NFL Combine Risers

March 16, 2026 by Gavin Kruger

The NFL combine is a huge part of how scout teams around the league assess draft prospects. The combine is not just about 40-yard dashes and vertical jumps, but also about the time for teams and coaches to interview players and get a glimpse of their character and personalities. Though I do not have insider info on how teams felt about specific interviews, I can give you the rundown of the combine. Here are the post-NFL-combine draft risers:

Risers:

Eli Stowers – TE – Vanderbilt

Photo via usatoday.com.

Stowers set a new vertical jump record at this year’s combine, with a 45.5-inch vertical. For context, Stowers can jump higher than Vince Carter, Ja Morant, and Cristiano Ronaldo. In addition to setting a combine record, Stowers also set a new Broad jump record for tight ends by jumping 11 feet and 3 inches. Besides his record-setting numbers, Stowers also clocked a 4.51 40-time, which ranked 2nd amongst all tight ends, and is an elite time for a man of his size. Before the combine, the Vanderbilt prospect was projected as a possible late-day 2 pick, but was more of a day 3 selection. Now, after testing off the charts, there is a high chance he ends up going on day 2, in the second round.

Taylen Green – QB – Arkansas

Photo via nypost.com.

The Arkansas quarterback, who has not been touted as a top prospect to this point, just put up the best testing numbers that we have seen from any quarterback at the combine. Starting with the 40-yard dash, Green ran a 4.36. A 4.36 is what you expect from top-end running backs and wide receivers – not quarterbacks. Green’s 40 time is the second-best all-time for a QB at the combine. Green set a new combine record for quarterbacks in both vertical and broad jumps with a 43.5-inch jump and an 11″ 2 broad. Again, I must reiterate that these numbers are unheard of for QBs; it is also important to note that he put up these numbers as a 6’6″, 230-pound man. While he tested well, the Arkansas signal caller’s footwork and throwing mechanics have been questioned by scouts and analysts, and he is viewed as a developmental quarterback. That said, Green has just made himself a lot of money, and his draft stock has certainly gone up.

Sonny Styles – LB – Ohio State

Photo via theathletic.com.

Styles entered the combine as the #2 linebacker on most expert boards. Arvell Reese held the top spot as the top-ranked linebacker, and though Styles has not necessarily leapfrogged.

Reese, there is a realistic possibility that he is the first linebacker off the board. Here is where styles ranked among linebackers in testing: 40 yd dash – 1^st. Vertical – 1^st. Broad – 1^st. 3 cone – 6^th. Shuttle – 5^th. Styles has been gaining popularity as the off-season has progressed, and his draft stock is going to continue rising after testing as well. I would not be shocked if he went in the top 5 picks.

Deion Burks – WR – Oklahoma

Photo via tech.yahoo.com.

Burks put up good numbers in Oklahoma and would be ranked much higher as a prospect if it were not for his size. Burks, who is listed at 5’9 “and 180, is not the frame GMs are looking for. However, his combined numbers have alleviated much of the worry about his small stature. Burks had an athleticism score of 93, which ranks second among all receivers in the draft. He highlighted this past weekend by putting up the 2^nd best bench press by a receiver in combine history, notching 26 reps. On top of this incredible show of strength, the Oklahoma wide receiver ran a 4.3 40 – 3^rd best of receivers; best among receivers in the vertical jump – 42.5 inches; and 4^th best among his position in the broad jump. Burks’ draft stock has risen significantly, and we may now see him go on day 2 of the draft.

Filed Under: Opinion, Sports

Team USA Challenges Canada’s Dominance in Men’s Ice Hockey

March 16, 2026 by Casey Morrissey

Team USA poses for after winning the men’s gold-medal hockey match between Canada and the United States on February 22, 2026, in Milan, Italy.(Monika Majer / Getty Images)

For generations, Canada has been known as the best hockey country in the world. With more championships, more NHL players, and a stronger hockey culture, Canada has traditionally dominated international competition. However, recent results and trends show that the United States is quickly catching up and becoming an equal rival.

One of the biggest signs of this shift came at the 2026 Winter Olympics, when Team USA defeated Canada 2–1 in overtime to win the gold medal. This historic victory showed that the United States can compete with and beat Canada on the biggest stage. Canada still leads the overall Olympic head-to-head record, but wins like this prove the gap between the two countries is narrowing.

Another major reason for the United States’ improvement is the growth of youth hockey. For the first time, the U.S. has more registered youth hockey players than Canada, with nearly 388,000 players compared to Canada’s 360,000. This increase, especially among younger players and girls, shows that hockey is growing faster in the United States than in Canada.

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 22: Jack Hughes #86 of Team United States celebrates with teammates after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime during the Men’s Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. Bruce Bennett/Getty Images Europe

The United States is also producing more NHL players than ever before. While Canada still has the most NHL players, the U.S. ranks second and continues to grow each year. This rise shows that American development programs are producing elite talent capable of competing at the highest level.

Canada is still one of the strongest hockey nations, but the United States is no longer far behind. With more young players, stronger development systems, and major international wins, Team USA is proving that it belongs among the best. The rivalry between the two countries is closer than ever, and the future of American hockey looks very bright.

Filed Under: Opinion, Sports

Real World on Film: Sicario: Day of the Soldado

February 26, 2026 by Casey Morrissey

Over the February mini-break, my teammates and I had some free time and watched a movie called Sicario. Watching the film led me to investigate how accurately movies portray real-world topics. The story focuses on law enforcement efforts and border activity, which are also connected to real government agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement. I also watched the sequel, Sicario: Day of the Soldado, which includes scenes involving border crossings from Mexico into the United States. This made me think of modern-day topics such as ICE and border control controversies.

As I watched the films, I noticed how the cartel system and law enforcement operations were portrayed. The movies showed how different groups interact and how organized these operations appear to be. Because the films are presented in a realistic style, they raise questions about how closely movie portrayals match real-world situations.

A scene from “Sicario: Day of the Soldado.” Black Label Media and Thunder Road Pictures.

Movies often include real locations, agencies, and scenarios, which can make them seem accurate. At the same time, films are produced to tell a story, and certain elements may be simplified or emphasized for storytelling purposes. Comparing movie portrayals with real information can help provide a clearer understanding of the topic.

Watching Sicario made me realize that movies can help people become interested in real-world issues, but they should not be the only source of information. While films can reflect parts of reality, it is important to do research and learn from reliable sources to fully understand what is happening in the world. It is definitely eye-opening to see how bad things can get.

Filed Under: Opinion, Real World

The Best Burgers in Lake Placid

February 21, 2026 by Cody Betsch

Hi, and welcome back to another Lake Placid Burger Review. Unfortunately, this will be the final review of the series. Today, Parker and I sat down and talked about everything: price, flavor, quality, etc. We have come to our conclusions on the best burger spots in Lake Placid. We are sad to be finishing up this super fun project, but we’ve enjoyed sharing our honest opinions with the Northwood and Lake Placid communities. Here we go…

For our top 5 best overall rankings, we have:

Noon Mark’s burger and fries. Photo: Parker Thompson ’26.

These burger spots are an absolute must if you are looking for a great burger in Lake Placid. These cover a variety of different burger types, from gourmet to smash burgers. Although some of these can be a little pricier, the quality and flavor of all of these burgers are impressive, to say the least. However, one burger was the consensus number one. That burger was Noon Mark’s. For the flavor, toppings, quality, and price, this is a must-get burger in Lake Placid.

For the cheaper options, we have Lisa G’s, Noon Mark Burger and Pie Joint, McDonald’s, Stewart’s, and for Northwood students, the Northwood Burger. Obviously, McDonald’s and Stewarts are a bit of a step down compared to most of the burgers on this list; that being said, they are by far the cheapest, coming in at under $5 each. These are great options if you are looking for a quick snack after practice or work.

Now, moving on to the restaurants. I’ve already mentioned Noon Mark, so I’m going to talk about another great burger, Lisa G’s Leburgermeister. This burger is great, coming in at just $13. The flavor and quality are unbelievable. When it comes to a cheap option for burgers in Lake Placid, you cannot beat Lisa G’s.

Sadly, all good things must come to an end. Parker and I hope you enjoyed our series and that this will influence your decisions next time you want a good burger. It’s been a pleasure!

Final Burger Ratings (in alphabetical order):

Big Slide: 7.8, 7.9, 8.3
Dancing Bears: 8.2, 8.6
Generations: 8.3
Lake Placid Pub: 8.2, 8.4
Lisa G’s: 8.2, 8.5
McDonald’s: 5.0
Noon Mark: 9.0, 8.2
Northwood Burger- 7.2, 7.5
Pickled Pig: 8.3, 7
Players: 8.9, 8.8
Stewarts: 6, 6.7
White Bear: 6.8
Wise Guys: 7, 8.4

Filed Under: Opinion, Top Story

NFL Free Agency Outlook

February 13, 2026 by Gavin Kruger

Image: Steelers/NFL.

The NFL has one of the longest off-seasons of any sport in the world; it lasts 5 months. The new league year officially begins in mid-March, just after free agency opens; training camps take place throughout the summer, pre-season games take place in August, and the new season begins within the first week of September.

The offseason is long, but the first few months are always exciting. Fans look forward to what their team will do in free agency and the draft; some even go so far as to create their own off-season plans and mock drafts. Today’s article will focus on the Kansas City Chiefs’ outlook and what I think they could do in free agency.

Salary cap maneuvering

Before getting to free agency, Kansas City has some serious cap navigation to do. They currently have –57 million in cap room and must find ways to shed that 57 million before the new league year. Here is a mock scenario of how the Chiefs can create cap space going into free agency:

Release Right Tackle Jawaan Taylor – Cap savings: 20 million

The Chiefs signed Taylor in free agency a few years ago to what was a big contract at the time. He hasn’t lived up to the contract the Chiefs gave him, and even if he had played well for them, he would likely still be released.

Release EDGE Mike Danna – Cap savings: 9 million.

Danna has played well for KC and gives veteran experience on the defense. However, he is not a true starter and is expendable. Releasing Danna saves a lot of money and is a logical move.

Restructure C Creed Humphrey – Cap savings: 10 million

Another way of creating cap space is to restructure contracts. Restructuring is done by converting a player’s base salary to a signing bonus and then spreading that signing bonus across the remainder of the contract. Doing this lowers the cap hit for the current year but at a cost of a slightly higher cap number in future years. Restructuring Humphrey would see his 2026 cap number drop from 18 million to just over 7 million.

Release LB Drue Tranquill – Cap savings: 5 million

Tranquill is in the same boat as Danna, as a player who has been valuable to the Chiefs but is expendable, and there are ways to replenish the linebacker room in the draft.

Restructure QB Patrick Mahomes – Cap savings: 43 million.

Restructuring Mahomes’ contract is something KC has done a few times now. Since his contract is so long, they can continue to kick the can down the road and save money upfront. This is a move I could see them not doing, because continuously restructuring his contract increases his cap hit in later years – in other words, they will pay a higher price later.

UPDATED SALARY CAP: 28,309,131 million

Through releasing 3 players and restructuring 2 contracts, Kansas City would be able to shed 85 million in cap space. I do not believe this is the most likely scenario, but it is a viable one.

Free agency: based on current needs

Re-sign LB Leo Chenal to 3 years, 34 million

Leo Chenal. Photo: on3.com.

Chenal has been an instrumental piece for the Chiefs, and they should try to keep him.

Re-sign TE Travis Kelce to 1-year, 1.3 million

Travis Kelce. Photo via givemesport.com.

Kelce looks to be coming back for one last hoorah and will be willing to take a minimum deal for the team.

Re-sign WR/PR Tyquan Thornton to 1-year, 2.9 million

Tyquan Thornton. Photo: nflanalysis.net.

Thornton is a good depth piece at receiver while being a great kick and punt returner.

Sign CB Noah Igbinoghene to 2 years, 9 million

Noah Igbinoghene. Photo: msn.com.

Igbinoghene had a solid season for the Commanders and is a good run-stopper and tackler who contributes to a diverse Corner room.

Sign RB Tyler Allgeier to 1-year, 2.5 million

Tyler Allgeier. Photo: thefantasyfootballers.com.

Allgeier has shown the ability to be a suitable RB2 and effective in short-yardage situations. The Chiefs need to fill out their RB room, and Allgeier can add depth.

Extend CB Trent McDuffie to 4 years, 96 million

Trent McDuffie. Photo: atozsports.com.

Even though he is coming off a down year, McDuffie is one of the best players on this Chiefs’ defense, and it would make sense to retain a top-10 corner in the league.

Sign LB Alex Anzalone to 2 years, 14 million

Alex Anzalone. Photo: athlonsports.com.

Anzalone has been a great veteran presence for the Lions and possesses strong leadership. If the Chiefs are to release Drue Tranquill, they need to add someone to their linebacker room; Anzalone could be an option.

Remaining cap space: 16 million

The Chiefs will certainly have to make more moves to fill out their roster than what I’ve listed, but that was a mock scenario of positions they need to fill and profiles of players that they could sign.

Filed Under: Opinion, Sports

Go-To Gas Station Snacks: Parker Borden ‘27

February 12, 2026 by Gavin Kruger

Parker Borden ’27. Photo by Michael Aldridge.

In this inaugural edition of Northwood “Go-To Gas Station Snacks.” I felt that it was only right for the following guest to be the first: he is a good friend of mine, and somewhat of a snack connoisseur, Parker Borden ’27. Before I dive into his order, Borden mentioned that this is not his “dream order,” but his typical order, consisting of items that he can reliably find at any gas station.

Without further ado, here is Parker Borden’s gas station order:

Airhead Xtreme Sours
Honey Roasted Cashews
Body Armor

Strengths: Balanced, satisfies cravings, and cohesive.

At first glance, the order touches all the bases: the airheads take care of any sugar cravings, the cashews give you that savory balance to counter the sweet candy, and Body Armor is an all-around healthy drink to hydrate for athletic weekends. This is this order’s biggest strength: It takes care of the three types of cravings – sweet, savory, and thirst.

Summary: I really enjoyed this order. The airheads were sour but weren’t overwhelming, and they tasted great. Surprisingly, I would say the cashews were the best part of the order; they are healthy, and the honey-roasted flavor really hit the mark. Body Armor was a really smart choice for a drink. It was not so flavorful that it overwhelmed your taste buds; rather, it served as a thirst-quenching option that complemented the snacks without being overpowering.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Opinion, People

Burger Review: The Dancing Bears

February 12, 2026 by Cody Betsch

The Dancing Bears. Photo provided.

Hi, and welcome back to another Lake Placid Burger Review! This series is winding down, and we only have a few restaurants left! In this series, Parker Thompson and I, Cody Betsch, review all of the burger spots in Lake Placid and give completely honest reviews. Today, Parker and I will take on The Dancing Bears. The Dancing Bears has already been reviewed by a Northwood Alum, Mithcell Baker ’24, who said it was “the best burger in town.” Parker and I will be the judges of that, as we have tried almost every burger Lake Placid has to offer.

There are many options for burgers on the menu, but we went with the most basic one. The Classic Burger, priced at $19, features an 8oz patty, cheese, tomato, and onion, all served on a brioche bun. French fries come on the side.

The Dancing Bears burger. Photo provided.

This restaurant was by far the fanciest restaurant we had been to, and I think that the presentation of the burger shows that well. This burger is super juicy and feels really gourmet compared to many in town. It is flavorful and filling as well. Parker Thompson had high praise for this burger. “The burger is really good, the bun complements the flavors very well, and you can tell that it’s a high-quality burger”. I think Parker nailed it with this quote. It just feels really high quality. In my opinion, this would be a great spot for fancier occasions. The setting and the restaurant’s look made me feel like I was at a very fancy spot. The burger was great, and the price is pretty standard for Lake Placid. For these reasons, I gave the burger 8.2 out of 10, and Parker gave it 8.6.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Opinion Tagged With: BurgerReview

They Train Like Olympians. They Compete Like Olympians. They Aren’t Allowed to Be Olympians.

February 4, 2026 by Jack Kroll

The Olympic Dream, Denied: Women and Nordic Combined.

The International Olympic Committee has dubbed the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics the most gender-equal Winter Olympics in history, with women’s competitors making up 47% of the field. This figure is the result of decades of advocacy by athletes and fans pushing for equal opportunity across genders; however, the IOC still refuses to give the women of Nordic Combined their opportunity.

Nordic Combined is a sport combining ski jumping and cross-country skiing. It is one of the original Olympic sports and has been contested at every Winter Olympic Games—but only for men.

In the last decade, women’s Nordic Combined has grown rapidly, with the addition of the World Cup in 2020, which was won by Vermont native Tara Geraghty-Moats, and the addition of a large hill event in March 2025. Despite this progress, one stage still excludes women: the Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee cites a lack of diversity on the World Cup podium, a lack of viewership, and a lack of development in the sport as reasons the women’s event is not included.

Here are the facts. So far, athletes from five separate nations have stood on the podium in the 2025–2026 World Cup season. This includes American athletes Alexa Brabec and Tara Geraghty-Moats. As for viewership, during the 2024–2025 World Cup season, viewership of women’s Nordic Combined events grew by 25%.

The lack of growth in the sport is directly tied to its absence from the Olympics. Every young athlete shares the same dream: to become an Olympian. When a young girl is choosing a sport, she isn’t going to choose the one in which she is denied the chance to fulfill that dream. Additionally, by excluding women from competing in Nordic Combined, the IOC is failing to uphold one of the goals laid out in its charter. Founder Pierre de Coubertin stated, “The Olympic Games are open to all the world. No discrimination is allowed.”

This is not a new story. Since the very first Winter Olympics, certain sports and events have been open only to men. Over the course of a century, athletes and fans pushed back. Eventually, only two holdouts remained: ski jumping and Nordic Combined. In 2014, women’s ski jumping was added to the Winter Olympics, leaving Nordic Combined as the Winter Olympics’ last holdout.

Now it is time for us—the athletes, the fans, and everyone who believes in the Olympic dream—to speak up. Every year without women’s Nordic Combined at the Olympics sends a clear message to young girls watching from the sidelines: this dream is not for you. That message contradicts everything the Olympics claim to represent. Equality cannot be selective. Opportunity cannot be conditional. The women of Nordic Combined have earned their place.

NO E❌CEPTION Campaign Poster by Jack Kroll and Nordic Combined USA.

History will not remember the excuses used to delay equality; it will remember who stood in the way of it. The Olympics pride themselves on progress. It’s time they prove it. No more waiting. No more excuses. No exception.

What Can You Do?

Change does not happen quietly. A petition supporting the inclusion of women’s Nordic Combined in the Olympic Games is linked here for readers who want to add their voice. Fans can also support the sport by tuning in to men’s Nordic Combined at the Olympics. Strong viewership of the men’s event increases the likelihood that the IOC will add the women’s event. Here’s where and when to watch men’s Nordic Combined at the Olympics.

Sign the Petition to Include Women’s Nordic Combined in the Olympic Games!

Where and When to Watch.

Filed Under: Opinion, Real World, Sports, Top Story

Burger Review: White Bear Restaurant

February 3, 2026 by Parker Thompson

Welcome back to another episode of Lake Placid Burger Reviews, where Cody Betsch ‘26 and I rate burgers in town on a scale of 1-10. This week, Cody and I will be splitting up and hitting our own spots. He will be going to Lisa G’s while I go out and try the burger at White Bear restaurant.

The White Bear Restaurant. Photo by Parker Thompson ’26.

I ordered the White Bear burger, which comes with French fries and costs $24. Overall, the burger tasted good, had a little juice, and had a good bun. To be honest, the fries were just alright, nothing special that is going to make this burger a top one. But to be fair, the restaurant had good service; it wasn’t too busy, and the food didn’t take too long. Also, this place is more of an Italian/seafood place. Overall, I would not say that I loved it, but I did like it. So for that, I am going to give this a 6.8 out of 10. As I said, it’s not my favorite burger, but it was not bad by any means. There are definitely better spots in town to go get yourself a nice burger.

The burger and fries at White Bear Restaurant. Photo: Google Reviews.

Thank you for reading my personal review of this week’s burger. I can’t wait for the next burger I get to eat, and I’m even more excited to review it and share my opinion and rating.

Filed Under: Opinion

Burger Review: Stewart’s Shops

February 1, 2026 by Cody Betsch

Welcome back to another Lake Placid Burger Review, where Parker Thompson ’26 and I give honest ratings on the burger spots in Lake Placid. We take into consideration flavor, price, and quality. On the menu today, we have an Upstate New York staple, Stewart’s Shops. Stewart’s is a very popular spot in the Northwood community, and as we all know, it has amazing ice cream. So today, we’re reviewing the burger to see about a potential hidden gem.

The Stewart’s Shops in Lake Placid near the Olympic Center. Photo provided.

The burgers are often sold in a 2-for-$6 deal. It comes with just a patty, bun, and cheese; however, it has 23 grams of protein per burger. This makes it a great meal to grab if you want a cheap way to get in your protein. Now for the review, “You know, for the price, and it being a gas station burger, this is really good. It’s a little flat, but the burger tastes great,” said Thompson. We both got to eat one for only 6 dollars, and it tastes good. You can’t really beat that. This makes Stewart’s burgers almost cheaper than McDonald’s, and they taste better, in my opinion.

Stewart’s Shops cheeseburgers. Photo by Cody Betsch ’26.

Overall, Stewart’s burger is a step below the others on this list. However, given the price and protein content, this is a pretty good option. For my rating, 6 flat. Parker’s rating was a 6.7.