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Kevin Carver
East Rutherford now takes over sole possession of the SMAC after Ridge Beheler fired a complete game shutout against the Bulldogs.
East Rutherford (15-4, 9-1) already playoff bound, must win one of the final two conference games to earn the No.1 2A seed from the SMAC. Beating Shelby at home on Tuesday (5/1/12) would be the two for one deal as they would capture the No.1 2A seed and finish no worse than gaining a share of the SMAC title.
For the second time this season, Thomas Jefferson squeaks by Hendersonville 4-3 on the diamond, which has huge implications to begin a state title run. Thomas Jefferson (10-8, 7-7) baseball overtakes the No.1 1A Western Highlands Conference seed at the moment from the Bearcats. Anthony Helton’s two-run homer was the difference against Hendy. Both TJCA and Hendy have two conference games left. If the Gryphons hold on to the edge they possess, it’s home field advantage for the first two rounds of the playoffs.
R-S Central will no doubt be the third seed from the 3A side of the SMAC. They lost two close ones this past week and are destined to play the No.1 seed from the WNC, which is Tuscola in the first round of the 3A playoffs.
East Rutherford (13-4, 9-1) and Chase softball are no longer tied with each other. A shocking loss at Burns by Chase (11-2, 8-2) gives East Rutherford the one-game advantage after East swept past Burns and Freedom last week.
R-S Central (8-8, 8-2) softball now sits tied for second in the conference overall with Chase, but already picked up the No.1 seed in the 3A portion of the SMAC. Katie Carpenter and Makayla Crain added two RBI each in a win over Patton, while they held off Shelby 3-2 last Friday to wrap up the seed. Right now, the Lady Hilltoppers on pace to host Ashbrook in the first round of the playoffs.
Panthers draft: I’m shocked and disappointed that they didn’t select a defensive tackle. The first five picks for the Panthers I do believe were good selections though. Yes, I even like cornerback, Josh Norman from Coastal Carolina.
The Panthers first selection with Luke Kuechly at linebacker seems like a solid fit along with offensive lineman, Amini Silatolu (6-4, 311).
I am a little surprised that they took Frank Alexander since they already have six defensive ends, but Alexander could be a nice way to sub in for either Charles Johnson or Greg Hardy. Alexander could challenge for the starting job, but I don’t think it’s fair to put him as a starter at the moment.
Picking Joe Adams in the fourth round maybe the most intriguing choice. Adams is a shifty yet speedy guy, with good hands. Not only could he boost the passing game at receiver, but he is even more dangerous as a return man.
Jimmy Means didn’t go Sprint Cup Racing at Richmond this past weekend, withdrawing his entry less than 24 hours before qualifying was to begin. His Nationwide team did run the Friday night race, finishing 27th with Kevin Lepage behind the wheel. There is an outside shot that the Cup team could go to Talladega this weekend, but there was no official word at press time.
As for the ending at Richmond last Saturday night, a certain situation got Carl Edwards fuming. Edwards was black flagged late in the event for jumping a restart, which he led the most laps on the night. However, Edwards contested that he was the leader and was told that he was the leader by NASCAR. Edwards broke the cardinal rule of racing though, don’t beat yourself. Whether he was or wasn’t the leader, he definitely sped off before the restart box, earning him an immediate penalty through pit road under green and a tenth place finish. He isn’t he only person to lose a race that way, ask Rusty Wallace.
While Kyle Busch won this weekend, Greg Biffle still lead the points. By the way Dale Earnhardt Jr. is second and five points behind Biffle.
If Junior could produce a win quickly, their might not be much that can stop him and crew chief Steve Letarte this season. One stat stands out in particular, Junior has seven top tens in nine races, the most of any competitor on the circuit this year to date.
