The fact that the Washington Redskins had just lost to the Atlanta Falcons seemed moot as fans exited FedEx Field in Landover, Md.—the greater loss was that of star rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III to a concussion. Griffin had the Redskins in prime position to take control of the game, but a crushing blow by […]
Author Archives: Stephen D. Riley
Special to the AFRO
Posted inHigh School
Woodson Edges Anacostia in Shootout as Teams Combine for 88 Points
Against a slate of the nation’s top ranked schools, the HD Woodson Warriors limped to a 0-4 start, scoring just 40 points total in the season’s opening month. However, things have gotten back to normal over the past few weeks as the Warriors began conference play in the DCIAA. Since their slow start, Woodson has […]
Posted inSports
It’s All About RGIII in D.C.
Before Robert Griffin III even opened up the plastic on his new Washington Redskins jersey, local D.C. fans had him pegged for greatness. The author of a brilliant 2011 collegiate season led to a Heisman Trophy for the colorful sock wearing, playmaking signal caller from Baylor University. Griffin’s exploits on Saturdays had college football followers […]
Posted inSports
Bengals Outgun Redskins in Griffin’s Home Debut
Robert Griffin III gave Washington Redskins fans all he could in the team’s home opener, but even a 300-yard outing and two touchdowns from the rookie quarterback sensation couldn’t overcome a hot Cincinnati Bengals offense as Washington fell, 38-31, at FedEx Field on Sept. 23 Cincinnati piled up nearly 500 total yards as second-year quarterback […]
Posted inHigh School
Deal, DeMatha Dismantle Washington’s Dunbar
Taiwan Deal ran left, right and mostly north, but never south, and by the end of the first half, the sophomore running back had dealt three rushing touchdowns to a Dunbar Crimson Tide defense that arrived allowing less than two points per game. In a game of the week between a pair of inter-conference powerhouse […]
Posted inHigh School
Wright Powers Ballou in Win Over Coolidge
With his team clinging to a narrow fourth quarter lead, Ballou senior running back Daywone Wright took the handoff from his quarterback, shredded a few arm tackles and took off for the end zone. This particular run had a different feel for Wright so he ran a little bit harder, a tad faster and a […]
Posted inSports
Griffin III Claims Edge over Luck as ‘Skins Clobber Colts
Leading up to the showdown between the top two picks in April’s draft, rookie quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III were pumped up for another tune-up before the season starts in two weeks. And while preseason contests rarely matter much, the battle between two potential franchise saviors took center stage before more than 60,000 […]
Posted inD.C. Community, Washington D.C. News
Seniors Showcase Talent at Ms. Senior D.C. Pageant
When Mary L. McCoy finally heard her name called, after a challenging three hours, she never even broke a sweat. The 61-year-old Florida native simply stepped forward, widened her smile and beamed at her family sitting in the audience screaming her name. The former federal government employee and current metro area resident gushed at the […]
Posted inColumnists
Heat’s Role Players Made Difference Against Thunder
Russell Westbrook was often erratic but electric. Dwyane Wade and Kevin Durant played up to potential and LeBron James was LeBron James. Although Oklahoma City Thunder sixth man of the year winner James Harden struggled mightily, his ineptitude wasn’t the problem in his team’s 4-1 series loss. While Oklahoma’s big three never played great as […]
Posted inSports
Heat Rains on Thunder to Claim NBA Championship
Leading 3-1 in the best of seven series to determine the 2012 National Basketball Association (NBA) champion, the Miami Heat made sure to close out their last home game of the season in style, thwarting the Oklahoma City Thunder 121-106 on June 21 to claim the franchise’s second crown. In convincing fashion, forward LeBron James’ […]
Posted inSports
Washington Wizards Off-season Analysis: Wizards Forming Fast with Roster Shakeup
With the acquisition of former New Orleans Hornets center/power forward Emeka Okafor and swingman Trevor Ariza, the Washington Wizards look set to break in three new starters to next season’s rotation. Ariza and Okafor, primarily known for their defensive prowess, add length, experience and defense to a team that is currently undergoing a mental morphosis […]
Posted inSports
Wizards Work out Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Ahead of NBA Draft
(June 15, 2012) After a dizzying week that saw NBA lottery hopefuls Thomas Robinson and Bradley Beal pass through Washington, D.C. for workouts with the Wizards, former Kentucky star Michael Kidd-Gilchrist closed the week at the Verizon Center with a solo session June 15. Kidd-Gilchrist, one of the stars on a freshmen-loaded championship Wildcats team, […]