JOHNSTOWN —
Johnstown’s football tradition was on display at the highest professional levels in both the United States and Canada during 2012.
Greater Johnstown High School graduates LaRod Stephens-Howling and Geroy Simon made their marks in the NFL and CFL, respectively. Another former Trojans standout, Antwuan Reed, finished a four-year career at Pitt and signed with the NFL Cleveland Browns, attending preseason training camp before being released.
Bishop McCort graduate Andrew Hawkins played his second NFL season with the Cincinnati Bengals after previously winning two CFL Grey Cups with the Montreal Alouettes.
Simon made history with the CFL’s British Columbia Lions.
The veteran slot back opened his 14th season in record-breaking fashion as his 56-yard reception from Lions quarterback Travis Lulay in the fourth quarter of a 33-16 victory over Winnipeg made him the league’s all-time career leader in receiving yards.
“That ball hung up in the air forever,” Simon said during an onfield radio interview moments after the milestone play. “If I had one more step on him I would have scored.”
Simon began the game only 67 yards shy of the career record. He finished the season with 15,787 receiving yards and 100 career receiving touchdowns.
But Simon’s big year wasn’t limited to onfield accolades. His likeness was featured on a Canada Post stamp as part of a series commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Grey Cup, which is the CFL’s equivalent to the Super Bowl.
“Not too many people get to be put on stamps,” Simon said back in September. “One of my teammates looked at it and said, ‘They put the Queen on a stamp. They put the president and Elvis on stamps. Then they put you on one.’ That put it in perspective for me.”
In his fourth NFL season, Stephens-Howling had 110 carries for 358 yards and four touchdowns through 14 weeks with the Arizona Cardinals.
He started five games as the featured running back due to the Cardinals’ injury situation. Stephens-Howling has been among the league’s top return men during his career and Cards fans affectionately refer to him as “The Hyphen.”
In a setback to the Atlanta Falcons, Stephens-Howling carried 22 times for 127 yards and a score. He had a career-long
52-yard run during that contest.
On the homefront, Stephens-Howling maintains his ties to the Johnstown High program. For the second straight year he was a sponsor of the meals served at the Trojan Family Christmas, a community event that provided as many as 500 gifts and 1,000 books to children.
Hawkins has emerged as a big-play threat at receiver for the Bengals, the team on which his older brother Artrell spent much of his NFL career.
In the second game of the season, Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton scrambled away from Cleveland’s rush and threw a short pass to Hawkins, who turned it into a clinching
50-yard touchdown in a 34-27 win.
A week later his 59-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter keyed a 38-31 win over Washington. Hawkins’ 11-yard TD reception provided the winning points in a 31-13 victory over the New York Giants.
After a key AFC North Division game against the Steelers at Heinz Field, Hawkins had 48 receptions for 518 yards and four touchdowns.
Reed finished his career at Pitt as a two-year starter and four-year contributor. After going undrafted in April, Reed signed with the Browns as a cornerback. He played in the Browns preseason opener at Detroit for his first pro experience.
“It was cool, real exciting,” Reed said after the game. “It’s a very mental game. You need to know where you need to be.”
Local Sports
Related Photos
-
Johnstown’s Antwuan Reed played four years at Pitt before signing with the NFL’s Cleveland Browns. He later was released in training camp. Carlos Osorio
-
Greater Johnstown graduate Geroy Simon of the British Columbia Lions has made history during a 14-year career in the Canadian Football League. submitted photo
Discussion
Johnstowners take football talents to top
- Local Sports
-
-
Martella's Pharmacy fashions six-inning victory over Rail Birds
Through three scoreless innings at Point Stadium, the Altoona Rail Birds held their own against Martella’s Pharmacy in a AAABA League interleague contest.
But Martella’s patience at the plate and aggressiveness on the base paths turned a close game into a 10-run mercy rule affair on Tuesday. -
Pirates ruin Latos’ winning streak
Pedro Alvarez singled home a pair of runs in the first inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates ended Mat Latos’ streak of 21 regular-season starts without a loss, beating the Cincinnati Reds 4-0 on Tuesday night.
Latos (6-1) hadn’t lost a regular-season game since last August, setting a club-record streak of avoiding defeat. He couldn’t overcome Pittsburgh’s three-run first inning. -
Checkered flag falls at Dog Hollow
There will be no more howling in the hollow.
Through social media, Dog Hollow Speedway in Strongstown - located close to the Indiana/Cambria county line - announced on Monday evening that it would no longer be in operation. - Local baseball in brief 6/19/2013
-
Ihm captures Sunnehanna title
Steven Ihm held or shared the lead in each of the first three rounds at the 60th Sunnehanna AmateurTournament for Champions.
For Sunday’s final round, Ihm continued his dominance.The University of Iowa product shot a blistering 4-under 31 on the front nine to seize a commanding lead that Ihm would not relinquish in winning the tournament with an 8-under 272. -
Ihm takes slim lead, Cazaubon charges to within one stroke
From the way he moves around the course to the way he approaches shots, there’s nothing slow about the golf game of Rodolfo Cazaubon.
So, maybe it’s no surprise that the Tampico, Mexico, native rocketed up the leaderboard Saturday during the third round of the 60th Sunnehanna Amateur Tournament of Champions. -
ACC champ gives course good marks
Anders Albertson never played Sunnehanna Country Club before this week, but the reigning Atlantic Coast Conference champion from Georgia Tech quickly found the course to his liking.
“This course rewards you for striking the ball well,” Albertson said Saturday following the conclusion of his third round at the 60th Sunnehanna Amateur Tournament for Champions. “You have to putt well here, too. The greens are tricky. It’s an awesome course.” -
Dodgers pin 11-inning loss on Pirates
Brandon Cumpton catapulted from Triple-A anonymity to big league starter in a span of three days.
At the moment, he has no immediate plans to go back. - Local baseball in brief 6/16/2013
-
South all-stars drawing bead on North quarterbacks
Forget about getting Shorty, the South defense is getting geared up to cover North quarterbacks Danny Ferens of Penns Manor and Nathan Bearer of Cambria Heights on Friday night in the 43rd annual Ken Lantzy Finest 40 All-Star Football Game.
Oh, and the Rebs, who won 44-6 last year, will also be working on containing the rest of the Yankees’ offense as well. - More Local Sports Headlines
-
Obama Renews Call for Nuclear Reductions
Raw: Car Jumps Curb in NYC, Injures 8
Obama: 'Lives Have Been Saved' by NSA Programs
Obama: Friction in Afghan Talks No Surprise
Unusual Heat Wave Bakes Alaska
Raw: Massive Protests Fill Brazilian Streets
Raw: German President Welcomes President Obama
Fans Cheer Dramatic Heat Comeback
Raw: Arizona Wildfire Scorches 8 Square Miles
Hoffa Mystery Still Fascinates After 4 Decades
Raw: 1 Dead in Shooting at Mo. Apartment Complex
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter
Kid Couture: Spending Big Bucks on Babies
