Preview of Q&A with Soccer Player

By Morgana Kennedy

I spoke with Travis Montgomery a 27-year-old who plays for the Cobb Adult Soccer League. Montgomery has played soccer 22 years. The sport really shaped who he is today.

Playing soccer opened up a lot of doors, Montgomery said. It allowed him to have a closer relationship with his brother and playing on different teams introduced him to people he refers to as his best friends.

Montgomery also enjoys watching soccer. He attended the United States world cup men's qualifier in Washington D.C. Every few months for a year Montgomery and his friends would travel to a new city to see a soccer game.

His favorite team is Manchester United. But, he has not been able to see them live yet. He plans to see them the first chance he gets when he goes abroad.

"Soccer has been one of the biggest positive influences in my life. It has taught me invaluable lessons about life, hard work, communication, and friendship. I never realized how important it was when I was younger, but now that I'm older I see that playing soccer has really molded me into the person that I am today,"  Montgomery said.

Now enrolled at KSU as a sports management major, he plans to apply what he learns in the program to his dream career as the owner and operator of his own indoor soccer facility.

The video featuring Montgomery will be coming to the blog next week.

Hawks Defeated by Heat in Preseason Matchup

By Morgana Kennedy

Hawks assistant coach Darvin Ham after the preseason game against the Miami Heat at Philips Arena, Oct. 18. (Photo Credit: Morgana Kennedy)

ATLANTA – Gerald Green and James Ennis scored 19 points each leading the Miami Heat to victory over the Atlanta Hawks 101-92 at Philips Arena, Sunday.

Hawks Mike Scott also finished with 19 points and lead the team in rebounds while tallying three assists in 25 minutes, but it wasn’t enough to take the Heat. Atlanta had a decent showing in the second quarter but they weren’t as strong in the third.

“In the third quarter, they played really hard. I thought they played with a lot of energy, and we turned the ball over a lot,” head coach Mike Budenholze said. “We only got 16 points and we gave up 31. Credit to some of their guys who came in that third quarter and they just played with great energy and great effort.”

The Heat scored 28 points off of 22 Hawks’ turnovers. Four of the Heats’ players scored over 10 points in contrast to only three of the Hawks.

Despite the loss the Hawks have had a strong showing in the preseason winning four of the last five games.

As they prepare to enter the regular season the Hawks are focusing on defensive rebounding.

“That’s something we’ve really put a lot of time and effort and focus on in the preseason, and in practice and in film sessions,” Budenholzer said.

“We feel like we can be a good defensive rebounding team,” he said. “It’s something we’re conscious of and we’re working hard to be good on the defensive boards.”

The Hawks have some new faces. They’re feeling out different players in rotation mixing and matching on offense, according to assistant coach Darvin Ham.

“It’s not so much about the wins and losses at this point in the year as it is trying to get better at things that we’re working on in practice,” Ham said. “During the course of this preseason, season and earlier at the start of the year we’re feeling different guys out…and seeing what they’re able to give us.”

Newcomer Edy Tavares joins the Hawks this season. As one of the best players in Spain he shows a lot of promise. With English as a second language he had a challenging start, but that doesn’t hinder his performance on the court. Tavares scored a total of eight points in tonight’s game.

“He’s feeling much more comfortable. Being on a new team is hard, new language, everything. It takes a little time. He’s coming along very fast. He’s starting to understand everything. He feels more comfortable out there. It’s up to us to make the game easy for him,” Hawks Al Horford said.

The Hawks didn’t quite click with each other as well as their opponent in this game, Horford said. This is something they’ll have to work on if they want to succeed this season.

“The biggest thing is making sure we’re comfortable playing with each other,” Horford said.

Overall the Hawks look good, and this loss may just be the result of less urgency to win due to it only being a preseason game.

Owls Make History in Big South Conference Game

By Morgana Kennedy

Nick Perotta, defensive lineman for Kennesaw State University, at the post-game press conference on Saturday, Oct. 17.  (Photo credit: Morgana Kennedy)

KENNESAW, Ga. – The Fifth and Third Bank Stadium erupted with the cheers of Owl fans as Nick Perotta intercepted a pass at the goal line with :07 left to lock in Kennesaw State University’s win against Gardner-Webb University 12-7, Saturday.

The Bulldogs just needed to make a touch down to win the game. Gardner-Webb’s quarterback Tyrell Maxwell dropped back and threw toward the end zone, but the Owls junior defensive lineman prevented the pass from being completed.

Perotta helped the Owls make history. The victory marked the first time since 2002 that a newcomer won its first BSC game.

“To be able to make a play at the end and help the team get a win was definitely an exciting moment,” Perotta said.

KSU’s defense proved it could stack up against more seasoned opponents. The Bulldogs are a larger team pound-for-pound, with several players weighing in at over 300lbs. The Owls head coach Brian Bohannon credited the win to the way the Owls responded to the Bulldogs.

“I knew if we could get ahead two scores in the second half we were gonna wear the clock out, ‘cause I knew our defense could stop them,” Bohannon said.

Along with Perotta’s huge moment at the end of the game, freshman place kicker Justin Thompson made four field goals giving KSU its 12 points. Thompson tied a record for single game field goals in the BSC.

The Owls junior quarterback Trey White led the offense keeping possession of the ball for roughly 38 minutes throughout the game. Despite not being able to put it in the end zone it kept the ball out of the Bulldogs hands. 

But the shining moment for Owls fans came in those last few seconds as Perotta ripped away any chance of GWU taking the lead.

“It’s a big deal for program,” Bohannon said. “You talk about laying a foundation for stuff you can build on.”

This game also marked the Owls’ TV debut on ESPN3. The network broadcasted the game live with Evan Lepler and Renaldo Wynn. The BSC returned to ESPN3 this season with eight football games being televised exclusively.

If KSU can keep persevering they’re bound to have more historic moments. They go on to play Liberty University on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.  GWU will play Charleston Southern University on Oct. 24 at 1:30 p.m.

Kennesaw State defeats Gardner-Webb in Big South Conference Game

By Morgana Kennedy

Oct. 17, 2015

Owls head coach Brian Bohannon taking questions after a win against Gardner-Webb University, Saturday Oct. 17.

KENNESAW, Ga. -- Justin Thompson kicked four field goals to help the Owls win their first conference game 12-7 against the Bulldogs at Fifth Third Bank Stadium on Saturday.

After two false starts and the offense holding the ball without putting it in the end zone Kennesaw State relied on kicking and defense to take on the Bulldogs. Thompson made a 30-yard field goal in the first quarter, putting them ahead 3-0.

“We were trying every way we could to get that ball in the end zone,” head coach Brian Bohannon said. “I mean field goals really weren’t our mindset. … but, you felt like if you could put up two scores you were in pretty good shape.”

The Owls defense held the Bulldogs to only two first downs in the second quarter. A field goal made by Thompson with nine seconds left remained unanswered as Gardner-Webb rushed for a loss of one yard to finish the first half.

During the third quarter GWC's quarterback Tyrell Maxwell completed a 21-yard pass to wide receiver Jacob Henderson for the first down, but the Bulldogs were unable to put points on the board until the fourth quarter.

At the start of the fourth Thompson made a 27-yard field goal to put KSU at 12-0. With 5:33 left, the Bulldogs’ running back John Bettistea rushed one yard for a touchdown. A kick from Paul Schumacher gave the Bulldogs seven points, forcing the Owls to fight to keep their lead.

The game came down to the final seconds as KSU’s defensive lineman Nick Perrotta intercepted Tyrell’s final pass at the goal line with 0:03 left. The Owl’s remain undefeated at home with a record of 5-1 for the season, and enter into Big South competition at 1-0.

“This was one of those games that we really had to grind it out,” KSU quarterback Trey White said. “This was our coming out party.”

White led the offense with a total of 114 passing yards and 170 yards rushing. The Owls’ defense only allowed the Bulldogs 200 yards.

The Owls play Liberty University on Saturday as they continue in the Big South Conference. Gardner-Webb defeated Liberty 34-20 in their first conference game last week.

“We won the game and for a young program this is huge, huge,” Bohannon said. “At home in the first conference game and we found a way to win.”

Hoyas vs Mustangs

Hoyas Win Rivalry Game Against Mustangs

By Morgana Kennedy

Oct. 9, 2015 

Harrison High School Hoyas on the field preparing to take on the Kennesaw Mountain Mustangs at Colbeigh Stadium, Friday Oct. 9, 2015. (Photo credit: Morgana Kennedy)

 KENNESAW, Ga. –Justin Fields led the offense helping the Harrison Hoyas defeat the Kennesaw Mountain Mustangs 41-14, Friday.

The Hoyas started strong scoring two touchdowns in the first quarter and kept the momentum throughout the game. Running back Chris Kalafut put them on the board at 8:30.

Kennesaw Mountain also scored in the first. Running back Brycen Colon made one of only two touchdowns for the Mustangs with 26 seconds left in the first quarter. The Hoyas played strong defensively holding the Mustangs at seven points until the fourth quarter.

“The defense really took advantage of Kennesaw Mountain’s missed cues and that really set up a lot of opportunities for us in the first half,” Head coach Matt Dickmann said. “We did a great job of picking up their blitzes and moving the football.”

Harrison’s quarterback ran the ball from the 28-yard line for a touchdown in the second quarter putting the Hoyas ahead 27-7. The Mustangs tried to recover, but quarterback Kyle Wooten threw an incomplete pass and they were unable to score.

During the third quarter, Fields and wide receiver Aidan Loucks kept the ball moving. Fields completed a pass to Loucks setting him up for a touchdown.

At the end of the third, Kennesaw Mountain was held at the 13-yard line for four downs. As the fourth quarter began the Hoyas fumbled the ball, and the Mustangs tried to come back.

A final touchdown was made by the Mustangs, but with 41 seconds left in the fourth it was too late. They missed opportunities to score earlier in the game, which helped the Hoyas keep the lead, Dickmann said.

Harrison took home its second win after returning from fall break. The Hoyas are 5-2 for the season.

“It’s great to be in a good position in the region right now,” Dickmann said. “We’ll enjoy this tonight and get back to work tomorrow.”

Preview Game Story: Harrison Hoyas vs. Kennesaw Mountain Mustangs

Rivalry Game, Hoyas vs. Mustangs

By Morgana Kennedy

Oct. 7, 2015

Harrison High School Hoyas practicing Monday, Oct. 6, 2015 at Colbeigh Stadium. (Photo by: Morgana Kennedy)

KENNESAW, Ga. – Harrison High School Hoyas take on Kennesaw Mountain High School Mustangs in a conference game at Colbeigh Stadium on Friday, Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m.

The Hoyas won their last game against North Paulding High School’s Wolfpack 35-13 in a region 4-5A match-up putting them at 4-2 for the season. It was their first game after returning from fall break.

Harrison Hoyas head coach Matt Dickmann.  (Photo by: Morgana Kennedy)

Last week’s win was a huge victory for the team overall, according to head coach Matt Dickmann. Both offense and defense made big plays. Quarterback Justin Fields led the offense with 355 yards and defense only allowed the Wolfpack 227 total yards.

“It was about time we played a big game and won the game,” Dickmann said.

If the team plays well in all aspects of the game, like last week, they’ll put up a good fight against the Mustangs. But, the Mustangs pose a challenge to the Hoyas offense.

“Kennesaw Mountain blitzes a lot, probably more than any other team we’ll play, so we have to work a lot on blitz pick up and any other looks they give us,” Dickmann said.

Kennesaw Mountain has a record of 2-3 for the season. In last week’s game the Mustangs defeated Osborne High School Cardinals 33-7.

But, the Hoyas have home field advantage and are up 2-3 for home games. However, the student body of both schools will likely come out in big numbers to show support.

Harrison and Kennesaw Mountain sit on opposing ends of the same stretch of road. With only 4.7 miles between them, they’ve developed a huge rivalry.

If Harrison wins the game it means huge bragging rights, according to Dickmann. The team does not have any injuries and the players are fired up for Friday.

Along with being able to boast, the Hoyas need to continue to win games if they want a spot in the playoffs.

“We’re kind of in the drivers seat meaning that if we keep winning we’ll be ok, but if we lose we take a big step back,” Dickmann said. “Right now we’re controlling our destiny, if we continue to win we set ourselves up for the playoffs.”

Overall the Hoyas have had 14 seasons with a winning record, 14 state playoff appearances and six region championships. Two former Hoyas made it to the NFL, Paul Oliver and Jonathan Abbate.

Feature Writing

By Morgana Kennedy

Feature stories are something that I personally enjoy. Chapter 5 explains how to develop a feature and offers tips and tricks to writing one. Features give the writer a chance to be creative and develop their own voice through story telling.

The first thing to keep in mind is that there is no set way to write a sports feature. The goal is to find a compelling story. Audiences love drama, so a good way to tell a story is through conflict. Finding good material to cover is key. Sometimes it's a person. Sometimes it's a situation.

Before diving into writing, figure out why you want to tell the story. What's the angle? Why did you decide to write it now? Some reasons for writing a feature may be a certain player made the best play of their career or set a record. Maybe its the anniversary of an event or a beloved player's death.

Features require research. You need new information so that you can produce a fresh take on a subject. Something that will set your work apart from others who may choose the same topic. Read older features done on your subject and check social media for possible new stories coming out on it.

Once you've decided what the story is about try to obtain tiny details related to your subject. Go out and ask people what they think of this event or person. Call opposing teams. Verify information with coaches and other team members. Talk to the family if you're writing a feature on a person.


For features on a specific athlete they need to be fully developed with dynamic qualities. Speak to as many people as possible to get an understanding of who this person is/was. Show this person's character through their actions, dialogue, and physical appearance.

Create a setting for this person. You can often describe the setting before describing the person. It gives the audience a better picture.

Using literary techniques can be very helpful in feature writing. It's more than just reporting news. It's telling the story of someone or something.