New Jersey Bans Trash Talking in High School Sports

New Jersey high school athletes who talk trash could find themselves penalized and themselves under investigation by state officials.

In announcing the new policy, The New Jersey State Interscholastic Association and the State Attorney General's Office said it brings athletic events into line with the state's anti-bullying law for schools.

According to the policy, sports participants could be in trouble and under investigation by the State's Civil Rights Division if they make harassing statements related to gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

Steven Timko, executive director for the agency, said in a statement that obscene gestures, profanity or "unduly provocative language or action toward officials, opponents or spectators" also won't be tolerated.

The new rules, which take effect in the fall, apply to athletes and coaches at the nearly 400 public, private and parochial high schools that belong to the NJSIAA.

Coaches will be responsible for reminding players about the trash-talking policy.

Referees would also be required to report incidents for possible further investigation. If discriminatory remarks are heard, they can assess immediate penalties.

The big question is.....Will the WIAA follow New Jersey?????

West 30, East 6 in Earl Barden Football Classic

Lakewood's Justin Peterson caught 7 balls for 107 yards as the West topped the East 30-6 in the Earl Barden Classic at Earl Barden Field in Yakima Saturday afternoon.

The Central Washington University signee, worked this week exclusively at Wide Receiver, where CWU is interested in Peterson playing, and meshed well with Lynden's Josh Kraght. Peterson's efforts earned him West Offensive MVP honors.

"This was a great experience, especially with my coach (Dan Teeter) here on the staff," Peterson told Scott Spurill of the Yakima Herlad-Republic. "I've had some older teammates play in this game and they always said, 'If you get the chance, you have to do it-don't pass it up.' It wasn't just a game, it was really cool the whole week."

Peterson, a state triple jump champion, caught five passes in the second panel and showed great chemistry with Lynden QB Josh Kraght. The two hooked up on gains of 40, 23 and 10 yards, the last going for a score that put the West up 27-6 with 23 seconds left in the second panel.

The West dominated this one, 432 yards - 184 on the ground and 248 thru the air, scoring 4 of their touchdowns in its seven first half possessions. The West defense was opportunistic in forcing six turnovers and held the East to 21 yards on the ground. Tumwater's Jamie Bryant, 6-5, 260 pound defensive lineman was key to the West's effort, and was voted the West Defensive MVP. Bryant will be heading to Montlake and the University of Washington.

Though the West air attack was outstanding, the ground gain was as good, rushing for 140 yards in the first quarter with touchdown runs by Capital's Kai Van Sickle and Hoquiam's Nolan Hoiness.

The East did have its chances however. West Valley (Spokane) Tyler Stavnes connected with Othello's Juston Lind on a 67-yard scoring strike that drew the East to 14-6 early in the second stanza. But turnovers proved costly in this contest.

Lind had 4 receptions for 112 yards in the first half but left the contest with a separated shoulder. Lind earned the East Offensive MVP. Royal's Brady Dixon was the East Defensive MVP.

West 30
East 6

SCORING:

West - Kai Van Sickle 56-yard run (Derrick Holt kick)

West - Nolan Hoiness 3-yard run (Holt kick)

East - Juston Lind 67-yard pass from Tyler Stavnes (kick failed)

West - Caleb Taylor 40-yard pass from Josh Kraght (kick blocked)

West - Justin Peterson 10-yard pass from Kraght (Holt kick)

West - Field Goal Holt 22-yards

INDIVIDUAL STATS:

RUSHING:West: Van Sickle, 8-68, Andrew Brown, 5-46, Hoiness, 5-40, Brandon Pritchett, 6-17, Dahlton Zavala, 5-17, Taylor Martindale 2-minus 1, Lars Blix, 1-minus 1, Kraght, 1-minus 1. East: Derek Smith, 3-28, Alex Myrick, 10-8, Kody Bartlett, 1-7, Fabian Alvarez, 2-4, Stavnes, 4-minus 5, Lind, 2-minus 11.

PASSING: West: Kraght, 13-21-0-225, Blix, 2-3-0-13, Martindale, 2-3-0-1 East: Myrick, 18-34-2-183, Stavnes, 9-13-1-148, D. Smith, 2-3-1-30.

RECEIVING: West: Peterson 7-107, Taylor 4-80, Zach Vis 2-19, Van Sickle 1-21, Holt 1-15, Hoiness 1-4, Brown 1-2 East: D. Smith 6-72, Bartlett 6-35, Lind 4-112, Alvarez 4-38, Caleb Wiebe 3-13, Koleman Johns 2-46, Dalton Estes 2-29, Austin Johnson 1-12, Dalton Hansen 1-4.

Combined Allocations for 2013 District 7 & 9 1B & 2B Playoff Football

I know it is early in the game, but thanks to Bob Kirk, WIAA District 9 Director for sharing the 2013 District 7 & 9 Combined Allocations for 1B & 2B Football Playoffs.







DISTRICT 7 & 9 1B - COMBINED ALLOCATIONS = 5

D7: NE #5 will play D9: SE #1...Winner will be Dist. 7/9 1B #1
D7: NE #6 will play D7: NE #1...Winner will be Dist. 7/9 1B #2
D7: NE #4 will play D9: SE #2...Winner will be Dist. 7/9 1B #3
D9: SE #4 will play D7: NE #2...Winner will be Dist. 7/9 1B #4
D7: NE #3 will play D9: SE #3...Winner will be Dist. 7/9 1B #5

DISTRICT 7 & 9 2B - COMBINED ALLOCATIONS = 5

D7: NE #5 will play D9: SE #1...Winner will be Dist. 7/9 2B #1
D9: SE #5 will play D7: NE #1...Winner will be Dist. 7/9 2B #2
D9: SE #4 will play D7: NE #2...Winner will be Dist. 7/9 2B #3
D7: NE #4 will play D9: SE #2...Winner will be Dist. 7/9 2B #4
D7: NE #3 will play D9: SE #3...Winner will be Dist. 7/9 2B #5

Rochester Hires Football Coach

For the second straight year, Rochester High School has hired an assistant from Black Hills High School. This time, it is Defensive Coordinator Eric Snelson as its new football coach.

Snelson had been the Wolves' Defensive Coordinator and also coached linebackers for Coach Jack Zilla, who resigned at Black Hills after 15 seasons in February. Snelson replaces Chris Barnes, a former Black Hills assistant under Zilla, who resigned after one season at Rochester. Several former Black Hills assistants, including Zilla, are on Snelson's new coaching staff at Rochester.

Snelson is Rochester's seventh coach since the departure of Bob Wollan, now at WF West High School, in 2002 and the fourth coach since 2010. After Paul Christensen stepped down following the 2010 season, Tom Griggs, and Barnes each coached for one year in 2011 and 2012 respectively. Last fall, under Barnes, the Warriors went 2-7.

Snelson, who also teaches math, played tight end for Stanford, where he was All Pac-10 honorable mention player in 1987. He also played linebacker briefly for the Los Angeles Raiders (1988 and 1989.

A Time To Honor Our Heroes

Teachers are Heroes

I have admired teachers all my life. Some of my biggest role models have been my teachers. To me they are truly heroes. And what happened in Moore, Oklahoma last week, just reinforces my love, admiration and respect for teachers.

A newspaper article by Jena McGregor of the Washington Post caught my eye the other day. Ms. McGregor summed it up by saying: "Some are calling them heroes. The teachers in Moore, Ok. insist they were just doing their job."

But one thing is for certain: the teachers who risked their own lives to protect the children in their care as a devastating tornado ripped the roofs off their schools were being leaders. In tale after heart-wrenching tale, they exhibited courage in the most terrifying of circumstances, calmed the fears of those around them, and put the needs of the people in their charge before their own. I can't think of a better way to describe a leader.

There are stories of Rhonda Crosswhite and Jennifer Doan, who used their bodies as shields. There's the unnamed teacher who reportedly underneath a car, shielding three students beneath her. And there was Tammy Glasgow, who told her students she loved them, and had them play their musical instruments throughout the storm as loud as they could, maybe in hopes they could drive away the fear of the storm.

Teachers may not hold lofty titles and they certainly don't take home executive-sized pay, but these Oklahoma teachers - especially those in Moore and Sandy Hook, and teachers all around the United States, show their students every day that real leaders are right there in their midst.

East Roster for the 19th Earl Barden Football Classsic

Here is the tentative roster for the East Squad for the 19th Earl Barden Football Classic, set for June 19 at Earl Barden Field on the campus of East Valley High School in Yakima.

Fabian Alverez, WR/DB, Cascade
Kody Bartlett, RB/LB, River View
Trevor Cooper, RB/LB, West Valley (Yakima)
Zach Corean, OL/DL, Cheney
Derek Darlington, OL/LB, Cascade
Brady Dixon, TE/LB, Royal
Dalton Estes, WR/DB, Waitsburg-Prescott
Derek Gilbert, OL/DL, Othello
Kyle Hall, OL/DL, River View
Dalton Hansen, RB/DB, Deer Park
Kenny Hood, OL/DL, East Valley (Yakima)
Ian Hurst, OL/DL, Asotin
Koleman Johns, WR/DB, Naches Valley
Austin Johnson, RB/LB, Mark Morris
Ben Johnstone, WR/LB, Chewelah
Kasey Kelly, WR/DB, Medical Lake
Shane Kelly, OL/DL, Mark Morris
Tyler Kretschman, QB/DB, Cle Eulum-Roslyn
Juston Lind, WR/DB, Othello
John Mellor, OL/DL, Colfax
Mitchell Millsap, RB/DL, Cle Elum-Roslyn
Tyler Morris, RB/DB, Liberty Christian
Jake Morse, OL/DL, Newport
Max Mueller, DE, Tekoa-Oakesdale-Rosalia
Alex Myrick, QB/DB, Royal
Ty Poole, RB/DB, Kittitas
Mahliek Roberts, RB/DB, Cashmere
Sergio Rodriguez, OL/LB, Deer Park
Eric Rosellini, TE/DB, RA Long
Alex Simpson, RB/DB, White Swan
Derek Smith, QB/DB, Chewelah
Tyler Stavnes, QB/DB, West Valley (Yakima)
Armando Tafoya, OL/LB, Quincy
Dylan Tarver, OL/DL, Cashmere
Matthew Trottier, TE/DE, Lakeside
Derek Valdez, OL/DL, Othello
Caleb Wiebe, WR/DB, ChewelaH

HEAD COACH: Jim Fisk, Chewelah
ASSISTANTS: Pat Gaffney, Chewelah, Keith Stamps, Deer Park, Zac Farnam, Newport