Three Game Shows Debut and a Host Departs

September 8, 1969.  A significant day in game show history that's highlighted with the return of a game show classic and the death or its original host.  

Go back to the fall of 1968 when Mark Goodson and Bill Todman revived What's My Line in syndication as a five day a week show following the cancellation of the original John Daly version in 1967 along with I've Got a Secret, To Tell the Truth and Password.  The What's My Line revival became a syndicated success and saved the company from layoffs following the mass cancellations.  It also encouraged Goodson and Todman to revive more of their classic formats.  

The first to return was To Tell the Truth.  Initially, Goodson was planning to go the route of Password after it was axed by CBS in 1967 and rerun the final daytime season in syndication.  When What's My Line became a hit, Goodson decided to bring back To Tell the Truth in the fall of 1969 and abandon the reruns.  Bud Collyer, who hosted both the daytime and nighttime To Tell the Truth was offered the hosting job but due to declining health, he turned it down.  Instead, the new host would be Garry Moore, who would come out of retirement after a short-lived revival of his variety show was cancelled in 1967 and replaced by the popular but controversial Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour would occupy the host's chair.  

Peggy Cass, Kitty Carlisle and Orson Bean would return to their panel spots.  The only regular panelist who did not make the transition to the revival was Tom Poston.  His spot would be taken by Bill Cullen, who also subbed for Moore as host when he was on vacation.  Bean would be a regular the first season and after he no longer became a regular, a guest panelist such as Gene Rayburn would occupy his spot.  

On the same day that many stations aired the new To Tell the Truth for the first time, Collyer passed away from a circulatory ailment at the age of 61.  

Another show that was originally hosted by Collyer would debut the following week in syndication.  Beat the Clock would return with Jack Narz replacing Collyer as host.  Two couples would continue to perform stunts against the clock.  The major change was the addition of a celebrity guest that would help the couples on a stunt.  

Two firsts would occur for the Beat the Clock revival.  It was the first Goodson-Todman game show to be produced in Canada since production was moved from New York to Montreal the following season to cut costs and sell to Canadian television.  It would also be the first game show to utilize Gene Wood as an announcer. Wood would replace Narz as host in 1972 after he left due to his travel expenses commuting from California to Montreal.  It was the stepping stone to a successful career at the mike as he would announce Family Feud and Card Sharks as well as many other game shows.  

The third and last Goodson-Todman game to debut was He Said, She Said, the first game show hosted by former major league catcher Joe Garagiola.  The show would be sponsored by Holiday Inn and featured four celebrity couples who played for a member of the studio audience.  One spouse would be offstage while the other would guess how they would respond to a question.  A correct response earned 25 points and an incorrect match deducted 10.  The winning couple earned the audience member a week's day at a Holiday Inn.  

He Said, She Said would have the shortest run of the three, airing for only one season.  But the show would return in 1974 with a new title Tattletales and a new host Bert Convy.  The show, airing after CBS' top rated Match Game would run from 1974 to 1978 and returned in 1982 and ran for two more years.  

The fall of 1969 would be fruitful for Goodson-Todman as they would now have four shows on the air and three would have long and successful runs.  What's My Line would run for another five years, Beat the Clock would also have a five year run and To Tell the Truth air for nine years, with Garagiola replacing Moore for the final season in 1977.  The syndicated game show genre that began with Truth or Consequences in 1966 was in full force.  

SMB Wolfpack Swarms Past Spectrum Sting

The Spectrum Sting defense was seeing Redd Friday night as sophomore Sanjay Redd scored two touchdowns to highlight a 28 point second quarter that led the SMB Wolfpack to a 51-16 victory at Gordy Aamoth Jr. Stadium on the Blake School campus in Hopkins.

Spectrum, based in Elk River took the early lead on Elias Aberra's 66 yard run down the left side to put the Sting ahead 6-0.  Tack on the two point conversion and the lead vaulted to 8-0.  But that would be the only bright spot for Spectrum as the Wolfpack would even the score as quarterback Jalen Suggs on fourth down and seven kept the ball, changed directions and entered the end zone.  It would be 8-8 at the end of the first quarter.

SMB would put the game away in the second quarter with 28 straight points.  Suggs would prove that he is one of Minnesota's top high school athletes by turning two consecutive bad center snaps into outstanding plays.  The first turn what would be a double digit yard loss into an 11 yard game and the second, after being pursued by a swarm of white Sting jerseys, he fired a 17 yard pass to Caleb Hoilien to put the Wolfpack ahead 15-8.  SMB would get the ball back following a blocked punt recovered by Toby Jacobson at the Sting one yard line.  After a illegal procedure penalty sending them back five yards to the six, Redd ran the ball into the end zone.

It wasn't all offense for the combined team from St. Paul Academy, Minnehaha Academy and Blake.  Defense would also be a factor as they recovered a fumble at the Spectrum seven yard line and Redd would score his second touchdown with a seven yard run up the middle.  As soon as the Sting got the ball back, they lost it again on a fumble that was recovered by linebacker Michael Hall and he scored the touchdown to put the Wolfpack ahead 36-8 at halftime.

First year Wolfpack head coach Chris Goodwin took out Suggs and numerous starters in the second half with the game decided.  Elijah Wade would replace Suggs at quarterback and he would capitalize on a fourth down conversion with a 16 yard gain.  He would also cross the goal line after escaping a Spectrum tackle and scoring from 15 yards to increase the score to 44-8.

Another reserve would be credited with a touchdown as the game headed into the fourth quarter.  James Killilea would score on a four yard touchdown run and the Wolfpack led 51-8.  The Sting would end their lengthy scoring drought on Aberra's second touchdown in the final minute of the game, scoring from 38 yards.

The Wolfpack improved their record to 2-0 and will head to West St. Paul on Friday, September 13 to face the St. Croix Lutheran Crusaders at 7 PM.  The Sting fell to 0-2 and will also be in action on the 13th, hosting the Fridley Tigers in a 4 PM start.

SLP Orioles-Waconia Wildcats Football Preview

The St. Louis Park Oriole football team heads down Highway 5 Friday night for their first road game of the season and second straight against a Carver County opponent as they battle the Waconia Wildcats. 

The Orioles opened their 2019 last Thursday night against a team who played in last year's Class AAAAA state tournament the Chaska Hawks and got shut out 23-0.  New Hawks quarterback Grif Wurtz reached the end zone three times on keeper touchdowns. 

As for the Orioles, they had scoring opportunities throughout the game.  In the first quarter, Aaron Ellingson, also the quarterback, intercepted a Wurtz pass but St. Louis Park lost the ball on downs.  Turnovers would also plague the Orioles and McCabe Dvorak almost put St. Louis Park on the scoreboard but his touchdown was called back due to a pass interference penalty. 

Waconia began the regular season last week, heading to New Hope to face the Cooper Hawks and got two second quarter touchdowns from Tim Stapleton and a strong defense that led them to a 14-12 win.  Cooper cut the lead to two points :55 into the fourth quarter on Joseph Russell's touchdown pass to David Conners.  The Hawks would go for the two point conversion but the pass was incomplete.  The Wildcat defense held Joseph Russell to -23 rushing while his brother Sherrod carried 13 times for 54 yards.  Waconia was led by Stapleton's 19 carries for 98 yards. 

The key to the Orioles beating Waconia is find opportunities to get the ball over the goal line.  Ellingson has to find the open receivers and Sajid Nathim has to establish the ground game like he did last season.  The defense has to shut down Stapleton and the Wildcats rushing attack as well as force turnovers. 

Waconia will have to use their strong defense anchored by Erix Groneveld and Jack Fritz and the backfield will need another solid game from Stapleton. 

No threat of rain is in Friday night's weather picture.  Game time is 7 PM. 

Chaska Hawks Shut Out SLP Orioles

New  Chaska quarterback Grif Wurtz was at his best to open the 2019 football season with three keeper touchdowns to lead the Hawks to a 23-0 shutout of the host St. Louis Park Orioles Thursday night. 

Last season. Wurtz was a safety for the Hawks state tournament team that lost to eventual state champion Owatonna in the Class AAAAA quarterfinals. 

There would be some life for the Orioles in the first quarter after Aaron Ellingson intercepted a pass on third down and six yards to go.  But they couldn't put the ball in the end zone.  Chaska would score the only first quarter touchdown following two runs from Nic Snuggerud totaling 38 yards and ended on Wurtz's three yard keeper run with 1:04 left in the quarter. 

Neither team would tally in the second quarter though St. Louis Park almost tied the game on a touchdown pass from Ellingson to McCabe Dvorak.  But it was called back due to a defensive pass interference penalty and the score remain 7-0 at the half. 

Wurtz would also play a role in the Hawks lone third quarter touchdown as he would move the chains on fourth and two.  They would get closer to the goal line since the Orioles were called for unsportsmanlike conduct so the ball would be spotted at the St. Louis Park three yard line.  Once again, Wurtz would score on a three yard keeper to increase the score to 14-0. 

Another trip to the end zone came for Wurtz in the fourth quarter, scoring on a four yard keeper touchdown and bolstered their lead to 20.  The Hawks would add a 29 yard field goal from Snuggerud with 4:29 to go and that would be the end of the scoring. 

Chaska opened their season with a 1-0 record and will host their district rival the Chanhassen Storm on Friday, September 6 at 7 PM.  St. Louis Park fell to 0-1 and will also be in action on the 6th as they head down Highway 5 to Waconia to face the Wildcats in a 7 PM start. 

Chaska Hawks-SLP Orioles Football Preview

Thursday night is a big night for football in Minnesota.  The Vikings conclude the preseason in Buffalo against the Bills, the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers host the South Dakota State Jackrabbits at TCF Bank Stadium and numerous high school teams, including the St. Louis Park Orioles open the 2019 season.  Here's a preview of the Orioles season opener as they host the Chaska Hawks.

Last season the Orioles began the post Johnny Sorenson era with a 5-5 record that include three straight late season wins.  Aaron Ellingson, who replaced Sorenson at quarterback will run the offense.  Joining him in the backfield will be returning running back Sajid Nathim.  Cole Ewald returns as one of the Oriole receivers.  The big question for St. Louis Park this season will be do they have enough depth?  The numbers aren't the size of Eden Prairie or Wayzata but can be successful with the roster they have?

As for the Hawks, they have been to the state Class AAAAA tournament the last two years, losing in the quarterfinals in 2017 to Carver County rival Waconia and last year to eventual state champion Owatonna in the quarterfinals.

Chaska has experience returning in the backfield with Matthew Kuntz, Marcus Holasek and Stevenson Klotz lining up behind new quarterback Grif Wurtz, who played safety last season.  Holasek and Klotz are also key components of the Hawks defense.

The key to the Orioles beating the Hawks is to give Nathim opportunities to break through the Chaska defense and for the St. Louis Park defense to slow down the Chaska ground game.

The weather picture for Thursday should be outstanding.  Get outside and take in some high school football.  Game time is 7 PM.

SLP Orioles Sweep Armstrong Falcons

Playing their final games before the Labor Day weekend, the St. Louis Park Oriole soccer teams hosted a doubleheader against the Armstrong Falcons Wednesday night with the boys shutting out the Falcons 1-0 and the girls with two goals in both halves to beat Armstrong 4-1.

First up was the boys game and one goal was all that was needed for Alex Ruiz-Shimada, who scored the eventual game winner with 11:37 left in regulation time to beat the Armstrong Falcons 1-0.

Neither team would erase the red zeros from the scoreboard in the first half as outstanding defense prevented any balls from entering the net.  Oriole goalkeeper Beau Finley made several outstanding saves including a shot from Hassan Hassan.  The Falcon defense was just as tough, playing close to several orange jerseys.

In the second half, St. Louis Park would finally solve the stiff Armstrong defense.  Nick Riley's corner kick headed toward the right side of the goal and Ruiz-Shimada headed the ball past the goal line to end the scoreless battle that would also be the only goal of the game.

The Orioles won their fourth consecutive game to improve their record to 4-0.  They have outscored their opponents 8-2.  St. Louis park travels to New Prague to take on the Trojans on Tuesday, September 3 at 7 PM.  The Falcons fell to 1-2 and have only scored two goals in three games this season.  They will also be in action on the 3rd as they head to Fridley to face the Totino-Grace Eaglss in a 7 PM start.

Now to the girls game.  It wouldn't be a rough night for Lola Ruff and Aliviah McClinton as they scored two goals apiece to beat the Armstrong Falcons 4-1.

The Orioles got on the board when Ruff's lined shot bounced off the crossbar and landed in the net.  But the Falcons struck back quickly on Sarah Osborne's goal :19 later to tie the game at one.  Then it would be McClinton's turn to aid St. Louis Park's offensive surge.  First, she made a cross pass to ruff and sent it to the net to regain the lead.  McClinton, who also is a member of the Oriole girls lacrosse team would line the ball across the goal line :24 later to give St. Louis Park a 3-1 halftime lead.

St. Louis Park would add a goal to their ledge in the second half when Katie Casey passed to McClinton and she fired the ball into the goal with 9:12 left to end the scoring.

The Orioles improved their record to 2-0-2.  It was the second straight game they have scored four goals.  They will return to action on Thursday, September 5 as they head down Highway 212 to Chaska to face the Hawks at 5 PM.  The Falcons fell to 0-3.  It hasn't easy for the Plymouth based Falcons to hit their offensive stride, outscored in three games 16-2.  They resume play on Tuesday, September 3, heading to Fridley for a 5 PM game against the Totino-Grace Eagles.

Three wins in a Row for SLP Orioles

There was no dust in the wind for the host St. Louis Park Orioles Tuesday night as they got two second half goals to shut out the East Ridge Raptors 2-0.

Neither team erased the zeros from the scoreboard in the first half.  Both teams had scoring chances but none of the shots would enter the net.  The Orioles freshman goalkeeper Luis Benitez Matias showed that the team has depth in the nets as Beau Finley, who started the last two games was on the sidelines.  Matias made a couple of outstanding saves in the first half as he stopped shoots from Oscar Lagravere and Cullen Featherstone.

The Orioles would strike twice in the second half.  Their first goal came when Andrew Kneiser's shot was saved by Raptor goalkeeper Nick Wagner.  Claudy Kua positioned himself on the right side of the goal and he scored on a rebound.  St. Louis Park would go up by two as Nick Riley's corner kick was headed into the net by Thomas Salamzadeh.  East Ridge had some opportunities to cut the margin to one but the Orioles played superb defense, even preventing a goal while Matias was playing out of the net.

St. Louis Park improved their record to 3-0 and returns to action on Wednesday, August 28 at 5 PM, hosting the Armstrong Falcons.  East Ridge fell to 1-2 and will be back in action on Thursday, August 29 as the host the Apple Valley Eagles at 4:30 PM.

Playing their first game since last Saturday's big 3-2 win over section rival Wayzata, Orioles head coach Chato mentioned the key to avenging last year's section defeat.

"We just played a good game and didn't give up until the end."

Bennett Kouame, who scored the game winning goal against the Trojans was praised by Chato as an important player.  "He scored the goal and that was definitely great. Everybody played hard."