Page 7 - Mid Valley Times 1-14-21 E-edition

Th
Allen,
Bills
advance
in AFC
playoffs
MVT Staff Report
Josh Allen's first home NFL playoff game carried drama into the final minute, but ended up a vic- tory for the Reedley College product.
Allen threw for 324 yards and two touch- downs, rushing for 54 yards and another score on Jan. 9 as the AFC East Champions posted a 27-24 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on "Super Wild Card" weekend. Be- cause of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's playoff format was expanded to include six games in the wild card round.
Buffalo (14-3) built a 24-10 lead early in the fourth quarter and still led by eight points with eight minutes remain- ing, but had to hold on late by batting down a long desperation pass her the end zone af- ter the visitors got the ball back in the final two minutes-plus and moved past midfield.
"Obviously, we started off a little slow and we were able to get into a rhythm late. Made enough plays to win," said Allen, who starred in 2014 for Reedley College and followed with three strong years at Wyo- ming before being drafted in the first round by Buffalo.
The Bills, seeded second in the AFC behind defending Su- per Bowl champion Kansas City, host the No. 5 seed Baltimore Ravens in a 5:15 p.m. kickoff Saturday, Jan. 16, on NBC.
A Hall of Fame ad pitch for Tom Flores
ursday, January 14, 2021
Cropper earns
MWS honorable
mention honors
Image Courtesy Moulson Coors
Tom Flores is pictured in a new Coors Light beer commercial that made its debut last week. The Sanger native and famed former Raiders coachis being displayed for a short time on Coors Light cans.
Sanger native, former Raiders coach has his face on promotional Coors Light beer cans
MVT Staff Report
Jalen Cropper capped off an abbrevi- ated sophomore season with Fresno State by receiving Honorable Mention recognition on the all-Mountain West Conference football team last month.
Cropper, who starred for Sanger High's 2016 Central Section Division II championship and state runner-up team, finished the six-game 2020 campaign with the Bulldogs by lead- ing the team in receiv- ing with 37 catches for 520 yards and five touchdowns Cropper, who completed his prep career at Buchanan High, also rushed for 27 yards and averaged 20 yards on nine kick- off returns.
Highlighting the season for Cropper was his 10 catch, 202 yards and three TD effort against Utah State in a 35-16 victo- ry on Nov. 14. The per- formance earned the Parlier native Moun- tain West Offensive Player of the Week recognition.
Senior running back Ronnie Rivers was the lone all-MWC first team selection for Fresno State, which dropped its final two contests to finish 3-3 and miss postseason bowl action. Named to the second team for the Bulldogs were of- fensive lineman Syrus Tuitele and defensive lineman David Perales.
Joining Cropper as an honorable mention selection were quar- terback Jake Haener, defensive lineman Kev- in Atkins, linebacker
Levelle Bailey, defensive lineman Kwami Jones, wide re- ceiver Keric Wheat- fall and defen- sive back Evan Wil- liams.
Sanger High product Arron Mosby finished the sea- son with 21 tack- les, six solo, with one pass breakup in his se- nios sea- son as lineback-
Jalen Cropper
Arron Mosby
Kosi Agina
By Jon Earnest
Mid Valley Times
Sanger, Central Val- ley, "Raider Nation" and professional football fans saw a familiar face grace the airwaves during com- mercial breaks of the Na- tional Football League playoffs last weekend — and can also see that face in your grocery and con- venience store's chilled beverage section.
Tom Flores, Sanger native and famed coach who guided the then- Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders to a pair of Su- per Bowl championships in the 1980s, is being honored during the NFL postseason by Molson Co- ors Beverage Company. The company is putting Flores' image — calling him "The Iceman" — on cans of Coors Light beer, which the company says is his favorite beer.
Coors Light began the sales campaign and publicity drive on Jan. 6, with hope the publicity will help Flores gain en- try into the Pro Football Hall of Fame when in- ductions are announced next month.
The brand is hon- oring Flores' barrier- breaking legacy as the first Latino player to serve as both starting quarterback and head coach in the NFL with a new video spot, a peti- tion of support for beer drinkers to sign, and a limited-edition can with Flores' picture.
"Although I have a good shot to be in the hall this year, it's still nice to get a little extra support from my favorite beer. A beer that I used to dis- tribute back in the day," Flores said in a news re- lease. "Self-promotion is not really my thing, but I admit that it's flattering to see my picture on a Coors Light can."
More important is the fact that fans and the public 21 years and older can make their voices heard that Flores belongs in the Hall. Now through the first day of Super Bowl weekend on Saturday, Feb. 6, can visit CoorsLight.com/ Iceman to sign the peti- tion of support.
Coors Light has
vowed to display the list of petitioners onto a mo- bile billboard in Canton, Ohio on Feb. 6, the day of the vote. On the web- site, fans also can claim a Coors Light six pack in the form of a rebate. ac- cording to the company.
"We're honored to put Tom on our cans, but we won't chill until he's carved out of bronze," Marcelo Pascoa, global vice president of mar- keting for Coors Light, said in the news release. "With few Latino players currently in the hall, we believe 'The Iceman' de- serves to be recognized for being an outstanding player and coach who broke barriers for other Latino athletes. We hope this platform helps Flores inspire even more people than he already has."
The campaign's 30-second spot is air- ing on national TV, and played a number of times during the NFL's "Super Wild Card" week- end that included six games. The spots will continue airing through- out the playoffs.
er. True freshman Kosi Agina from Sanger also saw spot action in six games, registering four solo and nine total tack- les as a defensive back and athlete.
Leading the all- Mountain West team were Offensive Play- er of the Year Carson Strong (QB) from Ne- vada and Defensive Player of the Year Ca- de Hall (DL) from San Jose State.
Boise State's Avery Williams was named Special Teams Play- er of the Year, UNLV wide receiver Kyle Williams was named Freshman of the Year while San Jose State's Brent Brennan earned Coach of the Year hon- ors. Brennan guided the Spartans to a 7-1 record and their first MWC championship.
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