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Show Wednesday, August 1 8, 2004 B 5 port UHS football prepares for season opener By Michael J. Bjornson, Ph.D. Express Sports Writer Aah, the sweet smell of autumn lurking around the corner. The cool evenings and mornings will quickly transition into crisp fall days, and if you are a football fan, you can almost "smell" it in the air. Yes, football season is here again! For Uintah High School head football coach Kevin Dixon, the expectations expecta-tions are high for the upcoming season. sea-son. His team has been gearing up to take on perennial powerhouse, Juan Diego, this Friday night for their season opener at Ute Stadium. The season 'kicks off at 7:(X) p.m. With intensive two-a-day practices Running the Utes through offensive , ;r7Tr: i f , ;M4 j -v p. a . - 1 "' J -.. ( yv Y f'J jf Iff,? w?- - - t ' ' r , v " ft : , y ; " ' , .3 t , , r - v H " ; nmiiiiiiHiiiiiiifiiiaiiiflii T unlrtiiY I A liTirniV" ii i1 nii'irr "ji iniiiinii-nritfTf 'iTii nil if nfiilli-nwiiiiiiiirwwnBWMMBwwMBwai I I i rl I vmi Coach Kevin Dixon getting his players mentally ready for the upcoming season. Giant Mackinaw puts up a fight before being netted at Gorge By Michael J. Bjornson, Ph.D. Express Sports Writer One Big "Mack", and an order of.. .cold water to quench the thirst! (or whatever beverage was available), avail-able), was the "order" hauled in on August 4th at Flaming Gorge. It was estimated that it took about an hour and forty minutes to pull the large lake trout in. This isn't your typical big fish story, where an 1 8-inch fish grows each time the story is told! No siree, this was the "reel" thing! A 38 and one-half inch Mackinaw, weighing 34 and one-half pounds, amazingly caught on eight-pound test line, with a 3 needle fish lure! Anglers will understand that this size of fish would normally be caught using a heavy 34 to 40-pound 40-pound test line. Catching and hauling in this fish was definitely a team effort. Vernal residents Joe Evans and Ranee Searle, along with America in Bloom judge, Bruce Riggs from New York, combined their efforts to drag in the enormous fish. Evans gives credit to Riggs, as well as Searle for the catch, although he supplied the boat and spent time "working" the fish before tag-teaming to the next reeler. During his recent trip to Vernal, already completed, things are starting start-ing to take shape and the coaching staff is optimistic about this year's team. Tony Cloward, defensive coordinator, expressed that there is a good senior class. Coach Dixon indicated he has a "typical" talented tal-ented Ute defense, not real big on size, but the "hardest hitters in the state!" Dixon expressed his enthusiasm enthu-siasm for his juniors as well, and expects a lot out of them. Heading the Utes offense is offensive coordinator, coordi-nator, Mike Peterson. Coach Dixon believes one of the keys to offensive offen-sive success will be to "spread it out" and utilize the talent and size of their tight end, Jake Gardener. Coach Dixon is quick to state how drills, in preparation to score touchdowns! mm ifA, a ft M mm Bruce Riggs proudly displays his 34.5 lb. big Mack Riggs was interested to see the surrounding beauty of the Uintah Basin and try his luck at fishing. The three fisherman had been trolling troll-ing at Flaming Gorge Reservoir and had nearly maxed out on Kokinee Salmon. They also caught a smaller Mack and decided to try to catch another one. Evans used his sonar equipment, and dropped the line to around 95 feet. According to Riggs, Evans hooked and said "I think ever, that this is a "team", and his primary emphasis is to function as a team and compete hard in order to win! Coach Dixon is flanked by a talented tal-ented group of coaches who play a vital role in helping each player reach his potential. Working with kickers this year, is Ed Petersen, who brings college kicking experience experi-ence from U.S.U. to sharpen the skills of a good group of kickers. Coach Gregg Stensgard emphasized empha-sized that team members are fit and should be very competitive. If you are in the mood for exciting football action, plan to be there to experience experi-ence the season opener this Friday at 7 p.m. hi we caught the bottom" to which Searle replied, "I don't think so, I think you've got a fish!" The mini "reelathon" was officially underway. Over an hour and a-half later, as the fish was drawn closer to the boat, Searle used a pole so the fish would not go under the boat. Once netted, the story became "history." Although not a record size Mackinaw, it is rare for anglers to tyook one as large as this one. Riggs stated "I have always enjoyed fishing fish-ing but never caught a trout this big!" Riggs was also able to go fishing the following day at Jones Hole with Steve Yamaguchi, owner of Cobble Rock Restaurant. The big fish news was shared with Vernal's "Alive after Five" crowd. No news yet, as to what will become of the big fish. According to Evans, he currently has the fish in his freezer. While the "Big Mack" is just chillin', the extent of its potential future fame remains unknown. Will it grace someone's wall, begging to have it's own story repeated through the generations? Or will it just become a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids, protecting one's heart health as they enjoy eating eat-ing it? We will have to wait and see. Congratulations to all three fishermen fisher-men for an amazing catch! II. ,X,E.HIGH 1 Lindsey Chnstensen battles for the Sara Cushing takes the ball away Lady Utes go toe-to-toe with Dixie in preseason L'intah Girls Soccer preseason got into full swing hist Tuesday with the Ladv lies going up against some loanable soccer teams. Tuesday agaiiM Ogden. the L'tes came away wiih a S-() loss. The next das tliev plaved St. Joseph at Ogden and won 7-2. At home on Thursdav the Utes came out with an early goal by Brianna Hansen, against Dixie in the first 10 minutes of the game. The Utes suffered some confusion Over 60 participants place in Uintah Basin Kids Rodeo The 2004 l'intah Basin Kids Rodeo, held during the Uintah County Fair had over H) participants partici-pants place. Senior Steer Riding, Michcal Madden, first: Joey Clegg, second; Jesse Talon, third and JD Clark, fourth. Junior Steer Riding, Wyatt Mecham, first and Slade Witbeck, second. -PW Calf Riding, Josh Frost, first; Rylee Dick, second, Kaelan Bird, third and Dusty Jones, fourth. Senior goat Tying. Maclain Miles, first; Carson Miles, second; Mandy Bastian, third and Jolene Farnsworth, fourth. Junior Goat Tying, Slade Witbeck, first; Jennica Miles, sec i ; I "j "? S:w jr. ball against Dixie opponent in preseason game last Thursday. nb from Dixie player. defensively, and Dixie scored three goals in three minutes. The half ended with the Utes trailing 3-1. The second half was no better for Uintah as Dixie scored three more times to make the final score 6-1 . Uintah's sophomore and freshman fresh-man team will go against Park City today at 5 p.m. at the Uintah High School field. The varsity team will play next Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. at home against Ben Lomond. ond; Mackenzie Boren, third and Chet Boren, fourth. PW Goat Tying, Josh Frost, first; Katelyn, second; Taylor Boren, third and Dusty Jones, fourth. Junior Breakaway roping, Mackenzie Boren, first; Shaycee Miles, second; Jennica Miles third and Matt Reynolds, fourth. Senior Breakaway roping, Rhett Shiner, first; Colton Miles, second; sec-ond; Chelsie Zager, third and Bradi Huxford, fourth. Senior Barrel racing, Courtney Madsen, first; Jolene Farnsworth, second; Chenae Shiner, third and Deanna Coon, fourth. Junior Barrel Racing, Shaycee Miles, first; Rachel Farnsworth, second; sec-ond; Erin Justice, third and Quincee 1 i j T - ' Youth Tackle Football registration Tackle Football time again Tackle football program is for youth in grades 4 - 8. Registration is $65 which includes pads, helmet and game jersey. In order to participate you need to register before August 27. There is limited space in both the junior and senior league. Register at the Uintah Recreation District at 134 West Main Suite 101 or call 78 1-0982 for any questions. Mathews, fourth. PW Baael Racing, Shane Priest first; DJ Holmes, second; Josh Frost third and Paige Farnsworth, fourth. Sr. Pole Bending, Chesie Zager first; Jolene Farnsworth, second; Mandy Bastian, third and Rudee Bastian, fourth. Junior Team Roping, Sage and Cory McNeill, first; Slade Witbeck and Cory McNeill, second; Clay and Josh Reynolds, third and Blake Shiner and Cory McNeill, fourth. Senior Team roping, Shett Shiner and Dan Abegglin, first; Zack and Josh Reynolds, second; Skya and Luke Defa, third and Bradi and Wyatt Huxford, fourth. |