Mayer: Rivet Fans A Great Example of Small School Support

Courtesy: football.isport.com

Vincennes Rivet has pretty incredible fan support. No matter the sport, Patriots' fans turn out in droves to cheer on student athletes representing their community. It does not matter if it's boys or girls playing, the Rivet community binds together.

The Patriots will play in the 1A baseball state title game on Saturday in Indianapolis. Victory Field is a bit of a different setting compared to St. Vincent's Field where Rivet usually plays. For that matter, Victory Field is on a whole other level compared to the very nice complex at Plainfield which hosted semi-state. Rivet was here before in 2009 playing the role of under dog against a powerhouse; Lafayette Central Catholic. LCC won and will once again be the opponent that stands in the way of Rivet returning with a baseball state title.

This blog post is not about the impending baseball match up, it's about the fans love for Rivet athletics. In the last nine months or so I have had a great deal of experience seeing the Rivet community support their student athletes first hand. Covering the Patriots basketball games was always fun. They play in a tightly packed gym that seemed constantly over capacity. Fans plan their weekends and nights around Rivet athletics. It becomes a source of family and community pride.

I don't want to take away from other schools who also have similar pride and community relevance. I won't try to name them all, but off the top of my head Linton, Loogootee, Barr-Reeve, Rockville, and North Daviess come to mind. Of course all the Vigo County schools are no slackers. High School sports across the entire Valley have an incredible following.

Courtesy; coachesaid.com

But back to Rivet. I may be biased simply because of my interactions with these Patriots lovers. There is such an incredible sense of extended family. Everyone is a joy to be around and they never fail to make their presence known despite being the perennial underdog.

It all started when I did a feature on Will Sievers (check out this story, it's my favorite) who is probably the biggest Patriots fan around. The Sievers have been involved with Rivet for a long time. Father Joel and son Matthew played for Rivet while mother Leanne and second son Will are a constant presence. Through the Sievers, I truly got a sense of what the school and athletic teams mean to the community.

The examples continued when the Rivet girls basketball team made a run to the state finals. Rivet faced Barr-Reeve in the Vikings home gym, but the fans showed up in full force and saw the Lady Patriots prevail. The next week I was shocked to see the small school haul a contingent of supporters across the state to regionals. The all day venture was rewarded when the Lady Patriots advanced to semi-state. Of course a 58-50 victory over Southwestern led to a fourth title game in five years. The Patriots fell in that contest, but Patriots fans filled the Hulman Center and saw the girls make a valiant late comeback.

That leads to the baseball team behind beloved coach Bill Beard. Well, all the coaches at Rivet seem to be beloved, but you get my point. The Patriots may have been to the title game in 09', but this is a true underdog story. There is only one senior on the Rivet squad. They came together and started playing their best ball recently leading to their semi-state victory over favored Rising Sun last weekend. Yesterday, the community held a pep rally in support of the baseball team. It was straight out of a John Mellencamp song.

It's always tough to single out a certain player, team, or fan base because it's obvious there are many others who care as much or have faced just as much adversity. In my time working in the Wabash Valley, Vincennes Rivet has come away as extra special. Win or lose on Saturday, the players and coaches will be praised. The support will be endless and great memories will be made.. It's the Rivet way.

National Signing Day in The Wabash Valley

We'll update as the day goes along, but here is a list of the Indiana State Football signings and high school athletes from across the Wabash Valley that are making their college choices today. It's a very exciting day for student athletes and Sycamores across The Valley.

  Terre Haute South Braves:
  Danny Etling: Purdue Football- Quarterback
  Logan Hambrock: Indiana State Track
  Tyler Seibert: Indiana State Track
  Alex Davis: Indiana University Diving

  Terre Haute North Patriots
  Calvin Blank: Ball State Football
  Austin Lewis: Western Michigan Football
  Lee Davis: Army Football
  Chanli Mundy: Indiana University Cross Country

                  

                         Linton-Stockton Miners:
                         Clayton French: Marian Univeristy Golf

South Knox Spartans:
Adam Elkins: University of Saint Franics Soccer





                                                    

Vincennes Lincoln:
                                                    
 Gannon Brochin:  Georgian Court Soccer
 Eric Ramirez: University of Southern Indiana Soccer





  




  Indiana State Football:
  (Courtesy of ISU Athletics: http://tinyurl.com/a2sxkzt)

Name Pos. Height Weight Class Hometown/Previous School Highlight Video Matt Adam QB 6-1 210 Fr. Camino Capistrano, Calif./Tesoro HS Highlights Justice Berry WR 6-2 205 Jr. Coffeyville CC Highlights Zach Borens OL 6-8 350 Fr. Marion, Iowa/Marion HS Highlights Antonio Broadus DE 6-3 230 Fr. Aurora, Colo./Regis Jesuit HS Highlights Lonnell Brown DB 5-7 155 Fr. Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain HS Highlights Juice Davis WR 5-10 185 Fr. Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain HS Highlights Rhys Felton P 6-3 210 Jr. Melbourne, Australia/John Curtin HS/Grossmont CC Highlights Kyani Harris WR 5-10 170 Jr. Daly City, Calif./Jefferson HS/San Francisco City College Highlights Jordan Jackson LB 6-1 230 Fr. Indianapolis, Ind./Decatur Central HS Highlights Miguel Johns WR 5-11 185 Jr. Newton, Kan./Newton HS/Hutchinson CC Highlights Aaron Killebrew DB/KR 5-10 165 Fr. Evansville, Ind./Harrison HS Highlights Dejuan Lang CB 5-9 180 Fr. Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain HS Highlights Tyler Lee CB 6-2 180 Fr. Xenia, Ohio/Xenia HS Highlights Sampson Levingston WR 6-1 200 Fr. Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral HS Highlights Weston Painter DT 6-3 260 Fr. New Haven, Ind./Snider HS Highlights Braxton Shirley TE 6-3 245 Fr. Canyon, Calif./Mission Viejo HS Highlights Dimitri Taylor RB 5-10 190 Fr. Wheaton, Ill./Montini Catholic Highlights Jameer Thurman DB 6-0 195 Fr. Hillside, Ill./Proviso West HS Highlights T.J. Tuuu OLB 6-2 215 Jr. Seaside, Calif./Seaside HS/Monterey Peninsula College Highlights

Pensky: TH North/South: The Rivalry

Jason Pensky looks at the rivalry between Terre Haute North and Terre Haute South days before the boys and girls basketball teams face off at The Hulman Center.

Pugh: Thank Goodness for Football

In a week full of liars and made-up girlfriends, Sunday can't get here soon enough. The 2 biggest sports stories of early 2013 involve Lance Armstrong admitting to cheating, and Manti Te'o's fake girlfriend. I'm not going to get into details about these, you can find all the information you want through other outlets. I'm here to talk about actual games...not "he said, she said," but the 2 Championship games taking place this Sunday.

Courtesy: USA Today

In the NFC, the #1 seed Atlanta Falcons welcome #2 seed San Francisco 49ers to the Georgia Dome for a 3pm kickoff. The 49ers are on a roll. They ran past Green Bay last weekend thanks to their second year quarterback, Colin Kaepernick. Jim Harbaugh is one of the top 5 coaches in the league right now, and carries with him a ferocious defense. Harbaugh's move to replace Alex Smith with Kaepernick turned out to be the biggest personnel switch of the season, and it could pay "Super" dividends for the Bay Area.

The Atlanta Falcons have the monkey off their backs. After hearing for weeks that they can't win a playoff game, Matt Ryan and company got it done last week against Seattle. The Falcons are the top seed for a reason. Ryan, Roddy White, Julio Jones, and Tony Gonzalez deliver one of the most potent passing attacks in the NFL. Don't forget about Atlanta's defense, they were able to win a game this season in which Ryan threw 5 interceptions.

Courtesy: sbnation.com

The Matchup: the 49ers are in their second straight NFC Championship game and are the favorites. San Fran is 2-2 in domes this season with wins at Arizona and New Orleans and losses to Minnesota and St. Louis. Everyone seems to be picking the 49ers to knock off the birds, but when was the last time that a #1 seed has "flown" this much under the radar? It's amazing what getting that first playoff win can do for your confidence (see Aaron Rodgers in 2010), and I think Matty Ice lives up to his name with another last second comeback. Falcons 27, 49ers 24

Courtesy: SWR

In the AFC, Tom Brady is playing in his 7th AFC Championship game, tying him with Joe Montana for the most all-time. The #3 seed Patriots welcome the Ray Lews Farewell Tour and the #5 seed Ravens to Foxboro Sunday night at 6:30pm. Like them or not, the Patriots have set the bar for what a modern day franchise should be in sports. If someone goes down or leaves, another piece just steps up for Bill Belichick and Tom Brady.

Courtesy: ibtimes.com

We are one blown coverage away from having another Manning-Brady matchup, but credit the Ravens for knocking off the #1 seed Broncos last week in double OT. The Ravens are a totally different team with Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, Haloti Ngata, and Bernard Pollard back. Add in the Ray Lews retirement factor and this team is playing with nothing to lose. If you remember, they were just one Lee Evans drop away from representing the AFC in the Super Bowl last year.

The Matchup: the Patriots are favored at home (as they should be). Tom Brady is looking to become the first quarterback ever to play in 6 Super Bowls. However, the loss of Rob Gronkowski allows the Ravens D to keep Hernandez in the middle of the field and spy on Wes Welker. Brady is 5-2 all-time against the Ravens, but only 1-1 against them in the postseason...remember that drop from last year? I think the Ravens will slay the giant and get Ray Lews back into the Promised Land.
Ravens 31, Patriots 30

In a week filled with foolishness off the field, here's hoping you can find some time to enjoy the actual games on Sunday. There's only 3 games left so you better soak all of them up while you can.

Happy Football!

Mayer: Rivalry Games in the Playoffs Are Special

 Rivalry games are consistently some of the most epic and memorable contests in any sport. The passion from fans and players are raised to another level, often with more then a victory on the line. There's always bragging rights, but the pride factor is consistently elevated in match ups against a chief rival.

The list of best rivalries will change depending on who you talk to. I always start with Dodgers vs. Giants and Packers vs. Bears because of my favorite team biases. If I jog my memory, The Yankees and Red Sox have had a few memorable games over the years. Flyers vs. Penguins, Michigan vs. Ohio State, Nadal vs. Federer, Ali vs. Frazier, Lakers vs. Celtics, Duke vs. North Carolina,  you get the point.

Rivalry games often ignite that extra sense of urgency and passion that can only be brought out by higher stakes. Higher stakes...like the playoffs perhaps. The atmosphere is charged, the venue is packed, and everyone feels like the game is life or death. That description could be used for both a rivalry game and a playoff game. So, what happens when serious rivals get the rare opportunity to face off in the playoffs? Often, fireworks and moments we never forget.

This thought obviously stems from the sectionals match-up the Wabash Valley will be tuned into this upcoming Friday. Through a random draw, the Terre Haute North Patriots and Terre Haute South Braves were aligned and high school football fans across Terre Haute squealed like little girls receiving a pony as a birthday present. Really? We get the Victory Bell battle 2.0? YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!! Ok, I had to get that out of my system.

I've been working at NBC 2 for just over two months now. You would think that with my limited exposure to high school football in The Valley that a rematch wouldn't get me so excited. You would be wrong. The lead up to the first game was too much fun. The passion from both sides is contagious. This football season has been filled with all kinds of story lines, drama, and great games. In fact, one of the biggest plot lines going is the Terre Haute North Patriots. What a season North has put together compiling a winning record in the MIC alongside the monster schools of Indianapolis.

I'll never forget the build up in week two for the Victory Bell Battle won by the Patriots in front of a huge crowd at Memorial Stadium. So here we are, just a couple of days away from two fierce rivals facing off to extend their seasons. Winner goes on loser goes home. This is do or die. It's gut check time. *Other cliche sports saying to get my point across*. Throw the week two contest out the window now, whoever wins this game will not only have bragging rights, but a place on top of the rivalry record books as well. Any playoff game would be critical for both teams, but the emotions will be on another level before the first ball is kicked. The Braves and Patriots will have a moment to stare each other in the face and understand what they're playing for. #HEREWEGO

Mayer: Battle for the Victory Bell Approaches

Bears vs Packers. IU vs Purdue. Yankees vs Red Sox. Lakers vs Celtics. Red Wings vs Blackhawks. Ohio State vs Michigan. Terre Haute South vs Terre Haute North.

Alright, so maybe the entire nation won't be transfixed to their televisions watching the battle for the Victory Bell, but everyone in the Wabash Valley understands the significance of Friday's match-up between North and South.

The game goes far beyond a win or loss in the early part of the high school football season. This is about pride and bragging rights for the year. This game may mean more to the players and coaches then any other all season.

The entire Wabash Valley has been waiting for Friday since the thrilling ending to the contest last year resulting in a 14-7 Braves win in overtime.

 Some background: (Courtesy of TribuneStar)

• The all time series between the Braves and Patriots is close. South leads 25-22.
• The game has gone into overtime the last two years. South won 14-7 after a Tyler Evans rushing touchdown last year and North won 22-21 in 2010 after a second half comeback and touchdown/two point conversion by Daniel Gabbard. 
• The last OT game before 2010 was in 1976.
• In the last ten meetings the Patriots have won six, but the Braves have won three of the past five. 

Records/Schedule: (Courtesy of John Harrell, http://indianahsfootball.homestead.com/)
In the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference in the last five years Terre Haute South has finished above Terre Haute North three out of five times. The highest finishing position for either team was the Patriots in 2010 (5th place).

TERRE HAUTE NORTH PATRIOTS Coach: Chris Barrett, 38-71 in 11th year at school

DATE	OPPONENT	EASTERN TIME	OA 24.0, DA 35.0
Aug. 17	at Castle {5A}	L 24-35
Aug. 24	(n)Terre Haute South {5A}‡	7:00 pm	ISU Stadium
Aug. 31	Northview {4A}	7:00 pm
Sep. 7	Center Grove {5A}‡	7:00 pm
Sep. 14	at Ben Davis {5A}‡	7:00 pm
Sep. 21	Warren Central {5A}‡	7:00 pm
Sep. 28	at Lawrence North {5A}‡	7:00 pm
Oct. 5	Carmel {5A}‡	7:00 pm
Oct. 12	at North Central (Indianapolis) {5A}‡	7:00 pm

‡METROPOLITAN INTERSCHOLASTIC CONFERENCE GAME

TERRE HAUTE SOUTH BRAVES Coach: Mark Raetz, 13-38 in 6th year at school

DATE	OPPONENT	EASTERN TIME	OA 34.0, DA 24.0
Aug. 17	at Indian Creek {3A}	W 34-24
Aug. 24	(n)Terre Haute North {5A}‡	7:00 pm	ISU Stadium
Aug. 31	at Vincennes Lincoln {3A}	7:00 pm
Sep. 7	at Carmel {5A}‡	7:30 pm
Sep. 14	at Center Grove {5A}‡	7:00 pm
Sep. 21	Ben Davis {5A}‡	7:00 pm
Sep. 28	North Central (Indianapolis) {5A}‡	7:00 pm
Oct. 5	at Warren Central {5A}‡	7:30 pm
Oct. 12	Lawrence North {5A}‡	7:30 pm

‡METROPOLITAN INTERSCHOLASTIC CONFERENCE GAME

2011: Braves: 3-7            Patriots: 2-8
2010: Braves: 2-8            Patriots: 6-5
2009: Braves: 2-8            Patriots: 4-6 
2008: Braves: 3-7            Patriots: 2-9
2007: Braves: 2-8            Patriots: 3-8 
2006: Braves: 0-10          Patriots: 3-7
2005: Braves: 3-7            Patriots: 5-7
2004: Braves: 2-8            Patriots: 4-8
2003: Braves: 0-10          Patriots: 5-6
2002: Braves: 3-8            Patriots: 4-6
2001: Braves: 3-7            Patriots: 3-8
2000: Braves: 2-8            Patriots: 4-7
1999: Braves: 6-5            Patriots: 4-6
1998: Braves: 5-6            Patriots: 4-6
1997: Braves: 2-7            Patriots: 5-4 
1996: Braves: 3-6            Patriots: 7-4
1995: Braves: 1-8            Patriots: 3-6
1995: Braves: 3-7            Patriots: 6-3

Historic Team Leaders and Records: Courtesy of Max Preps
Braves Notable Alumni:

Cam Cameron 1979
    Baltimore Ravens Offensive Coordinator
Trent Miles 1982
    Indiana State University Head Football Coach
Mark Jackson 1982
    Former NFL Wide Receiver
Tony McGee 1989
    Former NFL Tight End

Patriots Notable Alumni:
Steve Weatherford 2001
    New York Giants Punter
 Anthony Thompson
    Phoenix Cardinals Running Back
Ernie Thompson
    Kansas City Chiefs Running Back


- Lucas Mayer