Photo via USA Today/Cards Wire

Arizona Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu recently hosted the inaugural Night of Aces, presented by Comerica Bank and Valley Toyota Dealers, at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Phoenix. The event, which raised $190,000, including a $50,000 donation from Mathieu, a U.S. National Team alum, benefited the Tyrann Mathieu Foundation, whose mission is to impact in the lives of financially disadvantaged youth through encouragement, opportunities and resources.

So thankful for everyone who is supporting @TM32_Foundation. We raised a ton of money tonight & it's so much more in store . Thank you! pic.twitter.com/ACIZLWxnvu

— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) October 3, 2017

Cardinals teammates Larry Fitzgerald and Patrick Peterson, along with 200 guests and donors, joined Mathieu.

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Homecoming surprise

U.S. Army Specialist Michael Torres was released from duty three weeks early following nine months in Iraq, and his family got a big surprise at Sunday's Miami Dolphins home game:

Welcome home, Specialist Michael Torres!! pic.twitter.com/e6yEHZrY7h

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) October 8, 2017

High scoring Friday night in Kentucky

Photo via Alex Slitz/Herald-Leader

Josh Moore of the Lexington Herald-Leader reports 23 Kentucky high school football teams scored at least 50 points on Friday,  22 of which won their games.

Ballard Memorial defeated Crittenden County, 74-70. The Bombers won their second straight game after starting the season 0-5. They scored 66 points last week.

Lexington Catholic and Western Hills combined for more than 1,000 yards in a 71-49 final. Ashland Blazer (71-0 at East Carter) also hit the 70-point mark.

South Carolina prep coach lives childhood dream

Lou Bezjak of the The State says Spring Valley football coach Robin Bacon, an avid wrestling fan, stepped into the squared circle as part of the Palmetto Championship Wrestling event at the school in Columbia on Sunday. 

@CoachRobinBacon getting involved in PCW championship match. pic.twitter.com/o6if1cdCUI

— Chris Dearing (@CDearing82) October 8, 2017

Bacon, whose team improved to 7-0 on Friday, was the special enforcer in the title match between Shea Shea McGrady and James Drake. He had a hand in the outcome, as he took the belt away from Drake and then as acted as the referee with the 1-2-3 count to end it.

“It was one of the bucket list things since I was 4 years old,” Bacon said. “I’m glad to be a part of it. It was a great fundraiser for Spring Valley.”

Connecticut youth league dedicates goal post, award to former coach/player

Martha Shanahan of The Day reports Waterford Youth Football dedicated one of its goal posts to Deion Pittman, a Waterford High School graduate who was killed in March when the driver of a stolen truck collided with the vehicle in which he was a passenger.

In 2008, Pittman kicked a game-winning field goal through the uprights of the goal posts. Pittman, who returned as a coach after high school, will also be remembered in an annual award given in his honor to a young player.

After the tragedy earlier this year, Pittman's parents, Michael and Taeza, received regular visits from Waterford football families.

"It's a whole lot more than wins and losses," Taeza said. "It's family."

 

Photo via Sarah Gordon/The Day

Michael Pittman said it's a fitting tribute to their son.

"He just loved being here, when he played and when he coached," he said.