Weekly football post #58.

Another week, another bunch of football games. And, as such, another weekly football post. Let's get it on.

Are the Fountain Valley High School Barons going to run the table this season? Are they going to be the Champions of Orange County? They are the #4 team in the County as of today, and we couldn't be more happy. The Mighty Barons took it to Esperanza this weekend with a 31-14 victory, continuing a long winning season that is all leading up to an epic battle with Edison on November 6th. This time around, it was our main man Kyle Middlebrooks with 3 TDs, 2 rushing and 1 receiving, to lead us on to victory. He finished with another nice 143 yards on the ground and 52 yards in the air, with QB Dominic Ragland tossing for just 92 on the afternoon. Esperanza scored a late TD, but was unable to lead the charge back against my boys. We're really getting used to winning these days. Next week is a battle against Newport Harbor as we try to keep our streak alive.

One level up, Notre Dame earned a crucial win against Boston College this weekend 20-16, putting us back on track for a solid season. After the loss to USC the previous weekend, all eyes were on this game as the final game in our important hard stretch that will define the season. BC may have been driving, but a Brian Smith interception with 98 seconds to go ended that whole comeback dream, securing the win for the Domers. The first quarter didn't start off extremely well. This weekend I was live and in person at Oggi's in Mission Viejo to watch the Irish fall short on their opening drive, earning just a TD. Then, on a drive later in the quarter, Jimmy Clausen made an ill advised pass that ended up being intentional grounding. It wouldn't have been that big of a deal, except that he was in the end zone, and BC was credited with 2 points. Damn! With ND opening the second quarter with the same three points, this was still an ominous game. Boston College, meanwhile, was shredding the ND defense with some wide open passing. The defense looked terrible in the air, and solid on the ground. The end result at the half was teams trading TD passes, with Golden Tate getting one with 36 ticks left in the second quarter, and ND walking off with a 13-9 lead. BC, however, continued their assault, getting a TD in the third to take the lead. A Golden Tate TD with 8:12 left, on a 36 yard play from JC, ended with the Irish taking the final lead in the teeter totter battle. Despite the Eagles charging back, the Irish defense finally came up huge, on the interception that sealed the deal. Well, I guess if you're going to have one really good defensive play, it might as well come late. The win has pushed Notre Dame to 5-2 on the year, and back into the rankings! While the AP has let the Irish back to #25, the BCS computers have us #23. I'm just glad that we're getting respect despite our close losses to Michigan and SC. Next week is a knock down drag out fight against Washington State, an unusual late night start in South Bend. It is the first in a hopeful easy string of wins for Notre Dame (Wazzu are 1-6 this year), although any kind of win will be welcomed.

How about those Rams? Man, they suck. The latest on field tragedy was a 6-42 loss at the hands of Peyton and the Colts. Who the hell are these guys? Do they just pick up random guys off the streets, give them the horn helmet, and put them out on the field? How can we be this bad? Seriously! And to think, the line was only 14.5. The Rams were down 21-3 after the first half, 28-6 after three quarter, and a whopping 42-6 in the end. Were they even trying? Marc E Marc went 14/26 for 140 yards with 2 INTs for a 37.3 QB rating. Steven Jackson actually made it over the 100 yard rushing mark with 134 on 23 runs for a nice 5.8 yard average. How did we not score a TD with all that S Jack rushing? Donnie Avery led the way in the air again with 58 yards on 2 catches. Our receiving core continues to be a weak point. Along with the defense, offensive line, and QB position, among other things. After being outscored on the season 211-60, the Ramies are a thrilling 0-7. We are making it look pretty easy to go 0-16 here in 2009. But, our biggest challenge to going reverse undefeated may come next week against the Detroit Lions. The Lions are 1-5, and could be our first serious chance at getting a win. Get ready Ram Nation.

Speaking of the Lions, BC came out of a OT game with Saskatchewan with a difficult to take 30-33 loss. Damn you Jon Davis! The Lions came storming back with a 14-8 fourth quarter, but fell short by allowing 3 points to the Riders in the extra session. The Lions had a slim 3-0 lead after the first quarter, but then the Corner Gas squad blew up in our face, putting BC at a 9-17 disadvantage at the half. We tried to come back, but it just wasn't meant to be. TCU and Florida A&M signal caller Casey Printers was the QB for BC, and finished 19/31 for an impressive 339 through the air. 2TDs and 1 INT wouldn't be enough, though, for a win. Martell Mallett was held back by our Western foes with just 44 yards on the ground. Former Terrapin Geroy Simon did his best in the air, with 142 yards receiving, but again, just not enough. Jarious!!!!! The Lions are now back down to .500, at 8-8, still trailing the first place Riders and Stamps (both 9-6). Calgary and BC get it on next weekend, as we continue to pray for a playoff berth. Grey Cup, anyone?

It was a big win for Celtic to boost us back ahead of Rangers in the SPL standings. Take it Andrew! A 2-1 win against Hamilton was enough for 3 gigantic points. Two early goals from the Highlighter jersey squad from Glasgow was enough, despite an 84th minute strike from Hamilton. It was Shaun Maloney getting the Sligo side on the board in the 15th, after Hamilton made it a little tough for Celtic with some stifling defense. Eventually, the better team always breaks through. My main man Scott McDonald made all the criminals of Australia proud by doubling the Celtic lead in the 29th. McDonald added the main assist on Maloney's goal, but finding him at the back post, to help cap a really solid day for him. Winning 2-1 was also impressive considering that Zaluska was was between the pipes, rather than Boruc. The win has pushed Celtic forward to the #1 spot in the SPL with their 6-1-2 record (20 points in 9 games). That's good enough for a 1 point led on Rangers, heading into our Halloween clash against Kilmarnock (2-4-3). Hail!

How about the Toon Army getting back on track? Yep, Newcastle also pulled off a fun 2-1 win in their Coca Cola Championship match of the weekend against Doncaster Rovers. It was a 1-1 score well into injury time when Kevin Nolan decided to be the hero for the Magpies. 'Castle went down early, giving up a goal in the 18th, putting Toon Nation on alert for another disappointing, possibly continuing the recent string. But, when you have faith good things happen. It was Andy Carroll in the 67th minute that drew us even, as he smashed home a volley from Danny Guthrie. Stellar goal, and the Bar Codes weren't finished. There was a bad call late in the game, that gave Doncaster a chance to steal a win, but Newcastle held strong, and got their chance to make things right. Kevin Nolan did just that, nailing a 20 yarder into the bottom corner to set St. James Park off in celebration. Steve Harper held strong enough between the pipes, and the Newcastle crowd went home happy. Nolan now leads the squad with 7 goals on the campaign, second only to Shola's 4 followed by his mysterious vanishing act. 'Castle are #1 in the Championship with their 8-3-3 record (27 points in 14 games), getting me excited about promotion yet again. Next up is a Monday night battle against Sheffield United (4-5-7), and another win would certainly continue to bolster those hopes.

Chivas may have lost this weekend, dropping a 2-3 game against Houston, but the ramifications may set up the most exciting playoffs in Chivas USA history. Galaxy? It was the Goats third loss of the season at the HDC this year, and rookie Michael Lahoud nailed his first even MLS goal in the loss. Lahoud found the net in the 60th, and super stud Eduardo Lillingston added a goal in the 87th, but Houston was just too much, as they have for much of Chivas' history (both as San Jose and Houston). Lilly's goal continues to help him have a strangle hold on the golden boot award, as it was his 8th. He leads the team ahead of second place Sacha Kljestan and his 5. The two Chivas goals came after three goals from Houston quieted the HDC crowd (26th, 29th, and 52nd). ZTB was just not having it in this game, hopefully getting all of his bad games out before the playoffs come. Houston had 7 shots to Chivas' 12, but you've got to find the back of the net. Mad props to Lahoud, who led the team with 4 shots, and mad props to Lillingston for also getting involved in a little goalie interference in the 94th. Let's get rough on the pitch! We are now just 6 days away from the MLS playoffs. Chivas USA vs. the LA Galaxy is far and away the most exciting of all the opening round MLS playoff matches. The battle for your hearts gets underway Sunday afternoon on ESPN 2. Eyes glued to the TV.

Quickly now, Chivas de Guadalajara lost the all important battle with America 0-1 this weekend to drop to 4-6-3 on the year. A goal in the third minute was all America needed to walk off the pitch with the soul crushing win. In Ireland, Sligo Rovers are continuing to roll away from the relegation zone. The Bit O' Red have 40 points in their 34 games, tied with Galway, but 3 clear of any relegation danger. However, my ancestor's favorite team play first place Bohemians on Friday. Could be dangerous. Finally. Lazio lost 0-2 to Barin in Serie A action to fall to 2-3-4 on the young year. What is going on here? Next up is Cagliari on Wednesday before the weekend match with Siena. Come on Julio Cruz!

Man, this thing was all business.