Students get head start on college

Jenny Derringer

20 hours ago

By JENNY DERRINGER

derringer@crescent-news.com

Getting a head start on college classes while still enrolled in high school can really be an advantage to students.

Across the country, thousands of high school students have enrolled in advanced placement (AP) courses to earn college credit and increase their grade-point averages (GPA). The courses offer more challenging course work and the opportunity to take a test that could earn them college credit.

The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) reports that the AP program is a "natural progression for Ohio's standards-based educational system that aligns academic content standards, curricula, assessments and accountability with the federal No Child Left Behind Act."

According to the ODE, 45 percent of high school students have taken one AP course while 61 percent of students who have taken two or more AP courses are completing their bachelor's degree in four years or less.

Among the 37 courses that the College Board, a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity, reports available are art history, biology, calculus, chemistry, Chinese, computer science, microeconomics, macroeconomics, English, environmental science, French, European history, German, government, geography, Italian, Latin, music theory, physics, psychology, Spanish, statistics, studio art, U.S. history and world history.

The College Board noted that signing up for the classes helps students "get a head start on college-level work, stand out in the college admissions process and broaden one's intellectual horizons."

Students wishing to enroll should talk to their principal or guidance counselor to discuss the workload requirements of each course.

Home-schooled students can also participate through an independent study course. Online AP courses are available.

Defiance High School has 44 students enrolled in AP classes this fall, said guidance counselor Nancy McCann.

"We currently offer AP English/composition, AP Spanish, AP calculus and AP government," said McCann. "AP courses are offered at the high school only. Actually we have less courses than in the past, as we used to offer AP chemistry II, AP world history and AP U.S. history.

"Requirements from the state have somewhat prohibited the AP offerings because of the time requirements and curriculum requirements," she explained. "The AP courses are to offer students a higher level of academic work. Students have the option to take an AP exam at the end of the year and can potentially earn college credit for the course if they score high enough on the exam."

At Defiance City Schools, those classes are weighted 5.0 for an A so that can increase a student's cumulative GPA.

"College admissions like to see honors or AP courses on a student transcript to see if the student took challenges and the strength of their curriculum," added McCann.

Wauseon High School now has 29 students taking its AP classes this nine weeks, noted guidance counselor Pam Baltzly. The district currently offers junior AP English, senior AP English and AP calculus for seniors.

"The purpose of AP is to offer challenging, college-level classes for the students while they are still in high school and to give them the opportunity to earn possible college credit for those classes by taking the national AP exams," said Baltzly. "We have not seen an increase in the number of students taking these classes. We currently have no plans to increase our number of AP offerings."

DC vs. Adrian College preview

Lynn Groll

September 12, 2008

By LYNN GROLL

groll@crescent-news.com

Bouncing back will be in order for "Border War" rivals Defiance College and Adrian College on Saturday when the two combatants collide at 7 p.m. in Adrian.

Both the Yellow Jackets (0-1) and Bulldogs (0-1) are hoping to avoid an 0-2 start to their 2008 season after each suffered defeats against Ohio Athletic Conference opponents a week ago. DC sustained a 35-10 setback to Muskingum College on the road, while Adrian was handed a 34-14 loss by No. 7 Capital University in Columbus.

Sustaining drives offensively will be a major focus for sixth-year DC mentor Robert Taylor and his Jackets after eight of DC's 12 drives ended in four plays or less.

Another priority for Taylor this week was putting an emphasis on tackling better.

"I think offensively we weren't able to sustain any drives, especially early on," remarked Taylor. "Defensively, the biggest thing that hurt us was missed tackles. We missed a ton of tackles. So that's something that we've been focusing on all week.

"Anytime you're faced with a little bit of adversity, and we're being faced with some adversity right now, the true character comes out and I think we'll see a little bit more of what this group is and what they're made of after Saturday," added Taylor.

The Jackets were held to 158 yards against Muskingum and will look to get going against a physical Adrian defense that held Capital to 54 yards rushing on 36 attempts.

"Lots of speed on both sides of the ball," said Taylor about what stood out about the Bulldogs. "They have lots of skill kids and defensively they're physical and they come after you. They're solid against the run. Offensively they throw a lot at you ... there's a lot of different things they do and they do a lot of different things well. I think the biggest thing is their two quarterbacks. They both just bring so much to the table and they're both really good."

Linebacker Bobby Watson paced the Bulldogs with 13 stops while fellow linebacker George Wilson totaled nine stops against Capital.

Senior tailback Lewis Caralla will look to find running room against Adrian after toting the ball 20 times for 78 yards against Muskingum. Caralla also added a handful of receptions while Jarrett Ensign added five catches for the Jackets from sophomore signal-caller Austin Karcher.

Karcher completed 13-of-20 passes in his first collegiate start a week ago and totaled 78 yards.

Adrian uses a two-quarterback system with Mike McGee and Troy Niblock. McGee is more of a traditional drop-back passer while McGee is more of a running threat.

Niblock led AC with 44 yards rushing on 23 carries versus Capital and also spent time at receiver, where he caught a team-best six receptions for 28 yards.

McGee completed 11-of-20 passes for 115 yards and one touchdown.

"As a coach you look at it and you don't mind if both guys are similar," remarked Taylor. "But these two guys are completely different. Mike is a drop-back passer and Troy is going to run all over the place. So you really almost have to develop two different gameplans against them. It's really kind of difficult."

The DC defense allowed 159 yards rushing and 199 through the air last Saturday and will look to improve upon that showing.

Kyle Longsdorf led DC with nine tackles and a fumble forced, while linebacker Chuck Bowman and safety Keith Snyder each made eight hits. Troy Huelskamp, Rodney Donald, Austin Hedderly and Defiance High School graduate Eric Rubio each made six stops.

Muskies are set to open OAC action

NEW CONCORD - The Muskingum College football team opens Ohio Athletic Conference play against Otterbein College in Memorial Stadium Saturday, Sept. 20, with kickoff set for 1:30 p.m.

The Cardinals, Otterbein College and the fighting Muskies, Muskingum College have met 67 times dating back to the first meeting of 1905. Muskingum lead to an all-time series, 39-26-2.

The Muskies (1-0) opened the season with dominating 35-10 win Defiance College. The Muskie offensive explosion led to sophomore quarterback Jake Burns and senior Keskushyökkääjä Caleb Fuller.

Burns, in which case his first career collegiate start, ended the game 25, 31, 199 yards. He also added 28 yards on the ground. Burns' magic touch of the ball thanks to the Muskies convert 8-12 third-down conversions and helped the fish seven minute stop at the edge of the time.

"Jake did a great job. We asked him to arrange for the ball, and he has done," said Muskingum Head Coach Al Logan. "He succeeded in our offensive way, we needed him. Each game that goes at the end of Jake, I think we will root to meet with him to improve much."

Fuller to drive the ball 16 times 100 yards and three touchdowns. Fuller's play was a key factor in why the Muskies ended the game perfect 5-for-5 in red zone scoring opportunities, and all five are the result of touchdowns. Fuller was also a threat to the backfield five receptions, 20 yards.

"Caleb ran hard and made some big role to play," added Logan. "When the game continues, he must not only stronger and stronger."

The Black & Magenta defence pursue Defiance throughout the game. The Muskies held Yellow Jackets-158 yards and eight first nedture.

Junior linebacker Brad Jordan punished the Defiance ball carriers all night and ended on a high level of the team's seven stops a sack and a forced fumble. Senior captain Caleb Rich logged six stops and forced a fumble and recorded a sack, while junior defensive back OJ Diomedea registered in five deals, and recorded a fumble recovery. Ministry of Defence ended the game with three sacks, forced three fumbles, and signed seven deals with the loss.

"We have done a great job defensively Defiance keep in check," said Logan. "Ministry of Defence gave a great effort and done a lot of plays sideline-sideline."

Otterbein (1-0) opened the season with a 40-7 victory over visiting Bethany College. The Cardinals collected nearly 300 shipbuilding offensive, the second half, scoring 27 points, while closing the Bison the last 30 minutes a game.

Cardinal quarterback Jack Rafferty finished with 183 yards and four touchdowns 13-of-22 passes. Keskushyökkääjä Eric Yates netted 123 yards on 19 carries, while Colton coy rushing, 76 yards in eight carries. The Otterbein violation converted to 7 of 10 third-down situations and scored all five times, it was in the red zone.

"Rafferty brings diversity, Otterbein violation," said Logan. "He has been able to throw up and use, and it has the ability to make big plays. Yates is a hard runner who runs hard. He has good vision and is one of the best backs, OAC."

Defensive, Otterbein forced five turnovers, including four interceptions by linebacker Donnie Reinhart, cornerback John Wahler, free safety Danny Lynch and cornerback Chadric Woodfork. Strong safety Justin Hochstetler was Cardinal eight defence deals with six of which were outside help. Senior defensive lineman Mike King, Tri-Valley had two in the loss, Sack and back to fumble, while junior defensive back Chase Bowman, Morgan added two solo tackles.

Although the roster is junior wide receiver Kyle Culver, Sheridan and Freshman linebackers Shane Centers, Zanesville, and Morgan's Ethan Work.

"Otterbein return to a lot of guys on Defense," said Logan. "These four defensive linemen are just as good as any we will face this season. They have a lot of experience, and it will be a challenge for the offensive to go against them."

Muskingum will try to start 2-0 years, for the first time since 2003. This year Muskies up-to-date record of 5-5.

"We have had success in Otterbein, we need to control the ball, make a number of plays, control their quarterback and win the kicking game," said Logan. "We have had two weeks to prepare for them, and we should be ready to play."

Muskingum tulee yrittää aloittaa vuoden 2-0, ensimmäistä kertaa sitten vuoden 2003. Tämä vuosi Muskies ajan tasalla 5-5 kirjaa.

"Meille Wednesday onnistunut saamaan Otterbein, meidän täytyy hallita palloa, tehdä joitakin näytelmiä, valvontaa niiden quarterback yes voittaa potkiskelemassa peli", sanoi Logan. "Meillä on ollut kaksi viikkoa aikaa valmistautua sitä varten yes meidän tulee olla valmiita pelaamaan."