Sports
Generally, when you sit a 19-year-old at a table with a reporter, it’s a classic recipe for one-word answers and evasive glances at the ground. Yet, Francisco Rodriguez stands to shake my hand. He looks me directly in the eye, and speaks clearly, in full sentences. “That’s everything they teach you in the post,” Rodriguez says. The Explorers, a police-directed extracurricular program that grooms youth not only for law enforcement but also for life, hasn’t just given Rodriguez social tools…
Kennedy’s teamwork and speed proved too much for visiting St. Patrick-St. Vincent on Saturday in 43-27 Eagles victory. Senior quarterback Octavious Holley threw three touchdown passes to three different players, sophomore running back Jordan Whitley ran for another, and senior wide receiver Kenneth Walker provided a spark on both ends of the ball with touchdowns on an 82-yard run and a 40-yard fumble recovery. The Eagles ability to spread the ball around overwhelmed the Bruins. “It’s by design and opportunity,”…
It’s not really about bikes for Brian Drayton.
This week, he’s opening what he calls Richmond’s first full service professional bike shop, the Spokeshop Bike Lounge. But, says Drayton, “I don’t want to be a bike shop owner. Retail’s not my thing.” Really, he’s out to change the world – or at least Richmond. Spend fifteen minutes with him, and you begin to think he might just pull it off.
The Richmond Oilers took one on the chin Friday night, when the Hercules Titans consistently ran the ball, scoring early and often in a game the Titans took 50 to 14. Both teams scored running touchdowns in the first quarter, and the score was even until Hercules snagged its second touchdown in the second quarter. Richmond tried an onside kick, but their plans backfired, and the ball consistently bounced Hercules’ way on several occasions. The Oilers’ defense was no match…
The boxers fought tough. The crew produced a top-notch event. The problem was few people showed up. “This is a good venue for Richmond,” said Jesse Coleman, an employee who travels with United States of America Boxing, the governing association of amateur boxing. “They did a good job of organizing, and they’ve got good fights. They just need an audience.” They, the Richmond Police Activities League, were expecting over 1,000 spectators. But on Saturday afternoon only about 180 filed into…
In Salesian High School’s homecoming game Saturday, the Pride beat the Kennedy Eagles 42-5. The Pride, led by running back Marciel Malic’s three touchdowns and 179 yards, took an early lead with two touchdowns in the first quarter and, by halftime, they led 35-0. The Eagles’ points came from a field goal and an intentional safety by Salesian in the second half of the game. Kennedy’s closest chance came in the second quarter, when Kennedy senior Kenny Walker dashed 80 yards from the Kennedy 20-yard line to the end zone. Everyone on the Kennedy benches stood and cheered wildly — until they realized that the touchdown did not count. An audible groan could be heard through the audience as the referees announced that Walker went out of bounds while avoiding a block on the 15 yard line.
The allures of gang life, especially for young adults and children with little else – no guidance, no job, no future – are similar to those of boxing: Power, respect, purpose. Boxing, though, offers those draws paired with a positive outcome, instead of violence.
After labor talks between NBA players and team owners failed to break a lockout last week, some basketball fans may be wondering if they’re in for a dry winter. But for those living in Richmond, there will be a new game in town this season. Starting in November, the Richmond Rockets, of the American Basketball Association, will be playing regular games at the Civic Center Memorial Auditorium. The Rockets will be the first professional basketball team in the city, and…
After two cross-town rivals battled it out in a lopsided first half of football Friday night, the Richmond community took time to remember two former instructors by naming two annual game trophies in their honor.