"They" work hard for no money

This week I spun the classic Donna Summer hit "She Works Hard For the Money" into a title that is apropos to the college and high school athletes that I cover.

The athletes will be working hard this weekend as playoffs begin in both Class AA football, District 11 volleyball and Region XIII college volleyball. I will be attending all of those, plus overtaking a few news writing and photographing details for my colleague, who is out of town this week.

As far as my NFL picks go, last week was a pretty decent week. I went 9-4 incorrectly predicting the outcomes of the Baltimore/Jacksonville game, the Buc's/Bears game, Seattle/Cleveland and Oakland/KC.

I am now 74-39 for the season. Now for the week 8 picks:

Giants over Dolphins
Texans over Jaguars
Titans over Colts
Vikings over Panthers
Saints over Rams
Ravens over Cardinals
Broncos over Lions
Bills over Redskins
Patriots over Steelers
49ers over Browns
Bengals over Seahawks
Eagles over Cowboys
Chiefs over Chargers


My pictures from last week's Bottineau/Belcourt football game, and the DCB men's basketball scrimmage:

Bottineau quarterback Justin McCloud scrambles in a 50-18 win over Belcourt last Tuesday in Belcourt.

Bottineau senior Matt Bowers runs past Belcourt defenders in the first half.

Bottineau's Trevor Wettlaufer cuts back to the inside last Tuesday.

Bottineau's Jeremiah Aberle attempts to sack Belcourt quarterback Chugger Davis as the sun sets.

Bottineau's Harrison Aide avoids a tackler during a punt return in the second half.

McCloud attempts to cut back during an interception return.

McCloud breaks into the end zone for a two point conversion in the second half.

(sorry for the bluriness) Bottineau senior Mark LaCroix makes a catch on a deep pass from McCloud.

Jacks freshman Jayden McMillin plays tough defense against an Assiniboine player last Monday at the Woodshed.

Jacks freshman Colby Boyes takes a shot last Monday in a scrimmage against Assiniboine Community College.

McMillin goes in for a layup. He is one of the first Jack players from Australia.

Jeremy Chambers, one of four returning sophomores for the Jacks, dishes a pass to an open teammate.

Chambers gets low to play defense.

Chambers goes up against a bigger opponent.

McMillin goes strong to the hoop.

Funny Face

This week I chose the Gershwin classic "Funny Face" because I captured quite a few funny faces out on both the volleyball court and the grid iron.

This past week I covered the 44-14 spanking the Bottineau Braves gave the Dickinson Trinity Titans last Friday.

I also hit the hardwood in the wood shed to watch a triangular hosted by the Dakota College at Bottineau.

Tonight I will travel over to Belcourt to cover the final regular season game  for the Bottineau Braves football team.

I went a slightly better 8-5 on my NFL picks this week thanks to wins by both the Bears and Jets. That puts me at 65-35 on the season thus far. Following week 9 I will re-pick my playoff predictions based on the first half finishes (not that it will make them any better).

Without further ado, week 7 NFL picks:

Jets over Chargers
Seattle over Cleveland
Falcons over Lions
Buccaneers over Bears
Broncos over Dolphins
Panthers over Redskins
Houston over Tennessee
Steelers over Cardinals
Oakland over Kansas City
Packers over Vikings
Dallas over St. Louis
Saints over Colts
Baltimore over Jacksonville

Here are my pictures this week:

DCB's Jillian Hole (left) and Jordyn Sondrol (right) attempt to block a Jamestown shot last Wednesday in Bottineau.

Freshman Jackie Miller hits a back row shot last Wednesday against Dawson.

Sophomore Jess Mehling looks on as Hole sets up a shot.

(Funny face 1) Kelsey Gullett shows the intensity when going up for a block against Dawson.

Miller gets airborne for a kill shot.

Sondrol reaches up and throws down a block.

Sondrol awaits the serve from Dawson.

Miller goes up for the block.

Miller serves to the Jimmie's side in DCB's second game of the triangular.

(Funny face 2) Freshman Josie Degagne goes down to her knees to dig out a Jamestown shot last Wednesday.

Trinity back up quarter back Knight calls timeout in the fourth quarter.

(Funny face 3) Several funny faces surface during the tackle on this kick return by Trinity.

Braves rusher Trevor Wettlaufer breaks a tackle on a 42-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.

Braves senior quarterback Justin McCloud runs toward the sideline last Friday in Bottineau.

Braves corner Brock Hiltner (I think) accosts the Dickson quarterback in the first half.

Bottineau's Dalton Sivertson looks to hit the Trinity quarterback in the first half.

Stupid ref.

Mark LaCroix gives ball carrier Matt Bowers a little extra push past the goal line for a touchdown in the second half.

Bowers leaps in an attempt to bat down a Titans pass.

Like a Hurricane

I chose the Neil Young tune, "Like a Hurricane" this week, because it was the calm before the storm so to speak. After this week's lull of sports activity I will be besieged by coverage the next few weeks.

Most every team I cover was on the road this week. I managed to sneak of of layout early last Monday to catch a volleyball game, and then also had one on Tuesday, but that was it.

The Braves played a big game against Carrington on Friday (lost 17-14), but it was too far for me to travel.

A couple of things to tend to: RIP Al Davis and so long 2011-12 NBA season.

I was 7-6 on this weeks NFL picks. It was yet another bad week for me--all the wrong upsets--all the wrong times. That puts me at 57-30 on the season, lets hope this week is better.

Week 6 NFL picks:

Bills over Giants
Colts over Bengals
Steelers over Jaguars
Eagles over Reskins
Lions over 49ers
Packers over Rams
Panthers over Falcons
Raiders over Browns
Ravens over Texans
Saints over Buccaneers
Patriots over Cowboys
Bears over Vikings
Jets over Dolphins



Here are the few pictures I had this week:

Bottineau senior Ashleigh Aufforth sets a pass last Tuesday against Harvey.

Stars senior Whitney Page blocks a Hornet shot last Tuesday in Bottineau.

Newburg-Westhope's Molly Lodoen (left) and Hadlee Schell (right) watch as an Aggies shot soars past their outstretched hands.

Schell attempts to block and Aggie shot last Monday in Newburg.

Schell with a push over the net on Monday.

Coming Home

This week I picked "Diddy Dirty Money" featuring Skyler Grey's "Coming Home" as my song. I chose it because I had the privilege of covering two fantastic homecoming victories for teams in Bottineau County.
First on Friday I traveled to Westhope as the Sioux won their homecoming game 42-6.
Saturday I stayed in Bottineau and covered the Jacks as they beat rival Trinity Bible College 41-32.

I suffered my first loss in one of my fantasy football leagues this week. I also lost in the other, Wes Welker has really been killing me the past couple of weeks. I am currently 3-1 and 2-2 in either league.

I went 9-7 in my NFL picks last week, a bit of an off week. But who would have picked the Eagles to lose to the Niners? Also I went a little crazy with my upset picks last week. Why did I think Oakland could beat the Pats? For the season I am 50-24 through the first four weeks. Anyway, here are my picks for week 5:

Titans over Steelers
Raiders over Texans
Colts over Cheifs
Bengals over Jaguars
Giants over Seahawks
Vikings over Cardinals
Saints over Panthers
Bills over Eagles
Bucaneers over Niners
Patriots over Jets
Broncos over Chargers
Packers over Falcons
Bears over Lions

Again, I may be a little heavy on the upsets, but it could happen, right?


Here are the pics from this weeks games:

Stars setter Ashleigh Aufforth sets to a teammate last Tuesday in Dunseith.

Senior Heidi Artz awaits the Dunseith serve last Tuesday in Dunseith.

Senior Whitney Page about to slam a kill for the Stars.

Artz digs out a Dunseith shot last Tuesday.

The Newburg-Westhope Eagles talk during a timeout last Thursday against Rugby.

Eagles junior Jade Teske hits one over the net last Thursday in Newburg.

Jacks freshman running back Arlandis Shipp goes airborn after a Trinity tackler hits him low last Saturday.

Student fans hold up a sign in favor of their home team Eagles.

Teske smacks another over the net last Thursday.

Teske again spikes a shot.

Jacks sophomore Kentavis McNichols fights with the Lions kick returner in the first half last Saturday.

Freshman rusher Mathis Thomas breaks past Lion defenders in last Saturday's win over Trinity.

Darius Bowers jukes a Lion defender last Saturday.

Sophomore Keith Osgood slips on the grass after a completion.

Babajide Adeniyi and lineman Fred Okon celebrate after Adeniyi's fumble recovery touchdown in the first half.

Osgood turns up field after a catch over the middle last Saturday.

Thomas runs past a lion defender around the edge.

Sophomore Kevin Ellis gets a hand on the Lions quarterback.

Senior back Jake Tengesdahl loses a shoe while running for a first down last Friday.

Senior Taylor Lesmann looks to wrap up the Langdon rusher during the first half in Westhope last Friday.

A look at the fields water tower, which proudly displays the Sioux logo. It was homecoming for the Sioux last Friday.

Freshman Keanu Soto is pumped up after making a tackle in the backfield last Saturday.

Junior fullback Karlie Hancock hits the hole near the goal line last Friday.

Sophomore quarterback Hunter Braaten escapes a would-be tackler last Friday in the second half.