Tree of Life

16 Mar

POWER FALL TO GLADIATORS IN SEASON OPENER 63-53

published in category: Sports Talk Radio on Sunday, March 16th, 2014 – 9:13 am

The Pittsburgh Power opened their 2014 Arena Football League season tonight at CONSOL Energy Center in front of a crowd of 7,742. Despite holding a lead over the Cleveland Gladiators the majority of the game, the Power ended behind with a score of 63-53.

Power quarterback Tommy Grady opened the night with an impressive 47-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Prechae Rodriguez. With the extra point by kicker Julian Rauch, Pittsburgh took an early lead over Cleveland, 7-0.

The Gladiators responded with quarterback Chris Dieker completing a few short passes to wide receivers Tyrone Collins and Dominick Goodman to advance the ball down the field to ultimately rush in the end zone himself for the touchdown, one of Dieker’s four rushing touchdowns for the night. Cleveland kicker Aaron Pettry missed the PAT, allowing the Power to maintain the lead, 7-6.

The first quarter completed with two more Pittsburgh touchdowns, wide receivers Rodriguez and Shawn Kauleinamoku each with a grab from Grady. Cleveland also chipped in one more score, to finish the quarter with a score of 21-13.

Pittsburgh’s Rodriguez stayed hot at the opening of the second quarter with a nine-yard touchdown reception to increase the Power’s lead to 28-13. Cleveland answered with a 26 -yard touchdown catch, bringing Gladiators within reach at 28-20. Power kicker Rauch then made history, recording the longest field goal made for the Power with a 49-yard field goal, putting the Power ahead, 31-20.

The Gladiators started the next drive on their own five-yard line and ended it with offensive lineman Kitt O’Brien making a seven-yard catch for a touchdown. Dieker’s pass to wide receiver Thyron Collins was good for Cleveland’s two-point conversion and decreased Pittsburgh’s lead to 31-28 to end the first half.

The Gladiators opened the second half and after four attempts at a first down, the Power took possession with Grady finding Kauleinamoku for a 20-yard catch for a touchdown to make the score 38-28. Following, Power backup quarterback Arvell Nelson recovered the Gladiator’s fumbled kickoff return in Pittsburgh’s own end zone to enhance the score to 45-28. Cleveland ended the third quarter with a 13-yard Dieker to Collins catch to make the score 45-35 heading into the final fifteen minutes of play.

Cleveland started the fourth quarter with a four-yard touchdown run by Dieker to narrow their deficit to three points and after a Pittsburgh fumble, Dieker rushed for a four-yard touchdown to get Cleveland their first lead of the game, 49-45. With 12:15 remaining, the Gladiators kept their momentum, adding another touchdown with a 34-yard pass from Dieker to Lewis to steady their lead, 56-45.

After both team’s going back-to-back with touchdowns, the clock ran out of time with the Gladiators ahead and a final score of 63-53 .

The Power return to action on Saturday, March 29, hosting the San Jose SaberCats. Kickoff at CONSOL Energy Center is set for 5:00 pm. The game will be televised on thisTV Pittsburgh and broadcast on TribLIVE Radio.

RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME

Eric Dieker, Cleveland

RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME

Virgil Gray, Pittsburgh

J. LEWIS SMALL PLAYMAKER OF THE GAME

Tommy Grady, Pittsburgh

CUTTERS CATCH OF THE GAME

Pittsburgh’s Shawn Kauleinamoku touchdown grab in the third quarter.

AFL HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME

Pittsburgh’s Arvell Nelson net recovery returned for a touchdown in the third quarter.

Posted in Sports Talk Radio

 

14 Mar

Power kick off season.

published in category: Sports Talk Radio on Friday, March 14th, 2014 – 2:43 pm

The Pittsburgh Power kickoff their fourth season as a member of the Arena Football League this Saturday, March 15, against the Cleveland Gladiators. Kickoff at CONSOL Energy Center is scheduled for 5:00 pm ET.
The season opener marks the seventh meeting between the two franchises since the Power joined the AFL in 2011. Currently the all-time series is tied 3-3, with the Gladiators winning the most recent match up, 71-58, in week 16 of last season. The game was played at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH.
Pittsburgh has returned only five players from their 2013 roster, including defensive backs Sergio Gilliam, Brandon Freeman, and Ricardo Kemp, kicker Julian Rauch, and linebacker Curtis Young. Last season, Gilliam led the team in interceptions (8) and tackles (90) to help the Power’s defense finish top in the League for the second year in a row.
Adding to the already tumultuous secondary, joining the Power for his first season is two-time ArenaBowl champion and 2013 ArenaBowl Defensive Player of the Game, Virgil Gray. The four-year AFL veteran has accumulated 321.5 career tackles and 35 interceptions. Last season for the Rattlers, Gray set a franchise single-season record for interceptions with 15.
Offensively, Pittsburgh will debut an entirely new squad on Saturday, including the 2012 AFL MVP quarterback Tommy Grady. Grady played the past three years with the Utah Blaze where he amassed 397 passing touchdowns and over 18,000 passing yards. To compliment Grady, the Power will showcase fellow Blaze teammates Aaron Lesuè and Shawn Kauleinamoku (cow-LEY-na-mo-ku) as targets for the 6’7” quarterback.
The four-year AFL veteran, Lesuè, has compiled 313 career receptions for over 3,700 receiving yards and 104 touchdowns. In 2012, he earned First Team All-Arena honors after setting a Blaze franchise record with 340 points scored. Kauleinamoku has played the past three seasons in the AFL on the rosters of the Spokane Shock (2010-11), the San Antonio Talons (2012), and the Utah Blaze (2012). The 5’10” wideout has recorded 156 career receptions for 1,940 yards and 41 touchdowns.
Product of a trade with the Orlando Predators this past offseason, the Power will also have record setting wide receiver Prechae Rodriguez on the field for Grady to pass to on opening night. Rodriguez played the past two years on the rosters of the Tampa Bay Storm (2012) and the Predators (2013) and has registered 244 career receptions for 3,267 yards and 73 touchdowns. Last season, he set Orlando’s franchise single-season record for receiving touchdowns with 41.
Pittsburgh’s Week One of AFL action will be televised locally on thisTV Pittsburgh with Craig Wolfley and Tim Benz calling the action online at ESPN3.com. Over the air, the game will be streamed on TribLIVE Radio with Ike Taylor, John Harris, and Ken Laird announcing.
Power single-game tickets are now available via www.ticketmaster.com and at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Box Office located at CONSOL Energy Center. Season tickets and mini-plan ticket packages are also available for purchase at www.pittsburghpowerfootball.com or by calling the Power ticket office at 412-697-7846.

About the Pittsburgh Power
The Pittsburgh Power is a professional arena football team in the Arena Football League based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Founded in 2010, the team is owned by entrepreneur Matt Shaner, NFL Hall of Famer Lynn Swann, and Trib Total Media. The team plays all their home games at CONSOL Energy Center, which also is the home to the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins. Tickets and Sponsorships are available for the 2014 season. For more information visit our website at www.pittsburghpowerfootball.com or call 412-697-7846. You can also follow the Power on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, and YouTube.

About the AFL
Since its inception in 1987, the Arena Football League has showcased a fast-paced and exciting game to millions of fans in a myriad of markets across the country. CBS Sports Network will broadcast an AFL National Game of the Week on Saturday nights for the entire season. The AFL schedule then culminates with the ArenaBowl Championship game pitting the American Conference Champions versus the National Conference Champions for the James F. Foster Trophy.

Posted in Sports Talk Radio

 

14 Mar

Riverhounds signings

published in category: Sports Talk Radio on Friday, March 14th, 2014 – 2:33 pm

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds are pleased to announce the signing of midfielder Anthony Obodai.
The 31-year-old native of Accra, Ghana spent the 2013 season with Phoenix FC of USL PRO, making 24 appearances.
“Anthony is a world-class player who has played alongside the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. To have a player from Ajax suiting up in a Riverhounds kit is a true honor for our Club and a sign of our direction,” said Riverhounds CEO Jason Kutney.
Obodai signed with Dutch powerhouse Ajax of Amsterdam in 2001, playing on loan at Belgian side Germinal Beerschot during the 2002–03 season. Obodai moved to Sparta Rotterdam from 2005-2007, and also made four appearances for the Houston Dynamo of MLS in 2010.
Kutney believes that Obodai will bring a physical element to the Riverhounds middle-third. “He’s a tenacious ball-winner who controls the flow of a game. I watched him play in 2013 and became an instant fan.”
Obodai also earned 4 senior caps for Ghana between 2003 and 2005.
The Riverhounds’ 2014 season officially begins on March 29 in Florida, against defending USL PRO champions Orlando City. The Hounds’ home opener at Highmark Stadium is set for April 12 against the Wilmington Hammerheads. For tickets and stadium information, go to Riverhounds.com.

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RIVERHOUNDS SIGN DEFENDER BRIAN FEKETE

Pittsburgh — The Pittsburgh Riverhounds are pleased to announce the signing of defender Brian Fekete.
Fekete, a 23 year-old three-time All-American while at the University of Tampa spent last season with Orlando City SC of USLPRO where he made seven appearances.
“He did really well on trial for us down in Houston, so we decided to bring him up to Pittsburgh and sign him,” said Riverhounds Head Coach Justin Evans.
“He’s a solid defender, and an athletic player who loves to get forward. He’s a player that’s very capable of helping us at the left back position.”
Fekete began his professional career with PDL’s IMG Bradenton Academy in 2010, continuing on through the PDL with GPS Portland Phoenix. He was an All-Eastern Conference selection in 2011 after totaling 1,213 minutes played with the Phoenix.
The Riverhounds’ 2014 season officially begins on March 29 in Florida, against defending USL PRO champions Orlando City. The Hounds’ home opener at Highmark Stadium is set for April 12 against the Wilmington Hammerheads. For tickets and stadium information, go to Riverhounds.com.

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PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS RE-SIGN SIX KEY PLAYERS FOR 2014

Pittsburgh — The Pittsburgh Riverhounds have re-signed six players who will be key to the success of the team’s 2014 USL PRO season and its quest for a championship title. The returning veterans are: Mike Seth, Rob Vincent, Mike Green, Greg Blum, Seth C’deBaca, and Sterling Flunder.

“These six re-signings show our commitment to building a core of younger players that have grown and will continue to grow with our organization as we move toward our ultimate goals,” said Head Coach Justin Evans.

Veteran forward Mike Seth returns for his fifth season with the Hounds. Seth played in 22 of 26 games last season, tallying three goals and one assist and earning him a spot on the USL PRO “Team of the Week” for Week 18 and an honorable mention during Week 3.

Coach Evans had praise for Seth’s professional drive: “Mike’s work ethic and willingness to get better every day has culminated in another contract extension for him.”

Midfielder Rob Vincent returns to the Hounds after an impressive rookie year in 2013. Vincent tallied three goals and one assist and earned recognition throughout the league with a spot on the USL PRO “Team of the Week” for Week 21, as well as honorable mentions to the Week 14 and 20 Teams.

“Robbie Vincent has had the most impressive off-season body of work that I have seen in a very long time,” Evans said. “I am excited to see how this work will translate onto the playing field throughout the season.”

Mike Green returns for his third season with the Club. Green is a versatile player and can see time anywhere across the back line or step up into the midfield. Green played in 21 games in 2013 and was named to the USL PRO “Team of the Week” for Week 20.

Goalkeeper Greg Blum showcased his potential last season by recording 20 saves in five games and earning an honorable mention on the USL PRO “Team of the Week” for Week 20, after a spectacular performance in net on a road trip in Florida.

Midfielder Seth C’deBaca returns for his third season with the Hounds after playing in 18 games last season and earning an honorable mention on the USL PRO “Team of the Week” for Week 3. C’deBaca is one of many talented midfielders who will battle for a position on this year’s starting lineup.

Sterling Flunder, now entering his fifth season with the Hounds has agreed to a two-year contract extension. In 2013, Flunder played in 23 games and was an integral part of the Riverhounds defense.

The Riverhounds’ 2014 season officially begins on March 29 in Florida, against defending USL PRO champions Orlando City. The Hounds’ home opener at Highmark Stadium is set for April 12 against the Wilmington Hammerheads. For tickets and stadium information, go to Riverhounds.com.

Posted in Sports Talk Radio

 

12 Mar

Pitt and ACC Tourney

published in category: College Sports on Wednesday, March 12th, 2014 – 3:07 pm


Posted in College Sports

 

12 Mar

Steelers Re-Sign Cody Wallace

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday, March 12th, 2014 – 12:06 pm

The Steelers have re-signed veteran offensive lineman Cody Wallace to a three-year contract, the team announced today. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Wallace appeared in nine games for the Steelers last season at both guard and center and made four starts, both career-highs. He started the final four games of the season at center and made his first NFL start in Week 14 against the Miami Dolphins. For his career, Wallace has appeared in 18 contests with four starts. He saw action in eight games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012 and one game with the San Francisco 49ers in 2009.

Wallace signed with Pittsburgh just prior to the start of the 2013 regular season after being released by Tampa Bay. He was originally drafted in the fourth round (107th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft by San Francisco and spent two seasons with the team. He has also spent time on the practice squads of the Detroit Lions, New York Jets and Houston Texans during the 2010-11 seasons.

Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

12 Mar

Steelers Re-Sign Will Allen and Greg Warren

published in category: Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday, March 12th, 2014 – 10:12 am

The Steelers have re-signed veteran safety Will Allen and long-snapper Greg Warren each to one-year contracts. Financial terms of the contracts were not disclosed.

Allen (6-1, 200) returned to the Steelers during Week 6 of the 2013 season after being released by the Dallas Cowboys. In 17 games last season with Pittsburgh and Dallas, he registered 42 tackles, two interceptions and tied a career-high with four passes defensed. Allen also recorded one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and added a pair of special teams tackles. For his career, he has played in 147 regular-season games (35 starts) and five postseason contests.

Allen spent the 2010-12 seasons with Pittsburgh. He was originally selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round (111th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft.

Warren (6-3, 252) has spent his entire career with the Steelers since originally signing with the team as an undrafted rookie free agent out of the University of North Carolina in 2005. Warren has served as the team’s long-snapper in 133 regular-season games and nine postseason contests. He has played in 64 consecutive regular-season games.

Posted in Pittsburgh Steelers

 

11 Mar

WWE Fans Take Over

published in category: Wrestling Reality on Tuesday, March 11th, 2014 – 3:12 pm


Posted in Wrestling Reality

 

10 Mar

Pirates Pitching Rotation

published in category: Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, March 10th, 2014 – 1:40 pm


Posted in Pittsburgh Pirates

 



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