by Cole Board
Tony Gonzalez is 34 years old, 243 lbs, and 6’5’’. Yet he still is arguably the best Tight-End in the NFL. A 10 time Pro-Bowl selection and holder of many all-time receiving records, is still catching balls and racking up yards, after 14 years in the NFL. Many said his last few years in Kansas City were his last great ones. April 23, 2009 is a day many believe rejuvenated his career.
Gonzalez had been trade to the Atlanta Falcons for a 2nd Round Draft Pick. Atlanta had just drafted a young star at Quarterback in Matt Ryan, and already had a great receiving corps. This is the kind of offense that Tony dreamed for. He would now be used as a primary target, and not a check down receiver. Many thought this trade was out of desperation, with a 32 year old Tight-End on the downside of his career, Kansas City looked like the big winner. They were wrong.
In his first year with the Falcons, Gonzalez had 83 receptions, with 867 yards and 6 touchdowns. His 5th, 9th, and 7th career bests respectively. That may not seem like much when put up against his previous numbers, but his 2009 statistics are rivaled by few Tight-Ends, if not Wide-Receivers in the NFL. The addition of Tony and Matt had made a struggling Atlanta offense into a juggernaut. Opposing defenses feared Ryan’s precision arm and fellow Wide-Receiver Roddy White’s deep play ability. This deep combination left foe Line-Backers in the dust as Gonzalez would out reach, out power, and out run them in the short passing game. Tony Gonzalez was once again feared by defenses.
Gonzalez holds all time receiving records for TEs in the receptions, yards, and touchdown categories with 1,026 receptions, 12,072 yards, and 85 TDs. He is also regarded by many as the greatest Tight-End to ever play the game of football. It seems that with age comes brilliance as Tony Gonzalez still dominates opposing defenses with his speed, strength, and football awareness. He’s big, old, and unstoppable.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
Volleyball Girls Honor Teachers
by Madison Gates
On the night of Thursday October 14, 2010, the Paris Cooperative High School girls Varsity and Junior Varsity Girls Volleyball teams did something that they haven’t done before. Prior to playing their Varsity game against Newton, they had a Teacher Appreciation night.
The volleyball girls were to choose one teacher that has influenced them in a positive way in school from any age or grade from kindergarten all the way up until high school. Most of the seniors picked a teacher from the high school, but some of the underclassmen picked teachers anywhere from fourth grade to junior high. Some seniors even bought their chosen teachers presents, such as candy or other types of snacks!
The volleyball players and their chosen teachers were recognized directly after the end of the junior varsity game and right before the start of the varsity game. They were announced to the crowd as their names were called, and they walked onto the court. "I think the teachers really felt honored," said Mrs. Stallings the Junior Varsity volleyball coach.
The seniors were very happy to have a Teachers Appreciation night. The seniors took this opportunity as one of their last chances before graduating to thank a teacher for making an impact on their life: Zirajet Idrizoski, the Varisty captain, picked Mr. Cox; Paige Elledge picked Mrs. Propst; Kendall Smith and Desiree Edwards chose Mr. Boyers; Morgan Gibbons picked Mrs. Block. All of the teachers enjoyed going, and the girls were definitely glad that they all came.
"It was a success, and the teachers really appreciated being chosen by their students." said Briana Pearcy, a freshman on the junior varsity team. Over all it was a good turn out, and they hope this is the beginning of a volleyball tradition.
On the night of Thursday October 14, 2010, the Paris Cooperative High School girls Varsity and Junior Varsity Girls Volleyball teams did something that they haven’t done before. Prior to playing their Varsity game against Newton, they had a Teacher Appreciation night.
The volleyball girls were to choose one teacher that has influenced them in a positive way in school from any age or grade from kindergarten all the way up until high school. Most of the seniors picked a teacher from the high school, but some of the underclassmen picked teachers anywhere from fourth grade to junior high. Some seniors even bought their chosen teachers presents, such as candy or other types of snacks!
The volleyball players and their chosen teachers were recognized directly after the end of the junior varsity game and right before the start of the varsity game. They were announced to the crowd as their names were called, and they walked onto the court. "I think the teachers really felt honored," said Mrs. Stallings the Junior Varsity volleyball coach.
The seniors were very happy to have a Teachers Appreciation night. The seniors took this opportunity as one of their last chances before graduating to thank a teacher for making an impact on their life: Zirajet Idrizoski, the Varisty captain, picked Mr. Cox; Paige Elledge picked Mrs. Propst; Kendall Smith and Desiree Edwards chose Mr. Boyers; Morgan Gibbons picked Mrs. Block. All of the teachers enjoyed going, and the girls were definitely glad that they all came.
"It was a success, and the teachers really appreciated being chosen by their students." said Briana Pearcy, a freshman on the junior varsity team. Over all it was a good turn out, and they hope this is the beginning of a volleyball tradition.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Apollo Conference Held at Crestwood
by Valerie Lau
Cross country hosted the Apollo Conference, Tuesday, October 12 at Crestwood Junior High School. Crestwood hosts their course, and it is 2.85 miles of woods and hills.
“There are a lot of challenging courses and ours is one of the hardest,” says Courtney Heath. Several schools compete in our conference including Charleston, Newton, and Salem. “Those schools were tough but I thought we did awesome anyway!” says Kahrissa Higginbotham.
Mt. Zion ended up winning both the girls and boys races and our teams ended up seventh out of fourteen. Darian Rodgers came in first in the girls’ race for our team and Robert Hodgeson came in first for the boys. Cross country’s next upcoming race is Regional’s on October 23.
Cross country hosted the Apollo Conference, Tuesday, October 12 at Crestwood Junior High School. Crestwood hosts their course, and it is 2.85 miles of woods and hills.
“There are a lot of challenging courses and ours is one of the hardest,” says Courtney Heath. Several schools compete in our conference including Charleston, Newton, and Salem. “Those schools were tough but I thought we did awesome anyway!” says Kahrissa Higginbotham.
Mt. Zion ended up winning both the girls and boys races and our teams ended up seventh out of fourteen. Darian Rodgers came in first in the girls’ race for our team and Robert Hodgeson came in first for the boys. Cross country’s next upcoming race is Regional’s on October 23.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Playoffs, Here We Come!!!
By: Cole Board
The Paris Tigers are coming into this week looking at a 4-4 record. We play Rantoul Friday night for what seems to be a playoff berth. The sense of urgency is obvious as the Tigers must win this game for any chance at playoffs. Even if our Tigers win, a 5-4 record isn’t a definite playoff berth. Either way, the Tigers have progressed so much in one year that the future looks bright for the upcoming classes in Tiger football. Scott Lawrence, Josh Griffin, and Clay Bess, have performed at their best all year long to help out the Tigers. Lawrence, a Junior RB/S, has created miss-matches on both offense and defense with his speed and big play capability. Griffin, a Senior T/DE, has used his strength and football smarts to out power and out think his opponents. Bess, the Senior starting QB, has used both his legs and strong left arm to be a dual threat for most defenses, and to lead the Tigers to victory.
Strong performances by some underclassmen have helped out the Varsity team on many levels also. Sophomores Stewart Arp, Cole Board, Hayden Keyes, Abe Norman, Bobby Staley, Tyler Bouslog, Thomas Blumthal, and Freshman Blake Webster, Audie Temples, Kevin Nguyen, Shane Mason, Riley Spencer, Logan McDaniel, Cameron Malone, and Austin Stewart look to make the 2011 Tiger team dangerous. Not to mention a strong Junior class lead by Matt Wells, Devin Stephens, and Clay Mason. With a strong defense and well balanced offense the Tigers look to be a team to be reckon with next fall.
So show your Tigers support and come to the Rantoul game this Friday. We’re undefeated at home and would like to keep it this way. Help your Tigers roar to victory!!
The Paris Tigers are coming into this week looking at a 4-4 record. We play Rantoul Friday night for what seems to be a playoff berth. The sense of urgency is obvious as the Tigers must win this game for any chance at playoffs. Even if our Tigers win, a 5-4 record isn’t a definite playoff berth. Either way, the Tigers have progressed so much in one year that the future looks bright for the upcoming classes in Tiger football. Scott Lawrence, Josh Griffin, and Clay Bess, have performed at their best all year long to help out the Tigers. Lawrence, a Junior RB/S, has created miss-matches on both offense and defense with his speed and big play capability. Griffin, a Senior T/DE, has used his strength and football smarts to out power and out think his opponents. Bess, the Senior starting QB, has used both his legs and strong left arm to be a dual threat for most defenses, and to lead the Tigers to victory.
Strong performances by some underclassmen have helped out the Varsity team on many levels also. Sophomores Stewart Arp, Cole Board, Hayden Keyes, Abe Norman, Bobby Staley, Tyler Bouslog, Thomas Blumthal, and Freshman Blake Webster, Audie Temples, Kevin Nguyen, Shane Mason, Riley Spencer, Logan McDaniel, Cameron Malone, and Austin Stewart look to make the 2011 Tiger team dangerous. Not to mention a strong Junior class lead by Matt Wells, Devin Stephens, and Clay Mason. With a strong defense and well balanced offense the Tigers look to be a team to be reckon with next fall.
So show your Tigers support and come to the Rantoul game this Friday. We’re undefeated at home and would like to keep it this way. Help your Tigers roar to victory!!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Boys & Girls Basketball Is Just Around the Corner
by Valerie Lau
Friday, Oct. 1 and 4 marked the official starting of the boys’ and girls’ basketball season. All boys or girls not in any fall sports were required to come to the first of many conditioning sessions. I asked first time PCHS player Ryan Bradford if the workout was a tough as everyone said it was and he responded “YES!” The boys were pushed to run 3 miles around town without stopping. The girls were required to run several stair laps and “suicides.” The next session will require the girls to run the 3 miles. “I’m not looking forward to running the 3 miles!” says Natalie McMullen.
Hopefully all this hard work will pay off and our players will have a successful season! Join the boys December 3 as they play their first home meet against Charleston High School. Join the girls December 6 as they face the Mount Zion Lady Braves on their first home meet.
Friday, Oct. 1 and 4 marked the official starting of the boys’ and girls’ basketball season. All boys or girls not in any fall sports were required to come to the first of many conditioning sessions. I asked first time PCHS player Ryan Bradford if the workout was a tough as everyone said it was and he responded “YES!” The boys were pushed to run 3 miles around town without stopping. The girls were required to run several stair laps and “suicides.” The next session will require the girls to run the 3 miles. “I’m not looking forward to running the 3 miles!” says Natalie McMullen.
Hopefully all this hard work will pay off and our players will have a successful season! Join the boys December 3 as they play their first home meet against Charleston High School. Join the girls December 6 as they face the Mount Zion Lady Braves on their first home meet.
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