Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

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Since 2004

Tag: football

New Episode: The Queen City Sports Podcast by Chris Ball & Mark Raines

by Chris Ball

Loveland, Ohio – the madness that is the NCAA Tournament is here! And though the Bearcats might not be in it this year, there are still plenty of thrilling storylines to get to. And after a brief hiatus these past few weeks, Chris and Mark are here to break it all down. The guys talk about the first round and some memorable upsets by Drake and McNeese State. Chris and Mark also break down the Wolverines’ wild 68-65 nail-biter over UC San Diego. Michigan nearly fumbled away another double-digit lead, but managed to hold on for another win. Their streak of coming up big in close games is something to see.

Mark and Chris also bring you the latest on the extensions for Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Those extensions have created a lot of content across the internet but they are music to Bengals’ fans ears. They have been years in the making, and now that they are done, the focus can go to building a more complete team around our trio of offensive stars. But as the guys caution, this is the beginning, not the end, of what the Bengals need to do in order to make it back to the Super Bowl.

Finally, Mark gives us a post-mortem on the UC Bearcats’ basketball season. Now that it’s all over (but the Crown), it’s the perfect time to look at what went wrong, and what Cincinnati can do in a critical year 5 for head coach Wes Miller.

Have a listen and don’t forget to leave your comments and feedback!

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Hey readers… have an opinion about sports? How about a topic you’d like to see written about in Loveland Magazine or a thought about one of our articles?

Just need to vent and get out your frustration about the Reds, Bengals, or any other sports issues?

Feel free to share with an email to lovelandmagazinesports@gmail.com!

We would love to hear from our readers, and we thank you for your support and engagement.

Also, don’t forget to follow us at The Loveland Sports Desk at the below links:

For Facebook, click here.

For X, click here.

For Instagram, click here.

Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.

Mar 21, 2025
New Episode: The Queen City Sports Podcast by Chris Ball & Mark Raines

by Chris Ball

Loveland, Ohio – March Madness is almost here, unfortunately for Chris and Mark, their teams are sputtering. Mark takes us through the Bearcats tough loss against Houston on the road, and then breaks down their back-breaking loss against Kansas State at home. Cincinnati’s NCAA Tournament hopes appear to be just about over after that loss, so Chris and Mark look ahead a bit into the future for Wes Miller (who the Enquirer has confirmed will be back next year) and the Bearcats roster. The Wolverines were in action this past week and lost back to back games against two very good teams in Illinois and Maryland. The Wolverines are anemic from behind the 3-point line and it is really catching up to them as their offense is struggling to keep pace against the elite tournament teams in college basketball.

The guys also explore the big Bengals news of the day: that the team has allowed star defensive end Trey Hendrickson to seek a trade. What does this mean for Cincinnati’s defense, and for the other Bengals seeking long term deals like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins? How did the Bengals get to this point, and what could they have done to avoid it? Mark and Chris answer all these questions and more on this week’s podcast episode.

Have a listen and don’t forget to leave your comments and feedback!

_______________________

Hey readers… have an opinion about sports? How about a topic you’d like to see written about in Loveland Magazine or a thought about one of our articles?

Just need to vent and get out your frustration about the Reds, Bengals, or any other sports issues?

Feel free to share with an email to lovelandmagazinesports@gmail.com!

We would love to hear from our readers, and we thank you for your support and engagement.

Also, don’t forget to follow us at The Loveland Sports Desk at the below links:

For Facebook, click here.

For X, click here.

For Instagram, click here.

Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.

Mar 7, 2025
New Episode: The Queen City Sports Podcast by Chris Ball & Mark Raines

by Chris Ball

Loveland, Ohio – The boys are back and at full strength and Chris and Mark are back together again! March Madness is right around the corner! The Cincinnati Bearcats have just three regular season games to jumpstart their tournament resume. Their matchup against the top-rated Houston Cougars on Saturday provides just the boost that resume needs. In fact, Mark says such a victory might be one of the best in college basketball if Cincinnati can somehow pull it off. And he lays out the keys for that to happen. The guys also discuss just what has gone right for the Bearcats on their latest stretch that culminated in a nice win over Baylor, and just what they have to do to improve their tournament chances.

And you may have felt that warmth in the air this past week. And you know what that means! Spring is right around the corner, and that means that so is Cincinnati Reds baseball. Elly and company are hard at work in Goodyear. He has been tearing the cover off of the ball, as has Matt McLain and several of their teammates. Now is the time where hope springs eternal in baseball circles, and Chris and Mark look deeper into how the Reds have gotten better this offseason, and what they have to do in order to outpace the projections and make a run at the crown in the National League Central Division.

Have a listen and don’t forget to leave your comments and feedback!

_______________________

Hey readers… have an opinion about sports? How about a topic you’d like to see written about in Loveland Magazine or a thought about one of our articles?

Just need to vent and get out your frustration about the Reds, Bengals, or any other sports issues?

Feel free to share with an email to lovelandmagazinesports@gmail.com!

We would love to hear from our readers, and we thank you for your support and engagement.

Also, don’t forget to follow us at The Loveland Sports Desk at the below links:

For Facebook, click here.

For X, click here.

For Instagram, click here.

Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.

Feb 27, 2025
New Episode: The Queen City Sports Podcast by Chris Ball & Mark Raines

by Chris Ball

Loveland, Ohio – This week only 1/2 of the dynamic duo was able to get a recording in, and Chris of course used it to talk about the Cleveland Cavaliers, a topic that doesn’t get mentioned much here in Southwestern Ohio. And it’s really a shame, too, because the Cavaliers are the most recent non-college Ohio team to win a Championship, and they are real contenders to do so again.

Chris explains just what has changed this season to transform Cleveland from a middle of the pack Eastern Conference team into one that is already counted among one of the league’s best. It all starts with the hiring of Kenny Atkinson as head coach. His system and coaching style have this team maximizing its potential. And with General Manager Koby Altman making all the right moves in terms of trades and draft picks, the success isn’t just for the short term.

So have a listen, get your NBA and Cavaliers fix, and very soon Chris and Mark will get down to a deep dive into the upcoming Reds season, as well as what the future holds for the Bearcats on the basketball court. The Wolverines also looked prime to make a good run in the NCAA Tournament, so there will be plenty to discuss in the coming weeks!

Have a listen and don’t forget to leave your comments and feedback!

_______________________

Hey readers… have an opinion about sports? How about a topic you’d like to see written about in Loveland Magazine or a thought about one of our articles?

Just need to vent and get out your frustration about the Reds, Bengals, or any other sports issues?

Feel free to share with an email to lovelandmagazinesports@gmail.com!

We would love to hear from our readers, and we thank you for your support and engagement.

Also, don’t forget to follow us at The Loveland Sports Desk at the below links:

For Facebook, click here.

For X, click here.

For Instagram, click here.

Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.

Feb 21, 2025
New Episode: The Queen City Sports Podcast by Chris Ball & Mark Raines

by Chris Ball

Loveland, Ohio – Don’t look now, but the Bearcats have some life! They’ve won 3 straight games, and scored 84 or more points in each of them. Jizzle James is dominating on offense, and the Cats are getting back to their dominance on the glass. Their offense is playing to its strengths once again, and what seemed like a program on the brink just a short few weeks ago has a pulse, and a realistic chance to make the NCAA Tournament. Mark and Chris talk you through exactly what the numbers look like, and just how Cincinnati has pulled itself back into the hunt. They are still behind the eight ball with very tough tests upcoming against Iowa State, Baylor, and Houston, but there is still hope in the Queen City.

The guys next talk about the Michigan Wolverine’s big home win against the top 10 Purdue Boilermakers, avenging a huge blowout lost a few weeks ago in West Lafayette. Dusty May has transformed a program that won just 8 games last year into one that now sits atop the Big 10. Although the Wolverines turn the ball over far too much, Mark and Chris explain why some of these turnovers are the result of the offense the Wolverines run, and just how efficient they can be if they are cleaned up. Ahead of a big matchup with Ohio State this weekend, Michigan looks to keep the momentum rolling as they climb in the polls.

Finally, the guys bring you a recap of the Super Bowl and a tough loss for the Kansas City Chiefs. Jaylen Hurts answered the call and led the Eagles to victory as Saquon Barkley was relatively quiet. Though Patrick Mahomes had an uncharacteristically poor performance, he surely had no help from his line, running backs, or receivers. In the wake of this loss, Kansas City has plenty of holes to fill, and we will see if they can return to the title game in 2026.

Have a listen and don’t forget to leave your comments and feedback!

In addition, here is the article that Chris and Mark referenced when discussing the Wolverines and their efficient offense, despite having one of the worst turnover rates in college basketball.

_______________________

Hey readers… have an opinion about sports? How about a topic you’d like to see written about in Loveland Magazine or a thought about one of our articles?

Just need to vent and get out your frustration about the Reds, Bengals, or any other sports issues?

Feel free to share with an email to lovelandmagazinesports@gmail.com!

We would love to hear from our readers, and we thank you for your support and engagement.

Also, don’t forget to follow us at The Loveland Sports Desk at the below links:

For Facebook, click here.

For X, click here.

For Instagram, click here.

Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.

Feb 13, 2025
New Episode: The Queen City Sports Podcast by Chris Ball & Mark Raines

by Chris Ball

Loveland, Ohio – Our Super Bowl preview episode is here! Chris and Mark touch on whether Jalen Hurts can win this game on his own if the Chiefs’ run defense shuts down Saquon Barkley. It’s ultimately going to come down to the game’s biggest players, and that means, of course, Patrick Mahomes. The combination of Mahomes and Andy Reed are creating quite a dynasty, and a third straight Super Bowl win will cement them among football’s best franchises.

The guys also get to the week in Bearcats basketball. They skip over a bad loss against West Virginia to recap a much more positive 93-83 win on the road against UCF. The Cats played their game on offense and got some better looks at the basket, which resulted in shooting nearly 60 percent from the field. It was a win the program desperately needed, but it remains to be seen if they can stay on track.

Mark and Chris briefly talk about the Wolverines’ tough win over Oregon, and the difficulty their guards have in creating offense without such high turnover rates. The guys break down the Cavaliers’ huge acquisition of Atlanta Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter and it’s a move both the guys really like. And Joe Burrow has been making the rounds doing media events prior to the Super Bowl, and Chris and Mark bring you just how his comments may impact the Bengals’ offseason plans.

Have a listen and don’t forget to leave your comments and feedback!

And don’t forget, it’s almost time for Reds’ Spring Training! In just a few short weeks the Cincinnati Reds will be taking the field on February 22 for some split squad action. The first broadcast game will be on February 26, so catch it if you can! The Reds open the regular season against the San Francisco Giants on March 27th!

_______________________

Hey readers… have an opinion about sports? How about a topic you’d like to see written about in Loveland Magazine or a thought about one of our articles?

Just need to vent and get out your frustration about the Reds, Bengals, or any other sports issues?

Feel free to share with an email to lovelandmagazinesports@gmail.com!

We would love to hear from our readers, and we thank you for your support and engagement.

Also, don’t forget to follow us at The Loveland Sports Desk at the below links:

For Facebook, click here.

For X, click here.

For Instagram, click here.

Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.

Feb 7, 2025
New Episode: The Queen City Sports Podcast by Chris Ball & Mark Raines

by Chris Ball

Loveland, Ohio – The Cincinnati Bearcats are struggling mightily and are now 2-7 in the Big 12 after a very good start to the season. Mark and Chris do a deep dive on what has gone wrong during this last stretch of very winnable games for the Cats. The problems stem from what we all thought was going to be a huge strength for this team, namely rebounding and hustle. Cincinnati has been outrebounded in their last several games, and it is making it nearly impossible to win, especially when the offense has also struggled. Mark and Chris disucss just what has gone wrong and what it means for the rest of this Bearcats season, and even the prospects for the team going into next year. The guys also get into the NFC and AFC Championship games, and the impact that both Saquon Barkley and Patrick Mahomes had on their teams’ victories. And don’t forget to tune in next week when we preview the Super Bowl matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.

Have a listen and don’t forget to leave your comments and feedback!

_______________________

Hey readers… have an opinion about sports? How about a topic you’d like to see written about in Loveland Magazine or a thought about one of our articles?

Just need to vent and get out your frustration about the Reds, Bengals, or any other sports issues?

Feel free to share with an email to lovelandmagazinesports@gmail.com!

We would love to hear from our readers, and we thank you for your support and engagement.

Also, don’t forget to follow us at The Loveland Sports Desk at the below links:

For Facebook, click here.

For X, click here.

For Instagram, click here.

Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.

Jan 30, 2025
New Episode: The Queen City Sports Podcast by Chris Ball & Mark Raines

by Chris Ball

Loveland, Ohio – Is it time to panic for Bearcat basketball fans? After the loss against Texas Tech this past week, Mark explains exactly why there is still plenty to be positive about for Cincinnati. Make no mistake though, this next stretch of winnable games for the team could very well could decide whether they end up becoming a promising NCAA Tournament team, or whether their season is effectively over. Chris and Mark also give their reactions to Ohio State winning the National Championship and the reflection the Irish defense’s performance had on Bengals fans perceptions of their new hire in defensive coordinator Al Golden. Chris also discusses the Wolverine basketball team’s grueling overtime win against Northwestern and their big matchup with top 15 Purdue on Friday.

Have a listen and don’t forget to leave your comments and feedback!

_______________________

Hey readers… have an opinion about sports? How about a topic you’d like to see written about in Loveland Magazine or a thought about one of our articles?

Just need to vent and get out your frustration about the Reds, Bengals, or any other sports issues?

Feel free to share with an email to lovelandmagazinesports@gmail.com!

We would love to hear from our readers, and we thank you for your support and engagement.

Also, don’t forget to follow us at The Loveland Sports Desk at the below links:

For Facebook, click here.

For X, click here.

For Instagram, click here.

Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.

Jan 23, 2025
New Episode: The Queen City Sports Podcast by Chris Ball & Mark Raines

by Chris Ball

Loveland, Ohio – The Bearcats got their first conference win on Wednesday night and Mark is here to break down how they did it. The Bearcats’ offensive struggles are still an issue and he and Chris discuss which Bearcat player is the catalyst for turning it all around. It’s also going to be a crucial stretch for Cincinnati in their next run of winnable games, in Mark’s opinion they have to take advantage in order to improve their resume before the NCAA Tournament field is announced in the coming weeks. For his part, it was a rough Thursday night sports-wise for Chris, as the Thunder blew out the Cavaliers and Michigan had an ugly loss on the road to a determined Minesota team. But Mark was able to talk him off of the ledge and the guys discuss how both teams can learn from these losses and how they don’t mean the sky is falling for either team. The guys also touch on the upcoming championship matchup between Ohio State and Notre Dame, and why they feel the game will be closer than most of the pundits are predicting.

Have a listen and don’t forget to leave your comments and feedback!

_______________________

Hey readers… have an opinion about sports? How about a topic you’d like to see written about in Loveland Magazine or a thought about one of our articles?

Just need to vent and get out your frustration about the Reds, Bengals, or any other sports issues?

Feel free to share with an email to lovelandmagazinesports@gmail.com!

We would love to hear from our readers, and we thank you for your support and engagement.

Also, don’t forget to follow us at The Loveland Sports Desk at the below links:

For Facebook, click here.

For X, click here.

For Instagram, click here.

Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.

Jan 16, 2025
Loveland Football Finds a New Head Coach in Bob Mullins

by Chris Ball

Loveland, Ohio – For the Loveland Tigers Football Team, last season was a learning experience to be sure. Under the stewardship of interim head coach Brian Damewood, Loveland finished 3-7. They posted wins against Turpin, Walnut Hills and Little Miami by a combined score of 99-16. Numerous players, including Brady Stidham, Max Carver, Kole Dahlke, Dylan Hacker, Sawyer Muchmore, and Luke Kline were named as 2024 Cincinnati Enquirer Football All-Stars for Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

By all accounts the 2024 season was a very positive effort that demonstrated that good things are on the horizon for this team.

WCPO is reporting yet another bright spot for next season. According to their reporting, the Tigers have named Bob Mullins as its head football coach, pending Loveland Board of Education approval. By way of background, “Mullins was the Monroe coach for five seasons (2019 to 2023) where he led the Hornets to two playoff wins. He led Monroe to a Southwestern Buckeye League East division co-championship in 2021.”

Very excited to announce Bob Mullins as the next Head Football Coach of the Loveland Tigers. Big things happening on a Tiger Trail! @Loveland_AsstAD @LovelandTigers @LABTigers pic.twitter.com/Q13thWqAoe

— Jayson Bruce (@LHSTigerAD) January 13, 2025

This is a great hire for Loveland football. Coach Mullins’ resume is impressive and extensive. He has postseason experience and appears to be poised to help this team take the next steps to get this great program to the next level of continued to success in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference.

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Hey readers… have an opinion about sports? How about a topic you’d like to see written about in Loveland Magazine or a thought about one of our articles?

Just need to vent and get out your frustration about the Reds, Bengals, or any other sports issues?

Feel free to share with an email to lovelandmagazinesports@gmail.com!

We would love to hear from our readers, and we thank you for your support and engagement.

Also, don’t forget to follow us at The Loveland Sports Desk at the below links:

For Facebook, click here.

For X, click here.

For Instagram, click here.

Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.

Jan 14, 2025