AUGUST 30TH IS APPROACHING AND HOOVILLE WILL BE ROCKING ONCE AGAIN!!!

  It never gets old to me as a former Virginia Cavalier football player or as a athlete period when this time of year approaches. August 30th will kick off the Cavaliers 125th season and it will kick off with a BANG!!!! The Cavaliers will open their season at Scott Stadium versus #7 UCLA a very quality opponent. Some may wonder what's Coach London's strategy with adding another ranked Pac-12 team to the schedule for a third consecutive season especially coming off another losing season?

   UCLA coming off of a 10-3 season and a huge Sun Bowl victory over the Virginia Tech Hokies will start this season with a #7 ranking. The Bruins will have their top gun back at the quarterback position in Brett Hundley who finished with over 3,000 yards passing and 24 touchdowns and a completion percentage over 67%. The Bruins lost a top target for Hundley in Shaquelle Evans but return two other top targets in Devin Fuller and Jordan Payton. The Bruins will also get help from their very talented back field which helped the Bruins offense last season with Jordan James and Paul Perkins. With Hundleys arm a  talented receiving core and running back tandem this may be a rough day for the Cavaliers. The Bruins are looking to start this season off strong and finish as the Pac-12 champions. 

   My Virginia Cavaliers had a rough season last year finishing 2-10 with nine straight losses to end the season definitely raised a few eye brows for fans. The Cavaliers returned 16 starters and will be looking for those starters to ignite a strong season for the Hoos to get them back to winning. The Cavaliers offense was very dismal last season but do have a bright spot with returning their first 1,000 yard rusher in over a decade in Kevin parks and Taquan Mizzell will assist with electrifying the offense. The Cavaliers will be starting a new quarterback in Greyson Lambert but will have returning vets in Keeon Johnson and Darius Jennings at the wide receiver position to help Greyson. Defensively the Cavaliers return nine starters and will have a huge task in containing Hundley and the Bruins offense. Season after season I stay true Navy Blue and Orange and as a former Cavalier I yell out WAHOOWA AND GO HOOS GO!! The Hoos will have their hands full and if they can walk away with a victory it will be the start of a great season for London and his Cavaliers and finishing with a winning season would take some pressure off of Coach London. Make sure you tune in saturday August 30th at noon on ESPN as the HOOS face off against the 7th rank UCLA Bruins. 

70 MPH PITCH, 13 YEARS OLD, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED COVER AND A GIRL!!!!!

   Most 13 year old children are enjoying their summers by going on vacations, going swimming , playing with their friends and dreading the idea of starting school in a few weeks. Mo'ne Davis had other plans this summer. She decided to play little league baseball but probably didn't think what she loves to do would put her in the national spotlight. A very athletic young lady who was first spotted at the age of 7 by little league coach Bandura playing football with the little boys while cleaning the baseball field. After inviting her to his basketball practice and noticing her eye for detail while watching the older boys run drills he knew she was very athletic. Davis has been pitching for Bandura since he discovered her and noticed that Davis had a knack for throwing strikes at an early age which was a definite plus. As Mo'ne got older her skill set got better. At the age of 13 she can pitch a fast ball, a change up and continues to practice throwing the breaking ball. Mo'ne has gotten to the point where she can see her mistakes, fix them and continue throwing strikes because of her keen eye to detail. 

   70 mph and two shut outs later Davis and the Taney little league team has found themselves in the little league world series title run. Davis first shut out which propelled her and her team to the tournament run came in Williamsport, PA. with a 4-0 win. After her second pitching shut out Davis began to get national attention at an alarming rate. She has been watched by celebrities Lil Wayne, Kevin Durant, Coach Auriemma and Adam Jones to name a few. Being 13 years old, very athletic, pitches a 70 mph fast ball and a female playing in an all boy sport what does that get you? How about the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine, the only little league world series player to grace the cover of the magazine, people from all backgrounds and both genders wanting her autograph and over 35,000 people to see her game yesterday versus a good Las Vegas, Nevada team. 

  Mo'ne Davis has began to change the course of history with out probably knowing it. She has made it very clear that females can play with the boys,  she has boost the self esteem of women and girls world wide and across all races. Mo'ne has brought major publicity to the Little League World series and network ratings has soared to incredible highs since throwing her two shut outs. What's Mo'ne Davis's ultimate goal? Davis likes playing baseball but wants to play for the UCONN Huskies women's basketball team and wants to make it to the WNBA. I definitely applaud her talent and abilities and wish her the best in the future. Let Mo'ne Davis's stardom be a jump start to other female athletes that are questioning their abilities. To those that are in her corner please continue to be a support system for her especially once the bright lights of hollywood start to dim and the cameras walk away. Mo'ne if you read this blog continue to be a great and humble young lady and never give up on your dream. #DARETOBEGREAT!  

MY DMV SPOTLIGHT, MR. TINO ELLIS DEMATHA HIGH SCHOOL. TAKING OFF!!!!!!

  
  Here we go Here we gooooooo! I first would like to apologize for being out of commission since my last posting and truly appreciate everyone that has read my blogs and that continue to read them. I have my next DMV SPOT LIGHTTTTTTTTTTT and he's a talented rising junior. 
  Next up we have a sensational young man that as a sophomore help his Dematha Catholic High School football team win the 2013 WCAC title. I got the opportunity to sit down and interview my next DMV spot light athlete and it was a great interview. 

TAVON: Hello, before we get into the interview I would like for you to introduce yourself to everyone.

TE: Hello everyone My name is Tino Ellis.

TAVON: Thanks for sitting down with me Tino and doing this interview. 

TE: Not a problem at all and thank you for reaching out to me to do this interview I really appreciate it.

TAVON: The pleasure is all mines. Let's jump right into it and let everyone know a little more about Tino Ellis. What school do you attend? What grade are you going to? and what's your favorite sport?

TE: I attend DeMatha Catholic High School, I am a rising junior and of course my favorite sport is football. 

TAVON: Exactly I figured football would be your favorite sport and that's great a rising junior. So as a sophomore you got the opportunity to play on the varsity level in a tough league for a great program. Did your team finish strong in 2013?

TE: Yes as a sophomore I was running with the big dogs lol. It was a great opportunity for me as a sophomore to play on that level at such a great school and it showed that my hard work wasn't overlooked. The 2013 season finished great, we won the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title. 

TAVON: WOW! that's an awesome accolade to add to your resume as an athlete to be a sophomore football player at Dematha and to win a championship. What position do you play and why that great position? 

TE: Yes definitely a great accolade to have as a sophomore in such a great league. I am a wide receiver at Dematha and I picked the wide receiver position because I knew I had the skill set to play the position. 

TAVON: That's great I almost dropped a tear lol. I played wide receiver in college at UVA and with the New York JETS. Not to mention the wide receiver position is the best position on the field but don't tell your Quarterback that lol. I know that you're a rising junior and with having a championship under your belt as a sophomore I know you have turned a few heads in college. What schools have expressed interest in you?

TE: LOL! I saw that you were a receiver as well and I'll make sure I don't tell my quarterback what you said so I can continue to get the ball thrown my way. Currently as a prospect I have Georgia, Penn st., Notre Dame, Michigan, USC, Maryland, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Virginia, Hawaii, Tennessee, Oregon, UCLA, Rutgers, Nebraska and Mississippi State. My top five schools in no particular order are Notre Dame, Maryland, Virginia Tech, USC AND Georgia.

TAVON: That's a very impressive list Tino but I have to talk to you one to one about your top 5 list. We got to get Vtech off of there and add Virginia lol I'm just saying. I am proud of you myself and very happy that such prestigious schools have shown interest in you already. Great job and keep it up. I have three more questions and we will be done.

TE: I knew you would say something about Virginia Tech being on my top 5 and not Virginia lol. I will keep working hard to increase my list by the end of my junior year. Keep the questions coming I am enjoying this.

TAVON: What is your ultimate goal in life?

TE: My ultimate goal in life is to be able to look at my past and be proud of myself for what I have done on and off the field.

TAVON: That's an adult answer for a young man. Most young men in your position would say make it to the NFL but you didn't you chose self reflection. Your mom and dad have the making of a wise man on their hands. If you had to the opportunity to work with anyone to enhance your football skills who would it be?

TE: Thank you Tavon for the compliment and that's what I truly believe. The one person that I would love to work with to help improve my skills as a wide receiver would  be Michael Irvin.

TAVON: That's a very great pick to work with my one person would of been Jerry Rice and still is my pick lol. My last question for you to close out your interview is what are some encouraging words for the younger kids that are inspiring to do what you're doing?

TE: Yes Jerry Rice is a great pick to learn from as well. My encouraging words for the younger generation would whatever sport that you play get whatever you can out of it and don't let the sport use you because it's not going to last forever. Also give 100% in whatever you do. 

TAVON: There you have it straight from Mr. Tino Ellis's mouth. Again thank you Tino for sitting down with me to do this interview and make sure everyone checks it out at formernyjet18.blogsport.com. If you would like to see this young man in action go to 
www.hudl.com/athlete/2906406/highlights/145003565

GOING HOME AT THE HEIGHT OF HIS CAREER, AND A CITY THAT WILL FLOURISH ECONOMICALLY

    Disney couldn't of written a story like this and made it dramatic enough for the public and believable at the same time. The majority thought it would happen and some thought he would stay at Miami to continue the championship runs. Since Lebron left Cleveland the Cavaliers haven't seen many good days or playoffs. Cleveland has the talent but not that one player to spark a flame under their young players feet to start a surge in the NBA. The question that critics may have is how will Cleveland welcome Lebron back after being blacked listed from the state because of him leaving the way he did?   

   Lebron coming back to Cleveland has more importance than just a basketball hero coming back home or a championship. Lebrons presences could uplift Cleveland's economy with businesses flourishing again as it did before he left the Cavaliers. Critics will always have negative things to say about Lebron but him coming back was to give back to his city where he grew up and that took care of him and shaped him to be who he is today. Most athletes play their specific sport for the money and fame but in this instance I believe he made this move to give Cleveland and the people of Cleveland hope that you can be great and love where you come from. All athletes play the game to win and to say I am the best and he has done that and has proven that. In the words of Jay-z all you can do as a basketball fan is "either love him or leave him alone" because at the end of the day the ink has dried and he's headed back to where he started. GAME ON!

A ROAD WELL TRAVELED, SOUR ENDING BUT STILL A GIANT AMONGST THE REST!!

     A road battled tested and the Wahoos proved to be the right opponent for the Commodores from Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt took the first game of the series putting their foot down to let everyone that selected the highly ranked Cavaliers to win the CWS hands down with no problem that they are here to prove them WRONG. If you followed the Cavaliers regular season and post season you saw a resilient team that when their backs are against the wall they will claw back and show their teeth. Going into the second game I knew the Hoos would come ready to play and would not walk away without a fight and fight they did. The Cavaliers were down 2-1 going into the sixth inning of game 2 only to show their fight and drive and turned that 2-1 lead by the Commodores to a 6-2 lead at the end of the seventh inning for themselves. The Cavaliers bats woke up against a strong pitcher in Tyler Beede to tie the series up 1-1 forcing a final deciding game 3 for a National Championship. If the Cavaliers win game 3 it would be the first National Championship for an ACC team since 1955 when Wake Forest won it. If Vanderbilt wins it will be the SEC's fourth in six years and their first National Championship in any sport.

   The College World Series game 3, for all the marbles, glory and to say my school is the best school in the game of baseball. Game 3 of the CWS started with a error by the Cavaliers catcher  Robbie Coman trying to throw Bryan Reynolds out at second  which sailed into the out field allowing Swanson stealing from second to third to go home giving the Commodores a 1-0 lead after the first inning. After some questionable play by the Cavaliers they were able to wake their bats up in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game up 2-2 against Carson Fulmer who proved to be a challenge for the Hoos through five innings. Game 3 entered the top of eighth inning still tied and everyone on the edge of their seats including myself as I watched chanting LETS GO HOOS! LETS GO HOOS! wearing my Virginia Football hat proud of my colors. As I watched Norwood walk to the plate I kept saying lets get out this inning and start that spark again and bring the ship back to Charlottesville. Nick Howard pitched a 97mph fast ball and Norwood swung and BOOM! sent the pitch into the left field dugout to give Vanderbilt a 3-2 lead and a huge momentum swing in this tough game. That homerun hit by Norwood was only the 25th homerun hit in four years at TD Ameritrade park. The Cavaliers couldn't bounce back from that homerun and the Commodores took game 3 by one point crowning them the best college baseball team. As a Cavalier myself I am very proud of the baseball team and what they accomplished this long season. I know second place isn't where any team wants to be because we are taught as athletes winning is the only thing and no one remembers second place. However, I think the UVA team made a strong statement that we are a team to watch and will continue to make imprints in college baseball for years to come. So with that said I will start the chant now for next years season U-V-A GO HOOS GOOOOOO!

FROM MY EYES DMV SPOT LIGHT: BALTIMORE NATIVE, EDMONDSON HIGH SCHOOL RED STORM QB, GRADUATE AND COLLEGE BOUND!!!!!

   The world of sports including both male and female have ignited a huge storm of openings for men and women to put their talents on display for the world to see especially on the professional level. When you get the chance to see athletes such as Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Jordan, Dez Bryant, Ray Lewis, myself and more we often forget where they started from. No matter what sport you play your initial love for the game started either as a young child or in high school. I wanted to go back in time and bring to the fore front young people that are either junior, seniors or have just graduated from their respective high school and will be continuing their love for their sport in college. Recently I had the pleasure to interview a talented young man from Baltimore my hometown city just graduating from high school.

TM: Good evening first tell everyone your name, where your from and what's your favorite sport.  

DLW3: My name is Daniel Lewis Williams III and I am from Baltimore, MD. and my favorite sport is football.

TM: Hometown guy that's great!!

TM: Are you still in high school? if not when did you graduate and from what high school did you graduate from?

DLW3: I am no longer in high school Tavon. I graduated the day after my mother's birthday May 31, 2014 from Edmondson Westside High School in Baltimore City. 

TM: That's great Daniel I proud of you myself for being a high school graduate and a student before being an athlete

TM: Now that you're a high school graduate and I know you will be playing after high school, what school will you be attending?

DLW3: LOL, yes I will be playing in college and the school that gave me a chance to further my education and to show my athletic ability will be Hudson Valley College in New York. I will be attending Hudson Valley College which is a junior college to help increase my G.P.A and hopefully transfer to a D1 school and further my play on a bigger scale. 

TM: That's great man it's always good to get another opportunity at the sport you love. Since football is your favorite sport, what position/positions did you play in high school?

DLW3: Yes it's definitely great to be able to play beyond high school. I played multiple positions in high school. My positions were quarterback, safety, wide receiver and I was a punt returner. 

TM: Niceeeeee, you are what coaches today call a hybrid player which is beneficial for you in the eyes of college coaches. What position/positions will you play at Hudson?

DLW3: Since quarterback is my starting position I will continue playing QB in college and hopefully get the chance to play safety also.

TM: That's great I got the opportunity to watch your highlight film on Hudl and I definitely see you getting the opportunity to play safety. You definitely have an eye for the ball. 

TM: If you could write your life movie how would it play out?

DLW3: If I could waive my magical pen lol I would make it to the NFL which has been a dream of mines for a long time. Next I would save some money and invest in two youth organizations in my hometown of Baltimore.

TM: That's awesome you and I had the same dream and you definitely can make just continue to train and work hard and never quit. That's one thing I never heard a young man say when it comes to money. You have a leveled head for such a young age good job. 

TM: If you had the opportunity to perfect your skills with any athlete who would that be/

DLW3: I would pick Cam Newton? I pick Cam because I like his style of play and the determination that he shows on the field.

TM: He definitely plays hard and puts it all on the line.

TM: Last and final question for you. What advice would you give to younger kids that inspire to follow in your steps?

DLW3: Tavon I would tell them to go to school, attend all of their classes and stay humble on and off the field. 

TM: There you have folks a great young man that has he head on his shoulders. Please continue to follow Daniel in college and beyond. Daniel is their anyone or people that you would like to thank?

DLW3: Thank you again Tavon for the interview. I would like to thank Mr. Perry(Edmondson Highs Principal), Coach Johnson and Coach David(Edmondsons coaches), Coach Larry, Coach Tay, Coach Moane, Coach Bug, Big Derrick & Coach Carter(Patterson High and NE Chargers), Coach Kev(Lakeland Vikings), Mr. Keion Carpenter(SDA), Mr. Jarell & Mr. Nell(FMK). To my step father Mr. Marcus and finally special thanks to my mother for always being there and never giving up on me.

TM: I know everyone on that list is very proud of you and can't wait to see you play in college.  I would like to add some of Daniel awards, 2010 National Championship with the Northeast chargers, 210 Most Improved Player of the year and finally 2014 Offensive Player of the year at Edmondson High School.

What more can you say, this is just one example of how high school and even pop warner sports play an important role in the development of professional athletes that we watch on a daily basis. Stay tuned more DMV athlete spot lights to come. 

WAHOO NATION REVS UP TO RIDE TO THE WORLD SERIES IN OMAHA!!

   Tonight just as some of UVA's other sports teams recently did the UVA's baseball team will embark on making their season a magical one. The cavaliers will go head to head with the Maryland Terrapins to see if they can send them to the Big10 with a bad taste in their mouth. One game away from making it to the College World Series which will make a third trip for the Hoos in six years. UVA was able to tie the series on Sunday 1 to 1 by defeating the Terps 7-3 24 hrs after losing 5-4 in Charlottesville. The Hoos hitting and pitching played a huge factor in their victory Sunday and the question will be can they do the exact same thing Monday night? The Cavs totaled 17 hits to defeat the Terps sunday leaving their fans in silence heading into Mondays game 3. 

   The Virginia Cavaliers boasts a awesome record this season. The Cavs overall record is 48-14, A conference record of 22-8, A home record of 33-4, A away record of 13-7 and a 2-3 record on neutral sites. Looking at those numbers I see World Series written all over the Orange & Navy Blue. Yes Yes it's true everything written on paper doesn't give you a championship, but those numbers reflect the caliber of players that are on the Cavs team. This game sets up to be a great game for the baseball fan with only two ACC teams left in the hunt. This game if you think about it out of all the schools that fight to be in this position you will have a ACC team that will play in the College World Series. I have to give props to the Terps as a good sportsman to make it to the Super Regional Round where no Terrapins team have made it. The WAHOO in me says GO HOOS GO AND PICK UP WHERE THE REST OF THE SPORTS TEAMS AT THE UNIVERSITY LEFT OFF!