Fabulous Freddie!

Bethlehem Catholic Senior WR Freddie Simmons is arguably the Lehigh Valley's most likely Division I prospect. His Friday night four-touchdown performance (one was called back on a hold) against cross-town rival Liberty High School was poetry in motion. Both speed and deception had defenders running into each other as he would make his way down the field, virtually untouched. He's the best I've ever seen at Beca.

During last year's games, I certainly heard his name called out often enough for tremendous plays that he seemed to just will to happen at times. But what really turned me into a Freddie Simmons fan is his performance on the basketball court. I watched him in several games last Winter, and there were times when I just couldn't stop laughing. He would really enjoy himself, and loved to joke around with the refs and his opponents.

This Summer, I saw Freddie in action again during the games that were held at Cedar Beach. Instead of being cocky with the younger players like my grandson, he would actually help them out and encourage them.If they made a mistake, he would be quick to give them a re-assuring pat on the back.

He is also something of a track star, as you might imagine. last Spring, he led off a relay race for Beca, but dropped the baton, which put the school behind. The anchor runner gave it everything he had, and Beca won the race. Freddie, who was upset with himself over dropping the baton, was so happy and appreciative of his teammate that he repaid him in a strange and very selfless way.

There was a hurdles event, and Freddie was way ahead, with the anchor band the closet hurdler in sight. Right before the end, Freddie pulled up and let the anchor pass him and win the race.

I'm told that he sometimes asks his football coach to take him out and give other players a chance.
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Yes, he is emotional. High strung. But he is a great teammate and a great person.

A-Town Throwdown Starts at Cedar Beach

Because I was covering Northampton County Council, I missed last night's opener in the A-Town Throwdown at Cedar Beach Park, the second big basketball tournament of the Summer. That was, in hindsight, a mistake.

My grandson, an incoming freshman, started for Becahi's varsity in its matchup against P-burg. He got to play with legends like Freddie Simmons, and was even featured in the Channel 69 sports highlights. Beca won 55-56.

I've been on television, but only when someone is suing me.

If you ever get a chance, watch Freddie Simmons play basketball sometime. He's there to have fun, and is a joy to watch.

Right after the P-burg game, Dat played with the JVs against Souderton. Beca won that game, too, 35-32.

This is a much better start for Beca than last week's Stellar Tournament. And I missed it.

They'll play again Saturday. I won't miss those games.

The Blue Collar Teams Win!

This has been a strange weekend. Blue collar PSU defeated Minnesota in an exciting showdown. A diminutive Becahi team humbled the mighty Liberty Hurricanes. Parents and coaches actually behaved during the flag and pee-wee football games I watched today. And the Eagles finally silenced trash-talkin' TO where it matters - on the field.

Is this an omen of things to come? Will upstarts like Russ Shade and Chris "Blue Collar" Casey knock off heavily funded incumbents in state representative races?