
Week 2 of Operation Football Delivers Thrilling Upsets and Close Contests
Week 2 of Operation Football saw top‑ranked Notre Dame edge Kaukauna in a one‑score game, while rivalries and close contests defined the action across the region.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Amherst across Football, Soccer, Basketball.

Week 2 of Operation Football saw top‑ranked Notre Dame edge Kaukauna in a one‑score game, while rivalries and close contests defined the action across the region.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst football program is entering a pivotal moment as it prepares for its season‑opening clash with Rutgers on September 3. After a dismal 2025 campaign that left the Minutemen among the nation’s most ineffective offenses, the team has appointed Max Warner as its new offensive coordinator, tasking him with rebuilding an attack that struggled to move the ball.

Max Warner takes the reins of the UMass offense, bringing a new philosophy and fiery leadership that players say could finally break years of futility.

The Huskies host the Minutemen on Aug. 23, aiming to extend a five‑match unbeaten streak while key attackers and a steadying goalkeeper prepare for fresh challenges.

The Gibbon Buffaloes are shifting from Class C2 to Class D1 for the 2026 campaign, hoping to bounce back from a tough previous season. Led by seventh‑year head coach Steve Yockey, the team blends underclassmen talent with senior leadership, targeting a schedule that includes a homecoming showdown and a 44‑mile road trip to Arcadia‑Loup City.

Akbar Waheed III, a highly touted guard from Georgetown Prep, is set to debut for the Bonnies with a blend of basketball IQ, adaptability, and a family tradition that extends to the coaching staff.

In the 1990s the University of Massachusetts transformed from a mid‑major program into a national contender, reaching the 1996 Final Four before a cascade of sanctions and coaching turnover erased its momentum.
Fifteen‑year‑old Chase Johnston, a hockey standout from Fergus Falls, earned a spot at the USA Hockey 15U National Development Camp after a six‑phase selection process, showcasing both his talent and relentless work ethic.

The River Hawks reveal a 15‑match slate that blends home advantage with a tough non‑conference slate, aiming to build on a breakthrough 2025 campaign.

The intertwined histories of soccer and baseball reveal how immigrant communities built the foundation of American sport, leading to the diverse composition of the U.S. Men’s National Team and its historic 2026 World Cup achievement.

Nine softball teams, including Marshfield and SPASH, advance to sectional finals, while Auburndale shocks Wittenberg-Birnamwood in baseball and D.C. Everest prepares for a Hudson clash in soccer.