be drawn in to any trade talk. Surrounded by more than a dozen ... grade school in subur- ban Toronto, Wiggins ... The s
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DODGE CITY DAILY GLOBE
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
SPORTS INSIDE SPORTS
Wiggins deflects questions about trade to Wolves TORONTO — When training camp begins in October, he’ll be trying to block and deflect shots in the NBA. On Monday, No.1 overall draft pick Andrew Wiggins was deflecting questions about precisely where he’ll be playing. Last week, Cleveland reportedly reached an agreement in principle to send Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and a first-round pick to Minnesota for All-Star forward Kevin Love, who will join LeBron James and Kyrie Irving to form a new “Big 3” with the Cavaliers. That deal, which cannot be officially completed until Aug. 23, when Wiggins becomes eligible to be traded, would leave the rookie swingman playing for a rebuilding squad in the Western Conference, rather than alongside LeBron on a presumed title contender in Cleveland. Speaking publicly for the first time since the reported deal was agreed to, Wiggins refused to be drawn in to any trade talk. Surrounded by more than a dozen reporters and nine television cameras at a promotional event at his former grade school in suburban Toronto, Wiggins acknowledged that life as a first overall pick has brought him extra attention. “There’s more eyes on me, more criticizing, stuff like that,” he said. After Wiggins attended Jayhawks coach Bill Self’s basketball camp Sunday, Self said Wiggins told him he’d welcome the trade to Minnesota, where he could be the face of the franchise, rather than playing in the shadow of LeBron.
Oklahoma LB Shannon faces 1-year suspension NORMAN, Okla. — The University of Oklahoma has voted to suspend linebacker Frank Shannon for a year, but the school has been unable to enforce the decision. In a news release on Monday, school president David L. Boren said the school’s internal disciplinary process voted on June 18 to remove Shannon for a violation of its Title IX policy, which covers sexual misconduct. Shannon, who has been practicing with the team, started all 13 games last year and led the team with 92 tackles. He had a career-high 16 tackles against Texas last season and had 2.5 tackles for loss against Iowa State the same year, including two sacks. The school said federal privacy law and other legal considerations prohibited it from making further statements.
Royals get Willingham from Twins for minor leaguer KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Royals bolstered their offense Monday by acquiring outfielder Josh Willingham from the Minnesota Twins, a move the long-suffering franchise hopes will help them end a playoff drought that stretches back nearly three decades. Kansas City had won seven straight games entering its series opener against Oakland, climbing into the second wild-card spot and a half-game back of AL Central-leading Detroit. The Royals have not been to the postseason since 1985, when they beat St. Louis to win the World Series. Willingham is expected to arrive in Kansas City in time for Tuesday night’s game.
VOLLEYBALL
Evans’ new challenge: head volleyball coach By John Curtis Dodge City Daily Globe
Emily Evans’ life for the last 10 years has just about come full circle. Evans has been overcoming obstacles for most of her adult life after a swimming pool diving accident broke her neck, bruised her spinal cord and left her paralyzed. The former Bucklin High and Pratt Community College volleyball star has persevered as a former Miss Wheelchair Kansas and as an assistant volleyball coach for her beloved Lady Aces the past four seasons under Greg Wyrick. Now Evans has a new challenge as she takes over the reins as head coach of the Bucklin-Ashland squad, a team that has qualified for the state tournament the past three seasons. “This is where I played and it’s kind of surreal,” Evans said. “I honestly never thought about coaching. It was never in my wheelhouse of things I wanted to do. I have always loved the sport; but when you’re in chair, I never thought it would be possible. I’m really excited about the season, but I’m also very nervous.” Evans got the chance to take over the program after Wyrick decided to step down due to all of the travel required to coach the team. She said her style on the coaching level will need to change with the top coaching job. “Greg Wyrick is a very inspirational guy and I took a back burner where I’m more technical with stats and positions. I consider that my strong suit,” Evans said. “I have to learn to portray that motivation. I think I can be, but I just don’t vocalize it as much as I should.” Evans does have a team with a lot of varsity experience this season to have a chance of making a run for a fourth straight state qualification while battling Kiowa County, Spearville and South Central for the Southern Plains-Iroquois Activities Association. Five players are seniors — three from Bucklin and two from Ashland — and while the Lady Aces lost perhaps their best attacker from last season,
“The doctor said I would never walk again and I looked at him and said ‘I think you’re wrong.’ I still, to this day, think that I will walk again; either by the grace of God or by medical technology.” Emily Evans, BucklinAshland volleyball head coach
the head coach feels this group could also be playing in the state meet at Fort Hays State University. It’s an expectation Evans understands from the two communities after the recent successes. “My Ashland girls and my Bucklin girls are great girls,” Evans said. “They’re both a great group of girls and get along well. They respect all of our coaching staff. We have that senior leadership and we have some players who will be coming up who can make an impact. We lost some good seniors, but I think we’ ll be a competitive team and be able to get there again. “I’m really blessed about it.” There are some aspects of her position that she can’t do because of her disability. She can’t show how she wants the players to attack the net and also can’t ride the school bus with the Lady Aces because it is not wheelchair accessible. She will travel to competition in her truck, which she said could be a benefit. “I probably won’t sound as nervous talking to the players while we’re riding the bus to games,” Evans said. “It could also be beneficial because the driving could allow me to get some extra cool off if I’m mad. “A major part of coaching is demonstrating, but I can’t do that. The girls listen to me and I’m grateful that they take instruction from me and I have two amazing assistant coaches who are helping me to show something.” Evans continues to try to take everything in stride ever since her injury. At the time, she said she was the calmest around after hitting her head at the bottom of the pool because
Bucklin-Ashland volleyball head coach Emily Evans is with three of her seniors for the upcoming season: (from left to right) Haylie Pegelow, Janae Price and Allyson Rudd. Evans continues to not let a spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed stop her from being successful in her endeavors. JOHN CURTIS/DODGE CITY DAILY GLOBE
she knew she would be OK. Even after the prognosis that she would never walk again, she has never felt sorry for herself and pushes on in her life. “It’s not who I am,” Evans said. “When you see people in therapy and you see people with good attitudes and others with crappy attitudes, you see those with good attitudes be more successful. I truly made a choice early on that I was going to put a smile on my face, be happy, and give it my all.” Evans wants to continue to be an inspiration to those who have also suffered disabling injuries and there’s only one aspect she is still working on for her life to come around completely full circle. That is to walk again. “The doctor said I would never walk again and I looked at him and said ‘I think you’re wrong,’” Evans said. “I still, to this day, think that I will walk again; either by the grace of God or by medical technology.”
Emily Evans serves for the Bucklin Lady Aces during her senior season of volleyball. Evans, who suffered a spinal cord injury and is paralyzed, is coming back to her old team as head coach. COURTESY PHOTO
RODEO
Harris wins three more rodeos ProRodeo Cowboy Association
SIKESTON, Mo. — During the Aug. 1-3 weekend, bull rider J.W. Harris retook the world standings lead for the first time in five months. Last weekend, he wasted little time putting some distance between himself and the rest of the field. Harris is on the type of roll that only he seems to be able to get on every year. The four-time and defending world champion entered three rodeos this weekend. He won them all. The best of his three winning rides came at the Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo in Sikeston, where he tied the best bull ride of 2014 with a 93-point trip on Rafter H Rodeo Livestock’s Stiff Drink, earning $4,780. “I had seen that bull for a
long time, and always wanted to get on him,” Harris said of Stiff Drink. “He’s one of the best bulls going right now, and he’s dang sure one of the best Rafter H has.” The ride tied Clayton Foltyn’s 93 at the San Antonio (Texas) Stock Show & Rodeo, which was later equaled by Scottie Knapp at the Oakley City (Utah) Independence Day Rodeo and Chandler Bownds at last week’s Douglas County Fair Division 2 Xtreme Bulls in Castle Rock, Colo. “That ride felt like it could’ve been 100 (points),” Harris said. “He made me work my butt off to stay on him. He dropped each shoulder and got really fast and was doing everything he could to throw me off, and luckily I was able to stay in the middle.” Harris, who regained the
world standings lead from rookie Sage Kimzey on Aug. 4 after winning the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo — the first time he was the world leader since Feb. 24 — wasn’t done by any means. He also won the title in Lovington, N.M., at the Lea County Fair and Rodeo, which, like Sikeston, is a silver rodeo on the Wrangler Million Dollar Tour, presented by Justin Boots. Harris rode for 91 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Thunder Cat in Lovington, earning $5,076. “Those two rides were completely different,” Harris said of Sikeston and Lovington. “Both of the bulls bucked hard, but the one in Sikeston was a lot of speed and change of direction and kick. The one in Lovington had all the timing in the world.”
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DODGE CITY DAILY GLOBE
Saturday, August 9, 2014
SPORTS INSIDE SPORTS
Chiefs squeak by Bengals KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs managed two offensive touchdowns against Cincinnati on Thursday night. Their defense and special teams trumped them. Sean Smith and Malcolm Bronson returned interceptions for scores, De’Anthony Thomas brought back a punt 80 yards for another TD and Kansas City beat the Bengals 41-39 in their preseason opener. Andy Dalton was sharp in his only series for the Bengals after signing a new six-year deal this week. He hit wide receiver A.J. Green for a 53-yard pass to set up the opening field goal. Dalton quickly gave way to backup Jason Campbell, who was just 6 of 15 for 72 yards. And while he threw a pair of touchdown passes, Campbell also was responsible for the TDs by Smith and Bronson before getting banged up midway through the third quarter and exiting the game. The Bengals’ Dre Kirkpatrick also returned an interception for a touchdown. Both teams played their starters sparingly, which is common in preseason openers. But the Bengals were also forced to use their backups to plug holes caused by injury. Starting offensive linemen Andrew Whitworth, Clint Boling and Andre Smith, tight end Jermaine Gresham, wide receiver Marvin Jones and defensive tackle Geno Atkins all sat out the game. Chiefs safety Eric Berry and defensive tackle Mike DeVito also did not suit up. Alex Smith, in negotiations on his own long-term deal, struggled along with the rest of the Chiefs’ first-team offense. They went three-and-out on their opening series, and Smith was stripsacked on their next possession to set up Campbell’s short TD toss to Brandon Tate. That was just the start of an entertaining, back-and-forth half. Albert Wilson returned the ensuing kickoff 65 yards to set up Ryan Succop’s short field for Kansas City. After the Bengals stalled on their next possession, Thomas fielded the punt and spun away from Kirkpatrick before racing 80 yards for a tying touchdown.
Broncos outlast flags, beat Seahawks 21-16 DENVER — The Super Bowl teams slogged through a preseason opener delayed by lightning and a flurry of flags Thursday night before linebacker Steven Jackson’s end zone interception of Terrelle Pryor’s pass sealed the Denver Broncos’ 21-16 win over the Seattle Seahawks. In between a 46-minute delay, both starting offenses put together long touchdown drives that ate up more than 9 minutes and were kept alive by a wave of yellow flags. Altogether, there were 25 accepted penalties, 13 on Seattle and a dozen on Denver. Ronnie Hillman’s 1-yard TD run capped Denver’s 14-play, 61-yard drive in which Peyton Manning completed 9 of 11 passes for 63 yards and the officials threw six flags, including one for offsetting penalties.
SPORTS FEATURE
Royle overcomes arthritis to return By John Curtis Dodge City Daily Globe
Luke Royle was having the time of his life getting ready for his first season with the Dodge City Red Demons, but fate served a strange twist that will affect the rest of his life. It started a few days after he finished his recreational baseball season and had just started summer physical education classes. He didn’t feel well one day and felt sluggish the next riding a bicycle for his class. At first it was thought he had mononucleosis considering his symptoms, but tests were negative. Whatever was wrong started to take a toll on Royle’s body. The white blood cell count in his body was high and he developed fevers of almost 106 degrees followed by chills because of the amount he was sweating after the hot spells. His weight dropped to 120 pounds. Royle and his parents, Randy and Dee Dee, finally received a diagnosis in Wichita that he had a virus. What they thought was infection because of the white blood cell count was actually inflammation. Another diagnosis from Dr. Carol Lindsley, a pediatric rheumatology specialist at the University of Kansas Medical Center, floored the family. Luke had developed juvenile idiopathic arthritis, an autoimmune disease where the white blood cells can’t tell the difference between the body’s healthy cells and bacterial and viral invaders. The immune system releases chemicals that can damage healthy tissues and cause inflammation and pain. Many of the symptoms of systemic JIA include high fevers that suddenly drop to normal, similar to what happened to Royle. There was no exact reason why the condition came up, but the doctors believe the arthritis was somehow triggered as a lingering effect from the chicken pox that developed because of the virus. The worst part for the teenager involved one part of the diagnosis: he could no longer play sports. “I was worried about getting better but when the doctor said I wasn’t going to
be able to play sports. That was all I was worried about,” Royle said. “I was really nervous. I hear about people who have arthritis and I hear them say how much they hurt in the morning, so how was I going to play sports and train when you work out in the morning. It was scary stuff.” The Royle parents were just as shocked by the diagnosis, but were relieved to get a closure after several weeks of caring for their son through nights of high fevers followed by having to heat towels in the microwave to keep him warm. “The first image that comes to your mind is the image of people you see that really can’t function with arthritis, where their joints are all twisted and you get that mental picture in your head,” said Randy Royle. “It’s not something I had ever been around, so I was thinking I had a kid who loves sports and he may never play again.” “He is our youngest child, our baby,” added Dee Dee. “You want answers because your child is so sick and you want him to be better. Then to get the diagnosis was kind of a shock and you let it sink in and the next thought is: ‘What do we do next and how do we deal with this?’” Luke tried to deal with not being able to participate on the field with Dodge City High football coach Dave Foster placing him as a coach on the film crew, but that didn’t satisfy the incoming freshman. So after a few weeks into the season, Royle asked and was granted a chance to get out and play out on the field again. He was then successful and was able to join his teammates in the spring on the Red Demon freshman baseball squad. Royle said the hardest part of trying to get back to sports was regaining the lost strength he had before he got sick. He fell behind in development while he was sick and recovering, but pushed himself in the weight room to get his strength back. “Just watching the kids playing and missing the adrenaline rush just drove me to the point of playing again,” he said. His parents were reluctant
“Ibuprofen and I have become good friends,” Luke Royle said after reclaiming his sporting life despite a debilitating illness. JOHN CURTIS/DODGE CITY DAILY GLOBE
to have their son go back to sports, especially football. They knew he had lost much of his strength, but allowed him to continue as he showed he could handle the pressure. “Luke was determined that filming the games wasn’t going to be good enough,” Dee Dee said. “I want to be in the game. Our concern was we didn’t know how his body would react to a real hard hit. Fortunately for him, he did fine.” Luke Royle’s white cell count is close to normal and he said the inflammation is as low as it possibly could get. He takes four daily medicines — a pain reliever, steroid, fever control and folic acid — and an immune system regulator on the weekend. He also takes ibuprofen after the games because of how much pain he is in after competitions. “Ibuprofen and I have become good friends,” he said. The sophomore-to-be just finished his first season with the Dodge City Junior Rangers where he was a pitcher and leadoff hitter for the state qualifying team. Dee Dee Royle sent pictures of Luke to Dr. Lindsley to show how well her son performed during the tournament. His parents now don’t worry as much about how he feels on the field or the diamond. They feel that he will know if he is hurting just because of the game or the arthritis. “I learned a lot about the disease since then and the medications and he made a
Luke Royle was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and told it was a game-ender for his athletic pursuits. A cocktail of drugs and determination put him back on the mound. JOHN CURTIS/DODGE CITY DAILY GLOBE
tremendous recovery once we had the right diagnosis and the right treatment,” Randy Royle said. “It was from very skeptical that he would be the same kid again to very optimistic that we will be able to treat this. With the continued advancements with the treatment, that will continue. The doctors said he will tell us how aggressive he can be.” Royle said he is thankful for the prayers he received but he also feels that what he
went through last summer has changed his outlook for the rest of his life. “My attitude was ‘I wasn’t not going to get hurt and I could be a good athlete’, then two weeks after the baseball season, I was in the hospital, lost 25 pounds and could barely lift my arms,” Royle said. “It really gave me a reality check that I’m not as great (physically) than I thought I was. “Now I say, ‘Just live in the moment.’”
COLLEGE SPORTS
Sooners’ athletic director had busy summer The Associated Press
N O R M A N, O k l a . — Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione hasn’t had time for a true vacation this summer. Whether he was laying the groundwork for what will be a massive renovation of Memorial Stadium, making Bob Stoops one of the highest paid coaches in college football, setting up a football series with Michigan or being named future chair of the NCAA Division I men’s basketball selection committee, Castiglione had his hand in big things. It hasn’t all been good news, though. Oklahoma has been criticized for adding Dorial Green-Beckham, a talented receiver Missouri released after an 18-year-old student said he pushed her down at least four stairs during a burglary. Two other cases against high-profile Oklahoma football players are pending. The 6-foot-6 GreenBeckham led Missouri with 59 receptions as a sophomore last season and scored 12 touchdowns. Castiglione said
Oklahoma talked to people at Missouri, reviewed “far beyond the hearsay” and made a decision to pursue Green-Beckham. “The facts of each case are different,” Castiglione said to The Associated Press. “We have to weigh all the facts as we can gather them and make the appropriate decision. In his particular case, we felt he was deserving of the chance, assuming he would accept the conditions of his enrollment and participation as a studentathlete here.” Green-Beckham has been practicing with the team, but as of now, must sit out a year because of the transfer. Oklahoma is in the process of seeking a waiver that would make him immediately available. As for pending legal cases involving two other Oklahoma football players, Castiglione said he can’t comment, but he said he feels the same about every situation like them that comes up. “People are people,” he said. “There are varying levels of maturity, varying levels of cultural experience. There are varying levels of
discipline in their decisionmaking process. Sometimes, they find themselves in situations that are very unfortunate — not always their fault. They have to understand there are forces sometimes that create challenges they just have to be better prepared to handle. They didn’t initiate. They didn’t ask for. They may have even tried to avoid. Sometimes, people around them are persistent. That doesn’t give them a license to make a bad decision.” On the good side of things, Castiglione will take over will be the vice chair of the basketball committee this upcoming season before becoming the chair for the 2015-16 season. He said one of the key elements is the transparency of the team selection process, but making things too open would take away from what makes the process special. “There are going to be times where people don’t agree with the decisions, but therein lies the secret to the secret sauce,” Castiglione said. Stoops’ salary will jump to $5.25 million for the upcoming season, up
from about $5 million last season. Stoops has a 160-39 record at Oklahoma with a national title and four title game appearances. “In a phrase, he’s worth every penny,” Castiglione said. “It’s commensurate with the financial resources that we have available, that have been generated because of the success the program has achieved under his leadership.” Facilities that match on-the-field goals are important to Castiglione. The school’s Board of Regents this summer approved an estimated $370 million plan to renovate Memorial Stadium. The south end zone will be enclosed to form a continuous bowl. There will be 43 new restroom locations, 69 new concession stands, a 46,000-square foot fan plaza in the south end zone and a covered upper concourse. Weight room facilities are slated to be enlarged. A major redevelopment of the Barry Switzer Center will create nearly 50,000 square feet of new space for student-athletes. No state-appropriated funds and no funds from
student tuition will be used. In addition to bonds, a significant part of the project will be funded by private fundraising. Castiglione said the program also felt it needed to improve the gameday experience so fans would continue to sell out the stadium. He said fans have more places than ever to spend their money, and while revenue from television has helped universities, it also has offered a convenient alternative to showing up on Saturdays. “Those are the two drivers — the resources for studentathletes and the enhanced experience for the fans who support our program,” Castiglione said. Currently, plans are in the design phase while the school shores up its fundraising plan. There is no target date for the construction to start or finish. Castiglione said part of Stoops’ long-term success comes from their shared scheduling philosophy, which has been in place since Stoops arrived 16 years ago. Oklahoma’s goal is to play top schools regularly without overextending itself.
Friday, May 2, 2014
DODGE CITY DAILY GLOBE
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IN BRIEF
Today PREP SOFTBALL: 4 p.m. — Dodge City at Garden City (DH). PREP BASEBALL: 4 p.m. — Dodge City at Wichita East (DH). PREP BOYS GOLF: 9 a.m. — Dodge City at Hutchinson Invitational. PREP TRACK: 3 p.m. — Dodge City at Hutchinson Invitational. PREP GIRLS SWIMMING: 4 p.m. — Dodge City at Great Bend. COLLEGE TRACK: 9 a.m. — Dodge City at Region VI championships in Arkansas City.
Saturday CPIFL: 7:05 p.m. — Omaha at Dodge City. AUTO RACING: 7:30 p.m. — Dodge City Raceway Park (Outlaw Late Models, IMCA modifieds, IMCA sport modifieds, IMCA stocks, Hornets). COLLEGE BASEBALL: 1 p.m. — Dodge City at Cowley (DH) in Region VI first round series. COLLEGE TRACK: 9 a.m. — Dodge City at Region VI championships in Arkansas City.
Sunday COLLEGE BASEBALL: 1 p.m. — Dodge City at Cowley (DH) in Region VI first round series.
Monday PREP BOYS TENNIS: 10 a.m. — Dodge City in Western Athletic Conference meet at Garden City. PREP BOYS GOLF: 3 p.m. — Dodge City at Great Bend Invitational.
Conqs football to play spring game Saturday The Dodge City Community College football team will be conducting its annual spring football game Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Admission is free and there will be a free barbecue provided by Central Station and Pepsi with items raffled off in each quarter. “This is the culmination of our spring football season,” Thomas said. “It’s supposed to be a beautiful day and we encourage the community to come out and watch. We have a talented team and numerous student-athletes who return from last season’s team that finished nationally-ranked. It’s going to be fun to watch.”
Roughstock rodeo camp set for Roundup Arena The ProRodeo Cowboys Association will be conducting a roughstock rodeo camp on June 14 from 9 a.m. through 2 p.m. The PRCA Championship Rodeo Camp is a one-day camp that offers instruction in bareback, saddle bronc and bull riding. Participants will learn about safety techniques, learn the correct spurring
motion, have riding equipment checked and fixed, learn chute procedures, handling livestock, working with pickup men and an overall review of the rodeo business. There will be no live buckets. The camp is for all abilities starting at age eight and above. Students must pre-register to participate with limited spots available at www.prorodeo.com/ youthrodeo.aspx. For further information, contact Julie Jutten of the PRCA at 719-528-4729.
Hamilton announces annual camp Dodge City High boys basketball coach Dennis Hamilton has announced his 28th Annual basketball camps scheduled for May 27-30 at the DCHS Field House. Hamilton and his assistant coaches and Red Demons will teach skill development with emphasizing practice techniques for both offense and defense. The classes are divided into grade for the current 2013-14 school year. Kindergarten through second grade will be from 8:30-10:30 a.m.; third through fifth grades from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; and sixth and seventh grades from 2-4:30 p.m. Cost is $45 for the smallest grade groups, and $55 for the other sessions. There is a family discount if more than one member from the same family registers. Each camper will receive a camp photo and t-shirt and the first 100 registered will also receive a basketball. Registration can be sent to Dennis Hamilton, 3004 Westview Ave., Dodge City, KS 67801. There will not be a registration confirmation before camp. For more information, call Hamilton at 227-1611 (ext. 2119) or e-mail at hamilton.dennis@usd443. org.
Lady Demons rout Great Bend By John Curtis Dodge City Daily Globe
The Dodge City Lady Demons dominated most of the play against Great Bend in their Western Athletic Conference girls soccer contest on the way to a 4-0 over the Lady Panthers. It took a little while for the Lady Demons to get on the board, but they overcame their sluggish start with a first half goal from Scarlett Real and a hat trick from Pamela Rosales in the second half to seal the win. Dodge City (6-6, 4-1) had a chance to take the early lead in the fourth minute after a Great Bend handball in the penalty area was called, but the penalty kick sailed too far left. A free kick in the eighth minute also resulted in a near miss with a third shot in the 15th minute sent right of the
INDOOR FOOTBALL
‘It’s a bird ... Joshua Floyd it’s a plane ... embraces his super hero persona as the Law’s it’s Floyd!’ cape-donning quarterback
Blue Jays beat Royals to avoid sweep KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Mark Buehrle pitched into the seventh inning, Juan Francisco and Colby Rasmus each went deep and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Kansas City Royals 7-3 Thursday night to avoid a series sweep. Francisco and Rasmus each drove in a pair of runs for Toronto, as did Anthony Gose, who was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo to start in place of injured outfielder Melky Cabrera. Buehrle (5-1) worked through plenty of trouble to last 6 2-3 innings, allowing two earned runs on seven hits and a pair of walks. It was a solid bounce-back performance after the lefthander was hammered for seven runs last Friday night against Boston. Aaron Loup pitched 2 1-3 shutout innings for his third career save.
Dodge City quarterback Joshua Floyd runs for a first down during action against the Lincoln Haymakers two weeks ago at United Wireless Arena. “Superman” might not wear the blue and red tights, but he does have the logo on his helmet. JOHN CURTIS/FILE PHOTO/DODGE CITY DAILY GLOBE By John Curtis Dodge City Daily Globe
Joshua Floyd has always been a fan of Superman and said he always dreamed of being the “Man of Steel.” Floyd loves showing that
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goal mouth. The Lady Demons finally got on the scoreboard in the 37th minute when Rebeca Martinez attacked the Lady Panther defense, then sent a pass to Real for the score just before halftime. The second half saw Dodge City continue to pressure Great Bend with Rosales getting her first goal in the 52nd minute off of pass from 10 yards away. Rosales’ next goal came in the 61st minute when she was able to score off a free kick that bounced off the Great Bend goalkeeper. Her final goal came in the 73rd minute when her bouncing shot from 40 yards got through for the last score of the game. Rosales scored five goals in the last two games for the Lady Demons. Great Bend remained win- Dodge City’s Scarlett Real takes a shot at goal while less on the season in both Great Bend defender Zaira Huitron tries to get back league and overall standings. into position. JOHN CURTIS/DODGE CITY DAILY GLOBE
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persona as he prepares for football games; expressing it during pre-game introductions for the Dodge City Law games by donning a Superman cape; and by the two Superman logo stickers the quarterback has on his helmet. “I just started liking him when I was a kid and it’s something I’ve adapted to as I got a little older,” he said. Law fans think he has been a superhero who has come in the nick of time to help keep the Law offense going ever since his arrival at United Wireless Arena just a day after flying in to work out for the team. Fans don’t know how close Floyd might not have been available. A few weeks before coming in to play for the Law, Floyd had been contemplating taking some time off away from football to get his batteries recharged. “I had been playing football for 23 years straight; always doing something, and I was thinking it may be time to take a break,” Floyd said. “I prayed about it and when this opportunity came up, I couldn’t pass it up. “It’s like something new.
It’s an expansion team and I really couldn’t pass it up.” Floyd has responded well since he got the call. The quarterback has completed 58.8 percent of his passes for 846 yards and 13 touchdowns to only four interceptions in his five games. He also has rushed for six touchdowns and 196 yards, including twice leaping over defenders ‘in a single bound’ for scores. “ That’s all to (Law head) coach (Sean) Ponder,” Floyd said. “He was making me feel more comfortable to keep the offense moving with the tools that I have to focus for a championship. It comes from the head coach and then the next person is the quarterback.” Superman has a Lex Luthor and Floyd has one in linebacker Walner Leandre during practices. Floyd said Leandre gets under his skin a little bit; but it only helps both of them when game time comes around. “He’s always talking about that he has my Kryptonite,” Floyd said. “He’s on my team, so I can handle that.”
Floyd said he had a little setback last week in the victory over the Kansas Coyotes; completing 12-of-21 passes for 112 yards, one interception and two touchdowns. He said it was because he had fallen into playing to the level of the opponents. He made up for that with his offense earlier this week by bringing in fast food for the squad to eat during their film sessions. “We didn’t have that cutthroat mentality to play as hard as we could for four quarters,” Floyd said. “That kind of falls back to me.” Ponder said Floyd tried to do too much in the Koyote victory; but knows the quarterback is mature enough to know when he makes mistakes and continues not to be overcome by the emotion that quarterbacks endure. “He’s a phenomenal athlete who does a lot of things that most players can’t do in this league,” Ponder said. “He’s getting better at throwing the football; and he’s definitely one of those guys who can make plays with his arm or his feet.”
