Assuming that all others know everyone or everything you know is always a mistake. But it happens often, as it did when I first covered the Rotary Scholarship Banquet on Feb. 11 and their guest speaker, Charles Edward “Mean Joe” Greene. A lot of current NFL fans were not even born by 1969, when he first entered the NFL and many more are not old enough to have appreciated his talents.

Before his NFL career, Greene had an outstanding college football career at North Texas State University, leading the team to a 23–5–1 record during his three seasons. In his 29 games at defensive tackle, North Texas State held the opposition to 2,507 yards gained on 1,276 rushes, a per carry...

A portrait of State Wrestling Champion A.J. Starkovich, and his mother, Yvette Martinez. Starkovich reigned supreme at 152 pounds in the Class 5A session Feb. 20. Photo Credit: Tom Hartsock

Gallup High rebuilds program with four advancing to state

Gallup High wrestling has been down for a few years, but first-year head coach Esco Chavez is trying to build it back to its’ former respected status. The going has been slow, though, as Chavez will admit.

“I had hopes that others (from Gallup High) would get to go to state,” Chavez said. “The individual meet was still pretty fun. It’s a motivational thing as well, a reward for all the hard work these guys put in during the season.”

Only sophomore Brandon James at 106 pounds got the automatic qualification, placing third in Farmington. Senior Kenneth Cheromiah at 126 finished fourth, while senior Miguel...

By 1971, I had finished my enlistment with the U.S. Army just in time for the football season. To fit into my new civilian surroundings, I made a hasty appraisal and analysis of several teams that I would feel comfortable backing as a fan. Everyone seemed to have a favorite, for a multitude of reasons.

Having no previous loyalties, geographically or athletically, I used instead the characteristics of the owners and the potential of the players for my guide.

Family owned – check. Very good defense – check. A reliable running back – check, who also could catch a ball – double check. And a young quarterback too dumb to realize the importance of what he was doing – check. When...