energy getting back to play football is next-level," he said. No one really knows how good he is, except for University coach Bryan Robinson, who believes he's ready to show off a strong arm and strong leadership qualities. At Eagle Rock, where coach Andy Moran began his 29th season of coaching, the optimism is valid, because Moran has a quarterback in Liam Pasten coming off a season in which he passed for 3,602 yards. "It's like Christmas," Moran said before sending his players to the weight room. "Everyone is excited for that first day." Pasten has grown to 6 foot 1 but weighs a slim 145 pounds. Don't worry about hits. "I have a good understanding of having to take hits or avoid hits to protect myself," Pasten said. Pasten is also known for being one of the best high school barbers. He's up to giving 40 to 50 haircuts a month. As for what's the most popular cuts, Pasten said, "Lower and mid tapers." He might have to offer his linemen free haircuts for no sacks as an incentive to protect him at all costs. The first three days of practices for City Section teams are conditioning days. Then helmets and shoulder pads go on. Southern Section teams with Week 0 games also began practices on Monday. Sign up for the L.A. Times SoCal high school sports newsletter to get scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Here are Cincinnati's 10 best linebackers in high school football ahead of the 2025 season
With the start of another high school football season around the corner, The Enquirer is ranking the best players in Southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana. Linebackers are typically the leaders of the defense while calling out signals and showcasing their versatility by covering against the pass and crashing the gaps near the line of scrimmage to defend the run. Here are the best 10 linebackers to watch across the Cincinnati gridiron this fall, listed alphabetically. At the end of this story, remember to vote for the top linebacker in the city. Jakobe Clapper, St. Xavier A first-team All-Ohio selection and the Greater Catholic League-South's Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2024, Clapper helped anchor a St. Xavier defense that led the league in scoring, yielding just 14.6 points per game. He finished second in the GCL-South in tackles (105), reaching double figures five times to go with 4.5 sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and two recoveries. A three-star recruit and a top 20 player in Ohio for the Class of 2026, Clapper's offer sheet included nearly two dozen programs before committing to Notre Dame in May. Elijah Depperschmidt, Campbell County Depperschmidt is coming off a junior campaign where he led the Camels in tackles (78) along with a pair of sacks. He had 11 tackles for loss, which ranked 11th in all of Class 6A. He was an All-Northern Kentucky second-team selection by the Northern Kentucky Football Coaches Association. Antwoine Higgins, Anderson More: Meet Anderson football's Ace Alston and Antwoine Higgins, with nearly 70 college offers As a sophomore last season, Higgins tallied 55 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, a pair of sacks and an interception on a defense that helped lead Anderson to the Division II state championship game. He was a second-team All-Ohio selection in Division II and first-team all-district. Higgins is the top-ranked linebacker in Ohio for the Class of 2027. A four-star recruit, he holds over 30 offers, including from Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Indiana, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Oregon. Adam Kirtley, Taft Kirtley ranked second in the Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference in tackles last season with 140 in helping Taft become the first Cincinnati Public School to win a regional title since 1992. He also had 18 tackles for loss and five sacks en route to all-district and first-team all-league honors. A three-star recruit and the No. 92 player in Ohio for the Class of 2026, Kirtley committed to the UC Bearcats last month. Andre Parker Jr., Princeton Parker finished fifth in the Greater Miami Conference in tackles (107) last season, tallying 19 tackles for a loss. He also ranked fifth in sacks (7) to go with a force fumbled, two interceptions and a pick-six in a win over Fairfield. Parker was a third-team All-Ohio selection in Division I and second-team all-district in helping lead Princeton to the regional semifinals. He is tabbed as a three-star recruit and the No. 59 player in Ohio for the Class of 2026, according to 247Sports' Composite Rankings. Parker held nearly 20 offers before committing to Marshall in June. Aden Reeder, St. Xavier An all-district and first-team all-league selection, Reeder was tied for sixth in the GCL-South in tackles (74) last season and fifth in tackles for loss (13.5). Reeder also knocked away three passes, forced a fumble and tallied a trio of sacks for the Bombers. He had back-to-back 10-tackle performances in wins over La Salle and Cleveland St. Ignatius. A three-star prospect, Reeder is tabbed by 247Sports' Composite Rankings as the No. 24 player in Ohio in the Class of 2026. He committed to Luke Fickell's Wisconsin Badgers in May. Brayden Reilly, St. Xavier Another stout linebacker on St. Xavier's defense, Reilly was tied for sixth in tackles (74) last season alongside Reeder. He had four tackles for loss along with two forced fumbles and a pair of recoveries. Reilly also had two interceptions against Louisville Trinity. Another three-star recruit and a top 20 player in Ohio for the Class of 2026, Reilly committed to Northwestern in May. Jacob Savage, Ryle Savage was a two-way standout during Ryle's run to the state championship game in 2024. Offensively, he was second in Class 6A in rushing touchdowns (22) and sixth in yards (1,085). Savage was also one of the most feared linebackers in Northern Kentucky as he ranked fourth in Class 6A in total tackles (141), including 9.5 for a loss and three sacks. An All-Northern Kentucky first-team selection and a three-star prospect, Savage is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 2 linebacker in Kentucky for the Class of 2026. He committed to Indiana in April. Cam Thomas, Lakota West Thomas was a third-team All-Ohio and second-team all-district selection in Division I last season on a Lakota West defense that led the GMC in scoring, yielding just 8.4 points per game. Thomas finished with 84 tackles, including 14.5 for a loss and four sacks. He also helped the Firebirds' defense take the ball away with three forced fumbles, one recovery and an interception. According to 247Sports' Composite Rankings, Thomas is the No. 16 player in Ohio for the Class of 2026 and a three-star prospect. He committed to Illinois in February. Derek Uran, Elder A three-star recruit and a top 60 player in Ohio for the Class of 2026, Uran committed to Virginia in June, picking the Cavaliers over a list of suitors that included Cincinnati, Ohio University, Western Michigan and Bowling Green, among others. The second-team All-Ohio and first-team all-district selection led the GCL-South in sacks (9.5) last season and finished fifth in the league in tackles. He also forced three fumbles and intercepted a pair of passes, including a 31-yard pick-six against Lakewood St. Edward. On the radar Alex Albrinck, Badin; Brody Ayler, Beechwood; Zac Belmont, McNicholas; Alex Brown, Mason; Landon Brown, Simon Kenton; C.J. Bryant, Hamilton; Vontay Calloway, Badin; Conner Cuozzo, Moeller; Hunter Davis, Lebanon; Brycen Deller, Harrison; Alex Dugan, Elder; D.J. Edwards, Lakota West; Travis Hodges, Boone County; Patrick Keefer, Fenwick; Jesse Keith, Wilmington; Brody Nickerson, Turpin; Trent Owens, Badin; Sam Reder, Summit Country Day; Max Rhodes, Oak Hills; Marlan Robertson, Cincinnati College Prep Academy; Bubba Smart, Roger Bacon; Tye Spaulding, Western Brown; Quinten Tischner, Bishop Brossart; Elias Lopez Torres, Dayton; Kevonte Whitaker, North College Hill; Kai Workman, Ryle Vote: Who is the top linebacker in Greater Cincinnati in 2025? This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati high school football: Best 10 linebackers ahead of 2025
CBS News
4 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Baltimore Ravens, Under Armour expand girls' flag football programs at Maryland high schools
The Baltimore Ravens and Under Armour are expanding their girls' flag football program at several Maryland high schools for the upcoming school year. The initiative launched in 2023 at 10 public high schools in Frederick County. In 2024, the program expanded to 43 schools in Baltimore City and Montgomery, and Washington counties. Starting in fall 2025, the girls' flag football program will expand to two more Baltimore City Public Schools: The Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and the National Academy Foundation. The Ravens and Under Armour will also partner with Calvert and Charles County Public Schools to provide funding and uniforms to develop the program. The companies will partner with the Washington Commanders to provide funding for Prince George's and Montgomery County schools. "From the beginning, we have been fully committed to launching and developing this initiative throughout Maryland, and we recognize that providing additional funding is essential to the program's long-term sustainability and statewide impact," said Brad Downs, the senior vice president of marketing for the Ravens. Since launching the program three years ago, the Ravens have given nearly $600,000 in funding to expand the girls' flag football program in the state. Athletic wear manufacturer Under Armour creates custom outfits for the high school teams. By fall 2025, 92 schools will be participating in the program across Maryland, including 14 in Baltimore. "Girls' flag is rapidly advancing toward the ultimate goal of becoming a state-sanctioned sport and allowing female student-athletes in every Maryland county to receive these same opportunities well into the future," the Ravens said in a statement. Each school will compete during the fall, ending with the Maryland Girls Flag Championship at M&T Bank Stadium in November.
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Game changer: Girls flag football to join OHSAA varsity lineup in 2026
COLUMBUS — The high school gridiron is getting bigger in Ohio, and no longer a sport reserved just for the boys beginning in the spring of 2026. High school girls across the state will soon have their own path to win a state football championship on the field after the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) announced last Thursday, July 17th that it will sanction a state championship event in girls flag football. Dates for competition and the 2026 state tournament will be determined in the near future. A pair of area athletic directors in Cambridge High's Jeff Wheeler and Craig Taylor of Buckeye Trail each gave the decision by the OHSSA a big thumbs up for the move that opens up a new chapter for Ohio high school sports More: Gridiron Boot Camp: Buckeye Trail football builds brotherhood with 'Military Games' "It's a great opportunity for young ladies to play a sport and be involved in teamwork, discipline, dedication, leadership, skills, and competitiveness," Taylor said. "I'm a big believer in the benefits of competition and all the good habits that come from it." "We recently added a trap shooting team and used to offer boys volleyball," Taylor added. "So we have a record of providing non-traditional opportunities for our students. So we would not be opposed to adding girls flag football if it looks like good fit." Taylor explained that discussions among the administrators and board of education for the East Guernsey School District would be the first step in deciding if this is an opportunity they want to provide for Buckeye Trail students. Wheeler, who served on the OHSAA Board of Directors 3 years ago when girls wrestling became a sanctioned varsity sports by the OHSAA was also in support of girls flag football being added. "I think it is awesome," Wheeler offered. "Anytime you can create more opportunities for kids inside and outside of the classroom, it is a great thing. If there is enough interest from our female athletes, I would do everything I could to make it happen." NFL support helps make decision to pull the trigger easier The announcement was made at a press conference in Canton alongside representatives from the National Football League, the Cleveland Browns, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pro Football Hall of Fame during the NFL FLAG Championships presented by Toyota. OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute and OHSAA staff have been meeting with Ohio flag football leaders for several years. The growth of girls flag football began in 2021 with the creation of the first Girls High School Flag Football division in Northeast Ohio, led by the Cleveland Browns. Three years ago, there were 20 schools in Ohio that had a team. There are currently 80 high schools in Ohio that have a team and that number is expected to continue to grow. 'We are pleased that the OHSAA Board of Directors has approved the sanctioning of girls flag football as an OHSAA sponsored championship event,' said Ute. 'Flag football is growing rapidly and we look forward to working closer with teams, coaches and schools to help that growth. The Browns, Bengals and NFL have already put in so much work to promote the game and bring us to this moment to welcome girls flag football to the OHSAA.' Flag football has been added by 100 college club and varsity programs and now 17 high school state associations have sanctioned the sport with a state tournament. It will be included as a new sport in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Numbers could be problem area for local schools Spring sports is already a crowded sports season, and especially at some smaller school districts the amount of eligible female student-athletes might be an issue. Girls who currently participate in track, softball or other spring sports might be forced to choose between their current sport and flag football, potentially thinning out rosters in the more traditional sports such as softball and track. "Us being a small school my only concern would be taking student-athletes away from track and softball." Taylor said. "I think our question will be is if we have enough students to support the three sports in the spring if we did offer flag football." More: Cambridge YMCA Gymnastics team excels at Nationals Meadowbrook athletic director Johnny Jones feels a possible solution could be the various sports sharing student-athletes that often already happens within smaller school districts. "Our annual powder puff football game amongst female high school athletes always draws a large turnout each year," Jones said. "So I think with the right leadership and drive, Meadowbrook is a prime candidate to add flag football." "The obvious barrier for us and other schools is how to make the numbers work," Jones continued. "Last year we had 70 girls involved with track and 22 in softball. We would probably need to work on cooperation between sports and share the girls." Other potential issues could come with resource allocation, budget concerns, ample facilities, equipment and uniforms, transportation, scheduling conflicts to name a few. But despite the potential issues, sanctioning girls flag football is a forward-thinking move by the OHSAA that will provide valuable opportunities for young female student-athletes in Ohio. "Adding girls flag football is something we will take a hard look at," Ridgewood athletic director Jesse Smolder said. "We are always interested in providing positive opportunities for our students. I feel we do a good job of doing that, and its something we want to continue to do. So we will take a hard look at adding girls flag football." KSutton1@ X: @KSuttonDJSports; Instagram: kevinsutton_dailyjeffsports This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: A new era: Girls flag football set for varsity debut in Ohio for 2026 season
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Davante Adams: LeBron James could've been an NFL legend
Many people know that LeBron James was once a star football player in high school. He played wide receiver for St. Vincent–St. Mary High School in his native Akron, Ohio, and he was named first team all-state during his second year. As a junior, he had 61 receptions, 1,245 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was even recruited by some prominent football schools, such as the University of Notre Dame. But he ultimately stopped playing football because of a wrist injury he had suffered during an AAU game just prior to his senior year of high school. Advertisement Many have said over the years that had he decided to, James could've excelled in the NFL. Davante Adams, the six-time Pro Bowl wideout who is now a member of the Los Angeles Rams, said on "The Dan Patrick Show" that James could've been a legend on the gridiron. 'He would've been one of the best receivers, tight ends of all-time, no question. I don't know if you've ever seen him play football?… He can fly too, that's the thing. He's one of the fastest NBA players probably of all-time. 'I've never seen somebody cover space on a basketball court, maybe John Wall, Derrick Rose something like that. But he's up there with all 'em.' James would've undoubtedly been a nightmare for cornerbacks to cover because of his 6-foot-9, 250-pound frame and otherworldly speed. If he had been asked to play the tight end position, perhaps he would've had a career akin to that of Rob Gronkowski, the powerful and ultra-athletic four-time Super Bowl champion who is considered by many to be the greatest ever to play the position. However, it is safe to say that James chose the right sport, especially with the perpetual concerns about concussions and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in the game of football. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Davante Adams: LeBron James could've been an NFL legend
