Steelers, Chiefs, Packers, Saints close to division titles
By The Associated Press undefined
The Pittsburgh Steelers still haven’t clinched a spot in the postseason yet despite an 11-1 record. They will wrap up the AFC North with a win Sunday night at Buffalo and if Cleveland loses to Baltimore on Monday night. In the NFC, the Green Bay Packers can clinch the NFC North with a win over the Detroit Lions or a loss by Minnesota to Tampa Bay. The defending champion Kansas City Chiefs clinched a playoff spot last week and can wrap up the AFC West with a win or tie against Miami or a loss or tie by the Las Vegas Raiders.
Story by Beaver County Radio Program Director/News Director Frank Sparks
(Beaver Falls, Pa.) Longtime Beaver County Radio Play by Play Announcer Tom Hays is calling it a career after 40 years announcing games for Beaver County Radio in one form or another.
Hays started his career in broadcasting for WMBA in Ambridge in 1981 and made the move to WBVP and then Kiss 107.9 in 1987. In 2000 WMBA was purchased by then owner of WBVP Frank Iorio. Hays would call color commentary for Bob Barrickman in those days. In 2012 play by play man Jim Fredrick retired and Tom took over as play by play announcer for WMBA broadcasts. Tom could also be heard on WBVP broadcasts and since its inception in August of 2019 on 99.3 FM. Tom joined his good friend and fellow broadcaster Bob Barrickman in the was inducted Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame being inducted in the spring of 2019.
Bob Barrickman and Tom Hays
Current Beaver County Radio Owner and Station Manager Mark Peterson said “It’s easy to own and operate a station when you’ve had quality people like Tom Hays as part of the team” Peterson said “Tom’s talents behind the microphone will be missed by the listeners of Beaver County Radio”
Program Director Frank Sparks who cut his teeth at Beaver County Radio producing games for Hays said “I had a mojo from the beginning with Tom and we became lifetime friends and I will miss working with Tom. Not many can say they were able to work with a hall of fame broadcaster especially the caliber of a man like Tom Hays. ”
Sports Director and longtime friend Bob Barrickman said “Tom is a tremendous broadcaster. Take his hall of Fame career and multiply that by ten and that is the type of person that Tom Hays is.” Barrickman went on to say that he couldn’t believe that Tom was able to produce at the high level he has despite his health issues. “That just goes to prove the true professional and class act that Tom is.”
We at Beaver County Radio will miss Tom Hay’s and appreciate all that he has done to make Beaver County Radio a success over the last 40 years!!! He will be deeply missed by us all and we wish him well in the future.
You can listen to Tom’s interview Wednesday on Teleforum announcing his retirement by pressing the play button below:
(Beaver Falls, Pa.) Beaver County Radio play by play man and Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame announcer Tom Hays will join Eddy Crow on Teleforum at 10:10 a.m. Wednesday morning on 1230 WBVP, 1460 WMBA, 99.3 FM and beavercountyradio.com to talk about his 40 year career announcing local high school sports games. Hays started broadcasting in the early 80’s at WMBA and then made the move to Beaver County Radio in the late 1980’s.
Michigan cancels Ohio State showdown, citing COVID-19 cases
By LARRY LAGE and MITCH STACY AP Sports Writers
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan has canceled its annual rivalry game at Ohio State because of the COVID-19 outbreak within the Wolverines football program. Michigan says the decision was made after discussions with medical professionals. The third-ranked Buckeyes played through what coach Ryan Day called a mini outbreak last week in a 52-12 win at Michigan State as he watched from home because of a positive test. Michigan and Ohio State have played each other every year since 1918.
Pirates agree to deals with Taillon, Gonzalez and Feliz
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to one-year deals with pitchers Jameson Taillon and Michael Feliz as well as shortstop Erik Gonzalez. The contracts mean the Pirates will avoid arbitration with all three players. Taillion gets $2.25 million, Feliz $1 million and Gonzalez $1,225,000. Taillon, a former first-round draft pick, is expected to return in 2021 after missing most of the last two years following Tommy John surgery. Feliz pitched in just three games during the abbreviated 2020 season due to a forearm injury. Gonzalez faded after a hot start but drove in a career-high 20 runs last season.
Ex-coach Lou Holtz to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom
By KEVIN FREKING Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump will award the highest civilian honor on Thursday to former college football coach and political ally Lou Holtz. Holtz had a storied 34-year coaching career that included winning the 1988 national title at the University of Notre Dame. He’s set to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom in a private Oval Office ceremony. Holtz has been an outspoken backer of the president and spoke at this year’s Republican National Convention. Holtz had an impressive 249-132-7 record over a career that also included head coaching jobs at six colleges and brief stint in the NFL.
Steelers add C Pouncey to COVID-19 list against Ravens
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens are scheduled to play on Wednesday afternoon even as COVID-19 continues to infect players up and down their respective rosters. The Steelers will be without perennial Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey, who was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on just hours before kickoff. Pouncey is the fourth Pittsburgh player to join the list in the past week. The Ravens will be without more than a dozen players, including quarterback Lamar Jackson and running backs J.K. Dobbins and Mark Ingram. The game has been delayed three times because of a COVID-19 outbreak in Baltimore.
No. 4 Clemson, QB Lawrence throttle Pittsburgh 52-17
By PETE IACOBELLI AP Sports Writer
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Trevor Lawrence threw for 403 yards and two touchdowns in his first game in five weeks and No. 4 Clemson throttled Pittsburgh 52-17. Lawrence finished 26-of-37 passing in what’s expected to be his last college game at home. Lawrence went to the sidelines early in the fourth quarter with Clemson up 28 points. Lawrence last played Oct. 24 in a win over Syracuse. He tested positive for the coronavirus the next week and missed two games, including the Tigers’ only loss this season at No. 2 Notre Dame.
The Central Valley Warriors defeated the Wyomissing Spartans 35-21 to capture their first State Championship. Wyomissing struck first with a 44yd field goal to start the game, and after blocking a Central Valley punt the Spartans took an early 6-0 lead. The Warriors struck back with 18yd touchdown run by Jayvin Thompson, making it 7-6. Wyomissing later scored a touchdown in the final minutes of the second half, taking a 14-7 lead into the half. In the second half Central Valley became to dominate and take control of the game, outscoring the Spartans 28-7 in the second half, while recording 2 interceptions. Despite all that Wyomissing fought hard until the end even returning a kickoff 75yds to close to bring the game within 7 points during the fourth quarter, but it was not enough.
COVID-19 outbreak pushes Steelers-Ravens to next Tuesday
NEW YORK (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens’ bout with a COVID-19 outbreak has forced the NFL to postpone the team’s trip to Pittsburgh for a second time. The league announced Friday the Ravens (6-4) against the unbeaten Steelers (10-0) will now take place on Tuesday night. The game was originally scheduled for Thanksgiving then moved to Sunday afternoon after an initial wave of players on the Ravens tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The postponement forced the NFL to move Dallas’ visit to Baltimore next week from Thursday to Monday, Dec. 7. The unbeaten Steelers (10-0) will now have a short week to prepare for a visit from the Washington Football Team (4-7) on Dec. 6.
