KYLE HIGHTOWER Sports Writer, Author at The Rapid City Post

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) forces a fumble against New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) at the NFL Super Bowl 60 game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, February 8, 2026. (Adam Hunger/AP Content Services for the NFL)

Patriots’ Maye turns ball over 3 times while hounded by Seahawks’ defense in Super Bowl loss

February 8, 2026

Drake Maye was a dependable and steadying force for the New England Patriots this season. The second-year quarterback never got the chance to be that when his team needed him most in the Super Bowl. Maye was the NFL’s most accurate passer during the regular season and finished second in MVP voting. But he was hounded by the Seahawks’ pass rush throughout. Maye threw two touchdown passes, but was sacked six times, threw two interceptions and lost a fumble that Seattle turned into another touchdown in New England’s 29-13 loss. It was a tough end to a playoff run that had the Patriots eyeing their seventh Lombardi Trophy.

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye watches teammates during an NFL football availability, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Patriots QB Drake Maye misses practice with illness, the latest hiccup to Super Bowl preparations

January 30, 2026

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is dealing with an illness and did not practice on Friday, the latest wrinkle in the quarterback’s preparations for the Super Bowl matchup with the Seattle Seahawks. It came a day after Maye was a limited participant in practice with a shoulder injury. Coach Mike Vrabel says both issues kept of him off the field Friday. Maye was at the team facility and able to participate in team meetings. The coach says Maye responded favorable after Thursday’s practice in which he did some throwing and would have practiced Friday if not for the illness.

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft watches warm ups prior to the AFC Championship NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Patriots’ Robert Kraft says Bill Belichick unequivocally deserves to be first-ballot Hall of Famer

January 28, 2026

Count New England Patriots team owner Robert Kraft among those shocked that Bill Belichick reportedly will not be selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. In a statement to The Associated Press, Kraft said he believes Belichick’s accomplishments unequivocally merit election to the Hall on his first ballot. Citing unidentified sources, ESPN reported Tuesday that Belichick didn’t receive the necessary 40 votes from the 50-person panel of media members and other Hall of Famers. Tom Brady, who played under Belichick for 20 seasons and won six Super Bowl titles together, called that decision “completely ridiculous.”

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) passes against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Maye throws 3 TD passes, Stroud has 4 INTs as Patriots top Texans 28-16 to advance to AFC title game

January 18, 2026

Drake Maye threw three touchdown passes, Marcus Jones returned one of C.J. Stroud’s four interceptions for a TD and the New England Patriots defeated the Houston Texans 28-16 to advance to the AFC championship game for the first time in seven years. Their last was during their run to their sixth Super Bowl title in the 2018 season. New England has won its last nine divisional round games. Maye finished 16 of 27 for 179 yards, but had an interception and fumbled four times, losing two. The eight combined turnovers were the most in a playoff game since 2015. The Texans have lost in the divisional round in three straight seasons under coach DeMeco Ryans.

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) avoids a tackle by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack (52) in the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Maye throws late TD pass and Patriots’ defense roughs up Herbert, Chargers in 16-3 playoff win

January 11, 2026

Drake Maye threw a touchdown pass to Hunter Henry in the fourth quarter, and New England’s defense roughed up Justin Herbert as the Patriots beat the Los Angeles Chargers 16-3 in an AFC wild-card playoff game. Andy Borregales kicked three field goals for the Patriots, who won a playoff game for the first time since their Super Bowl victory to cap the 2018 season. They’ll host the winner of Monday night’s game between Pittsburgh and Houston in the divisional round. New England held the Chargers to 207 yards of offense and sacked Herbert six times.

New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) runs against the New York Jets during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Patriots face Dolphins as legal cases for Diggs, Barmore cast cloud over pursuit of AFC’s top seed

January 2, 2026

Keeping focus on the field has been more difficult for New England Patriots, who have much to play for in their regular-season finale against the Miami Dolphins. It’s been a challenge after legal cases against receiver Stefon Diggs and defensive lineman Christian Barmore surfaced this week. It’s put a cloud over New England, which has already secured its first playoff berth since 2021 but also has a chance to secure the AFC’s top seed. Miami is looking to play the role of spoiler while also getting a jump on the future, with rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers set to start his third consecutive game since Tua Tagovailoa was benched.

FILE - New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) leaves the field following an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov 23, 2025, in Cincinnati, Ohio. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit, File)

Patriots coach echoes support for Stefon Diggs; hasn’t heard from NFL following criminal charges

December 31, 2025

Patriots coach Mike Vrabel says he hasn’t heard anything from the NFL that would prevent Stefon Diggs from playing in the team’s regular-season finale as the receiver faces strangulation and other criminal charges in connection with a dispute with his former private chef. Diggs didn’t speak with reporters on Wednesday as he has typically done throughout the season. But he was in the locker room prior to practice and on the practice field with the team. The Patriots voiced their support for Diggs in a statement after the allegations became public. Vrabel echoed that support and says they’ll let the legal proceedings play out.

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III, top, celebrates with offensive tackle Spencer Brown (79) after scoring against the New England Patriots during the second half of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Bills rally from 21-point deficit to beat Patriots 35-31, stay alive in AFC East race

December 14, 2025

The Buffalo Bills have kept themselves in the race for the AFC East title. Josh Allen threw three touchdown passes, and James Cook ran for two TDs and caught another as Buffalo rallied from a 21-0 deficit to beat the New England Patriots 35-31 on Sunday. The Bills prevented the Patriots from clinching the division. Buffalo avoided being swept by a division opponent for the first time since 2019. The Bills also overcame a double-digit deficit for the third time this year. The Patriots lost their first division game of the season and their 10-game win streak ended.

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown celebrates after making a 3-point basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Brown scores 30 points, Celtics cruise to 126-105 win over Lakers team missing James, Doncic

December 5, 2025

Jaylen Brown had 30 points, eight rebounds and eight assists and the Boston Celtics cruised past Los Angeles 126-105 on Friday night, with the Lakers playing without LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Derrick White had five 3-pointers and added 19 points, and Jordan Walsh finished with 17 points for the Celtics, who have won four straight and six out of seven. Boston hit a season-high 24 3-pointers and had 31 assists. The Lakers lost for just the second time in 10 games. James sat with sciatica, which kept him sidelined for the first 14 games this season, and left foot joint arthritis. Doncic was out for the second straight game for personal reasons. Austin Reaves led Los Angeles with 36 points.

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye looks to pass against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

‘Never satisfied’ Patriots head into bye week on a 10-game winning streak after beating Giants

December 2, 2025

The New England Patriots went from winning 11 consecutive AFC East titles during the Bill Belichick and Tom Brady era, to looking up to Buffalo in each of the past five seasons. Following a dominant 33-15 win over the New York Giants that included more MVP chants for quarterback Drake Maye, New England heads into its bye week on a 10-game winning streak. The players credit the tone coach Mike Vrabel’s set in his first season for the Patriots becoming the first NFL team to reach 11 victories this season.

New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams (18) catches a touchdown pass against New York Giants cornerback Paulson Adebo (21) during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Drake Maye passes for 2 TDs, Patriots become 1st team to 11 wins, defeating Giants 33-15

December 1, 2025

Drake Maye passed for two touchdowns, and the New England Patriots became the first NFL team to reach 11 wins this season with a 33-15 victory over the New York Giants. It was the 10th straight win for the AFC-leading Patriots, the franchise’s longest streak since winning 10 consecutive games in 2015. Coach Mike Vrabel also became the third coach since 1970 to have a win streak of 10 or more games in his first season with a team. Maye completed 24 of 31 passes for 282 yards with no interceptions. The 2-11 Giants lost their seventh straight game, and third in a row since firing former coach Brian Daboll.

BYU forward Kennard Davis Jr. drives to the basket guarded by Holy Cross guard Joe Nugent (30) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)

BYU guard Kennard Davis Jr. suspended indefinitely for rules violation following arrest

November 15, 2025

BYU guard Kennard Davis Jr. has been suspended for violating team rules after he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Davis was held out of the seventh-ranked Cougars’ 86-84 loss to No. 3 UConn on Saturday night, two days after he was involved in a car crash in Utah. After the game, coach Kevin Young announced Davis was suspended indefinitely. The 6-foot-6 junior was with the team in Boston but sat on the bench in street clothes. A Provo police department release said Davis suffered minor injuries in the crash and was charged with DUI after being taken to the police station. BYU issued a statement saying the school was aware of the allegations and looking into the situation.

UConn forward Tarris Reed Jr., center, celebrates in front of BYU forward Khadim Mboup, left, and guard Robert Wright III after scoring in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Silas Demary Jr. scores 21 to help No. 3 UConn hold off AJ Dybantsa and No. 7 BYU 86-84 in Boston

November 15, 2025

Silas Demary Jr. scored 21 points and made a crucial steal to help third-ranked UConn hold off a late rally by No. 7 BYU for an 86-84 victory. Tarris Reed Jr. added 21 points and eight rebounds. Alex Karaban also had 21 points for the unbeaten Huskies, who began a five-game stretch that features four ranked opponents. Demary finished with seven assists, five rebounds and two steals. The game was played at TD Garden, home of the Boston Celtics, as part of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Series. Highly touted BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa, who grew up just outside Boston and is considered a potential No. 1 pick in the NBA draft next summer, led the Cougars with 25 points.

New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson catches a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

TreVeyon Henderson scores 3 TDs, Patriots beat Jets 27-14 for 8th straight win

November 13, 2025

The New England Patriots are winners of eight straight games. Rookie TreVeyon Henderson rushed for two touchdowns and made a TD catch as the Patriots beat the New York Jets 27-14 on Thursday night. Drake Maye threw for 281 yards and a TD. New England is 9-2, the best record in the NFL pending this weekend’s games. The Patriots matched their longest winning streak since Tom Brady’s final season with the team in 2019. New York’s Justin Fields threw a touchdown pass to John Metchie III but was otherwise ineffective through the air as the Jets fell to 2-8.

New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) scores a touchdown against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes (21) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Patriots hang on to beat Falcons 24-23 after late extra point miss by Atlanta

November 2, 2025

Drake Maye threw two touchdown passes and had a pair of turnovers in an uneven performance and the New England Patriots held on for a 24-23 victory over Atlanta after Parker Romo missed a potential tying extra point for the Falcons. Terrell Jennings had his first career rushing touchdown for the Patriots who won their sixth straight. After Drake London scored on an 8-yard TD pass from Michael Penix Jr., Romo’s extra point attempt missed wide right. Maye finished 19 of 29 for 259 yards, but was sacked six times. The Falcons have lost their last eight meetings with the Patriots. Atlanta hasn’t won in Foxborough since 1998. Penix passed for three touchdowns.

North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick walks off the field after the team fell to TCU in his debut as the univerity's new head coach at the end of an NCAA college football game Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)

Mike Vrabel says Bill Belichick remains welcome in New England despite UNC’s ban of Patriots coaches

September 8, 2025

The New England Patriots coaching staff isn’t welcomed at the North Carolina football facility while Bill Belichick is there. The Tar Heels and former Patriots coach confirmed as much. But Patriots coach Mike Vrabel says that Belichick is still welcome at his old NFL grounds. Vrabel points out that Belichick attended Tom Brady’s Patriots Hall of Fame ceremony, suggesting no hard feelings from the team’s end. Belichick coached the Patriots to six Super Bowl wins before leaving in January 2024. His college coaching tenure at North Carolina started with a loss but rebounded with a win.

Carmelo Anthony, right, speaks During his enshrinement in the Basketball Hall of Fame as Dwyane Wade, left, and Allen Iverson listen, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Springfield, Mass. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

Melo says ‘I know what I gave to the game’ in night of tears, memories for 2025 Hall of Fame class

September 6, 2025

Carmelo Anthony tied the tough lessons he learned coming of age playing basketball on the playgrounds of Brooklyn and Baltimore to him becoming one of the sports’ purest scorers and most decorated players ever in a night of speeches full of tears, laughs and calls for community during the induction of quintet of players into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He was joined by Dwight Howard, Sue Bird, Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles. Together they were part of 11 WNBA or NBA championship teams, captured 15 Olympic gold medals, made 37 All-NBA or All-WNBA appearances.

New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) runs the ball back for a touchdown against Washington Commanders cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (6) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Patriots offense shines in 48-18 exhibition win over Commanders, as Washington rests starters, vets

August 8, 2025

Rookie TreVeyon Henderson had a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to open the game, quarterback Drake Maye added a 5-yard touchdown run and the New England Patriots beat the Washington Commanders 48-18 in the exhibition opener for both teams. Henderson also had an 18-yard run. Maye completed 3-of-5 passes for 12 yards in two series of work. It added up to a promising glimpse of a new-look offense under new coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Washington rested a total of 30 players, including their projected starters and most of their veterans.

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, left, chats with Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla at the football team's NFL training camp, Wednesday, July 30, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Celtics sign coach Joe Mazzulla to a multi-year contract extension

August 8, 2025

Boston Celtics president Brad Stevens has said throughout the offseason that that team wanted Joe Mazzulla to be its coach for a long time. It made that more than a proclamation Friday, announcing it has signed Mazzulla to a multi-year contract extension. Length and details of the new deal were not released. The 37-year-old Mazzulla is coming off his third season as Boston’s coach and has guided the team to the playoffs each season, including the franchise’s 18th NBA title to cap the 2023-24 season. Under Mazzulla, the Celtics have won at least 57 games each of those seasons and topped 60 victories in each of the last two.

Former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft walk on the field before the Club World Cup final soccer match between Chelsea and PSG in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Bronze statue of Tom Brady to be unveiled before Patriots’ exhibition opener

August 8, 2025

Tom Brady left his imprint all over the New England Patriots’ record books during his stellar two-decade run with the team. Now, he is set to become the first player in franchise history to be honored with a statue. The bronze statue will be unveiled Friday before New England’s exhibition game against the Washington Commanders. Brady will be on hand for the ceremony, which is scheduled to include an address to fans. Fans are being allowed into the plaza in front of Gillette Stadium four hours before the game to accommodate what is expected to be a large crowd.

FILE - Trainers help Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum (0) off the court after he was injured during the second half of Game 4 in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the New York Knicks, May 12, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

Celtics’ Brad Stevens shuns idea team is in a rebuild with Jayson Tatum out

July 8, 2025

The Boston Celtics face major changes after Jayson Tatum suffered an Achilles injury during the Eastern Conference semifinals. Brad Stevens, the team’s president of basketball operations, confirmed tough decisions were necessary, including trading Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. The moves brought down the team’s payroll and avoided penalties under the NBA’s second salary cap apron. Stevens emphasizes the team is not rebuilding but retooling, with Jaylen Brown stepping up as the focal point while Tatum recovers. Both players are already rehabbing, with Brown nearing full clearance. Stevens remains optimistic about the team’s potential despite the challenges ahead.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Hunter Dobbins (73) throws against the New York Yankees during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, June 8, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Red Sox pitcher Hunter Dobbins defends discrepancies about his father playing for Yankees

June 11, 2025

Red Sox rookie Hunter Dobbins made some headlines prior to his first career start against the Yankees last week when he said he’d rather retire than pitch for New York. Now he’s explaining why the claims he made about his father once playing in the minors for Boston’s longtime rival aren’t the intentional fabrication that a New York newspaper report says. Dobbins says the references he made stemmed from stories passed along from his father when he was a kid and nothing more. He says he understands the fervor his comments created and says his focus now is on his upcoming matchup with the Yankees this weekend.

New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) stands with teammates during an NFL football practice, Monday, June 9, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs keeping his discussions with team about viral boat video private

June 10, 2025

New England Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs is declining to share specifics about his conversations with coach Mike Vrabel and the team in the aftermath of a viral video that showed him passing what appeared to be a bag of pink crystals to women on a boat last month. He confirmed the occurrence of internal discussions, but wouldn’t say want those conversations entailed. But he says he has made progress on returning from offseason knee surgery and plans to get full medical clearance in time for the start of training camp in late July.

Omer Shem Tov, front right, a former Israeli hostage who survived over 500 days in Hamas captivity, gets a pat on the chest by Boston Red Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks, front left, after delivering a ceremonial first pitch prior to a baseball game between the Red Sox and the New York Mets at Fenway Park, Monday, May 19, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Red Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks calls out ‘vile’ social media messages directed to him, his family

May 22, 2025

Red Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks took to social media to express his displeasure about death threats he says he received following Boston’s most recent loss the the New York Mets. In a post on Instagram, Hendriks said comments were directed at both him and his family. He described them including attacks on him as a cancer survivor. Hendriks, a 36-year-old reliever who previously battled non-Hodgkin lymphoma, has appeared in 11 games this season. He’s 0-1 with a 5.56 ERA. The incident comes less than a month after Red Sox All-Star Jarren Duran said a fan near the dugout in Cleveland directed inappropriate comments at him.

KYLE HIGHTOWER Sports Writer.