I Go Hard

This week I chose the song "I Go Hard" by Gangstagrass. I picked it because that should be the attitude of any athlete and also the resiliency my pick 'em skills and fantasy teams have shown.

Last night I overcame a large deficit in my Bottineau fantasy football league to keep my playoff hopes alive. However, I do still need to win this week and have another team lose to make it in, so it's still a tough road, but thanks to Cam Newton, I can still go hard for another week.

I also won my fourth week of NFL pick 'em with a 14-2 mark this past week. I missed only the the close Tampa Bay loss and another close Seattle loss. I am in 15th place though overall and am 13 behind first, so winning isn't looking too likely, but I'll keep chugging along. 


I have only a couple pictures of Bottineau basketball practice from last week:

Braves head coach Nate Simpson demonstrates the proper technique at last Tuesday's practice.

From left Garrett Lynnes, Jacob Halvorson, Jake Carroll and Cody Beaver fight to get a rebound.

Philip Neubauer, the next MJ?

Senior Jeremiah Aberle awaits instruction.

Good Vibrations

I think that the sports teams in Bottineau right now need a little of what the Beach Boys had in 1966 when they released Good Vibrations. It has been a trying week for the sports teams, as all three Dakota College at Bottineau winter sports teams had multiple losses, but early season loss often breeds late-season triumphs.

I need to win out in my Bottineau fantasy football league now after getting my third straight defeat this past weekend. It is going to take a couple of dominoes to fall my way as well, but I definitely need to win also.

Another disappointing week in pick 'em as well as I went 9-5. Two people had perfect scores this week, and I'm really lagging behind. I guess those are the breaks, some years things go well, some years they don't. I guess I'll just have to roll with the groin punches I've been dealt this year.

I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving and I wish a happy Thanksgiving to all of my readers.

Here are a few pictures from DCB games I covered last week:

Jacks freshman Kristoff Walker sets up for a jump shot in the first half last Thursday against Dawson.

Walker drives past a Buccaneer defender.

Billy Engel goes baseline as the ball is on the floor.

Dashamoe McCarty drives in the lane.

Walker calls out the play.

Sophomore Jayden McMillin goes up for two in the second half.

Ladyjacks sophomore Jackie Miller looks at the defense ahead of her.

Shakira Walker makes her move to the basket.

Walker for two.

Miller puts up a crowded jumper.

Derek Martin awaits an incoming shot last Sunday against the Kenora Thistles.

Martin looks on as the puck is about to be dropped.

Tyler Elshaug chases down a puck.

Elshaug changes course and tries to handle the puck.

Seth Sehienko fires a shot at the Thistles goaltender.

Reed Loucks does battle in a second quarter face off.

Spencer Archer hammers a shot toward the Kenora net.

Cole Reisenauer watches his shot go toward the net.

Reisenauer skates the puck up the ice.

Serhienko approaches on a break away looking to score.

Evan Alexius throws a pass in front of the net.

Take a Little Ride

I think that Jason Aldean's Take a Little Ride perfectly explains my past week. With more than 15 hours of road time logged this past week I certainly rode all over North Dakota and some of Minnesota as well. Also it was quite a ride for the Bottineau volleyball team and the Westhope-Newburg-Glenburn football team as they both wound up with runner-up finishes. The Stars were runner-up in the Region 6 tournament and the Sioux were runner-up in the Class A Dakota Bowl.

Congratulations to all who made it that deep in the playoffs this year. It was fun to cover.

Not a whole lot to cover this week, but I could use a bit of a break. I have a DCB men's basketball game on Thursday, and then 19U and Jacks hockey games on Saturday.

I eeked out a fantasy win last night in my bad league, so now I'm 2-8. Great. I lost again this week in my Bottineau league thanks to another unimpressive performance by my players, who almost all underachieved. It's going to be another brutal week as I go up against another of the big dogs of the league so far. Playoffs are on the line, so it's a must-win. I did really well in pick 'em going 11-3 this week and winning my third week of the year. However, I have a lot of catching up to do as I'm 11 points behind first place for the season.

Anyway, I have several pictures from volleyball and football this past week, enjoy:

Stars junior Courtney Gallagher serves last Tuesday in a win over Kenmare at the Minot Auditorium during the Region 6 tournament.

Senior Katryna Hahn digs out a Honker shot last Tuesday.

Karlee McCloud (right) celebrates with Gallagher (left) during the win over Kenmare last Tuesday.

Hahn tips it over the net.

Hahn tips it past a Honker players out stretched hand.

Junior Danielle McDonald smacks a hit cross court.

McDonald watches as the ball soars to the Kenmare side of the net.

Kennedy Olson (left) and Stephanie Brenden (right) go up to try and block a Honkers shot.

Hahn goes up to try and block a Shelby Hass hit.

The Westhope-Newburg-Glenburn and Hazen captains shake hands before the Class A Dakota Bowl.

From left: Tom Nesvold, Hunter Braaten, Karlie Hancock and Devin Korynta watch the coin toss. Can you spot the coin?

Sioux fans get excited as the game is about to start.

The Sioux players and coaching staff lineup for the National Anthem.

Sioux linebacker Hawkin Smette tries to bring down the elusive Briar Bornemann.

Nesvold, the Sioux coach, discusses a call with the officials.

Kodie Hancock breaks around the corner.

A couple of young Sioux fans show their pride.

Bornemann stiff arms Braaten on a run in last Friday's Dakota Bowl.

The Sioux cheerleaders try and pump up the crowd after the Sioux fell behind 29-0.

Braaten chats with receiver Tyler Simpson during halftime, while he warms up.

Braaten tosses a pass toward the sideline.

Simpson tries to bring down Bornemann.

Senior linebacker Logan Hermes goes in for a big hit on Hazen quarterback Stetson Carr.

Braaten breaks free from a Bison tackler.

Braaten wind up before he delivers a pass.

Nesvold talks to Jacob Romsos, who got to get in a play. The senior tore his ACL earlier in the season.

Walker Braaten, Hunter's little brother (right) watches on as the Sioux fell to the Bison 55-28.