Metro Sports Report

Puk says leaving Washington football hard

A.J. Puk has received letters from such prestigious college baseball programs as Florida, LSU, Miami, Arizona State and Arkansas, top schools that are always on the prowl for talent.

He performed well at a major showcase in California last week for many of the top juniors-to-be in the nation, and when it ended he spoke with assistant coaches from Missouri and San Diego about his future in baseball.

On top of that, he's accepted an invitation to play four or five events this fall with the Canes North, an elite travel team that's based in Virginia and plays in major events all over the country.

Given all that, it probably comes as no surprise that Puk decided to leave the Cedar Rapids Washington football program and concentrate on his blooming baseball career.

Rodriguez takes 2nd at Eagle Ridge golf meet

GALENA, Ill. - Cedar Rapids Washington sophomore Dominic Rodriguez tied for second place at the Drex Fall Golf Shootout Monday with a 2-over-par 74 at the Eagle Ridge Resort North Course.

Rodriguez collected two birdies in his round.

Ricky DeBartolo grabbed medalist honors with an even-par 72 to help West Des Moines Dowling Catholic take top honors at the 13-team event hosted by Dubuque Wahlert.

Linn-Mar senior Tyler McCann shot a 4-over-par 76 to help the Lions finish in fourth place. McCann tied for sixth in the individual standings.

Xavier senior J.P. King fired a 5-over-par 77 to lead the Saints to a sixth-place showing. King tied for ninth in the individual results.

Washington junior Austin Bergstrom shot a 6-over-par 78 to help Rodriguez and the Warriors finish in fifth place.

Jefferson senior Colten Jourdan shot an 80 to help the J-Hawks finish in ninth place.

Huskies go into 1st game with big hearts

Cedar Valley Christian football coach Ed Betsworth has not gotten around to measuring his players for the team's historic opener at West Central Friday night.

No heights, no weights.

He's been too busy teaching his inexperienced guys how to block, tackle and line up in the proper position, so he cannot tell you anyone's exact size.

Betsworth knows one thing, however. They have big hearts.

"I'm very proud of them," he said. "They've been working really hard. Their spirits are good."

This is Cedar Valley Christian's first eight-man football team in school history. Betsworth has only 14 players (he was hoping for 20), and he knows the odds will be heavily stacked against the Huskies in their first game Friday.

West Central went 7-3 last season, reached the eight-man playoffs and averaged 47.7 points per game. They scored 64 points against Olin, 56 against Dunkerton, 54 against East Central, 52 against Midland of Wyoming, 52 against Central City and 51 against Springville.

"I hope we can make it a competitive game," said Betsworth. "I know our guys are looking forward to it."

Former Metro preps in pro baseball

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Oakland Athletics) -- Came into the game in center field Thursday and did not bat in the Athletics' 7-0 loss to the Blue Jays.
Year-to-date: Batting avg. -- .285 (61-214), HR -- 1, RBI -- 20, 2B -- 11, 3B -- 1, R -- 26, SB -- 1.

MATT HOLLAND (Marion, GCL Phillies) -- Started in left field in the nightcap of Thursday's doubleheader and was 1-for-3 with a double in the Phillies' 8-0 loss to the GCL Tigers. Did not play in the opener.
Year-to-date: Batting avg. -- .253 (23-91), HR -- 3, RBI -- 12, 2B -- 7, 3B -- 0, R -- 18, SB -- 1.

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Ogden (Dodgers)) -- Started in right field Thursday and was 1-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored in Ogden's 9-1 win at Helena.
Year-to-date: Batting avg. -- .281 (62-221), HR -- 7, RBI -- 41, 2B -- 14, 3B -- 6, R -- 32, SB -- 1.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Bluefield (Blue Jays)) -- On the disabled list with a cracked bone in his left wrist and has not played since June 30.
Year-to-date: Batting avg. -- .114 (4-35), HR -- 0, RBI -- 1, 2B -- 1, 3B -- 0, R -- 4, SB -- 0.

NATE WOODS (Xavier, Jupiter (Marlins)) -- Came into the game in left field Thursday and was 1-for-1 in the Hammerheads' 1-0 win over Fort Myers.
Year-to-date: Batting avg. .300 (6-20), HR -- 1, RBI -- 3, 2B -- 1, 3B -- 0, R -- 1, SB -- 0.