By Scott Morganroth

The New York Giants’ 21-17 victory over the New England Patriots sent shock waves to the rest of the NFL.

Just get in the playoffs and play your best football in December and January, as they became the first team in NFL history to lose seven games and win a Super Bowl.

The Giants were 7-7 in December and made it to the playoffs by defeating the Dallas Cowboys 31-14 to clinch the NFC East Title in the final week of the season, finishing at 9-7.

By winning the division title, New York earned a home game and dispatched the Atlanta Falcons 24-2 in the opening round. Atlanta’s only points came off a safety.

Ironically, the Giants’ first points in the Super Bowl were the result of a safety.

The Giants took their act on the road as they defeated 15-1 Green Bay 37-20 in the second game of the tournament in frigid Lambeau Field. They prevented Packers MVP QB Aaron Rogers from leading Green Bay to its second straight Super Bowl Championship.

The NFC Championship Game would be hosted by the 13-3 San Francisco 49’ers. But the Giants wouldn’t be affected by the three-hour difference in time zone as they earned a 20-17 overtime victory.

What would it take for New York to win the Super Bowl over the 13-3 New England Patriots?

It would take an MVP Performance by Giants QB Eli Manning as he threw for 296 yards and one touchdown. Manning became the fifth player in Super Bowl History to win two MVP Awards and he accomplished that twice against the New England Patriots.

This MVP came in the stadium that his brother Peyton built – Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

The Giants played good defense. They sacked Patriots QB Tom Brady twice and forced him to throw one interception.

In the end, this Super Bowl rematch of four years ago would be decided in the final minute as the Giants got a
late touchdown by Ahmad Bradshaw, a play designed to set up a field goal. However, he inadvertently backed in and scored. This play will go down as one of the classic endings in Super Bowl history.

Eli Manning’s legacy has now been cemented as a two-time Super Bowl Champion. With two Super Bowl rings, he owns family bragging rights over Peyton.

Following Sunday night’s game, the Giants have defeated the Patriots three consecutive times – including two Super Bowl triumphs and a 24-20 regular season win in New England on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011.

More importantly, the Giants Super Bowl victory sends a message to the entire sports world.

“Don’t worry about the win-loss regular season record. Just qualify for the post-season.”

As long as a team peaks in the playoffs, that’s all that matters. You can bet every coach in every sport on all levels will use the Giants’ improbable underdog ride as motivation to inspire players to win a championship.

That’s what will make Super Bowl XLVI stand out for years to come.

Scott Morganroth can be reached at www.scottsports33.com.

Nathan Revell was recently named Highlands Christian Academy’s new football coach on Jan. 24. Submitted photo

By Gary Curreri

Revell, who graduated from Highlands Christian Academy in 2006 where he played football (linebacker and fullback), basketball and track, was named the school’s new football coach on Jan. 24.

“Nathan is an incredible young man who has a positive future as a head coach,” said Jim Good, athletic director and boys varsity basketball coach at Highlands Christian Academy.

“It’s amazing how God is in control and literally has worked out all the details. Coach Revell is definitely an answer to prayer. It’s obvious he has a love for football and the weight room, but his ultimate priority is to honor and glorify Christ, and football is just the platform.”

Revell graduated from Liberty University in 2011 with a degree in Exercise Science and a minor in Youth Ministry. He played five years at Liberty as a fullback and linebacker.

Last season, he was the special teams coordinator and offensive line coach for Calvary Christian, also the defensive coordinator for the J.V. He is currently leading the HCA seventh hour weight training class and after school weight training programs. Revell is also an assistant coach for the track team, specifically working with the throwers.

Abbate records first ace

Pompano Beach’s John Abbate recorded his first-ever hole-in-one at the Oriole Golf Club when he used a 3-wood on the Par-3, 150-yard third hole recently.

“That’s my first one,” said the 69-year-old Abbate, who has only been playing golf for the past three years. “I have only been playing three years, so I am pretty happy when I just get on the green. I hit the ball up, it bounced before the green and I am walking up and figured with the 3-wood, it probably went over.

“I am picking up my tee and one of the guys said, ‘I think it went in,’ ” Abbate recalled. “I am thinking, ‘yeah, he’s kidding me.’ We walked up to the hole and I am looking behind the green and couldn’t find it. I looked in the hole and there it was, in the cup.”

When he saw the ball in the hole, he smiled and said the three other members of the group, three Canadians who he was paired with that morning, were probably more excited than he was.

“I thought I was pretty damn lucky,” Abbate said with a laugh. “I like being outside and I like sports. Golf is a pretty tough game because it changes every day.”

The retired construction worker said he had played “maybe twice” in his life before some men who live in his condo got him started.

“It is mostly me against the game and me against the course,” Abbate said. “It is funny because when you play against better guys, you sort of up your game. You try a little harder maybe.”

Denard Robinson (center) became the first player in NCAA history to pass for 2,500 yards and rush for 1,500 yards in a single season in 2010. He is pictured above in the Wolverines’ 40-34 victory over Ohio State this past season. Photo courtesy of University of Michigan Photo Services

By Gary Curreri

Denard Robinson has been making a name for himself on the football field since he was a member of the Deerfield Beach Packer Rattlers.

However, not by his birth name of Denard Xavier Robinson, but “Shoelace,” a nickname he got when he was 10 and playing for his Pee Wee team with his shoelaces untied. That practice has still continued to this day and Robinson hasn’t been tripped up from making noise on the college gridiron.

Robinson, who led the University of Michigan to an 11-2 record this year and a 2012 Allstate Sugar Bowl Championship as he threw for two TDs in a 23-20 overtime victory over Virginia Tech at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, recently announced he would forgo the NFL draft to return to school for his senior year.

“It’s been a dream to play in the NFL, and, hopefully, after next year, that becomes a reality,” Robinson said. “But, I wouldn’t pass up being here with my teammates and coaches for anything. It’s my second family. I love my teammates. I love Michigan.”

“Seeing how the seniors led our team this year, I want to be that type of leader,” Robinson added. “We made steps and had a good season, but we didn’t accomplish our No. 1 goal. We’re still hungry.”

Robinson, who threw for 2,173 yards and ran for 1,176 in his first season under new coach Brady Hoke, is one of the early favorites for the Heisman Trophy.

From his Pee Wee coach Sammie Huggins to his Deerfield Beach High School football coach Art Taylor, his coaches knew they had a special athlete in Robinson, the son of Thomas Robinson, Sr., and Dorothea Robinson.

“He listened,” Huggins said. “That was the difference … Denard’s attitude was always great. That’s why you knew he’s going to go somewhere.”

In his junior year (2007) at Deerfield Beach High School, Robinson was one yard short of taking the Bucks to the state championship game and an upset victory over the nation’s No. 1 ranked team, Miami Northwestern.

Taylor marveled at the athleticism and the leadership of Robinson.

“As soon as he stepped on that field his sophomore year playing varsity, we knew we had something special,” Taylor recalled. He also laughed at the nickname. “After 25 years coaching, if the kid can throw it 90 yards in the air and is accurate and the kid can run as fast as he does … as long as he feels comfortable not lacing his shoes, fine with me. The kid’s been doing it all his life, why mess with it?”

Robinson has made quite an impression at Michigan as well. He became the first player in NCAA history to pass for 2,500 yards and rush for 1,500 yards in a single season in 2010, and just the fourth player in NCAA history to gain 2,000 yards passing and 1,000 rushing in a season twice in his career (2010, ’11) – joining Missouri’s Brad Smith, UAB’s Joe Webb and Nevada’s Colin Kaepernick.

There is even a YouTube video out, put together by The Friars, an a capella group at the University of Michigan, that is a unique way of honoring the Wolverines quarterback.

During a concert on Dec. 3, the group performed a parody of Simon & Garfunkel’s Mrs. Robinson, set to the Michigan star. To view it, go to: tinyurl.com/72pklav

The Howard Schnellenberger era is officially over, as the only coach in FAU Football History leaves the program with a 58-74 mark. Schnellenberger’s all-time record in 27 years of coaching college football is 158-151 with a National Championship for the Miami Hurricanes in 1983.

The Owls can thank the UAB Blazers to avoid going winless this season as FAU pulled out a 38-35 win Saturday, Nov. 26, thanks to Senior Running Back Alfred Morris’ 198 yards and four touchdowns. Morris became the first person in Schnellenberger’s career to surpass 1,000 yards twice in his career. He finished with 1,186 yards in 2011 with a 72-yard effort against ULM. In 2009, he amassed 1,392.

The embarrassing defeat by UAB led to the firing a few days later of its’ Head Coach Neil Callaway, who had a 3-9 season and was 21-51 in five years.

When the game was over, FAU sent Schnellenberger out with a fireworks display. He also gave a game-ending speech thanking everyone in the stadium for their support. It took him longer to address the media because he spent extra time talking to his players. At the end of the press conference, the popular coach was busy signing media members’ press passes.

Schnellenberger said, “This is the first time I’ve turned a football team over in this type of situation. But I want the players to know that I value them being here. I didn’t want these players to go out as losers. There are a lot of good football players on this team.”

But Schnellenberger was pleased that his retirement would turn out differently than legendary coaches like former Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden and Penn State’s Joe Paterno by leaving on his own terms.

“I talked to Bowden about this and with the way coaches are getting disposed of. I didn’t want to leave like that. I wanted this to be a seamless transition. I’ve never missed a day of work in 52 years of coaching, and I’m glad that I can retire, relax, spend time with my wife Beverlee, children and grandchildren,” Schnellenberger added. “I’ll be moving out of my football office Sunday and into a new one in the administration building Monday, helping out any way I can, but “won’t be in the way of the new coach.”

My time with Coach Schnelleberger dates back to our days with the Miami Hurricanes in the early 1980s. It will be different without my friend in the future, but the UAB win meant so much that it would have been a major injustice for him to end his final season as the only winless team in NCAA Division I FBS. Thankfully, it didn’t happen and I’m pleased he left on his own terms.

Scott Morganroth can be reached at scottsports33.com.

The FAU Owls couldn’t get it right when they were shut out 20-0 by the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers to open up their new on-campus stadium on Oct. 15.

But the Owls had a second chance for another first in their new home. The Arkansas State University (ASU) Red Wolves were the first opponent in FAU’s inaugural Homecoming Game. The results were encouraging. With 10:55 left in the first half, the Owls were -13 yards in total offense.

But that was before running back Alfred Morris got his hands on the football and ran for 39 yards, thus putting the Owls in the black in total offense.

Two plays later, the Owls capped off a four play, 71-yard drive as Morris would score a 13-yard touchdown as he tied Doug Parker with 25 total all-time, rushing and receiving. FAU trailed at this point 15-7.

With 2:49 left in the first half, the Owls put together a seven plays, 62-yard and 3:16 drive and cut ASU’s lead 18-14. Morris would cap this drive with a four-yard touchdown run as he broke Parker’s record with 26. Morris has 22 rushing and four receiving touchdowns.

In the second half, Morris picked up where he left off, as he had 33 yards on the Owls opening drive, which led to an FAU eight play drive that went 70-yards and lasted 4:36.

Quarterback Graham Wilbert connected with Derek Moise for an 18-yard touchdown. It was the first of Moise’s career. The Owls took a 21-18 lead, and this was the first FAU lead in the new stadium.

But that lead wouldn’t last long as ASU responded with a six plays, 40 yards and 2:18 drive that gave them a 25-21 lead. It was capped by a seven-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Aplin to Taylor Stockemer.

The Red Wolves scored 21 unanswered points to build a 38-21 lead by the 7:39 mark in the fourth quarter. Aplin had five touchdowns, four rushing and one passing. He threw for 244 yards.

Morris finished with 163 yards rushing, while Graham ended his night with 147 yards and two interceptions. FAU had four turnovers and committed nine penalties for 69 yards in the 39-21 loss. ASU out gained FAU in total yards 429-281 and first downs 28-15.

The Owls dropped to 0-8 and 6-5 in Homecoming Games. The Red Wolves lead the all-time series 4-3.

When the game was over, Morris downplayed his personal accomplishments as he said, “This is bittersweet, but we wanted to win. As usual, we made a lot of mistakes. The film shows it. I don’t play for the accolades, but because I love the game. I don’t look at stats, just wins and losses.

“I take pride in blocking and take it serious because I don’t want them touching my other running back or quarterback. The positive part of this game is we showed we can move the ball.

“But I don’t want to be part of a win-less team. We have four chances to win a game. We’re not desperate for a win, but hungry for one. If I had the answers to this losing, I’d try to fix it.”

Coach Schnellenberger added, “Taking the lead in the third quarter was an accomplishment. This game was more disheartening because of the improvements you saw. I was a proud football coach and remain one. It’s tough trying to develop a football team that hasn’t won. What’s history is history. It’s a different type of development and we’ll continue to develop these players for the new coach.”

FAU’s next chance for a win is on Saturday night at 6 p.m. when it travels to Miami to face FIU in the Shula Bowl.

Scott Morganroth can be reached at www.scottsports33.com.

By Scott Morganroth

On Oct. 15, 2010, ground was broken on the new FAU stadium and, exactly one year later, the $70 million facility hosted the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers as the start of a new era began in FAU Sports History.

Construction workers worked seven days a week, giving up their Sundays, to make Saturday’s opener a reality. This is the only stadium in the United States where you can see the Atlantic Ocean, only 2.1 miles away.

But the road to this beautiful venue saw Coach Howard Schnellenberger, Athletic Director Craig Angelos, former President Frank Brogan and his successor Dr. Mary Jane Saunders witness some lopsided defeats to some of the most heralded football programs in the country.

FAU took the guaranteed large payouts to Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, South Carolina, Texas and USF.

There were four notable wins as FAU defeated Hawaii, Central Michigan, Memphis and Minnesota.

A year ago, the Michigan State Spartans were supposed to open up FAU Stadium, but that never materialized. FAU’s home game was moved to Ford Field as the Owls shared a home with the Detroit Lions. FAU lost this game, 30-17.

So instead of seeing the Spartans, Owls fans saw their team lose 0-20 to the Hilltoppers in front of 29,103 people. Score could have been worse for FAU if Western Kentucky would have converted three field goals and an extra point.

But these numbers tell the story!

FAU had only six first downs, 25 rushing and 121 total yards. More importantly, Owls fans will have to wait until Saturday against Middle Tennessee State to see the first points in the new stadium at 8 p.m.

On Saturday, No. 23 Michigan State defeated state rival No. 11 Michigan 28-14 in East Lansing, a place that wasn’t kind to the Owls earlier this year. The Spartans whitewashed FAU 44-0 on Sept. 10 in East Lansing.

When the contest was over, there was a huge sense of happiness and relief that the new on-campus stadium dream has become a reality.

By the same token, now that the opener is over, reality has set in that FAU is, currently, 0-6 and 0-3 in the Sun Belt Conference. Owls are in last place and know they have to start winning games.

Quarterback David Kooi said, “Our offense was shaky and we put no points on the board. We didn’t execute and just hurt ourselves. This was a great atmosphere and we didn’t get the job done. I just want to say I’m sorry to the fans.”

Running back Alfred Morris added, “I’m very disappointed and wanted it so bad. We just couldn’t get it together. This was a very exciting atmosphere. It was crazy. We’ll try to get them next time.”

Senior defensive back Marcus Bartels was in a somber mood when he said, “I never expected this. We feel like we let everybody down. I want to apologize to the fans.”

Coach Schnellenberger said,” I’ve never been in a situation like this before. We worked so hard and so long to make this stadium. We played badly on the offensive side of the ball. We expected to win this game, but, yet, played so poorly in front of dedicated fans. That’s what happened and I have to deal with that. I’m the coach and I have to do fix this situation.”

Former Owls QB Rusty Smith, now of the Tennessee Titans, came in town due to his teams bye week. On this day, the Owls could have used him in his old No.11 jersey.

But now, the stadium is open for business. The team has to focus on winning since there will be no more hype. It’s all business as the Owls hope to send Schnellenberger out on a respectable note with six games left in his 52-year coaching career.

Arelious Burns had 20 carries for 100 yards to lead the Knights in a 14-7 victory over visiting Coral Shores on Friday night. Photo by Gary Curreri

By Gary Curreri

Highlands Christian Academy’s Gabe Hantsbarger hauled in a 27-yard scoring pass from Jay Mentecky with 18 seconds left to give the host Knights a 14-7 victory over Coral Shores on Friday night. Hantsbarger, who finished the night with three catches for 65 yards on the night, had his winning TD setup via a fourth down personal foul committed by Coral Shores.

“The downpour and wind made it very difficult to throw the ball,” said Highlands Christian Academy coach Jordan Adair. “Our O-Line and running game carried us for most of the game with Arelious Burns carrying the majority of the load.”

Burns had 20 carries for 100 yards to lead the Knights, who finished the game with 186 yards on 37 carries by its runners. Tyson Graham came in at running back on the Knights’ last drive and had two crucial runs, leading host Highlands (2-3) to its winning score.

“This was a big win for us,” said Adair, whose team won for the second consecutive week. “We keep some momentum heading into our game this week against Jupiter Christian.”

The Knights will tackle Jupiter Christian (5-1) on Friday at John I. Leonard.

Photo by Gary Curreri

Lions still winless

Zion Lutheran’s P.J. Boll-ing caught a 10-yard scoring pass from Austin Peaslee to avert the shutout in a 55-6 loss to Jupiter Christian. Zion fell to 0-3 for the year.

Bucks, Tigers to square off

Deerfield Beach (1-4), coming off their first victory of the season, will travel cross town to face Blanche Ely (4-1) on Friday night.

Pompano Beach will host winless Coral Glades on Thursday night.

Local Golf Association results

The team of Kathy Hart-mann, Betty Cullinan, Pat Zuckerman, Anna Vaccaro shot a 69 to win the Palm Aire Ladies Golf Association’s weekly scramble tournament on Oct. 4.

In the Pompano Beach Men’s Golf Association, Bill Auxier shot a 67 to win the Class A Division in the Individual Low Net in Classes tourney on Oct. 5. Harry Jung shot a 68 to win the Class B Division, while John Kapoukakis shot a 68 (Class C) and Paul Dauzickas shot a 67 (Class D) to win their respective Divisions.

Janet Stuart, Lu Rispoli, Elaine Schoengood teamed for a 62 to win the One Best Ball of Threesome tournament on Oct. 4 in the Pompano Beach Women’s Golf Association.

By Scott Morganroth

When I went to training camp to see the FAU Owls practice eight days ago, there was definitely a different feeling this time.

By now, everyone knows this will be the final season for Coach Howard Schnellenberger, who has built the Owls program from scratch. When I asked him about what it was like to enter his final season, he refused to address the subject. He rarely dodges a question, but I do know that he’s probably been asked it several times lately. More importantly, he’ll have an entire season to talk about it, thus, his focus remained on the Florida Gators on Sept. 3.

By now, though, Schnellenberger is probably trying to put the No. 22 Florida Gators behind him as his team suffered a 41-3 loss on Saturday in Gainesville. FAU’s only points came on a 27-yard field goal by Vinnie Zaccario.

Getting dominated in the following statistical areas were things the 77-year-old coach knows he has to improve on this week.

Against the Gators, Florida dominated in total offense by outgaining FAU, 468-137, and in first downs, 30-11. Anything close to these numbers Saturday against the Michigan State Spartans at noon on ESPN 2 will lead to yet another forgettable afternoon.

The last thing Schnellenberger needs is another embarrassment. Michigan State leads the all-time series 2-0.

Schnellenberger prepared for the Florida game the same way he has for so many.

“We prepare correctly for every game we play,” Schnellenberger said. “We prepare harder and more than put forth the effort. We think we have a full cup.”

He added that this training camp was no different than any other and never worried about retirement.

“I know this is the last time we’ll play Florida, Michigan State on down the line,” Schnellenberger said. “But it’s not as big a thing, you know. You coach for 52 years, and there were times that I thought it would be over already. You know it’s coming to an end, so it’s no big thing.”

I was recently asked by some friends and family about whether I was surprised by Schnellenberger’s retirement? I told them “NO.”

First of all, he was able to become the George Washington of FAU Football and since he won’t win a national championship in Boca Raton, what better way to go out on top than to coach the final year in a brand-new on-campus stadium.

Schnellenberger turned that dream into a reality. Icing on the cake would be taking the Owls to another bowl game and winning it. But even if he doesn’t reach the post-season, on Jan. 21, 2012, he’ll coach one more time against former FSU legendary coach Bobby Bowden at FAU Stadium.

Scott Morganroth can be reached at scottsports33.com. 

By Scott Morganroth

Ever since the FAU Owls lost their Lockhart Stadium Finale “The Good Riddance Bowl” on Dec. 4, 2010 to the Troy Trojans, 44-7, there has been a lot of interesting news regarding Coach Howard Schnellenberger’s connections at both the professional and college levels.

This past week, the Tennessee Titans decided to part ways with Quarterback Vince Young and retain Coach Jeff Fisher, who has $6.5 million left on the final year of his contract. Titans Owner Bud Adams was hoping that Young and Fisher could settle their differences, but when their working relationship couldn’t be salvaged, the owner had to move on with the longest tenured coach in the NFL.

The Titans quarterback, who has a chance to compete for the starting job in Fisher’s 18th season, is former FAU Owl Rusty Smith. If Fisher hopes to continue his time in Nashville, Smith’s development figures factor into the equation, as Tennessee hopes to rebound from a 6-10 season. Once Young is moved, the Titans will have veteran Kerry Collins, Smith and third stringer Chris Simms.

Schnellenberger’s former school, the University of Miami, has made a coaching change hours after the University of South Florida Bulls defeated the Hurricanes, 23-20, on Nov. 27 at Joe Robbie Stadium.

Following the UM loss, where only 26,369 fans showed up, Randy Shannon was fired after four seasons, as he compiled a 28-22 record. With Shannon long gone, Miami lost the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, 33-17, to Notre Dame on Dec. 31, 2010.

Miami hired former Temple Owls Coach Al Golden, who led his former team to 9-4 and 8-4 seasons in 2009 and 2010, along with one bowl appearance.

The 41-year-old signed a five-year contract on Dec. 14, as he hopes to improve on Shannon’s 16-16 Atlantic Coast Conference record and zero titles. Since the start of the 2007 season, 47 teams have more wins than Miami, including four from the state of Florida. Shannon was also 0-2 in bowl games.

Despite FAU’s 4-8 record, they will be represented at a couple of College All-Star Games.

Wide Receiver Lester Jean will showcase his skills in the 86th East-West Shrine Game on Jan. 22 at 4 p.m. at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando.

Last year, Schnellenberger coached in the Texas vs. Nation Game. This year, two of his players will be playing in this contest, which will take place on Feb. 5 at 2 p.m. ET at the Alamo Dome in San Antonio, Texas.

Quarterback Jeff Van Camp will be playing for the Nation’s squad, while his Tight-End Rob Housler will be catching passes for the Texas team.

These games are becoming more significant because of the emergence of the United Football League, which is a developmental league for the NFL. The New USFL, which is tentatively set to begin play by the spring of 2012, could be another place for professional prospects.

NFL and Canadian Football League scouts also figure to be on hand at these games.

Scott Morganroth can be reached at www.scottsports33.com.