Former Hampton Pirates' Langford gives back to PHS

Former Hampton University and third year Miami Dolphins defensive end Kendall Langford provides a helping hand to his home team, Petersburg High School, with the donation of "state of art" weight equipment for its student-athletes.

PETERSBURG, VA - Strength training and safety got a boost at Petersburg High School this summer, thanks to a generous alum.

Kendall Langford, a 2004 Petersburg graduate who now plays defensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins, visited his alma mater recently and toured the school's weight room.

Seeing a need, Langford purchased and shipped in three Sorinex bench and squat combination weight lifting machines and several lifting platforms, complete with standard as well as hexagonal grip bars designed for safer weight lifting. The Sorinex machines include additional exercise options and cross belts to prevent the dangerous scenario of a lifter being trapped beneath his weight bar.

"The new equipment will help PHS student-athletes enhance their mental, physical and psychological power," said Crimson Wave football coach Mike Scott. "Weights are important for building an athletic program that will compete against other perennial power-high school athletic organizations. "This is a good start for us. We greatly appreciate what Kendall Langford has done. This is one of a series of great events for the Petersburg City Public Schools. "

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Medlin ready to help Fayetteville State defend CIAA title‎

The bull's eye is everywhere around the Fayetteville State football program these days, so much so that if you didn't look close enough you might wonder whether the Broncos had struck up a lucrative sponsorship deal with Target. They haven't.

Instead, the flyers have been posted in the locker room, on weight benches and anywhere else players might be looking as a not-so-subtle reminder: Fayetteville State is the reigning CIAA champion and has been picked in the preseason to defend that crown.

Coach Kenny Phillips is using the targets as a motivational prop. Running back Richard Medlin has been more than willing to take the bait.

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Dog days winding down at SU camp

By Louisiana standards, Wednesday was downright comfortable, one of those rare August days where you could stand outside and not have your internal faucet turned on by the heat and humidity. It was a day where the undershirt could stay pretty dry.
The comfort didn’t escape the notice of Southern football coach Stump Mitchell.

“I think God has taken better care of them than I am,” Mitchell said, nodding towards his Southern University football players who were making their way back to the locker room after Wednesday afternoon’s practice. “We’ve had some pretty nice weather. We’ve had a breeze and if I had to, I would not have ordered the breeze. He’s taking care of them and giving them exactly what they need.”

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Ex-Bethune Cookman Wildcats star has shot to stay in NFL‎

Former Bethune-Cookman standout Stevie Baggs is doing everything he can to land a job in the NFL. He doesn't know if he'll get one of the four available roster spots at outside linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals, but he's certainly made an impression with his coaches and teammates.

"He came in here and made a quick splash with the players and coaches just because of his personality," Arizona linebackers coach Matt Raich said. "You can see they've taken to him. I'm anxious to see him in a few more games and to get him some reps."

Starting strong safety Adrian Wilson kids him while he does a phone interview, and veteran All-Pros Joey Porter and Darnell Dockett have taken a liking to the Canadian Football League sacks leader from 2009. Baggs is hard not to like.

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SC State looks poised for a 3rd consecutive MEAC title‎

South Carolina State football coach Buddy Pough might have to get in touch with former Los Angeles Lakers coach Pat Riley. In 1989, Riley had the term "three-peat" trademarked and as a result gets a percentage of the royalties from any merchandise sold with the slogan on it. The Bulldogs, who notched their second straight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football title last season, can nab their own version of the "three-peat" this fall.

"Hey, I might have to have a conversation with Coach Riley," Pough chuckled. "But we're getting way ahead of ourselves. It's not going to be easy getting back to the mountaintop for the third straight time."

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JSU Tigers putting on game faces‎

Fall camp is over. Let the game preparations begin. Jackson State began prepping for Delta State on Tuesday, the first day of practice following 17 days of fall camp, which included two scrimmages and several two-a-days in the early August heat.

"The atmosphere is changed with (students) back," coach Rick Comegy said. Several students dotted the practice field Tuesday to watch the Tigers, and about eight new walk-ons joined the team. Comegy expects another five to 10 walk-ons to join over the next few days and said the team will likely reach the maximum of 110 players soon.

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Alabama A&M's Goldsby finds home at tight end‎

HUNTSVILLE, AL - Bobby Goldsby looked near and far three years ago for a place to play college football. An undersized tight end, he was a decent high school player in Leominster, Mass., but didn't draw a lot of attention.

Goldsby knew about Grambling and Alabama A&M and sent his highlight tape to each school. Fortunately, A&M coach Anthony Jones called and offered him an opportunity to walk on.

"I watched him on film and I thought he had some ability, but he wasn't ready to play college football...

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