Hooks, Hits & Headlocks

PODCAST · sports

Hooks, Hits & Headlocks

Hooks, Hits & Headlocks is a high-energy sports podcast that covers the worlds of fishing, football, wrestling, and a wide array of other sports at the professional, college, and high school levels. Hosted by passionate sports enthusiasts Chad Stephenson, the show delivers in-depth discussions, expert analysis, and lively debates on everything from the latest gridiron matchups to the biggest wrestling showdowns and top fishing hotspots. Whether you're a die-hard sports fan or just enjoy great conversation, Hooks, Hits & Headlocks has something for everyone.

  1. 30

    “Fixing College Football: Bowls, Rankings, and Respect for the Game”

    College football is broken — and it's not just about NIL or the transfer portal. It's the timing, the structure, and the lack of respect for the season itself. In this episode, I lay out a full blueprint to fix college football from top to bottom: moving bowl games to create a real evaluation period, delaying rankings until they actually mean something, restructuring Rivalry Week and conference championships, and putting the national title back on New Year's Day where it belongs. I also tackle the chaos of the transfer portal and coaching carousel — and why both should stay closed until the season is officially over. This isn't just a rant. It's a plan.And it fixes a lot of what's dragging the sport down. Tune in and decide for yourself — is this the reset college football needs?

  2. 29

    “Big Ten Built Different: Indiana Wins It All, SEC Exposed”

    College football has a new power structure. Indiana's national championship victory is proof that the Big Ten now sits on top of the sport. I dive into how Big Ten programs are setting the standard, why the SEC hype no longer matches reality, and what this shift means for the future of college football.

  3. 28

    Ranking Reaction Show: CFB Top 25 Breakdown

    Chad reacts to the latest CFB Top 25, bringing the heat with bold opinions, sharp analysis, and the perspective of a lifelong sports guy who calls it like he sees it. If you love college football, this is your spot.

  4. 27

    Ranking the Chaos: College Football Playoff Breakdown

    The College Football Playoff rankings are out — and you already know there's drama. Who's overrated? Who got snubbed? And who's actually built for December and January? I'm breaking down every contender, every surprise, and every team that's fooling the committee. No bias, no politics — just real football talk. Let's get into it.

  5. 26

    “Behind the Lanes, Part 2: Building Champions On and Off the Lanes”

    In this continuation, Chad Stephenson sits back down with Coaches Brandon, Todd, and Crystal Grice for more laughs, lessons, and locker-room stories from the world of college bowling. From recruiting to rivalries, this episode keeps the momentum rolling with energy, honesty, and heart.

  6. 25

    :Part 1 of Behind the Lanes: Inside the College Bowling Program with Coaches Brandon, Crystal & Todd”

    Host Chad Stephenson sits down with Head Coach Brandon Grice, who leads both the men's and women's college bowling teams, along with Women's Coach Todd Reichard and JV Coach Crystal Grice. Together, they break down what it takes to build a winning culture, develop student-athletes, and keep both squads performing at a championship level. From the mental grind to recruiting and those big-time tournament moments — this is one conversation every bowling and sports fan will want to hear

  7. 24

    Playoff Fever: Football & the Fall Classic Collide

    t's a packed week in sports, and Chad Stephenson is breaking it all down on Hooks, Hits & Headlocks! The high school football playoffs kick off across Michigan, with district semifinal battles that'll define local legacies. We dive into matchups like Michigan Center vs. Romulus, Napoleon vs. Buchanan, and more — complete with predictions and key players to watch. Then it's on to the college gridiron, where the Big Ten is flexing its power while the SEC takes a few unexpected hits. Who's a true contender, and who's just hanging on to the hype? And to top it off — the 2025 World Series is heating up as the Toronto Blue Jays and L.A. Dodgers trade blows in an October showdown for the ages. Football intensity meets baseball drama — this is Hooks, Hits & Headlocks.

  8. 23

    “The 2025 World Series Preview: Blue Jays vs. Dodgers — Legacy vs. Destiny”

    The stage is set for the 121st World Series — the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers are ready to battle for baseball's biggest prize! Join me Chad Stephenson as I break down every angle of this epic matchup — from how each team got here to the key players who could decide it all. Can the Dodgers become the first team since the 2000 Yankees to go back-to-back, or will the Blue Jays bring the trophy home to Canada for the first time since 1993?

  9. 22

    College Football Weekend Recap

    Welcome back to Hooks, Hits & Headlocks, your go-to source for college football highlights, analysis, and playoff drama. What a Saturday it was — the Top 10 saw upsets, statement wins, and playoff hopes hanging by a thread for several teams. Let's break it all down.”

  10. 21

    Friday Night Lights

    Week 8: Rivalries, Rankings & Playoff ChaosIn this episode of Hooks, Hits & Headlocks, we dive into a pivotal Week 8 across the Cascades Conference, where rivalries heat up and playoff hopes hang by a thread. From Addison battling Hanover-Horton's playoff push to Columbia Central fighting for control in the West, every matchup under the Friday night lights tells a story. We break down records, state rankings, key players, and playoff stakes — and cap it all off with our Game of the Week: Michigan Center vs. Napoleon — an undefeated powerhouse colliding with a ranked rival for the East Division crown. Rivalries. Heartbreak. Statement wins.The road to Ford Field starts right here in the Cascades.

  11. 20

    Early morning talks

    Lets talk sports

  12. 19

    "Gridiron Chaos: College Shakeups & NFL Showdowns"

    This week, we dive headfirst into a wild weekend of football across the college and NFL landscape. From shocking upsets and powerhouse performances in the NCAA to clutch finishes and statement wins in the pros, no team was safe. We break down the marquee matchups, analyze what the results mean moving forward, and call out the players and coaches who made headlines—good and bad. Whether it was playoff implications on Saturday or Sunday drama under the lights, we're covering it all. Strap in—this episode is all about the gridiron madness!

  13. 18

    “College Chaos, NFL Shockers & October Heat”

    College football delivered absolute chaos, the NFL has no unbeaten teams left, and the MLB playoff picture is red-hot — the road to the World Series just got serious.

  14. 17

    Weekend Recap, Key Injuries & Monday Night Preview

    This week on Hook Hits & Headlights, Chad rides solo to break down a packed football weekend. Michigan and Michigan State flexed their dominance on Saturday, the Lions made a statement win over Chicago on Sunday, and the NFL delivered chaos with upsets, nail-biters, and some serious injury concerns. Chad spotlights the key injuries shaping the season — including Joe Burrow, Justin Fields, and George Kittle — before setting the stage for tonight's Monday Night Football doubleheader featuring Texans vs. Buccaneers and Chargers vs. Raiders. Picks, insights, and plenty of hype — all in this week's episode.

  15. 16

    “From the Gridiron to the Diamond”

    In this episode, I cover the Detroit Lions' season opener, break down the Michigan vs. Oklahoma matchup, share my experience at the Michigan State football game, and talk about my weekend traveling as an umpire for softball.

  16. 15

    Football

    this week in football

  17. 14

    The SEC is overrated

    “In this episode, I break down why I think the SEC is overrated and how the media fuels the hype around them.”

  18. 13

    Hulk Hogan

    This is a special episode of Hooks hits & Headlocks… and today, “We're talking about the icon. The legend. The immortal—Hulk Hogan.”

  19. 12

    Rob Gilbert Returns for Part Two

    In Part Two of this episode, I'm still joined by special guest Rob Gilbert as we dive into his Biggills Sports Cards business and more.

  20. 11

    Breaking Down WWE with Special Guest Rob Gilbert

    In Part 1 of this episode, special guest Rob Gilbert joins me as we dive into the top stories and other hot topics happening right now in WWE.

  21. 10

    Umpiring travel ball

    In today's episode, we take a closer look at the challenges and insights of umpiring in the travel ball scene.

  22. 9

    Game 1 Of the WCWS WCWS Championship

    "This episode, we're diving into the action from Game One of the WCWS Championship — the stakes are high and the heat is on!"

  23. 8

    Women's College World Series (WCWS) semifinals.

    The Women's College World Series has reached its climax with an all-Texas showdown in Oklahoma City. Texas Tech stunned four-time defending champions Oklahoma with a dramatic 3-2 walk-off victory, ending the Sooners' bid for a fifth consecutive title. Star pitcher NiJaree Canady, a transfer from Stanford, delivered a complete game, striking out eight and allowing just two runs. The Red Raiders will face the Texas Longhorns, who are making their third championship appearance in four years. Texas has been dominant throughout the tournament, winning eight of nine postseason games without trailing in the WCW This marks the first-ever WCWS final between two in-state rivals, promising an electrifying best-of-three series

  24. 7

    WCWS Day 3

    today we talk about another great day ogf softball

  25. 6

    2025 WCWS

    A look at day one of the WCWS.

  26. 5

    NCAA softball and bowling

    “In this episode, we dive into the NCAA Softball Tournament and also cover the latest in the world of bowling.”

  27. 4

    NCAA conference softball tournaments.”

    “In this episode of Hooks, Hits & Headlocks, we're diving into the NCAA conference softball tournaments.”

  28. 3

    PBA, Baseball, softball & WM 41

    “On this episode of Hook's Hits & Headlocks, we're diving into the PBA, breaking down Major League Baseball action, spotlighting NCAA softball, and looking ahead to WrestleMania 41!”

  29. 2

    College bowling

    “In this episode, we're spotlighting four standout programs—Concordia College, Olive College, Jackson College, and Spring River University—as we celebrate their remarkable achievements in bowling this year.”

  30. 1

    Remembering George Foreman

    “In this episode, we honor the incredible life and legacy of the late, great George Foreman.”

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Hooks, Hits & Headlocks is a high-energy sports podcast that covers the worlds of fishing, football, wrestling, and a wide array of other sports at the professional, college, and high school levels. Hosted by passionate sports enthusiasts Chad Stephenson, the show delivers in-depth discussions, expert analysis, and lively debates on everything from the latest gridiron matchups to the biggest wrestling showdowns and top fishing hotspots. Whether you're a die-hard sports fan or just enjoy great conversation, Hooks, Hits & Headlocks has something for everyone.

HOSTED BY

Chad Stephenson Tony Crabtree

CATEGORIES

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