Metro Sports Report

Former Metro preps in pro baseball

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Boston Red Sox) -- Was placed on the disabled list July 31 after undergoing surgery for a broken knuckle on his left pinky finger. He is expected to be out until late September. Year to date -- BA - .260, AB - 204, R - 22, H - 53, RBI - 16, 2B - 19, 3B - 2, HR - 0, SB - 0.

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers), Midwest League) -- Started in left field Sunday and was 0-for-3 in the Loons' 4-2 win over Lake County. Year to date -- BA - .268, AB - 493, R - 67, H - 132, RBI - 66, 2B - 32, 3B - 8, HR - 6, SB - 17.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays), Northwest League) -- Started at third base Sunday and was 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Vancouver's 5-1 win over Boise. In his last 35 games Kellen is 37-for-130 and has jumped his average from .163 to .232. Vancouver totals -- BA - .232, AB - 228, R - 32, H - 53, RBI - 29, 2B - 15, 3B - 2, HR - 5, SB - 5.

Xavier knocks off Hempstead, 48-7

The Xavier Saints opened the 2012 football season at home Friday against Dubuque Hempstead and in a very business-like fashion put them away, 48-7.

Defense was the word for the Saints on opening night. The defense gave up only nine rushing yards on 18 carries and forced two fumbles and three interceptions.

Linn-Mar drilled by Iowa City West

It was a game of inexperience against experience.

And it was no contest as Linn-Mar lost its season opener, 49-14, at home to Iowa City West Friday night.

“Our young kids were so nervous I don’t think they started to breathe until the second quarter,” said Lions Coach Bob Forsyth.

By the time they exhaled the veteran and highly regarded Trojans had built a 28-0 halftime lead.

They scored again with eight minutes left in the third quarter, putting Linn-Mar in the unheard of and humiliating position of playing the rest of the game with a continuous clock due to the 35-point mercy rule.

Pastor gives strength to CVC gridders

Their team name of the Huskies notwithstanding, the 16 boys on the Cedar Valley Christian varsity eight-man football squad are less than husky.

“Let’s face it,” said Coach Ed Betsworth, “we’re kind of small.”

So when, like a bolt out of the blue, he got an offer this summer from a new school parent to serve as a volunteer strength and conditioning coach it seemed like a gift from above.

Betsworth had not met Darin Ulmer, who serves as full-time minister of the two-year-old Community Baptist Church in downtown Marion.