"Why do they [write] for their money? Why do they [work] for short pay? They ain't getting nowhere and they're losing their share. They must have gone crazy back there." — Michael Burton (paraphrased)
By MONTE DUTTON (Monte Dutton photos) Click here. I have spoken many times with Steve Englehart about getting Presbyterian College football over the proverbial hump. The issue may be the majority of our conversations. The issue still burns. When a coach says his team has to learn how to win, it seems redundant. Duh. It’s …
Continue reading Key for Blue Hose is learning how to close deals
By MONTE DUTTON Click here. It’s a good thing I don’t bet. I thought South Carolina had no chance in Tuscaloosa a week after Vandy beat the Tide in Nashville. I thought the Commodores would be unable to recreate the magic in Lexington, Ky. I was wrong on both counts. The Gamecocks didn’t win, but …
(Furman photo) Click here. First Furman shut down due to the ravages of Helena. Then the students went on fall break. Athletes are like sports journalists. They rarely get to go on holiday. Fifth-year senior Nieva Gaither netted the lone goal of the match in the 53rd minute and freshman Reese DeJong totaled six saves to …
By MONTE DUTTON Myion Hicks was Furman's leading rusher (Furman photo). Click here. Back in the previous decade, when Clinton High School was going through hard times, it occurred to me that being a fan is not a fantasy. It’s short for fanatic. Back then, I decided that whether the team, my team, your team, …
Continue reading Young Paladins can’t round up usual suspects
By MONTE DUTTON Javaye Suber evades Southside's Zaccheaus Dickson (photo courtesy John Clayton). Click here. I haven’t read The Agony and the Ecstasy, by Irving Stone. I saw the movie starring Charlton Heston. It doesn’t matter. The chronology was off in Laurens County football this weekend. The ecstasy came first. For the first time, all …
Continue reading County Signs: Fun on Friday, done on Saturday
By MONTE DUTTON Javen Cook zooms through the Eagles (Monte Dutton photos). Click here. Everything was back to normal at Wilder Stadium on Friday night. The Clinton offense was in high gear, zooming about in a 46-21 conquest of Chesnee that opened the Red Devils’ Region 1-2A schedule. “Zoom” is what running back Javen Cook …
(Furman graphic) Click here. Furman athletics has enjoyed a rather astounding week, emerging from the devastation of Helene. Life is returning to a semblance of normality in the Upstate. It’s nowhere near normal in western North Carolina. This week’s gut punches occurred mostly in Florida, where Milton landed. Paladins picking up the pieces as best …
By MONTE DUTTON Click here. In the aftermath of Helene hell – and as Milton the monster departs Florida as if it was Godzilla – is there anyone out there who still doesn’t believe in climate change? It is almost always cheaper to fix a problem than it is to clean up a mess. We’ve …
By MONTE DUTTON Eli Brasher (Furman photo) Click here. In itself, Furman’s 17-16 victory at The Citadel last Saturday was not a precursor of further success. It was an aversion of disaster and an escape from a rival’s ambush. A switch flipped in the fourth quarter at Johnson Hagood Stadium. Man, was it sweet. Man, …
By MONTE DUTTON (Monte Dutton photos) Click here. Provided the Upstate can avoid further natural disasters, if not political ones, high-school football returns on Friday night. This week the meteorological disaster is presumed to be hitting Florida. God bless them. What kind of name for a hurricane is Milton? At least Helene was appropriately hell. …
Nightrider's Lament 