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the_dude_abides

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  7. Cool Article on Dayton's Ripkowski

    in SETXsports Archived Threads

    Posted

    http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/OU/article.aspx?subjectid=92&articleid=20111115_92_B1_NORMAN488114

    Fullback brings his power lifts to OU
    By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer
    Published: 11/15/2011  2:24 AM
    Last Modified: 11/15/2011  4:41 AM


    NORMAN - Aaron Ripkowski was literally born to play fullback for Mike Ditka. Or maybe Bret Bielema.

    "Sounds like he ought to play for Wisconsin," Bob Stoops cracked recently.

    That Ripkowski is at Oklahoma instead makes him the most aptly named Sooner of the Stoops era. He's a 6-2, 255-pound slab of concrete with a buzz-cut mohawk whose only job is to come into the game when Blake Bell does, then punish defenders as the lead fullback for the "Belldozer."

    Ripkowski. Perfect.

    "I've heard it since I was a kid," the freshman walk-on said. "'Oh, Ripkowski. That's a fullback or linebacker name.' I mean, I don't get tired of hearing about it. Back home, I'm a big family man. We're all close. We take pride in the family name."

    The only problem is if you get too hung up on the name - it's Polish, for the record - you miss out on the story.

    Ripkowski was all set to go to the U.S. Naval Academy last spring, play defensive end for the Midshipmen and then become an officer.

    "He had his report date and everything," said Randy Ripkowski, Aaron's father. "He had done all of his entry stuff, like the physicals, and at the last minute he decided he wanted to walk on at OU."

    Ripkowski had attended the Sooners' camp the summer before his senior year at Dayton (Texas) High School and dropped jaws with his strength. This was a state champion power-lifter, see, who also happened to play ball.

    "I got 500 on bench. Squat, I think, was 620. My dead lift was 650," Ripkowski said. "I almost had 700, which would have been a state record, but I couldn't lock it out at the top."

    Ripkowski kept in touch with OU assistant Bruce Kittle until, finally, Kittle "kind of persuaded me to come up here. He said, 'We're looking for a fullback. We could use you in some short-yardage.'"

    Seriously? A freshman walk-on who played linebacker, defensive end and right guard for a high school team that ran a spread offense? They could use him?

    Yes. They could.

    "He came in a hard-working, physical, strong kid who loved the weight room," OU running backs coach Cale Gundy said. "He made a quick impression in some invididual challenges that we had, some one-on-ones with some people."

    "A bruiser," senior tight end James Hanna called Ripkowski.

    He just needed a niche. The kick return team provided one.

    "On our first return at Kansas State, he crushed a guy," Kittle said. "I think the guy must have had a broken rib. It was one of those knockout shots."

    Then, struggling to slam the ball into the end zone, the Sooners implemented a short-yardage formation, the 245-pound Bell taking shotgun snaps and barreling forward behind fullbacks Ripkowski and Trey Millard.

    "First, Aaron called to tell me he made traveling squad," said Randy Ripkowski. "Then that he made the return team a couple weeks later. Then he told us about the 'Jumbo' package he was on ... Well, he told us as much information as he could."

    The kid was learning fast.

    At the end of OU's first drive at Kansas State Oct. 29, Ripkowski ran onto the field with Bell for the first time. He sealed safety Ty Zimmerman on the right edge of the formation, and Bell scored standing up.

    The Sooners liked the result enough to try it twice more near Texas A&M's goal line Nov. 5. Ripkowski smothered cornerback Terrence Frederick, Bell scored in his wake. Ripkowski pushed safety Trent Hunter 5 yards backward into the end zone, Bell followed again.

    The TV commentators didn't mention Ripkowski's name at K-State. They called him "Riplowski" on Bell's first touchdown against A&M.

    By the second half against the Aggies, they were getting it just right.

    So OU's second "walk-on makes good" story of the season didn't quite ripple like Dominique Whaley's. Didn't have the national hook.

    It sure resonated back in Dayton.

    "I get a call almost every day from a friend back home, like, 'I saw you on TV! I can't believe you're getting in!' " Ripkowski said. "It's crazy. They're all happy for me."

    It sure felt good around the Switzer Center.

    "With his physicality, 'Rip' is kind of a classic Big Ten fullback," Kittle said. "We feel really fortunate that we were able to lure him to Oklahoma. He's been filling a void for us."

    Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/OU/article.aspx?subjectid=92&articleid=20111115_92_B1_NORMAN488114

  8. CROSBY HEAD COACH HAS RESIGNED

    in SETXsports Archived Threads

    Posted

    [quote name="MHS32" post="1119115" timestamp="1321391203"]
    [quote author=BHFAN link=topic=91601.msg1118651#msg1118651 date=1321368130]
    [quote author=PNGFan link=topic=91601.msg1118647#msg1118647 date=1321367989]
    Anyone have the Twins #?

    ;D ;D ;D
    [/quote]

    They are already at my house picking out there rooms 8)
    [/quote]




    Oh Heck yeah!!!! The Double Eagles are on the way. Only because of employment oppurtunities on the Hill I'm sure. As far as Flanigan " I'm GLAD HE IS GONE!!!!" We had heck beating that guy while he was at Crosby and he loved to beat us. [b]Now Crosby can get them a suck up coach and we can continue to win district. Cool Beans.[/b][/quote]


    You guys are sending Gage over to Crosby?

  11. Matchups matter more than Districts.

    in SETXsports Archived Threads

    Posted

    [quote name="invictus" post="1118732" timestamp="1321372151"]
    [quote author=VP 93...... link=topic=91599.msg1118727#msg1118727 date=1321371860]
    [quote author=Cougtalk link=topic=91599.msg1118520#msg1118520 date=1321341759]

    This has been bothering me.

    Ozen beating BH doesn't make your district better than anyone elses.

    Ozen is a horrible match-up for BH because BH lacks speed at the corner and safety position.

    They have an ok d line, very good line backers and a poor secondary.

    BH lined up and beat nederland, but BH's weakness is speed.

    Vidor beat Crosby because they used a size and power running game to pound the rock.

    The cougars would have much rather played Nederland, PNG, Ozen because those teams don't line the ball up and smash you over the head.

    However BH is far better equipped to handle a team like Vidor because they play a similar style of football.

    BH will lose to very fast teams as their 2 losses show. (Crosby, Ozen) Probably the fastest 2 teams in our two districts.

    this also explains why PNG plays well vs BH. 2 reasons 1. They play Vidor every season so they see that offense. 2. They are actually more atheltic than BH and can throw the ball effectively against them.

    That is all. 3-1 for 20-4a and in all 3 wins your teams the match-up favored that team.
    [/quote]
    Ozen is a horrible match-up for BH  ???... BH and Vidor runs a similar style offense..let me remind you Vidor beat Ozen....with that similar style offense!!
    Get over it... Vidor beat Ozen and Crosby two fast teams...BH got beat by two fast teams Ozen and Crosby.. Didn't Crosby just play BH and beat them a week earlier..I thought BH and Vidor ran similar style offenses..Am I missing something....just shows what has been said all along is true....so stop  :'( :'(
    [/quote]

    That's what I said!  19-4A [size=18pt](minus Dayton)[/size] talking themselves into a hole again.  Don't know when to shut up!
    [/quote]

    I like the (minus dayton) part. 

  15. When will Barbers Hill win a playoff game?

    in SETXsports Archived Threads

    Posted

    [quote name="BHFAN" post="1117999" timestamp="1321304525"]
    I don't know what is worse? BH losing in the 1st round again or watching the Dayton fans act like they won the National Championship with a 5 point victory over PNG 8)
    [/quote]

    National Championship? Nah, that celebration is what a round 1 victory looks like.  Keep coming to the games and you will see the celebration grow as the Broncos make their way through multiple rounds.

    Are you upset because BH peaked against Dayton instead of in the playoffs?

  19. Barber's Hill vs. Ozen

    in SETXsports Archived Threads

    Posted

    [quote name="ozens fastest@1906" post="1110690" timestamp="1320937181"]
    bh-89-2  LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE NEEDS TO CHANGE THEIR MESSAGE AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SIG.. MISSING A FEW CHECKS  ;D ;D

    DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT UNDEFEATED REALLY MEANS
    [/quote]

    I'd been waiting to bust him on the check marks, but you beat me to it.

  20. Dayton vs. png

    in SETXsports Archived Threads

    Posted

    [quote name="shovel" post="1110614" timestamp="1320933131"]
    [quote author=Tyrone_Biggums link=topic=90983.msg1110335#msg1110335 date=1320889082]
    [b]I was hoping atleast one of the many PNG supporters on this site would post something worth remarking about.  Guess they have finally given up on their indians.  [/b] OctFeb...How bout your husband does the yardwork and you and I watch old bronco game film with the lights down low?  Maybe we have a nice rendition of "The Horse" on repeat in the background.  I will even fix you a glass of purple kool aid to ease your nerves. It will be more fun than smiting AggiesAreWe, I promise.

    P.S.  The safe word is strawberries.
    [/quote]

    Tyrone, if smack talk on an internet forum put points on the scoreboard, y'all would beat us hand down. Heck, you and The Dude would be all-state! You get to verbally spar with a the BH fans all season. Your wit stays razor sharp. We trade barbs with Vidor and Lumberton fans, so well...
    Just kidding. I do enjoy these threads. I will be out of town and will miss this game. I'm predicting this will be the best game of the season. Y'all drive safe and dont cry all the way back to Dayton. There is always next year.
    [/quote]

    Just so you know, when the broncos stampede the indians, chanting "strawberries" will not necessarily result in a free pass back to the reservation.

  23. Dayton vs. png

    in SETXsports Archived Threads

    Posted

    [quote name="Cheermom4" post="1109963" timestamp="1320871722"]
    I am so ready for Saturday.  Still debating what we are going to fix to bring out there to tailgate.  Probably something quick and easy.
    [/quote]

    Might I suggest a bacon log.  Weave a pack of bacon together like a blanket.  Stuff it with meat, boudain, cheese, jalapenos, etc.  Wrap it up like a burrito and smoke that baby.  Instant coronary, but when you die, you get to go to the bacon section in Heaven.
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