SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – The first two weeks of the 2022 high school sports season have not been kind to the Cordova varsity football team.

The Lancers (0-2) lost their first game of the season by 34 points at home to Bella Vista on August 19. Given the lopsided loss, one would think there’s nowhere to go but up for Cordova, right? Wrong!

Even with an extra day of rest before their next game, things somehow got worse for the Lancers. Cordova lost on the road at El Camino (2-0) by a score of 41-0 on Saturday night. Through two games under interim head coach and alumnus Kyle Williams, the Lancers have been outscored 89-14.

RELATED: Bella Vista blows past Cordova in season opener

Cordova senior quarterback Kevin Lewis completed only 1-of-5 passing attempts for seven yards. His one completion went to junior Ruvim Kravchuk. Lewis, who is a dual-threat QB, had much more success on the ground, rushing 15 times for 114 yards (7.6 average).

Lewis has been the one bright spot for the Lancers so far this season. The 5-foot-10 senior also plays defensive back and was tied for a team-high in tackles with seven. Junior Aleksey Medvedeva also had seven total tackles. Four other Cordova players had five tackles each.

One of those four is defensive end, Michael Brown. The 6-foot-4, 188-pound junior also had two quarterback hurries. Stats from the Eagles’ offensive explosion were not made available by press time.

RELATED: New Lancers coach aims ‘to restore Cordova’s tradition and dominance’

The Lancers will attempt to rebound from the back-to-back losses when they play at Rio Linda (1-1) on Friday. El Camino will go on the road for the first time this season and play at Foothill. Kickoff for both games is scheduled for 7 p.m.

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Timely turnovers can be costly.

The Rio Americano varsity football team (0-2) learned that lesson Friday night in a 48-27 loss to Marysville (2-0), played at Del Campo High School in Carmichael. The Raiders play their home games at Del Campo.

“We’re a disciplined bunch, we showed up and we got after it from the beginning,” Indians coach Will Claggett told MPG after the win. “We had a point to prove, we wanted to be 2-0 and we came out and we played like it.”

Rio’s first drive of the game was productive, marching down into Marysville territory. However, a costly interception by freshman quarterback Frankie Cervantes ended the Raiders’ first offensive possession.

The Indians capitalized almost immediately, as senior running back Danny Lanini broke away for an 86-yard rush down the left sideline to reach the red zone. Marysville finished off the drive on the ground from four yards out, but missed the PAT, leaving the score 6-0 early. 

Another timely turnover concluded Rio’s second drive. Junior running back Charles Hausman fumbled and had it scooped up by Indians senior linebacker Maddox Marino.

“That’s one thing that this group does a really good job of, we’re very opportunistic,” Claggett said about his team capitalizing on the Raiders’ early turnovers. “When we have the chance to score, we usually do it. If we can keep playing like that, we got a chance to be pretty special this year.”

Marysville scored its second touchdown of the night on a six-yard rush from Lanini. The Raiders then responded with their first score of the night, as Hausman scored the five-yard rushing TD. The junior also successfully converted the extra point attempt with his leg, making the score 13-7 in the second quarter.

That’s where things got rough for Rio, as the Indians scored three unanswered touchdowns to take a 27-point lead early in the second half. The first score came through the air, as senior wide receiver Trishton Henderson made an over-the-shoulder 16-yard catch in the right corner of the end zone.

The next score came via the defense, as senior Kayden Ellyson made an interception and ran it back 34-yards into the end zone. The third and final score came on the ground, as senior running back Joseph Endicott ran it in. The Raiders would not go away quietly though.

Hausman continued to redeem himself from the early fumble, scoring his second rushing TD of the night after dashing 30-yards down the left sideline in front of the Raiders faithful. Hausman’s extra point kick was blocked, leaving the score 34-13 just over two minutes in the third quarter.

The Indians’ first turnover of the game proved to be un-costly. Marysville fumbled deep in their own territory, but Rio was unable to capitalize, turning the ball over on downs. The third period ended with another Indians rushing TD as Endicott scampered in for another score.

“Endicott got rocked early in the game, was out for about a quarter, and came back and just ran all over the field,” Claggett said. “He just showed a lot of toughness and competed his butt off.”

Raiders freshman wideout Robert Hamel scored a 43-yard touchdown with 9:41 remaining to make the score more respectable. Lanini scored Marysville’s final points of the night with a pick six in the fourth, returning it 53 yards for the TD.

Rio’s final score came on another long TD reception from Hamel, this time from 35 yards out. The Raiders also successfully converted the two-point conversion attempt.

Things got chippy down the stretch, as a Rio player blindsided Lanini on one play late in the game once the outcome was decided. However, tempers quickly settled, and the Indians prevailed in dominant fashion, winning 48-27.

Lanini and Endicott were a dynamic duo on the ground, running all over the Raiders. Lanini carried the ball eight times for 156 yards (19.5 average) and one TD. Endicott rushed 17 times for 167 yards (9.8 AVG) and two scores.

“Joseph Endicott got hurt very early and it kind of messed me up, I was like, ‘noooo’ (because) he’s one of my boys,” Lanini said. “Seeing him get hurt, (I thought) I gotta ball out for him. And then he came back, and I was like, ‘Oh we’re both balling out together!’”

Ellyson was perfect under center, completing all three of his pass attempts for 44 yards and a TD. Lanini and Marino each had a strong night defensively, as Marino had a game-high nine tackles and Lanini had eight. Both players also had at least one tackle for loss and a forced turnover.

“I think my performance was pretty good,” Lanini said. “I came out here and balled out. Last week I had a lot of good runs, but they got flagged and stuff, so I was like, ‘Dude, I’m just going to go out here and run the ball as hard as I can and hopefully it’s a good run.’ A lot of my boys got a lot of hit stickers on their helmet and I only had a couple, so I wanted to get some hit stickers, so that was a motivator for me.”

For Rio, Hausman ran the ball 17 times for 67 yards and two scores. Cervantes was 27-of-42 passing for 265 yards, one TD and three interceptions.

“It is interesting. We wanted to see where we were gonna be at after these first two games. So, sitting at 2-0 is a great spot,” Claggett explained. “We have a gauntlet of a schedule these next three to four games. We came out of the first two games relatively unscathed and pretty healthy.

“These next few weeks are going to do a lot to determine what kind of football team we have and what kind of season we have. These next few weeks it’s on, we have some really good competition. We’re pretty sharp right now, we got areas to improve on and these next few weeks are pivotal for us as a team this year.”

Marysville hosts East Nicolaus on Friday for their home opener. Rio will remain at home and play winless Woodland.

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – The Greater Sacramento Chapter of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) Association recently partnered with Sacramento Downtown Commons (DOCO) at 405 K Street, Sacramento for its inaugural CEO Soak to raise funds for those suffering from what’s commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

On August 12, CEOs from the region participated in ALS Association’s ice bucket soaking to donate a total of $15,265 for the association’s efforts in providing funds in a three-pronged approach against the disease, including patient care, public policy, and global research.

Senior Vice President of Territory Management for the ALS Association, Amy Sugimoto, stated, “Our programs and services allow for people across the 24 counties we serve to have access to support group meetings, durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs and ramps, speech communication devices, and so much more.”

Patrick Dunlap, Managing Director in the Western Region, said, “Eight years ago, millions of people dumped buckets of ice water on their heads for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge; This global social media sensation shined a much-needed light on an underfunded and misunderstood disease.”

“Basically, this was the first year for Sacramento and the west,” said Dunlap, to participate in the CEO Soak to help raise vital funds for the Association to find a cure for ALS.

One of those CEOs soaked for his efforts at bringing in funds through his agency and generosity was Sacramento Metro Fire Chief Todd Harms. “I was honored to participate in the first annual CEO Soak to bring more awareness to this very important cause,” he said.

Harms noted that his awareness of the progressive neurodegenerative disease was raised when “a dear friend and former board member of Metro Fire was diagnosed with ALS a few years ago.” The Fire Chief thanked all “[who] contributed in his name with donations.”

Other Sacramento region CEOs contributing for the soak included Lisa Ferro of Blue Waters Mortgage in Folsom; Jeremy Macdonald CEO of Bonney Plumbing of Rancho Cordova; Marty McGartland, Retiree of Natoma Technologies; Matt Sinner, Area Vice President, Maxim Healthcare Services; Michael Creedon, Regional Manager, Mobility Works; Brandi Rollins, Director, Operations and Control, Lock ‘n’ Stitch; Mike Beams, Maxim Healthcare Services; and Beza Admassu, Maxim Healthcare Services.

The total amount the ALS Association received in donations was 61 percent of their target goal of $25,000 for this first year of the event.

“Every single CEO who showed up at our inaugural CEO Soak for the Western Territory,” said Sugimoto, “is contributing and partnering with us to help people living with ALS. We are forever grateful for them.”

The ALS Association Greater Sacramento Chapter is located at 5701 Sunrise Blvd, Citrus Heights, California 95610. For more information visit www.als.org/greater-sacramento/events/ceo-soak-greater-sacramento or call (916) 233-5483.

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Growing from a few old boys to a volunteer army, Carmichael Kiwanis Club is a major community force. With ice cream and much back-slapping, members last week marked the nonprofit’s diamond anniversary at La Sierra Community Center.

Fifteen men founded the group in 1962; now 83 members meet regularly. Their efforts have channeled hundreds of thousands of dollars to community support. The Kiwanians also volunteer almost 10,000 service hours per year. Causes such as the Koobs Nature Area, food closets, tree-planting, children’s health, education, American River Parkway and Carmichael Parks Foundation have benefitted.

“It’s hard to imagine our community without this organization,” County Supervisor Rich Desmond told fellow Kiwanians: “You make Carmichael and its greater area a better place. It’s an honor to be your County Supervisor but it’s my privilege to be a member of this Club.”

Third oldest in California, the Carmichael division met at a restaurant called Sambo’s (now Burger King) on Fair Oaks Blvd. The guys sold cotton candy at July 4 parades and were happy to make $50. In decades that followed, annual crab feasts and Taste of Carmichael galas inspired huge community fundraising. “The COVID situation set us back,” concedes membership co-chair Len Ohlendorf. “But we’re still here and we’re still growing.”

The club’s biggest game-changer was admitting women in 1987. Diehards lamented the innovation – one member wore his badge upturned in protest. The first woman inductee, senior care manager Kathy Spake, became the club’s first female president. “She was in a man’s world, and she handled herself without drama,” remembers veteran member Ron Greenwood.” The guys quickly accepted her; that was an accomplishment in itself. Kathy was made of the right stuff."

Emancipation helped the nonprofit on all levels. “Without that, there would be no Kiwanis today,” considers Len Ohlendorf. “Women presidents led us through the pandemic; our secretary and treasurer are female and (college professor) Jenny Hawley will be 2023 president. Our committees are mostly led by women. We’re fortunate to have them.”

With the club’s mission to help children, a jewel in its crown is co-sponsoring the Kiwanis Family House. Located near U.C. Davis Medical Center, the facility keeps kin united when children are hospitalized. “We’re all family oriented,” says committee chair Ivory Rubin. “We’re proud the Family House offers refuge for people in crisis. Knowing such a haven exists makes us feel Kiwanis is making a difference in the world.”

The Kiwanis Club meets weekly at Carmichael Park Club. For information, email lenohlendorf@gmail.com

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Baby boomers were out in gray-haired force to catch Ticket to Ride Electric – a Beatles cover band – in Carmichael Park last weekend. The concert was the second-to-last performance of the concert season sponsored by Carmichael Recreation and Park District.

In 100 degrees-plus, the fab-five musicians kept fans dancing to Lennon-McCartney hits for more than two hours. 

The tribute band formed seven years ago. Leader and bass player Matt Udall is a Sacramento attorney. Unlike some tribute groups, its musicians don’t feel the need to resemble Liverpool’s most famous sons. “We have the Sgt. Pepper coats because people love those colorful uniforms from the Beatles’ Sergeant Pepper period,” explains Udall. “But we don’t want to wear cheesy wigs, we just want to be ourselves – being out there playing music that makes people so happy.”

Free CRPD concerts conclude this Saturday with a 6:30 pm performance by the 11-piece rock band On Air. The group will also play for Mission Oaks Park District on September 25. The performance is at Gibbons Park, 4701 Gibbons Drive (Carmichael). Downbeat is 5 pm.

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Beards, tattoos and solid American songs recently brought the multitudes – including scores of Harley Davidson riders – to Carmichael Park. The 2022 concert season revved to full throttle as veteran biker band, the Fryed Brothers, earned a warm reception on a hot night.

The Sacramento musicians have been in movies and made records with superstars. Of founding brothers Harry and Tommy Fryed, only fiddler Harry (62) remains with the group. Younger brother Tommy died of heart failure at 49 years old. Youngest of a Carmichael family of seven siblings, the brothers grew up on Carter Road and attended Rio Americano High School.

“From childhood, they loved music and they loved bikes,” says their sister/manager Barbara Fryed. Harry and Tommy formed their band in memory of an older brother, Mark, who died when a car hit his motorcycle on the Fair Oaks Boulevard side of Carmichael Park in 1980.

Together, Harry and Tommy wrote more than 40 songs and, over 36 years of pro-gigging, the Fryeds have shared stages with Waylon Jennings, Charlie Daniels, the Doobies, Jefferson Starship, Tower of Power, Eddie Money, Blood, Sweat & Tears and Billy Idol.

“They have fans all over the world,” says their manager. “My brother was joking that it only took 36 years to get on a Carmichael stage. But he was more than happy to play there.” The Fryeds’ mom still lives in Carmichael and at 90, she remains their biggest fan. By tradition, Harry dedicated “Amarillo by Morning” to his mom at the weekend concert.

The band’s park arrival was orchestrated by the roar of dozens of motorcycles; their ensuing performance was as much a concert as a Harley Davidson convention. In the bikers’ midst, Carmichaelites enjoyed all-American blues/rock and many unaccustomed sights. Facial hair, bare flesh and tattoos were the order of the day.

By Carmichael standards, it was a diverse group. But appreciation of the music was universal.

Remaining park concerts are as follows:
August 27: Carmichael Park. On Air (classic rock).

September 25: Gibbons Park. On Air (rock). 5 pm.

All community concerts are free and dancing is encouraged. Carmichael Park is located at 5750 Grant Avenue. La Sierra Center is at 5325 Engle Road. Gibbons Park is at 4701 Gibbons Drive.