Baker's Dozen Podcast Episode 3 recap

We started off with a shout-out to the Draughn and East Burke boys swimming teams winning their conference championship meets.

NFL Playoffs

"(The divisional round) lived up to the hype"

-Jon Ray

Congrats also to Levi "Bubba" Cunningham for winning our first pick-em contest making 11 of 12 correct picks

We also discussed the overtime controversy in the Bills @ Chiefs game, Ben Roethlisberger's retirement, and Sean Payton stepping away as the Saints coach

Also announced the Valdese Sports Network Football awards led by Draughn sophomore running back Nigel Dula being named MVP

"There are bright futures ahead for next fall"

-Jason Baker

We also gave a shoutout to Remy Treadway of the Valdese pee wee football team as we hope to see him grow in his football career and had a discussion on today's local football landscape including the decline of numbers for the Burke County Recreation League.

We also gave a reaction to the Charlotte Hornets record win over the Indiana Pacers and the latest in pro wrestling including last Saturday's Royal Rumble.

Verse of the Day

Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied."

-1 Samuel 17:45 (ESV)

Baker's Dozen Podcast Episode 2 recap

• College Football

Jason released his own college football poll after the completion of the bowl season, will look to use for 2022 regular season 

#1 Georgia (14-1)

#2 Alabama (13-2)

#3 Michigan (12-2)

#4 Cincinnati (13-1)

#5 Oklahoma State (12-2)

#6 Baylor (12-2)

#7 Ohio State (11-2)

#8 Michigan State (11-2)

#9 Pittsburgh (11-3)

#10 Wake Forest (11-3)

#11 Kentucky (10-3)

#12 Clemson (10-3)

#13 Arkansas (9-4)

could we also see an expansion for an 8-team playoff for next year's College Football Playoff?

Jason believes every Power 5 conference champion should have a chance for the playoff

Jon hopes for better competition in the playoff system

Clemson is also in a questionable state, can they rise again as a dominating force in college football?

Jon believes quarterback DJ Uiagalelei doesn't quite measure up as the quality replacement for Trevor Lawrence

Jason was impressed with North Carolina's own Will Shipley in his starting role as a true freshman in the Tigers backfield

The future for head coach Dabo Swinney also seems to be in question after losing top coordinators Brent Venables (Oklahoma) and Tony Elliott (Virginia) to head coaching opportunities.

• NFL Playoffs

Jason & Jon made picks for the NFL Super Wild Card playoff games along with East Burke head football coach Derrick Minor and Draughn assistant football coach Levi "Bubba" Cunningham.

Minor and Bubba led the way with five of six correct picks followed by Jon (4/6) and Jason (3/6)

In attempting to make an early prediction at the Super Bowl champion,

Jason chose the Dallas Cowboys, who unfortunately fell short in a 23-17 home loss to the San Fransisco 49ers

Jon chose the Green Bay Packers, who are the top-seeded team for the NFC playoffs and will be hosting the 49ers in the divisional round Saturday night.

• Charlotte Hornets

"The Eastern Conference is a bit jumbled up right now but the Hornets are a playoff team. They are feisty and lately, they stepped it up on defense."

-Jon Ray

The Hornets hold a 24-20 mark and are sitting in second place in the Eastern Conference's Southeast division, just being four games back of the Miami Heat, after Monday's 97-87 win over the New York Knicks.

They recently had a four-game winning streak including two wins over the defending NBA champions Milwaukee Bucks.

Miles Bridges currently leads the Hornets with 20.0 points per game and 7.3 rebounds per game and LaMelo Ball has a team-high 7.6 assists per game.

The Hornets will get to have a national primetime game on ESPN Wednesday at 7:30 facing the Boston Celtics on the road.

• Verse of the Day

"Taste and see that the Lord is good.

How happy is the person who takes refuge in Him!"

-Psalm 34:8 CSB