A view from the sidelines at Bearskin Bowl 3 and other observations

Hi There. I know what you're thinking. Why wasn't there an entry Monday? Well I have a few good reasons, but I'll use this one as my alibi. Being the fill-in host on the Morning Club is tough. I don't know how Dan does it 5 days a week. Pete can drive a person nuts on occasion, but most of the time its fun doing the show with him. As for last weekend I spent most of it dodging the raindrops and the monsoon Saturday. My cousin Andy Basso and his son Brent came up with 3 of his teammates from the East Greenwich High School rowing club. They participated in the Head of the Fish Regatta at Saratoga Lake and his team representing the Narraganset Boat Club finished second in the boys novice 8. The race went off at 8am and it was cold and damp. Seeing the rowing up close was neat. The oars on the boats are huge! Like about 12 feet tall huge. They arrived in town Friday night and we went out for dinner and afterward I gave them the tour of the radio station. After the football game we broadcast from Hudson Falls was over, I was completely spent. Got home, took a hot shower, ate some hot soup and was in bed by 7:30pm. Every once in a while you need one of those mornings where you can stay under the covers and not worry. Sunday was that morning.
On to other stuff. Upset specials. Last week was a total disaster. Tennessee and the Falcons both took the gas pipe. Well another week brings two more upset specials. Lets hope the results are better. It couldn't get any worse. O.K for the college I see the Duke Blue Devils knocking off the Demon Deacons of Wake Forest. Your pro upset special has the J-E-T-S beating the Bills. Buffalo doesn't recover after losing to the Dolphins.
If I had any courage I would have called my brother-in-law Mike and rubbed in the fact that last weekend teams from NY and NJ swept teams from Pittsburgh. 3 for 3. The Rangers over the Pens was nice, Giants over the Steelers was nicer, but Rutgers spanking the Pitt Panthers. That was the best of all three. Did I actually see Mike Teel throw 6 TD passes in the game? It happened. No complaints from this Scarlet Knights fan.
High School Musical 3 made 42 million dollars at the box office over the weekend. Excuse me while I yawn with my mouth wide open.
I heard that Carol Alt is posing for Playboy. Who cares. Remember her from Celebrity Apprentice? She's a total freak and into one of those whacked out diets where you only eat raw food. I liked her better when she ate cooked food and was married to Ron Greshner.
Hoda Kotb should be anointed sainthood for having to work with Kathie Lee Gifford on the Today show. I wonder how often does she think, " I gave up doing serious journalism for this gig? My career has gone down the toilet."
I feel no guilt over not watching any of the World Series. Bud Selig just finds ways to screw things up doesn't he? Good for the Phillies. They deserved to win and this is one Mets fan who has no hint of bitterness or jealousy. I thought they would win the NL East and they proved me right.
This weeks high school game on the mighty WWSC is Canajoharie at Fort Edward in a Class D play-off game. The Cougars probably are right now trying to figure out how to stop Tyler Carpenter, who has been on a tear right now. I like the balance of Canajoharie with Payton Stahler, Dane ONeill and Dylan Slater. This should be a good tough battle for both teams. The other game to watch is Hudson Falls at Cohoes. The winner of this game should win the class B sectional title.
Thanks to everyone Wednesday night who showed up and made it to Lake George High for Bearskin Bowl 3. The game once again raised some good money and ended in a 26 - 26 tie. I played for Warrensburg this year and finally I got to wear a jersey number that suited me. F.Y.I. That was me wearing number 11 for the Blue and Gold. The past 2 years I had a lineman's number. I can't make a block to save the quarterbacks life. I look better trying to run a pass route and wearing numbers in the teens or the eighties. The other thing I enjoy about playing in the game is I now understand why guys who play or have played football at the high school or any level love the game so much. Being on the sideline wearing your teams' jersey, having people cheering for you and feeding off that emotion while being on the field. I get it and I liked it. It's totally different than the one I felt with basketball.
Remember to set your clocks back 1 hour and check the batteries on your smoke detectors as well as the radon and carbon monoxide detectors before going to bed Saturday.
Thanks Lisa Miner for the apple pie. It was delicious. I'll send some pumpkin pie home with Dan for you sometime.
Enjoy the weekend and I would have caught that pass Doug...Leccese out.

Don't invite an ex to your wedding and the upset specials

Hi There. Since I'm pinch hitting for Dan the next 3 days, you're getting everything a day early. First the upset specials. This weeks college upset special comes from the SEC where the other team in Tennessee, namely the Volunteers will sing that annoying fight song and defeat the Crimson Tide of Alabama. The pro upset special had me leaning toward the Monday night game, but instead I'll take the much improved Falcons over the Eagles.
This weeks high school game on WWSC Saturday at 2pm is a first round Class B game between Albany Academy at Hudson Falls. The two met earlier this year in Week 2 and the Tigers came out on top 14-13 on a blocked extra point in the 4th quarter. The Cadets loved to throw the ball and Jimmer Bennett is the Section 2 all-time leading receiver. He also led Section 2 this year with 882 yards receiving on 61 catches which was 31 more than Dane O'Neill of Canajoharie. The Tigers will just keep giving the ball to Joe McMurry who in the last two games against Albany Academy has rushed for 632 yards. The line for HF is big and physical. They can push you around.
One more football note and it doesn't involve Tom Brady's knee, Brett Favre calling Matt Millen, Plaxico Burress and his big mouth or the Dallas Cowboys. Wednesday night I hope you can make it up to Lake George High School for Bearskin Bowl 3 at 6pm. Its a charity flag football game between the Lake George faculty and the Warrensburg faculty. It's raised some good money for good causes. I'm playing again and this year I was traded to Warrensburg. Don't get me wrong I love Warrensburg and its a great small town. However, I bleed the Navy Blue and Silver. My high school alma mater in NJ share the same colors as Lake George. Oh well, that's the way it goes. Maybe this year I'll finally get the chance to run a route and catch a pass instead of attempting to block as a lineman. Go Blue and Gold!
While channel surfing the other night I saw Tom Bergeron hosting "Dancing with the Stars." Talk about sad. Tom deserves better. He used to co-host a show on FX and two of his colleagues were Jeff Probst who hosts "Survivor, and Phil Keoghan from "Amazing Race" fame. Talk about drawing the short straw.
Another sign of the apocalypse. AC/DC's new release being sold in Wal-Mart.
If you're a fan of "How I Met Your Mother," the book "The Bro Code" written by Barney Stinson has been published and is now in book stores.
Morgan Pavlot will be 3 years old tomorrow. The sound you just heard was the new age spot that has exploded somewhere on her Uncle Kenny's arm.
Finally, today's lesson of the day courtesy of "How I Met Your Mother." Don't invite an ex to your wedding. By the way, Robin is way hotter than Stella...Leccese out.

How bout them Rays and other Weekend Observations

Hi There. If you had the RedSox and the Dodgers in the World Series to quote Warner Wolf, "You Lost!" Good for the Rays and Phillies. If I were a member of the Phillies don't quote Brooks Robinson when asked about the Mets in 1969. He said something like this. "We're here to prove there is no such thing as Santa Claus." He still refuses to believe the Mets were better. Jimmy Rollins keep quiet for your teams sake. We all have this obsession with TV ratings more than we do about the best two teams playing for the title. If the casual sports fan can't get behind what Joe Maddon has done with the Rays, they're not fans. He knew he had a good team that was ready to break out just like Gil Hodges felt about the Mets. He told people they could win between 90 and 100 games. Evan Longoria is a stud and BJ Upton is right behind him. Add that pitching staff. If they can stay together, the Yankees, Sox and Blue Jays are going to be playing for the wild card for a while.
My upset specials were 1 for 2. The Scarlet Knights of Rutgers won an ugly game over UConn and what happened to Browns QB Derek Anderson? How come he didn't play like that last Monday night against the Giants? That was awful. Yo Romeo, start Brady Quinn please! I'm beginning to think that life begins and ends with Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys. Talk about another sign of the apocalypse.
Went to the Rats game Friday night with a bunch of people I work out with and I felt dirty. I made not one, but two deals with the devil. Not only was it the River Rats playing in the Civic Center, but it was also the top affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes. I'm a Ranger fan for life, but the Hartford Whalers have a special place in my heart. My feelings toward the Whale go back to the old WHA and my uncles took me and my cousins to see them play a couple of times when I was growing up. When they left for North Carolina, it was like being hit in the groin. I saw Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford and said hello as he walked by. I wondered what he did with Whalers merchandise I sent to him along with that not so nice letter I wrote. As I said last week, if you want hockey back you got to suck it up and go to those games.
I know Dan and John will be watching the Patriots/Broncos game so I'll wait a couple days before we hit the water cooler and talk about the CBS comedies. Bourdain's new show on the Travel Channel is also on, can't wait for that. Well if you hear "Brass Bonanza" somewhere, think of me...Leccese out.

Upset Specials and other observations

Hi There. It's Friday and we head into another weekend of football, hockey and other things. We'll begin class with "Opie's Upset Specials." First for the college upset. I will finally pick a game that involves my favorite college team. The Scarlet Knights of Rutgers. 2 weeks ago I had UConn upsetting UNC and that didn't happen, so to get even I have Greg Schiano's boys taking out my anger toward the Huskies and winning in front of the home crowd on the banks of the old Raritan! For the pro, after the Cleveland Browns beat the Giants Monday night, I think they start a winning streak by knocking off the Redskins in DC. Jim Zorn to Steve Largent was a great combo in the early years of the Seahawks when their helmets were the coolest looking in the league. By the way class, that will be on the test.
O.K. now for some high school talk. Last week of the regular season before sectionals and crossovers for everybody but Class D. Interesting match-ups that have spots and positions on the line. The game we're doing on WWSC: Johnstown at Hudson Falls. The Tigers will be home next week for a first round game and they'll either play Hudson or Albany Academy who take on each other tomorrow afternoon. Other games going on this weekend.
Cambridge at Schuylerville - The Black Horses have too much offense for a young Indian squad.
Rensselaer at Lake George - If Lake George was sectional eligible, this might be a preview of the D title game.
Granville at Corinth - The winner is in and plays Chatham, the loser plays crossover games. The loser maybe better off.
Gloversville at Glens Falls - Whoever wins gets 3rd place in A Northwest.
Tamarac at Watervliet - The Bengals were humbled losing to Chatham last week and the loser of this game will most likely play at Schuylerville next Friday.
Getting away from football. After hearing about the BoSox remarkable comeback from 7 runs down and knocking off the Rays last night, I thought about pitcher Scott Kazmir and he must have been thinking, "Now I know what it would been like starting for the Mets this season."
Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz fired coach Dennis Savard after only 4 games this season. He'd fit in real good in the Fantasy Hockey league my friends and I are in.
Why is everybody making such a big deal over Joe the Plummer, and what makes Ohio such an important state during election time? Think about it. Does Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo really have that much pull when it comes to choosing the President?
After watching "How I Met Your Mother," I've been trying to figure out who needs an intervention around here. Mike or Pete. I'm leaning towards Cloutier and the hair.
See you at the River Rats game tonight. I wish Lou's Pizza was still around so I could grab a couple slices. Class dismissed...Leccese out.

Its The Great Pumpkin Pie Garden Boy and other weekend observations

Hi There. I knew my pro upset special was doomed when I wake up and the first thing on the radio I heard was "Carson Palmer won't be playing against the Jets." However, "How 'bout them Cowboys" as in Oklahoma State knocking off Missouri. The Leccese curse also made its presence felt. I compliment Vandy and the Redskins and what happens? Both lose.
You name it, I did it this weekend. Saturday it started at the Farmers Market and found some nice apples and bought another pie pumpkin. I also bought some cookies and the chocolate chip tasted just like the ones I used to get from a place called Delicious Orchards in Colts Neck, NJ. The peanut butter sandwich cookies were also killer. Then the Queenbury/Glens Falls football game. It was good game to call. Yesterday it was raking. The white pine trees have started to shed so it was time to take care of the driveway. My driveway is about a 1/10th of mile long down hill. Then it was pie time. I made my first pumpkin pie using fresh pumpkin. No canned stuff for the Garden Boy. It turned out perfect. I even roasted the seeds with some butter and salt. Makes a great, healthy snack. I also got the stone out and cranked out some pizza. Then with the weather being as close to perfect as it was, to finish the weekend I grilled some corned on the cob. Don't knock it 'til you try it. I wonder what my life would have been like if I had gone to culinary school and tried opening my own restaurant. Dan might have kept his hair. On second thought working with Pete, probably not. Tell Bobby Flay the Garden Boy wants a piece of him. I'm ready for a throw down. I got the skillz and I'm not afraid to use them.
Beverly Hills Chihuahua made another 17.5 million dollars at the box office over the weekend. That made me more sick than watching the stock market nose dive these past 2 weeks.
Anthony Bourdain has a new show debuting on the Travel Channel next Monday and of course I'll be watching. Perfect time too. 10pm, right after the CBS comedies. Speaking of television tonight, I have a dilemma. Choose between the CBS comedies, Rangers/Devils or Giants/Browns on Bristol Tech.
One more thing, The RiverRats are playing Friday night at the Civic Center and if you miss the AHL and want hockey back, go to the game. I'm going with a group of friends from the gym I belong to...Leccese out.

Random Thoughts from the mind of the Gardenboy and Upset Specials

Hi There. Despite the losing skid we kick off another edition of this blog with "Opie's Upset Specials." First to the college ranks where we finally lost (Thanks for nothing, Randy Edsall). Again this week I was torn between two games and we head to Big 12 country where the Missouri Tigers host Oklahoma State. I hope to be saying, "How 'bout them Cowboys!" OK State is unbeaten and I think this will be the game that gets me back on track. Now for the pro upset. Its time. Time for the Cincinnati Bengals to win for the first time and knock off the J-E-T-S Jets, Jets, Jets. Cincy has gone on the road and hung in there with both Dallas and the Giants in the past 3 weeks. So the Bengals go 1-1 at Giants Stadium this year.
On to more football the Game of Week on WWSC Saturday. Queensbury and Glens Falls. Both teams are 2-3 and the winner will likely get the final playoff spot in the A Northwest Division and a meeting with Troy or Bishop Maginn in round one of the sectionals. Queensbury is in a more desperate situation since they wrap up with Burnt Hills next week. Speaking of Burnt Hills here's my top five area teams: Burnt Hills, Saratoga, Schuylerville, Lake George and Hudson Falls.
On to other things. It was turn back the clock week at the gym. Mike Rowe and Steve Carroll were back in town and were either teaching or taking class. I miss those two. Since the new owners took over, the gym lacks that little something that made it special.
I was grocery shopping and I saw another disturbing product. Pop Tarts frosted with the logos of your favorite college football teams! The ones with fiber in them sound more appealing. Just to be cruel I hope a fan of some Big Ten or SEC school buys a box and ends up getting nothing but their favorite teams arch rival.
The Monday night CBS comedies were on and I wasn't offended by the slams on my beloved home state of NJ during "How I Met Your Mother." I enjoyed them. My favorite part was Alan getting tazed on "Two and a Half Men." Funny stuff.
With the NHL season under way, the C-Town K-Dogs have been released from the kennel and ready to wreck havoc on the fantasy hockey league I'm in.
Happy Anniversary to my sister Kelly and her husband Mike. It's 11 years now and yes I've beaten that addiction to orange TicTacs. You just got to take it one day at a time. However I still have the occasional nightmare concerning the photographer. We didn't need that many pictures!
If I could get a date with Fox News' Megyn Kelly, I would be very happy...Leccese out.

UConn and The Lions what was I thinking and other weekend observations

Hi There. Courtesy of my dads' laptop you get a new entry early. OK, so the UConn Huskies and the Lions took the gas pipe and my upset specials have returned to the form I expected. I warned you not take them seriously. After this weekend you've probably lost that cute girlfriend or your trophy wife is threatening to leave because you listened to my picks. Now on to more serious stuff.
I want to take this time to thank the Brewers and Fuzzy Cubbies for playing and don't forget to take a copy of the home edition. I don't know what made me happier. The Giants spanking Seattle 44-6 or the Cubs being swept. Alright it was the Cubs being swept. I'll be open and honest. I HATE THE CHICAGO CUBS. From their whining cry baby fans, to the late Harry Caray singing, and that joke of a ballpark they play in. I hate everything about them. I like the Dallas Cowboys and New York Islanders more than I do the Cubs.
Message to Yankee fans. Don't jump. I know Joe Torre has led the Dodgers to the NLCS against the Phillies and it was rough year with Joe Girardi at the helm. It will get better, trust me I'm a Mets fan.
Hey Dodger fans. Enjoy the honeymoon with Mr. Ramirez. Soon enough Manny will be Manny again and he'll wear out his welcome. Just ask the Indians and RedSox faithful about it.
I don't what's more surprising in football. Vanderbilt being 5-0 in the SEC or the Redskins being 4-1 and have knocked off the Cowboys and Eagles on the road in back to back weeks.
Best High School Football teams in the WCKM listening area in no particular order. Schuylerville, Saratoga Springs, and Burnt Hills.
Here's the latest sign of the apocalypse. The number one movie at the box office this weekend was "Beverly Hills Chihuahua." The movie made 29 million dollars! I wonder if TacoBell had a stake in it?
I wish election day would get here. Tina Fey and her Sarah Palin imitation is starting to get on my nerves.
If our female senator wanted to be president so badly, how come she didn't run as an independent after losing the Democratic Party nomination?
The two best smells coming out of an oven. Chocolate chip cookies and apple pie. I made an apple pie and the kitchen has that cinnamon smell.
I wonder if some of those CEO's who created the credit mess we're in consulted with the Magic 8-Ball?
I'm sooo glad hockey season is back...Leccese out

Upset Specials and other stuff

Hi There. Friday brings football and of course we lead off with, "Opie's Upset Specials!" O.K. last week we continued being perfect in the college ranks thanks to the Wildcats of Northwestern, but the Ravens lost in OT to the Steelers. Since I need a win in the pro ranks, we'll start with your pro upset special. Matt Millen got fired (finally) and that will inspire the Lions to knock off DA Bears to get me back on track. Now for the college upset special. I'm torn between three games but I'll take the UConn Huskies in a win over the UNC TarHeels in a game that would make a better basketball game than football.
Now onto High School Football where we got two games this week on WWSC. Tonight its Warrensburg at Lake George. Warrensburg has won 3 straight and Lake George is unbeaten, but Caleb Meroski will be too much for the Burgers and I have this gut feeling a blowout might happen in favor of the home team. Tomorrow its Cambridge at Hudson Falls. Cambridge loves to pass and Hudson Falls hands it off to Joe McMurry. This has the makings of an interesting game.
Other games of note this weekend.
Queensbury at Amsterdam. The Spartans could be in line for 2nd place in A North if they win on the road.
Greenwich at Rennselaer. The Rams put a hurting on Ft.Edward last week and the battle for the second play-off spot is up for grabs in D South.
Fonda at Chatham - The 2 best teams in C South go at it.
Glens Falls at Burnt Hills. Which Glens Falls team shows up against Paul Layton and Co. on homecoming weekend. Hopefully the one that beat S.Glens Falls last week. Even that may not be enough against the best team in the area.
Hoosick Falls at Granville - The Horde won big over Mechanicville and could make a statement against the Panthers and QB Kevin Wood.
Amidst all the football and the baseball play-offs going on, the NHL kicks off this weekend in Europe. Yes hockey season is back and the Fuzzy Cubbies are on the verge of being swept by the Dodgers. Life is good at the moment. Enjoy the football and the weekend...Leccese out.