Sports

Finch fitting in as Sooners’ slot receiver

Friday, 17 August 2012 08:19 Written by Ken Garner

From Sooner Report at www.soonersports.com

As former Niceville High School running back Roy Finch has worked from the slot position during the University of Oklahoma football team’s preseason camp, he's had to literally think outside the box.

"There's more opportunities at the slot where you get the ball in your hands and there's one guy around you," Finch said. "Everybody else is spread out maybe 10 or 15 yards away from you. At running back, it's more everything is in a closed box. You have to work your way through. It's been fun. I've been working hard and trying to make plays."

Finch recorded 44 receptions for 345 yards out of the backfield in his first two years at OU, but is ready to make those plays in a different area.

"You can watch a lot of film, but until you actually get out there and do it yourself, it's a different speed and you have to work," Finch said. "You have to really think out there on the field in the slot. I've been trying to just do the best that I can out there and just play ball."

OU co-offensive coordinator Jay Norvell is excited about the qualities that Finch brings to the wide receiving corps.

"He's worked in there and he's done a good job," Norvell said. "He's still learning a lot. It's a lot different playing out on the perimeter than it is playing out of the backfield. But he has athletic ability, quickness and explosiveness. Those are all important things that we want to play at the receiver position.”

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Five Flags plans Demolition Derby, Faster Pastor Race

Thursday, 16 August 2012 10:53 Written by Staff Reports

Weather permitting, Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola will hold its second demolition derby and first-ever Faster Pastor Race on Friday.

Rain postponed the featured races, originally scheduled for last week. In addition to the demolition derby and Faster Pastor Race, fans also will see modified, sportsman and bombers races. Gates open at 5 p.m. Admission is $5, free for fans younger than 6. Pit passes are available for $25.

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Kids Marathon registration

Thursday, 16 August 2012 10:43 Written by Staff Reports

Parents of children ages 5-12 can register for the Pensacola Kids Marathon by going to www.marathonpensacola.com or by contacting their children’s physical education teacher or track coach. Participants will complete the official marathon distance of 26.2 miles over an eight-week period beginning with a one-mile kickoff Sept. 15 at the University of West Florida. Children will run, walk or wheel-chair the final 1.2 miles beginning at 12:30 p.m. Nov. 11, after the Pensacola Marathon.

The Escambia County and Santa Rosa County school districts support the event, designed to encourage physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle. For more information, go to the marathon website or call the Pensacola Sports Association at 434-2800.

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Kayak fishing tournament Saturday

Thursday, 16 August 2012 10:21 Written by Staff Reports

The Gulf Coast Kayak Fishing Association will hold the first Miller Lite Kayak and Paddleboard Fishing Tournament on Saturday at Flounders Chowder House on Pensacola Beach. Cost is $50 per angler and registrations are being taken at Hot Spots Bait & Tackle in Gulf Breeze or beginning at 5 p.m. Friday at Flounders. Dinner for all tournament participants will be served at 6:30 p.m. Friday and tournament rules will be reviewed at 7 p.m.

First-, second- and third-place prizes will be awarded for five species – redfish, speckled trout, flounder, king mackerel and Spanish mackerel.

The first-place winners will be entered into a drawing for a brand new kayak.

There also will be three bonuses: The angler who catches the largest fish from a paddleboard will win a pair of Costa Del Mar sunglasses; a Yeti cooler will go to the angler who brings in the overall largest fish, regardless of species; and a Go Pro camera will be given to the angler who catches and photographs the largest red snapper. Red snapper currently are out of season, so the fish must be released following the photo.

Anglers can fish from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday. The scales will be open from noon-6 p.m. Saturday for those who would like to watch the weigh-ins.

For more information or to enter the tournament visit kayakpensacolabeach.com or call Hot Spots Bait & Tackle at (850) 916-7176.

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Extra Points: Viva USA!

Thursday, 16 August 2012 08:07 Written by Staff Reports

MEXICO CITY – Team USA beat Mexico 1-0 in an international friendly men’s soccer match Wednesday at Estadio Azteca. The Americans’ record south of the border is now 1-23-1.

“I think it’s huge. It’s huge for all American fans and it’s huge for the team. It’s historic,” U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. “We were well aware we’ve never won here at Azteca, and this is an amazing experience for all the players. We told them before the game, ‘This moment is for you, go and grab it.’ We are aware that it was a lot of work and it was a fantastic team performance.”

Michael Orozco Fiscal scored his first international goal in the 80^th minute for the U.S. and goalie Tim Howard saved three Mexican shots on goal, two in the game’s final minutes.

The USA returns to 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying when it faces Jamaica at 8:30 p.m. CT on Friday, Sept. 7, at National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica. Four days later, the teams square off again at 7 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Sept. 11, at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. That match will be broadcast live on ESPN2, ESPN3 and Univision.

(From U.S. Soccer news release)

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