12/29/21 Sports Wrap Up
John Madden Dead at 85
It is a sad day for almost everyone around the world today. NFL and EA Sports Icon John Madden passed away yesterday morning unexpectedly. Madden was 85 years old and had been suffering from different medical issues that have kept him out of the public eye. Although he was known most as the legendary coach of the Oakland Raiders. Few know that he played for the Philadelphia Eagles and got injured his rookie year, it was then that he decided to move into coaching. A move that got him into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2006. After coaching John teamed up with Pat Summerall in the broadcasting booth and “BOOM” (Madden’s catch phrase), the rest is video game history. EA Sports signed Madden to an eventual long-term deal, that is currently still in effect to use his name and likeness for their Franchise “Madden” Football game.
NFL: Just Sunday’s and Monday night’s games in the NFL for week 17. The Carolina Panthers who have been struggling as of late will take on the equally inept New Orleans Saints. The game was originally scheduled for prime time but was moved to 4:25pm because both teams are out of playoff contention. The game will be aired on FOX.
NBC’s Sunday night’s game is one of the oldest match ups in the NFL. The 7-8 Minnesota Vikings look to knock the Green Bay Packers out of their sole possession of the #1 seed in the NFL. The Packers hold an 11-3 record and will host the Vikings in what is being billed as the “Coldest Conditions of the Season”. The temperature for game time is expected to be three degrees, with a real feel of minus eight degrees.
Monday night on ESPN/ABC the Cleveland Browns will travel to Pittsburgh. Both teams are sitting on the playoff bubble and need a win to keep their post season hopes alive.
NBA : The Hornets head into Indiana to face the struggling Pacers tonight at 7pm. Charlotte has been heating up since the return of LaMelo Ball, winning their last two games. The Hornets will be off after tonight’s game till Jan 2, 2022, when they host the Phoenix suns at the Spectrum Center. The Hornets are currently 18-17, in second place in the Southeast division.
NHL: Five of the eleven games scheduled for tonight in the NHL have been postponed due to Covid-19. The league continues to be hit the hardest by the pandemic. The Carolina Hurricanes host the Montreal Canadians tomorrow night at 7pm. The Hurricanes sit in first place in the Metropolitan Division with a 21-7-1 record. Stay tuned to CCN for the latest on your Hurricanes and their schedule changes.
NCAA: Men’s Football
Birmingham Bowl Houston Cougars 17-13 over the Auburn Tigers.
First Responder Bowl Air Force Falcons defeats the Louisville Cardinals 31-28.
Liberty Bowl Mississippi State Bulldogs lose to the Texas Tech red Raiders 34-7.
Guaranteed Rate Bowl Golden Gophers of Minnesota defeated the West Virginia Mountaineers 18-6.
The Holiday Bowl was cancelled yesterday between the Wolfpack Of North Carolina State and UCLA Bruins.
Today’s Fenway Bowl has been cancelled between SMU and Virginia. Other action scheduled for today:
The Pinstripe Bowl features the Terrapins of Maryland facing the Virginia Tech Hokies at 2:30pm.
The Cheez-It Bowl at 5:45pm between the Iowa state Cyclones and the Clemson Tigers.
The Alamo Bowl kicks off at 9:15pm with two good teams. The 10-3 Oregon Ducks will face the 10-2 Oklahoma Sooners
Tomorrow is the Dukes Mayo Bowl with a North and South Carolina matchup. The Tarheels will face the Gamecocks at 11am. Both teams are 6-6.
LOCAL SPORTS: Varsity Boys Basketball:
Last night, Pinecrest 61-44 over Whiteville. The Wolfpack falls to 6-3 on the season.
South Columbus loses a close one 47-40 to East Columbus. The Stallions are still winless on the season.
Tonight, South Brunswick goes into the swamp to face East Columbus. The game is scheduled for 7pm.
Girls Varsity Basketball:
The 1 pm and 5 pm ladies varsity games for our Christmas Tournament have been cancelled.
Last night, The Lady Gators of East Columbus destroyed South Columbus 54-17.
The Whiteville Lady Wolfpack travel to Cape Fear Academy tonight. I tried to reach the school for a final score from last night’s Topsail game, there was answer. Whiteville is in Ashley tomorrow with an early 1:30 pm start scheduled.
The Ladies Christmas Tournament today in East Columbus has been cancelled. The Boys games will continue as planned.
State Mandates require facial masks for entrance to all high school games
– Vinny Pagano is the Sports Editor for Columbus County News and Sports Director for WTXY Kool 103.9FM & AM1540. Local Sports stories can be sent to [email protected]
