After the second plane hit, the newsroom was shrouded with a sickening feeling, knowing something was definitely ami."/>
After the second plane hit, the newsroom was shrouded with a sickening feeling, knowing something was definitely ami."/> Recalling a fateful day nine years later | News, Sports, Jobs - The Times Leader
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Recalling a fateful day nine years later

IT IS hard to fathom that the 9-11 tragedy took place nine years ago yesterday.

That fateful day is one that you always remember where you were at when the news broke.

I can remember finishing up on deadline next to wire editor Stan Pawloski. As always, we had the Today Show on the tube.

Once the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center, I said something like, “What is wrong with that pilot?”

After the second plane hit, the newsroom was shrouded with a sickening feeling, knowing something was definitely amiss.

As the day played out and more tragedy followed, the sadness the country was immersed in was also joined by patriotic bonding never felt in my lifetime.

The country was glued to the television or any other media outlet at their disposal. It was a day the world stood still, at least for Americans.

I can still remember leaving work at about 8 or 9 p.m. and passing gas station after gas station with lines stretching into the streets. The country was in confusion, not knowing what may occur next.

We now how those nine years have since unfolded.

To me what is still very disconcerting is that the mastermind of that most disgusting day — Osama Bin Laden — has never been captured, just holed in a cave.

BRIDGE BATTLE

BROOKE HIGH and Steubenville Big Red are separated by nothing more than a bridge spanning the Ohio River. The two big-school grid powers met Friday night at Harding Stadium. It marked just the fifth time the two storied programs have ever squared off on the gridiron.

I give Brooke High head coach Tom Bruney much credit for stepping to the plate and wanting to play the best, instead of beating up cupcakes.

Most pundits felt Brooke had no chance at Harding Friday night. I was not included in that mindset.

Big Red is the obviously flagship of Ohio Valley high school football. But back in the 1980s and early ’90s, the Bruins were a beast under Bud Billiard.

The Big Red dominated the Bruins early on, pocketing a 34-21 win, which was not as close as the score would indicate. The highlight of the night was a bench-clearing brawl in the first half which saw five players being ejected.

Bruney has shown he can coach with the best them. His goal is to win state titles, as he did in Arizona. Playing Big Red will help him do just that in West Virginia, and do so repeatedly.

YOUTH SCORES

WHERE HAVE all the freshmen and youth scores gone? Our sports department used to be flooded with youth scores in all sports. I, for one, would like to peruse all the results.

The responsibility of the reporting of scores falls squarely on the coach’s shoulders. We would like to see a re-emergence of such reporting as young players and parents love to see worthwhile accomplishments properly noted.

Coaches can either call 633-1131 ext. 1 or e-mail Sports Editor Seth Staskey at sstaskey@timesleader online.com. You can also fax at 740-633-1122.

BUBBA’S BITS

THE CRIME Watch program being formed in West Bellaire is a prudent idea. Even though the area is a nice residential setting, it has been plagued by recent crime issues. With the police department handcuffed with manpower shortages, residents looking out for themselves and their neighbors will definitely pay dividends. The West Bellaire Crime Watch will meet again on Tuesday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. at Forest Hills.

ED BODE was a familiar face in Eastern Ohio basketball circles. Bode passed away Aug. 31. He was 70. Bode was a star hoopster at Bethel High in Monroe County, where he earned Class A state player of the year honors. He earned a basketball scholarship to WVU. He cut his prep coaching teeth at Skyvue before enjoying a successful stint as Martins Ferry’s head boys’ hoop boss. He then matriculated to Tuscarawas County, enjoying a long and successful run as Strasburg’s hoop boss.

OHIO GOP gubernatorial candidate John Kasich visited Belmont County Tuesday. I was surprised a larger crowd did not turn out at Republican headquarters. Between 50-60 partisans were in attendance.

THE NFL unfolds in full force today. Steelers’ faithful are hoping to weather the storm until Ben Roethlisberger returns for game five. I am a Dennis Dixon fan and expect the Black & Gold to be no worse than 2-2 when Big Ben resumes control. The Browns and Bengals, meanwhile, are at opposite ends of the spectrum. The Bengals — health permitting — are primed for a banner season while the Browns just need to cultivate a supporting cast for quarterback-in-waiting Colt McCoy.

BELLAIRE’S NATE Davis gained new life after being waived by San Francisco. Nate was brought back to the 49ers’ practice squad a day later. I am still from the school of thought that believes Nate can be a productive and successful professional starting quarterback.

TODAY IS the final day for the Belmont County Fair. It has gone well at its new venue and we encourage everyone to get out and take in the events on Roscoe Road.

WVU GRID diehards must be feeling uneasy today after watching in dismay the Mountaineers’ performance against in-state and outmanned rival Marshall. While the ‘Eers prevailed in overtime, such a surprisingly tough win yields many concerns for the balance of the schedule.

BRIDGEPORT NATIVE Ted Wierzbicki has his Hilliard Bradley Jaguars sitting at 2-1 after Friday’s 42-21 trouncing of Worthington. The Jaguars — in their second year of existence — will face New Albany this week.

Kapral may be reached at bkapral@timesleader online.com

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