Leading off today: I'm both amused and disgusted by Jon Ellinghouse, but I'm leaning more toward amused.
Ellinghouse coaches varsity football at Sierra Canyon, a private school in Los Angeles. On Friday, during a game against nearby Gardena Serra, he lost patience with the opponent and orchestrated a ridiculous stunt.
After seeing Gardena Serra players drop to the turf one too many times with cramping episodes that looked suspiciously like a ruse to slow down the Sierra Canyon offense, Ellinghouse told his 11 offensive players to drop to the field simultaneously and pretend to be suffering cramps.
The
Los Angeles Times reported Gardena Serra coach Scott Altenberg had to be restrained from running onto the field, and 15-yard penalties were called on both teams.
Altenberg denied accusations of chicanery, but the newspaper reported there were no stoppages during the game for players on the Gardena Serra offense suffering mysterious cramps.
Sierra Canyon won, 30-0.
Rochester stadium in sorry shape
The city-owned Rochester stadium used by several high school football teams has a nearly $1 million problem.
Portions of Rochester Sports Community Complex -- previously known as PAETEC Park, Marina Auto Stadium, Sahlen's Stadium, Rochester Rhinos Stadium, Capelli Sport Stadium, and Marina Auto Stadium (again) -- are unsuitable for occupancy while the city figures out how to address the issues, WXXI reported.
"Water infiltration has been an ongoing issue that has affected all stadium suites, as well as the pantry, press box, and restrooms," reads a city request for proposals offering $900,000 to handle repairs. "This infiltration has led to damage of interior finishes and, in some areas, the presence of mold."
While others have been repaired recently, two upper-deck suites are closed due to water and related damage. One suffered fire damage during a previous repair attempt.
"It's been ongoing, you know, working to fix it for the entire time I've been here,” said Eric Rose, director of community athletics for the city since 2020. "There's been repairs, and then, you know, revisions to those repairs. ... It's been a constant, constant thing."
The source of the water problems, which began in 2016, is a funnel system that isn't sloped sufficiently to move water away from the suites.
The next schedule football game has McQuaid scheduled to take on University Prep on Friday.
College commitments
Berne-Knox-Westerlo senior
Shane Kirker has committed to continue his basketball career at the Air Force Academy. The 6-foot-7 wing was a first-team all-state selection in Class C last winter as the Bulldogs captured a NYSPHSAA championship.
He will have a five-year military service commitment following graduation.
Meanwhile, former Fonda-Fultonville quarterback Keegan Croucher is headed to the University of Mississippi. coached by Lane Kiffin. The SEC school's past QBs include New York Giants rookie Jaxson Dart, a three-year starter for Ole Miss.
Croucher led Fonda-Fultonville to the 2023 NYSPHSAA Class C title game as a freshman before transferring to Cheshire Academy in Connecticut.
