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  • Crestview Boys and Girls Track Teams are going to State Championships.

    When does something become a tradition?

    It was just earlier this school year, that Crestview added another state championship to their overflowing trophy case, this time in Cross Country.

    Will they be adding Track and Field trophies next?

    It certainly looks like it’s possible, and this small-town community couldn’t be more ready.

    For the third straight season, the Convoy Crestview Knights Boys and Girls Teams, will be strongly represented at the Ohio State High School Track and Field Championships.

    For the boys; Drayden Hoffman, Hayden Perrott, Braxton Leeth, and Liam Putman, qualified for the 4×200 relay.

    Hayden Perrott, will also run in the 400M.

    Hudson Perrott, will run in the 1600.

    Derek Young, will run in the 3200.

    Lincoln Smith (who has committed to run cross country at D1 North Alabama), will run the 3200 and 1600.

    For the girls; Lydia Grace, Delanie Balliet, Ellieanah Ward, and Grayle Grose, qualified for the 4×100 relay.

    The team also broke their own school record at 50.03 seconds.

    Ellieanah Ward will also compete for the State Championship in the Long Jump.

    Alternates runners are; Marissa Gros, Brentyn Rodriguez, Beckam Putman, Kale Vining, and Ian Owens.

    I spoke with Knights Coach John Rosebrock, after the teams were welcomed back into town, with lights and sirens, surrounded by the volunteer fire department trucks and EMS.

    I asked him about the consistency the program has shown over this quarter of a decade.

    “I’ll say the cross. They just brought a juice, that quite honestly, we can count on. We have a belief that if we work hard, we can do great things.”

    This is a senior heavy class. I asked him how the previous years, have prepared them for what’s coming up.

    “You can see it in their face. You can see it when they warm up. They want to win. I don’t have to remind them of this and that. You don’t see any of that. They just prepare and run, and that’s the point, because they know what to expect.”

    I asked if he was going to do anything different in practice, or if they were just going to keep everything the same.

    “No, we’re just going to keep on practicing like we have this last week.”

    Coach Rosebrock told me that he usually lets the kids pick where they’re going to eat, but, this year, he is going to choose. LOL. It was quite funny, and showed his sense of humor.

    The Ohio State High School Track and Field State Championships are from June 4th through June 6th, at Jesse Owens Memorial Field, on the campus of The Ohio State University.

    – by Sean McKenzie

    Pictures courtesy of…..Alicia Perrott and thevwindependent.

  • Cleveland Browns 2026 Draft Review: Key Picks and Grades

    The Browns started the draft with 2 picks in the first round, at #6 and #24, thanks to the trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season (Travis Hunter).

    They also had 2 very glaring holes on their roster. Offensive tackle and wide receiver. The question was always, which order would they address them. Would it be WR/OT or OT/WR?

    Amongst the draft analysts and pundits, it was split almost 50/50. The fans however, were overwhelming in favor of going WR with pick #6, and hoping that one of the OTs would fall to #24. The particular WR that most Browns fans wanted, was Carnell Tate, the wide receiver from Ohio State. They ended up doing what I was in favor of, and taking an OT first, then take a WR second.

    They not only addressed their biggest needs in the first round, but 4 of their first 5 overall picks were either a WR or OT. They doubled up on TE with 2 of their final 3 picks, and took the most athletic quarterback in this class.

    Cheers and Gears Bar & Grill, located on the corner of US-49 and Tully Street in Convoy, Ohio. Pizza, burgers, daily lunch specials, and the best mozzarella sticks in Van Wert County. Check out their Facebook page for hours and menu.

    Draft Picks.

    • Pick 9: OT Spencer Fano, Utah Utes
      My OL1 in this class.
      Played LT his freshman year at Utah, before moving to RT.
      Great footwork, and athletic ability to mirror defenders.
      Doesn’t get beat very often with spin or swim moves.
      Great use of his hands in pass protection.
      Very strong and violent hands.
      Great balance. His hips and feet stay centered, allowing him to absorb that initial contact from bull rushes.
      Has the strength to move defenders in the run game, and get to the second level.
      He finishes on every snap.
      Does a great job of turning his hips, to allow a clear running lane for the running back in the B gap.
      My grade – A+
    • Pick 24: WR KC Concepion, Texas A&M Aggies
      Arguably the most athletic receiver in this class.
      Fast and great acceleration off the line of scrimmage.
      Can make defenders miss with his jukes and spin moves.
      Dynamic punt returner (see LSU game).
      Absolutely TERRIBLE hands. Way too many drops. All the athletic ability in the world, don’t mean diddly squat, if you can’t consistently catch the football.
      My grade – F
    • Pick 39: WR Denzel Boston, Washington Huskies
      My WR2 in this class. Absolute steal at 39.
      He’s a true big X receiver, at 6’4″ and 212 lbs.
      Catches everything thrown his way.
      2nd best route runner in this class. The way he snaps off his routes, creates the separation from CBs that he doesn’t get with speed.
      Knows how to high point the ball.
      Huge catch radius.
      Had 20 TDs in 2 seasons.
      My grade – A+
    • Pick 58: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo Rockets
      Arguably “the steal of the draft”.
      My S3.
      Tall safety at 6’4″.
      Plays his best games, against better competition.
      Willing tackler.
      Turnover machine. Had 8 forced fumbles and 5 interceptions in his college career.
      Can play single high safety, and play in the box.
      Possible Grant Delpit replacement, as his contract expires after this season.
      My grade – A+
    • Pick 86: OT Austin Barber, Florida Gators
      Absolute mauler in the run game.
      Great feet, makes it easy for him to slide.
      Gets to the second level fast.
      Very strong hands.
      Very experienced, with 47 games in 5 seasons.
      Does struggle with double moves.
      Struggles with the “Wide 9” formation.
      My grade – B
    • Pick 146: C Parker Brailsford, Alabama Crimson Tide
      Quick off the snap, allowing him to reach the second level fast.
      Great feet (see a theme here).
      Finishes every single rep through the whistle (see Georgia game).
      High football IQ and very aware of his surroundings. Picks up twists and delayed blitzes with ease.
      Smooth as silk on pull blocks and working in space.
      Better pass protecter than run blocker.
      Small for position. Only 6’2″ and 282 lbs.
      Penalty prone (17 flags in 3 seasons).
      My grade – B
    • Pick 149: LB Justin Jefferson, Alabama Crimson Tide
      Fast. He has 4.5 sideline-to-sideline speed.
      Smooth backpedal when playing in zone coverage.
      Great tackler. His “missed tackle rate” dropped every season, as he progressed through college.
      His speed, acceleration, and ability to flip his hips in transition, allow him to stay with tight ends and running backs.
      He’s a classic WLB at 227 lbs.
      Struggles to hold up at the point of attack. Often just washed away in the run game.
      My grade – B+
    • Pick 170: TE Joe Royer, Cincinnati Bearcats
      My TE5.
      A steal in this spot.
      Great hands.
      BIG catch radius, at 6’5″.
      Excellent football IQ. He finds the soft spots in zone and just sits. Giving his QB a big easy target.
      Seeks out contact, running through arm tackles and lowering his head for that first down.
      Good route runner, using his feet and head fakes to get open when covered man-to-man.
      Has the speed to play in the slot and beat out linebackers and safties that drop down.
      Lacks strength in the run game.
      His willingness to fight for extra yards, has resulted in fumbles (see Miami game).
      My grade – A.
    • Pick 182: QB Taylen Green, Arkansas Razorbacks
      Absolute athletic freak for a QB.
      Tremendous ability to turn a sack, into a first down.
      Very strong arm.
      High release point means very few batted passes.
      GOD AWFUL accuracy.
      Wouldn’t trust him to hit the broadside of a barn at 10 yards.
      When pressured, runs backwards instead of climbing the pocket.
      His overconfidence in his athletic abilities, leads to taking too many sacks and plays resulting in loss of yards.
      Too loosie-goosie with the football when running.
      A HORRIBLE TD-INT ratio (53-35).
      My grade – F
    • Pick 248: TE Carsen Ryan, BYU Cougars
      Good size at 6’4″ and 250 lbs.
      Decent production when thrown to. 45 catches, for 620 yards, and 4 TDs.
      A willing and capable blocker in the run game.
      Short arms, means a small catch radius.
      Needs to improve route running on short and intermediate routes.
      Almost completely stops when taking on lead blocking role.
      My grade – C

    For your high protein breakfast oatmeal, snacks, and bagels, as well as boba, and special drinks, stop into The Daily Dose in Convoy. Located at the corner of US-49 and Tully Street. Check out their Facebook page for new upcoming summer hours and drink menu.

    Overall, Browns General Manager Andrew Berry did a tremendous job addressing their most pressing needs and building depth on the offensive side of the ball. The 2 players chosen on the defensive side of the ball are going to contribute on Day 1. Whether that’s McNeil-Warren replacing Hickman at FS or being the primary backup at both safety spots; as well as Jefferson being the primary backup to Schwesinger and/or Williams at linebacker.

    New Browns head coach Todd Monken has proven that he’s able to adapt his offensive play calling, around the players on his roster.

    This draft tells me that he’s going to run a lot of 12-personnel formations. He’s going to put one of the TE’s (Fannin Jr or Royer) in the slot, and have a smart, pass blocking first center, making the offensive line calls. His offensive linemen will pull and stretch the defense with zone runs, and then find the wide receivers and tight ends, in the intermediate zone of the field.

    – by Sean McKenzie

    Stats and information courtesy of…..NFL, NCAA, PFF, and ESPN.

    Picture courtesy of…..wallpapercave.

  • Top Draft Classes of the 2026 NFL Draft: Winners and Losers

    The 2026 NFL Draft is officially in the books.

    The city of Pittsburgh set a new record, with an attendance of over 805,000 people, over the 3-day event.

    257 players had their dreams come true, hearing their names called on stage.

    The 1st pick wasn’t a surprise as National Champion and Heisman Trophy Winning QB Fernando Mendoza went to the Las Vegas Raiders.

    The Raiders also ended the epic slide of CB Jermod McCoy, when they took him with the 101st pick, in the 4th round. The slide was due to medical reports on his knee, otherwise he’d been takin in the 1st round.

    There were 11 Ohio State Buckeyes taken, the most in this 2026 NFL Draft Class.

    There were 10 Quarterbacks drafted.

    There were a whopping 36 WRs drafted.

    The Naval Academy had 2 players selected this year. DT Landon Robinson with the 226th pick to the Cincinnati Bengals, and Eli Heidenreich with the 230th pick, to his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers. Both were taken in the 7th round.

    Mr. Irrelevant (the name for the player chosen last in the draft), is Red Murdock, LB, from the University of Buffalo.

    There were quite a few really good classes this year. Teams did really well at addressing needs and playing the board.

    There were also a few stinkers, as well.

    So, without further ado, here are a few of the best and worst team class this year.

    My Cleveland Browns had one of the best draft classes, however, I will be writing a stand-alone article on them, so they are not included here.

    BEST – Carolina Panthers.

    • Pick 19: T Monroe Freeling, Georgia Bulldogs
    • Pick 49: DL Lee Hunter, Texas Tech Red Raiders
    • Pick 83: WR Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee Volunteers
    • Pick 129: CB Will Lee lll, Texas A&M Aggies
    • Pick 144: C Sam Hecht, Kansas State Wildcats
    • Pick 151: S Zakee Wheatley, Penn State Nittany Lions
    • Pick 227: LB Jackson Kuwatch, Miami (OH) RedHawks

    Every single one of these picks, have the chance to be full-time starters, either this season or next season. Freeling might be starting Day 1, because LT Ikem Ekwonu is recovering from a major season ending injury late last season, and RT Taylor Morton is 31 years old and has only 2 years left on his contract.

    WORST – Jacksonville Jaguars

    • Pick 56: TE Nate Boerkircher, Texas A&M Aggies
    • Pick 81: DI Albert Regis, Texas A&M Aggies
    • Pick 88: G Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon Ducks
    • Pick 100: S Jalen Huskey, Maryland Terrapins
    • Pick 119: ED Wesley Williams, Duke Blue Devils
    • Pick 164: TE Tanner Koziol, Houston Cougars
    • Pick 191: WR Josh Cameron, Baylor Bears
    • Pick 203: WR CJ Williams, Stanford Cardinal
    • Pick 233: ED Zach Durfee, Washington Huskies
    • Pick 240: LB Parker Hughes, Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

    I’m not even going to pretend to know, what the hell the Jaguars were doing. I’m sure this all makes sense in their heads, not only myself, but some Jaguars fans that I spoke to, are completely baffled. I will say this though…. OG Emmanuel Pregnon is a D-A-W-G!!! He was one of my favorite offensive linemen in this entire class.

    WORST – San Francisco 49ers

    • Pick 33: WR De’Zhaun Stribling, Mississippi Rebels
    • Pick 70: ED Romello Height, Texas Tech Red Raiders
    • Pick 90: HB Kaelon Black, Indiana Hoosiers
    • Pick 107: DL Gracen Halton, Oklahoma Sooners
    • Pick 127: T Carver Willis, Washington Huskies
    • Pick 139: CB Ephesians Prysock, Washington Huskies
    • Pick 154: LB Jaden Dugger, Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
    • Pick 179: T Enrique Cruz Jr., Kansas Jayhawks

    At least with the 49ers, I knew what their gameplan was here. They’re wanting Stribling to be the replacement for Aiyuk…..OK, but there were better players on the board. I do like CB Prysock. He’s a big corner with long arms, and does a good job locating the ball when it’s in the air. LT Trent Williams is probably retiring after this season, and by taking 2 OTs in Willis and Cruz Jr, they’re hoping for a mid/late round steal. It ain’t happening.

    BEST – New York Jets

    • Pick 2: ED David Bailey, Texas Tech Red Raiders
    • Pick 16: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon Ducks
    • Pick 30: WR Omar Cooper Jr, Indiana Hoosiers
    • Pick 50: CB D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana Hoosiers
    • Pick 103: DL Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State Seminoles
    • Pick 110: QB Cade Klubnik, Clemson Tigers
    • Pick 188: G Anez Cooper, Miami (FL) Hurricanes
    • Pick 228: S VJ Payne, Kansas State Wildcats

    I ABSOLUTELY LOVE what the New York Jets did in this class.
    They got the #1 rated DE/EDGE rusher.
    They got the #1 rated TE.
    They got my #4 WR prospect.
    They got the #1 rated Slot CB, who CAN play outside as well.
    Let me tell you, when Darrell Jackson keeps his hands disciplined and in line with his hips and feet, he just dominates inside. So much potential.
    QB Cade Klubnik had a down season, but he has great timing and accuracy on all levels of the field, with a smooth throwing motion. Do NOT be surprised, if he easily beats out Brady Cook for the backup QB spot, and plays significant time if Geno Smith struggles as the starter.

    WORST – Dallas Cowboys

    • Pick 11: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State Buckeyes
    • Pick 23: ED Malachi Lawrence, UCF Knights
    • Pick 92: ED Jaishawn Barham, Michigan Wolverines
    • Pick 112: T Drew Shelton, Penn State Nittany Lions
    • Pick 114: CB Devin Moore, Florida Gators
    • Pick 137: ED LT Overton, Alabama Crimson Tide
    • Pick 218: WR Anthony Smith, East Carolina Pirates

    They had THE BEST pick in the 1st round, with the #1 overall player in the entire draft (safety Caleb Downs) just fall into their lap. After that, they completely tanked. They wanna get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks, that’s great, but there were far better options at 23, 92, and even 137. It’s like they just threw spaghetti on the wall, and hoping that something sticks. OT Drew Shelton struggles against good competition, and the NFC East is a tough place for linemen.

    BEST – Miami Dolphins

    • Pick 12: T Kadyn Proctor, Alabama Crimson Tide
    • Pick 27: CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State Aztecs
    • Pick 43: LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech Red Raiders
    • Pick 75: WR Caleb Douglas, Texas Tech Red Raiders
    • Pick 87: TE Will Kacmarek, Ohio State Buckeyes
    • Pick 94: WR Chris Bell, Louisville Cardinals
    • Pick 130: LB Trey Moore, Texas Longhorns
    • Pick 138: LB Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh Panthers
    • Pick 158: S Michael Taaffe, Texas Longhorns
    • Pick 177: WR Kevin Coleman Jr., Missouri Tigers
    • Pick 180: TE Seydou Traore, Mississippi State Bulldogs
    • Pick 200: G DJ Campbell, Texas Longhorns

    Other than their first pick (OT Kadyn Proctor), who is going to absolutely fail miserably, this is a GREAT draft by Miami. CB Chris Johnson is a Day 1 starting cornerback. LB Jacob Rodriguez is a turnover machine and is always around the football. WR Chris Bell was a LOCK to be a 1st Round WR before he tore his ACL late last season. He’s a great X WR and will be starting as soon as he is medically cleared. LB Kyle Louis is a tacking machine. S Michael Taaffe can do everything you need a safety to do.

    In summary, the 2026 Draft Class will go down as one of the strangest classes of all-time, certainly in my lifetime. Shocking picks, epic slides, a record-breaking number of trades, kept not just the teams on their toes, but fans on the edge of their seats or wondering….. “What the heck are they doing?”

    For the delicious breakfast bowls and bagels, as well as high protein snacks, and boba drinks, stop into The Daily Dose in Convoy. Located on the corner of US-49 and Tully Street. Check out their Facebook page for special drinks and menu items.

    – by Sean McKenzie

    Information courtesy of…..NFL, ESPN, and PFF.

    Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave, USAToday, and WTAE.

  • Best and the Worst, from the 1st Round, of the 2026 NFL Draft.

    The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is in the books.

    In front of a record crowd of 320,000 people, we got the chaos and surprises that come, when nobody knows exactly what’s going to happen after pick #1.

    Indiana Hoosiers Heisman Trophy winning and National Championship QB, Fernando Mendoza went 1st to the Las Vegas Raiders.

    We all knew that the New York Jets were going to take a pass rusher; we just didn’t know which one. Was it going to be David Bailey, Arvell Reese, or Rueben Bain. They decided on Bailey from Texas Tech.

    The Arizona Cardinals decided to kick off the chaos by selecting HB Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame with the 3rd pick. He was my #2 overall player in this class. The highest a running back had been taken since 2018 (Saquon Barkley to the New York Giants).

    WR Carnell Tate from Ohio State, was the first WR to come off the draft board. But it wasn’t to the Cleveland Browns (my team), it was to the Tennessee Titans at #4.

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    Rounding out the Top 5, the New York Giants took pass rushing LB/EDGE, Arvell Reese from Ohio State. Making it back-to-back Buckeyes.

    For all 32 selections you can watch or visit ESPN or NFL Network.

    Without further ado, here are the best and worst of the 1st Round.

    Best overall pick – Dallas Cowboys – Caleb Downs – S – Ohio State.

    The Cowboys trade up from #12 to #11 for the best overall player in the entire class in Caleb Downs. He’s an elite, versatile safety, with exceptional football IQ and excellent leadership. Dallas defensive coordinator Christian Parker loves safeties that can play in the box, and single high. Downs is the perfect fit. Parker had to be doing backflips in the war room.

    Worst overall pick – Minnesota Vikings – Caleb Banks – DT – Florida.

    As soon as I saw this pick, I KNEW my friend Nick was not going to be happy, and he did not disappoint me and my fellow LabRoomFam in our group chat.

    He’s a big 6’6″, 327 lbs defensive lineman, that struggles in run stopping, and has had, not one, not two, but three, foot surgeries already. While he does a good job of splitting lineman, his pass rushing skills and moves are not polished, relying on his quick get off, which to be fair is quite good. They took the 4th best DT in the 1st round.

    For the best artisan pizzas and homemade pies in Van Wert County, stop by The Local Slice in Convoy, Ohio.

    Biggest surprise – Houston Texans – OG – Keylan Rutledge – Georgia Tech.

    I swear, the Texans do not believe in offensive line positions other than center. They just draft offensive guards and stick them at the other 4 positions. Don’t get me wrong, I love Rutledge, he was my OG3, but they need tackles. Are they just gonna line up and play old school, downhill, pound the rock, smashmouth football? As everyone knows, that’s my favorite style, but it’s unrealistic in today’s game.

    Rounds 2 and 3 of the NFL Draft are Friday Night, at 7:00 PM (EST) on ESPN, NFL Network, and ABC.

    – by Sean McKenzie

    Pictures courtesy of…..MSN and yahoosports.

  • Winners and Losers from the Final Day of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.

    The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine is officially in the books.

    Ladies and Gentlemen, it is the FASTEST combine in history.

    Every single position group, except the QB’s. ran the fastest 40 times ever.

    For the final day, MY favorite group took to the field, the offensive linemen. The hogmollies, baby. The guys that really make things work.

    Coming in, we all knew that this was a deep class of prospects, and that played during the on the field drills.

    There could be as many as 6 or even 7 offensive linemen taken in the 1st round in the NFL Draft this April.

    Francis Mauigoa, Spencer Fano, Olaivavega Ioane, Caleb Lomu, Kadyn Proctor, and Monroe Freeling, are sure fire locks to go Round 1.

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    For the best coffee and lattes in Van Wert County, stop into The Rebel Bean. Check out their Facebook page for store hours and drink menu.

    My biggest winner was Logan Jones, the center from the Iowa Hawkeyes. He not only ran the fastest 40 of all the offensive lineman (4.90), but he also looked so smooth, with quick feet, during the on the field portion of the day.

    Personally, I’d love for my Cleveland Browns to snatch him up at #70, IF he’s still available at that spot.

    This is a nice OC class. Jones, Connor Lew (Auburn), and Jake Slaughter (Florida), could all go inside the Top 100.

    My biggest loser of the day was Dametrious Crownover from Texas A&M. He has impressive size for an offensive lineman, but he struggled badly during the on the field portion. He couldn’t keep his balance, slow feet, looked very uncomfortable pulling, it was a bad day.

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    The Daily Dose in Convoy, has all the sugar-free, protein packed, drinks and snacks you need to get through your day. Check out their Facebook page for store hours and drink menu.

    The 2026 NFL Draft starts Thursday night, April 23rd, at 8:00 PM (EST) and goes through Saturday, April 25th, on ESPN and NFL Network.

    – by Sean McKenzie

    Picture courtesy of…..USAToday.

  • Winners and Losers from Day 3 of the NFL Scouting Combine.

    Logo for the NFL Scouting Combine featuring a football and star design in blue and white.

    Day 3 of the NFL Scouting Combine is officially in the books. The theme of S-P-E-E-D speed, continued!!! Absolutely nobody thought that this particular draft class, would be breaking all-time speed records.

    The first group of Day 3 was the Running Backs. As anyone who knows me, knows that I LOVE me some running backs. I’m a run-first guy.

    Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love only solidified his position as the #1 RB in this class. We all knew that he was fast, and he ran a 4.36 in the 40, with a 1.55 10 yd split. He showed his smooth footwork and ability to get skinny, during the on the field portion of the drills.

    His teammate Jadarian Price ran a 4.49 in the 40, with a slower than expected 1.61 10 yard split. His footwork isn’t as smooth as Love in the running drills, but he did EXCELLENT catching the ball during the on the field portion of the drills.

    My biggest winner was Alabama RB Jam Miller. He ran a 4.42 in the 40, with a 1.53 10 yard split. He was smooth with his footwork , kept his balancing cutting, and did a good job catching balls.

    Penn State RB Kaytron Allen did EXACTLY what I’ve been telling everyone he would during the on the field portion of the drills. Smooth footwork, quick feet, can catch the ball. I’ve always thought he was better than his Nittany Lions counterpart Nicholas Singleton.

    My biggest loser was Nebraska RB Emmett Johnson. He ran a 4.56 in the 40. He looked like a board, his feet looked sluggish, his reaction to the bags, on cut drills were slow.

    Outside of Love, there isn’t a first rounder here, but there is very quality depth, and varied abilities in this class.

    A person holding a clear plastic cup of iced coffee from 'The Rebelizer' in front of a decorated wreath on a door.

    For the best coffee and lattes in Van Wert County, stop into The Rebel Bean, in Convoy, Ohio. Their Honey Bun latte is SO DELCIOUS, that I actually drink it sometimes over their wonderful regular black coffee. Check out their Facebook page for store hours and drink menu.

    QB Group 1 ran the 40, and the news was Arkansas QB Taylen Green ran a 4.36 in the 40. Georgia Tech QB Haynes King ran a 4.46 in the 40.

    When it came to throwing, the biggest winner overall was Penn State QB Drew Allar. He had the best deep ball, by far. He was accurate with his ball placement on almost every drill.

    Georgia Tech QB Haynes King did quite well. He was great on all the underneath throws, but his lack of arm strength showed on the deep balls.

    The biggest loser for on the field drills, was EASILY Teylan Green. He completely airmailed throws on all the outroutes, both short and deep. His ball placement was high and low on slant routes. He has great arm strength though.

    Next up, was WR Group #1. Oklahoma Deion Burks (4.30), Cincinnati Jeff Caldwell (4.31), Georgia Zachariah Branch (4.35), Oregon Malik Benson (4.37), Tennessee Chris Brazzell (4.37), and Texas Tech Caleb Douglas (4.39), all ran under 4.40 in the 40.

    The big winner was Zachariah Branch. He was so smooth and really crisp on his breaks. Just snapping them off. He caught everything, including some horrible throws by QB Fagnano and Green. It was so fun to watch him today. He made himself some money and climbed many draft boards.

    Biggest loser was WR Malachi Fields from Notre Dame. He ran a slow 4.61 in the 40, with a 1.63 10-yard split. He couldn’t keep his feet and hips under control on his breaks, and had 3 drops on The Gauntlet Drill. The film is better than his performance Saturday afternoon, but it did cost him some spots.

    A clear plastic container filled with a dessert made of layers of whipped cream, caramel sauce, chopped pecans, and chocolate chips, resting on a wooden table.

    The Daily Dose in Convoy, has all the sugar-free, protein packed teas, drinks, and snacks that you need to fuel your day. Check out their Facebook page for store hours, menu, and special drinks.

    Only 2 players from QB Group 2 ran the 40. North Dakota State’s Cole Payton (4.56) and Baylor Sawyer Robertson (4.65).

    When it came to the on the field drills, Alabama’s Ty Simpson was the winner of the group. Good accuracy on the out breaking routes. He had great ball placement and timing on the medium and deep routes.

    Clemson’s Cade Klubnik was a close 2nd place though.

    The loser of the group was the aforementioned Cole Payton. His best 2 passes didn’t come until the 2nd to last drill, on deep balls. It was a terrible night for him, after the 40-yard dash.

    WR Group 2 saw the fastest 40-yard dash of the weekend. Brenen Thompson from Mississippi State ran a 4.26, with a 1.54 10-yard split. North Dakota State’s Bryce Lance ran a 4.34 in the 40, with a 1.49 10-yard split, and Ole Miss’s De’Zhaun Stribling ran a 4.36, with a 1.53 10-yard split.

    When it came to the on the field drills, the winner was actually 2 this time. Makai Lemon from USC and Colbie Young from Georgia. Both of them were catching absolutely everything thrown their way. With some of the bad balls, both of them showed great body control and the ability to adjust mid-air to catch the bad throws.

    Illustration of two beer mugs clinking together with frothy beer spilling over, featuring the text 'CHEERS! & GEARS Bar & Grille' on a black background.

    Cheers and Gears Bar & Grille in Convoy, has all your daily lunch and dinner specials. I personally love their mozzarella sticks with marinara sauce. It’s my “go to” snack on my monthly “cheat day”. Check out their Facebook page for hours and menu.

    – by Sean McKenzie

    Picture courtesy of…..bleacherreport.

  • Winners and Losers from Day 2 of the NFL Scouting Combine.

    Logo for the NFL Scouting Combine featuring a football and the NFL shield.

    Day 2 of the NFL Scouting Combine is in the books. The speed from the first day, kept going here in Day 2.

    This is officially, the fastest overall class, in the history of the NFL Scouting Combine.

    It started with DBs Group 1, which was CB (cornerbacks).

    The big news was that San Diego State Aztec CB Chris Johnson answered the biggest question about himself, his speed. He ran a 4.40 in the 40. We knew that he’d do well in the on the field drills and he did.

    Tennessee Volunteers CB Colton Hood ran a 4.44, and the one of the biggest surprises for me, and quite a few people that I talked to, was Ohio State CB Davison Igbinosun running a 4.45. His tape does not reflect that type of speed, so that was a big boost for him. Both Hood and Igbinosun did very well during the on the field drills as well.

    The biggest overall surprise to me and others, was Georgia CB Daylen Everette. He’s 6’3″ and not only ran a 4.38 in the 40, but he was quite fluid flipping his hips, changing directions and did well on the Gauntlet Drill.

    Biggest loser was CB Julian Neal from Arkansas. He looked absolutely terrible in all the drills. Could he move to safety? Sure. It was a bad day for him.

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    DB Group 2 was the safeties, and HOLY HOLY MOLY!!! It was the fastest safety class in the history of the NFL Scouting Combine.

    It started with Ohio State safety Lorenzo Styles Jr running a 4.27 and a 4.28 in the 40. 3 other safeties, Robert Spears-Jennings, Treydan Stukes, and Dillon Thieneman ran under 4.40 seconds in the 40.

    By far, Styles Jr had the best day, as he not only ran fast, but he also dominated the on the field drills. He kept his feet under him, he was able to keep his balance on breaks, and he was catching everything his way. There’s no way, he should be a late Day 3 pick. I think he might have worked himself into Day 2 (rounds 2 and 3).

    Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren MIGHT have solidified himself as a first-round pick. Previously mentioned Dillon Thieneman from Oregon absolutely solidified his position in the second round.

    Unfortunately, one of my favorite “sleeper picks” Bishop Fitzgerald was the biggest loser of the night. He ran much slower than anyone thought 4.55 in the 40. He looked stiff and couldn’t keep his balance when he had to cut on his back foot. Hopefully, he’ll do better at his pro day.

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    The final Group of the day, saw the tight ends open it up for the offensive players.

    What did they do??? Then went out and ran the fastest collective group in NFL Scouting Combine history. See a theme here folks.

    Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq set a new NFL Combine record for TEs, running a 4.39 in the 40. He also did very well in the measurables and testing.

    Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers ran a 4.51 in the 40, and he set a new NFL Combine record as well. His was in the vertical jump, jumping a whooping 45.50″ inches.

    To me, the biggest winner was Wyoming TE John Michael-Gyllenborg. He ran a solid 4.60 in the 40, and looked so smooth and fluid in the on the field drills.

    The biggest loser was Tennessee Volunteer TE Miles Kitselman. He ran a 4.90 in the 40, looked very rigid, and absolutely couldn’t even move Fred the Sled on the blocking drill. It was a bad day for him.

    My surprise was TE Bauer Sharp from LSU. Ran a nice 4.63 in the 40. Was the best in the blocking drill, and caught everything that went his way.

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    Day 3 of the NFL Scouting Combine starts at 1:00 PM (EST) on NFL Network, with Quarterbacks, Running Backs, and Wide Receivers, testing and taking the field.

    – by Sean McKenzie

    Picture courtesy of…..USAToday.

  • Winners and Losers from Day 1 of the NFL Scouting Combine.

    Day 1 of the NFL Scouting Combine is in the books, and I must say, that it provided more overall depth of talent than I thought it would.

    The day started out with the defensive tackles taking the field for on the field drills.

    For teams like the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers, and teams that run the 3-4 defense, they were loving it. This DT class is a strong, run stopping, nose tackle class. There’s nobody that’s going to get inside pressure.

    My two biggest winners were Lee Hunter from Texas Tech, who absolutely solidified his position as DT1; and the surprise guy Zane Durant from Penn State, who came in and just crushed the drills.

    My biggest loser was Kaden McDonald from Ohio State. He looked sluggish, stiff, and his footwork was sloppy, causing him to lose his balance, causing slips and falls.

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    Group 2 was the Edge Rushers, and they showed that there was some quality depth this year.

    David Bailey from Texas Tech, and TJ Parker showed everyone why they are not just MY #1 and #2 ranked Edge players, but a lot scouts and pundits as well.

    Dani Dennis-Sutton from Penn State showed that the down year this past season, was not a reflection of his true talent. He did quite well, and is my #3 Edge.

    The two players that shocked me the most were, Mason Reiger from Wisconsin and Max Llewellyn from Iowa. They crushed the on the field drills. Whether it was the Wave Drill or the 4-Bag Agility, they looked smooth, and their footwork was great. They really helped their draft stock bigtime.

    The biggest loser to everyone but me, was LT Overton from Alabama. He’s not a pass rusher. He ran slow, his footwork was sloppy, his couldn’t keep his hips, knees, and feet in tandem, it was bad. LOT of my fellow Browns fans were mocking him at #24. I’ve told them and even a family member, that I’m not touching him in the first round.

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    The day finished with Group 3, the Linebackers.

    HOLY CALCUTTA WHAT A CROP IT IS THIS YEAR!!!

    Starting with the two standout Ohio State Buckeyes, Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles. Both ran a 4.46 in the 40-yard dash. Then turned around and made the on the field drills look like a walk in the park, barely breaking a sweat and completely dominating.

    I felt bad for Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodrigeuz, who a GREAT day, but was overshadowed simply by being next after Reese. He’s a turnover machine and so smooth.

    Kyle Louis from Pitt had a great day on the field as well. Ran a solid 4.53 and looked so smooth and fluid during the drills.

    My biggest loser was Jack Kelly from BYU, and that’s simply just nitpicking because he wasn’t all that bad. He ran slower than I thought he would. He was stiffer than he looked in games, and kept losing his balance during the early drills, like the Wave and 4-Bag.

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    Day 2 of the NFL Scouting Combine continues tomorrow afternoon, starting at 3:00 PM (EST) on NFL Network.

    – by Sean McKenzie

    Picture courtesy of…..USAToday.

  • Lady Knights Get a Tough Win at Home.

    The Crestview Lady Knights basketball team huddled together, discussing strategy during a game against the Fort Jennings Lady Musketeers in the gymnasium.

    It was a bitterly cold, December night in Convoy, Ohio.

    The roads still partly covered, from the weekend’s snowfall.

    A sheen of glazed ice on the roads, as the melt refreezes.

    Inside Crestview high school, the smell of fresh popcorn and pizza filled your senses.

    Inside the gym, things were already heated up, as the Lady Knights hosted the Fort Jennings Lady Musketeers.

    It was a physical game from the opening tipoff.

    A basketball game is in progress at Crestview High School, featuring the Lady Knights and the Fort Jennings Lady Musketeers. A referee is making a call as players are positioned on the court, with spectators visible in the background.

    The officials tried to set the tone early, calling 4 combined team fouls within the first 2 minutes of the game.

    Both teams struggled to make shots from the floor, and it was only a 7-4 game after the first.

    In the second quarter, things didn’t get any better for the Knights or Musketeers from the field.

    The physicality continued with jump balls, charges, and a lot of bodywork.

    The Lady Knights took a 14-6 halftime lead into the locker room.

    A basketball player wearing a white uniform and the number 5 attempts a shot while several opposing players in black uniforms watch closely. The gymnasium is filled with spectators and features bleachers in the background.

    The Musketeers started the third quarter well, getting off a couple baskets, and clamping down on the Knights.

    Lady Knights #1 Zoe Ross would hit a big 3 pointer to put a stop to the run, and the Knights would go a run of their own. It was here, that they started to pull away from the Lady Musketeers.

    The Knights would have a 33-19 lead heading into the final quarter.

    The fourth and final quarter would be a repeat of the first. Very physical, and both teams not being able to convert from the field or the free throw line.

    At the end of the night, the Lady Knights took home a 47-25 victory and move to 4-2 overall this season.

    #1 Zoe Ross led the team with 13 points.

    #10 Haley McCoy led the team with 10 rebounds and was the allsportsfan.com Player of the Game.

    A female athlete stands in a gymnasium, smiling and holding a card, wearing a black jacket and white shorts, with other people in the background.

    I spoke to Knights head coach Mark Gregory after the game.

    It was a big win in a physical game, and I asked him what was his biggest takeaway was from the victory?

    “Yeah, you know, we struggled knocking down shots tonight and just had to play really hard tonight. They played physical and tough. The biggest thing that I take away from tonight is we struggled to get 50/50 balls all night long. I talked to the girls and that’s something that we’ve got to get better at.”

    I noticed that the Knights were very aggressive on defense.

    Utilizing everything from full court press on inbounds to zone presses. I asked if that was something they were going to do all season long, or was it specific to tonight’s game.

    “No, no, no. It’s something we’ve been working on all season long, switching between man to man and zone press. We’ve been mixing things up a bit. Our pressure in the second half was a big difference in the game, and lead to some easy baskets for us, especially in the third quarter.”

    The Lady Knights (4-2) next game is Thursday, December 18th, at home against the Columbus Grove Bulldogs. JV tips off at 5:30 PM.

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    For the best coffee and lattes in Van Wert County, stop into The Rebel Bean. Check out their Facebook page for hours, menu, and special holiday drinks.

    – by Sean McKenzie

  • 2025-26 College Football Playoff Bracket is Set.

    A collage of various college sports team logos on a black background, featuring schools from different conferences.

    Conference Championship Weekend is over and done with.

    Congratulations to Indiana (B10), Georgia (SEC), Duke (ACC, yes you read that right), Texas Tech (B12), Tulane (AAC), James Madison (Sun Belt), Kennesaw State (C-USA), Boise State (MWC), and Western Michigan (MAC), for winning their conference titles.

    It’s the main goal of these teams when they start the season, and through hard work, dedication, and a bit of luck, they all achieved it.

    On Sunday, the College Football Playoff Committee released their official bracket.

    There is a LOT WRONG with it as well.

    Official College Football Playoff bracket showcasing the matchups and seeded teams for the playoffs.

    First of all, I’m happy that the Dukes and Green Wave won their conferences, but in no way, shape, or form, should they BOTH be in the CFP. Personally, I don’t think ANY of the “G5 schools” deserved to be in the playoffs this season. However, if one team did deserve it, it was James Madison, not Tulane.

    It’s especially hard on JMU as they have to fly all the way across the country (2,806 miles) and play the Oregon Ducks, at Autzen Stadium.

    It’s a bit easier for Tulane, as they only have a 346-mile bus ride up I-55 to play the Ole Miss Rebels in Oxford.

    The fact that Notre Dame was left out of the playoffs is a disgrace. They started the season 0-2 with both those loses to CFP teams Miami and Texas A&M, being by a combined 4 points.

    They’ve won 10 straight games, and outside of Indiana, is probably playing the best football of any team in the country.

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    Unlike a lot of my fellow sports writers, I’m 100% OK with Alabama making the CFP.

    I understand they lost to a horrible Florida State team, but that was in Week 1. Their two other losses were to CFP Oklahoma by 2 points, and they did lose to Georgia in the SEC Championship Game by 21, but remember, they beat the Bulldogs in the regular season matchup. Ranked wins over Missouri, Vanderbilt, and Tennessee, is a fine resume, and deserving of a spot.

    I wouldn’t have put them at #9 though. That’s too high for a 3 loss team. #11 or #12 would’ve been better.

    Looking at the bracket, there’s some nice campus matchups. The Alabama-Oklahoma rematch is going to be another great game. Remember, that game was in Tuscaloosa and the Sooners went in to get a close 23-21 victory. You KNOW that Boomer Sooner crowd is going to be rocking in Norman for that game.

    The aforementioned Tulane-Ole Miss game is a game to keep an eye on. The Rebels are in the middle of a coaching change, and they’re having a lot of movement with the staff. The fact of the matter is that we do not know how new head coach Pete Golding is going to do, with his first ever game being a playoff game.

    Meanwhile, with Tulane promoting Will Hall to be the head coach, they’re in a much better spot. Hall has been the man in charge before (Southern Miss) and worked at Tulane (19-20) before returning. He understands the culture and has the big game coaching experience.

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    The Daily Dose in Convoy, has a delicious Banana Nut Protein Oatmeal Bowl. Check out their Facebook page for hours, special drinks, and menu.

    I’m not saying the Green Wave is going to shock the world and beat the Rebels, I’m just saying………………it’s not out of the realm of possibility.

    I’ll make my College Football Playoff Predictions, as well as ALL the Bowl Game predictions in a later article.

    – by Sean McKenzie

    Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave and ESPN.