WPPA/T-102 SPORTS, Saturday October 14, 2006

Local High School Football Scoreboard


POTTSVILLE 28 MARIAN 42
SHAMOKIN 14 MINERSVILLE 16

JUNIATA 21 SHEN. VALLEY 33
PINE GROVE 14 PANTHER VALLEY 14

LINE MT 49 BLUE MT 26
UPPER DAUPHIN 18 EXETER TWSP 21

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN 27 TRI-VALLEY 33
TAMAQUA 14 WILLIAMS VALLEY 13

MOUNT CARMEL 47 MAHANOY AREA 20
N. SCHUYLKILL 27 BISHOP HOBAN 12

JIM THORPE 38 DANIEL BOONE 22
POCONO MT WEST 28 GOVENOR MIFFLIN 10

BLOOMSBURG 7 SELINSGROVE 35
HUGHESVILLE 2 GREAT VALLEY 3

VALLEY WEST 42 S.COLUMBIA 56
BERWICK 21 LOYALSOCK 8


Latest Pennsylvania sports:

NFL: EAGLES-SAINTS PREVIEW
McNabb, Bush gearing up to take center stage against Saints

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - By lifting their teams to emotional victories last week, Donovan McNabb and Reggie Bush made the build-up for their matchup that much better. The league's hottest quarterback and its most hyped rookie take center stage at the Superdome tomorrow as the Philadelphia Eagles face the New Orleans Saints. The spotlight will be squarely on McNabb and Bush this week after neither really was the focus going into their games last Sunday. All of the hoopla surrounding Terrell Owens' return to Philadelphia clearly did not bother McNabb, who threw for 354 yards and two touchdowns -- he also ran for a score -- in a 38-to-24 victory over Dallas.

NFL: CHIEFS-STEELERS PREVIEW
Struggling Steelers prepare to host Chirfs

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers haven't played like they're the Super Bowl champions. Another defeat, and they may find it difficult to defend their title. Pittsburgh looks to snap a three-game losing streak when it hosts the Kansas City Chiefs tomorrow. Since beating Miami 28-to-17 in the season opener, the Steelers have struggled in falling to Jacksonville, Cincinnati and San Diego -- who have a combined 9-and-4 record. Pittsburgh trails Baltimore by two and a-half games in the A-F-C North and only nine teams have ever rebounded from a 1-and-4 start to make the playoffs.

NHL: FLYERS-DEVILS PREVIEW
Flyers head to New Jersey - where they've had little success

VOORHEES, N.J. (AP) - The Philadelphia Flyers, sorely in need of a win, travel next to New Jersey -- a place where they've had little success over the past decade and a half. Since the start of the 1990-91 season, the Flyers are just 8-28-5-and-1 at Continental Airlines Arena, including an 0-3-and-1 mark last season. The Flyers, off to a slow start this season, visit the Devils tonight as they kick off a four-game road trip. Several players say the team's trouble in New Jersey stems from the Devils' ability to get the checking matchups they want because they get the last line changes on faceoffs at home.

NHL: PENGUINS-MALKIN
Penguins' Malkin does contact drills, could debut soon

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Pittsburgh Penguins rookie center Evgeni Malkin took part in limited contact drills in practice with his teammates yesterday. Head coach Michel Therrien says says Malkin probably won't play today against Carolina, and doctors will decide whether he will play Wednesday against New Jersey. Therrien says Malkin could make his N-H-L debut as early as next week. Malkin -- the Number Two pick in the 2004 draft – dislocated his shoulder in a preseason game September 20th and has been out indefinitely.

FBC: WASHINGTON AND JEFFERSON-WESTMINSTER
Goodell, Ravenstahl co-captains at Washington and Jefferson homecoming

WASHINGTON, Pa. (AP) - National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell and Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl are scheduled to serve today as co-captains at Washington and Jefferson College's homecoming football game against Westminster College. Goodell and Ravenstahl are W and J alumni. They will join college President Tori Haring-Smith for the coin toss before the 2 p-m game.

LANGHORNE SPEEDWAY
Langhorne Speedway historical marker to be dedicated Saturday

MIDDLETOWN, Pa. (AP) - The site of the Langhorne Speedway will be commemorated by a state historical marker to be dedicated today. The track was billed as the first dirt track built exclusively for auto racing. It was opened in 1926 and its often rutted and slippery surface tested the nerve of the likes of Johnny Rutherford, Mario Andretti and brothers Bobby and Al Unser. Sanctioned by the American Automobile Association, the speedway's popularity exploded, with crowds of 50-thousand to 60-thousand paying 25 cents to 30 cents a ticket. Top drivers barreled around the dirt track as it built a reputation as the world's most demanding. The track closed in 1971 after a 45-year run.

Update on the latest in national sports:

ALCS-FINAL SCORE
Tigers go for mow-down in Motown

DETROIT (AP) - The Detroit Tigers are one victory away from their first World Series appearance since 1984. And the clincher could come today in Motown. Kenny Rogers and two relievers combined on a two-hitter as the Tigers grabbed a three-games-to-none lead in the American League Championship Series by blanking the Oakland Athletics 3-to-0 yesterday. After scoring twice in the first inning, the Tigers added a home run by Craig Monroe in the fifth. The Tigers can wrap up the series at home this afternoon. It's matchup of 14-game winners, Danny Haren of Oakland against Jeremy Bonderman of the Tigers.

NLCS-FINAL SCORE
Cardinals flying home all tied up

NEW YORK (AP) - So Taguchi (so tah-GOO'-chee), a late-inning substitute, homered to break a tie as the St. Louis Cardinals scored three runs in the ninth in a 9-to-6 win over the New York Mets. Taguchi connected off Mets closer Billy Wagner. That evens the National League Championship Series at one game apiece. The Cards rallied from a 6-to-4 deficit. Scott Spiezio's (SPEE'-zee-ohz) two-out triple in the seventh tied the game. He had three R-B-I's as a replacement for slumping Scott Rolen at third base. Carlos Delgado has homered twice and drove in four of the Mets' six runs. The teams flew to St. Louis overnight and play Game Three tonight. Steve Trachsel goes for the Mets against Jeff Suppan of the Cards.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Midnight Madness tips off new campaign

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) - The Florida Gators are ready to move on after their national championship basketball season. The Gators returned to the court last night for Midnight Madness, tipping off practice for the season. They celebrated their first national title again and try to become the first team to repeat in 15 years. Coach Billy Donovan held a nearly two-hour practice. For the first time Connecticut had both its men's and women's programs -- which have combined for seven national championships since 1995 -- involved in Midnight Madness. Maryland did the same
as the women's Terps are defending national champions.

GOLF-PALMER RETIRES
Golfing legend says he's through competing

SPRING, Texas (AP) - He's one of golf's all-time greats. Arnold Palmer won 62 times on the P-G-A Tour during his storied career. He won four Masters, two British Opens and the U.S. Open. Yesterday in the first round of the Champions Tour event in the Houston suburbs Palmer withdrew from the event and announced he was through with competitive golf. Before a tearful farewell the 77-year-old legend put two shots into the water on the fourth hole. He then announced he was withdrawing because of a sore lower back. Palmer then continued playing at the Augusta Pines course with playing partners Lee Trevino and John Mahaffey but did not keep score the rest of the round. He said he finished the round because he owed it to his fans. Palmer says it's traumatic to him to be unable to play golf at the level at which he's accustomed.

GOLF-PGA TOUR
Taking the Points in Vegas

LAS VEGAS (AP) - D.A. Points is the midway leader at the P-G-A stop in Las Vegas. Points is at 14-under-par after his round of eight-under in his second round. Tom Pernice (pur-NEES') Junior, Aaron Baddeley and Todd Fischer are two shots back.

GOLF-CHAMPIONS TOUR
Three-way tie in Texas

SPRING, Texas (AP) - Tom Purtzer shot a seven-under 65 and is tied with Jay Haas and Dick Maston for the first-round lead in the Champions Tour's stop in Texas.

GOLF-LPGA
Sorenstam tied for top spot

PALM DESERT, Calif. (AP) - Annika Sorenstam shot a one-under 71 and is tied with Sophie Gustafson and Paula Creamer after two rounds of the Samsung World Championship on the L-P-G-A Tour. They're at six-under 138. That's one shot ahead of Women's British Open champion Sherri Steinhauer, who shot a bogey-free 67.
Lorena Ochoa (lohr-AY'-nah oh-CHOH'-uh) and Karrie Webb are two shots off the lead.

NHL-FINAL SCORES
Whitney's late goal saves the 'Canes...Sabres are 4-and-0

UNDATED (AP) - On N-H-L ice, Ray Whitney's tip-in with one-half second left to lift the Carolina Hurricanes past Atlanta, 4-to-3. That's the first win of the season for the defending Stanley Cup champions. Cam Ward stopped 31 shots for the Hurricanes, who were without a win in their first four games. The last-second shot capped a frustrating night for Atlanta goaltender Kari Lehtonen, who gave up three first-period goals and then shut out the Hurricanes until Whitney's game-winner. Craig Adams scored twice for Carolina.

In the rest of the N-H-L:
-- Ales Kotalik's shootout goal gave the undefeated Buffalo Sabres a 3-to-2 win over Detroit. The Sabres are 4-and-0.
-- Jay Bouwmeester scored with nine minutes left to break a tie and the Florida Panthers beat Tampa Bay, 3-to-2. That's the Lightning's third straight loss.
-- San Jose outscored Vancouver, 6-to-4. The Sharks are 4-and-1 on the young season. Markus Naslund scored his 300th goal as a Canuck. That ties Trevor Linden for the franchise record.

NFL-NEWS
Wright to sit out for awhile...Cards keeping Dockett

UNDATED (AP) - The Cincinnati Bengals won't have their regular backup quarterback in uniform for Sunday's outing at Tampa Bay. Anthony Wright's appendix was removed yesterday after he became ill overnight. Doug Johnson, who was signed in the offseason and hasn't appeared in a game since 2004, will be the backup q-b while Wright recovers from the emergency appendectomy.

Elsewhere around the N-F-L:
-- Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett has inked a five-year contract extension. It's the latest in a series of moves designed to keep the team's top young players in Arizona. The six-foot-four, 290-pound lineman is a third-year pro who could have become a free agent after this season.

AUTO RACING-BUSCH
Harvick clinches title

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) - Dave Blaney wound up the winner at Lowe's Motor Speedway in a NASCAR Busch Series race. Michael Waltrip wound up second, followed by Stacy Compton and Matt Kenseth. Kevin Harvick, who came back from an early tire problem and finished ninth, clinched his second Busch championship with four races left.

Major league playoff schedule (all times EDT)

LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
American League

Today's Game
Oakland Athletics (Danny Haren 14-13) at Detroit Tigers (Jeremy Bonderman 14-8), 4:30 p.m.
Tigers lead series 3-0

Sunday, Oct. 15
Oakland Athletics at Detroit Tigers, 4:40 p.m., if necessary Tuesday, Oct. 17
Detroit Tigers at Oakland Athletics, 8:19 p.m., if necessary Wednesday, Oct. 18
Detroit Tigers at Oakland Athletics, 8:19 p.m., if necessary

National League

Today's Game
New York Mets (Steve Tracshel 15-8) at St. Louis Cardinals (Jeff Suppan 12-7), 8:05 p.m.
Series tied 1-1
Sunday, Oct. 15 New York Mets (Oliver Perez 3-13) at St. Louis Cardinals
(Anthony Reyes 5-8), 8:15 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 16 New York Mets at St. Louis Cardinals, 8:19 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 18 St. Louis Cardinals at New York Mets, 4:19 p.m., if necessary
Thursday, Oct. 19 St. Louis Cardinals at New York Mets, 8:19 p.m., if necessary

WORLD SERIES
Saturday, Oct. 21
National League at American League, (n)
Sunday, Oct. 22
NL at AL, (n)
Tuesday, Oct. 24
AL at NL, (n)
Wednesday, Oct. 25
AL at NL, (n)
Thursday, Oct. 26
AL at NL, if necessary, (n)
Saturday, Oct. 28
NL at AL, if necessary, (n)
Sunday, Oct. 29
NL at AL, if necessary, (n)

N-H-L schedule (all times EDT)

Today's Games
New York Rangers at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m.
Ottawa Senators at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m.
Calgary Flames at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m.
Boston Bruins at New York Islanders, 7 p.m.
Atlanta Thrashers at Washington Capitals, 7 p.m.
Carolina Hurricanes at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7:30 p.m.
Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7:30 p.m.
Philadelphia Flyers at New Jersey Devils, 7:30 p.m.
Chicago Blackhawks at St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m.
Phoenix Coyotes at Nashville Predators, 8 p.m.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m.
Edmonton Oilers at Colorado Avalanche, 10 p.m.
Dallas Stars at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 p.m.

AP Top-25 College Football Schedule

Today's Games
( 1) Ohio State at Michigan State, 3:30 p.m.
( 2) Florida at (11) Auburn, 7:45 p.m.
( 3) Southern Cal vs. Arizona State, 8 p.m.
( 4) Michigan at Penn State, 8 p.m.
( 5) West Virginia vs. Syracuse, Noon
( 6) Texas vs. Baylor, 7 p.m.
( 7) Louisville vs. Cincinnati, 3:30 p.m.
(10) California at Washington State, 5 p.m.
(14) L-S-U vs. Kentucky, 8 p.m.
(15) Iowa at Indiana, Noon
(16) Georgia vs. Vanderbilt, 12:30 p.m.
(17) Arkansas vs. Southeast Missouri, 2 p.m.
(18) Oregon vs. U-C-L-A, 3:30 p.m.
(19) Missouri at Texas A-and-M, 3:30 p.m.
(21) Nebraska at Kansas State, 7:10 p.m.
(23) Oklahoma vs. Iowa State, 3:30 p.m.
(24) Rutgers at Navy, 1:30 p.m.
(25) Wisconsin vs. Minnesota, Noon

Sunday's Game
(20) Boise State at New Mexico State, 8 p.m.

N-F-L schedule (all times EDT)

Sunday's Games
Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m.
Houston Texans at Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m.
N.Y. Giants at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.
Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams, 1 p.m.
Tennessee Titans at Washington Redskins, 1 p.m.
Carolina Panthers at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m.
Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.
Cincinnati Bengals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.
Miami Dolphins at N.Y. Jets, 4:15 p.m.
Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:15 p.m.
San Diego Chargers at San Francisco 49ers, 4:15 p.m.
Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos, 8:15 p.m.

Open: Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns

Monday Night Game
Chicago Bears at Arizona Cardinals, 8:30 p.m.

Here are the latest scores from yesterday's sports events:

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYOFFS CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Final Detroit 3 Oakland 0
Final St. Louis 9 N-Y Mets 6

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

Final 2OT Buffalo 3 Detroit 2 (SO Buffalo 2-1)
Final Carolina 4 Atlanta 3
Final Florida 3 Tampa Bay 2
Final San Jose 6 Vancouver 4