Eckel

The cherished Commander in Chief's Trophy is still resting in another case. Tonight, when the two bitter rivals collide at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., Air Force (2-2) is bent on returning it to more familiar territory while Navy (4-0) is just as determined to make Annapolis its permanent station. Both schools still have to deal with rebuilding Army in the football series among the three major service academies, but this is the game that will probably decide the destination of the trophy named in honor of the nation's president.

The two primary units rescued Navy's ineffective kicking game from a potentially disastrous performance yesterday as the Midshipmen remained unbeaten by staving off Vanderbilt, 29-26, at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Senior co-captains Aaron Polanco and Josh Smith were particularly instrumental in Navy's fourth straight victory in a seesaw game witnessed by 32,809, who also saw the Mids' Eric Roberts become the first in school history to eclipse 1,000 yards in both rushing and receiving.

Minutes after losing to Notre Dame last week, Navy linebacker Eddie Carthan stood in front of the media and spoke from the heart. "This hurts because we had a chance to make history," Carthan said of Navy's 30-23 loss. "Everyone would have looked at us differently. Right now, people are saying, `Navy might be good.' But after a week they'll have forgotten about this game." A week has passed, and it turns out Carthan was right. Many have forgotten Navy's heroic effort against the highly favored Irish.

The advantages Notre Dame has entering today's game against Navy at Ravens Stadium are numerous. The No. 9 Irish are faster, stronger, bigger and more talented. They have played in big games, in front of enormous crowds, and won. Notre Dame simply has a better football team, and it would be nearly impossible to argue otherwise. Of course, no Notre Dame recruit ever lay awake at night, staring at the ceiling, dreaming of scoring the winning touchdown against Navy. For every Midshipmen, this isn't just the season's biggest test, it's the chance of a lifetime.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Navy football team didn't have many options to go to late in yesterday's game against Vanderbilt. Fortunately for the Midshipmen, they did have the option. Navy defeated the Commodores, 37-27, using its unique triple option to take control not only offensively, but also keeping the Vanderbilt offense on the sideline and averting any chance for a late comeback. Navy improved to 4-2, its best start since 1996, when it went 9-3 and defeated California in the Aloha Bowl.

On October 1, 2005 NORMA LURENE ECKELS; dear sister of the late Warren Henry Eckels; loving sister-in-law of Annabelle Eckels; dear aunt of Karen Scharer and Nancy Eckels; loving cousin of Dorothy Powell, Albert Becker, Janet Meckley, Jean Murphy, Gene Houseal, Richard Eckels, Phillip Eckels and Lowell Cave. Friends may call at the family owned Leonard J. Ruck, Inc., Funeral Home, 5305 Harford Road, (at Echodale), on Friday 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. A Funeral Service will be held at Zion United Church of Christ, 8701 Cottington Rd., on Saturday 10 A.M. Interment Parkwood Cemetery.

On Tuesday, June 7, 2005, KENNETH C. ECKELS, age 48, beloved companion of Christine Bell, devoted father of Jennifer Merritt, Meghan and Katie Eckels, loving son of Connie and Norman L. Eckels, Sr, brother of Norman L. Eckels, Jr., Susan Yori, Donald Eckels and Richard Eckels; also survived by five grandchildren. Friends may call at the family owned Peaceful Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Center P.A., 2325 York Rd, Timonium, on Saturday, June 11, from 1 to 2:30 P.M., with a Memorial Service beginning at 2:30 P.M. Interment private.