Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
August 15, 2023 - XFL (XFL)
This past week Vegas Vipers linebacker Pita Taumoepenu, the XFL Defensive Player of the Year, signed a contract with the NFL's New York Jets; North Carolina FC announced it is returning to USL Championship from USL League One for the 2024 season; and the Jacksonville Sharks won their third National Arena League championship. Highlights from this week come from the XFL, Canadian Football League, National Arena League, United Soccer League Championship, Major League Soccer, National Women's Soccer League, United Soccer League One, Women's National Basketball Association, NBA G League, BIG3, International League, Fereral Prospect Hockey League, North American Hockey League, 3ICE and American Ultimate Disc League.
FOOTBALL
XFL
The XFL has announced that Vegas Vipers linebacker Pita Taumoepenu signed with the NFL's New York Jets. Taumoepenu becomes the fourth Viper to sign an NFL contract, joining Brandon Dillon, who signed with the Washington Commanders on May 30, John Lovett, who signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on July 31 and Mathew Sexton, who signed with the Atlanta Falcons on August 3. Taumoepenu is one of three players who signed NFL contracts on Monday, joining Houston Roughnecks defensive lineman Chuck Wiley, who signed with the Cleveland Browns, and Arlington Renegades defensive lineman Bruce Hector, who signed with the Jets. This brings the total number of players who have signed an NFL contract to 48.
XFL Defensive Player of the Year - Pita Taumoepenu
The XFL announced that The XFL announced that St. Louis Battlehawks defensive back Lavert Hill has signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers and linebacker Carson Wells has also agreed to terms with the New England Patriots of the National Football League.The St. Louis defensive duo became the eleventh and twelfth players from the Battlehawks roster to be signed, with an overall total of 54 contracts now signed by XFL players since this offseason began on May 15.
Canadian Football League
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced the club and Assistant Head Coach & Offensive Coordinator Tommy Condell have mutually agreed to part ways. Senior Assistant Coach Scott Milanovich will take over the club's play calling duties. "This day is quite difficult. Tommy is someone I have known since 2013. He is an exceptional man whose work ethic and creativity are second to none. His history with Hamilton as a Coordinator and development of quarterbacks is undeniably impressive. In 2019, he was able to produce on short notice when he took over as our OC, something very few people in this profession could, helping us offensively to a 15-3 regular season record." Said Orlondo Steinauer, President of Football Operations & Head Coach of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
CFL Plays of the Week
Former CFL quarterback now with the Jacksonville Jaguars' QB Nathan Rourke amazing passing touchdown avoiding the Dallas Cowboys defense
National Arena League
The Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena hosted the 2023 National Arena League (NAL) Championship Game on Saturday, August 12th. The Jacksonville Sharks defeated the Carolina Cobras 54-45 for the 2023 NAL title. After a shaky start, Sam Castronova finished the championship game with 241 passing yards, four passing touchdowns, all in the second half, and scored two rushing touchdowns. Kamrin Solomon recorded 128 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He finished the 2023 playoffs with three touchdowns in two games. Jeremiah Price led the defense with two sacks in critical moments to help the Sharks bounce back for their come-from-behind victory.
The National Arena League begins the week by announcing the first new franchise for the 2024 season, the Sioux City Bandits. While 2024 will be their first season in NAL, the Bandits enter their 25th consecutive season of play with all of their home games being played at the Tyson Events Center. "We are proud to announce the addition of one of the longest running teams in all of indoor football, the Sioux City Bandits. Adding a team with 25+ years of successful operating experience is a blessing to the NAL not only as we grow the geographic footprint but also gives us a more valued business partner off the field as well." Said National Arena League Commissioner Chris Seigfried.
Sioux City Bandits joining the National Arena League
The National Arena League is proud to announce that the reigning CIF Champion Omaha Beef officially today have joined the National Arena League after many successful seasons in the Champions Indoor Football and decades of experience in other indoor/arena football leagues. The Beef became the second midwest team to join the National Arena League after yesterday's announcement that the Sioux City Bandits have joined the National Arena League. The move will continue the historic I-29 Rivalry between the two longest running franchises in indoor/arena football.
Indoor Football League
The Indoor Football League is proud to announce TJ Edwards and Kordell Jackson have been selected in the XFL supplemental draft. Edwards, the 2023 IFL MVP, has been selected by the San Antonio Brahmas. Edwards just finished his incredible 2023 campaign for the Fighters where he threw for 2,600 yards and 39 touchdowns. He added 853 yards and 49 touchdowns on the ground. Jackson, the IFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, has been selected by the Orlando Guardians. Kordell had a stellar rookie campaign for Frisco, where he led the league in pass breakups with 31, the next closest was 22. Jackson tied for the league lead in interceptions with eight. He returned three interceptions for touchdowns, which also leads the IFL. Kordell was chosen as an All-IFL First Team selection.
The Sioux Falls Storm Indoor Football Team announced that Andre Fields will become the third Head Coach in the history of the organization. Fields was inducted in the Storm Hall of Fame in 2021 and just completed his 10th season overall as a member of the Storm coaching staff. Fields served as Defensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach during the 2023 Eastern Conference Championship season.
SOCCER
United Soccer League Championship
The USL Championship announced that North Carolina FC has exercised its option to rejoin the league, beginning in the 2024 season. "We are incredibly excited to compete in the USL Championship once again," said Steve Malik, majority owner of North Carolina Football Club. "This league has world-class talent across the country, and we are thrilled to be able to bring even higher-level soccer to the Triangle. We have extremely passionate and savvy sports fans in our area that demand competitive excellence from their teams. We hope that by returning to a league that is well established and highly respected, both nationally and abroad, our community will be excited to support our team and embrace this new challenge with us. ¬Â
North Carolina FC USL Championship Press Conference
Major League Soccer
Lionel Messi scored another goal for Inter Miami FC against Charlotte FC in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals.
National Women's Soccer League
Angel City FC Savannah McCaskill July NWSL Player of the Month
United Soccer League Championship
The USL Championship announced the Team of the Week for Week 22 of the 2023 regular season on with Las Vegas Lights FC midfielder Tabort Etaka Preston voted the Championship Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball after leading his side to a 2-1 victory against Rio Grande Valley FC with a pair of outstanding finishes at Cashman Field.
United Soccer League One
USL League One announced the Team of the Week for Week 21 of the 2023 regular season with Lexington SC forward Ates Diouf named Player of the Week presented by Konami eFootball with the first hat trick of his career and first in Lexington history.
BASKETBALL
Women's National Basketball Association
Breanna Stewart drops 42 points for the New York Liberty in a 100-89 win over the Indiana Fever.
A'ja Wilson GOES OFF for a CAREER-HIGH 40 PTS vs. the Washington Mystics
NBA G League
The Santa Cruz Warriors, the NBA G League affiliate of the Golden State Warriors, name Nicholas Kerr head coach. Kerr is entering his third season with the Santa Cruz Warriors after spending the previous three seasons with Golden State in video and player development. Prior to Golden State, Kerr worked for the San Antonio Spurs as a quality assurance assistant where he was responsible for video operations regarding opponents' games, as well as assisting on court with the player development staff.
Every Team's BEST DUNK Of The 2022-23 G League Season
Canadian Elite Basketball League
The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced the winners of the 2023 CEBL Awards at an event at Sky Hangar in Pitt Meadows, British Columbia. Winnipeg Sea Bears guard Teddy Allen took home top honours as the 2023 CEBL Most Valuable Player, while Kadre Gray of the Ottawa BlackJacks was named 2023 CEBL Canadian Player of the Year.
BIG3
BIG3 Charlotte 2023
BASEBALL
International League
Baltimore Orioles prospect Heston Kjerstad turns a liner into an insider-the-parker for the Triple-A Norfolk Tide
South Atlantic League
Boston Red Sox prospect Kyle Teel collects three hits and three RBIs for the High-A Greenville Drive
Carolina League
Washington Nationals prospect Dylan Crews bashed a grand slam during his first professional four-hit performance for the Single-A Fredericksburg Nationals
HOCKEY
Federal Prospect Hockey League
Introducing our new Head Coach Matt Hamilton for the Baton Rouge Zydeco
Western Hockey League
We caught up with Tri-City Americans defenceman Lukas Dragicevic after he was selected in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft by the Seattle Kraken.
North American Hockey League
The El Paso Rhinos have named Mike McCreary as the NAHL team's new General Manager. He replaces Steve Jennings who recently accepted an Assistant Coaching role with the Air Force Academy. Mike, the son of Hockey Hall of Fame referee Bill McCreary, says he was destined to be involved in the sport. His large hockey family also includes an NHL Coach, five NHL Players, a Hobey Baker winner, and an NHL GM. McCreary grew up playing hockey and, at the age of 16, he followed in his father's footsteps and became an on-ice official. He spent 20 years officiating in various leagues including the OHL, NAHL, WHL, USHL, WSHL, ECHL, AHL, and WCHA. He also refereed several IIHF international events during his officiating career.
Amarillo Wranglers head coach Ryan Anderson sits down with Brandon Hofstra to discuss the team going into the 2023-24 regular season
3ICE
Hank Crone- MVP
LACROSSE
National Lacrosse League
The Buffalo Bandits announced the team has signed goaltender Matt Vinc to a two-year contract, pending league approval. Vinc (6'1", 212 lbs., 6/9/1982) finished the 2022-23 season leading the league in wins (14) and saves (742). He was one of three goalies to surpass the 1,000 minutes played mark (1,047) during the season and became the first goaltender in NLL history to play 14,000 career minutes on Jan. 20 at Rochester. With his 48th career win on April 22 against Toronto, Vinc became the winningest goaltender in Bandits franchise history.
OTHER SPORTS
American Ultimate Disc League
A compilation of the best throws from the first weekend of the 2023 AUDL Playoffs!
Did we miss anything newsworthy or fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
XFL Stories from August 15, 2023
- XFL to NFL Update: NFL Preseason Week 1 - XFL
- Last Week around the Leagues - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
