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10 The Southfield Jay / October 2009 SPORTS Photo by Craig Lewis Carrying on: Junior Daevon Robinson, number 32, takes the ball from sophomore Brandon Watkins, to run it down the field. The Jays went on to defeat Rochester 32-0 before a full Homecoming crowd. New players fill varsity ranks By Cory Jackson Sports Editor The Varsity Football Team is feeling the loss of last year’s group of graduating seniors. Last year’s team was the most successful football team Southfield High School has ever seen, defeating powerhouses like Harrison High School and cross-town rivals Southfield- Lathrup and going all the way to Regionals. So far this year, the Blue Jays have suffered painful losses to Harrison (12-34) and Rochester Adams (38-0), squeaked past Stoney Creek (22-17) but soundly defeated Rochester (32-0), Farmington (35-11) and Seaholm (33-7). Super Blue Jays such as Tim Keith, Sidney Avery, Travon Johnson and Terron Turner have all left the Blue Jay nest and flocked to different college teams. Now a new group of Blue Jays is trying with mixed success to Art Knitting Mills Serving Students since 1930 (248) 356-3404 www.artknittingmillsonline.com Specializing in * Varsity Jackets * Varsity Sweaters * Chenille Patches & Letters * Cheerleading Uniforms 23047 BEECH ROAD, Southfield, MI 48033 $10 off $5 OFF JACKET New orders only SWEATER Must present at time of order step up and fill the spots left by those graduates. Attempting to fill a few of those empty spaces are seniors Kevin Harmon, Jonathan Mackey, Alonzo Graham and Kevin Kelly, who all have something in common: they came to Southfield High from Henry Ford High School for a better education and football opportunities. Then there’s Brandon Watkins, a sophomore who came to Southfield last year, and Justin Dansey who is also a sophomore and attends University High but has permission to play for Southfield High. Both Watkins and Dansey have helped the team by filling the quarterback position left by Eddie Beal, who graduated. Harmon said, “Southfield has better educational opportunities than our other school., and the football team is more organized and disciplined.” Graham added, “There’s no gang violence, and the band is so much more live.” The spots that needed to be filled were mostly defensive positions and luckily Mackey and Harmon play linebacker, Graham plays cornerback and Kelly plays defensive end. Thus far, the new crop of players has yet to prove that they can go as far or further as last year’s team. As for some of the returning players, they are happy that their football family is growing with talented players. Senior offensive linemen Dijon Ways says, “Everybody is working great together. We’re working as one unit.” The football team’s next attempt to surpass last year’s unprecedented 11-2 record will be Oct. 16, when the Blue Jays take on Troy, at Troy. Sports briefs Track star earns world title Track star Bridgette Owens has returned for her last year of high school with a new title. This summer Owens traveled to Bressanone, Italy, for track. Overall Owens placed third in the world against teens 17 and up. “I believe I performed well, but as I looked at the race on television, back in Michigan, I discovered some things I could have done differently,” Owens said. She’d like to improve her form and her control over her nerves, she said. The main thing Owens learned in Italy is to stay Bridgette Owens calm while running and just have fun. Owens has been running track since she was 7 years old, and it became much more of a serious sport at age 12. “Track is my life,” Owens said. - Sierra Mays Girls’ Golf putters along The Girls’ Golf team is off to a rocky start, but they still are determined to do well, said Coach Steve Sharp. Six girls play on the team: junior Marissa Katz, and seniors Robyn Baynes, Revati Nkosu, Angelica Brown, junior Kiairra Hill and Brittany McGhee. Three of the players are new golfers. According to Sharp, the girls are improving every week. “The team just needs a little bit of work, but we still love the game and are hard workers,” said Baynes. The team’s final Robyn Baynes record is 2-6 with wins against Pontiac and Southfield- Lathrup. They are 2-4 in their league. Their home course is Beech Woods Golf Course on 9 Mile and Beech Daly . - Leslie Summerville V-ball team dominates court The undefeated Girls’ Varsity Volleyball team is dominating the court with wins against Ferndale (25-8) , Pontiac (25-8 25-9, 25, 12), and Southfield- Lathrup 25-18, 25-17,25-18. “Our biggest competition would have to be Country Day,” said junior Noelle Hairston. “They’re also a really good team and work very hard.” - Leslie Summerville
Andrew’s ‘A’ Game By Andrew Melton Money blinds NFL rookies What ever happened to wanting to play in the National Football League just to play in the NFL? Being known as one of the world’s greatest athletes, winning a championship and scoring the game- winning touchdown were all thoughts that ran through our minds when we fantasized about playing in the NFL. Now, something bizarre happens to athletes between the time they begin college ball to the day they are drafted. Money becomes the motive. How do I know this? Well an increasing number of college stars are holding out on the teams that drafted them. And, of course, the main - if not the only - reason is because they want more money. Now, everyone who gets drafted wants that new car and to buy his mom a house. But since when has $20 million as opposed to $24 million not been enough money to do that? Yes, I am referring to former Texas Tech Wide Receiver Michael Crabtree, who seems to be, if the San Francisco 49ers cannot sign him by November 17 th , the first player to ever re-enter a draft after failing to sign with the team that drafted him. Obviously Crabtree is disappointed that he was not drafted higher in the first round. After all, he is a two-time Biletnikoff Award winner for being the best college receiver in the nation. However, instead of trying to get topthree draft pick money when he was not a top-three draft pick, he can show that he should have been in the top three through his performance on the football field. Do not think I am turning a blind eye to the veteran NFL players such as Steven Jackson and Terrell Owens, who held out for more cash in their bank accounts. However, there is one huge difference between these players and draftees. They have actually proven themselves in the NFL. If Crabtree is as good as he thinks he is, the money will follow. As for the 49ers, if Crabtree goes, the money stays. By Andrew Melton Sports Writer SPORTS At 5 foot 9 inches and 185 pounds, senior wide receiver and linebacker Kalon Willis can be described as a leader and veteran for the Blue Jays football team. Willis is a triple threat athlete, also wrestling for the wrestling team and running for the track team. Math teacher and Varsity Football Coach Milton Jones, who has coached Willis for three years, shares his thoughts on one of his captains, saying, “He is disciplined, a hard worker, and versatile. An all-around good kid and player that should play a sport at the next level.” Willis’ work ethic shows up in the classroom, too, as he has a 3.2 grade point average. College choices for Willis include Central Michigan University, Bowling Green, Grand Valley State and Wayne State, all of which are scouting him for football. Kalon was one of the few juniors who started all last season, playing a big part in the Blue Jays’ record-setting playoff run. He says he realizes the team has a tough route to run if they are to top last season’s successes. The Southfield Jay / October 2009 11 PLAYER PROFILE: Veteran Blue Jay plays wide receiver This or That By Craig Lewis Best restaurant Favorite TV show Ralph Lauren or Beverly Hills Polo Best college football team Math or English Photo by Cory Jackson Tough stuff: Senior Kalon Willis dresses for football practice in the Blue Jay locker room. Willis is in his fourth season on the Blue Jay football team and intends to play at the college level. Strong motivation drives every great athlete, and Willis is no different, simply wanting to work hard to become the best possible football player. His teammates speak highly of him. Varsity center Jesse Boone sums up Willis as “a good friend that can be trusted on and off the field.” William Lyons Dijon Ways Jazmin Miller Yvette Overton Golden Corral Little Caesars Red Lobster YaYa’s Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Johnny Test The Game Sponge Bob Square Pants Ralph Lauren Ralph Lauren Ralph Lauren Ralph Lauren Texas Tech Grambling State Michigan State Penn State Math Math English Math
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Page 7 and 8: By Logan Patmon Editor-in-Chief Sou
Page 9: By Revati Nkosu Staff Writer Southf

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