Football Quick Hits

Franklin grad Ethan Westbrooks had a fourth quarter sack of San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick in the St. Louis Rams’ 27-6 win over the 49ers. In that game, former Pleasant Grove defensive lineman Arik Armstead forced a fumble that his 49er teammate Ahmad Brooks picked up and ran for a TD.

That play, though, was called back for Brooks using a facemask on a Rams player before recovering the loose ball.

Kenny Wiggins, a 2006 Elk Grove graduate, once again started at guard for the San Diego Chargers. His team suffered a 29-26 loss to Baltimore Sunday. Former Laguna Creek Cardinal Jeremy Ross had three catches for 21 yards for the Ravens.

Former Chicago Bear and Elk Grove High School linebacker Lance Briggs will receive the key to the city from Mayor Gary Davis on Friday in a pair of special ceremonies. 

Lance Briggs

Briggs will be recognized during pre-game activities at the first-ever City of Elk Grove Night with the Sacramento Kings that night. This presentation by Mayor Davis at Sleep Train Arena at an ESPN nationally televised game will recognize Briggs for his success, his contributions to the region’s student athletics, and local philanthropy.

Tickets sold at the game that night will support the Elk Grove Food Bank, one of Brigg’s numerous local partners

Earlier in the day, Briggs and business partner Cameron Lee will host a special lunch at noon at their restaurant, the Double-Nickel Smokehouse.

In college ranks, Franklin’s Joey Banks scored his first collegiate touchdown Oct. 16 in Sacramento State’s 38-14 win over Idaho State. The Hornets’ rover intercepted a pass a returned the ball 41 yards for a score.

Earl Chism, a sophomore at Yale University, is starting at defensive end for the Bulldogs. He graduated  from Pleasant Grove.

National Letter of Intents

Matt Manning

The NCAA early signing period for National Letters of Intent opens Weds., Nov. 11.

Locally, at least five local high school players are scheduled to ink their letters that evening.

In softball, three Sheldon Huskies are scheduled to put their signatures to letters. They are infielder Jordan Fines, Sarah Fukushima and Jessica Scott. Fines will head to Cal next fall while Fukishima will sign with Cal State-East Bay and Scott with Sacramento State.

Baseball players Dylan Carlson at Elk Grove and Matt Manning from Sheldon may also sign. Carlson has verbally committed to Fullerton State while Manning has said he intends to ink with Loyola-Marymount. 

With both players, though, pro scouts have been watching with interest particularly in off-season all-star games. Carlson is a 6-4 first baseman with power and is a switch-hitter. Manning, an excellent basketball player, as well, is a 6-7 right-handed pitcher who has peaked the jugs guns at 95 mph.

Manning was the most valuable player recently at the World Wood Bat Assocation’s championships in Jupiter, Fla.