By Adam Roberts – 7/202021

The Mitch Olson era has begun at Central High School.

Olson was named the Riverhawks’ newest head football coach this morning by athletic director Mark Ambrose. He takes over for Tony Servais, the school’s new dean of students.

But it shouldn’t be too difficult of a transition; Olson served as the Riverhawks’ defensive coordinator last season, his sixth with the program. On the offensive side of the ball, Olson will also inherit senior quarterback Mason Herlitzke, a running back in 2019 that in his first season as quarterback last spring threw for 803 yards, nine touchdowns, and completed 62% of his passes in six games played. Herlitzke has attracted some attention from recruiters at the D2, D3, and NAIA levels and is Wissports.net’s 11th ranked quarterback of the senior class.

The Riverhawks open the season at Roger Harring Stadium August 19th against Eau Claire North.

By Adam Roberts – 7/19/2021

Speaking as someone who has partaken in the fun of the Deer District this postseason, I can say wholeheartedly the experience was worth the 3.5 hour drive there and the 2.75 hour drive back early the following morning to work. Having remembered the days of nosebleed seats at the Bradley Center and top athletes from other teams being the main draw only for them to sit out Bucks’ games, the complete 180 from those days that has built up over the last few years has been remarkable to see.

Now combine the ludicrous prices for tickets to tomorrow night’s Game Six of the NBA Finals plus the prospect of a historic opportunity for the home team, and that area will be rocking on a whole ‘nother level tomorrow night. So much so that more space will be needed to accommodate the insanity.

Bucks team president Peter Feigin was on WSSP 1250 The Fan in Milwaukee today saying the Deer District will be expanding for tomorrow night’s game. To quote Wendy’s Big Show executive producer Dan Plocher’s tweet today: “The Deer District will expand another 5 acres to accommodate for another 15,000 people. We are forging new ground for an excess of 40,000-50,000 people.”

Now when I was there, the Bucks had just expanded the district to the south side of Fiserv where the Bradley Center used to stand, and it was about 50% full for Game Three. I don’t know where the extra space will come from, but it should be a welcome sign for anybody who can’t afford to shell out four figures for a top-of-the-arena seat (though I’ve sat in those seats in Fiserv, and it really is true that there isn’t a bad seat in the house).

Also don’t forget, our coverage tomorrow night from Milwaukee begins at 7pm on ESPN La Crosse 105.5 and espnlacrosse.com!

By Adam Roberts – 7/19/2021

The challenge for the Milwaukee Bucks Saturday night: go into a raucous Footprint Center and win on the road against a Suns team that had won two previous home games in the NBA Finals fairly decidedly.

The response from the Bucks: 32, 9, and 6 from Giannis, 29, 7, and 5 from Khris Middleton, and 27, 4, and 13 from Jrue Holiday. Also, Pat Connaughton had four big threes and a +10 plus/minus.

The highlight: A Holiday rip-away steal and subsequent and-1 lob to Giannis on the other end.

The result: A 123-119 Milwaukee win that puts them on the doorstep of their first championship since 1971.

It wasn’t easy to say the least; Phoenix was electric from long range shooting a whopping 68.4 percent from three. Devin Booker was also spectacular once again with another 40 point performance. But after Chris Paul made a layup to bring the game within one for the Suns, Booker had a chance to take the lead late and was immediately met by the Bucks defense, resulting in the critical turnover to Holiday.

So now the series moves back to Milwaukee, where another roaring Deer District and Fiserv Forum will hope to witness history. Coverage begins at 7pm tomorrow evening on ESPN La Crosse 105.5 and espnlacrosse.com!

By Adam Roberts – 7/16/2021

The Packers won’t be heading overseas this year, and won’t have to give up a possible home game for an overseas contest until either 2022 or 2024. But the NFL does have details for how international games will work starting this season.

The NFL says each team will play at least one international game every eight years. That will start next year and more places around the globe will be added to the current rotation. The league says that includes holding games in Canada and South America. More European cities will be added as well.

This year’s games in London will feature the Atlanta Falcons facing off against the New York Jets and the Jacksonville Jaguars going up against the Miami Dolphins. With the addition of 17 games this year, teams that are scheduled to host nine of those 17 will be subject to having a home game played overseas. That won’t happen to the Packers until at least 2022. To date, the Packers are the only team that hasn’t played overseas at all, let along giving up a home game. Much of the resistance has been over how much the revenue from game day impacts a smaller community like Green Bay compared to larger markets.

Meanwhile, training camp is coming up soon and the team is no further along to our knowledge with their quarterback than at any other point this offseason. Camp opens up July 28th in Green Bay, and will also include the return of Family Night August 7th.

By Adam Roberts – 7/15/2021

While Kyle Casper will be the only La Crosse Logger representing the team in the Northwoods League All-Star Game next week Tuesday, the team WILL have a couple more faces present at All-Star festivities the day before.

Both Ronnie Sweeney and Chase Davis will participate in the Home Run Challenge. Sweeney has hit four home runs so far this season, while Davis has knocked two out.

The Loggers are back at Copeland Park tonight to take on Waterloo following their sweep of Willmar in a doubleheader yesterday. La Crosse has a half game advantage over Waterloo in the early goings of the second half of the season.