A day in the sun for Berezowitz
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On Saturday Nov. 4, he’ll get a day all to himself.
Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle has announced that Saturday, Berezowitz’s last home game at UW-Whitewater, will be Bob Berezowitz Day throughout the state.
The proclamation, stamped with the seal of Wisconsin and the Governor’s signature lists Berezowitz laundry list of accomplishments and ends with the following statement.
“Now, therefore, I, Jim Doyle, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, do hereby proclaim Saturday, November 4, 2006 BOB BEREZOWITZ DAY and on behalf of the citizens of the State of Wisconsin, extend to him the sincere appreciation for his long and distinguished service to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.”
The list of accomplishments sparkles.
His teams have claimed four NCAA playoff appearances, seven WIAC titles, and a runner-up finish to Mount Union in the 2005 Stagg Bowl.
For these team accomplishments he has been individually recognized as AFCA Division III Coach of the Year in 2005, AFCA Regional Coach of the Year three times, Wisconsin College Coach of the Year two times and WIAC coach of the year six times.
Already a member of several Halls of Fame, Berezowitz has a strong chance of adding to his resume before the end of this season.
The Warhawks are 8-0 and fresh off a huge road victory over Mary Hardin-Baylor. If Berezowitz’s prized pelt, Justin Beaver, can return quickly from a broken clavicle, the Warhawks should be favored to return to the Stagg Bowl again in 2006.
Before they get there, however, Berezowitz and his seniors will play their last regular season game in Perkins Stadium against UW-Stout.
A pregame celebration is set to honor Berezowitz, who after 25 years as an employee of UW-Whitewater, will finally have his day in the sun.
Literally.
Rivalry status revoked
The Johnnie-Tommie rivalry has officially lost its luster. For the ninth consecutive year St. John’s has claimed victory, 27-7 in what was once a strong rivalry in the MIAC.
Today, the competition between student bodies on who can create the most derogatory t-shirt is the closest battle.
On Saturday St. John’s used a stifling defense and an opening return for a touchdown to once again pummel the Tommies. Brandon Royce-Diop opened the scoring early with a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. The Johnnie defense held it from there allowing a mere one rushing yard on 25 carries.
St. Thomas hasn’t won since a 31-27 victory to end the 1997 season. The Johnnies have outscored St. Thomas 268-113 over that period including two shutouts.
Schuring a sure thing
Central running back Vance Schuring carried the load for the Dutch taking 29 rushes for 184 yards and three touchdowns. He now has 12 100-yard rushing performances in 18 career games. He has 833 yards and 10 touchdowns in seven games this season averaging 5.1 yards per carry.
51 and counting
It appeared for a moment, early in the season, that the Linfield all-divisions record streak for consecutive winning seasons was in jeopardy. The Wildcats were 0-2 and looking for a quarterback. They found their quarterback in Trevor Scharer and on Saturday they clinched their 51st winning season by claiming their fifth consecutive win.
Powers rally
From Iowa to California, underdogs put the scare into their heavily favored opponents only to lose in the final seconds. In Iowa, an upstart Buena Vista team put a scare into Wartburg leading 13-3 in the fourth quarter. However, the Knights rallied and tied the game on a 25-yard field goal with 1:35 remaining. The two teams battled to a scoreless first extra frame until Nick Yordi’s 6-yard run won it for the Knights in the second overtime. The win snapped Buena Vista’s four game winning streak.
In California, Cal Lutheran played the role of upset minded underdog in battling heavily favored Occidental. The Kingsmen busted to a 21-0 lead but couldn’t hold off the Tigers high powered offense. Oxy outscored the Kingsmen 28-6 over the final 35 minutes to preserve the 28-27 victory and all but assure a SCIAC championship.
Games to Watch
No. 10 Whitworth at No. 15 Linfield, McMinnville, Ore.: For the first time in a while, Whitworth enters its showdown with Linfield as the potential favorite -- at least on paper. Ranked higher and with a better record, Whitworth will try to be the first team not named Linfield to win the NWC in six years. Look for the game to be a shootout with Whitworth’s Joel Clark connecting early and often with monster tight end Michael Allan. Linfield will throw the counter punches with strikes from Trevor Scharer and an improved running attack with Drew Ragan. Home field will play a large role for Linfield and could be the deciding factor. This is hands down the game of the week in the and the region.