The Atlanta Silverbacks PDP Girls won the U14 National PDP title last week, finishing their season with a perfect 16-0-1 record. The young Lady Silverbacks enjoyed a dominant run in 2008 that saw the team outscore its opponents 69-3. The Silverbacks are coached by Iggy Moleka, who also serves as the Silverbacks’ PDP Director and as the DOC of the ASA Youth Soccer Club.
Confirming last week’s rumors, the Arena Football League announced on Monday its decision to suspend play for the 2009 season. As a result, our local AFL franchise, the Georgia Force, will begin this week mailing out refunds to all season-ticket holders. Owners met over the weekend and, in the end, voted to suspend the upcoming season in an attempt to focus their efforts on strengthening the league for 2010 and beyond. The Force franchise is not the only one in Atlanta to be negatively impacted by the struggling economy, as the Atlanta Silverbacks men’s team has also suspended its play for 2009.
In national sporting news, the International Racing League announced last Wednesday that it has signed a two-year extension with ESPN International, giving the network worldwide television rights to the IndyCar and Firestone Indy Lights series though the 2010 season. The agreement does not, however, include coverage in the United States, where races are carried by ABC and VERSUS. After 2010, the IRL and ESPN International will each have an option to extend the agreement for another two years.
WELCOME TO THE RING
The Atlanta Falcons made Sunday’s divisional showdown with Tampa Bay even more special by inducting two franchise greats into the team’s Ring of Honor. The Falcons used halftime to welcome defensive end Claude Humphrey and offensive tackle Mike Kenn into the special club, as the two join the likes of running back William Andrews, quarterback Steve Bartkowski, linebacker Tommy Nobis, linebacker Jessie Tuggle and center Jeff Van Note. Humphrey spent 10 seasons suiting up for the Birds from 1968-74 and 1976-78, and is still the team’s all-time leader in sacks with 94.5. Kenn was taken by the Falcons with the 13th overall selection in the 1978 NFL Draft and spent his entire 17-year career with Atlanta. Kenn still hold the franchise record for most career games played and for the most career starts with 251.
Last week, a jury rued that Turner Broadcasting System owed $316 million to David McDavid, a Texas businessman who claims the media giant breached their contract while he was negotiating to buy the Atlanta Hawks and Thrashers as well as the rights to Philips Arena back in 2003. Despite the initial loss, TBS does have the right to an appeal.
Around the SEC, for the second year in a row, University of Florida junior quarterback Tim Tebow was picked by the Associated Press as the top offensive player in the Southeastern Conference last week. After guiding the Crimson Tide to a perfect 12-0 regular-season record, Alabama’s Nick Saban was named the conference’s top coach. Tennessee safety Eric Berry was named SEC defensive player of the year while Alabama receiver Julio Jones was picked as the top freshman.
RECRUITING NOTES
Last week was a big one along the Georgia recruiting trail as four in-state recruits declared their college destinations. Middle Tennessee State helped get the week off to a quick start, picking up two big-time commitments over a three-day span. On Monday, the Blue Raiders outworked Western Kentucky and UAB to earn the commitment of Miller Grove running back Kenneth Gilstrap. Gilstrap, who is listed at 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, will make a move to cornerback upon his arrival in Tennessee.
Only two days later, the Blue Raiders struck again, this time convincing Starr’s Mill outside linebacker Stephen Roberts to join the ranks. Roberts chose Middle Tennessee over offers from Indiana, Louisville, Mississippi, Mississippi State, and Purdue.
On Sunday, Georgia Tech joined in on the fun, landing a verbal commitment from Westside’s Julian Burnett. At 5-foot-10, 212 pounds, Burnett will play linebacker for the local Yellow Jackets.
Finally, also on Sunday, Rokevious Watkins gave his pledge to the Gamecocks of South Carolina. Watkins is a 6-foot-4, 340-pound offensive guard from Georgia Military College.
Janovitz can be reached at sjanovitz@scoreatl.com.
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