Sports – Page 415 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Missouri State crushes NAIA opponent Southwestern 57-0 in first game

Posted on September 2, 2016

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Missouri State christened the 2016 football season in grand fashion, dominating Southwestern College in all phases of the game in a 57-0 victory Thursday evening at Robert W. Plaster Stadium. Led by a career night from Colby Isbell, the Bears defense stifled the Moundbuilders’ attack to finish the first shutout of the Dave Steckel era.

Isbell matched a career high with 7.0 tackles, while recording 5.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in the opening half to help stake Missouri State (1-0) to a commanding lead, before the Bears offense put the game out of reach in the third quarter. Overall, the Bears held SC to 116 yards of total offense in 66 plays (1.76 yards per play), recorded 4.0 sacks and 11.0 total tackles for losses totaling 48 yards to help post MSU’s largest margin of victory in nearly a quarter century.

The MSU offense helped spur an early charge that saw the Bears take a 21-0 lead just 10 minutes into the contest and racked up 462 yards of total offense on the night. Sophomore quarterback Breck Ruddick completed 13-of-15 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 37 yards on just four carries.

Sophomore Nick Masoner led a potent MSU ground attack that piled up 321 rushing yards on 52 carries, finishing his night with a game and career-high 132 yards on 13 carries.

The runaway victory before a crowd of 8,827 represented the largest final margin in a Bears’ win since Sept. 21, 1991, when MSU routed Prairie View A&M by a 61-0 score at Plaster Stadium.

Deion Holliman, a preseason All-MVFC pick and the nation’s leading combined kick returner last fall, turned in a big night as well. The junior recorded 173 all-purpose yards, including 129 on his two kickoff returns, and hauled in the second touchdown reception of his Missouri State career. Holliman sparked the Bears’ early outburst by returning the opening kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead, just 12 seconds into the new season. He would add to the MSU advantage on the Bears next possession by reaching high to grab a nine-yard scoring strike from Ruddick, who went 5-of-5 for 42 yards on the 73-yard drive.

MSU took advantage of a short field to add to its lead, as an 18-yard SC punt set up the Bears at the 28-yard line. Three plays later, Jason Randall bulled his way into the end zone for a seven-yard scoring run to stretch the margin to 21-0 with 5:00 to play in the opening quarter.

The Missouri State defense left an early impression on the Moundbuilders (0-1) as well, limiting the visitors to just 10 offensive yards in the opening period. After allowing 23 yards on Southwestern’s opening drive, the Bears put the clamps on the opposition, thanks in large part to a series of stops on key third down plays. Isbell came up with third-down sacks on back-to-back possessions, and recorded all 5.5 of his tackles for loss before the break, ultimately coming up just a half tackle short of Dylan Cole’s MSU single-game record.

MSU held the ‘Builders to just one first down in the period and did not allow a third or fourth down conversion until late in the second quarter.

Redshirt freshman kicker Zach Drake tacked on his fourth successful boot of the first half by drilling a 19-yard field goal that made it a 24-point MSU lead with 10:39 left on the clock. Ruddick, who completed 9-of-11 passes for 69 yards in the opening half, connected twice with freshman Aaron Denson for a total of 20 yards, as well as with Calan Crowder on an eight-yard play to set up the kick.

In all, the Bears allowed just 62 yards on the ‘Builders’ 38 first-half offensive plays.

Another strong start in the second half all but sealed the outcome, with the Bears out-scoring their guests by a 19-0 margin to top the 40-point mark for the first time in their last 26 games dating back to November 2013. Randall, who totaled 67 rushing yards on nine carries, spearheaded an eight-play, 87-yard drive that ended with his second TD run of the night after the sophomore turned in three different runs of 10 yards or more. Ruddick hit on all four of his pass attempts for 60 yards, including back-to-back completions of 23 and 19 yards to Erik Furmanek and Malik Earl, respectively.

The Bears’ defense once again stood tall, as McNeece Egbim picked off a Braden Langston pass and returned it for what appeared to be a 32-yard touchdown. An illegal block wiped out the score, but Phoenix Johnson negated the penalty on the initial play of the drive with a 21-yard scamper that gave the home club a 38-0 lead.

After stopping the ‘Builders deep in their own territory, an errant snap on a punt attempt sailed through the end zone for a safety. Holliman’s 38-yard return of the ensuing kickoff set up another MSU scoring chance, as Masoner and Johnson teamed up to total 39 rushing yards on six carries to set up a 24-yard Shelby Harris field goal.

MSU would tack on a one-yard Gerard Harker run in the fourth, before Robert Thomas intercepted a Ka’Darius Baker pass and returned it 23 yards for the game’s final tally.

Missouri State embarks on its first road swing of the season next Saturday (Sept. 10) when it takes on Murray State in a 6 p.m. non-conference contest at Roy Stewart Stadium in Murray, Ky.

— MSU Athletics —

Royals blow 4-0 lead, lose to Yankees in 13 innings

Posted on September 1, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Brian McCann delivered a sacrifice fly in the 13th inning and Dellin Betances shut down the Kansas City Royals in the bottom half to give the New York Yankees a 5-4 victory Wednesday night.

Royals reliever Chris Young (3-9) gave up a single to Didi Gregorius and a double to Starlin Castro to lead off the decisive frame. Matt Strahm came in against McCann for a lefty-lefty matchup, and the New York designated hitter lofted a fly ball to left to score the go-ahead run.

Ben Heller (1-0) pitched a perfect 12th to earn his first major league win, while Betances wrapped up a winning series for the Yankees by working around a leadoff walk for his seventh save.

Castro hit a two-run homer for the Yankees. Kendrys Morales hit one for Kansas City.

The Royals appeared to have quickly erased the memories of their rain-delayed, 5-4 loss in 10 innings the previous night when Morales homered for the second straight game with two outs in the first.

Kansas City added another run off Luis Cessa in the second on an error by third baseman Chase Headley and a timely double by Alcides Escobar, then made it 4-0 when Eric Hosmer homered to left in the third.

Ian Kennedy was cruising along for Kansas City until the sixth, when Gregorius lofted a sacrifice fly to left field. Castro followed moments later with his two-run shot.

Kennedy’s night was done when he walked Aaron Hicks with one out in the sixth. Scott Alexander came in and gave up a single to Brett Gardner and Jacoby Ellsbury’s tying sacrifice fly to center.

Both teams had chances to push runs across before the 13th inning.

The Royals’ Raul Mondesi drew a leadoff walk in the seventh and Jarrod Dyson dropped a sacrifice bunt to get him to second base with only one out. But Mondesi got caught straying between second and third, and Cheslor Cuthbert promptly struck out to end the inning.

In the 11th, Salvador Perez walked and pinch-runner Billy Burns stole his way to third. He wound up stranded there when Paulo Orlando ripped a line drive right at Castro at second base.

The Yankees loaded the bases with one out in the 12th, but Gary Sanchez lined out to Cuthbert at third base and Mark Teixeira chopped a grounder to shortstop to end that threat.

YANKEES DEAL

The Yankees sent OF Ben Gamel, the MVP of the International League, to Seattle for minor league RHPs Jio Orozco and Juan De Paula on Wednesday. They also sent cash to Milwaukee for speedy OF Eric Young Jr., who manager Joe Girardi said could join the club when rosters expand later this week.

ROYALS MOVES

RHP Chien-Ming Wang was placed on the DL with biceps tendinitis after tossing two scoreless innings on Tuesday night. The Royals shored up their taxed bullpen by recalling LHP Scott Alexander and RHP Brooks Pounders from Triple-A Omaha and optioning INF Christian Colon to the same club.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Yankees: Hicks left the game after grounding out in the ninth, limping his way to the dugout with a right hamstring strain. Aaron Judge replaced him in the lineup.

Royals: CF Lorenzo Cain (sprained wrist) got the night off. He’s been playing in pain for about two weeks. “It’s been pretty sore,” manager Ned Yost said. “It’s not a thing that’s going to heal in a week.”

UP NEXT

The Yankees take Thursday off before sending RHP Chad Green to the mound to start a three-game set in Baltimore on Friday night. LHP Danny Duffy gets the call for the Royals when Detroit visits Friday night to open their three-game series at Kauffman Stadium.

— Associated Press —

Missouri Western hires Bierbaum as first Cross Country, Track & Field coach

Posted on August 31, 2016August 31, 2016

ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western State University has selected its first-ever head coach for the coming men’s and women’s cross country and track and field teams.

Marc Bierbaum was selected from a pool of more than 100 candidates. Bierbaum was most recently an assistant women’s cross country and track coach at the University of Nebraska Omaha. Prior to UNO, Bierbaum served as the head men’s and women’s cross country coach and assistant track coach at his alma mater, Dana College.

“We’re very excited to have Marc lead our new programs,” Missouri Western director of athletics Kurt McGuffin said. “Marc’s enthusiasm really stood out and I think that will be a great attribute as he starts these programs.”

“He has a proven record of success at this level and knows the Midwest. We were really impressed by his knowledge of the area and the MIAA along with his strategies for building a program that Missouri Western can be proud of.”

At Nebraska Omaha, Bierbaum coached 36 all-conference performers and helped the Mavericks break 13 school records. At Dana, he coached a national champion in outdoor track and field; three national qualifiers in cross country; 17 national qualifiers in indoor track and field; 20 national qualifiers in outdoor track and field; two all-americans in indoor track and field; 43 all-conference selections; and saw eight school records fall.

“It’s a dream for me,” Bierbaum said. “Everyone that was involved in the process, everyone I’ve met, the campus, it’s all amazing. I can’t think of a better place to start a program.”

“I’m very excited to get going. This is a unique opportunity for myself and the student-athletes that will get to be a part of the first-ever program here at Missouri Western. This campus has everything we need to be successful. The campus and the people here feel like family already.”

The 2001 Dana College graduate was a two-time national qualifier as a marathoner for the Dana track team and a 1999 national qualifier in cross country. He also has experience coaching at the high school level in the Omaha, Nebraska area and has taught elementary art in Omaha as well.

“I really want to thank everyone at Missouri Western,” Bierbaum said. “Everyone has been very welcoming already. I had a great experience meeting with Dr. Vartabedian and everyone in the athletic department. I can’t wait to join the Missouri Western family.”

Bierbaum will begin his duties in the coming weeks. A search for a full-time assistant coach will begin soon after. The six new teams to Griffon Athletics will begin competition in the fall of 2017.

— MWSU Athletics —

St. Louis drops series finale at Milwaukee 3-1

Posted on August 31, 2016

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Kirk Nieuwenhuis homered and Matt Garza pitched into the eighth inning, leading the Milwaukee Brewers to a 3-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night, ending a six-game losing streak.

Nieuwenhuis belted a three-run homer off Luke Weaver (1-2) in the third inning.

Garza (5-6) turned in his longest outing of the season, giving up one run and three hits in seven-plus innings while walking two and striking out eight.

Garza allowed the first two batters in the eighth to reach base before being replaced by Carlos Torres, who pitched out of the jam but not before loading the bases with two outs.

Yadier Molina hit a solo home run in the fourth for the Cardinals giving them a homer in a franchise-record 20 consecutive games.

Weaver, making his fourth major league start, gave up three runs and four hits in six innings. He walked two and struck out 10, including four straight at one point.

The Brewers loaded the bases with one out in the sixth but failed to score off Weaver, who struck out Keon Broxton looking to end the inning.

Tyler Thornburg notched his sixth save in 10 chances.

LET’S MAKE A DEAL

The Brewers traded OF Eric Young Jr., who has spent the entire season at Triple-A Colorado Springs, to the New York Yankees, for cash considerations.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: 1B Matt Adams, on the DL with left shoulder inflammation, could soon return to the lineup. Adams is “getting healthy and getting close,” manager Mike Matheny said.

Brewers: Manager Craig Counsell said OF Domingo Santana is healthy despite being out of the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. Santana missed games in May with a sore shoulder. An ailing right elbow kept him out of the lineup from the first week of June until earlier this month.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: Alex Reyes (1-0, 0.64 ERA) will make his second major league start when St. Louis starts a three-game series at Cincinnati on Friday. He had a no-decision in his first start on Saturday against Oakland, allowing one run and two hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Brewers: Junior Guerra (7-3, 2.93) will return to the rotation when Milwaukee opens a three-game series at Pittsburgh on Friday. Guerra had been on the DL with right elbow inflammation. He is 1-0 with a 1.72 ERA in three career games (two starts) against the Pirates.

— Associated Press —

Big 12 extends contract with Valero Alamo Bowl

Posted on August 31, 2016August 31, 2016

The Big 12 Conference has established a new agreement with the Valero Alamo Bowl to extend the existing relationship through 2025.

The six-year extension, which starts in 2019, will ensure the Valero Alamo Bowl continues to feature the first choice of a team from the Big 12 after the College Football Playoff makes its selections.

“The Conference’s long-standing relationship with the Valero Alamo Bowl has produced some unforgettable games,” said Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby. “The Valero Alamo Bowl and San Antonio have been terrific hosts for our member institutions and their fans, and we are excited to join the Pac-12 to continue our relationship through 2025.”

The Big 12 has sent a team to San Antonio to compete in the Valero Alamo Bowl every season since it began play in 1996.

Additionally, the Valero Alamo Bowl has also extended its agreement with the Pac-12 Conference under the same parameters. The Valero Alamo Bowl is currently in the third of a six-year agreement with both conferences.

The Valero Alamo Bowl reached a 10-year extension with ESPN last year to continue its relationship that began with the inaugural game in 1993. The agreement starts with the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl this December and includes broadcasting rights to the game across ESPN’s platforms through 2025.

“Our Big 12 vs. Pac-12 match-up featuring their top teams outside of the CFP on ESPN has produced tremendous results for our community,” said Lamont Jefferson, Chairman of the Valero Alamo Bowl. “The Valero Alamo Bowl and San Antonio are celebrating the announcement that this winning relationship will continue through the 2025 season.”

— Big 12 Press Release —

Royals’ rally comes up short as they lose to New York in 10 innings

Posted on August 31, 2016August 31, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jacoby Ellsbury drove in the go-ahead run with two outs in the 10th inning, and the New York Yankees hung tough after blowing a four-run lead for a 5-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.

Dellin Betances (3-4) tossed two scoreless innings of relief for New York before Ben Heller loaded the bases with one out in the 10th. Chasen Shreve entered the game and calmly struck out Kendrys Morales and got Salvador Perez to fly out, picking up his first career major league save.

Brian McCann and Chase Headley started the Yankees’ go-ahead rally with singles off Joakim Soria (4-6), who recovered to strike out Aaron Judge and Tyler Austin. But after Soria walked Brett Gardner to load the bases, Ellsbury lined a single off Soria’s leg for his fourth hit of the game.

Judge hit a two-run homer for the Yankees, while Ellsbury finished with two RBI.

Morales went deep for the Royals to spur their comeback, then provided the tying sacrifice fly in the eighth inning. Jarrod Dyson and Lorenzo Cain also drove in runs for Kansas City.

The Yankees built a 4-0 lead off Edinson Volquez by the third inning, only to watch it slowly slip away around a 59-minute rain delay that saturated the soggy turf at Kauffman Stadium.

In fact, just about all that could slow down the Yankees’ Masahiro Tanaka was the rain.

The right-hander mowed through the first eight batters he faced, extending the streak of 14 2/3 scoreless innings he had twirled in his last two starts. Tanaka didn’t allow a hit until a single by Raul Mondesi, who later scored on Dyson’s triple off the top of the wall.

Tanaka’s only other mistake came on Morales’ homer in the fourth inning.

The rain began falling and the tarp came out after the fifth inning, and the delay was long enough to end Tanaka’s night. He allowed two runs and four hits while striking out four without a walk.

The Royals got within 4-3 in the sixth inning when Cain slapped an RBI double off Adam Warren, then they coaxed across the tying run in the eighth against Tyler Clippard and Betances.

Clippard walked Cain to start the inning. Cain promptly stole second off Betances, and the throw from catcher Gary Sanchez squirted into the outfield, allowing Cain to reach third. He trotted home to knot the game 4-all when Morales lofted a sacrifice fly to center.

ROSTER MOVES

The Yankees optioned RHP Kirby Yates to rookie-level Pulaski and recalled Shreve from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Shreve joined the Yankees for the fourth time this season.

TRADE COMPLETE

The Pirates sent OF Tito Polo and LHP Stephen Tarpley to the Yankees to complete their Aug. 1 deal for RHP Ivan Nova. Polo hit .289 with 16 homers between Class-A Bradenton and West Virginia, and Tarpley was 6-4 in 20 starts with Bradenton.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Yankees: 1B Mark Teixeira sat again with pain in his neck, manager Joe Girardi said. “From a health standpoint I have to watch him closely, but he’s feeling better today than he was yesterday.”

Royals: RHP Wade Davis was due to make a rehab appearance at Triple-A Omaha after Monday night’s game was rained out. Davis has been sidelined with a flexor strain.

UP NEXT

RHP Luis Cessa, the second Yankees pitcher since 2004 to win his first two career starts, returns to the mound for New York. RHP Ian Kennedy tries for his fourth straight win for the Royals.

— Associated Press —

Grichuk gives Cards lead, Duke gets big K in win against Brewers

Posted on August 30, 2016

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Zach Duke stranded the bases loaded with a strikeout in the 10th inning after Randal Grichuk hit an RBI single in the top half of the inning, lifting the St. Louis Cardinals over the Milwaukee Brewers 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Seung Hwan Oh (4-2) pitched out of a jam in the ninth to get the win. Duke got his first save with the Cardinals by entering to strike out pinch-hitter Manny Pina after Matt Bowman walked three batters.

The Cardinals’ Jhonny Peralta led off the 10th with a single off Corey Knebel (0-2) and moved to third on Yadier Molina’s ground-rule double. Jeremy Hazelbaker, who pinch ran for Peralta, scored the winning run on Grichuk’s flare to right.

St. Louis’ Adam Wainwright and Milwaukee’s Wily Peralta dueled for seven innings, leaving a 1-1 game for the bullpens.

Neither team had a hit until the fourth and neither scored until the sixth.

St. Louis’ Jedd Gyorko broke the scoreless tie with a two-out home run in the sixth. The Cardinals have homered in 19 consecutive games, tying a franchise record set in July 2006.

Martin Maldonado’s run-scoring double tied it in the bottom of the inning.

Wainwright retired the first nine batters until Jonathan Villar singled leading off the fourth. Wainwright gave up three hits and one run in seven innings. He struck out seven and didn’t walk a batter.

Peralta retired the first nine batters before surrendering a single to Matt Carpenter, who led off the fourth.

Peralta has pitched well since being recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs on Aug. 8 after struggling earlier in the year. He gave up three hits and one run in seven innings, walking one and striking out a season-high 10. It marked the second time in his career that he reached double digits in strikeouts.

Peralta had not gone more than six innings in a game this season.

The Brewers put two runners on in the ninth, but Oh struck out Chris Carter to end the threat. Milwaukee has lost six straight, all at home.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: SS Aledmys Diaz has been sent to the team’s facility in Jupiter, Florida, as he recovers from a hairline fracture in his right thumb that occurred in July. Diaz could serve as a designated hitter in a minor league rehab assignment sometime this week but still must go through more tests before he begins throwing.

Brewers: INF Will Middlebrooks (lower leg strain) was activated from the disabled list and outrighted to Triple-A. Middlebrooks can refuse the assignment and become a free agent. “It didn’t look like there was going to be playing time for him in September,” manager Craig Counsell said.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: Luke Weaver (1-1, 3.60 ERA) will make his fourth major league start and first against the Brewers. He earned his first win in his last start against Oakland on Friday.

Brewers: Matt Garza (4-6, 4.89) is 4-5 with a 4.25 ERA in 13 career starts against St. Louis. He surrendered seven runs in 5 2/3 innings in a loss at St. Louis on July 1.

— Associated Press —

Northwest women’s basketball adds junior college transfer to 2016-2017 roster

Posted on August 30, 2016August 30, 2016

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University head women’s basketball coach Buck Scheel has announced the addition of Caitlin Sudduth to the 2016-17 roster. Sudduth, a native of Country Club Hills, Ill., played the previous two seasons at Kirkwood Community College. She will have two years of eligibility at Northwest.

“We’re excited about adding Caitlin to our group of 10 returners for the upcoming season,” said Scheel. “Her experience at Kirkwood and versatility will help add to our presence on the perimeter.”

Sudduth helped lead Kirkwood CC to a 27-6 overall record in 2015-16, being ranked as high as No. 3 nationally. She was second on the team at 10.0 points per game and 3.0 assists per game, earning ICCAC First Team All-Conference honors. The 5’7″ guard’s freshman year included a 30-6 overall record, a conference and Region XI Championship, culminating with a fifth place finish at the NJCAA DII National Tournament.

A two-time all-conference performer at Tinley Park High School, Sudduth averaged 13.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.1 steals per game in her prep career.

— Northwest Athletics —

Royals score eight runs in the sixth, defeat Red Sox 10-4

Posted on August 28, 2016August 28, 2016

BOSTON (AP) — Raul Mondesi hit a bases-loaded triple and Eric Hosmer added a two-run single during an eight-run sixth inning, lifting the surging Kansas City Royals to a 10-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Sunday night.

Salvador Perez hit his third solo homer in two games for Kansas City, which took two of three at Fenway Park and got its 17th win in 21 games.

David Ortiz hit his 534th career homer, a solo shot, for the Red Sox, tying Jimmie Foxx for 18th on the career list. Boston has lost four of five.

Matt Strahm (2-0) pitched 2 2/3 innings of hitless relief for the win.

Eduardo Rodriguez (2-6) gave up five runs in 5 1/3 innings before the bullpen allowed five more in the sixth.

The Royals chased Rodriguez and regained the lead in the sixth after the Red Sox moved ahead in the fifth.

Alcides Escobar had an RBI single before Mondesi rocked his triple to the outfield-wall triangle in center. Cheslor Cuthbert had a run-scoring fielder’s choice grounder before Lorenzo Cain added an RBI single.

Robbie Ross Jr. relieved and gave up Hosmer’s two-run single off the Green Monster before getting the final two outs.

Boston capitalized on center fielder Paulo Orlando’s error to score three times off starter Yordano Ventura in the fifth. Chris Young singled and Orlando dropped Sandy Leon’s fly at the track, putting runners on second and third before a walk.

Brock Holt drove in the first run with a groundout before Xander Bogaerts’ two-run single.

Ventura gave up four runs — three earned — in 4 1/3 innings.

Ortiz’s 31st homer went into the bleachers behind Boston’s bullpen in the fourth.

Perez homered off a billboard above the Green Monster.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: C Perez took a foul ball in the chin area after it bounced in the dirt and up under his mask, but stayed in the game.

Red Sox: RH reliever Koji Uehara (strained chest muscle) is still expected to throw a bullpen session Monday.

FAMILY MATTER

Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia left the team after a death in the family. He’s expected back after Monday’s game starts following the services, so he won’t be on the bereavement list that requires three games missed.

UP NEXT

Royals: RHP Dillon Gee (5-7, 4.55 ERA) is set to start Monday against New York RHP Michael Pineda (6-10, 5.02) when they open a three-game series at home against the Yankees.

Red Sox: RHP Rick Porcello (17-3, 3.23) looks to become the first Red Sox pitcher in 70 years to open a season 13-0 in Fenway Park on Monday against the Rays. RHP Matt Andriese (6-5, 3.71) is set to start for Tampa Bay.

— Associated Press —

Chiefs safety Eric Berry signs franchise tender

Posted on August 28, 2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs safety Eric Berry signed his franchise tender and reported to camp Sunday, though he is almost certain to miss Kansas City’s preseason finale against Green Bay this week.

Berry was given the franchise tag early in the offseason but had not signed the deal, which means he could skip all of training camp without being fined. The deal will pay him just over $10.8 million this season, making him the league’s highest-paid safety.

Kansas City plays its first regular-season game Sept. 11 against San Diego.

Berry played in every game last season, less than a year after he was diagnosed with cancer. He made 55 tackles, a pair of interceptions and resumed his role as the heart and soul of the defense.

“I said, ‘You don’t count the fish till it’s in the boat.’ So, fish is in the boat, right?” coach Andy Reid said. “He’s here. It’s good to have him back. He’s got a smile on his face, and he’s ready to go. That’s the important thing that we get him back in, and get him going and get him into football shape now. He’s in great shape, but just get him into football shape.”

Berry probably won’t play in Thursday’s preseason finale.

“We’ll likely just give him time within practice to get himself ready for the opener,” Reid said.

The Chiefs had hoped to sign Berry to a long-term deal in the offseason, but the two sides were never close to reaching an agreement by the July 15 deadline. The Chiefs remain optimistic they can sign him after this season, though Berry will demand a premium on the free-agent market.

It was somewhat surprising that the sides were so far apart, given the goodwill between them.

The Chiefs stood by Berry when he was diagnosed with lymphoma, and general manager John Dorsey and others in the front office regularly visited him in Atlanta during treatment. Meanwhile, Berry has been steadfast in his love for the Chiefs, who made him a first-round pick out of Tennessee.

Berry played in every game last season, less than a year after his cancer diagnosis. He made 55 tackles, had a pair of interceptions and resumed his role as the heart and soul of the defense.

— Associated Press —