Metro Sports Report

Tiedtke back at Kingston as friendly foe

Blake Tiedtke has some terrific memories of running onto the football field at Kingston Stadium as a member of the Jefferson J-Hawks during his playing days at the turn of the century, but he'll be returning Thursday night with a team that wants to beat his alma mater.

Tiedtke, 31, was an elite all-state running back for Jefferson in 2000 when he rushed for 1,300 yards, scored 18 touchdowns, set five school records and helped the J-Hawks tie for the Mississippi Valley Conference title.

Tiedtke joined the Prairie Hawks as an assistant coach this year, so he'll be on the opposing sideline Thursday when Prairie and Jefferson tangle in the season opener at Kingston.

"In every other game but this one, I'll be rooting for the J-Hawks," he said Tuesday. "I'd like to see the southwest side of Cedar Rapids have overall success in football.

Gonzales keeps plugging away with Kernels

Mike Gonzales is a 25-year-old first baseman who's toiling in the low minor leagues these days, but they should be an asterisk next to the big fella's name.

Gonzales was moving along nicely in the Minnesota Twins organization until the injury bug hit the last two years. He suffered a dislocated elbow and torn tendon last season that cost him a good chunk of the year in the High-A Florida State League, and he missed a major part of this season after breaking the hamate bone in his right wrist.

Under normal circumstances, you don't want to be a 25-year-old first baseman in the Midwest League with a lot of good first basemen ahead of you in the organization. Gonzales, however, has a simple goal these days.

Kernels will open playoffs in Davenport

The Cedar Rapids Kernels will begin the first round of the Midwest League playoffs Wednesday, Sept. 4 against the Quad Cities River Bandits in Davenport.

The second game of the three-game series will be played on Thursday, Sept. 5 at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The third game, if necessary, would be played in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Sept. 6.

Eight teams will make the Midwest League playoffs. The semifinals are scheduled for Sept. 7-8-9 and the league finals are planned for Sept. 11-12-14-15-16.

Suchomel joins MSR staff as writer

Ryan Suchomel, the former sports editor of the Iowa City Press-Citizen, has joined the Metro Sports Report as a general assignment reporter. Suchomel spent 13 years at the Press-Citizen and worked in the newspaper business for 19 years. He graduated from West Branch High School in 1990 and from Central College in 1994.

Suchomel was heavily involved in the Press-Citizen's coverage of the University of Iowa and also has extensive experience covering high school sports. He will help cover prep football and the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders for the Metro Sports Report this season, among other assignments.

"We are incredibly fortunate to have someone of Ryan's ability and experience join our staff," said MSR president Jim Ecker. "We feel we have a very talented group of writers at the Metro Sports Report and Ryan is a great addition."