Battle Creek Enquirer from Battle Creek, Michigan • Page 29

SPORTS Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004 Battle Creek Enquirer 5D FeiiMiilFlelldl wiresttieirs cflafimni dkaaill toummey PREP ROUNDUP day and wrestled well throughout the tournament." MORE WRESTLING CONSTANTS INVITATIONAL Delton Kellogg's Jim Sweat and Dustin Morgan were crowned champions of the ,189 and 215-pound weight classes respectively, as the Panthers finished sixth of eight teams with 120 points. Springport won with 190. Also placing for the Panthers were Brett Bissett in fourth at 125 pounds, Tyler Harris third at 140, Clay Drewyor second at 171, Eric Ryan third at 275 and Nate "We just played consistent the whole day," Yoder said. "Unfortunately it wasn't as consistent as normal We've played better before." Lauren Frost led the Bearcats with 65 kills, 30 digs and 10 blocks, while Veronica Armstrong had 59 kills, 50 digs and nine blocks.

Tarin Kubiak had 173 assists and 26 kills, while Janelle Gradwell added 23 kills and Haley Bishop had 55 digs. BCC, which is in the hunt for its first SMAC Central championship, now has a record of 34-6. MARSHALL INVITATIONAL St. Philip, ranked second in Class beat Marshall 14-25, 25-19, 15-10 in the finals to take championship honors in the seven-team field. After finishing second in pool play, the Tigers (28-18-4) beat Vicksburg 25-16, 22-25, 15-13 in the semifinals to set up the finale with host Marshall (36-7).

came against Marysville by a score of 15-2, 15-8. Harper Creek's Jessica Stanton was named to the all-tournament for a performance that included 32 kills, 32 digs and eight blocks. Megan Galloway finished with 17 kills, 20 digs and five blocks, while Heather Frey added 18 kills, five digs and seven blocks. Tonia Ransey had 78 assists to go with 15 digs, while Jessica Fulgoni had 22 digs and Melissa Yoder finished with 20 digs for Harper Creek, which is 16-18-3. PREP BASKETBALL B.C HAWKS 58, JACKSON PATRIOTS 65 The Hawks (6-5) were led by Tommy Cary's 27 points and 17 rebounds in this overtime win late Friday.

Cary added four steals and four blocks in the Hawks' third straight win. The Enquirer JONESVILLE The Pennfield wrestlers swept five dual meets to take the team championship at the Jones ville Dual Tournament on Saturday. The Panthers defeated 38-33, Concord 60-24, fVandercook Lake 43-36, Pitts-; ford 50-30 and Reading 53-21. "We've got some kids that are coming along and moving around in our lineup to make us better," said new head coach Denny Koyl, who has temporarily assumed those duties from Dale Traister. Undefeated wrestlers for Pennfield on the day were Mike Warren at 119 pounds, Sam Tulegenov at 130, Jason Jones at 152 and Carl Jones at 189.

Aaron Swank went 4-1 at 215 pounds. "A lot of guys wrestled then-best for us, and Mike Warren had a big win to help us beat Jonesville," Koyl said. "(Warren) had a very good tion of how far Battle Creek Central's volleyball program has come than the team's disappointment with a runner-up finish at the Hamilton InvitationaL BCC, ranked sixth in Class had to settle for second place at the tournament after Hud-sonville beat the Bearcats 21-25, 25-19, 15-13 in the finals. And this is not a Bearcat team that likes settling. "Our bar has definitely been raised," BCC coach Dominic Yoder said.

"Now the expectation is not just to make it to the finals, but to win the finals." BCC reached the title match with a 25-27, 26-24, 25-19 win over DeWitt in the semifinals. The Bearcats also swept through all four of their pool play matches with a 25-15, 25-20 win over Ludington, a 25-14, 25-23 win over Grand Rapids Catholic Central, a 27-25, 25-23 win over Hamilton and a 25-20, 25-22 win over Holland. Pursell fourth at 275. VOLLEYBALL HAMILTON INVITATIONAL You'll find no better explana Sanders, Elway founr mdmctedl tat Hall Allison Doyle led St. Philip with 55 digs, 71 kills and 12 blocks, as teammate Abby Winget tallied 47 digs 29 kills and four blocks.

Amanda Horan had 145 assists for the Tigers, and Riley Grosso finished with eight key kills. For Marshall, which beat Gull Lake 25-16, 25-20 in the semis, Sarah Richardson finished with 43 kills, 76 digs and four blocks. Jenna Williams added 40 kills, 50 digs, 85 assists and 11 aces for Marshall, while Meagan Mackey had 21 kills and 14 blocks. 0W0SS0 TOURNAMENT Harper Creek won three of its four pool matches before a 15-2, 15- 7 quarterfinal loss ended the Beavers' run at Owosso. The Beavers placed second in their pool with a 15-3, 15-5 win over Montrose, a i6'i5, 15-12 win over Gabriel Richard and a 15-3, 16- 14 victory against Brandon.

Harper Creek's lone pool loss 31 '-C1 chance. "He was an impact player," she said. "He helped get other impact players in the Hall of Fame, and he changed the game." NFL REINSTATES BROWNS RB Cleveland Browns running back William Green was reinstated by the NFL, which lifted its indefinite suspension after he completed treatment program. Green was suspended for four games in November for violating the league's substance-abuse program. The ban was extended while he got help for drug and alcohol abuse at a facility in Boston.

Team spokesman Todd Stewart said the second-year back recently returned to the Browns' training complex. Green's suspension came after he was charged with drunken driving and marijuana possession on Oct. 27. I '4 HALL, from ID "When I think about the Hall of Fame, it seems like that's something that happens to someone else," Sanders said. "You think Dick Butkus, Walter Payton, names of that light.

To be here, I truly feel, in some ways, a little out of place." Speaking about himself and Elway, he said: "They saw something that was unique in us, something they might not see on any old Sunday." What was unique was that Elway and Sanders made the extraordinary look easy. "When the game was on the line, he was like Michael Jordan," said Dan Reeves, who coached Elway in Denver's three Super Bowl losses. "He wanted the football. In those situations, I don't know if I know anyone that did a better job." That's not how life in the NFL began for Elway. Though he was the top pick in the 1983 draft, he was benched at haLftime in his first NFL game and really didn't mind.

"I said, 'Auntie Em, take me home," Elway recalled. "I don't want to be here any longer, staring at Jack Lambert drooling spit." Elway led the Broncos on 47 fourth-quarter winning or tying drives, including the famous 98-yard march that helped Denver win the 1986 AFC championship in Cleveland. He was the 1987 league MVP and will be the only Bronco in the Hall of Fame when he is inducted this sum- mer. Even if he'd lost those final two Super Bowls, in 1998 and '99, Elway would have been a slam-dunk Hall of Famer. And it's hard to believe he would have been satisfied if he hadn't won at least one.

"Of course, I lied. I said it would be complete," Elway said. "Then we won one." Sanders, who never played in a Super Bowl, simply walked away from the game five years ago even though Payton's NFL rushing mark of 1,457 yards was well within reach. "The guy would have held every record in the NFL if he hadn't retired," Elway said. "It's truly an honor to go in with a guy like Barry." Said linebacker Dwayne Rudd: "Barry Sanders is the only guy who can go east and west at the same speed at the Hall of Fame Thumbnails BOB BROWN Offensive Tackle, 6-4, 280 NFL career 1964-1968 Philadelphia Eagles, 1969-1970 Los Angeles Rams, 1971-1973 Oakland Raiders.

Notes Eagles' first-round pick (2nd player overall) of 1964 NFL Draft, also Denver Broncos' first-round pick (first player overall) of 1964 AFL Draft. Played 10 seasons, 126 games. An aggressive blocker, he used his size and strength to neutralize pass rushers. Traded to Los Angeles in 1969, after four all-league seasons with Eagles. That year Rams offensive line set an NFL record for protecting the passer.

Named All-NFL seven of 10 seasons (1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970. 197L 1972). Named NFLNFC offensive lineman of the year three times. Chosen to play in six Pro Bowls three with Eagles, two with Rams, and one with Raiders. CARLELLER Defensive End, 6-6, 247 NFL career.

1964-1978 Minnesota Vikings, 1979 Seattle Seahawks. Notes: Drafted by Minnesota Vikings (NFL) and Buffalo Bills (AFL), both in the first-round. Played 16 seasons, 225 games. Became a regular as a rookie and held job for 15 seasons. During Eller's tenure.

Vikings won 10 NFC Central Division crowns, 1969 NFL title, NFC championships in 1973, 1974, 1976, advanced to four Super Bowls. A major factor in the ferocious defensive unit known as "Purple People Recorded 44 QB sacks in 1975, 1976, 1977 period. Recovered 23 opponents' fumbles, third-best mark in history at time of retirement. All-Pro, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973. All-NFC five times Selected to six Pro Bowls.

JOHN ELWAY Quarterback, 6-3, 215 NFL career 1983-1998 Denver Broncos. Notes: Selected by Baltimore Colts in first round (first player overall) of 1983 draft. Was immediately traded to Broncos for two veteran players and 1984 first-round pick. Played 16 seasons, 234 games. Led his team to five victories in six AFC championship games and two Super Bowl wins.

Directed a record 47 fourth-quarter game-winning or game-tying drives. Only player in NFL history to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 200 yards in same season seven consecutive times. Ranks second all-time in three of the game's most significant passing categories, passing yards attempts completions Selected to nine Pro Bowls, a first- or second-team All-Pro three times, first- or second-team All-AFC five times. Named the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 1987, the 1993 AFC Offensive Player of the Year and the 1999 Super Bowl Most Valuable Player. BARRY SANDERS Running Back, 5-8, 203 NFL career 1989-1998 Detroit Lions.

Notes: Selected by Lions in first round (3rd player overall) of 1989 draft Played 10 seasons, 153 games. Rushed for yards in each of 10 seasons, first ever to do so. In 1997, became third person to gain 2,000 yards in a season. His 1,470 yards rushing during rookie season, just 10 yards short of the league's best for the year. Led all rushers in 1990 (1,304 yards), 1994 (L883 yards), 1996 (1,553 yards), and 1997 (2,053 yards).

In 1997, gained 100-plus yards rushing in record 14 consecutive regular season games. Named league MVP in 1997. First- or second-team All-Pro ten consecutive seasons. First running back to record five L500-yard rushing seasons, and only back to do so in four consecutive seasons (1994-1997). Named to Pro Bowl 10 times.

Held nearly all Lions' rushing records (15,269 yards), and numerous NFL records, at time of retirement ASSOCIATED PRESS From left, Carl Eller of the Minnesota Vikings, Barry Sanders of the Detroit Lions and John Elway of the Denver Broncos pose after being named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday in Houston. Joining them in the Class of 2004 was Bob Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles. amoeg me," Eller said. "It took a long time to come, but it made me understand that some things just do take a long time." Eller, who played in four Super Bowls, joins Vikings defensive linemate Alan Page in the hall. "Carl was ahead of his time," former Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton said.

"He was a huge man, he had great speed, he had great athletic ability, he had great intellect. He understood the game, and he was the dominant outside pass rusher of his day." Two other finalists, Dallas tackle Rayfield Wright and wide receiver Bob Hayes, didn't receive enough votes to get in. Also denied entry after making the final 15 were Harry Carson, Richard Dent, Cliff Harris, Lester Hayes, Bob Kuechen-berg, Jim Marshall a teammate of Eller and Page Art Monk, George Young and Gary Iowa's Nathan Chandler to Texas Tech receiver Carlos Francis. On the next play, Fleming's 3-yard dive cut the deficit to 31-28. Chandler was 6-of-ii for 152 yards.

With 10:34 remaining, Wisconsin quarterback Jim Sorgi went to work from the North's own 19. Completing four straight passes for 62 yards, Sorgi moved the ball to the South 7 to put Fleming in position for his winning run. "Troy Fleming made a name for Wmself today," said Georgia coach Mark Richt, coach of die South team. Fleming rushed a game-high 11 times after halftime because of an injury to a teammate. Pittsburgh's Brandon Miree ran for a 4-yard touchdown early in the first quarter to tie the game at 7, but a bad hamstring limited him to one carry the rest of the way.

"That's a shame, because he's trying to get to the NFL like everybody else," Fleming said. The South went up 31-21 mid 4 North wins, Gridiron Classic records fall Zimmerman. The family of the late Bob Hayes was disappointed, but not surprised, that he failed to, make the final cut. Hayes, a double Olympic sprint champion who went on to redefine the role of wide receiver, made it further than ever the selection process. His family believes his problems with drug addiction after his retirement in 1975 hurt his chances, even though he had turned his life around long before he died in September 2002.

"We're in America, and I think the people who were making the decisions are making it in regard to the environment they live in," said Hayes' sister, Lucille Hester. "We have to accept that." Because Brown needed 26 years to make it through the veterans' committee, Hester believes her brother still has a way through the third quarter on Nebraska quarterback Jammal Lord's 15-yard keeper. Three minutes earlier, Georgia kicker Billy Bennett broke a tie with a 21-yard field goaL But South co-head coach Pete Kuharchek said that was the key possession. An interception had given the South the ball in the Red Zone, but the running game stalled and they were unable to score. "That was the four-point swing right there.

That was the game," said Kuharchek, who coaches in NFL Europe. The Gridiron Classic was played in Orlando's Citrus Bowl the previous five years, but dwindling attendance prompted a move to The Villages. The game's organizers were hoping for an infusion of spirit, and that's what they got The retirees, in a hundreds of golf carts, arrived early for tailgate parties. Almost everyone wore jackets and hats in their school colors to ward off the chill, damp weather. same time." 1 "God only one pair of feet like that on a human being," said Fritz Shurmur, former defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers.

Brown, a six-time Pro Bowl tackle for the Eagles, Rams and Raiders, was one of the most fearsome blockers of his time. The second overall pick in the 1964 draft, the 6-foot-4, 280-pounder small by today's standards was a dominant player until retiring in 1973. "I am just flabbergasted," he said. "I was up all night. It is like waiting on a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Eller, a mainstay of the Minnesota Vikings' Purple People Eaters defensive line, played 16 seasons and 225 games. A five-time All-Pro, he used speed and guile to trap quarterbacks long before the sack was an official statistic. "This is a great moment for Gridiron Classic Area Players Michigan: Grant Bowman, DT; Carl Diggs LB; Norman Heuer, DT. Michigan State: Paul Harker, Greg Taplin.DE; Joe Tate, G. Western Michigan: Kendrick Mpsley, WR.

Notre Dame: Cedric Hilliard, DT. deficit. He also had a 3-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter. Florida running back Ran Carthon led the South with 73 yards. He opened the game with a 7-yard touchdown run.

The 66 points and 704 yards of total offense were also Gridiron Classic records. The game was played at The Villages, a massive retirement community 60 miles northwest of Orlando. More than 12,300 fans including hundreds of alumni from the schools that sent players packed a temporary stadium on a converted polo field. Fleming's first touchdown was set up by 48-yard pass from St -25 1 w. 4 jfi 6 Associated Press LADY LAKE, Fla.

Even after a record-setting performance, Tennessee running back Troy Fleming wanted to give credit to bis Gridiron Classic teammates. Fleming earned MVP honors by rushing for 101 yards on 19 carries both game records and his two second-half touchdown runs rallied the North to a 35-31 win Saturday. "The offensive line was getting off well, the fullback was blocking well and the holes were there," Fleming said. "When that's happening, all you've got to do is get the ball and run with it" The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Fleming showed in college football's last all-star game that he can be a featured back. He played full- back for the Volunteers, carrying the ball only 84 times in 47 games.

2 "Hopefully, I've raised my stock," Fleming said. Fleming's 7-yard scoring run5 with 7:24 remaining capped the comeback from a 10-point ASSOCIATED PRESS North team fullback Carey Davis, center, of Illinois, is congratulated by teammates Sean Ryan, left, of Boston College, and Paul Harker, of Michigan State, during the first half of The Gridiron Classic..