Memorial shows Pearland they are no longer the underdog

Pearland-
In a smash mouth football game dominated by running performances Memorial Mustangs defeated the Pearland Oilers leads by running back Matt Collins and his 117 rushing yard performance.

Pearland sophomore running back Jacolbie Butler ran for a touchdown early, but that was all the success Pearland could put together in a 20-8 loss to Memorial.

"Football is a game of momentum and we never got our momentum going tonight," said Pearland head Coach Tony Hearh.

The opposing force keeping Pearland in check was the Memorial defense holding Pearland to 219 total yard and only total 55 yards on the ground. Pearland quarterbacks Jacob Garner threw for 164 yards and 19 completions but was unable to get into the end-zone.

The Mustangs came into Pearland Stadium looking to repeat off of last years upset and the duo of quarterback Tyler McCloskey and running back Matt Collins have kept the Mustangs on top from the first drive to the end of the game.

McCloskey started the scoring off in the first quarter with a rushing touchdown and going into the 2nd quarter with the rain as a factor, McCloskey lead the mustangs on a 99 yard 14 play drive topped off with a touchdown from Collins.

McCloskey finished the game with a rushing touchdown, a passing touchdown, three punts and even ran in for two point conversion.

With a big win over Pearland going into District play Memorial solidified themselves as a force to be reckoned with.

And after dominating the rivalry for seven games straight and losing the past two Pearland will be circling the Memorial game on their calendar next season.

@GeorgeForeman4

Tim Tebow: Superstar?

There are few players in any sport that are able to rise to a level of stardom so high that the game they play becomes a shadow in comparison to their overall stardom. Tim Tebow ,whether he has earned it or not, is one of those players. Now entering his third year in the NFL, Tim Tebow is one of the biggest stars in all of American sports based on his jersey sales and features in media.

As a two time Heisman Trophy winner, two time National Champion, owner of countless SEC college football records and first round draft pick, Tebow’s national popularity is overwhelmingly justifiable. However, once he entered the football league his reviews have been mixed to say the least. Tebow ended the season with a league low 46.5% passing completion percentage and has a career completion percentage of 47.3%. There was no season long starting QB with a passing percentage lower than Tebow's. Despite his terrible throwing numbers, some coaches still are impressed by his play.

 “He’s got size, he’s got speed and he can throw the football,” said Jets head coach Rex Ryan. 


Tebow, now the backup quarterback for the New York Jets has drawn a lot of criticism for what some call an ugly throw, so when Coach Ryan gave complements to Tebow’s arm many became curios about exactly what Coach Ryan is seeing.


 "I look at it this way: Were incredibly fortunate to have a couple of quarterbacks with playoff wins,"  Ryan said.

During a Tim Tebow debate on ESPN’s top rated morning show First Take, Stephen A Smith and Skip Bayless went head to head debating why Tebow’s fame is or isn’t undeserved. 

“I don’t believe Tim Tebow the Quarterback won those games, I believe Tim Tebow the football player won those games,” said ESPN sports analyst Stephen A Smith. Smith’s opinion however shocking is supported by some statistics.

But for every strike against Tim Tebow there is a bright side. In the 2011 season Tebow came off the bench to lead his team to a 8 game winning streak. The only other QB to do that in the 2011 season was season MVP Aaron Rodgers. Controversial ESPN analysis Skip Bayless is known amongst views as ESPN’s biggest Tebow supporter. “All I know is that Tim Tebow, in the National Football League, is in my top 5 for all quarterbacks in the fourth quarter,” said Bayless. “Very few, and I mean few, quarterbacks shows up in the fourth quarter like Tebow does.”

Tebow drew enormous praise for his fourth quarter comebacks in five of the teams last six games earning the title “Tebow Time” by fans who watched his comeback victories. Included in those comeback wins was the playoff win against the Pittsburgh Steelers where Tebow threw a 65 yard touchdown pass in overtime to win the Denver Bronco’s first playoff win since 2006.

Over the off season in 2012 Tim Tebow was controversially traded to the New York Jets after the Broncos acquired super stat QB Peyton Manning in free agency. 

As soon as the trade was made public chatter began about weather or not Tebow would become the starting quarterback of the New York Jets. Tebow has received enormous praise from his new team mates, coaching staff and even position competitor- yet still starter- Mark Sanchez. 

Some people may hate him because of his throwing technique and some people may adore him because of his will to win and outspoken Christianity, but no one can doubt the fact that Tim Tebow is a huge star.

A Championship Evening

Standing joyfully amongst the crowd, yet oddly intimidating as most boxers are, George Foreman entertained and mingled with the nations top insurance brokers, CEOs and associates from Aspen Insurance.  

Foreman travels the country regularly making motivational speeches and corporate presentations, but at this event  Foreman was a celebrity guest featured at "A Championship Evening” scheduled to highlight the RIMS Conference in Philadelphia from April 15th-18th. 

“It is rare for corporate workers to have an evening to mix and mingle with a world champion, it just so happens that this world champion is also a well respected Entrepreneur," said event coordinator Lauren Goldman when telling why she chose George Foeman to host the Aspen Insurance Champion Event.

George Foreman is a highly demanded motivational speaker. It is reported that George Foreman speaks at least eight times a year for corporations, but Aspen chose him not as a speaker, but as an inspirational figure representing hard work and a great attitude while also achieving success.

Dave Bodwin, a 35-year-old insurance broker and native to Philadelphia, spent two hours smiling from ear to ear.

"Big George [Foreman] is the man," said Bodwin, "Here in Philly we love our fighters, and Big George is as great as they come." Mr. Bodwin is still developing as a Insurance broker so spending the evening with George was a motivational super boost. "having George here really means a lot to us. George is a fighter man. Just being around him makes me feel like I can fight through anything!"

Even George Foreman himself expressed a little excitement about the environment. “I do a lot of traveling and most of it is appearances, but I never have had an experience quite like this,” Foreman said while gesturing to the 4 plasma screens behind him playing one of Foreman’s favorite fights, Louis v Schmeling II. 

“This fight is my favorite because that night [Joe] Louis fought for not just his reputation but the American spirit.” said Foreman. “You can’t beat a man with that much determination. Nope, can’t do it.” 
George sat proudly looking at the fight while fans and party goers strolled by taking pictures in groups with George and showering him with stories and their favorite Foreman Grill recipes.

Before George left the Championship Evening he took the stage for some last minute comments to thank Aspen Insurance for their hospitality and to thank the crowd for their kindness.

George Foreman represents many things to many different people, but when he left the room that evening no man or woman could debate the fact that George Foreman is the friendliest knockout artist to ever walk the planet.

The Hoodie: Stand Behind It or Stand Against It

For the past month the Trayvon Martin case has resurfaced many emotions toward racial misrepresentation that Annika Brown kept dormant in public over years. Brown was one of hundreds of student in Manhattan that dressed in hoods at Manhattan's Fordham University to draw attention to Trayvon Martin's controversial death.

The activism of Ms. Brown-and thousands of people across America- has been a factor in resurfacing group activities and discussions about racial inequality deeply rooted in American society.

"What happened to Trayvon is sad and disgusting" she said. "Racial profiling is the evil remnants of segregation and we all just wanted to show the Florida police that the country is watching and we expect justice."

Ms. Brown said that she doesn't blame the police for releasing George Zimmerman if they thought he was following  Florida's "stand your ground" law and protecting himself from attack, but if the law is not protecting innocent people like her two younger brothers than she feels she needs to speak up for those with no voice.

"I have two younger brothers who are good kids," said Brown. "And if this can happen to an innocent Trayvon in Florida, than someone need to make sure my brothers aren't being targeted too."

All across the United States young people are holding "Million Hoodie" rallies, dressing in hooded sweat shirts to bring attention and change to what some see as an unjust killing of Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida.


CNN reported on march 28th that Florida's Governor, Republican Rick Scott, was on the defensive because of the intense scrutiny he is receiving due to his lack of action on the Trayvon Martin's case.

"I’ve called a task force to investigate how to make sure a tragedy such at this doesn't occur in the future," said Mayor Scott. "while at the same time protecting the fundamental rights of all our citizens."

Despite the Mayor Scott's involvement, many people still feel that not enough has been done.

Interviews at Texas Southern University, showed that some student were upset and saddened by this case and felt it was time to speak up for Trayvon by holding a "Million Hoodie" rally.

Alicia Taylor, a junior at Texas Southern University was amongst the advocates wearing black hoodies at the TSU rally.

Asked why she was at the rally Ms. Taylor answered "because the bible says 'We who are strong should bare the infirmities of those who are weak' and no one is weaker than a teen murdered in cold blood."

Ms. Taylor, 22, says she had never experienced racism personally, but says she understands that some people are judged or mistreated because of how they look.

Though student movements for Trayvon Martin are growing in popularity, not all people are in support of these "Million Hoodie" rallies. Despite the coverage of the movement in the media.

Leola Grant, 25, a native to Houston, Texas, attended the rally but seemed more confused by the rally than in favor of it.

"I don't understand why people outside of Florida should care." said Mrs. Grant. "The police chief was removed, and an investigation has started, what is everyone rioting for?"

Michael Martelly, a father of one from St. Lucia, West Indies and a student at the University of Houston has totally rejected the idea of joining Trayvon Martin's supporters in their cause or at rallies.

"When I was in high school my father told me not to wear hoodies because I look like a thug!" said Martelly. "So if someone got shot for creeping around at night in the hoodie, everyone should be throwing their hoodies away, not wearing more.

The Trayvon Martin case has still not come to a conclusion, but the case is being heavily deliberated in the court of public opinion. The student movements have brought much attention to a situation and sparked much curiosity.

Police Chief Assigning Punishment for Bad Police Work in Sponseller Suicide

Local police announced that they will begin an internal investigation into why the body of Tom Sponseller went unfound for 10 days despite the fact that the body was found in the basement of his office building.

Amongst the individuals critical of the investigation are Police Chief Randy Scott and Mayor Steve Benjamin. Mayor Benjamin has stated that a number of issues need to be addressed.

“The past two days have raised a number of troubling questions, and we all have serious concerns with regard to how this investigation was handled,” said Mayor Benjamin. “From my conversations with Chief Scott, I am confident that he not only shares those concerns but that he will respond with decisive action.”

Executive director of the South Carolina Hospitality Association, Tom Sponsellers, was found Tuesday after a two week investigation that began when Sponseller was reported missing on February 18th.


Police Chief Scott said he is opening an internal investigation into why his officers failed for 10 days to find the body. Scott said he also will look into why officers failed for 10 days to examine a desk in Tom Sponseller’s office which contained note that Sponseller left behind and packaging for a 9mm pistol.

Scott’s decision to launch an investigation came in the wake of intense public criticism about the length of time it took police to do a thorough search of the building.

“I’m not happy with what went on, and I’m going to make corrections,” Scott said. “At the end of the day, everything wasn’t done that should have been done.”

Scott did however make it clear that he would keep an open mind and review all aspects of what was done and what was not done during the 10 days that police were engaged in a manhunt for Sponseller.

The disappearance of Sponseller, the well-connected Hospitality Association executive director described as the face of the state’s $14 billion tourist industry, had been treated as a missing person’s case until the note and the pistol packaging were found. The finding prompted police to re-search the garage. That’s when they found his body.

  Sources said the note expressed remorse over an investigation into money missing from the S.C. Hospitality Association.

Adding to the criticism of investigators is that it was Rick Erwin, the groups acting president – and not police- who found the note and gun packaging Tuesday morning in the locked desk of Sponseller’s office.

“Rick Erwin was in the association office Monday night, doing some work and discovered Tom’s desk was locked,” Hospitality Association spokesman Bob McAlister said of the group’s interim executive director. Asked why Erwin had thought to look in the desk, McAlister said, “It just seemed like the right thing to do at the time.”

 In a missing person investigation, police don’t need a search warrant to open a person’s desk or storage areas if the individuals who have legal authority over the property grant permission to police to open the areas or if those with legal authority cooperate in opening locked areas, said Reggie Lloyd, who is a former circuit court judge, a former U.S. Attorney and a former SLED chief.

As of now, no information has been given as to why police did not search the desk of Executive Sponseller.