Rockets coach Lindsay Turchetta knew her team was heading into a hornets' nest, but had her team prepared to battle.

"We knew we were the underdogs tonight," said Turchetta. "We weren't going to let the fact that they were a higher rank stop us from playing our game."

The Rockets played their game to a tee early, and it was affective against Frazier.

Game one saw excellent defense from both sides as neither team was able to gain the upper hand. Trailing 18-16, Jefferson-Morgan's Paige Huber recorded a kill and a block to even the score.

Frazier outside hitter Giovanna BitonTi served with a one point advantage and rattled off five service points with kills from Megan Manack and Gena Keebler to seal a win in the first game 25-19.

Frazier's star setter Amanda Pato continued to set up Manack and Keebler in the second game, but the Rockets kept pace as Courtney Lippencot recorded early kills and a huge block to tie the game at 10-10.

Pato was the next to serve for the Commodores and recorded six service points to give her a game-high nine and give her team a four point advantage. Frazier controlled the rest of the game with solid defense up front to take a 25-18 victory in game two.

In the third game of the evening, the Commodores showed exactly why they are the team to beat in Section 5-A.

Pato once again enjoyed success in the service game recording six points before it was McKenzie Barch's turn to serve. The sophomore libero recorded 15 consecutive service points including two aces as the commodores cruised to an easy 25-3 win in the final game.

Pato had a match high 23 assists and Manack led all players with 15 kills.

Frazier coach Mandy Hartman was pleased with her teams performance, but coming off a second section win, wants her team to remain focused.

"We have to give it to Jefferson-Morgan, they are a good team, especially defensively," said Hartman. "We are taking things one match at a time and we are not looking past anybody."

Turchetta also noted that playing a team like Frazier can give you an opportunity to see what you need to work on.

"We need to work on keeping our feet moving and reading the setter for location," said Turchetta.

It can be difficult to read a player as skilled as Pato, who played well in all phases of Thursday's match and earned the praise of her coach.

"Amanda is a great setter because she can read the court well," said Hartman. "She has a lot of natural talent and knows who is hot on the floor."

Frazier recently competed in a tournament at Disney World and finished third out of 32 teams.

"It was sink or swim down there, we beat some really good teams and we got better," said Hartman.

Frazier will return to section action on Tuesday when it travels to West Greene.

CONNELLSVILLE TWP. - Geibel Catholic swept the last two games to defeat Carmichaels 3-1 Thursday night.

Kaila Maruniak paced the Lady Gators attack with 16 kills and four blocks.

"Kaila is clearly our offensive leader," Lady Gators coach Rick Watkins said. "Our outside hitters, Rachel Erdely and Emily Constantino did a nice job, as did our libero, Annie Caccimelio. We had some bright spots tonight."

Erdely had 15 kills and 12 service points. Constantino had 13 service points that included three aces, while Marissa Galloway had 38 assists for the Lady Gators.

Marisa Krall had a big night for the Lady Mikes (0-2). Krall did a little bit of everything with 13 kills, 10 assists and five blocks. Jessica Hair had 15 kills for the Lady Mikes.

In the first game behind the play of Maruniak, Geibel moved out to a 21-14 when Carmichaels called a timeout. The Lady Gators (2-0) went on to outscore the Lady Mikes, 4-3, to take the first game, 25-17.

In the second game, the Lady Mikes edged to a 6-3 lead, and forced Geibel to take a timeout. The Lady Mikes jumped out to a 12-6 lead and forced another timeout. The Lady Gators managed to close to within two, but the Lady Mikes then opened up a 19-13 lead and held off a late charge to claim the second game, 25-23.

"We made some mistakes tonight and talked about some of the things we can improve upon," Carmichaels coach and former Geibel player Ashley Speeney said. "The girls played hard tonight, there's nothing to be ashamed about how they performed. We were on a high after that second game, but we couldn't carry it through in the third to get the lead."

The third game was close with ties at 7-7, 8-8 and 10-10. The Lady Gators managed to open up a 19-16 lead before calling a timeout. Geibel outscored the Lady Mikes 6-3 to take the third game 25-19 to hold a 2-1 lead in the best of five series.

"Geibel was able to find some dead spots in our defense," Speeney said. "Geibel had some openings also but we couldn't pick up those points tonight."

Carmichaels took a quick 2-0 lead in the fourth before Geibel ran off six straight. The teams were tied at nine before Geibel ran off four straight points to take a 13-9 lead and maintained the five point lead with Carmichaels calling a timeout while trailing 18-13. Geibel went on to close out the match with a 7-4 run.

"We had a real tough game tonight and our kids need that," Watkins said. "You would like to win convincingly, but we'll take a win anyway we can get it."

Rich Mari scored a hole-in-one on Aug. 26 at Duck Hollow Golf Club. Bob Mehok and Ray Petitte witnessed the shot on No. 12.

Ted Crable, of Uniontown, scored a hole-in-one on Sept. 2 on the Links course at Nemacolin Woodlands. Crable used a 7-iron to ace No. 2, a 153-yard par-3. Gary Friend and Larry Blair witnessed the shot.

Basketball

ISTANBUL (AP) - Chauncey Billups made the promise. Kevin Durant made sure it was kept.

And by beating Russia on Thursday, the Americans brought a little joy to one of the players who will never forget what happened against the Soviets exactly 38 years earlier.

Durant scored 33 points to lead the United States to an 89-79 victory that moved it within two wins of its first world basketball championship since 1994.

The victory came on the anniversary of the Soviet Union's win over the Americans for the 1972 Olympic gold medal, a game with an ending so controversial the U.S. players refused to accept their silver medals.

WAYNESBURG - The Belle Vernon boys soccer team scored three second-half goals to remain unbeaten, defeating Waynesburg Central, 3-0, Thursday night.

The Raiders (1-2-2, 0-1-1) outplayed Belle Vernon in the first 40 minutes of action and had several scoring chances in the first half to take the lead.

Holding off the Raiders' attack in net for the Leopards was Garrett McLaughlin. The junior goalkeeper made several diving stops to hold Waynesburg scoreless and was one of the main reasons why the Leopards won in the second half.

"Garrett was the deciding factor for us," Leopards coach Christopher Stasicha said. "He works hard. He goes through a college-like practice at every practice. He is a junior, but he does have one year of varsity experience as he started as a sophomore. That experience has paid dividends, and he has really picked up his game this season."

McLaughlin was credited with 10 saves.

A couple of minutes into the second half, the Raiders thought they finally solved McLaughlin in net and got one past him, but the goal was nullified by an offsides call.

The game's first goal came at 24:47, when Jordan Redfield banged in a goal after an assist from Josh Page around the net.

Belle Vernon (4-0-1) doubled its lead less than two minutes later as Page tallied a goal of his own from a cross by David Kost.

"I think we came out a little bit sluggish," Stasicha said. "We came off the high of winning our tournament over the weekend and we beat Ringgold for the first time in a long while on Tuesday night. It's hard at the high school level to come back and give it that full 100 percent effort for 80 minutes. We played four games in four days, and they were beaten us to every ball tonight.

"At halftime, I just reminded them that all that hard work they put in during the week means nothing if we lose this game. I give the kids a lot of credit for coming back and tonight was a total team effort."

The Leopards scored an insurance goal at the 14:04 mark when Raiders goalie Nathan Ribar was overly aggressive fielding the ball and a Belle Vernon attacker launched the ball toward the net. David Wurmlinger was able to coral the ball and converted it into the contest's final goal.

Ribar took the loss in net for the Raiders, as he recorded six stops.

"In the first half, we had a lot of good chances, but just wasn't able to finish," Raiders coach Adam Blandino said. "We had a header go off the crossbar and some unlucky bounces. Belle Vernon is probably one of the better teams in our section and we hung right with them in the first half. We just didn't come out well in the second half and they took advantage of that. We are not happy with the result, but we are happy with the effort."

Brownsville dealt Mount Pleasant its first loss of the season with a 3-2 victory on the road Thursday.

Sarah Shashura and Angie Pelehac picked up singles wins for the Falcons (5-2, 4-2) with identical scores of 6-2, 6-0. Shashura defeated Shayla Landman and Pelehac beat Marian Kromer.

April Bradley nabbed the win at third singles for the Vikings (7-1, 6-1) with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Kayla Bayne.

Mount Pleasant evened the score at two when Taylor Bradley and Kelsey Porter defeated Megan Yocabet and Valerie Columbia 6-2, 7-5 in first singles.

Payton Ferguson and Ashtyn Guty clinched the match for Brownsville with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over Frany Tish and Alexis Miscovich.

Brownsville returns to the court Monday to host California.

Derry 5, California 0 - The visiting Lady Trojans swept past California in straight sets in Section 1-AA action at California.

Tiffany Piper lost only three games in her No. 1 singles match against Miranda Hall, as did Brianna Henning at No. 3 singles in her victory over Taylor Tiano. Carolina Niezezski defeated California's Courtney Koschalk at No. 3 singles, losing only one game.

Stephanie Maskrey and Fezicia Pawlik won their No. 1 doubles match, 6-1, 6-1, over California's Courtney Pro and Crystal Rook. Derry's No. 2 doubles team of Laurel Campbell and Breanna Liberoni didn't drop a game in their victory over Annie Sheng and Kimberly Sears.

Greensburg Salem 3, Southmoreland 2 - The Lady Scots won two of three singles matches, but the visiting Lady Lions swept the doubles for a Section 1-AA road victory.

Southmoreland's Chelsie Leonard won her No. 2 singles match in straight sets (6-2, 6-3) over Virginia Elinsky, and teammate Elizabeth Fontanazza lost just two games in her straight sets victory at No. 3 singles over Cindy Baur.

Greensburg Salem's Kathern Orr defeated Chelsea Pence at No. 1 singles, 6-4, 6-1.

The Lady Lions' No. 1 doubles team of Leigh Hastings and Alexis Ferrari defeated Clarissa Horak and Kirsty Figg, 6-1, 6-3. Kelly Pang and Sam Patrick didn't drop a game in securing the victory with their win at No. 3 doubles over Jordan Pavelka and Caitland Harman.

Belle Vernon 191, Ringgold 236 - Belle Vernon picked up a section win over Ringgold at Willowbrook Golf Course.

Bo Lustig led the Leopards with a 32 as Sean Molchan and Kirby Minown each shot 39. Brett Bishop scored a 40 and Tim Moore added a 41.

Connor Kane and Nick Feld paced the Rams with scores of 46 each. Colin McCormick and Cody Scruggs each shot 47 and Devin DiPiazza shot 50.

Mount Pleasant 191, Connellsville 212 - Three Vikings shot three-over 37 to lead Mount Pleasant to victory over Connellsville at Pleasant Valley Country Club.

Zac Heide, Andrew Raffensperger and Andy Yoder shot 37 each as Cameron Swink added a 39 for Mount Pleasant (5-2, 4-2). Ryan Bull shot 41.

Jonathan led Connellsville with a 39. Shawn Bennett and Eric Harrer each carded 43 for the Falcons (1-6, 1-5). Ryan Berkholder finished with a 45.

Carmichaels 218, Jefferson-Morgan 223 - Brandon Wolfe shot a 2-under 35 to lead the Mikes to a Division II, Section 8 victory over the Rockets.

Carmichaels finishes the first half of the schedule with a 4-2 section mark and an overall record of 4-3. The Rockets are 3-3 in the section and 4-4 overall.

Brandon Wamsley (42), Justin Newman (45), Christian Berardi (47), and Matt Blasinsky (49) rounded out the scoring for Carmichaels. Trevor Robinson's 49 wasn't used.

Alex Rush was the low man for Jefferson-Morgan with a 40. Zack Berkstresser shot a 41. Brandon Faieta carded a 44, and Jacob Guthrie finished with a 46. Cameron Roberts' 52 closed the scoring. Charles Mattish's 52 wasn't used.

Waynesburg Central 220, Washington 309 - Emily Rohanna led the way with a 4-under 35, as the Raiders closed the first half of the schedule with a Division II, Section 8 road victory over the Prexies at Village Green Golf Course.

Waynesburg improves to 6-0 in the section and 7-1 overall.

Loren Dukate shot a 40 for Waynesburg Central, and Aaron Haywood finished with a 43. Dalton Haywood carded 47 and Daniel Yingling closed the scoring with a 55. Steven Calvari's 57 wasn't used.

California 212, Brownsville 263 - All six golfers for the Trojans shot 50 or better as California cruised to a Division II, Section 8 victory over the Falcons at Carmichaels Golf Club.

California finished the first half of the schedule with a 4-2 section record and 5-3 overall mark. Brownsville slips to 1-5 in the section and 1-8 overall.

Eric Rucci was medalist with a 2-over 39. Nick Roberts finished with 41, and Derek Stein finished a stroke behind. Alex Roach shot a 44, and Mike Langley's 46 closed the scoring. Blake Mudry's 48 wasn't used.

Nick Calvaresi was the low man for Brownsville with a 7-over 44. Aaron Golembiewski finished with a 49. Jared Gibson shot a 52, and Derek Lent had a 56. Matt Karol rounded out the scoring with a 62. Anthony Rhodes' 62 wasn't used.

Bentworth 190, Beth-Center 236 - The visiting Bearcats didn't count a score over 43 for a non-section road victory over the Bulldogs at Carmichaels Golf Club.

Bentworth's Garret Damich was the medalist with a 2-under 35. Adam Bell and Tyler Delval both shot 37, and Kyle Kobovcik finished with a 38. Shelby Dziak's 43 closed out the scoring. Chris Blackburn's 47 wasn't used.

Austin Smith was the low man for Bulldogs (4-4) with a 44. Tyler Sabatula and Matt Sabatini both shot 45, and Lucas Diethorn had a 49. Taylor Dingle's 53 finished with a 53. Alex Antonio's 54 wasn't used.

West Greene 3, Mapletown 0 - Megan Reeves recorded eight assists and a pair of aces as West Greene swept Mapletown in Section 5-A action.

Cathy Mason notched five aces, two kills and a dig as the Lady Pioneers won with game scores of 25-13, 25-20 and 25-14.

Joy Engle-Young had six kills and four blocks.

Kristi Guritazi had four kills and four assists to lead the Lady Maples (0-2, 0-2). Felicia Burns and Molly Namet each had four digs.

Hempfield 3, Laurel Highlands 1 - Marissa Erminio had 15 kills and four aces, and Tessa Sova added 10 kills, six aces and 7 digs, but the Fillies lost a non-section road match to the Lady Spartans.

Janelle Cooper had a team-high 23 assists and Kendall Erminio finished with seven digs.

Laurel Highlands slips to 0-2 overall.

Albert Gallatin 3, McGuffey 2 - Albert Gallatin earned a non-section win at McGuffey.

The Lady Colonials (2-4, 0-1) won the match with game scores of 25-18, 18-25, 27-25, 23-25 and 15-13.

Laurel Highlands 1, Latrobe 0 - Adam Ross scored the lone goal with 15:32 remaining in the first half to give the Mustangs a non-section win.

The Mustangs (4-0, 0-0) kept its record spotless as Davey Fitzpatrick made five saves and Jim Lementowski assisted on the goal.

Monessen 4, Beth-Center 0 - Four different Greyhounds scored to defeat the Bulldogs in Section 4-A action. Brady Kunsa, Josh Chaussinand, Andrew Galaspie and Jesse Tatsch found the net for Monessen.

For most of the area's bigger schools, tonight represents their last dress rehearsal before conference football races get underway. For most of the smaller schools, it's week two of the conference race.

Belle Vernon is the exception among bigger schools and Jefferson-Morgan is the lone detractor among smaller schools. The Leopards (0-1) open Class AAA Big Eight Conference action at McGuffey (1-0) tonight, while the Rockets (1-0) get their Class A Tri-County South Conference breather with a game at Northgate (1-0).

Class AAAA Connellsville (0-1) makes its second foray into the Class AAA Keystone Conference when the Falcons visit Greensburg Salem (1-0) tonight.

Uniontown (1-0) and Laurel Highlands (0-1) play exhibition games at home tonight before opening Keystone Conference play in a week. The Red Raiders host Indiana (1-0), while the Mustangs entertain Class AAAA Peters Township (0-1). Both of those games, as well as the Connellsville game, begin at 7 p.m., according to a preseason vote of Keystone coaches.

Albert Gallatin (0-1) hits the road to meet Knoch (1-0) before the Colonials begin Keystone play next week.

Brownsville (0-1) hosts Charleroi (0-1) in the second Class AA Interstate Conference game for each team. Elsewhere in the Interstate, Southmoreland (1-0) travels to Greensburg Central Catholic (1-0) and Waynesburg Central (0-1) visits East Allegheny (0-1).

Conference action continues in the Class A Tri-County South Conference for all teams except Jefferson-Morgan.

Geibel Catholic (0-1) travels to Beth-Center (1-0), California (1-0) hosts Carmichaels (1-0) in the Mikes' first conference game, Mapletown (0-1) visits Monessen (1-0) and West Greene (0-1) plays host to Frazier (0-1).

Aside from the Keystone games, there are two other 7 p.m. starts, Southmoreland at GCC and Mapletown at Monessen. Those not starting at 7 p.m. begin at 7:30 p.m.

Uniontown's Red Raider golfers handed the Waynesburg's Raiders their first lost of the season, 218-225, with Mason Fordyce earning medalist honors with a 38.

Ben Sampson, Travis Myers, Josh Nelson and Luke Wallace finished 42, 50, 41 and 47 respectively for the Red Raiders.

Emily Rohanna was the low scorer for the Waynesburg, finishing with a 40 while teammates Loren Dulcate, Dalton and Aaron Haywood and Rick Kalsey finished with 51, 41, 40 and 52, respectively.

Frazier 206, Brownsville 280-Tyler Rock was the medalist with three-over-36, while teammate D. J. Hudik shot five-over-41 and Robert Gondura, Zach Smalich and Eddie Miller finished with 42s.

California 231, Charleroi 239-Brandon Konek finished with three-over-39 for the Cougars, but the Trojans won with Eric Rucci the medalist at six-over-42.

Rucci's teammates Derek Stein, Nick Roberts, Blake Mudry and Alex Roach finished with 43, 45, 50 and 51 respectively.

Jefferson-Morgan 248, Albert Gallatin 256-Alex Rush was the medalist for the Rockets, finishing with a two-over-38, while Zach Berkstresser and Brandon Faieta shot 46 and 47, respectively.

The Rockets face Carmichaels at Carmichaels Golf Course today at 2 p.m.

Charlie Depp was the low scorer for the Colonials with a 49.

South Allegheny 1, Beth-Center 0-The Lady Gladiators couldn't get any shots past Lady Bulldog goalie Karissa Snyder who had 18 saves.

However, a corner kick that deflected off of a Lady Bulldog, gave the Lady Gladiators the lead and the win with 6:34 remaining in the first half.

Hempfield 5, Connellsville 1-Darian Shasko scored four goals for the Spartans including three in a - minute span in the first half.

Ashton Grimm scored the Falcons' goal.

Brownsville 3, Connellsville 2 - Brownsville slipped by Connellsville, courtesy of single wins by Sarah Shashura 6-0, 6-0 and Angie Pelehac 6-0, 6-0. Ashtyn Guty and Payton Ferguson also picked up a doubles win for Brownsville 6-2, 6-1.

Avella 3, California 0-The Eagles defeated the Trojans with sets of 25-18, 25-20 and 25-18.

Natalya Glaum had seven aces, 13 service points and 13 assists for the Eagles.

Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus finished third in its annual Red Polling Invitational golf tournament, played Wednesday on Mystic Rock at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa in Farmington.

Penn State Mont Alto (316) took first place by 40 strokes over Penn College (356). Fayette was next at 362 and was followed by Penn State New Kensington (363), Penn State Shenango (383) and Penn State Greater Allegheny (406).

Zack Rockwell was low man for the local team with an 83. Medalist was Scott Levy of Mont Alto, who shot a 76.

Grove City 3, Waynesburg University 2-The Yellow Jackets lost their Presidents Athletic Conference opener after winning set one, 25-23, and the fourth set, 25-19.

The Wolverines won the match with a 15-10 fifth-set victory.

REPUBLIC - Trinity soccer coach C.J. Cameron says his team has to make improvements if it wants to be competitive in Section 5-AAA. It's hard to imagine the Hillers looking much better than they did in Wednesday's 6-1 non-section win at Brownsville.

Aside from a slow start, the Hillers seemed to be in mid-season form, scoring four first-half goals, and adding a pair of second-half goals to improve to 3-1-1 overall.

Brownsville (0-4, 0-1) played well on the defensive end for the first 22 minutes, although the Falcons had to continually try to clear the ball from their end for most of the half.

With the help of defensive efforts by Kendle Parsons, Tyler Brumley, Chelsea Ulery, Wade Strickler and Harold Wyse, goalkeeper John DiDominic was able to meet the Hillers' challenge in the early going.

DiDominic stopped Brad Denmead three minutes into the game, then again at the 18:45 mark and Denmead was unable to put the rebound in the net.

But Denmead struck for the first of three goals with 16:58 left in the half to put the Hillers in the lead for good.

Brownsville's best scoring chance of the half came 58 seconds later, when Trinity goaltender Scott Brownlee stopped Brumley's solid free kick from just outside the box.

From that point on, Trinity dominated as Denmead scored a long range goal with 13:20 left in the half, Jon Widows headed Eric Horency's corner kick into the net 10 minutes later, and Brian McMahon scored with just 70 seconds left in the half for a 4-0 lead.

The Falcons cut the lead to 4-1 five minutes into the second half when Joe Pahula found the net from long range.

Trinity countered with Denmead's third goal at the 11:08 mark, and Kevin Gasper scored the final goal midway through the half.

Denmead had a possible chance for a fourth goal with under six minutes left in the game, but Wade Strickler made a good defensive play to deflect the ball away.

Cameron said the Hillers had to adjust to a grass surface and narrow field that uses the football sidelines. "It took a few minutes to adjust to on a different surface. Our section is head and shoulders above the rest," Cameron said. "We have a lot of improving to do."

He said Denmead is expected to be the Hillers' leading scorer. "He's worked hard as a captain and has played well" so far this year.

Brownsville coach Jordan Kara said his co-ed team was a bit slower than it could have been because of playing back-to-back games. "We had a few looks, but after that, we kind of fell flat."

He said Brumley's first-half free kick was solid, "but unfortunately the goaltender was able to get a finger on it. Brumley is a new player who has a good foot. He's one to watch."

Kara said he had a good view of Pahula's goal, and described it as "a beautiful shot. He put a good foot on it. He's more of a midfielder but he's learning to sneak into the action and play both ways."

WAYNESBURG -- Last weekend, the Waynesburg Central girls' soccer team dropped two games in the South Fayette Tournament, but the Lady Raiders rebounded in overtime Wednesday night to win Section 1-AA opener against Greensburg Salem, 2-1, on a free kick by Niki Augustine.

Waynesburg cracked the scoreboard first, as Taylor Benson headed a goal into the back of the net at 33:23 with an assist by Augustine.

Much of the second half was played in the Raiders' offensive zone, but with 1:28 left, the Lions tied it on a beautiful corner kick by Kellie Hutchison who collected the ball near the net and banged in the goal to send the game into overtime.

The Lady Raiders (1-3, 1-0) posted 16 shots and controlled much of the tempo in the physical, defensive affair with the Lady Lions (0-1, 0-1).

This is the first game in several years that Waynesburg and Greensburg Salem met on the soccer field, but with realignment of the sections, the squads will see each other twice a year.

"It was our first game in a new section and we have never seen this team before," Waynesburg Central coach Chris Benson said. "They are very physical and controlled the ball early on before we got our legs under us. I think our kids responded pretty well, and we didn't hang our heads at any moment in the game. This is a confidence builder and it brings the spirit of the team up."

Greensburg Salem held the momentum early on, but Waynesburg stormed back and rattled off some good scoring chances. The Raiders held a 7-5 shooting edge in a scoreless first half.

"Obviously, Niki (Augustine) is an extremely strong and emotional player for us," Benson said. "She is one of our captains and we depend on her a great deal on the field. She gives a million percent every time she steps foot on that field. When we get in those types of situations, she is able to place the ball in the back of the net regularly. I walked up to the center of the field and told Niki to put it in, and she did just that."

Waynesburg's Anna Throckmorton, who missed all of the 2009 season due to injury, was the winning goalie, stopping seven shots.

Rachel Ott made eight saves for Greensburg Salem.

"Both teams played hard, and the game could have gone either way," Greensburg Salem coach Jim Morrison said. "When you get into overtime, anything can happen and ever plays matter. They got a call, and made the last shot. It was a great shot, but our young team played well. It's a new section, with a new bunch of teams, and it's going to be really competitive this year for us."

PITTSBURGH - Dennis Dixon may not be learning at the knee of Mark Brunell, Jon Kitna, or Kerry Collins - the most experienced backup quarterbacks in the NFL - but he'll learn enough from the veteran duo of Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch this week. Leftwich has promised Dixon as much.

"Me and Chuck will help him," said Leftwich. "We pretty much know everything he's going to be thinking about the night before the game, the day of the game, the morning of the game, two days before the game, because we've been in those situations. So me and Chuck are going to do our best to help Dennis. I believe he'll do fine. He's been doing great in practice. He knows what he's doing."

Dixon will make his second career start Sunday at home against the Atlanta Falcons. Last season, as a late replacement for a concussed Ben Roethlisberger in Baltimore, Dixon completed 12 of 26 passes for 145 yards. He threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes and ran 24 yards for the other Steelers touchdown, but was intercepted at midfield in overtime and the Ravens won with a short field goal.

The third-year vet will open the season for the Steelers on Sunday, thanks to Ben Roethlisberger's suspension and Leftwich's injury.

"It's going to be a lot of excitement coming my way," said Dixon. "Good thing I have excellent teammates to calm me down."

Leftwich and Batch will be on the sidelines with the wisdom of 99 combined starts. Only three teams will have more experience on the bench: Tennessee with Collins (170 starts); the New York Jets with Brunell (151) and Kellen Clemens (9); and Dallas with Kitna (115).

Maurkice Pouncey will be the first rookie to start an opener for the Steelers since Heath Miller in 2005. He'll also be the seventh rookie to start a game for coach Mike Tomlin in his three-plus seasons as coach of the Steelers.

Matt Spaeth and Frank Summers each started second games of their respective rookie seasons for Tomlin. David Johnson started Game 3 last year and Rashard Mendenhall started Game 4 in 2008. The other two rookie starters under Tomlin were Ramon Foster and Mike Wallace last season.

Pouncey, of course, is under a bit more pressure than the typical rookie. He's being looked upon to restore pride to a tradition of exceptional center play in Pittsburgh that was interrupted for a few seasons after the run of Ray Mansfield (1966-75), Mike Webster (1976-88), Dermontti Dawson (1989-00) and Jeff Hartings (2001-06).

Dawson, in fact, called Pouncey the day the Steelers drafted him.

"He congratulated me, told me to do my best, stuff like that," said Pouncey.

Did he mention the tradition?

"He mentioned it," Pouncey said. "He said, 'Make sure you study that.'"

Pouncey said he has since watched tape of Dawson.

"He was a beast; a great player," Pouncey said. "I'm just hoping to be somewhat like him."

Leftwich on when he might return to the playing field:

"I'm sure I've got a few Willis Reed moments left in me and I could rush this thing, but I won't go out there unless I'm healthy enough to play."

James Farrior on the distinct difference in intensity at Wednesday's practice:

"First week of the season, first practice (in pads) of the week, I think everybody was pretty excited to go through the routine. Yeah, I think there was a little bit more excitement."

The Steelers announced the opening of Steelers Photo Store, which will sell images from the current season along with iconic shots of the team. The online store can be accessed through Steelers.com.

Beth-Center's Jeff Tarley certainly hit the ground running, as the senior scored four touchdowns in the Bulldogs' season opening win at Frazier last Friday.

Tarley needed all four to take a slim lead in the Herald-Standard Touchdown Club standings through the first week of the season.

Carmichaels' Zach Mundell is only two points behind Tarley's 24 after scoring three touchdowns and two two-point conversions in the Mikes' win over Leechburg.

Mundell has a 10-point cushion between himself and six players who scored a pair of touchdowns for 12 points each. Those six are Jefferson-Morgan's Dustin Conti and Chris Fadden, Southmoreland's Dakota Datz, Uniontown's Fred Johnson, California's Cody Lambert and Laurel Highlands' Matt Shull.

California's Naz Victoria leads among kickers with five extra points, while Laurel Highlands' Kevin Provance booted the area's only field goal and added an extra point for four total points.

The Touchdown Club recognizes the top scoring players among area football players. At season's end, the top scorer will receive a trophy and his school will get to display the Touchdown Club's traveling plaque for the next year.

Last year's race ended in a three-way tie among Uniontown's Arnold Walker, Jefferson-Morgan's Ryan Knight and Carmichaels' Anthonie Farrar.

Previous winners are Beth-Center's Joshua Lockett, Jefferson-Morgan's Justin Falcon, Waynesburg Central's Scott Cree and Mapletown's Ryan Geisel.

A complete list of last week's scoring may be found on Page C2.

And on Tuesday, Frazier defended its reputation strongly to the tune of a 3-0 sweep of Carmichaels in the section opener for both squads.

The Lady Commodores dominated the action from start to finish and overwhelmed the Lady Mikes as they won their sets 25-5, 25-5 and 25-11.

"It's nice to get the section opener underneath our belt," Frazier coach Mandy Hartman said. "I was pleased with our effort and our overall play. We took care of business and we were focused from the beginning. We worked on our serving, and I think it showed tonight. We had good placement and good movement when we were receiving the ball."

Frazier, who is the defending co-champion of the section last year with an 11-1 record, got out early in the opening set as they scored the game's first seven points, which caused Carmichaels coach Ashley Speeney to call a timeout.

Later in the set, the Lady Commodores got out to a 20-5 lead, and then scored the final five points to take home the first set.

In the second set, it was more of the same as Frazier got out to an early lead and held a 13-1 edge over Carmichaels.

One of the main reasons for the early leads for the Lady Commodores in the first two sets was the superb serving of senior Savannah Prue.

"Savannah has been a wonderful surprise for us," Hartman said. "She has a fantastic serve that she has worked on during the off-season. She is also a force around the net and a great hitter. She brings a lot of leadership and guts to our team."

Prue finished her night with a team-high 17 service points.

In the final set, the Lady Mikes displayed a resistance against the Lady Commodores, and were only down 13-6 thanks to an ace from junior Marissa Krall.

Carmichaels trimmed the deficit to 19-11 later on in the final set, but Frazier steamed forward to tally the contest's next six points to finish off the dominating victory.

"We closed it out in three and didn't have a letdown," Hartman said. "We come to aspect that from our team, knowing we have a lot of experience and we have five seniors on our team. We have struggled with that in the past, but we are in a good mindset right now and they have learned how to control their nerves and avoid slumps."

"Frazier has tons of experience," Speeney said. "Their seniors are big for them and they know when to step up. They have had a good program for years. We need to go back to the basics and calm down during games. Our outlook is good; we just need to put the work in."

The winner of Tuesday's Division I, Section 2 match between Uniontown and Belle Vernon would stand alone in second place as the first half of the season draws to a close.

Which team is in second place is still up in the air after a controversial call left the match in limbo. On the scorecard, the Leopards won the match 214-215, but an unsportsmanlike conduct call and the accompanying two-stroke penalty swung the match in favor of the Red Raiders, 215-216.

The call in dispute occurred when a Belle Vernon golfer threw his ball into the water after putting out on No. 6, a par-3. The unsportsmanlike conduct call was made at that point in the match, before the any of the six golfers had completed their rounds.

"The penalty was disputed and the golfer refused to sign the card," said Uniontown coach Aaron Scott. "The coaches (Scott and Belle Vernon's Jay Lustig) are to write a letter to the WPIAL and explain what happened, and the golf committee will make a decision."

Through it all, Uniontown's No. 1 Mason Fordyce pieced together a strong round of 2-over 39.

"I hit everything straight today," said Fordyce. "I missed a couple of short putts. You definitely can't go for the flagstick. It rolls off the green."

Fordyce is pleased with the way he's playing, as well as his teammates.

"My ball-striking is strong. I feel confident in everyone. We're coming together," said Fordyce.

The key match with first-place Laurel Highlands was to be this week, but the match to close the first half was rescheduled to Wednesday, Sept. 15.

"I would like to have the match this week. We have momentum," said Fordyce.

The Red Raiders' Ben Sampson had a good round with a 41, and Zack Nelson was just behind.

Belle Vernon closes the first half of the section schedule on the road at Cedarbrook Golf Course against Ringgold.

Laurel Highlands golf coach Mike Smith knew if his Mustangs defeated Albert Gallatin Tuesday afternoon at Duck Hollow Golf Club they would hold at least a one-match lead because Uniontown and Belle Vernon were also playing at Duck Hollow.

The Mustangs put together a solid team round, defeating the Colonials, 205-241, in Division I, Section 2 action. Laurel Highlands improves to 5-0 in the section and 6-0 overall, one match shy - against Uniontown - of finishing the first half of the schedule. Albert Gallatin slips to 0-6 in the section and 1-6.

The Mustangs still have that one-match lead with the result of the Uniontown-Belle Vernon match pending a ruling from the WPIAL golf steering committee. Mount Pleasant has two losses.

Cross country coaches always talk about "good grouping," and they would've been pleased with the way the Mustangs finished. Richard David and Derek Plaski shared medalist honors with a 3-over 40. Alex Ashton and Ben Cole both shot 41, and Jeremy Guzy closed the scoring with a 43. John Gabriel's 44 was thrown out.

"I'll take everyone of them," Smith said of the victory. "As tough as the conditions (on the course) were, they stepped up today."

Smith threw his squad a curve before the match when he told them to take the drivers out of their bags.

"With the conditions, they didn't need their drivers. I wanted to show them they can play just as good (without the driver)," explained Smith.

The Mustangs' situation heading into the second half is different than that of last year because early losses had them looking up in the standings.

"We'll leave the first half no worse than tied for first. We control our own destiny," said Smith. "This is the first team in the five years I've been coach that I can sense they've come together as a team. They grasp the team concept of golf."

The Colonials are going the other direction, leaving coach Bernie Wydo trying to figure out what needs to be done to right the ship. Pat McDonough was the low man with a 44. Brandon Sutton shot a 46 and Nik Myers finished with 49. Brandon Kenney (50) and Jacob Provance (52) closed the scoring.

"We have no confidence, no competitiveness," said Wydo. "All we're doing is learning how to lose.

"I have to figure out a way to change that."

The Colonials travel to Greene County Country Club this afternoon to play Jefferson-Morgan in a non-section match. The Mustangs are off until next Tuesday when the start the second half of the schedule at Ringgold before closing the first half Wednesday against the Red Raiders.

CONNELLSVILLE TWP. - Geibel Catholic withstood an early onslaught from Beth-Center on Tuesday, then took command of their Section 4-A opponent and pulled away with three second-half goals to win, 4-1.

Colin Roble scored a hat trick and John Guest tallied the final goal on a free kick from 40 yards out to put the game away.

The Gators played the game without goaltender Wolfgang Zober and sweeper Matt Kovalchuk, who were both injured during weekend tournament games.

Beth-Center (0-4, 0-1) had the game's first four shots on backup goaltender Jeremy Toth, who made a pair of quality saves on the Bulldogs' Austin Smith within a span of 1:42 midway through the first half. Teammates Guest and Logan Persichetti also made several key defensive plays to keep Beth-Center out of the net.

Geibel Catholic (2-0-1, 1-0) had several wide shots and one shot on goal against Beth-Center keeper Andrew Cotton until Roble took a feed from Jason Choung and broke free to score 21:11 into the first half.

Trailing 1-0, the Bulldogs shocked the Gators just 29 seconds into the second half when Jared Diethorn broke in on Toth and scored from the right side.

It stayed that way until Roble took a pass from Wesley Wright and scored his second goal at 15:40 to put the Gators ahead for good.

Beth-Center responded with a brief charge, but Guest cleared the ball out to Roble, who broke in for a shot that Cotton stopped. Roble stayed with the rebound and headed the ball into the net for a 3-1 lead.

Guest added the final goal at 25:01 of the half on a free kick from the football 30-yard line.

After making six first half saves, Toth only had to stop one direct shot on goal in the final 40 minutes. Cotton had five saves.

Geibel coach Mike Grant and Beth-Center coach James Malloy both felt the tide turn in the second half, despite Diethorn's goal.

"We got out of our game plan and played their game, and they beat us at their game," Malloy said.

"We had a bad first half," said Grant. "Once we talked at halftime, we concentrated on bringing to the field the way we're able to play."

Grant said the breakaway passes to Roble, "are not our formula. But the players picked up on the defense they played and it worked." He said Guest's goal "is what we practiced for two weeks; running set plays off restarts."

Grant said Toth has played in goal in off-season competition, but with Kovalchuk out for several weeks, and Zober's uncertain status, he's still concerned about the upcoming games.

Waynesburg kept its record perfect Tuesday, downing Carmichaels 182-231 in section play at Rohanna's Golf Course.

Loren Dukate paced the Raiders (6-0, 5-0) with a par score of 33. Ben Virgin carded a 35 and Emily Rohanna shot a 36. Aaron Haywood rounded a 38 and Rick Kalsey shot a 40.

Brandon Wolfe led the Mikes (3-2, 3-2) by shooting a 41. Alex Watson and Justin Newman shot 46 and 47, respectively. Brandon Wamsley shot a 48 as Matt Blasinski added a 49.

Geibel Catholic 234 Jeanette 285 - The Gators picked up their second win of the season at Pleasant Hills County Club.

Ryan Robson was the medalist with a four-over-41 while teammates Mike Noonan, Mike Spergar and Patrick Herbet finished with scores of 45, 46, 49 and 53.

Matt Scherff was the low shooter for the Jayhawks with nine-over-46.

Beth-Center 212, Brownsville 269 - Beth-Center defeated Brownsville in section play at Carmichaels. None of the Bulldogs shot lower than 44 with Tyler Sabatula the medalist at four-over-41.

Taylor Dingle, Alex Antonio, Lucas Diethorne and Max Gustovich shot 42, 43, 42 and 44 respectively.

Frazier 222, Southmoreland 226 - The Commodores improved to 3-1 in section play with Robert Gondura the Medalist shooting four-over-40 while teammates Tyler Rock, D. J. Hudick, Zach Smalich and Eddie Miller finishing 44, 43, 50 and 45 respectively.

The Scotties low scorer Zac Black finished with five-over-41 while Zack Ripple and Nick Wells shot 46 each.

California 232, Washington 256 - Nick Roberts medaled to lead California to a section win over Washington on the gold course at Cedarbrook.

Alex Roach and Brett Schwaub each shot 46 for the Trojans (3-3, 3-2). Eric Rucci added a 47 and Blake Mudry rounded a 49.

Brownsville 4, Southmoreland 1 - Sara Shashura and Angie Pelhac breezed through singles play as Brownsville swept doubles play en route to a Section 1-AA win.

Shashura defeated Chelsea Pence in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0 as did Pelehac over Chelsie Leonard by the score of 6-1, 6-0. Elizabeth Fontanzza picked up the lone win for Southmoreland (2-3) with a 6-1, 6-0 win over Kayla Bayne.

Brownsville's (3-2, 3-2) Megan Yocabet and Valerie Columbia won in first doubles over Kayla Bayne and Corinna Horak, 6-2, 6-0. Ashton Guty and Payton Ferguson picked up the other doubles win by defeating Clarissa Horak and Ashley Belzer, 6-3, 6-0.

Jefferson-Morgan 3, Mapletown 0 - Jefferson-Morgan opened its season with a win over Section 3-A rival Mapletown at home.

Courtney Lippencott led the Lady Rockets (1-0, 1-0) with six kills and three blocks as Paige Huber registered four kills and eleven digs.

Chelsea Dix added nine assists and seven aces as Kaitlyn Coles notched eight assists.

Trinity 3, Albert Gallatin 2 - The visiting Lady Hillers won the odd games, winning the Section 2-AAA opener for both teams. Trinity won the first set, 25-10, but the Lady Colonials rallied in the second, 25-20. Trinity regained the lead in the third, 25-16, only to have Albert Gallatin tie the match, 25-20.

Belle Vernon 3, Uniontown 1 - The Lady Raiders suffered a four-set loss to the Lady Leopards in non-section action.

Belle Vernon (1-0) won the first two sets by scores of 25-13 and 25-20 before dropping the third set, 25-22. The visitors won the fourth set, 25-15.

Tori Campbell led the way for Uniontown (0-1) with five kills and seven blocks.

Geibel Catholic 3, California 0 - The Gators defeated the Trojans 25-13, 25-15 and 25-9. Rachel Erdely had five kills, 15 service points and six aces for the Gators while teammate Annie Caccimelio had 15 service points and an ace.

Avella 3, Beth-Center 0 - The Eagles defeated the Bulldogs 25-23, 25-20 and 25-16. Isabella Paul and Kayla Paterson had 12 and 14 service points respectively.

Frazier 27, Albert Gallatin 28; Frazier 25, Yough 30; Yough 27, Albert Gallatin 28 - The Commodores opened the dual meet season with a pair of home non-section victories at Sampey Park.

Frazier's Sawyer Palonder finished first, crossing the finish line in 18:53. After Yough's Brandon Holmes came across in second, three Colonials finished in order. Kyle Oldland was third in 20:10, Kyle Zinn fourth in 20:23, and Jeremy Rich was sixth in 20:34.

Cory Krall was sixth in 21:22 for the Commodores.

Yough 15, Albert Gallatin 50; Yough 15, Frazier 50 - The Lady Cougars' Emily Campbell finished first in the non-section triangular with a time of 23:59. Albert Gallatin's Courtney Tennant was sixth with a time of 28:24 and Frazier's Amber Starr was 15th overall in 35:39.

Albert Gallatin 4, Uniontown 1 - Alex Zidek scored two goals as the Colonials cruised to a non-section victory at home.

Nick Greash (6:31) and Jess Varndell (36:00) added two more for Albert Gallatin (2-1). Shawn Smearcheck made 12 saves for the Colonials, who host Brownsville Saturday at 2 p.m.

Laurel Highlands 2, West Mifflin 1 - The Mustangs improve to 3-0 in the section thanks to a goal from Jesse Laverdiere with eight minutes left in the first half that broke a 1-1 tie.

The Mustangs' Alex Merchbaker struck first at the 28-minute mark.

Laurel Highlands graduate Jessica Zavatchen earned All-Tournament honors after leading the Bethany Bison to a 4-0 record and title at the Marietta Invitational in Marietta, Ohio.

Zavatchen averaged 36.3 assists per match.

Laurel Highlands had a good showing at the season-opening Gateway Invitational Saturday morning with one boy and three girls in the top 20.

The Mustangs finished seventh in the 14-team field with Anthony Cecchini placing 19th in 18:40. Justin Kostelnik (22nd, 18:50), Ryan Teets (29th, 19:10), Michael Cecchini (30th, 19:13), and Adam Ennis (51st, 19:50) rounded out the top five finishers for Laurel Highlands.

The Fillies' Elli Monaghan finished 13th with a time of 22:55, six seconds ahead of teammates Melissa McCann in 14th place and 18 seconds ahead of Anne rice in 18th. Emily Rice (27th, 24:15) and Clairesa Johnson (46th, 25:46) closed the scoring for Laurel Highlands.

Photo misidentified

The cheerleaders flanking Brownsville's Jimmy Stoken on page 24 in Football 2010 were misidentified. On Stoken's left is Chevelle Stoken and to his right is Summer Stoken.

SOCCER

Tonya Fabian scored the lone goal Sunday and goalkeeper Paula Jackson made the goal stand to give California (Pa.) a non-conference victory over Charleston (W.Va.) in the Vulcans home opener.

Fabian scored in the 18th minute off assists from Carley Work and Elizabeth Johnston. The Vulcans (2-0) outshot Charleston, 34-1. Jackson registered her 13th career shutout.

Washington & Jefferson overcame a 1-0 deficit Sunday for a 4-1 road victory against Pitt-Greensburg. Chrissy Marcius scored two goals, both from Vicki Kowlewski assists.

Football

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Running back Frank Summers, one of the final players cut last weekend, has returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers as a practice squad player.

Also brought back were seven other players released during the preseason: tight end Eugene Bright, guard Dorian Brooks, safety Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith, wide receiver Tyler Grisham, offensive tackle Kyle Jolly, defensive tackle Steve McLendon and defensive end Doug Worthington.

Worthington, a seventh-round selection, was the only healthy Steelers draft pick to not make the 53-man roster. Offensive tackle Chris Scott (foot), a fifth-round pick, is on the physically unable to perform list.

HOUSTON (AP) - Matt Leinart has agreed to a one-year deal with the Houston Texans, according to agent Tom Condon.

Leinart was cut by Arizona on Saturday. Condon confirmed in a phone interview with The Associated Press on Monday that Leinart had reached a deal with the Texans.

The Texans were looking for insurance at backup quarterback after Dan Orlovsky threw two interceptions in Houston's last preseason game last week. John David Booty, another former Southern Cal quarterback, threw two touchdown passes in that game, but was cut over the weekend.

Though it lacked section implications, the Laurel Highlands girls soccer team's 3-2 double overtime victory against Uniontown in the FCCA Girls Soccer Tournament still thrilled the home crowd in attendance Saturday evening.

Cassie Martin, who had the first goal of the night for the Fillies (1-1) and attempted three previous shots on goal, slipped one past Lady Raider goalie Alexis Rider at the 24 second mark of second overtime.

The Lady Raiders (0-2) rallied from a 2-0 first half deficit with Kim Natural taking the ball from the midline and drilling in a shot from just outside the goal with 31:38 remaining in the second half.

Jillian Grena tied the game for the Lady Raiders with 9:09 remaining in the second half, following a penalty kick whistled for a push in the back just outside the Fillies' goal.

"I don't know what you can do in those situations," said Fillies coach Jess DuBois, who picked up her first win. "When they call it any goalie has a hard time defending that type of kick."

Lady Raiders coach Scott Menarcheck said his team played better in the second half but had to work harder for their future games.

"My team is definitely a second half team," said Menarcheck. "We did well in the second half but we have to work on playing well to start the game too."

Anna Pirl assisted Martin on the Fillies' first goal of the night at the 25:25 mark of the first quarter and scored her own goal with 8:41 remaining in the half.

Connellsville split its matches, defeating Uniontown, 4-2, and losing to Canon-McMillan, 5-0.

Aston Grimm scored two and Alley Panzella and Jessica White had a goal apiece in the first game, while Natural scored both goals for the Lady Raiders. Ashley Fratto turned aside 13 shots in the net for the Lady Falcons.

Connellsville (1-1) could only muster three shots against the Big Macs. Fratto made eight saves.

In other tournament action, Geibel Catholic shut out Albert Gallatin, 4-0, Canon-McMillan cruised past Laurel Highlands, 9-0, and Bentworth won both of its matches, 8-0 over Albert Gallatin and 3-1 against Geibel Catholic.

The overtime came down to an extra point, and California (Pa.) made its attempt while Saginaw Valley State didn't to give the Vulcans a 42-41 non-conference victory Saturday afternoon.

California had the ball first in overtime, and Terrance Moore scored on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Josh Portis. Marc Domonkos' extra point was true. Saginaw Valley scored on Ronnie Lark's 4-yard run, but Austin Borchard missed the point after.

Domonkos had a big day for the Vulcans. He connected on four extra points as well as field goals of 19 and 29 yards.

California forced overtime midway through the fourth quarter when Chedrick Cherry gathered in a 22-yard pass from Portis, and the scored the tying two-point conversion.

Portis threw for 203 yards and three touchdowns, and ran for 41. Lamont Smith carried the ball 17 times for 67 yards and a touchdown. Cherry scored on a 17-yard run, and caught four passes for 50 yards.

Griffin Classic - Geibel Catholic senior Anthony Speeney finished 19th with a time of 19:43.69 in the boys 5K race at Seton Hill University.

Griffin Classic - Geibel Catholic sophomore Peyton McIntyre finished second to Yough's Emily Campbell with a time of 23:28.93.

Griffin Classic - Waynesburg freshman Jonathan Blatt finished 10th on Seton Hill University's 8K course with a time of 30:09.94. Teammate Kam Schaefer, a Uniontown grad, was 22 seconds behind in 12th place, and Justin Angotti was 14th with a time of 30:31.33.

California University of Pa. Invitational - Vulcan freshman Aaron Dinzeo finished first in the 19-runner field on his home course with a time of 25:51. Brownsville grad Cameron Coffey was seventh overall in a time of 28:07.

Griffin Classic - Waynesburg had three runners in the top 10 on the 5K course at Seton Hill University. Breann Paul was fifth with a time of 20:47.77. Tiffany Onifer was sixth in 21:12.73, and Uniontown grad Michelle Naymick was 10th with a time of 21:46.85.

California University of Pa. Invitational - The Vulcans' Julia Kubica finished second on her home course with a time of 20:01, 32 seconds behind Saint Vincent College's Ivette Mejia.

SVC Bearcat Challenge - Waynesburg dropped both matches on the second-day of the tournament, losing 3-1 to Carlow (19-25, 25-11, 25-12, 25-21) and 3-0 to Houghton, N.Y. (29-27, 27-25, 25-18). The Yellow Jackets slip to 2-3 overall.

Marietta Tournament - Bethany (W.Va.) won both matches Saturday to take the Marietta Tournament after finishing with a 4-0 tournament record.

Laurel Highlands grad Jessica Zavatchen was named to the All-Tournament team. She had 36 assists in the 3-1 win over Denison and a tournament-high 45 in the 3-1 win against Kenyon. Connellsville's Jessica Cole had 19 kills in the win over Kenyon.

Connellsville 27, Southmoreland 30 - The Scotties' Robert Smith set the pace in the season-opening meet, but the Falcons had more runners in the top 10 for a non-section road victory.

Smith completed his home course in 18:31, 38 seconds ahead of the Falcons' Adam Siecinski.

"I pulled ahead on Cemetery Hill. I pushed the pace," Smith said of when he put distance between himself and Siecinski. "It was humid out today. My mouth dried up fast.

"I wanted to try to run under 18 (minutes) and try to win the race because I knew (Siecinski) was good."

Connellsville's Michael Jacobyansky finished third in 20:16, and the Scotties' Josh Dei was fourth 13 seconds later. Teammate Michael Garlowich finished fifth in 20:29, but Connellsville's Jace Mascioli (21:09) and Mason Jaynes (21:14) took the next two spots.

Southmoreland's Ryan Allem was eighth. Connellsville clinched the win with the Cramers, Andrew and Matt, rounding out the top 10.

Southmoreland 15, Connellsville 50 - Only seven girls competed in the traditional opening meet of the season, and the Lady Scots had five of them for a non-section home victory.

Southmoreland's Jess Suhan finished first in 24:24. Teammate Rikki Brown was second with a time of 25:40, and Maria Garlowich was nine seconds behind in third. Karlee Booker was fourth and Cindy Severi finished fifth.

Freshman Rachael Miller finished her first varsity race in 27:26 with teammate Kensey Durst finished 29 seconds later.

Waynesburg 0, Ohio Wesleyan 0 - Connellsville grad Katrina Kelly turned aside 10 shots to preserve the tie in the opening game of the Defiance Tournament. The Yellow Jackets had three shots on net.

Waynesburg is now 0-1-1.

Greensville 1, Waynesburg 0 - The Yellow Jackets slipped to 0-2-0 with a loss in the opening match of the Defiance Tournament.

Women's volleyball

Bethany (W.Va.) 3, LaGrange 0; Bethany (W.Va.) 3, Penn State-Behrend 0 - Laurel Highlands graduate Jessica Zavatchen distributed 64 assists to lead the Bison to a pair of victories on the first day of the Marietta Tournament.

Bethany defeated LaGrange 25-19, 25-7 and 25-13. Zavatchen had 33 assists in the sweep. Connellsville grad had a team-high nine kills.

The Bison swept past Penn State-Behrend in the second match of the day, 25-18, 25-7, 25-22. Zavatchen finished with 31 assists and two blocks. Cole had a strong defensive effort with a team-high 12 digs.

Waynesburg 3, Pitt-Greensburg 0 - The Yellow Jackets opened the Saint Vincent Bearcat Challenge Tournament by defeating the Lady Bobcats for the second time in three days. Waynesburg swept to victory with set wins of 25-16, 25-21 and 25-12.

Waynesburg improves to 2-0.

Rollins (Fla.) 3, California (Pa.) 0; Colorado-Colorado Springs 3, California (Pa.) 1 - The Vulcans are off to a rocky start after dropping both matches in the opening day of the Courtyard by Marriott Invitational in Lynn (Fla.)

California lost to Rollins, 25-17, 25-23, and 26-24, and Colorado-Colorado Springs, 25-23, 13-25, 25-12, and 25-18.

Brandy Harris had eight kills in the opening match, and Kelly Fromknecht added seven kills, 15 assists, eight digs and two service aces. Julie Paronish had a team-high 17 digs.

Harris finished with 11 kills in the second match. Kortney Eshleman led the offense with 16 assists. Paronish had another strong defensive effort with 14 digs.

CONNELLSVILLE TWP. - All athletes know the term, short memory.

Geibel Catholic must put that term to good use to forget about the 51-8 beating the Gators took from Monessen Saturday afternoon to kick off their 2010 season.

"We had our chances early but we made too many mistakes," Gators head coach Ron Marciante said. "When you get the ball at their 30, and end up fourth-and-long from the 50, something is wrong. We practice well during the week and lose it when we get on the field. It's all mental."

Monessen got into the Gators' heads early, jumping out to a 15-0 lead in the first quarter. Trae Cook scored the first of his two touchdowns on a 21-yard run. Brady Kunsa then passed to Justice Rawlins for the two-point conversion. They Greyhounds added another score with a little more than a minute left on the clock on a one-yard run by Kunsa. Cody Matush added the extra point.

"We're happy with the win, but we were sloppy in some of our execution today," Monessen's Andy Pacak said. "We had too many bad penalties like roughing the kicker. They're hustling penalties as opposed to mental mistakes. That's something we can work on."

The Greyhounds picked up another score in the second quarter when Kunsa was able to scramble away from the Gator pressure and found J.J. Foster open for a 39-yard scoring play. Kunsa then tossed a two-point conversion to Aaron Bell to give the Greyhounds a 23-0 lead at the half.

Geibel held off Monessen through most of the third quarter. The Greyhounds took the second half kickoff and drove to the Geibel 30, where the Gators recovered. However on the next play the Gators fumbled at their own 32 and Monessen returned the ball to the Gator seven. Three plays later Cook scored for a second time on a three-yard run. Matush's kick made the score 30-0.

Monessen put the game away with three scores in the fourth quarter, two of those the result of Geibel turnovers. The first score came on a 59-yard run by Foster with 10:30 left to play. Matush's kick increased the lead to 37-0, putting the "Mercy Rule" into affect with the clock continuously running.

The reserves from both teams started to enter the game at that point. Geibel had the ball and attempted to pass which was intercepted by Devin Sanders who returned the ball 24-yards for the score.

On the ensuing kickoff the Gators started at their 26. They fumbled on the first play from scrimmage, and Joshua Wardlaw scooped up the loose ball and took it in for the score.

The Gators managed to avoid a shutout when Martin Berrish found a seam and ran 80-yards for the score. Chris Erdely then hit Santo Piccolomini with the two-point conversion.

"We made mistakes, but I felt the kids played hard," Marciante said. "Next week we'll go back to work and find out who wants to play some football and send out the best 11."

Laurel Highlands made a couple of late runs, but Connellsville was up to the challenge Saturday afternoon as the Lady Falcons successfully defended their FCCA Volleyball Tournament with a 25-23 win over the Fillies at Laurel Highlands High School.

Connellsville finished the eight-team, round robin tournament as the lone undefeated team, advancing to the Gold division finals with a 25-21 victory over Geibel Catholic. Laurel Highlands defeated Homer Center in the other semifinal, 25-23.

In the Silver division final, Belle Vernon defeated Brownsville, 26-24. The Lady Leopards advanced to the final by beating Uniontown, 25-19, and the Lady Falcons edged Albert Gallatin, 26-24.

"We really played well," said Connellsville coach Sara Pockstaller. "We fought back. The girls showed a lot of character."

Connellsville led 21-17, but the Fillies rallied to tie the match. The Lady Falcons pulled ahead, and held off Laurel Highlands for the title.

Laurel Highlands had strong performances in the title match from Janelle Cooper (9 assists), Marissa Erminio (5 kills, 6 digs), and Tessa Sova (4 kills, 4 digs). Coach Michelle Pergar was pleased with her squad's tournament.

"Obviously, we wanted to win," said Pergar. "We're a young team. We wanted them to mesh together and apply what they've learned this summer."

Homer Center gave defending champion Connellsville its toughest match in the round robin schedule as the Lady Falcons won in three, 25-19, 22-25, 15-11.

Pockstaller said Homer Center helped to make the tournament competitive.

"We had to earn every point," Pockstaller said. "They're a class A school, but they move the ball well. We were down by five points in the second set and fought our way back. Our players looked defeated when they came off the court, but they showed character when they got the lead in the third game and kept it."

Connellsville opened with a 25-18, 25-23 win over Brownsville. After their close call against Homer Center, the Lady Falcons defeated Belle Vernon, 25-13, 25-11.

Homer Center posted wins over Belle Vernon, 25-23, 25-16, and Brownsville, 25-23, 21-25, 15-12.

Geibel Catholic may have had the smallest team in the tournament, but the Lady Gators battled to a 26-24, 20-25, 16-14 win over Albert Gallatin and rallied to beat Uniontown, 20-25, 25-16, 15-10.

Veteran coach Rick Watkins said he wasn't concerned about any fatigue for the Lady Gators over a stretch of six sets.

"We've conditioned our kids to spend a lot of time on the court. Getting a lot of playing time is good for us. Winning ugly is better than losing pretty, isn't it?"

Host Laurel Highlands got through its three round-robin wins without losing a set, topping Uniontown 25-12 and rallying from a late deficit in the second set to win 25-22. The Filles then downed Albert Gallatin, 25-13, 25-11, and Geibel Catholic, 25-16, 25-16.

Last year, LH had to withstand three straight matches in the loser's bracket of the former double-elimination tournament to reach the championship match with Connellsville. Fillies' coach Michelle Pergar enjoyed winning three matches in straight sets.

"I think this is a lot better format," she said. "No one has to play so many matches in a row now."

Of the 30 sets in the 12 round robin games, 11 were decided by two or three points.

Homer Center traveled over 90 minutes from Indiana County to fill out the eight-team format when another area team had to pull out of the event.

Laurel Highlands defeated Connellsville, 2-0, in the Fayette County Coaches Association Tournament Saturday afternoon.

The Mustangs' first goal came with 15:26 remaining in the first half when Alex Merchbaker scored in the box on a pass from Elliot Weiss.

The contest became more physical in the second half, as the teams were given four yellow cards and one red card in the half.

Jesse Laverdiere added the second goal for LH with 12:00 to go off a Connor Hughes' assist.

"We lost our marks in the back and we didn't move the ball as well as we have in some of our scrimmages," said first-year Connellsville coach Jason Rice.

Mustangs coach Steven Weiss was happy with a victory, but thinks his team can play better.

"We didn't play our game in the first half," said Weiss. "We need to do a better job finishing."

In other tournament action, Jesse Varndell recorded a hat trick to lead Albert Gallatin to an easy 8-0 win over Brownsville and Geibel Catholic edged Uniontown in a shootout after regulation ended in a 3-3 tie.

In the tournament's other matches, Connellsville earned a split of the day's action with a 2-0 win over Albert Gallatin, Geibel Catholic shut out Brownsville, 5-0, and Laurel Highlands defeated Uniontown, 4-1.

Quarterback Derrick Whipkey scampered 42 yards to the end zone to give McGuffey a fourth-quarter lead and the Highlanders held on to defeat Laurel Highlands, 20-16, Friday night in their season opener.

"We live and die with him," said McGuffey coach Derek Bochna of Whipkey. "He is our best player on defense and tonight you saw what he is capable of on offense."

Whipkey was 0-for-7 passing, but he didn't let the lack of success in the passing game stop him from being an offensive force running the ball. The senior quarterback had 13 carries for 130 yards and three touchdowns.

After a three-and-out on their first possession and a Mustangs' missed field goal, McGuffey put together the first scoring drive. Ryan McKean had a 42-yard run and Whipkey added a 22-yard carry to get the Highlanders deep into LH territory. Whipkey capped off the drive with a 3-yard QB keeper to give his team the early lead.

The second quarter belonged to the Mustangs and junior quarterback Jake Riddell.

Riddell hit Jordan Crews for a 41-yard gain, and then tied the game on a 23-yard toss into the hands of Matt Shull.

After a strong stand from the Mustang defense, Riddell, along with running back Rasheed Dotson, put together another productive drive. It appeared the Mustangs would come up empty on the drive when they fumbled close to the goal line, but Shull made an aggressive and heads up play to recover the ball in the end zone for a touchdown.

McGuffey blocked the extra point, but Laurel Highlands took a 13-7 lead into halftime as Riddell threw for 158 yards on 11-of-15 attempts with the touchdown in the first half.

The Highlanders' defense was revitalized in the second half and promptly got the ball back to its offense in good field position.

McGuffey started on their own 44 and ran eight straight run plays. Jacob Szolek had a 20-yard carry and Whipkey once again entered the end zone on a QB keeper, this one from 13 yards out.

Down by one, it was the Mustangs' defense that would step up in the fourth quarter.

McGuffey continued to use its ground game to move the ball to midfield, but an aggressive defensive line forced a fumble and it was pounced on by LH safety Dawson Sickles.

Riddell promptly hit Crews for a 26-yard gain and Kevin Provance split the uprights to give the Mustangs a 16-14 edge.

"Jake is a young man with a lot of talent and ability," said Laurel Highlands coach Jack Buehner. "He lacked experience, but he worked really hard over the offseason."

The McGuffey offense came out poised after the score. Keith Cox hit a hole to find 15 of his 75 yards and move the Highlanders over midfield.

LH's defense stiffened up to present the Highlanders with a third-and-6, but Whipkey made his biggest play of the day in both length and magnitude. Whipkey went left and evaded tacklers on his 42-yard sprint to the end zone.

The McGuffey defense held to seal the road victory for the Highlanders.

"There is no excuse, they earned it," said Buehner. "We have some younger guys on defense, we got beat in the trenches."

Laurel Highlands (0-1) will look for its first win Friday when the Mustangs host Peters Township at 7 p.m. in a non-section battle.

McGuffey (1-0) opens its home schedule in Week 2 when Belle Vernon comes to town.

ALVERTON - The Southmoreland football team has already reached its initial preseason goal. Now the Scotties are taking aim on the next goal -- two wins.

In its return to the Class AA Interstate Conference on Friday, Southmoreland (1-0, 1-0) broke a string of 18 consecutive losses with a 20-6 win over visiting Brownville.

Both teams scored touchdowns on short drives, three of which came after turnovers.

A turning point came with less than two minutes left in a scoreless opening quarter when Brownsville sophomore quarterback Brandon DeCarlo suffered an undetermined leg injury and did not return to action.

Southmoreland scored on its next series after taking possession on a short punt at the Falcons' 34-yard line.

It took the Scotties nine plays to reach the end zone with Dakota Datz completing a key fourth down pass to Connor McKlveen that covered 12 yards to the BHS 14 yard line. Datz carried on the next four plays, capping the drive from the one yard line at 9:32 of the second quarter. Nate Stone's conversion kick made it 7-0.

Five plays later, the Scots' Tommy Szatkowski recovered a fumble at the Falcons' 33-yard line. Three plays later, Datz passed to Szatkowski for a 26-yard scoring play and a 13-0 lead after the kick failed.

Brownsville (0-1, 0-1) got back in the game late in the half when the Scotties muffed a punt, and Brandon Furlong recovered at the SHS 14-yard line. Two plays later, backup quarterback Martin Smith completed a 13-yard scoring pass to Isaiah Spencer, but the conversion kick failed to leave Scotties on top, 13-6.

Datz had a combined 167 yards of offense in the first half, but the Scotties were penalized six times for 57 yards, of which three infractions nullified a touchdown pass to McKlveen, and a pair of pass interceptions.

The Falcons were poised to cut the lead midway through the third quarter when Smith completed a 61 pass-and-run play to Mark Johnson that carried to the Scottie 11 yard line.

But defensive plays by Kekoa Hillen and Nathan Zimmerman around a costly holding infraction, backed the Falcons to the 32, where the drive ended.

Brownsville had two more opportunities in the fourth quarter. The first came after recovering a Scottie fumble at the Brownsville 42. But on the next play, an errant pitchout was picked up by Szatkowski and returned to the BHS 11.

Datz carried three times, and covered the final three yards to make it 20-6 with Stone's kick.

Johnson returned the ensuing kickoff 52 yards to the Southmoreland 30, and the Falcons drove to the 15 before Asa Costelnock recovered a fumble to end the drive at the 18 yard line.

"This feels awesome," said Southmoreland coach Brian Pritts afterwards. "We played very sloppy, but made the plays when we had to. I'm proud of the fight in our kids."

Datz had 191 all-purpose yards, and Pritts said he "did a great job and managed the game well." He added, "This was not a pretty game. It was pretty ugly, but we've lost those kinds of games in the past."

The Scotties were penalized 10 times for 110 yards, and Pritts said, "We're going to work on that."

Brownsville coach Von Braddock said DeCarlo will have an MRI taken on his left knee on Monday. "Without him in the game, that was the difference. My second quarterback had limited reps this week, but he did a great job for us."

Braddock added, "My kids will come back and work hard. At the end of the game, I don't know what happened on the pitch out, and our line calls weren't there tonight."

Southmoreland won't have long to savor the win as the Scotties visit defending WPIAL champion Greenburg Central Catholic on Friday, while Brownsville will play its first home game against Charleroi.

PERRYOPOLIS - Beth Center lived up to its pre-season billing as one of the premier teams, not just in the Tri-County South Conference, but among all Class A teams with a convincing 33-0 victory over Frazier.

Ed Woods' Bulldogs wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. Starting its initial possession on the BC 33, the Bulldogs marched 67 yards on 10 plays to get on the scoreboard just over three minutes into the new season when Jeff Tarley scored the first of his four touchdowns on an eight-yard run.

As the Jeff Tarley show continued into the second quarter, the 5-11, 255-pound running back scored on runs of 5, 25, and 7 yards, giving BC a commanding 26-0 lead at halftime. BC junior quarterback Sal Faieta capped the scoring with a 44-yard run midway through the third quarter.

Despite the score, and despite amassing 316 yards rushing and 115 passing, Woods was "a little disappointed" in his team's performance.

"I thought we would be more crisp than we were," Woods said. "In spite of the outcome, there is still room for improvement. Our kids know this and they weren't completely satisfied with their performance. Once our team gets into game shape, we will be better."

While BC's offense piled up 431 total yards, the Beth Center defense garnered its share of the spotlight, limiting Frazier to 31 yards rushing and 52 passing. Beth center rolled up 20 first downs to three for Frazier.

"Our defense was a little stronger," Woods continued. "At this early stage in a season, the defense generally has the edge. We were aggressive on defense and we were getting to the ball."

Frazier, on the other hand, led by first-year head coach Mike Steeber, was unable to generate any offense.

"We knew Beth center would be big, strong, and execute well," Steeber said. "They used everything they had and everything worked against us. We knew what we would be facing, but we refused to back down. BC dominated us at the line of scrimmage and that's where we have to begin to improve. It's obvious that we have to get better on both sides of the ball."

While Tarley and Faieta (8-14 passing for 115 yards) stood out for the Bulldogs, Steeber pointed to the leadership of junior quarterback Rock Vargo and senior running back Josh Guiser.

Under constant pressure from rushing linemen, Vargo completed seven passes in 14 attempts.

"This was Rock's first varsity start," Steeber pointed out, "and he had little time to set himself and throw. He is progressing and we plan to build on his talents."

Even though Guiser, Frazier's leading rusher with 19 yards on 11 carries, had little room to run, his speed will be a factor in the Commodores' offense.

"We have to give our skill players a chance," Steeber added. "We have to put ourselves in the position to let our offense work for us. This was a tough way to open the season, but you have to play the cards you are dealt with. Whether you face a good team now or in the middle of the season, you have to be prepared. Our players were upbeat in the locker room. This is one game and they know what they have to do to improve."

Frazier will attempt to even its record at West Greene this week, while Beth Center plays host to Geibel Catholic.

JEFFERSON - The Jefferson-Morgan Rockets opened up the 2010 high school football season by rolling over West Greene to the tune of a 34-12 Tri-County South victory at Kennedy Field on Friday night.

The Rockets used their superior size on both sides of the line to control the game after the teams were tied at 6-6 at the end of the first quarter.

Jefferson got on the board first when it took the opening kickoff and marched 53 yards in nine plays. Senior quarterback Brandon Kozich scored the Rockets' first touchdown on the season, when he hooked up with Chris Faddis for a 15-yard touchdown pass on fourth down and five.

After West Greene failed to answer on its first offensive possession, the Rockets were forced to punt on their second drive. Senior Pioneer wide receiver Dillon Main took the resulting punt and raced down the sideline for an 85-yard touchdown return that tied the contest.

After the big play, J-M regained control of the contest, scoring 28-straight points on four touchdowns and a safety, which occurred when a West Greene snap sailed over the head over senior quarterback Clay Mason during a shotgun snap in the second quarter.

Jefferson-Morgan went up 12-6 midway through the second quarter when Kozich found sophomore Milton Sibanda for a 16-yard touchdown connection.

The Pioneer safety made it 14-6 Rockets with 2:34 to go in the half.

The home team's advantage swelled to 21-6, thanks to two-yard Chris Faddis touchdown run that capped a two-play, 20-yard drive after a long return off the free kick that came after the safety. Mati Zeglen tacked on the extra point.

J-M put the game safely out of reach in the third quarter, thanks to a pair of Dustin Conti touchdown runs. After combining those scores with a Zeglen extra point, the Rockets held a 34-6 lead.

West Greene finally got back on the scoring track with 2:55 to go in the game as Mason pounded in a one-yard scoring plunge that capped a five-play, 40-yard drive.

Though every win is big in a conference as hotly contested as the Tri-County South, Jefferson-Morgan head coach Jan Haiden, who is beginning his 19th season on the sidelines with the Rockets, kept his team's performance in perspective.

"A win is a win is a win," said veteran Jefferson-Morgan head coach Jan Haiden. "We were a little sloppy tonight and we got banged up."

Several Jefferson starters left the game at different points with various injuries.

For the night, the Rockets outgained their opponents 301 to 55 in total yardage, and enjoyed a 206-21 edge in rushing yards. Nine different Jefferson ball carriers recorded yardage on the night. Conti led all rushers with 77 yards and the two third-quarter touchdowns.

J-M also got a solid passing effort from Kozich who completed six of 13 passes for 95 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

"Kozich can throw the ball. He's a good quarterback," Haiden said. "We have no questions about his arm."

Junior Brenton Sink led West Greene with 29 yards on nine carries. Mason completed two of 10 passes for 34 yards and ran for a touchdown.

The game was the first for John Coss as the new head coach at West Greene. He gave some mixed reviews on his new team's season-opening performance.

"We made too many mistakes tonight, but if we eliminate those, we'll be in all of our games," Coss said. "I thought our defense played well, but our offense didn't do anything. I thought we played better in the second half."

Jefferson returns to action on Friday, when it travels to Northgate for the team's only non-conference game of the season. West Greene returns to Tri-County South action, as it hosts Frazier.

MAPLETOWN - The California Trojans opened the 2010 season with 27 first-quarter points against the Mapletown Maples, en route to a lopsided 48-6 victory in Tri-County South action Friday night.

"We were shaking the first couple of plays, and then we settled down," Trojans coach Brady Barbero said. "We wanted to go out there and throw the ball around. The kids calmed down and then took over the game early. We wanted to jump on them quick, and took advantage of some breaks that went our way.

California (1-0) defeated Mapletown (0-1) for the fifth straight time as they held the Maples to 21 offensive yards in the first half.

Trojans' quarterback T.D. Conway threw for 178 yards, including two scoring strikes, a 46-yard pass to wideout Josh Boothe and a 30-yard marker to his brother Dakota Conway in the first 12 minutes of the game.

"We have a lot of skilled players and we want to keep it balance for them," Barbero said. "Any one of our guys can break a tackle and score. We want to get the ball in their hands. T.D. is a big kid with good vision and a good arm. He puts the ball where it needs to be and gets the job done."

Both long passes were the catch, dodge and run variety as the Maples missed several open-field tackles.

"They came out and scored quickly," Maples coach George Messich said. "We missed a lot of tackles, then we fumbled a kickoff and they scored off of that. It's like you blinked, and we were already down 21-0. They have a lot of skilled people, and they are a good team. The Conway brothers are two incredible athletes, and I have a lot of respect for those kids."

Running back Cody Lambert ran for 55 yards and two touchdowns, as tailback Skylar Dickenson added 28 rushing yards, including a touchdown.

Fellow tailback Dylan Hunter blasted his way to the end zone on a 38-yard run to end the scoring for California in the first half, as the Trojans took a 40-0 lead at halftime.

The lone points for Mapletown came on a five-yard plunge into the end zone by running back Tommy Riggleman, that capped off a 12-play, 81 yard drive that began the third quarter.

"Defensively, our team speed was outstanding," Barbero said. "We were swarming around the ball and controlled the line of scrimmage. We been working on that all camp, and they responded tonight."

California will host Carmichaels this week, as Mapletown ventures to Monessen in Tri-County South action.

"It doesn't get any easier as we have Monessen next week," Messich said. "I told the coaches that we will be going to the drawing boards and work on fundamentals. You got to try to get better and better, and take something away from each week of the season."

YORK RUN - Jeff Rush likely dreamed of his first game as head coach at Albert Gallatin High School.

However, Friday turned into a nightmare for the AGHS mathematics teacher turned football coach as the Colonials lost 39-0 to Steel Valley.

The Colonials managed just 144 yards of offense and turned the ball over on five of their first six possessions, as AG had five fumbles and one interception.

Added to the tough night for the Colonials (0-1) was the task of stopping Steel Valley's Delrece Williams. The senior tailback finished with 230 yards on 24 carries with two touchdowns and he also kicked three extra points.

"He runs hard and we started arm tackling after a while," Rush said. "I hope this is the best back that we face this year because he was really good."

So good that Steel Valley coach Rodney Steele wasn't afraid to heap compliments on the 5-foot-11, 185-pound back.

"I've coached a lot of great backs," Steele said. "But he's special. He has all the intangibles. He does the things that you just can't teach - he does the things that only certain ones can do."

Williams does those things so well that the likes of Big East programs Pitt and Connecticut have come calling to the Steel Valley campus.

But as good as Williams was, it was the Ironmen defense that really caused problems for the Colonials.

Rush's new Wing-T offense had trouble getting out of its own way as the Ironmen were frequent flyers in the AGHS backfield.

"When you line up against the Wing-T, you have to stop the fullback dive and the veer option off of it," Steele said. "I thought our interior linemen played a heck of a game. We took that fullback dive away and that was a big key to our defense tonight."

Of course, there are two sides to every story.

The Colonials are very inexperienced up front and Rush admitted that there were some good things that happened in the loss.

"I thought our center, Dan Morgan, played a really good game," Rush said. "We were still struggling with our running game. I think that will improve with experience. I did think that we did some good things in the passing game."

AG used four quarterbacks with senior Grayling Sanders, who played tailback the last two years, getting the start.

Sanders finished with 69 yards on 2-of-3 passing and led the team with 18 yards rushing on six carries.

"Grayling is my quarterback," Rush said. "When this offense is run right, he will get more carries than he would in a traditional offense."

AG's best scoring chance came in the third quarter when it missed a 20-yard field goal attempt.

By then, the game was over with the Ironmen leading 27-0.

"I just wanted to get points on the board," Rush said.

Steel Valley finished the game with 373 yards of total offense. Fullback James Caldwell finished with 75 yards rushing and two touchdowns while quarterback Jared Juristy finished with 73 yards passing and one scoring toss.

The Colonials return to action on Friday when they travel to Knock for a 7:30 p.m. contest.

CARMICHAELS - Carmichaels' 87th year started with a 36-13 non-section home victory over Leechburg Friday night.

The Mighty Mikes' three-man running tandem was too much for the Blue Devils, as they were outgained 250-102 on the ground, including 141 yards and three touchdowns by fullback Zach Mundell, plus 66 yards from Phil Zack.

"We knew they were going to run the ball; that's what we prepared for all week," said Blue Devils coach Mark Adams. "The big hurt came from the A and B gaps, where we just didn't stop them."

Meanwhile Mighty Mikes coach John Menhart was pleased about his team's performance.

"We ran some traps and some power plays and they started pinching. We had good movement overall, I felt."

For the Blue Devils, much of the offense came from quarterback D.J. Oberdorf who finished the night with 77 yards through the air and a pair of touchdown passes, while running for 33 yards.

Oberdorf's counterpart, Jon Krall, finished his night 6-of-13 with 102 passing yards, including three receptions and 58 yards to brother Seth Krall.

Starting on its own 47-yard line, the Carmichaels marched down field on an 11-play drive that culminated with Mundell carrying the ball in from the 11-yard line for a 6-0 lead with 8:49 remaining in the first quarter.

Phil Zack gave the Mighty Mikes a 14-0 lead with 52 seconds left in the first quarter.

D. J. Oberdorf scored the first Blue Devils' touchdown on a 10-yard pass to James Dunmire with 2:48 left in the second quarter to cut the lead to 14-7.

Mundell's biggest gain - a 60-yard scamper down the left side - increased the Mighty Mikes' lead to 22-7 with 2:30 left in the first half.

The third weapon in the Mikes' arsenal of running backs, Tim Prince, added a 7-yard touchdown sprint to increase the lead to 29-7 with 3:52 left in the third quarter.

Mundell recorded his third touchdown for the Mighty Mikes with a four-yard plow up the middle with 5:54 remaining in the game while Oberdorf connecting with Jacob Iellimo for a nine-yard touchdown strike with 1:18 left in the game.

The Mighty Mikes start section action this week at California.

The Red Raiders' Fred Johnson picked up both touchdowns on a 26-yard reception and a 12-yard run. Uniontown's (1-0) first score came on fourth-and-11 when Lucas Mosco hooked up with Johnson at 5:05 of the second quarter.

The Red Raiders' Jake Forsythe led all rushers with 123 yards on 16 carries, while the Falcons' Seth Kozak was the workhorse for his team with 63 yards on 14 carries.

"Jake took over and did a heck of a job," Uniontown coach John Fortugna said. "He goes above and beyond what is asked of him."

Johnson reached the end zone with 1:51 remaining in the third to give the Red Raiders a 14-0 lead. The play capped off a three-play, 57-yard drive that took 47 seconds.

The Falcons (0-1) started their next drive with good field position after Nathan Earnesty took the kickoff 36 yards to the 49-yard line. Connellsville moved the ball inside the Red Raiders' 10-yard line, but Uniontown's Kerik Morris intercepted Matt White in the end zone on third-and-goal at the nine for a touchback.

"Kerik is a linebacker and he made a big play," Fortugna said. "Our defense did a great job making adjustments. I know I say it all the time, but I'd like to thank my coaches."

The Red Raiders ran out the remaining 9:03 as Forsythe and Warare Wilkerson did most of the damage. Dominic Gibson's 30-yard reception on third-and-14 at the Uniontown 20 was the key play that enabled the home team to run out the clock.

"Lucas and Dominic did a nice job with that catch," Fortugna said. "We really wanted to run the clock out."

The game couldn't have started better for the Falcons as Jeremy Basinger took the opening kickoff 42 yards to set up shop for Connellsville at its own 43.

The Falcons moved the ball to the Red Raiders' 39, but a penalty and a negative rushing play ended the drive. Early in the second quarter, Connellsville had the ball at Uniontown's 31, although the Red Raiders' defense held and took over on downs.

"Penalties hurt us," Connellsville coach Jeff Immel said. "We moved the ball pretty well in the first series, but we had a few penalties and the drive stalled."

Another penalty caused more problems for the visitors when White ran 60 yards into the end zone on a keeper at 4:23 of the second, but a penalty brought the play back.

Wilkerson rushed for 60 yards on seven carries, while Johnson gained 45 yards on nine carries after a slow start.

"Johnson started to warm up in the second half," Fortugna said. "The offensive line really did a great job blocking, and Warare had some nice runs."

The Falcons' Nico Comsa gained 36 yards on nine carries.

Uniontown hosts Indiana next week in non-section play, while Connellsville looks to rebound when it travels to Greensburg Salem.

"It's hard to figure us out," Immel said. "Uniontown's a good team and we're not that far away. We have to get over the hump."

HARRISBURG - Personnel from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) Division of Fisheries Management and the Bureau of Property and Engineering Services will begin drawing down three lakes in Southwest Pennsylvania starting next week.

The three lakes are High Point Lake, located in Elk Lick Township in southern Somerset County; Lake Somerset, located in Somerset Township in central Somerset County; and Virgin Run Dam, located in Perry and Franklin Townships in north central Fayette County.

The PFBC will begin drawing down the lakes the week of Sept. 7 and will continue until about March 1, 2011.

"The purpose of the drawdowns is for fish population management and aquatic plant management," said Area Fisheries Manager Rick Lorson.

"Aquatic plants provide very good habitat for both young and adult fish. However too much vegetation, defined coarsely by the PFBC as surface area coverage exceeding 30 percent of a lake, impact fishing and have potential to disrupt the balance of fish populations in a lake."

All three lakes will be open for fishing during the drawdown period. Anglers fishing from the shore should be prepared for muddy conditions.

Boating will be limited to light craft, carry-in boats. Trailer-boat access will be very limited during the drawdown period.

Drawdowns have been previously used at all three lakes and have been effective at reducing aquatic plant surface coverage at each lake.

Average reductions in aquatic plant surface coverage were 94 percent, 71 percent and 25 percent at High Point Lake, Lake Somerset, and Virgin Run Dam, respectively.

The PFBC will examine the aquatic plant levels in the lakes in August 2011 to determine if the drawdowns were successful at reducing the aquatic plants in the lakes.

The mission of the Fish and Boat Commission is to protect, conserve, and enhance the Commonwealth's aquatic resources and provide fishing and boating opportunities.

For more information about fishing and boating in Pennsylvania, please visit www.fishandboat.com.

The Red Raiders (1-0) scored their first touchdown on Fred Johnson's 26-yard reception from Lucas Mosco at 5:05 of the second quarter. Johnson gave his team a 14-0 lead at 1:51 of the third on a 12-yard run.

The Falcons (0-1) had an opportunity to get back in the game early in the fourth quarter, but Uniontown's Kerik Morris intercepted Matt White's pass in the end zone on third-and-goal at the nine-yard line.

The Red Raiders' Jake Forsythe led all rushers with 123 yards on 16 carries. Teammate Warare Wilkerson picked up 60 yards on seven carries and Johnson gained 45 yards on nine carries.

The Falcons' Seth Kozak led his team in rushing with 63 yards on 14 carries. Teammate Nico Comsa picked up 36 yards on nine carries.

Uniontown hosts Indiana (next week, while the Falcons are on the road at Greensburg Salem.

Steel Valley 39, Albert Gallatin 0 - Delrece Williams ran for 230 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns to lead visiting Steel Valley to a non-conference win over the Colonials.

The contest featured a pair of rookie head coaches as both AG's Jeff Rush and Steel Valley's Rodney Steele were making their first appearances as head varsity coaches.

Williams added three extra point kicks for the Ironmen (1-0).

The Colonials (0-1) were led by senior Grayling Sanders, who threw for 69 yards and ran for 18 more. Senior wide receiver Shawn Smearcheck finished with three receptions for 61 yards. AGHS finished with just 144 yards of total offense.

McGuffey 20, Laurel Highlands 16 - McGuffey quarterback Derrick Whipkey scored the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter on a 42-yard on third down as the visiting Highlanders defeated the Mustangs.

Whipkey rushed for 130 yards on thirteen carries with three touchdowns

Laurel Highland quarterback Jake Riddell completed 14-of-18 passes and threw for 200 yards and one touchdown.

The Laurel Highland pass defense played well, holding Whipkey without a completion. All of McGuffey's 301 yards came on the ground.

Southmoreland 20, Brownsville 6 - Behind 191 all-purpose yards from quarterback Dakota Datz, Southmoreland defeated Brownsville to end an 18-game losing streak.

Datz rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns, and passed for 87 yards and a touchdown to Tommy Szatkowski to lead the Scotties in the Interstate Conference opener.

Brownsville lost starting quarterback Brandon DeCarlo to an undetermined injury in the first quarter. Backup quarterback Martin Smith completed a 13-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Spencer for the Falcons' only points.

In addition to DeCarlo's injury, the Falcons turned the ball over on four fumbles, while the Scotties were penalized 10 times for 110 yards.

Brownsville (0-1, 0-1) hosts Charleroi on Friday, while Southmoreland (1-0, 1-0) will be on the road to play defending WPIAL champion Greensburg Central Catholic.

Beth-Center 33, Frazier 0 - Piling up 431 yards in total offense, Beth-Center appeared more in mid-season form than playing its first game of the season last night, spanking Frazier in the Class A Tri-County South opener for both teams.

Despite the impressive showing, BC coach Ed Woods was a "little disappointed," he said. "I thought we would be more crisp than we were. Our kids weren't satisfied and we have a lot of room for improvement."

Beth-Center (1-0-0, 1-0-0) opened the game with a 10-play, 67-yard drive, climaxed by Jeff Tarley's eight-yard touchdown run, his first of four touchdowns on the night. Tarley had touchdown runs of 5, 25, and 7 yards in the second quarter as the Bulldogs led 26-0 at the half. Tarley carried the ball 12 times for 140 yards, as BC rushed for 316 yards on 41 attempts.

"We knew Beth-Center was big and we they would be strong and execute well," first-year Frazier coach Mike Steeber said. "They used everything they had to their favor. We knew what we would be facing but our kids never backed down. They played just as hard in the second half."

Against the bigger and stronger Bulldogs, Frazier (0-1-0, 0-1-0) was able to muster only 31 yards on the ground and 52 through the air. Junior quarterback Rock Vargo completed seven passes for 52 yards to lead the Commodores.

Jefferson-Morgan 34, West Greene 12 - The Rockets opened up the 2010 season by rolling over West Greene to the tune of a 34-12 Tri-County South victory at Kennedy Field.

Jefferson-Morgan (1-0) dominated the game from start to finish, with the exception of an 85-yard punt return for a touchdown by West Greene's Dillon Main that tied the game at 6-6 in the first period. The Rockets out-gained their opponents 301 to 55 in total yardage, and enjoyed a 206-21 edge in rushing yards divided up amongst nine different Jefferson ball carriers. Sophomore Dustin Conti led all rushers with 77 yards and two third-quarter touchdowns.

Jefferson-Morgan also got a solid passing effort from senior quarterback Brandon Kozich, who completed 6-of-13 passes for 95 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Junior Brenton Sink led West Greene with 29 yards on nine carries. Senior quarterback Clay Mason completed 2-of-10 passes for 34 yards and ran for a touchdown.

California 48, Mapletown 6 - The Trojans opened the 2010 season with 27 first-quarter points against the Maples, en route to a lopsided Tri-County South Conference victory in the season opener.

California defeated Mapletown for the fifth straight time as the Trojans held the Maples to a meager 21 offensive yards in the first half of the contest.

Trojans quarterback T.D. Conway threw for 178 yards with two scoring strikes, a 46-yard pass to wideout Josh Boothe and a 30-yard marker to his brother Dakota Conway in the first 12 minutes of the game.

Running back Cody Lambert ran for 55 yards and two touchdowns, as tailback Skylar Dickenson rushed for 28 yards and a had a score of his own.

The lone points for Mapletown came on a 5-yard plunge into the end zone by running back Tommy Riggleman, capping off a 12-play, 81 yard drive that began the third quarter.

Carmichaels 36, Leechburg 13 - Carmichaels' 87th year started with a non-section victory over visiting Leechburg.

The Mighty Mikes' three-man running tandem was too much for the Blue Devils as the visitors were outgained 250-102 on the ground, including 141 yards and three touchdowns by fullback Zach Mundell, and 66 yards from Phil Zack.

Connellsville 27, Southmoreland 30 - The Scotties' Robert Smith set the pace in the season-opening meet, but the Falcons had more runners in the top 10 for a non-section road victory.

Smith completed his home course in 18:31, 38 seconds ahead of the Falcons' Adam Siecinski.

"I pulled ahead on Cemetery Hill. I pushed the pace," Smith said of when he put distance between himself and Siecinski. "It was humid out today. My mouth dried up fast.

"I wanted to try to run under 18 (minutes) and try to win the race because I knew (Siecinski) was good."

Connellsville's Michael Jacobyansky finished third in 20:16, and the Scotties' Josh Dei was fourth 13 seconds later. Teammate Michael Garlowich finished fifth in 20:29, but Connellsville's Jace Mascioli (21:09) and Mason Jaynes (21:14) took the next two spots.

Southmoreland's Ryan Allem was eighth. Connellsville clinched the win with the Cramers, Andrew and Matt, rounding out the top 10.

Southmoreland 15, Connellsville 50 - Only seven girls competed in the traditional opening meet of the season, and the Lady Scots had five of them for a non-section home victory.

Southmoreland's Jess Suhan finished first in 24:24. Teammate Rikki Brown was second with a time of 25:40, and Maria Garlowich was nine seconds behind in third. Karlee Booker was fourth and Cindy Severi finished fifth.

Freshman Rachael Miller finished her first varsity race in 27:26 with teammate Kensey Durst finished 29 seconds later.

Waynesburg 0, Ohio Wesleyan 0 - Connellsville grad Katrina Kelly turned aside 10 shots to preserve the tie in the opening game of the Defiance Tournament. The Yellow Jackets had three shots on net.

Waynesburg is now 0-1-1.

Greensville 1, Waynesburg 0 - The Yellow Jackets slipped to 0-2-0 with a loss in the opening match of the Defiance Tournament.

Women's volleyball

Bethany (W.Va.) 3, LaGrange 0; Bethany (W.Va.) 3, Penn State-Behrend 0 - Laurel Highlands graduate Jessica Zavatchen distributed 64 assists to lead the Bison to a pair of victories on the first day of the Marietta Tournament.

Bethany defeated LaGrange 25-19, 25-7 and 25-13. Zavatchen had 33 assists in the sweep. Connellsville grad had a team-high nine kills.

The Bison swept past Penn State-Behrend in the second match of the day, 25-18, 25-7, 25-22. Zavatchen finished with 31 assists and two blocks. Cole had a strong defensive effort with a team-high 12 digs.

Waynesburg 3, Pitt-Greensburg 0 - The Yellow Jackets opened the Saint Vincent Bearcat Challenge Tournament by defeating the Lady Bobcats for the second time in three days. Waynesburg swept to victory with set wins of 25-16, 25-21 and 25-12.

Waynesburg improves to 2-0.

Rollins (Fla.) 3, California (Pa.) 0; Colorado-Colorado Springs 3, California (Pa.) 1 - The Vulcans are off to a rocky start after dropping both matches in the opening day of the Courtyard by Marriott Invitational in Lynn (Fla.)

California lost to Rollins, 25-17, 25-23, and 26-24, and Colorado-Colorado Springs, 25-23, 13-25, 25-12, and 25-18.

Brandy Harris had eight kills in the opening match, and Kelly Fromknecht added seven kills, 15 assists, eight digs and two service aces. Julie Paronish had a team-high 17 digs.

Harris finished with 11 kills in the second match. Kortney Eshleman led the offense with 16 assists. Paronish had another strong defensive effort with 14 digs.

NEW YORK (AP) — Ben Roethlisberger is getting time off for good behavior.

He'll be back on the field for the Pittsburgh Steelers two games earlier than expected after convincing NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell he is turning his life around.

The star quarterback, accompanied by team president Art Rooney, met with Goodell early Friday and was told he could return on Oct. 17 against Cleveland after missing four games.

He was suspended in April for six games for violating the league's personal conduct policy, but Goodell said at the time he would review the player's behavior over the next few months. Goodell was satisfied that Roethlisberger has followed the league's guidelines and stayed out of trouble.

“You have told me and the Steelers that you are committed to making better decisions,” Goodell said in a letter to the two-time Super Bowl winner. “Your actions over the past several months have been consistent with that promise and you must continue to honor that commitment.”

Roethlisberger was accused of sexually assaulting a Georgia college student following a night of drinking in a Milledgeville, Ga., bar on March 5. He was not charged by Georgia authorities.

The league said the “reinstatement is contingent on Roethlisberger continuing to adhere to the program established by our advisors and avoiding any further violations of the personal conduct policy.”

Roethlisberger is the first player suspended by Goodell under the NFL's personal conduct policy who was not arrested, charged with or convicted of a crime. However, Goodell said in April the policy allows him to impose such a penalty when the league's integrity and reputation are at stake.

“I have learned a lot over the past several months about myself as a person,” Roethlisberger said in a statement. “I am committed to continuing on this path of being the type of person my family raised me to be, and exceeding what is expected of me as the quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers.”

Rooney and Roethlisberger met with Goodell at an undisclosed location in New Jersey. Rooney and his organization have kept in frequent contact with the commissioner while Roethlisberger underwent extensive evaluations.

“Ben has done a good job this summer of growing as the person that he needs to be, both on and off the field,” Rooney said. “I am confident that Ben is committed to continuing in this positive direction. As a team, our focus is now on preparing for the regular season and getting off to a good start on opening weekend.”

Roethlisberger also is being sued in Nevada by a woman who says he sexually assaulted her there in 2008. No charges were brought in that case, and it did not figure in the NFL's suspension.

While he is out, Roethlisberger can't practice with the Steelers, nor can he attend games or represent the team in any way, or have contact with any member of the coaching staff or football operations personnel.

Considering the team's dire situation at his position, the reduced suspension was about the best news the Steelers could have received. Hours earlier, Roethlisberger's replacement, Byron Leftwich, hurt his left knee in the final preseason game.

Roethlisberger will be eligible to return to practice on Oct. 4 and play on Oct. 17 after Pittsburgh's bye week. Depending on the extent of Leftwich's injury, Pittsburgh could be down to Dennis Dixon and veteran Charlie Batch, and might need to add another quarterback.

Pittsburgh hosts Atlanta, plays at Tennessee and Tampa Bay and then hosts division rival Baltimore before an Oct. 10 bye.

Roethlisberger and Goodell met last month at the team's training camp in Latrobe, Pa. At that time, Goodell said he was encouraged by the progress Roethlisberger was making and promised to make his decision on the length of the suspension before the regular season began.

He kept his word; the season begins on Thursday.

Roethlisberger plans to work with a California-based quarterbacks coach, George Whitfield, and he'll throw to some free-agent receivers who are looking for work in the league.

There are no more original Houston Texans.

Kicker Kris Brown, the only player left from the inaugural 2002 season, was cut by coach Gary Kubiak on Friday as NFL teams began paring to the 53-man roster limit for the regular season. Brown was beaten out by Neil Rackers, a free agent signed by Houston in the offseason.

“It was miserable, I don't know how to put it any differently,” said Kubiak, entering his fifth season as Houston's coach. “Kris and I had a lot of conversations throughout my time here. We've had some great conversations, we've had some tough conversations on Sunday nights. But I respect him as a man. He's a great person. I respect his career, and I know he's going to have a good one.”

Brown followed up his best season as a pro in 2008 with his worst last year, when he made just 21 of 32 field goals. Rackers spent the previous seven seasons in Arizona and made the Pro Bowl in 2005 after setting an NFL record for field goals in a season (40).

Neither kicker missed in the preseason until Brown came up short on a 56-yarder in Thursday's 24-17 loss to Tampa Bay. Rackers hit a 21-yarder later in the game.

“It was a tough, tough call,” Kubiak said.

Over in North Texas, the Cowboys made a move by sending receiver Patrick Crayton to San Diego for a late-round draft choice next April. Crayton was expendable after Dallas drafted Dez Bryant in the first round this year and had asked to be traded.

Crayton skipped offseason workouts, but once he showed up, there were never any problems. He just couldn't move ahead of Miles Austin, Roy Williams and Bryant on the depth chart.

“You have to let things play out,” Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones said. “We really wanted to evaluate the full situation. Now we're at a point where we need to make decisions.”

Dallas also sent offensive lineman Pat McQuistan to the Miami Dolphins for undisclosed considerations.

Another blocker was on the move with Arizona trading guard Reggie Wells to Philadelphia for a late-round draft pick. Wells, entering his eighth NFL season, has started 90 games, including 64 in a row since late in the 2005 season. The Cardinals moved Wells to right guard this preseason after they signed veteran left guard Alan Faneca.

“We're adding a player that has started several seasons in the National Football League and has played at a very high level during the course of his career,” Eagles coach Andy Reid said. “He has experience at several different positions along the offensive line and he will be a welcome addition to that group. You can never have enough depth at that position as you go through an NFL season.”

Philly also released veteran running back J.J. Arrington. By releasing Arrington, the Eagles will receive a sixth-round pick from Denver in the 2012 draft, according to terms of the July trade that sent linebacker Joe Mays to the Broncos.

Minnesota sent third-string QB Sage Rosenfels, a 10-year veteran, and RB Darius Reynaud to the Giants for undisclosed draft picks in 2011 and 2012. Rosenfels will back up Eli Manning; previously, New York's only other quarterback was the untested Rhett Bomar after Jim Sorgi injured his shoulder and was placed on IR.

Several other veterans were either cut or placed on injured lists. So was rookie running back Montario Hardesty, who showed much promise in Cleveland before tearing up his left knee in Thursday night's final exhibition game. The Browns placed Hardesty on injured reserve.

After missing all of training camp with a bone bruise in his right knee, Hardesty was finally in the backfield against Chicago. The team was eager to get a good look at the powerful 23-year-old before the Sept. 4 opener at Tampa Bay, and Hardesty didn't disappoint by running for 23 yards and a touchdown on his first six carries.

His seventh was his last this year.

The Browns knew there was a risk in Hardesty playing without much practice time.

“It's a tough decision,” coach Eric Mangini said. “You want to be able to see a guy, you want to make sure that he's prepared to play in the opener and do the things that he needs to do. You're also concerned about the volume of work he's been able to have up to that point.

“As we talked about it, we decided that this was going to be his last opportunity to get that work, so we thought it was the best idea to do that.”

Maybe not.

Denver put running back LenDale White on injured reserve with a torn right Achilles' tendon. The veteran was to miss the first four games this season with a suspension and will serve the suspension while he is injured.

New England released former first-round draft pick Damione Lewis and also cut offensive lineman Eric Ghiaciuc.

Lewis, a first-round selection by St. Louis in 2001, was signed as a free agent in April after spending the past four seasons with Carolina. Ghiaciuc signed with the Patriots on Aug. 4 after four seasons with Cincinnati and one with San Diego.

The 49ers released 22 players on Friday, but all their 2010 draft picks made the cut. Gone are veteran RB Michael Robinson, who also was the special teams captain; TE Tony Curtis; and LB Matt Whilhelm.

Ladell Betts' comeback from a serious knee injury is on hold after the Saints released the veteran running back. Betts has been trying to come back from an injury last November in which he tore ligaments in his left knee while with Washington.

Also gone from New Orleans are backup quarterback Patrick Ramsey, defensive end Bobby McCray and defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy.

The Cardinals released outside linebacker Cody Brown, a second-round draft pick out of Connecticut a year ago. They also cut tight end Anthony Becht, inside linebacker Monty Beisel and offensive guard Herman Johnson. Becht has played in 152 consecutive NFL games, third longest among active players in the NFL behind Brett Favre (287) and Peyton Manning (193). A 2000 first-round draft pick of the New York Jets, Becht also has played for Tampa Bay and St. Louis, as well as Arizona.

The Waynesburg Central grad birdied the first hole on a par four, but ran into trouble with bogeys on the sixth, seventh, 13th, 17th and 18th holes to finish out his round.

Rohanna went out at 36 with a 1-over par, but shot a 3-over-39 on the back nine. Rohanna tees off today at 9:20 a.m. on tee No. 10.

Scott Dunlap and Geoffrey Sisk are at the top of the leaderboard after shooting a 6-under-65. Dunlap went out with a 2-under-33, but came back with a 4-under-32. Sisk was at even par through the first nine holes, but came back with a 6-under-30.

Greensburg's Rocco Mediate shot a 67, and is two back of the leaders. He went out with a 32 and came back with a 35.

Four players are in a tie for third place at 5-under 66, including Dicky Pride, who shot a 29 on the front nine, although he shot a 1-over-37 on the back.

The winner is awarded $600,000.

Brownsville swept doubles action Thursday and won the top two singles matches en route to a 4-1 win over Section 1-AA rival Greensburg C.C.

Sara Shashura and Angie Pelehac each won in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0. Shashura defeated Faith Finali and Pelehac downed Jackie Hauser.

Ali Perz picked up a win for Greensburg C.C. (3-1) by beating Angela Becker in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1.

In doubles play, the duo of Megan Yocabet and Valerie Columbia set the tone for the Falcons (2-2) with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Nicole Sauder and Mary Taoimina.

Ashton Guty and Payton Ferguson defeated Aleiba Nalussi and Kelsie Braun, 6-2, 6-2.

Brownsville hosts Southmoreland Tuesday.

California 215, Carmichaels 231 - California evened its section record with a win over the Mikes at Carmichaels Golf Course.

The Trojans (2-3, 2-2) all scored in order as Alex Roach, Nick Roberts, Blake Mudry, Derek Stein and Eric Rucci scored 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45, respectively.

Brandon Wolfe led the Mikes (3-1, 3-1) by carding a 44. Trevor Robinson and Matt Blasinski each shot 46 and Justin Newman added a 47. Brandon Wamsley shot a 48.

Carmichaels travels to Rohanna's Golf Course Tuesday to face Waynesburg Central.

Mount Pleasant 195, Ringgold 229 - Ryan Bull shot a 1-over 37 at Norvelt Golf Course to lead the Vikings to a section win.

Zac Heide and Mark Polcha each carded 39 for the Vikings (3-2, 3-2) as Andy Yoder and Cameron Swink each scored 40.

Jared Hancock paced the Rams (1-3, 1-3) with a 44 as Colin McCormick Nick Feld and Conner Cane each carded 45. Cody Scruggs added a 50.

Uniontown 200, Connellsville 214 - The Nelsons led the Raiders as Uniontown downed Connellsville at Pleasant Valley Country Club.

Zack Nelson paced the Raiders (5-1, 3-1) with a 37 and Josh Nelson added a 38. Mason Fordyce carded a 39. Luke Wallace chipped in with a 41 and Chris Kovach shot a 45.

John Leonard and Tyler Stillwagon each shot a 39 to lead the Falcons (1-4, 1-3). Shawn Bennett carded a 41and Eric Harrer added a 44. Jonathan Grinko shot a 51.

Bentworth 211, Frazer 238 - Garrett Damich shot a 1-under 35 at Linden Hall Golf Course to keep Benthworth undefeated in Division II, Section 2.

Shelby Dziak added a 40 for the Bearcats (5-0, 5-0) and Kyle Kubovick shot a 43. Tyler Delval and Adam Bell shot 46 and 47, respectively.

Andrea Lash led the Commodores (3-2, 2-1) with a 43 and Robert Gondura shot a 45.

Tyler Rock, Zach Smalich and D.J. Hudik each shot 50.

Beth-Center 217, Washington 293 - Lucas Diethorn led all golfers with a 39 at Village Green Golf Course.

Austin Smith added a 40 for the Bulldogs (3-3, 2-3) and Alex Austin shot a 43. Matt Sabatini carded a 46 and A.J. Tworzydlo added a 49.

Danny Olivario shot a 48 to lead Washington (0-5, 0-4).

Waynesburg Central 225, Jefferson-Morgan 235 - Aaron Haywood shot a 4-over 40 as the Raiders remained undefeated for the 2010 campaign.

Lauren Dukate carded a 42 and Rick Kalsey shot a 46 for the Raiders (5-0, 4-0). Emily Rohanna shot a 47 and Ben Virgin added a 50.

Zach Berkstresser paced the Rockets (3-3, 3-2) with a 38 and Alex Rush shot a 41. Brandon Faieta carded a 46 as Cameron Roberts scored a 53 and Jacob Guthrie shot a 57.

Greensburg C.C. 203, Geibel Catholic 214 - Eric Franken shot par with a 37 at Mount Odin golf Course as Greensburg C.C. evened it's record at 2-2.

Ryan Queale added a 40 for Greensburg C.C. (2-2, 2-2). The rest of the team scored in orderas Steve Janick, Andrew Goetz and Brady Wargoschik shot 41, 42 and 43, respectively.

Mike Noonan paced the Gators (3-1, 3-1) with a 38 and Ryan Robson carded a 40. Mike Spegar and Chase Blout each finished with 45 and Ryan Lucostic shot 46.

FCCA tournament set

The 2010 FCCA Volleyball Tournament will be played Saturday at Laurel Highlands Senior High School. The eight teams participating are Belle Vernon, Brownsville, Homer Center, Connellsville, Albert Gallatin, Geibel Catholic, Laurel Highlands and Uniontown.

Pool play begins at 9 a.m. Coaches meeting is 8:15 a.m. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the single-elimination "Gold" bracket with the remaining two team in each pool playing in the silver bracket.

Soccer

Laurel Highlands graduate Steven Lilley has been awarded the George Allen Scholarship. The 2010 valedictorian, Lilley has been a U.S. soccer federation referee for five years, was an assistant coach for under-10 and under-12 teams, and played traveling, adult or high school soccer for 14 years.

Lilley is attending Scheyers Honors College at Penn State University this fall and plans to major in physics.

Two annual scholarships are given in honor of Allen, PA West Soccer's first national referee.

Football

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) - For one game only, the West Virginia Mountaineers will forgo blue and gold.

For the long-running rivalry known as the Backyard Brawl - the Nov. 26 game at Pitt - the Mountaineers will suit up in black and white uniforms that pay tribute to the 29 men killed in the Upper Big Branch mine explosion.

Nike is footing the bill for the gear, dubbed Pro Combat.

The white is a shade that appears as if it's covered in a fine layer of coal dust. The numbers are in smudged black.

Accents and footwear are brilliant gold, which doubles as a reference to the canaries miners used generations ago to signal trouble in the underground atmosphere.

The Mustangs' Jeremy Guzy was the only other golfer to break 40 with a 3-over 39. John Gabriel shot 40, and Derek Plaski finished with 42. Alex Ashton closed the scoring rounds with a 44. Ben Cole's 45 wasn't used.

Robert Gondura was the low man for the Commodores (3-1, 2-0) with a 43. D.J. Hudik and Eddie Miller both shot 44, and Zach Smalich was a shot off their pace. Tyler Rock and Andrea Lash both carded 48.

Laurel Highlands (3-1, 2-0) is off today, while Frazier hosts Bentworth.

Beth-Center 210, Charleroi 225 - The Bulldogs' Austin Smith fired a 1-under 36 and Alex Antonio carded a 39 to lead the home team to a non-section victory over the visiting Cougars.

Lucas Diethorn finished with a 43 in the win, and Tyler Sabatula and Taylor Dingle both shot 46 to close out the scoring. Matt Sabatini's 47 wasn't used.

Gunner Riley was the lone golfer for Charleroi (0-5, 0-3) under 40 with a 39.

Beth-Center (2-3, 1-3) returns to Division II, Section 8 action today on the road at Village Green Golf Course against Washington.

Burgettstown 210, Jefferson-Morgan 228 - The Blue Devils defeated Jefferson-Morgan for a non-section road win at the Greene County Country Club.

Burgettstown's Owen Miller finished 1-over 37 for medalist honors. Michael Kallas finished with a 42, and Andrew Miller had a 43. Drake Hoberek and Max McKee both shot 44.

The Rockets' Zach Berkstresser and Alex Rush both finished at 3-over 39. Brandon Saieta and Jacob Guthrie each shot 49 and Cameron Roberts carded 52.

The Rockets (3-1, 3-2) return to the Greene County C.C. today against Division II, Section 8 opponent Waynesburg Central. The Blue Devils improve to 4-1 overall.

Jeannette 3, California 2 - The Lady Trojans won the first two singles, but the Lady Jayhawks swept the doubles and took No. 3 singles for a Section 1-AA victory.

California's Miranda Hall lost only one game in her straight sets victory at No. 1 singles. The Lady Trojans' Courtney Koschalk lost one game per set in her straight sets win at No. 2 singles.

Muskingum 6, Waynesburg 0 - The home team's Daniel Meehan scored a hat trick and added an assist as the Yellow Jackets dropped their season-opening match on the road. The Muskies outshot the visitors, 31-7.

Ryan Hunsberger stopped seven shots in the net for Waynesburg.

Waynesburg seeks its first win of the season Friday when the Yellow Jackets play Greenville in the first-day of the two-day Defiance Tournament.

Waynesburg 3, Pitt-Greensburg 0 - The Yellow Jackets opened the season with a strong performance against the visiting Lady Bobcats.

Waynesburg swept the non-section match, 25-13, 25-14 and 25-11.

Katelyn Blaich and Lauren Wagner shared the lead in kills with eight apiece. Carly Schubert had a team-high 15 digs, and Carly Smithyman dished out 34 assists.

The Yellow Jackets will participate in the Saint Vincent Bearcat Challenge this weekend.

Penn State-Behrend 1, Washington & Jefferson 0 - Meredith Gipson scored the only goal of the match on a breakaway in the 32nd minute to had the Presidents an opening-season loss.

Southmoreland graduate Holly Shipley led the Presidents with three shots. Washington & Jefferson's Stephanie Saussol turned aside six shots.

Wilmington 4, Waynesburg 3 - The Yellow Jackets rallied from a late 4-1 deficit but came up one goal short in their home season opener. Junior Courtney Ebersole and Danielle Danhires scored goals for the Yellow Jackets 22 seconds apart with 20 minutes left in the game.

The Yellow Jackets face Ohio Wesleyan Friday in the Defiance Tournament.

Washington & Jefferson 5, Kenyon 1 - Kim Marcius and Jennifer Marabella both scored two goals to lead the Presidents to a non-conference victory.

PITTSBURGH - Head & Shoulders recently took out a $1 million insurance policy on the hair of star client Troy Polamalu. So after Tuesday's practice, Polamalu was asked this question:

Why?

"Because we're talking about Head & Shoulders right now," said the business savvy safety.

The reporter persisted: What could possibly happen to hair that could cause a million dollars in damage?

"Honestly, nothing," Polamalu said. "But, you're giving us a 15-second spot on the nightly news right now."

The more important question for Polamalu concerns his health 10 days before the season opener.

"I feel much better, thank God," he said.

Does his knee feel as well as it did before the opener last season?

"It's tough to say. But I feel really good right now."

Of course, the reporter assigned to Troy's hair wouldn't be deterred. He asked Polamalu if he's been ribbed by teammates about the insurance policy.

"I have, yes," Polamalu said. "They've taken a couple strands, $5 strands. The gray ones are worth a little more. And if you get a root, that's really valuable."

Linebacker James Farrior missed Tuesday's practice with six stitches in his head. The injury occurred Sunday night during a goal-line tackle after Farrior's helmet had popped off.

"I was like, 'Oh, (expletive),' but I still wanted to make the play, though," Farrior said. "And then I felt the guy hitting me and I knew it was going to be bad."

Was the pain as bad as it looked?

"Nah," Farrior said. "It looked a lot worse than it really was."

Bryant McFadden returned to practice Tuesday, but in a limited capacity due to a pectoral injury that kept him out of Sunday night's game.

McFadden and Will Gay split time at left cornerback with the first team Tuesday, while Sunday night's starter, Keenan Lewis, played with the backups.

Lewis, of course, was yanked from Sunday's game by coach Mike Tomlin after Lewis's second personal foul. He returned in the fourth quarter on special teams, but was so angry as he walked into the locker room after the game that he smashed a glass-encased sign at the entrance. When Tomlin saw the glass, he turned to a group of reporters and demanded they tell him who broke it. No one answered, so Tomlin went inside and found Lewis waiting in his office. Lewis confessed and apologized.

The Steelers didn't cut any of their rookies, but did put offensive lineman Chris Scott, a fifth-round pick, on the reserve/PUP list.

The Steelers waived the following veterans: LB Brandon Renkart, CB David Pittman, FB Dwayne Wright and OL Adrian Jones. Veteran OLB Andre Frazier was released from the injured reserve list.

Scott will miss the first six weeks of the regular season, and will be eligible to practice with the team for three weeks without counting on the 53-man roster.

After that time, the Steelers must add him to the roster, place him on injured reserve or waive him.

The roster moves leave the Steelers with 75 players. They must cut down to 53 before Saturday at 6 p.m.

Ben Roethlisberger, who'll learn Friday whether his six-game suspension will be reduced to four games, will not count as one of the 53 during his suspension.

The Steelers end the preseason by hosting Carolina at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The game will be televised by KDKA.

PITTSBURGH - Charlie Batch's silky smooth performance Sunday night in Denver may have put him back in the quarterback derby, or maybe not.

Either way, the veteran was uncomfortable talking about it.

"Seriously," he explained to a group of reporters before answering their questions, "talk about me and it's fine. But if we start talking about anything else, I'm not talking."

So Batch was then asked if he felt he threw his hat back into the ring with his performance Sunday.

"We're not talking," he said abruptly.

And then Batch looked at the TV cameramen.

"We can cut it off," he said. "Seriously, cut it off."

The good-natured Batch eventually relented and answered a series of questions, but clearly the mood's a bit tense on the South Side these days.

"These questions really are for Coach (Mike) Tomlin to answer," Batch said at one point. "Nobody knew going into the situation and nobody knows now, and here we are two days from playing a game. We just don't know."

Nobody knows. Maybe not even Tomlin, who an hour after practice was seen peddling a 10-speed on the street outside the Steelers' practice facility. No one could tell whether he was mumbling to himself or not, but the fact remains Ben Roethlisberger will be gone for at least four games and his replacement is a mystery.

Even Byron Leftwich - considered the slam-dunk replacement quarterback throughout training camp - has received fewer first-team reps in preseason games than Dennis Dixon. But Leftwich isn't fazed by it.

"I'm fine with where I am with the offense, where I am with the guys, everything like that," he said. "To be honest with you, we all would love to play a lot, but it's a unique situation that we're in. I understand the circumstances so it's my job to be ready and prepared and I've been doing that."

Would Leftwich need to play the majority of Thursday night's preseason finale if he'll indeed start the opener?

"I don't believe so," he said. "I don't think I need 40, 50 snaps to go out there and have a chance to play well."

Batch said much of the same, but he's more concerned about his chance of making the 53-man roster.

As for winning the starting job, Batch may have played better than any quarterback not named Roethlisberger on Sunday, but it's unlikely a coach would reverse the plans he's had since the end of spring workouts.

Right?

"A coach can do whatever he wants," said wide receiver Hines Ward.

But would a coach have the courage to admit his plan was a bit askew from the start?

"I don't know," Ward said. "It's very tough. It's frustrating sometimes. You'd like to have someone solidify the position, go with it, and not think twice about it.

"But the competition's too tight. Hopefully on Monday we'll know our starting quarterback."

Dan LoNigro has arguably to best 1-2 punch in Section 1-AA, but the veteran Brownsville girls tennis coach needs a third point to develop to emerge from the difficult section.

The Lady Falcons didn't have many problems Tuesday, shutting out Jeannette, 5-0, for their first section victory of the season.

Sarah Shashura won No. 1 singles in straight sets over Alysha Kubovick, as did the Lady Falcons' Angie Pelehac in her No. 2 singles match against Teresa Simic. Brownsville's No. 3 Megan Yocabet lost one game in her victory over Liz Langford.

Payton Ferguson and Angie Becker defeated Carolyn Yennerell and Paige Wallace, 6-1, 6-3, at No. 1 doubles, and Sari Yuhas and Kayla Bayne completed the sweep with a 6-2, 6-4 victory at No. 2 doubles.

The victory over the Lady Jayhawks was much needed as LoNigro tries to piece together his lineup through the first go-around in the section.

"Absolutely, we are real strong at 1-2 (singles)," said LoNigro. "The question is where the third point is going to come from.

"We just have to keep working hard at practice. We will become a lot stronger as the season goes on."

Though only three matches into the season, the 1-2 Lady Falcons have a key match Thursday when they entertain Greensburg Central Catholic.

"We can't dig a hole we can't climb out of," LoNigro said of the first half of the section schedule. "We have to split with Greensburg Salem and Derry, and we have to equal out with Mount Pleasant and Greensburg Central Catholic."

Southmoreland 4, California 1 - Miranda Hall picked up a win at first singles, but Southmoreland swept the rest of the pairings to win the match.

Hall defeated Chelsea Pence in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1.

Chelsie Leonard beat Courtney Koschalk in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1 and Elizabeth Fontanazza downed Taylor Tiano in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1 for the Lady Scots (3-2, 2-1).

Corinna Horak and Kirsty Figg downed Courtney Pro and Crystal Rook in straight sets 6-0, 6-2.

Clarissa Horak and Ashley Belzer bested Annie Zheng and Kimberley Seers in straight sets 6-0, 6-1.

Carmichaels 224, Beth-Center 229 - Brandon Wolfe led the way as Carmichaels remained undefeated by beating Beth-Center in section play.

Wolfe shot a three-over 40 at Carmichaels Golf Course, followed by Brandon Wamsley (43) and Matt Blasinski (44) for the Mikes (2-0, 2-0). Alex Watson added a 47 and Trevor Robinson shot a 50.

Taylor Dingle paced the Bulldogs (1-3, 1-3) by carding a 42. Austin Smith shot a 43 as Tyler Sabatula rounded a 47 and Lucas Diethorn shot a 48. Max Gustovich shot a 49.

Beth-Center returns to Carmichaels Golf Course today for a match against Charleroi.

Waynesburg Central 211, Chartiers-Houston 223 - Lauren Dukate shot a 1-over 37 at Washington Country Club to lead Waynesburg to a non-section win.

Emily Rohanna carded a 41, as did Aaron Haywood for the Raiders (4-0, 3-0). Ben Virgin and Dalton Haywood each shot 46.

Blake Balsama was the low man for the Buccaneers (3-2, 3-0), carding a 42. Josh Counihan, Jeff Wagner and Austin Kerr each shot a 45. R.J. Howanee added a 46.

Waynesburg returns to action Thursday, traveling to Greene County Country Club to face Jefferson-Morgan.

Geibel Catholic 216, Southmoreland 220 - Geibel Catholic defended its home turf, defeating section rival Southmoreland.

Ryan Robson was the medalist with a 39 and Mike Noonan added a 42 for the Gators (2-1, 2-1). Mike Spegar carded a 44 as Patrick Herbert shot a 45. Chase Blout shot a 46.

Zac Black led Southmoreland with a 41 and Brandon Yuhouse shot a 43. Dan White added a 44 as Nick Wells and Aaron Van Fleet each shot a 46.

Frazier 220, Connellsville 231 - Zach Smalich shot a 5-over 41 and Robert Gondura added a 43 to give Frazier a Divison II, Section 2 win over Connellsville.

D.J. Hudik carded a 44 and the duo of Tyler Rock and Andrea Lash each carded a 46 for the Commodores (2-0, 2-0).

John Leonard shot the lowest score at Linden Hall, a 40 on the par 36. Eric Harrer and Jonathan Grinko each carded a 46.

Shawn Bennett added a 48 and Tyler Stillwagon a 51.

If the last shall be first, as the old proverb goes, then Robert Rohanna's first Nationwide Tour event could be a successful one.

The Penn State University and Waynesburg Central graduate will be in the final threesome to tee off No. 1 Thursday in the opening round of the Mylan Classic held at Southpointe Golf Club in Canonsburg. He tees off with Dustin Groves and Peter Malnati at 2:30 p.m. in the first round, and 9:20 a.m. off No. 10 in Friday's second round.

Rohanna, the defending Pennsylvania Open champion, received an exemption into the new Nationwide Tour event.

"The owner of Southpointe is friends with my dad, and the two have a mutual best friend. They were talking about it, but (at the time) they already gave away the exemptions," explained Rohanna. "He called and said they had another exemption available, and (asked) if I wanted it."

Rohanna played in one of the pro-ams Monday and had a practice round with Kevin Shields Tuesday afternoon. He'll spend Wednesday honing his strokes at Nemacolin Woodlands before Thursday's opening round.

"I can definitely hit it better than I did today. I'm glad the tournament doesn't start (Wednesday). I get to work on my shots (today) at Nemacolin," said Rohanna.

The practice round afforded Rohanna the opportunity to map out the course and mentally prepare his approach to the tournament.

"Every hole has a hazard or out-of-bounds. You have to keep focused on where you hit the ball," said Rohanna. "It's not my ideal course. I only hit four or five drivers on 18 holes."

But, after he thought about it for a second, added, "I guess the course sets upwell for me. I have a lot of confidence in my game. It's all about the short game."

The field of the inaugural Mylan Classic features all but three of the Nationwide Tour's top 25 money leaders, Greensburg native Rocco Mediate, former 84 Lumber Classic champion Jason Gore, and familiar local golfers, including John Aber, Dennis Dolci, Upper St. Clair grad Bobby MacWhinnie, and Trinity grad Steve Wheatcroft.

The Nationwide Tour is the pathway to the PGA Tour, and is dotted with a number of golfers on the way up as well as those attempting to work their way back. But, all in all, it is a golf tournament and Rohanna has plenty of tournament experience.

"I have to try to get my misses in order. It's who misses the 'best' is the one who wins," said Rohanna. "I need to focus for 18 holes.

"This is a step below the PGA Tour. I have a lot of confidence in my game. It's all about the short game."

Despite all the experience, will Rohanna be nervous?

"I'll be nervous, for sure," said Rohanna. "I just have to get it out of my system. Get down and make par on the first hole and go to the next hole.

"I'll always be a little nervous."

As for what it will take to get through to the third round, Rohanna said, "It's not easy, but it's not an overly hard course. I'm going to have to be under par. I don't think there will be too many low scores on the course.

"If I can put together two under-par rounds, I should have a chance."

DIVOTS: The tournament will be broadcast on the GOLF Channel Thursday (3-6 p.m.), Friday (12:30-2:30 p.m.), Saturday (12-2 p.m.), and Sunday (1-4 p.m.). + The purse for the inaugural Nationwide Tour event is $600,000 with the winner's share $108,000.

All three coaches involved in Tuesday's non-section triangular golf match at Duck Hollow Golf Club seemed satisfied their squads and golfers met the pre-match goals.

Uniontown defeated Brownsville, 119-313, and Albert Gallatin handed the Falcons a 227-313 defeat.

The Red Raiders had all six golfers shoot 42 or better, the only golfers to do so in the triangular. Mason Fordyce was the day's medalist with a 2-over 37 after a rough round Monday against Mount Pleasant. Zack Nelson finished with a 39. Ben Sampson, Josh Nelson and Chris Kovach all shot 41, and Luke Wallace's 42 wasn't used.

Uniontown coach Aaron Scott was particularly pleased with the overall play of his squad.

"This is the first time in about four years we've shot under 200 on this course," praised Scott. "We rebounded a little bit from yesterday.

"Mason played well after a tough round (against Mount Pleasant). Our two freshman - Chris Kovach and Luke Wallace - stepped up."

Improving to 4-1 overall, Uniontown, with a 2-1 section record, returns to Division I, Section 2 action on the road Thursday against Connellsville at Pleasant Valley Country Club.

"This was a confidence booster for us. It gives us a little momentum going into Connellsville. That course is not a walk in the park," said Scott. "It showed the kids we can shoot decent scores."

Brandon Sutton was the low man for Albert Gallatin (1-4, 0-4) with an 8-over 43. Pat McDonough scored a 44. Cullen Hoone had a 45, and Jacob Provance shot a 47. Ben Rozzi and Charlie Depp both shot 48 with one of the scores thrown out.

The Colonials' team scoreboard met one of the goals coach Bernie Wydo detailed going into the match.

"The goal is to beat the guys you're playing against. We wanted to get everyone in under 50," explained Wydo. "We wanted an idea how we compare against Uniontown, and no three putts.

"Plus, we wanted to get a win."

Wydo's Colonials will either be the best putters in the section or have the most-defined upper bodies in the league because a three-putted green is worth 10 pushups. A player or two had to "drop down and give (Wydo) 10" off No. 9's green.

Added exercise aside, Wydo saw additional benefits from the non-section match.

"It's another round of experience for my guys. The more they play in matches, the better off we are," said Wydo.

Albert Gallatin (1-4, 0-4) is on the road today at Willowbrook Golf Club against Belle Vernon.

With No. 1 golfer Nick Calvaresi absent due tending to school matters, the Falcons were a bit understaffed against the two bigger schools, but coach Chris McManus wanted his squad to experience such a match.

"Most of the kids never played this course before. They didn't play in the (FCCA Scholastic Open), so this is the first time on the course," said McManus.

"It was good to play (Uniontown and Albert Gallatin). Either team would be a top team in our section."

Jared Gibson was the lone Falcon to crack 60 with a 54. Aaron Golembiewski shot a 61, and Mark Batovosky was a shot behind. Jacob Murray and Anthony Rhodes both scored 68.

"It would've been nice to have Nick (Calvaresi) here to see what he has to shoot against in the section tournament," said McManus.

Brownsville (1-5, 1-3) is off until after Labor Day.

Anthony Mihota, formerly of Carmichaels, is currently the starting center at the University of Virginia. The 6'5", 285-pound junior is the son of John and Valerie Mihota and the grandson of the late John (Yunk) and Stella Mihota of Masontown and the late Louella and the late John Galatic of Carmichaels. Anthony attended All Saints Elementary School in Masontown.

GOLF

Duck Hollow Golf Course will participate in the fourth annual Patriot Golf Day Weekend Sept. 3-6. Golfers across the country have the opportunity to donate an additional $1 or more to benefit Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides post-secondary educational scholarships for children and spouses of military personnel killed or disabled while serving.

Duck Hollow requests a $1 minimum for each green fee processed Sept. 3-6. The PGA of America and the U.S. Golf Association jointly support patriot Golf Day. Since 2007, PGA Professionals have raised over $5.3 million, allowing Folds of Honor to award 1,163 schloarships.

Soccer

Laurel Highlands hosts the 2010 Soccer-Palooza Saturday with girls action beginning at 8:30 a.m. between Geibel Catholic and Albert Gallatin. Laurel Highlands takes on Cannon McMillan at 10:15 a.m. followed by Connellsville and Uniontown at noon. Bentworth and Albert Gallatain square off at 1:45 p.m. Connellsville and Canon McMillan play at 3:15 p.m. followed by Bentworth and Geibel at 5 p.m. Laurel Highlands and Uniontown close the festivities at 6:45 p.m.

Boys games will be played at Bill Power Stadium in Uniontown, starting at 9 a.m. between Geibel and Uniontown. Brownsville and Albert Gallatain take the field at 10:45 a.m. followed by Laurel Highlands and Connellsville at 12:30 p.m. The Gators take the field again at 2:15 p.m. against Brownsville. Connellsville takes on the Colonials at 4 p.m. before the Mustangs and Red Raiders face off in the final game at 5:45 p.m.

Admission is $3, which is good all day at both venues. The format is two 35-minute halves with a seven-minute halftime. Two one-minute overtimes will be used to break ties with a shootout breaking any remaining ties.

The Lady Scots' Jim Kessler takes over the reins after the retirement of veteran coach John Ciarimboli, coming to the Southmoreland program after serving as Bill Ricks' assistant coach last year.

"I helped with the (Connellsville) summer program and all those girls played for us this summer," said Kessler.

The coaches decided to go pro-set format because of the 90-plus degree heat and the match was non-section. The Lady Falcons' Lyndsey Boors defeated Chelsea Pence, 10-5, at No. 1 singles, and teammate Lyndsey Dove defeated Chelsie Leonard by the same score at No. 2 singles. Malinda Miller completed the sweep of the singles matches with a 10-4 victory over Elizabeth Frank at No. 3 singles.

The Lady Falcons' Carlie Terhurst and Sara Keffer defeated the Horaks, Clarissa and Clyina, 10-4, at No. 1 doubles, and the No. 2 team of Trisha Hann and Breanne Hyatt completed the sweep with a 10-1 victory over Kristy Figg and Ashley Belzer at No. 2 doubles.

Kessler is familiar with the program with daughters who have attended Southmoreland, but the first-year coach takes over a team that's unrecognizable from the 2009 season.

"We graduated 11 seniors. Only one senior returned," said Kessler. "This is not John's (former coach John Ciarimboli's) team left here.

"I don't want them to think it's a rebuilding year. I don't want the mentality we're rebuilding."

Pence is the lone returning starting, moving up from No. 3 singles. Southmoreland plays in Section 1-AA, the home of Brownsville's Sarah Shashura, who won the boys WPIAL Class AA singles title last spring, and traditional powers Greensburg Central Catholic and Mount Pleasant.

"Chelsea has taken on the responsibility (of playing at No. 1). I think she's looking forward to the challenge and is becoming a leader," said Kessler.

Kessler believes the Lady Scots will need to be successful at No. 2 and 3 singles, as well as No. 1 doubles, to finish in the top three and earn a team playoff berth.

"Chelsea will win some big matches. The other girls held their own (in a loss to Greensburg C.C.). We lost a couple of tiebreakers," said Kessler.

Though it's early in the season, Kessler is pleased how the team has progressed to date.

"I can see a big difference in their swings and attitude. They're a nice group of girls," praised Kessler. "They're having fun.

"I don't have the flexibility with the roster (with only 12 girls) as I did with Connellsville, but I'm having a good time at Southmoreland."

The Lady Scots (1-1, 2-2) host California this afternoon and then travel to rival Mount Pleasant on Thursday. Connellsville (0-2, 1-3) hosts Section 1-AAA foe Franklin Regional today.

Laurel Highlands 210, Belle Vernon 211 - Playing without Bo Lustig, the Leopards lost a close Division I, Section 2 match on the road at Duck Hollow Golf Club.

Laurel Highlands improves to 4-0 in the section as well as overall, while Belle Vernon slips to 2-1.

The Mustangs' Jeremy Guzy was the medalist with a 3-over 35. Derek Plaski shot a 41, and Alex Ashton finished with 42. Richard David carded a 43, and Ben Cole rounded out the scoring with a 46. John Gabriel's 52 wasn't used.

Brett Bishop and Tim Moore shared low honors for the visitors at 4-over 39. Brad Antal shot a 41 and Kirby Manown carded a 44. Chaz Balsano closed out the scoring with a 48. John Molchan's 52 was thrown out.

Mount Pleasant 213, Uniontown 217 - The Vikings came away from Duck Hollow Golf Club with a key road victory, edging the Red Raiders in Division I, Section 2 action.

Mount Pleasant's Ryan Bull was medalist with a 39. Zac Heide finished with a 41, and Cameron Swink and Mark Polcha both shot 42. Andy Yoder added a 49 to the final score. Justin Dent's 51 was thrown out.

Uniontown's Mason Fordyce had one of those holes golfers dread on his way to an 8-over 43, taking a 12 after two lost balls and one hit in a water hazard. Ben Sampson was the low man for the Red Raiders with a 41. Luke Wallace had a 43, and Josh Nelson scored a 44. Zack Nelson closed the scoring rounds with a 46. Chris Kovach's 49 wasn't used.

Uniontown (2-1, 3-1) hosts Brownsville this afternoon in a non-section match. Mount Pleasant improves to 2-2 in the section.

Connellsville 218, Albert Gallatin 235 - Duck Hollow Golf Club was abuzz with activity with the Falcons winning the third of three Division I, Section 2 matches held on the course.

Connellsville's Tyler Stillwagon continued his fine play of late, leading the way with a 5-over 35. Shawn Bennett, playing at No. 6, shot a 41. John Leonard and Eric Harrer both finished with 45, and Jonathan Grinko closed out the scoring with a 47. John Malone's 57 wasn't used.

Brandon Sutton was low man for the Colonials with a 40. Pat McDonough shot a 45, and Ben Rozzi finished a stroke behind. Charlie Depp shot 49 and Brandon Kenney finished with a 55. Garrin Guesman's 57 wasn't used.

Connellsville breaks into the win column, improving to 1-2 in the section as well as overall. Albert Gallatin slips to 0-4.

Brownsville 278, Washington 285 - The Falcons won for the first time this season, defeating the visiting Prexies at Carmichaels Golf Club in Division II, Section 8 play.

Brownsville's Nick Calvaresi was the medalist with a 3-over 40. Anthony Rhodes (57), Jared Gibson (59), Aaron Golembiewski (60), and Brad Britvich (62) rounded out the scoring for the Falcons. Jacob Murray's 65 wasn't used.

Davy Oliverio was the low man for Washington (0-2, 0-2) with a 43.

Brownsville (1-3, 1-3) takes a break from section action with a road match against Uniontown at Duck Hollow Golf Club.

California 222, Jefferson-Morgan 235 - Although the Rockets' Zack Berkstresser was medalist with a 2-over 38, the Trojans had three golfers under 45 for a Division II, Section 8 home victory at Cedarbrook Golf Course's Gold course.

Nick Roberts shot a 6-over 42, Eric Rucci had a 43, and Alex Roach finished with 44 for the Trojans. Derek Stein had a 46 and Blake Mudry closed out the scoring with a 47. Matt Palyas' 48 was thrown out.

Alex Rush kept the Rockets in contention with a 41. Cameron Roberts (49), Brandon Faieta (51), and Jacob Guthrie (56) closed the scoring. Charles Mattish's 58 wasn't used.

California improves to 1-2 in the section and 1-3 overall. Jefferson-Morgan loses for the first time this season, slipping to 3-1 in the section as well as overall.

Frazier 222, Charleroi 238 - The Commodores took to the road and returned back to Perryopolis with a Division II, Section 2 victory over the Cougars.

Frazier's Zach Smalich was the medalist at Mon Valley Country Club with a 6-over 42. Robert Gondura finished with a 43. Andrea Lash counted a 45, and Tyler Rock and D.J. Hudik both shot 46. Eddie Miller's 48 wasn't used.

Brandon Koneck and Gunner Riley shared the low round for the Cougars (0-2, 0-2) with both scoring 43.

Frazier improves to 2-0.

JOLIET, Ill. (AP) - As IndyCar's current king of the road, Will Power built a commanding lead in the series points standings by zigzagging his way to five wins on twisting road courses and street circuits this season.

Now he'll have to hold his own on high-speed oval tracks, or veteran Dario Franchitti just might chase him down.

Power holds a 59-point lead over Franchitti going into Saturday night's race at Chicagoland Speedway, the first in a season-ending stretch of four straight oval tracks. Franchitti is considered a stronger driver on ovals.

Power is confident, but isn't clearing space in his trophy case yet.

"I'd feel comfortable if there were two races to go," Power said. "But definitely, it just takes one bad race and for him to win and then bam, you're back to equal. In a way, it's still a lot of racing to go. I guess if I happen to finish ahead of him this weekend, I'll be like, 'OK, this is getting closer.'"

And while Power knows he can run with the leaders on an oval, he acknowledges that he's still learning how to win on one.

"I feel as though on road courses, I can make a win happen," Power said. "On ovals, because I haven't won, I'm not sure."

Power's Penske teammate, Helio Castroneves, is plenty confident that Franchitti's Chip Ganassi Racing team won't be making a comeback in the points.

"I feel that Ganassi should be worried, no question," Castroneves said. "(Power) is in a very comfortable position."

Franchitti knows it won't be easy to make up that much ground in four races. Power might not have Franchitti's track record on ovals, but he won't likely be running at the back of the pack, either.

"It's going to be tough," Franchitti said. "It's not just a case of coming to four ovals and he's going to run right to the back. That's just not going to happen. We've got to absolutely figure out how to be quick every week, and we've got to be winning races."

Franchitti was faster than Power in qualifying Friday at Chicagoland, but only slightly; Franchitti qualified second behind Penske's Ryan Briscoe, and Power was a strong third.

Just finishing slightly in front of Power won't be enough for Franchitti to make a comeback bid for the title. He'll have to be nearly perfect while Power hits a speed bump or two.

"I think we can do it, yeah," Franchitti said. "But it's there, and it's got to be climbed over."

Power scored more points than any other driver on road courses this year, but his best finish on an oval this season is fifth. The IndyCar series also visits Kentucky Speedway and Twin Ring Motegi in Japan before the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

"I think one thing Will's got in his favor is he's with a front-running team with two very experienced teammates who are very good on ovals," Franchitti said. "They'll kind of keep him where he needs to be as far as setup and stuff. It's going to be an interesting fight to the finish, I think."

Despite his Indianapolis 500 win, Franchitti said he won't truly consider this season a success unless he wins the championship. Even if that doesn't happen, he's optimistic about the direction the Ganassi team is headed, although he'd like to see the team raise its game on road courses.

Franchitti said he does not yet have a deal in place with team owner Chip Ganassi for next season, although he expects it to be done soon.

"I want to be here," Franchitti said. "Chip and I and the team, they want me to be here, I want to be here. We're putting the finishing touches on it. There are other options, but this is where I want to be."

Power, meanwhile, appreciates his rise from substitute driver - he filled in during Castroneves' tax evasion trial - to championship contender.

"I would never have dreamed I would have ended up driving for Penske," Power said. "When I first came over there, this was the team that everyone would aim to end up with. It's just such a sort of weird set of circumstances. It all came together."

Uniontown pulled out a squeaker in Division 1, Section 2 golf action Friday at Duck Hollow Golf Course, as the Red Raiders edged Ringgold (1-1 section), 206-207.

Mason Fordyce took medalist honors, as he led Uniontown (2-0, 3-0) with a two-under-par 33.

Ben Sampson carded a 40, Zack Nelson a 44 and Brian David and Josh Nelson turned in 44's. Luke Wallace's 45 was thrown out.

Jefferson-Morgan 220, Beth-Center 251 -- The Rockets outgunned the Bulldogs in Division 1, Section 8 golf at Greene County Country Club Friday.

Zach Berkstresser and Alex Rush broke 40 with rounds of 37 and 39 respectively to lead the Rockets (3-0, 3-0).

Brandon Faieta turned in a 43, Jacob Guthrie a 50 and Cameron Roberts a 51 to round out the scoring, as Ty Falor's 55 was tossed.

For the Bulldogs (1-2, 1-2) Austin Smith finished with a 46, Matt Sabatini a 47, Taylor Dingle a 49, Lucas Diethorn a 54 and Jesse Kiggins and Tyler Sabatula had 55s. Sabatula's score was tossed.

Laurel Highlands 208, Connellsville 229 - Alex Ashton tied for medalist honors with a 6-over 40, and the Mustangs had no individual round higher than a 43 for a Division I, Section 2 road victory at Pleasant Valley Country Club.

John Gabriel scored a 41 for the visitors, while Richard David and Derek Plaski both finished at 42. Jeremy Guzy rounded out the scoring with a 43.

The Falcons' Tyler Stillwagon shared medalist honors with a 40. Eric Harrer was a shot behind his pace, and John Leonard finished with a 42. Shawn Bennett's 52 and John Malone's 54 closed out the scoring rounds.

Laurel Highlands improves to 3-0 in the section, while Connellsville slips to 0-2.

Waynesburg Central 178, California 193 - Emily Rohanna carded a 1-under 32 at home at Rohanna's Golf Club, leading the Raiders to a Division II, Section 8 victory over the visiting Trojans.

Aaron Hayward shot a 1-over 34 in the victory. Loren Dukate finished with a 35, Rick Kalsey had a 38, and Dalton Haywood added a 39. Ben Virgin's 43 wasn't used.

Nick Roberts was the lone man for California with a 35. Alex Roach finished with a 38, and Blake Mudrey, Derek Stein and Eric Richey all shot 40.

Waynesburg improves to 3-0 and California falls to 0-2 in the section and 3-0 overall.

Brownsville fell to Greensburg Salem Friday in scholastic tennis action, 3-2.

The Falcons (0-2) went on top 2-0 after the first two singles matches as Sarah Shashura defeated Cathleen Orr, 6-0, 6-0, and Angie Pelehac topped Virginia Elinsky, 6-1, 6-0.

The Lions (1-1) put the match away by taking the final singles and both doubles.

Cindy Baur defeated Kayla Bayne 7-5, 5-4 in the third singles.

In doubles Leigh Hastings and Alexis Ferrari downed Megan Yocabet and Valerie Columbia, 6-1, 6-2, and Kelly Pang and Sam Patrick defeated Payton Serguson and Angela Becker, 7-6, (7-5), 6-4.

Tuesday the Falcons are on the road at Jeannette.

PARAMUS, N.J. (AP) — Jason Day had three late birdies in a 4-under 67 on Friday and he held a one-stroke lead after two rounds in The Barclays.

Nine players had at least a share of the lead at some point during the second round until Day's late surge. He was at 8-under 134, one shot clear of Kevin Streelman (63) and Vaughn Taylor (70) going into the weekend of the FedEx Cup's first playoff event.

Tiger Woods missed a 20-inch par putt on the fifth hole and wound up with a 73, eight shots worse than his opening round.

The good news for the world's No. 1 player — he will stay atop the world ranking for at least another week after Phil Mickelson missed the cut.

Streelman ran off six birdies in a seven-hole stretch at the Ridgeway Country Club course.

Stewart Cink raised his Ryder Cup hopes with a 69 that put him in a group at 6-under 136 with Martin Laird (67) and John Senden (69).

LPGA Canadian Open

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Michelle Wie shot a 3-under 69 to stay atop the leaderboard halfway through the Canadian Women's Open.

She posted a two-round total of 10-under 134, three strokes ahead of Jiyai Shin of South Korea, who had a second-round 67.

Morgan Pressel had a 66 at the St. Charles Country Club to move into a tie at 138 with defending champion Suzann Pettersen of Norway.

Sarah Jane Smith of Australia also had a 66 and was in a group at 3 under in the tournament with a $2.25 million purse.

Shin is ranked No. 4 on the World Rolex Rankings and has nine top-10 finishes this season.

The field dropped to 154 players after Shi Hyn Ahn and Il Mi Chung of South Korea were disqualified late Thursday for mistakenly playing each other's balls on the 18th green.

European Tour

GLENEAGLES, Scotland (AP) — Gary Boyd and David Lynn of England and Julien Guerrier of France were tied for the lead at the Johnnie Walker Championship at 9 under.

Guerrier shot a 5-under 67, while Boyd and Lynn had 68s. Marc Warren of Scotland (70), Mark Foster of England (67) and George Coetzee of South Africa (68) were two shots back.

Simon Dyson of England shot a 70 to grab a share of seventh place at 6 under. He is four places outside of qualifying for the European Ryder Cup team and needs to capture the Johnnie Walker to ensure automatic selection for the event at Celtic Manor.

Also at 6 under were Paul McGinley of Ireland (70), Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain (68) and Edoardo Molinari of Italy (68).

Champions Tour

SNOQUALMIE, Wash. (AP) — Nick Price birdied the first four holes and five of the last seven to match the lowest score in tournament history and take the lead with a 9-under 63 in the first round of the Champions Tour's Boeing Classic.

Price rolled in birdies from 20 and 25 feet on the 6th and 13th, respectively, then capped the round with a 40-footer on the 17th.

Tom Pernice Jr. was two shots back after a 64, and Hal Sutton and Bernhard Langer were tied for third after shooting 66s.

Hometown favorite Fred Couples shot a 68.

Uniontown pulled out a squeaker in Division 1, Section 2 golf action Friday at Duck Hollow Golf Course, as the Red Raiders edged Ringgold (1-1 section), 206-207.

Mason Fordyce took medalist honors, as he led Uniontown (2-0, 3-0) with a two-under-par 33.

Ben Sampson carded a 40, Zack Nelson a 44 and Brian David and Josh Nelson turned in 44’s. Luke Wallace’s 45 was thrown out.

Jefferson-Morgan 220, Beth-Center 251 –– The Rockets outgunned the Bulldogs in Division 1, Section 8 golf at Greene County Country Club Friday.

Zach Berkstresser and Alex Rush broke 40 with rounds of 37 and 39 respectively to lead the Rockets (3-0, 3-0).

Brandon Faieta turned in a 43, Jacob Guthrie a 50 and Cameron Roberts a 51 to round out the scoring, as Ty Falor’s 55 was tossed.

For the Bulldogs (1-2, 1-2) Austin Smith finished with a 46, Matt Sabatini a 47, Taylor Dingle a 49, Lucas Diethorn a 54 and Jesse Kiggins and Tyler Sabatula had 55s. Sabatula’s score was tossed.

Tennis

Brownsville fell to Greensburg Salem Friday in scholastic tennis action, 3-2.

The Falcons (0-2) went on top 2-0 after the first two singles matches as Sarah Shashura defeated Cathleen Orr, 6-0, 6-0, and Angie Pelehac topped Virginia Elinsky, 6-1, 6-0.

The Lions (1-1) put the match away by taking the final singles and both doubles.

Cindy Baur defeated Kayla Bayne 7-5, 5-4 in the third singles.

In doubles Leigh Hastings and Alexis Ferrari downed Megan Yocabet and Valerie Columbia, 6-1, 6-2, and Kelly Pang and Sam Patrick defeated Payton Serguson and Angela Becker, 7-6, (7-5), 6-4.

Tuesday the Falcons are on the road at Jeannette.

CANONSBURG – The Mylan Classic presented by CONSOL Energy announced today that Robert Rohanna has accepted a sponsor exemption to compete in the inaugural Mylan Classic at Southpointe Golf Club, Aug. 30 through Sept. 5.

Robert Rohanna is a graduate of Penn State University, where he also played on the golf team. During his time at Penn State Rohanna finished first in the 2007 Marshall Invitational and 2007 Rutherford Intercollegiate. Rohanna was also a 2007 GCAA All-American Scholar, 2007 First Team All-Big Ten Selection, 2005/06 and 2006/07 Academic All-Big Ten and a two time winner of the Frank Fuhrer, III Award, given to the area’s outstanding collegiate golfer.

Rohanna, a native of Waynesburg, will look to test his skills against some of the brightest up and coming Nationwide Tour golfers when he tees off at the Mylan Classic. Robert got plenty of practice growing up playing at the family owned and operated Rohanna Golf Course in nearby Greene County. Golf is a family business for the Rohanna’s, his uncle Randy is the PGA Pro at the golf course, his cousin Rachel Rohanna is a sophomore on the Ohio State University Women’s Golf Team and was a co-medalist at the recent USGA Women’s Amateur Championship at Charlotte Country Club.

Just two weeks ago on Wednesday, Aug 11, he won the 94th Pennsylvania Open at Applebrook Golf Club in Malvern, Pa. He shot an even-par 71 on the final day of the tournament to finish 12-under par for the three-day tournament. “That win gave me some confidence” said Rohanna. “I’m looking forward to keeping it going into the Mylan Classic.”

As a community event, the Mylan Classic offers both championship golf and entertainment for the whole family. Weekly tournament tickets for the Mylan Classic start at $25, and are valid for the tournament as well as all activities beginning with the Taggart Celebrity Pro-AM and evening entertainment including concerts by Joe Nichols, Eli Young Band, Tino Coury and The Commodores throughout tournament week. Tickets are being sold through a unique and innovative initiative known as the ANSYS TICKETS Fore CHARITY™ program. Through this program more than 150 participating non-profit organizations are selling tournament tickets and retaining 100 percent of the proceeds as well as a percentage of the $35,000 bonus pool.

 “The Mylan Classic is a terrific family friendly event to end the summer, and kids under 12 get in free. For just $25 this is a great value that includes the Taggart Global Celebrity Pro-Am, two fantastic concerts and four rounds of championship golf,” said Rod Piatt, president of Southpointe Golf Club. To purchase tickets online now visit www.MylanClassic.com.

The Mylan Classic is one of four new events on the PGA TOUR’s 29-event Nationwide Tour in 2010. It will be held Aug. 30 – Sept. 5 at Southpointe Golf Club in Canonsburg, Pa. The event will draw 156 Nationwide Tour professionals from as many as 20 countries vying for one of the 25 PGA TOUR cards that will be awarded to the leading money winners at the end of the year. Also descending on Washington County during tournament week will be the players’ families, caddies, Pro-Am participants, corporate guests, television crews, Tour staff members and thousands of spectators.

Golf Channel will televise all four rounds of the Mylan Classic in the United States. Internationally, it will be distributed via the PGA TOUR to 72 countries, including Japan, China, Korea, Hong Kong and parts of Europe and Latin America.

Carmichaels opened its season with a win, besting section rival Brownsville 228-263 Thursday on the front nine at Carmichaels Golf Course.

Brandon Wamsley paced the Mikes (1-0, 1-0) with a 5-over 42. Brandon Wolfe shot a 44 as both Trevor Robinson and Justin Newman carded 47. Mat Blasinski shot a 48.

Nick Calvaresi led the Falcons (0-2, 0-2) shooting a 42. Jacob Murray carded a 43 and Jared Gibson shot a 53.

Uniontown 203, Southmoreland 232 - Zack Nelson shot over par with a 36 to lead the Raiders to a non-section win over Southmoreland at Duck Hollow.

Mason Fordyce carded a 38 for the Raiders (2-0, 1-0) as Ben Sampson shot a 41 and Josh Nelson added a 42. Marcus Thomas carded a 46.

Nick Wells shot a 43 to lead the Scotties (0-2, 0-1) and Daniel Wright carded a 45. Brandon Yuhouse, Zack Black and Jordan Kitta followed in order with 47, 48 and 49, respectively.

Uniontown visits Cedarbrook Golf Course today to face Ringgold at 3 p.m.

ROGERSVILLE -- The year was 1993. Bill Clinton was sworn in as the 42nd president, Windows NT 3.1 was created by Microsoft, Jurassic Park was just released in theaters, the cost of a gallon of gasoline was $1.16 and the average cost of a movie ticket was $4.50.

Fast forward 17 years, the only Clinton highlighting the news is Chelsea for her wedding, Windows 10 is out and Microsoft is once again changing technology, you can get all three of the Jurassic Park movies on DVD now and yes the price of gas and a movie ticket is a lot more today than it was in 1993.

What else happened in 1993? The West Greene Pioneers' football program appeared in the WPIAL Class A championship game at Three Rivers Stadium.

The past 17 years have been tough for the Pioneers, with no playoff trips since that title game in 1993, but new coach John Coss would like to change that and put the Pioneers back on track and into the postseason in the near future.

Coss, who worked as an assistant coach for Larry Piper during the 1990s, knows that the community and fan base are starving for a winner at West Greene after the school board unanimously hired him in March.

"I learned a lot from Larry from the coaching standpoint," Coss said. "The most important aspect of football is in the summertime. Conditioning and weightlifting are keys for any team. You've got to put the time in to be good. You've got to prepare yourself even before training camp and you have to learn that as a team.

"At a small school like this, these kids are in more than one sport. We started our weight program this summer when I got hired and we have had pretty decent attendance. I'm trying to push the junior high kids to come and get started early. We had about eight or nine kids show up, and that is going to help that program and our team in the long run because they are going to know what to expect."

One thing that Coss will try to bring from that 1993 team to the 2010 Pioneers is the heart and desire to win and not accept losing.

"That '93 team had a lot of heart," Coss said. "They showed up every day and they didn't want to lose. We want to bring that to this year's team and change their attitude. We don't want them to think that losing a game doesn't matter. We want them to get mad when they lose, so they can work harder."

And the task at hand might be challenging for Coss, as the last time West Greene won a game was the fourth week of the 2007 season against Geibel Catholic. The streak now stands at 23 consecutive games without a win.

"We have been down the last couple of years and we have talked about our current losing streak," Coss said. "I don't know if that's a motivator, but we are aware of it. I'm trying to stress to them that we need a win, or wins, this year. We can't go down any more, we have to go up this year."

Even though there have been a lot of changes from 1993 to 2010, Coss and the Pioneers will try to bring back that winning tradition this season that the '93 club enjoyed 17 years ago.

Big, bruising offensive linemen, speedy, athletic skill players and savvy, well prepared head coaches are all calling cards of the Mighty Mikes for more than a decade. Another hallmark of the program is a slew of talented brother combos.

From 2001 to 2008, the Lapkowicz brothers (twins Jeff and Jared, along with younger brother Joby) powered the Mikes' potent passing game. In 2009, Jon Krall took over the starting quarterback position and, in typical Carmichaels fashion, his twin brother Seth quickly established himself as the team's top receiver.

The pair really broke out as juniors last season, with Jon throwing for 1,033 yards and 10 touchdowns. Seth pulled in a team-high 41 catches for 474 yards and seven touchdowns.

Along with the Kralls, two other sets of brothers will be counted on to power the Mikes to a 13th straight trip to the WPIAL playoffs. Senior Zach Mundell and younger brother Josh, a sophomore, will be active as offensive and defensive skill players. Meanwhile, the junior/senior combo of Jake and Luke Cumpston will be counted on to play major roles on the offensive and defensive lines.

"I can't ever remember having this many sets of brothers on a team at one time," said Carmichaels coach John Menhart, who is heading into his 16th season over two stints as the Mikes' head coach.

Going into his second season since returning to the Carmichaels sidelines after a six-year hiatus, Menhart believes that the principles of family go far beyond the players who share the same last name on the backs of their jerseys. He feels his team has reciprocated that closeness and dedication in this year's camp.

"This is the first camp ever where we went a whole camp and didn't have a single kid miss at all," Menhart said. "Family is always first. Football better not be the first thing on their priority list. When they are on the field we ask for that, but after that, family is first."

Menhart admitted that the previous statement isn't entirely true, as he had one player miss one day of practice. However, sticking with the family-first theme, that individual was excused to be with an ailing relative.

Carmichaels' belief in team kinship extends beyond the field.

"I always have the seniors to my house and have a steak dinner before the season gets going," Menhart said. "The season flies by so quickly. Before you know it, I'll be asking them if they got their deer when deer season comes around. That is when I know the season is really over. The older I get, the faster the season goes by."

While the idea of a football team as a family is forever engrained in American culture, it would be hard to find a more honest and genuine example than the Mighty Mikes. It is that same concept that has helped the program become one of the most consistently successful squads in the WPIAL, a tradition they'll look to continue in 2010.

Laurel Highlands remained undefeated by squeaking past Mount Pleasant, 201-209, at Duck Hollow Golf Course Wednesday for a Division I, Section 2 win.

The Mustangs (2-0, 2-0) nearly pulled off a straight with its quintet, as Alex Ashton, Derek Plasky, Jeremy Guzy and John Gabriel shot 38, 39, 40 and 41, respectively. Richard David carded a 43.

Zac Heide led the Vikings (0-2, 0-2) with a 37. Andrew Raffensperger added a 40 as Ryan Bull shot a 43. Mark Polcha scored a 44 and Cameron Swink added a 45 on the par 35.

Laurel Highlands returns to the links Friday, facing Connellsville at Pleasant Valley.

Ringgold 235, Albert Gallatin 249 - Rico Rodriguez paced the Rams with a 43 for a win over Albert Gallatin in other Division I, Section 2 play.

Jared Hancock and Colin McCormick carded 45 and 46, respectively for the Rams (1-1, 1-1). Conner Kane shot a 48 and Nick Feld added a 53 on the front nine at Duck Hollow.

Brandon Kenney led the Colonials (0-2, 0-2) with a 45 and Ben Rozzi carded a 48. Cullen Hoone shot a 50 as Pat McDonough followed with a 51 and Charlie Depp added a 55.

Albert Gallatin faces Mount Pleasant today at Norvelt for a 3 p.m. tee time.

Bentworth 212, Geibel Catholic 212 - Bentworth picked up its second straight win by playoff to remain undefeated in the young season.

Garrett Gamich and Kyle Kubovcik each shot 38 to lead the Bearcats (2-0, 2-0) on Pleasant Valley Country Club's par 34 front nine. Adam Bell carded a 43 as Sam Lapcevic added a 45. Shelby Dziak shot a 48.

Ryan Robson paced Geibel (1-1, 1-1) with a 38 and Mike Noonan chipped in with a 40. Patrick Herbert carded a 43 and Mike Spegar shot a 45. Ryan Lucostic added a 46.

Waynesburg Central 208, Beth-Center 225 - Emily Rohanna led all golfers with a 39 as Waynesburg kept its record unscathed with a win at Carmichaels Golf Course.

Loren Dukate added a 3-over 40 and Aaron Haywood shot a 42. Rick Kalsey carded a 43 and Dalton Haywood shot a 44 for the Raiders (2-0, 2-0).

Austin Smith was the low man for the Bulldogs (1-1, 1-1), shooting a 41. Tyler Sabatula carded a 42 as Lucas Diethorn chipped in a 45. Taylor Dingle shot a 48 and Matt Sabatini shot a 49.

Waynesburg returns to action Friday at Rohanna's Golf Course to host California for a 3:30 p.m. tee time.

Jefferson-Morgan 220, Brownsville 281 - Alex Rush shot an even par 37 at Carmichaels Golf Course to lead the Rockets to a section win over Brownsville.

Zach Berkstresser added a 39 for the Rockets (2-0, 2-0) and Jacob Guthrie shot a 45. Brandon Faieta and Cameron Roberts shot 47 and 52, respectively.

Nick Calvaresi led the Falcons (0-2, 0-2) with a 42 and Jared Gibson shot a 51.

Jefferson-Morgan returns action Friday, hosting Beth-Center at 3 p.m.

Frazier 202, Jeannette 242 - Frazier defended its home course, opening its season with a win.

The Commodores (1-0, 1-0) shot in order for four scores as Tyler Rock, D.J. Hudik, Robert Gondura and Zach Smalich shot 38, 39, 40 and 41, respectively. Andrea Lash shot a 44.

Miles Sunder led Jeannette (0-1, 0-1) with a 45 and Brandon Howe carded a 46 as Matt Scherff added a 48. Jeroen Wolfe shot a 50 and Bill Avolio chipped in with a 53.

Belle Vernon 201, Connellsville 225 - The Leopards had two sub-40 rounds to ease past visiting Connellsville at Willowbrook Golf Course in Division I, Section 2 action.

Belle Vernon's Bo Lustig was medalist with a 2-under 34. Kirby Manown broke 40 with a 3-over 39. Brett Bishop and Brad Antal both finished with 42, and Chaz Balsono rounded out the scoring with a 44. Chase Foglia's 45 was thrown out.

Johnny Leonard and Eric Harrer shared low honors for the Falcons at 5-over 41. Shawn Bennett scored 45 and Jonathan Grinko added a 47. Tyler Stillwagon shot a 51, and John Malone's 52 wasn't used.

Belle Vernon improves to 2-0 in the section, as well as overall. Connellsville (0-1, 0-1) hosts Laurel Highlands at Pleasant Valley Country Club Friday at 8 a.m.

Derry 3, Brownsville 2 - Brownsville started its season-opening match well, sweeping first and second singles until Derry swept the next three matches to take the win.

Sara Shashura beat Tiffany Piper in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0 and teammate Angie Pelehac won in straight sets against Caroline Mezelsh, 6-2, 6-1. Brianna Henning turned the tide for Derry (1-0, 1-0), beating Kayla Bayne in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0.

In doubles Stephanie Maskrey and Felicia Pawlack downed Megan Yocabet and Valerie Columbia in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4. Bre Liberom and Lauren Campbell completed the doubles sweep by besting Peyton Ferguson and Angela Becker in straight sets, 6-1, 6-0.

Brownsville (0-1, 0-1) hosts Greensburg Salem Friday.

Greensburg C.C. 5, California 0 - No extra sets were needed as Greensburg swept a section match against California.

Faith Ginoli downed Miranda Hall, 6-2, 6-2 and Jacki Hauser bested Courtney Kischalk, 6-3, 6-2. Alie Perez beat Taylor Tiano, 6-0, 6-0 for Greensburg (1-0, 1-0).

In doubles play, Nicole Sauter and Mary Taoriminia defeated Courtney Pro and Crystal Rook, 6-0, 6-2. Alida Narcissi and Kelsie Brown beat Annie Zheng and Kimberly Sears, 6-1, 6-2.

California (0-1, 0-1) returns to action Friday, travelling to Mount Pleasant.

Times have changed, and so have offensive philosophies in football.

Terms like smash-mouth, three yards and a cloud of dust, dive and trap were the standard in offensive playbooks back in the day, and were critical elements in any football team's scheme.

Now, words like shotgun, no huddle, five wide, streak and post have overtaken the sport of football and have turned it into a pass-first offense at every level.

Despite all the changing in philosophies and the trendy passing game, the Jefferson-Morgan Rockets and coach Jan Haiden will look to maintain their game plan and showcase a physical and powerful running attack this season.

"If you look at the successful teams at any level, you have to run the ball first," Haiden said. "You may make some big plays with the passing game that turn the momentum of a game, but if you establish the run and can control the line of scrimmage consistently, you are going to win a lot of football games."

Haiden has manned the sideline for J-M the past 25 years, and one thing you know you are getting from his Rockets' team is a run-oriented, physical Wing-T offense that not only relies on quality running backs, but quick pulling and trapping from the offensive line, as well.

At J-M, it has always been run first, and it's still that way, despite the Rockets losing its top three running backs from a year ago.

The pass-first offense is a growing trend all around the high school football landscape the last few years, as more and more high schools are producing signal callers that do more than just hand the ball off.

In a recent poll conducted by Sporting News magazine, it asked starting quarterbacks in the NFL at what age they first played in a pass-first offense.

Of the 31 starting quarterbacks who took the pool, 13 said it happened while playing in high school and 10 said they were in a pass-first offense before high school.

The spread offense seems to be the new fad in football, but as Haiden points out, teams tend to run the ball more out of the spread than chuck the ball down the field.

"I think that is one of the biggest misconceptions about the spread offense," Haiden said. "Take it for granted that they are in the shotgun, but I guarantee most of those teams want to run the ball more than pass with the defense spread out like that. About 90 percent of those teams want to establish the run first. West Virginia runs the spread offense, but they run the ball 70 percent of the time and are more concerned with the running game."

According to Haiden, championships and games are won in the trenches and the team that is able to run the ball more will be the most successful in terms of the win-loss record.

"I always take the example of a couple of years ago, a kid from one area school threw for 2,000 yards his junior year," Haiden said. "That same year, that team only won one game. Throwing for 2,000 yards as a high school quarterback is usually a career, and he did it in one season. He had the stats, but his team was not successful, and I believe it's all about that old-school technique of being physical and dominant up front."

In 2010, the Rockets will have its chance of showing off its smash-mouth football style in the Tri-County South, as Haiden hopes that will translate into more wins for the team.

California (Pa.) made the D2football.com Preseason Top 25 poll for the 2010 season. The Vulcans start the season at No. 7.

The website also named seniors Dan Jordan and Terrance Moore Second-Team All-Americans.

Coming off an 11-4 record in 2009, the Vulcans have opened the season in the top 10 for the third straight year.

Defending National Champion Northwest Missouri State is ranked No. 1, with last year's runner-up, Grand Valley State coming in second in the poll.

Uniontown started the season on a positive note, downing Albert Gallatin 210-242 Tuesday at Duck Hollow Golf Course.

Mason Fordyce medaled to lead the Red Raiders (1-0, 1-0) with a 37 on the par 35 front nine. Zach Nelson shot 40 and Ben Sampson added 41. Josh Nelson carded a 44 while Luke Wallace rounded out the top five with a 48.

Pat McDonough and Ben Rozzi paced the Colonials (0-1, 0-1), with 44s. Jacob Provance shot 49.

Uniontown hosts Southmoreland Thursday at Duck Hollow and travels to Cedarbrook Friday to face Ringgold.

Laurel Highlands 193, Ringgold 209 - Laurel Highlands opened the season with a win, besting hosting Ringgold 193-209 at Cedarbrook Golf Course's Red Course in Division I, Section 2 play.

The Mustangs (1-0, 1-0) were led by Jeremy Guzy's 36 on the front 9 and Derek Plaski shot a 37, followed by Alex Ashton and John Gabriel with 39 each. Richard David rounded out the quintet with a 42.

Rico Rodriguez led Ringgold (0-1, 0-1), shooting a 40. Nick Feld added 41 strokes as Devin Dipiazzi carded a 42. Colin McCormick and Connor Kane each shot 43.

Laurel Highlands hosts Mount Pleasant today at Duck Hollow for an 11 a.m. start.

Waynesburg Central 189, Brownsville 301 - Emily Rohanna carded a 35 to lead Waynesburg to a victory at Rohanna's Golf Course in Division II, Section 8 action.

Loren Dukate and Dalton Haywood carded 36 and 37, respectively for the Raiders (1-0, 1-0). Aaron Haywood added 39 and Ben Virgin shot 42. Rick Kalsay also shot a 42 that was tossed out.

Nick Calvaresi led the Falcons (0-1, 0-1), shooting 44. Jared Gibson and Derek Lent each shot 63.

Waynesburg returns to action today, visiting Carmichaels Golf Course for a match against Beth-Center.

Geibel Catholic 212, Charleroi 243 - Geibel opened play at Pleasant Valley Golf Course with a win over Division II, Section 2 foe Charleroi.

Ryan Lucostic led the way for the Gators (1-0, 1-0) carding a 39. Mike Noonan, Ryan Robson and Mike Spegar followed in order with 41, 42 and 43, respectively. Patrick Herbert added a 47.

Gunnar Riley posted the low score of the day with a 38 on the par 34 front nine, leading the Cougars (0-1, 0-1). Evan Wysochanski shot a 44 and Brandon Konec carded a 49.

Geibel returns to action today, hosting Bentworth at Pleasant Valley.

Jefferson-Morgan 228, Washington 308 - Jefferson-Morgan had three players in the forties at Greene County Country Club in a Division II, Section 8 win over Washington.

Zack Berkstresser and Alex Rush each shot 40 and Jacob Guthrie added a 43 to lead the Rockets (1-0, 1-0). Cameron Roberts and Brandon Faieta added 52 and 53, respectively.

Dave Oliverio led the Little Prexies (0-1, 0-1) with a 49 and Drew Manko shot a 60.

Jefferson-Morgan returns to action today, playing Brownsville at Carmichaels.

Beth-Center 226, California 228 - Austin Smith edged out Alex Roach for the top individual score in a match that came down to the wire.

Smith shot a 39 for the Bulldogs (1-0, 1-0) and Lucas Diethorn added a 45. Taylor Dingle carded a 46 as Matt Sabatini and Tyler Sabatula each shot 48.

Roach led the Trojans (0-1, 0-1) with a 40 as Nick Roberts and Derek Stein carded 43 each. Blake Mudry added a 50 while Brett Schwab rounded out the group with a 52.

California plays again today at Fort Cherry for a match against the Rangers.

Belle Vernon 199, Mount Pleasant 212 - The Leopards' Bo Lustig led the way with a 1-under 35 at Norvelt Golf Club as the visitors secured a road victory in the Division I, Section 2 opener against the Vikings.

Kirby Manown had a strong round for the visitors with a 2-over 38. Brett Bishop carded a 40, and Tim Moore and Brad Antal both finished with 43. Matt Suchko's 50 wasn't used.

Zac Heide was the low man for Mount Pleasant with a 3-over 39. Andy Yoder finished with a 40. Mark Polcha had a 41, and Ryan Bull counted a 45 to the final total. Cameron Swink rounded out the scoring with a 47. Andrew Raffensperger's 48 was not used.

Mount Pleasant is on the road this morning, taking on Laurel Highlands at Duck Hollow Golf Club. Belle Vernon hosts Connellsville at Willowbrook Golf Course at noon.

FREDERICKTOWN - When you've been to the WPIAL playoffs in eight of the past 10 seasons, continuity is certainly a good thing. So when 10th-year head coach Ed Woods says very little is new for the Beth-Center football team, area fans can relax and expect another likely playoff run.

The biggest changes for the program are two additions to the Bulldogs' coaching staff. Woods said "Beth-Center guys" Denny Welsh and Ron White join the staff as a middle school coach and volunteer assistant, respectively.

Welsh is the brother of Beth-Center defensive assistant coach Gary Welsh. Woods said that "otherwise our staff is pretty much the same," including defensive coordinator Scott Faieta, offensive assistant Royce Sofran, assistant coach Dave Pohill, middle school coach Chuck Colborn, and volunteer assistant coach Frank Pryor.

Carryovers also include equipment managers George Trout and Alex Shashura and statisticians Ray Huffman and Alex Braddock.

The Bulldogs' furthest advancement in the WPIAL playoffs in recent years was in 2006, when BC was eliminated by Clairton in the semifinals.

This year's team is "a little down numbers-wise," according to Woods, there are no concerns since 12 returning lettermen have a combined 20 seasons of experience under their belts, and all but four of those players are sophomores and juniors.

Even though Beth-Center must travel to Monessen once again this year, Wood said that they are anxious for a rematch after losing 13-12 in 2009.

Also on the midseason part of the schedule is a long drive for a non-conference game at perennial playoff power Avonworth, which will take the team and its followers to the North Hills area near Pittsburgh.

Perhaps the biggest change to the Tri-County Conference alignment is the addition of Frazier, a fact that will make fans in Perryopolis the happiest after several years of making trips to Clairton and Avella.

The other changes on the schedule this season are the removals of Carlynton and Burgettstown from the nine-game slate.

Robert Rohanna hit 17 of 18 greens in regulation Tuesday in the final round of the West Penn Open, and yet, left St. Clair Country Club frustrated with his 2-under 70.

Rohanna finished in a tie for third with Robert McClellan at 4-under 140 after carding his second 70 in as many rounds, three strokes behind Kevin Shield's winning score of 7-under 137.

Rachel Rohanna made the cut, but shot 9-over 81 to finish tied in 49th with a two-round total of 156.

Now, back to Robert Rohanna's final round. The Penn State University and Waynesburg Central graduate had 16 pars and closed out the front nine birdie-birdie.

"The only green I missed, I was on the fringe and putted," added Rohanna. "I hit only one bad shot."

He attributed the lack of birdies to the condition of the fairways, his play on the par-5s, and his putting.

"The fairways were so wet. Half the time the ball was covered in mud. I'd take a perfect divot and the ball would curve," explained Rohanna. "I couldn't get a putt to fall all day. I had 35 putts.

"I was burning edges (of the cup). It was getting pretty frustrating. I three-putted the last hole (a par-5) for par."

He continued, "I was 1-under on the par-5s. That's the reason I didn't finish first. They were short par-5s and I couldn't score."

Rohanna felt things might be turning around after birdies on No. 8 and 9.

"After I birdied No. 8 and 9, I thought 'Okay, here I go,'" said Rohanna. "I had nine straight pars on the back."

Though he shot the same score both days, he said the rounds were quite different.

"I shot 70 in the first round and hit as bad on the first few holes as I could. (The second-round score) feels like the worst 70 I could shoot," said Rohanna.

Rachel Rohanna made the cut after opening with a 3-over 75, but found some trouble in the second round for a higher finish.

She carded no birdies, and had eight bogeys and one double bogey. The Ohio State sophomore had three 3-putts and counted two penalties after finding water hazards.

"I was really not putting bad. The greens were tough," said Rohanna. "I hit my drives decent, not great, but they weren't getting me in trouble. I didn't give myself enough opportunities for birdie on my approach shots."

Rohanna parred five of the first six holes on the front and five of the opening seven on the back. She's not quite sure why her bigger scores seem to come in bunches.

"It's not a lack of concentration," explained Rohanna. "I'm not hitting terrible shots. I'm just not scoring.

"My mental game has come a long way since high school."

The tournament also marked the first time Rohanna played against men since her days as the top golfer for John Garber and the Waynesburg Central Raiders.

"It was good to play against them. I wanted to compare my game to the best players. It was fun," said Rohanna. "I was just expecting to post a good score and make the cut. I thought I'd have to shoot 73, but made the cut with a 75.

"I gave myself a couple strokes and wanted to shoot a 77 (in the second round)."

As for her approach, "I had the chance to work on some shots. It wasn't as stressful (compared to playing against women). I wasn't expected to do well."

Rohanna and the Lady Buckeyes open the fall schedule with a tournament on Sept. 16.

Sports shorts

Golf

Larry Campbell scored his first hole-in-one during Church League play at Springdale Golf Course. Campbell used a 5-iron to ace No. 3, a 155-yard par-3. Rick Sharp, Butch Evans and Joe Roebuck witnessed the shot.

Football

California University made the D2football.com Preseason Top 25 poll for the 2010 season. The Vulcans start the season at No. 7.

The website also named seniors Dan Jordan and Terrance Moore Second-Team All-Americans.

Coming off an 11-4 record in 2009, the Vulcans have opened the season in the top 10 for the third straight year.

Defending National Champion Northwest Missouri State is ranked No. 1, with last year's runner-up, Grand Valley State coming in second in the poll.

Going into his second season with WCHS, coach Joe Kuhns is ready to end the drought.

"We don't like not being in the playoffs. Last year was the first year I wasn't in the playoffs as a coach and I didn't like it," Kuhns said.

Prior to coming to Waynesburg, where he is also an art teacher and the boys track & field coach, Kuhns enjoyed plenty of success at California High School. During seven seasons with the Trojans, Kuhns made seven playoff appearances, including two trips to the quarterfinals. Kuhns' return plans center around a large, experienced group of veterans to lead his team through the always-difficult Interstate Conference, which features the defending WPIAL champions from Greensburg Central Catholic.

"This junior class has been together since sixth or seventh grade, so they get along real well," Kuhns said. "They've been doing everything I have asked of them."

However, Kuhns is also aware that there are some major differences between making the Class A playoffs out of the Tri-County South Conference, Cal's home, and getting through the AA ranks.

"The conference I came from had four good teams at the top and four lesser ones at the bottom," Kuhns said. "You win four games and you're in good shape. At this level, you're in a dogfight every week. You have eight or nine tough weeks and the travel is killing me."

According to Kuhns, another key to the Raiders returning to the postseason is being strong in the second half of their schedule. In 2009, Waynesburg went 2-2 in their final four games. With a rough four weeks to open this season, the Red and Black's work down the stretch is going to be even more important to their playoff hopes.

"We open up with Greensburg Central Catholic followed by East Allegheny, Jeannette and Beaver Falls. We're going to find out a lot about ourselves in those first four games," Kuhns said. "I told the kids it's not how you start, but it's how you finish. If we can go to 2-2 during that stretch that would be a great way to start. It's going to be the second half of the season that tells the tale."

After spending a year with the Raiders in the rigors of Class AA, Kuhns feels that the 2010 season could be one to remember. While his team may not be ready to return to the level of the 1999 team that won the school's only WPIAL football championship, the foundation of a very successful future may have been laid.

"Last year was more of a 'get your feet wet' sort of situation. I really had to figure what I had," Kuhns said. "We've had a really good offseason and we are way ahead of where we were last year. We were still teaching schemes and things like that. Now the players know the basics of what we're doing."

California (Pa.) received three of a possible seven first-place votes to win the distinction of preseason favorite in the PSAC West Disvision.

The Vulcans have won three consecutive NCAA Atlantic Regional Championships as part of a 19-0 mark in league action and a 36-6 overall record. Clarion and Gannon were chosen as second and third, respectively.

Lock Haven swept all seven first-place votes in the East Division, followed by West Chester and Shippensburg.

California opens the season at the Marriot Invitational Sept. 3-4 in Boca Raton, Fla.

While the first high school football game is over a week away, golfers begin their quest for individual and team glory this afternoon with the start of section play.

The top two boys teams in each section advance to the team semifinals on Tuesday, Oct. 12, with the girls' semifinals on Monday, Oct. 11. The boys and girls championship will be held at Cedarbrook Golf Course on Thursday, Oct. 14.

The boys sectional qualifierwill be on Monday-Tuesday, Sept. 20-21. Duck Hollow Golf Club will be Division I, Section 2 host site. Division II, Section 2 will be at Mt. Odin Golf Course, and Carmichaels Golf Club will host Division II, Section 8 tournament.

Belle Vernon opens with a key match early when the Leopards travel to Norvelt Golf Club this afternoon for a Division I, Section 2 match against Mount Pleasant. Southmoreland, under a new coach and in a new section, hosts Division II, Section 2 rival Bentworth, and Jefferson-Morgan hosts Washington, of unknown quality, in Division II, Section 8 play.

Here's a capsule look at the teams for the upcoming season:

Albert Gallatin Colonials

The coach: Bernie Wydo

In a word (or two): Youthful

The lineup: Wydo expects to field a six-man lineup that includes four sophomores, one junior and an inexperienced senior.

Cleat Marks: Pat McDonough (sophomore) and Brandon Sutton (junior) are the experience as the Colonials enter play in the always very competitive section.

Coachspeak: "We need to win a couple matches, keep scores under 50, and don't get me agitated," said Wydo on his outlook to the 2010 season.

Key match: Sept. 29, against Laurel Highlands

Belle Vernon Leopards

The coach: Jay Lustig

In a word (or two): Winning the close ones

The lineup: Veteran Bo Lustig headlines the Leopards, with Kirby Manown giving Belle Vernon a strong 1-2 punch. Brad Antal is steady at No. 3, but the elder Lustig is looking to shore up the lineup after loss Kyle Naden and Tyber Lustig to graduation.

Cleat Marks: Lustig sees competition for the final two spots in the lineup between seven golfers. Depending on how they're playing, the lineup could change throughout the season.

Coachspeak: "I think most of our matches are going down to the wire," said Lustig. "We open at Norvelt (today) and Matt (Gross) does such a great job with them. They're always tough there. If we win, we're in good shape. We lose, we're playing catch-up the rest of the year."

Key match: Aug. 24, at Mount Pleasant

Connellsville Falcons

The coach: Brent Rockwell

In a word (or two): good numbers

The lineup: Rockwell's lineup includes eight seniors and eight underclassmen, with the top three spots manned by veterans Johnny Leonard, Eric Harrer and Tyler Stillwagon.

Cleat Marks: Pleasant Valley Country Club's home course advantage for the Falcons. + Connellsville has four golfers fresh off the junior golf program at PVCC.

Coachspeak: "The top three have to average under 40," said Rockwell. "I think we can play some competitive golf, and we need to win at home because of the advantage of playing at Pleasant Valley. We definitely want to be over .500."

Key match: Oct. 1, Mount Pleasant at home

Laurel Highlands Mustangs

The coach: Mike Smith

In a word (or two): Duck Hollow Golf Club

The lineup: The Mustangs' Richard David is the reigning county champion. Alex Ashton, another veteran, was fourth, and John Gabriel finished sixth for three Mustangs in the county top 10. Smith must find a way to replace four players lost to graduation.

Cleat Marks: The lineup could change match to match with the influx of, what Smith called, "a lot of competitive young kids coming up."

Coachspeak: "I think (the play in the FCCA Scholastic Open) established that we were a top contender in the section. If the kids believe we can contend, we have something," said Smith. "Which ever team wins the most at Duck Hollow will probably win the section."

Key match: All of the eight matches (of 12) the Mustangs play at "home" at Duck Hollow Golf Club.

Uniontown Red Raiders

The coach: Aaron Scott

In a word (or two): On the up-cycle

The lineup: Scott's lineup is anchored by veterans Ben Sampson and Mason Fordyce, but is expecting young talent, including Zack and Josh Nelson and Luke Wallace, to have an impact.

Cleat Marks: Scott expects a lot of competition for play on the bottom part of the lineup.

Coachspeak: "Luke Wallace has a lot of learning to do, but has a lot of potential. The Nelson boys, their game's coming around," said Scott. "I liked to be a couple matches above .500 and have a couple get through in the individual rounds."

Key match: Sept. 9/Oct. 1, against Laurel Highlands

Frazier Commodores

The coach: Larry Mikesell

In a word (or two): Competitive

The lineup: The Commodores lost only one senior from last year's team (6-4 section, 8-8 overall). The top of the lineup is bolstered by all-County performers Tyler Rock and Zach Smalich. The Commodores also have veterans Robert Gondura and D.J. Hudik in the lineup.

Cleat Marks: Mikesell has high hopes for Andrea Lash in her sophomore season. Lash had a stellar season on the mound last spring for the Lady Commodores.

Coachspeak: "We'll compete this year," said Mikesell. "We need to win at home (at Linden Hall) and steal one on the road. I think anyone could win on any given day in the section."

Key match: Aug. 23, Greensburg C.C.; Sept. 2, Bentworth

Geibel Catholic Gators

The coach: Tom Link

In a word (or two): Home course advantage

The lineup: The Gators have a lot of match experience in Mike Noonan and Ryan Lucostic. Ryan Robson had an all-County performance in the opening tournament of the season, and Jace Blout, Mike Spegar and Pat Herbert have some match experience.

Cleat Marks: Taking care of business at Pleasant Valley Country Club.

Coachspeak: "I hope we can be competitive. I believe you have a 10-stroke advantage at home, and we have to play better on the road," said Link.

Key match: Sept. 9/Oct. 1, against Frazier

Southmoreland Scotties

The coach: Lynn Kendrish

In a word (or two): Rookie coach

Cleat Marks: Kendrish takes over both the girls and boys golf programs from longtime coach Kim Pifer. The Scotties moved out of Division I, Section 2, and will compete against Geibel Catholic, Frazier, Charleroi, Bentworth, Greensburg C.C. and Jeannette for the first time.

Beth-Center Bulldogs

The coach: Pat Calvaresi

The lineup: Logan Hunt was lost to graduation, but Austin Smith, Alex Antonio, Tyler Sabatula and Brock Hartley all saw considerable action in Calvaresi's first season as coach.

Cleat Marks: Calvaresi's son is Brownsville's No. 1 golfer.

Key match: Sept. 7/Sept. 29, against Brownsville

Brownsville Falcons

The coach: Chris McManus

In a word (or two): Rebuilding

The lineup: Nick Calvaresi, a sophomore, is the known quantity for McManus.

Cleat Marks: Lots of youth, lots of inexperience.

Coachspeak: "We just take it day-to-day," said McManus. "They played over the summer. We only won two last year, so getting to .500 would be great."

Key match: Sept. 7/Sept. 29, against Beth-Center

California Trojans

The coach: Bill Fabbri

The lineup: The top five of the Trojans' six golfers graduated from last year's WPIAL finals team.

Cleat Marks: Outside of Alex Roach, the only golfer with any appreciable match experience is Nick Roberts.

Coachspeak: "It's hard to tell until you see the match," said Fabbri.

Key match: Aug. 25, against Waynesburg Central

Carmichaels Mikes

The coach: Dave Briggs

The lineup: Brandon Wolfe returns to a Mikes' team that made a run late in the season.

Cleat Marks: Briggs scored a hole-in-one this summer playing at Carmichaels Golf Club.

Key match: Sept. 7, at Waynesburg Central; Sept. 9, Jefferson-Morgan

Jefferson-Morgan Rockets

The coach: John Curtis

In a word (or two): Experience on the fly

The lineup: "Kokoska-less" for the first time in a long time. Curtis has three returning lettermen, Zach Berkstresser, Alex Rush and Brandon Faieta.

Cleat Marks: Berkstresser moves from No. 2 to the top spot in the lineup. Rush is up one from No. 3 to second-man, and Faieta jumps from No. 6 to No. 2.

Coachspeak: "We're starting at square one," said Curtis. "Zach and Alex are ready. They were good in a supporting role. I don't know if they're ready to carry the load. It's time for them to lead. Our No. 1-2 need a big lead for us to be competitive."

Key match: Sept. 2/Sept. 27, against Waynesburg Central

Waynesburg Central

The coach: John Garber

In a word (or two): Loaded to bear

The lineup: Experienced and deep with returning players Loren Dukate, Emily Rohanna, Aaron Haywood, Ben Virgin and Rick Kalsey.

Cleat Marks: The Rockets advanced to the team semifinals last year after sharing the section crown with California and Jefferson-Morgan.

Key match: Sept. 2/Sept. 27, against Jefferson-Morgan

CONNELLSVILLE TWP. - Geibel Catholic coach Ron Marciante is hoping success this season will help the Gators football program to continue.

The Gators once again face small numbers with 21 kids on the squad.

With only two schools in the Greensburg Diocese playing football, Marciante realizes it's easy for the Gators to get overlooked because of the recent success of Greensburg Central Catholic.

"Central has a good program and has built some tradition," he says. "Through the grapevine you hear Connellsville lost some kids to Central. They bypassed Geibel to go there even though we're next door. We're working to build this program, so that kids looking to go a private school will choose Geibel instead of traveling to Greensburg."

Marciante was quick to point out Central has not hurt the Geibel program in taking kids, but at this time some of the athletes from the nearby schools are opting for Central because of a little higher profile. "They're Class AA, and last year won the WPIAL and was second in the state," he said. "Kids look at a program like that and want to be part of it."

Marciante's task is to make kids realize there is another option and Geibel does have a solid football tradition of it's own with a few playoff appearances.

"We have some good athletes at this school and I think we've had some good football players over the last few years," he said. "I talk with our coaches all the time on how we can get some of the kids other schools do. It's something we continually work at."

Marciante does not think economics has played a big part for families to make a decision between public and private schools.

"You're going to have to pay tuition at either place," he said. "You would think it would make more sense to stay or come to Connellsville, than making the drive from places like Connellsville, Uniontown, Scottdale or Mt. Pleasant to Greensburg."

Because of the overall economic downturn kids at places like Geibel will have to pay a little more to participate in sports. Marciante says Geibel has one of the best parents organizations around when it comes to providing kids an opportunity to play.

"I think we have on of the best parents associations in the area. They will do anything for us and the athletic program," he said. "They told me if there are kids that can't afford to play and want to. It will be taken care of."

Looking to his squad Marciante said this would be an experienced group that can make something good happen if they can stay healthy. "We have guys that have been in the varsity program three and four years. The hunger to win more games is there," he said. "These kids actually realize they have a chance to make the playoffs this season. I'm looking for some pretty good things from them this year."

Marciante said for the Gators fortunes to turn in a playoff reality; he will heavily count on his senior group. Six have been with the varsity program four years. That group includes Patrick Blackstone, Chris Erdely, Christian Henckel, Pat Manna, Brennan Sopko and Pat Urosek. A seventh senior, Colin Roble, will handle kicking duties while he splits time with soccer.

"These kids were thrown right into the head of competition when they were freshmen," he said. "They are battle tested and know what to expect."

Marciante thinks the years kids spend at Geibel has matured them a little quicker since many travel to Connellsville to get to workouts. He thinks the overall intelligence of the group should help put a few more games in the win column.

"We've got kids coming in from places like Smithfield and Monongahela. They've had to learn how to put together a schedule. They've done a great job in getting here for conditioning. We haven't had any problems."

Marciante is trying not to look beyond this year, despite some rumors that Geibel will become a middle school only, and grades 9-12 will get absorbed into Greensburg Central Catholic.

"I have no answer on something like that. I have no indication on what direction the Diocese will want this school to go. It's out of my hands. As long as we're here, we're going to continue to work to make this program successful."

Robert Rohanna, fresh off his Pennsylvania Open title, is tied with four others after shooting a 2-under 70 Monday in the first round of the West Penn Open held at St. Clair Country Club.

Kevin Shields, Bob Friend, Robert McClellan and Chad Warmbein also shot 70.

Rachel Rohanna teed it up against the men, shooting a first-round 3-over 75 to be tied at 29th overall entering today's second and final round. Tommy Rohanna wasn't as fortunate, carding an 18-over 90.

Robert Rohanna went out in 1-under 35 after a bogey on No. 6 and back-to-back birdies to close out the front nine. He added a stroke with a birdie on No. 11, but lost it on the next hole. Rohanna birdied No. 14 to move back to 2-under.

After Rachel Rohanna started even through three holes, and then bogeyed two of the next three holes. She birdied No. 8 to finish the front 1-over, and stayed there until a bogey on No. 12.

Rohanna had a rollercoaster finish with a bogey, birdie, bogey, coming back in 2-over 38.

Only one golfer was able to best the Belle Vernon senior's score Monday afternoon with Laurel Highlands' Richard David coming in with a 4-over 76 on his home course to win his first county individual crown.

The Mustangs and Leopards had to play off for the team title in 2009, with Belle Vernon winning the title. Extra holes weren't needed this year as Laurel Highlands edged Belle Vernon, 409-411. Frazier won the small school title with a team score of 431.

David went out in 3-over 38 and scored the same on the par-37 back nine for his winning total. Though the score was consistent, David admitted his play through the 18 holes wasn't.

"It was definitely bumpy, up-and-down," said the junior. "I had three birdies and a double bogey on No. 10.

"I hit a lot of good chips and gave myself good opportunities. I made a lot of putts."

Lustig is coming off knee surgery after sustaining an injury during basketball season, and didn't walk a round of golf until official practice began last week.

"(The right knee) doesn't bother me when I'm golfing. Walking is the hardest thing," said the senior. "It doesn't affect my golf game that much."

Most every golfer will bemoan strokes left out on the course, and Lustig figures he left one or two out there.

"I couldn't catch any breaks. I hit a lot of greens and had a lot of two-putts. I hit a lot of good putts and was just burning the edges," explained Lustig. "Tee-to-green was okay, until the last four holes."

Lustig had his troubles on No. 17, hitting his approach shot out of bounds.

With the section season underway this afternoon at Division I, Section 2 foe Mount Pleasant, Lustig is ready to get things rolling.

"I'm not that far behind from playing really good golf. I like to get it started (right away)," said Lustig.

The Mustangs' Alex Ashton and the Leopards' Kirby Manown tied for third at 6-over 78. Ashton admitted he wasn't hitting the ball well early, but turned things around on the back.

"I could've played a lot better. My ball striking was real bad. I started hitting better on the back nine," said Ashton, who was third in 2009. "I could've been easily under par. I had an eagle putt on No. 13, and three-putted."

Uniontown's Zack Nelson was by himself in fifth place, shooting a 79 for his best finish in the three years he's played in the season-opening tournament.

"I had two triple bogeys. Bad putts," Nelson said of the cause. "I hit good iron and tee shots. My short game was on.

Frazier had a pair of All-County performers in Tyler Rock and Zach Smalich. Rock was alone in seventh place with a 9-over 81, while Smalich was one of five golfers at 83.

Rock's total included four double bogeys, and the junior, like every golfer, feels his score should've been lower.

"If I make bogeys, I easily shoot in the 70s," said Rock. "I was putting well. I know I can do way better.

"(The way he played Monday) gives me confidence for the season."

Smalich overcame a double bogey-double bogey start, finishing the final 16 holes 7-over.

"I had bad tee shots, but then I figured it out," said Smalich.

Laurel Highlands and Belle Vernon both had three golfers finish in the top 12 to earn all-County honors. The Mustangs' John Gabriel was sixth with an 8-over 80, while the Leopards' Brad Antal was in the five-way tie at 83.

Connellsville's Eric Harrer, Uniontown's Josh Nelson, and Geibel Catholic's Ryan Robson all shot 83.

DIVOTS: Section play for most teams begins today, with many squads squeezing in three section matches this week. + Lustig had the low score on the front with a 36, while Harrer's 34 was the best score on the back nine. + Pat McDonough was the low man for Albert Gallatin with a 16-over 88. + Brownsville only had two golfers and Nick Calvaresi, whose dad Pat coaches Beth-Center, was the low man with a 97. + Frazier's Andrea Lash was the lone girl in the event, finishing with a 109. + Southmoreland did not participate in this year's championship. ... The coaches were unified in their praise for George Laskey and the tournament he put on at Duck Hollow Golf Club.

Matt Wilson, of Hopwood, shot a hole-in-one with Derek Lewis as a witness on the Mystic Rock course at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa on Thursday, Aug. 19.

He used an 8 iron on the 12th hole, shooting from the white tees 166 yards from the cup.

Volleyball

California (Pa.) received three of a possible seven first-place votes to win the distinction of preseason favorite in the PSAC West Disvision.

The Vulcans have won three consecutive NCAA Atlantic Regional Championships as part of a 19-0 mark in league action and a 36-6 overall record. Clarion and Gannon were chosen as second and third, respectively.

Lock Haven swept all seven first-place votes in the East Division, followed by West Chester and Shippensburg.

California opens the season at the Marriot Invitational Sept. 3-4 in Boca Raton, Fla.

The 2009 football season has long been over. Just don't tell Uniontown's Jake Forsythe.

Actually, Forsythe might not even know yet, considering that it's all been one big blur for the senior tailback/linebacker.

Despite a loss to Hampton in the second round of the playoffs, Forsythe went back to work the very next day.

All that work has paid off for the 6-foot 215 pounder, who has legs the size of small tree trunks. He is drawing the interest of college football programs across the country.

"He's a tough kid," Uniontown veteran coach John Fortugna said. "He's a good back with good hands and great vision, and he can block too.

"On defense, he runs from sideline to sideline and is really active."

Last season, Forsythe helped the Red Raiders to a 7-4 record and their first playoff victory since 1965. Along the way, he ran for 700 yards and earned all conference honors as a tailback.

"He's a great kid off the field too," Fortugna said.

And the coach would know, because he is in charge of disciplining students.

"He's never been in my office for anything bad," Fortugna said. "I don't see him except on the football field."

And that's a good thing for the Red Raiders and bad news for the opposing teams.

Because when Forsythe arrives on the field he isn't into giving out handshakes and hugs to the opposition.

"He seeks out the contact when he runs and when he tackles," Fortugna said. "He runs the ball like a linebacker."

But don't think that Forsythe's game is all power. Fortugna said that the senior back has speed too.

"We are going to use him so many different ways this year," Fortugna said. "We can put him in the backfield, split him out wide or block with him. He's just so versatile."

Forsythe said he enjoys playing running back more than linebacker. However, as long as he is on the field he'll be happy.

"I like running back, but I also enjoy giving out hits on defense," Forsythe said. "I've just been working so hard for this season. I want to win so badly."

In fact, Forsythe began working towards this season the day after the Red Raiders lost to Hampton in the second round of the playoffs.

"I wanted to be better," Forsythe said. "That was a great experience, but I found out that Hampton was just so much better than we were and I wanted to close that gap."

That loss to Hampton has Forsythe hungry for another postseason chance this season.

However, he also helps a solid year will further his chances at playing football at the next level.

Currently, Football Championship Series teams Duquesne and Seton Hill have both shown interest in Forsythe along with FBS schools Toledo, Akron and North Carolina State.

"I just want a chance to play at that next level," Forsythe said. "I don't care where I play - defense or offense - I just want to play."

If Forsythe, and the Red Raiders, have another good campaign in 2010, then there is a safe bet that dream will come true.

"We can be as good as we want to be," Forsythe said of the 2010 season. "We just can't be satisfied with last season and the successes that we had. We have to want more."

Generally, when you begin building a foundation, work goes from bottom to top.

But that's not the case with the Albert Gallatin football team this season. With the Colonials, it's left to right, or vice-versa, all along the offensive line.

"All six kids up front are gone from last season," first-year AG coach Jeff Rush said. "Everyone is new this year, both tackles, both guards, our center and, even though we don't have a specific position tight end, we'll bring in a wide receiver or drop a slotback onto the line. We will be seeing all new faces on the O-line. We are obviously very young up front, young and inexperienced."

Only 6-0, 200-pound senior center Danny Morgan, who saw some offensive playing time last year in the backfield brings any experience to the line. Morgan, who spent most of his time on defense last year, will anchor the line. All the rest will be sophomores and juniors, where 15 players are jockeying for five positions.

"Danny is one of our team leaders," Rush said, "and he keeps the offensive line in line. He's an intelligent player and works hard on the field and in the weight room. When we made the move to put Danny on the line, we needed our best lineman at center and he has adapted very well to the change. Running backs generate much of the publicity, but Danny has never uttered a negative word about the switch. He's been great about it. It's for the team and he has accepted his new role. With Danny taking charge, our offensive line is getting stronger and starting to develop some consistency and confidence. Our young kids are starting to grow up."

As camp has progressed, Rush has been moving players in and out, from guard to tackle, trying to find the right combination of players on the offensive line

"Our linemen are learning their responsibilities in the Navy triple option offense which we installed," he noted. "We're finding out which players in which positions will give us the best combination. We're using camp to find out where they will fit in to make this a good offense. They are listening, learning, asking questions, doing what we ask."

While the Navy triple option may focus on the quarterback and running backs, "our linemen seem to enjoy this new offense," Rush added. "In the early going we were moving slow as the players grasped the new philosophy. We have our quarterbacks (Grayling Sanders and Casey Reidman) moving left and right and the line has been keeping up."

Early frontrunners for playing time on the offensive line, besides Morgan, include tackles J.T. Myers (senior, 6-2, 250) and Tanner Cavalliere (sophomore, 6-2, 220); a pair of junior guards in Alan Muha (5-10, 240) and Jacob Horne (6-feet, 200) and seniors at tackle Jeremy Propps (5-11, 200) and G/T Allan Cottrell (5-11, 180).

Rush and his staff have watched these players step up on the field and in the weight room.

In place of the tight end, senior wide receivers Tanner Dalton, Pat Snyder and Dakota Wheeler will move to the tight end position in certain situations, as will slotbacks Bobby Hollis and Deon McKoy.

In this new offense, the quarterback has three choices, Rush explained, and much depends on the success of the line. He can hand off to the fullback, pitch back to the running back or run. And to keep defenses honest, AG has installed some passing options as well.

"Our line will get plenty of reps by the time the season is here," Rush said. "We will be running the plays a million times in practice."

Peary-Rahm is number 28 on your game program, be it soccer or football. She's listed on the football roster as a wide receiver and kicker, and has no hesitation when telling her weight as 131 pounds.

As the first girl to wear the shoulder pads, helmet and uniform of the Uniontown Red Raiders, she says, "I've wanted to play football since junior high. I decided that it's my senior year. Why not?"

Peary-Rahm suits up for practices and home games at her home on Wilson Avenue and walks to Bill Power Stadium. "It's the perfect place to live," she said. "For soccer and football games, it's right there."

Head football coach John Fortugna said Peary-Rahm is the first girl who has tried out for the team in the more than 30 years he has been coaching as a head coach or assistant at UHS. "She does everything the boys do," Fortugna said. "Any time a girl asks to play, I get very careful."

Peary-Rahm is listed as a wide receiver and kicker. With her soccer background, she hopes to become the first girl in school history to kick the ball through the uprights in a varsity game. While Lucas Mosco is the regular kicker, Peary-Rahm has been working with holder Joe Superick, and has cleared the crossbar from 30 yards away.

"I've been this close to 35 yards," she said, while holding her two fingers inches apart. "I get frustrated, but I'm pushing hard to get 35 yards by the end of the year."

In the off season, she has practiced kicking with her brother, Trevor, holding the football. He's a junior on the team, and Peary-Rahm said one of her goals is to make a successful kick during a varsity game with her brother serving as holder. The siblings are the daughter and son of Brent and Judy Rahm.

Peary-Rahm said she has received moral support from both male and female students as well. "I'm like one of the boys," she said. "I'm having a blast here. It's so much fun."

Initially, some of the players were hesitant to hit her, but Peary-Rahm welcomes the contact. "One time, Chris Hall knocked me down and I told him `good hit.' All the boys' mouths dropped. I said, `come on, bring it.' Don't want people to go easy on me. I just want to be part of the team."

Fortugna agreed that the team has accepted Peary-Rahm on the team. "Not one boy has ever said anything negative. Her mother came to me and asked if (Katie) could come out for the team."

Peary-Rahm has managed to balance her activities between working as a cashier at Adrian's Market, as a part-time lifeguard at Shady Grove, and being an honor student at Uniontown. In addition to playing soccer, she attributes being in shape for football to years of competing in rodeos and barrel racing in her free time.

In addition to soccer and football, Peary-Rahm said she is considering joining the swim team in the winter. After graduation, she plans to pursue studies in pre-veterinary courses at Penn State University.

In the meantime, she said that Mosco has provided her with kicking advice during preseason practices. "Lucas is a great kicker," she said. "He's given me a lot of pointers. I'm just hoping that if we're winning (a game) by a lot of points, they'll give me a chance (to kick)."

While she hasn't tried out for the team just to make a statement, she said she hopes to inspire other girls who have dreamed of playing football. "I'm very serious and dedicated to this. A lot of girls may be too scared to try out. I hope they see that if a girl is on the football team, they can do it too."

At the end of this upcoming scholastic football season, Belle Vernon senior offensive guard/defensive tackle Grant Curran will find himself in some prestigious company.

Come November, second-year BVA coach Aaron Krepps will present Curran with his fourth varsity letter.

"It's not common at Belle Vernon for a freshman to be affiliated with the varsity football team," Krepps said. "Prior to this year we ran a ninth grade program and freshmen gained valuable experience in that way, but there is no ninth-grade team this year. As a result, freshmen will find themselves playing on either the junior varsity or varsity teams."

And when he receives that fourth letter, Curran isn't quite sure how he will celebrate. But he isn't ruling out dancing either the Twist or Mashed Potatoes for his teammates, dances in which he specializes in the BVA locker room.

"Grant comes ready to work every day," Krepps continued. "He is a great leader. He is a vocal player with a great personality and the kids gravitate to him. He's one of our captains and his leadership ability sets him apart. We saw that leadership develop last year. You know all week what you will get from him Friday night. He is a fun person to be around. He's carefree and he can be a comedian and he's good with team spirit and morale. He's happy-go-lucky off field, but he provides a good mixture. He will clown around and dance for the players in the locker room. He is out there moving, having fun. Grant likes to have his fun but when it's time to get serious, he has it all."

As the only returning starter on the Leopards' offensive line, Curran finds himself in an unusual position.

"I was always the youngest player and I was always asking the older players for advice," he said, noting that three years ago he was the only frosh on the varsity squad. "But this year it's different. Now I'm the oldest and I'm trying to make sure everyone else knows what to do. I see myself as one of the team leaders. I lettered as a freshman and with my experience it's my job to help the underclassmen."

Having coached Curran for only one season, Krepps likes what he has seen, recognizing the work ethic and attitude of the 6-0, 235-pounder who benches 330 pounds and squats 450 pounds, both tops on the team.

"Grant has a great understanding of the game and a high football IQ," Krepps noted. "He is not just one of the strongest players on the team, but he is an athlete and great to coach. He enjoys the game and we have watched his progress from day one last year. He is still learning and progressing. When we brought in a new system, Grant saw and understood the coaching change and adapted very well."

And what Krepps found in Curran was a consistent effort and consistent play on the field.

Curran admits to liking to joke around with everyone, players and coaches alike, such as the time he showed up for an away scrimmage dressed in a hospital gown or another time when he was wearing spandex.

"I love football and like to have fun and like to keep football fun," Curran said, "but when it's game time, it's time to get serious. I'm not as nice a person to the opposing team."

But what about the dancing in the locker room?

"When they turn on the music, I start dancing and everyone gathers around," he laughed, adding that he specializes in "some older style dances, like the Twist and Mashed Potatoes that I learned at weddings from my grandmother, Betty Curran. Those are some dances that some of my teammates aren't familiar with, but they like them just the same."

With his senior year awaiting him, Curran, a high honors student, is uncertain about his future, but is contemplating becoming a physical education teacher and football coach.

"Right now, I'm looking forward to a good senior year," he said. "I want to have fun and help improve our record (5-5 overall, 3-3 in conference play) from last year and do well in the playoffs."

Sometimes the hardest thing about football is having enough players, and for some local Class A and AA teams, filling out the roster is the toughest chore.

In today's high school football landscape, having kids playing both ways is a norm and a lot of teams use this philosophy, including the Mapletown Maples and veteran coach George Messich.

"In our conference, every school is limited with their enrollment," Messich said. "Every team goes through this, and almost all of the teams in our conference play both ways with their best players being on the field most of the time.

"It's not a disadvantage in our conference because the majority of the teams have eight or nine kids playing both sides of the ball. Both teams and players are getting tired out on the field and it works itself out. You have to have the 11 best out there on the field every play."

With quarterbacks playing cornerback, linebackers switching to running back and the linemen playing on both sides, it can be a long 48 minutes on a Friday night.

Some may think special teams could be a breather for players playing both sides, but Messich learned the hard way a season ago that you might want to put your 11 best out there during special teams action as well.

"Last year against Bentworth, we had a lot of kids playing both ways and I put a lot of younger, inexperienced kids on our kickoff coverage," Messich said. "They were young and Bentworth returned their first two kickoffs for touchdowns against us. There are no breaks when it comes to special teams; your best kids have to be out there, and you have to condition yourself that way."

Injuries can happen a lot, sometimes in practice, when kids are playing both ways and Messich knows all about that as he lost six starters early on last year and had to game plan differently.

"In practice, we split them into groups and do a lot of positioning drills with conditioning and working on the fundamentals," Messich said. "We feel that each coach should have his position players well conditioned during camp. We had a lot freak injuries, both at practice and a couple of kids outside practice and the game last year. It was a freak year, but injuries are unavoidable."

Another way you can offset playing kids both ways is recruiting and building the team's depth. At the end of last year, the Maples had 17 players and now start camp with 35 kids, thanks in large part to the assistant coaches, said Messich.

"My assistant coaches have done a lot for this program this year," Messich said. "They worked their butts off during the off-season, trying to recruit and get kids to come into camp. So far it has been a success for us to get this many kids and I tip my hat to our coaches and the kids stepping up and playing for us. A lot of hard work goes into it."

Mapletown will try to make the playoffs, and put in a full 48-minutes effort every Friday night to succeed in a very competitive Tri-County South Conference in 2010.

The Laurel Highlands football team has qualified for the WPIAL playoffs for four consecutive seasons, and Mustangs coach Jack Buehner emphasizes that achievement when motivating his players.

"We're the only school in our conference that has qualified for the WPIAL playoffs four straight times," Buehner said.

"Our players need to be proud of that. It's not easy given the framework of high school football today, considering the restrictions that every school faces."

Buehner said that athletic programs face the same obstacles as families and individuals in a tough economy. "There are not a lot of extras spent on athletics. Parents and players find ways to offset that."

He said, "It takes a commitment from the players and coaches to be willing to commit to a stringent off-season program. I'm proud of what our athletes and coaches have achieved. That's special."

Buehner also recognizes the challenges offered by the new Keystone Conference alignment, with Southmoreland and Yough dropping to Class AA and the addition of WPIAL power Franklin Regional, Ringgold and Hollidaysburg.

"I know nothing about Hollidaysburg other than it's an extremely long trip. I don't like to see high school athletes have to get on a bus for more than an hour. On road trips, all schools travel for most games to places 15 to 20 minutes apart while we have to find a way to travel two hours."

The Mustangs will host Hollidaysburg this season and won't have to make the long trip through several counties until the 2011 schedule. Still, Buehner is not fond of having to send a junior varsity bus for several hours on a Saturday morning within hours of the conclusion of the previous night's varsity game.

"From what I hear, Hollidaysburg is elated to be in the WPIAL, but they have to travel to the farthest sites in the WPIAL every other week," he said. "Albert Gallatin, Uniontown and Laurel Highlands couldn't be further away for them. I hope they figure out how it doesn't have to be that way" in the future.

Franklin Regional has won WPIAL and PIAA championships, and Ringgold is highly competitive in football. "Everybody in the league will have a good football team," Buehner said. "It will be a challenging year. We have a lot of clout now with good schools and good traditions.

"Football is the daddy of all the sports for the whole landscape of Pennsylvania. It's the most important sport and sets the tone for the school year."

Out of the seven teams in the Fayette County Baseball League, Bud Murphy's and Blue Mountain proved they are at the top of the heap.

Since 1999, only Mario's, who won the championship in 2009, is the only team not coached by Richard Krause or Tom Sankovich to grab the league championship.

Blue Mountain, formerly known as Carmichaels, has won the championship in '96, '99, '02, '03, '05, '06, '08 and '10, while Bud Murphy's grabbed titles in '00, '01, '04 and '07.

"We lost to them in seven games and we've beaten them in seven," Blue Mountain manager Krause said. "It's been a great rivalry and we have a mutual respect."

Krause has been battling Sankovich for many years, but the veteran skipper admitted his admiration for Bud's general manager.

"Tom Sankovich has been an amazing coach," Krause said. "I've really modeled myself as a manager by watching him. He is a great baseball guy."

Sankovich realizes he lost another one to the Copperheads, however he was proud with the way the Cokers bounced back after falling behind in the series, 3-1.

"Lou Pasquale did a good job with this team," Sankovich said. "There was a great crowd and a lot of emotion. We probably should play a best-of-24. They are a great team and Dickie (Krause) is a class coach. Blue Mountain is a real good team."

OLD TIMERS: The Copperheads' Jeff Thompson has had a pretty good week. First, the Blue Mountain veteran became a father two days ago, and he won his ninth championship as a player all at the ripe old age of 42.

Thompson and Brian Sankovich both played an integral part in the series, even if their best years are behind them.

"I've seen a lot of guys quit that had the talent, but you need heart and desire to play this game," Thompson said. "I start working out six months prior to the season to get ready."

Thompson's won eight titles with Krause and one for Canonsburg in '92 before he joined Carmichaels.

"Dickie works hard and he does a great job recruiting," Thompson said. "We have a good mix of young and old. I keep telling Dickie, 'I'm on a one-year contract.'"

Sankovich echoed Thompson's comments about playing because he loves the game of baseball.

"I love to compete," Sankovich said. "I felt I left the guys down by missing two games in this series so I had to redeem myself. It's fun to compete against Thompson. He gives 100 percent and doesn't want to lose. I'll play next year if I'm in better shape."

YOUNG GUNS: Blue Mountain pitcher Kevin Holdsworth, who tossed a shutout Thursday and was named playoff MVP, will get right back into the groove when he gets ready for his senior year at West Virginian Wesleyan in the next few weeks.

"Playing in this league definitely helps me stay in shape for the upcoming college season," Holdswoth said. "I knew it was going to be an emotional game after Game 6, but I knew I needed to stay even keel and hit my spots."

The Cokers' Casey Teagarden will move into his house for his senior year at California University of Pennsylvania after playing his first summer in the county league. Teagarden is the starting shortstop for the baseball team.

"I really wasn't quite sure what to think of the league when I agreed to play, but these guys are good players," Teagarden said.

"It is a real good league to play in. It helped me out a lot and I hope to come back next year depending on where my career goes. I want to get to that next level."

Blue Mountain's Chuck Gasti is another notable returning college player as he returns to Cleveland State.

MORE CONTROVERSY: Bud's manager Lou Pasquale wasn't pleased with the umpires as he summed it up in one simple statement.

"The umpiring was shoddy at best," Pasquale said.

Holdsworth held the Cokers to one run in his two victories, both at the Breakneck Field.

Bud Murphy's had won the previous four times it faced elimination during the 2010 playoffs, while the Copperheads were facing an elimination game for the first time in 12 games.

The game was not without controversy as Bud Murphy's manager Lou Pasquale was ejected after a play at home plate in the Cokers' second inning.

Blue Mountain had taken a 1-0 lead in the first inning when John Leonard walked with one out, advanced to third base on a single by Gene Franks, and scored on a single by J.W. Kayla.

In the Cokers' second, Brian Sankovich led off with a single, Mike Hermann was hit by a pitch, and Dave Gonos singled to load the bases. Cole Lowman grounded to third baseman Chuck Gasti, who stepped on third and threw to catcher Adam Lewton. As Lewton reached to make the tag there was contact with Sankovich, and the ball came free.

The home plate umpire signaled that Sankovich was out for a double play, much to the displeasure of the Cokers and their fans.

After considerable discussion, the umpire ejected Pasquale, who had to watch the remainder of the game from outside the field area. Holdsworth hit Bill Rouse to load the bases again before getting a pop out to end the threat.

"The umpiring was shoddy at best," Pasquale said afterwards. "At the time, it would have been 1-1. It was an awful call. I was saying 'two' for two outs (and was ejected). That's ridiculous."

Bud's had only two hits thereafter, Sankovich's second single in the fourth and Casey Teagarden's single in the fifth. Jason Greene walked after Teagarden's hit, but Holdsworth retired the final seven batters to seal the win.

Bud Murphy's starter Sam Beucher only gave up three hits and struck out four, but walked five batters. Two of the walks scored the game's only runs, including George Taylor, who scored on Rick Smykla's single in the fourth. Taylor just eluded catcher Andy Schleihauf's tag at home plate for the 2-0 lead.

Marty Fagler pitched the final 3 2/3 innings for the Cokers, giving up one hit and striking out four batters.

After the game, league president Dan Kupets presented the Bud Nichols Trophy to Bud Murphy's as regular season champions and the Mike Susa Trophy to Blue Mountain as playoff champions.

While holding the MVP trophy, Holdsworth said he didn't feel nervous on the mound.

"I'm pretty loose and I'm kind of a joker. The (second inning) double play helped. I kept my composure and let the guys behind me do the work. The championship means much more (than MVP honors). This was a total team effort. You can't win if the guys don't field the ball and score runs."

Copperheads manager Dick Krause said he wondered how his team would react after the 10-1 home loss in the sixth game.

"This is a bunch of class guys. This was sweet. Being up 3-1 (in games) is one of the toughest things to handle."

Krause said that early in the season he wasn't sure the team was capable of winning its eighth title since 1996.

"We hit .258 in the regular season, but we had the pitching. You're only as good as your next day's pitcher. We're glad to take it."

Pasquale said, "They were better than us tonight. That's why they won. If you score zero runs, you're not going to win the game."

Immel hopes Falcons grow from adversity

The simple truth for the Connellsville football team was the 2009 season was not good. Not to browbeat the Falcons, but the team understands that.

Teams have down times, and the Falcons suffered one of the toughest seasons in their history last year by going, and scoring only 33 points while allowing 499.

Despite their difficulties, head coach Jeff Immel saw plenty of positives to build upon for the 2010 season.

"I'm very proud of the kids because they stuck together, and kept working to get better," he said. "The staff kept working to keep everybody positive. The thing we have to do this year with the kids that are coming back is to get them to believe in themselves."

Immel points out that will be one of the big obstacles facing the staff this season is teaching the players to overcome adversity. A couple of bad plays can have a real snowball affect when things are not going well.

"In half of our games last year we would have a bad quarter and let the game get away from us," he said. "We didn't know how to recover from that. I think with the work we put in during the off season, we'll be able to face those situations a little better."

Immel hopes the adversity faced last year will serve as a learning experience and a building block.

"These kids have always given us an effort," he said. "Whenever we asked them to be here they are here doing everything we ask of them. We've got to get them to believe during the course of the game and the season, everything is not going to go your way and how do you respond to that."

Immel pointed out some examples of how games got away from the Falcons.

"In the Uniontown game we had a touchdown called back that would have given us the lead. We had 10 minutes left in the game and didn't respond," he said. "Against Norwin we stayed right with them until the last four minutes of the first half and gave up two quick touchdowns. It went from a 7-0 game to a 21-0 game."

He also added the Hempfield game when the Falcons trailed and another mistake cost them a touchdown that would have given them the lead.

"We were down 13-7 late in the second quarter. We were down on the one yard line and one of the kids did the wrong thing at the wrong time that cost us the touchdown that would have given us the lead at the half," he said. "Physical mistakes are going to happen. We've got to stop the mental mistakes that put us in bad situations."

Immel says the Falcons have to move away from the mentality of waiting for something bad to happen, instead of making something good happen. He says from what he has seen so far this particular group is making steps in that direction.

Immel says the numbers are down and the Falcons might not have enough depth in certain positions.

"It's easy to survive when things are good," he says. "There is a saying that goes 'Character is who you are, not what people think you are' If there is anything I think these kids have shown plenty of character because they have shown up and stuck it out."

To that end Immel will rely on between 13-of-15 seniors to pull the team together. From there the Falcons start to get a little thin compared to previous years.

"We're really hurting with numbers in our sophomore and junior classes," he said. "If we were 9-0, everyone knows the numbers would be a little different. The best thing we can do to get our numbers up is to win. That's the bottom line."

Immel feels despite the lack of depth he will have some quality players in the starting lineup, allowing the Falcons a good chance to win some games this season.

"We have seniors returning like Matt White, Anthony May, Brandon Show, Ty Wildey and Steven Bush, all two-way starters," he said. "We have several juniors back that started as sophomores. Guys like Seth Kozak, Andrew Schroyer, Brandon Freed and Nick Pittsment all got valuable experience and should be much better."

Immel gives a lot of credit to his coaching staff for the time they put in with kids in preparing for the season. The most important thing for the Falcons is the old adage, one game at a time.

The game was called after six innings due to darkness. Bud Murphy's (25-8-2) and Blue Mountain (24-9-2) will play for the championship tonight at Breakneck Field in Bullskin Township with the first pitch scheduled for 5:45 p.m.

"It was only fitting for this series to go seven games," Bud's manager Lou Pasquale said. "These are the two best teams in the league."

The Cokers' Ben Herrington made his first appearance in roughly 45 days count as the hurler picked up the win on the mound. Herrington allowed one run on six hits in six innings. He fanned four batters and walked three.

"We got a great performance out of Ben," Pasquale said. "The bats came alive at the right time."

It took Bud's three innings to get going, but the visitors exploded for six runs on five hits in the fourth inning to take a 6-1 lead.

Andy Schleihauf led off with a single and courtesy runner Kaitan Smiley scored as Brian Sankovich hit a deep single to tie the game at one. After Dave Gonas singled, Bill Rouse's triple on a 2-0 count sent Sankovich and Gonas home for a 3-1 Bud's advantage.

After Jared Early reached base via error, Cole Lowman's RBI sacrifice fly scored Rouse for a 4-1 lead and Jason Greene's two-run single scored Early and Casey Teagarden, who had reached base on an error.

"It was terrible," Blue Mountain manager Richard Krause said. "We just didn't play. Justin Schrader has been a workhorse for us, but we had a lot of defensive mistakes."

Schrader allowed seven runs on six hits in four innings of work. He struck out six and walked one.

The Cokers tacked on four runs in the fifth inning when Cole Lowman knocked a ball over the right-field fence for a grand slam and a 10-1 Bud's advantage. Lowman had five RBI's and drew one walk.

"We had some timely hits and a got a big home run from Cole," Pasquale said.

The Copperheads drew first blood in the bottom of the third when JW Kayla's RBI single scored George Taylor for a 1-0 lead. Taylor walked to lead off the inning.

Kayla was 2-for-3 with two singles and an RBI.

The Copperheads got off on the right track in the first inning when Herrington walked leadoff batter Chuck Gasti, but the Cokers' infield forced the Carmichaels grad out at second base, 6-4 on a ball hit by John Leonard.

Schleihauf showed off his arm when he nailed Leonard at second base as Early applied the tag, although Gene Franks smacked a double and Kayla picked up a single to put runners on second and third. Herrington buckled down and got the next batter to strikeout as Bud's escaped without any damage being done.

Gonas picked up two singles and scored twice for the Cokers.

"We are going to play hard tomorrow," Krause said.

Krause has managed the Copperheads to seven titles, while Bud's has four when general manager Tom Sankovich was at the helm. Pasquale is seeking back-to-back titles as he guided Mario's to the championship last season over Blue Mountain.

"This game is over," Pasquale said. "We have to wake up and act like it never happened. I tell the guys we have to have convenient amnesia."

Zack Basinger, of Uniontown, shot a hole-in-one on the sixth hole at Springdale Golf Course Wednesday.

Eric Richardson witnessed the 155-yard, 6-iron shot.

MARKLEYSBURG -- Last Saturday night Louie Krushansky ended a dry spell at Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex that dated back to May 2009 by winning the Melvin's Automatic Transmission Center Modified feature.

Keith Jackson (Jack's Recycling Super Late Models), Ricky Meglaye (Brooks Automotive Group FASTRAK Late Models) and Jim Bendishaw, Jr. (Bobby Lake Motorsports Street Stocks) all won their fourth of the year while Kenny Burkholder picked up his fifth win in the TC Race Car Parts Chargers.

Justin Howell was looking for his first career win in the TC Race Car Parts Charger feature. Howell took the lead at the start before Kenny Burkholder got by with a pass in turn two on lap four. Burkholder then had to fend off Howell, who stayed glued to his bumper, for his second straight feature win.

Howell drove home second over Shawn Smith, Brad Jenkins and Marty Spade, Jr., who came from the tail after being involved in a spin on lap four. CJ Nicola, Jim Crossland, Jason Gibbs, Bennie Dennis and Bus Matthews filled out the top ten. Kyle Burkholder and Spade were heat winners.

Scott Spade was another driver looking to get his first win in a while in the 15-lap Bobby Lake Motorsports Street Stock feature.

Spade looked strong leading the first ten laps before point leader Jimmy Bendishaw, Jr. took over on lap 11. Spade then tried to regain the lead but could not. Bendishaw took his fourth win of the season over Spade, Joe Wrona, Bob Nelson, Ryan Newman, Todd Dennis, Jim Byers, Scott Herring, Charlie McClain and Marshall Coleman. Grabbing heat wins were Spade and Dennis.

The Jack's Recycling Super Late Models put on a passing show for the fans.

Mel Minnick Jr. started on the pole and was able to lead the first 13 laps. Mel looked strong until ninth starting Keith Jackson, of Odenton, MD, took advantage of a restart to take the lead from Minnick. Jackson started to pull away from the pack as Chuck Harper took second on lap 18 and started to close in on Jackson.

Harper ran out of time as Jackson won his fourth of the year. Harper, Doug Horton (from 7th ), Ron Delano, Jr. (from 8th ), Minnick, Billy Holbert, Butch McGill, Richard Frazier, Bob Hershman and Mike Steck completed the top ten. Horton and Jackson were the heat winners.

In the 20-lap Brooks Automotive Group FASTRAK Late Model feature, Troy Shields took the initial lead. Shields, the 2009 track champion, has been winless for a couple of seasons.

Shields had Rick Strickler and Ricky Meglaye drafting him each lap. Shields drifted high coming out of turn four on lap 11 and that was all Meglaye needed to take the lead. Meglaye then sailed off for his fourth win and first since May 29.

Strickler settled for second over Cody Hardesty (from 12 th), Shields, Bobby Cossell, Dusty Hamrick, John Over, Jim Bryce, Billy Stile III and Jeremy Zufall. Over and Strickler won the preliminaries.

Brothers Nick and Josh Cramer started on the front row of the 15-lap Melvin's Automatic Transmission Center Modified feature.

Josh took the lead after battling side-by-side with his brother. Josh drifted high on lap three giving Nick the lead. Nick's lead was short lived as he broke while leading on laps six. This handed the lead over to Louie Krushansky. Krushansky raced off to his first win at Roaring Knob this season.

Vic Vandergrift came from seventh to finish second over Deana Groves, Nathan Baker, Nick Cramer, Jeff Montgomery, Bruce Dreistadt, Todd Daughenbaugh, Bobby Bennett and Nick Cramer. Prelims went to Krushansky and Bennett.

The final event of the night was a Powder Puff for the Street Stocks and Chargers. Pulling into victory lane was Bobbie Yauger in her dad Bob Miller's Street Stock while his daughter-in-law Mindy Miller won the Chargers in Jim Crossland's No 64. Both cars are Mopar power.

Saturday night will feature the Three State Flyers Super Late Model Dwane Shulz Memorial race with $3,000 to win and Roaring Knob vs. Elkins Shootout No. 3, sponsored by Tri-City Electric of Fairmont, W.Va. for Super Late Models, FASTRAK Late Models, and Modifieds, plus Charger Twin 10's plus Street Stocks.

Sunday, Aug. 22 will be Test & Tune Day/Open Practice.

Nest Saturday (Aug. 28) it will be Roaring Knob vs. Bedford Shootout No. 3, sponsored by Krause Electric of Somerset for Super Late Models, plus FASTRAK Late Models, Modifieds, Street Stocks, and Chargers.

Damico scattered six hits, and escaped two bases loaded threats to lead Bud Murphy's to a 2-0 win over Blue Mountain at the Breakneck Field.

The win kept the Cokers alive in the league championship series, still trailing Blue Mountain three games to two going into tonight's sixth game at 5:45 p.m. at Carmichaels High School.

Zach Jeney pitched nearly as well for the visiting Copperheads, but gave up the game's only runs in the Bud Murphy fourth inning.

Bud's manager Lou Pasquale said Damico is "probably the best pitcher this league has ever seen. He pitched on very little rest, maybe three days. He just made things very exciting at the end."

"Nick Damico is one of the best in the county," said Blue Mountain manager Dick Krause. "Today we had a couple chances, but when he needed an out he got the out every single time."

The Copperheads' biggest threats were in the first and seventh innings, when they loaded the bases, but couldn't cross the plate.

With two outs in the visitors' first, Gene Franks had an infield single, J.W. Kayla reached base on an error, and Jeff Thompson walked. But Damico got a fly out to end the inning.

Bud's also loaded the bases in the bottom of the first and thought they'd taken a 1-0 lead. Casey Teagarden tried to score on a single by Jason Greene, but the throw from center fielder John Leonard to catcher Adam Lewton was well in time at the plate. Teagarden leaped over Lewton's tag and the home plate umpire initially gave a safe signal, then made the out call after Lewton tagged Teagarden.

The Copperheads threatened again after one out in the second when Rick Smykla doubled and Lewton singled before Damico got a pair of fly outs to end the inning.

The teams combined to leave 11 runners on base through the first three innings before Bud Murphy's finally capitalized with two outs in the fourth.

With the bases loaded, Jason Greene's hit between third base and shortstop went for an infield single as Jared Early scored. On the next pitch, Jeney hit Andy Schleihauf to drive in Bill Rouse for the Cokers' 2-0 lead.

Jeney allowed only two base runners in the final two innings and had seven strikeouts.

In the Blue Mountain seventh, Damico got the first two outs and had the Copperheads down to their last strike on three different batters. John Leonard slapped a two strike pitch to right field for a single, Gene Franks walked on a 3-2 pitch, and Kayla also walked to load the bases.

Jeff Thompson worked Damico to another 3-2 count, before the Coker left-hander got the strikeout to end the game.

"We live to play another day," Pasquale said. When asked if the win gives his team momentum, Pasquale said, "I'm not big on momentum. We've still got to win one game. A lot of people are into home field advantage, but it only means you get the last at bat."

Krause said, "We spoiled a really good (pitching) effort by not hitting. Some times the team that's ahead (in a series) plays cautiously. We played not to lose instead of to win."

Jeremy Enslen is on quite a roll.

The 2010 Fayette County Open champion continued his stellar play last weekend by winning the 47th annual Western Maryland Amateur held in Oakland, Md.

Enslen tied with Kyle Stough and John Howson after all three finished the 54-hole tournament at 209.

Enslen then defeated the two golfers in a 4-hole playoff for the title.

John Kingora finished fourth with 213, the second-lowest score of the tournament.

John Lenkey was ninth with a 222 and George Knapp tied for 16th with a 231. Dave Jamison finished in a three-way tie for 20th with a 233.

MORGANTOWN - It's a safe bet that Bill Stewart never thought he would utter the words "facebook" or "twitter" when he began his football coaching career in 1974.

Now in his third year at the helm of West Virginia University's football program, Stewart has the unenviable task of adding those words to his vocabulary.

In fact, on Monday it was via facebook that Stewart - and the rest of the world - found out prize quarterback recruit Jeremy Johnson might be leaving the program.

Johnson, a 6-foot-2 signal caller from Kountze Texas, was expected to compete for the backup quarterback position with fellow freshman Barry Brunetti. However, on Monday Johnson revealed via the social networking web site that he was transferring to Baylor.

That post to the site was later moved. On Tuesday, Stewart admitted that there was no decision on Johnson's future with WVU.

Stewart did say that Johnson was "homesick" but no decision had been made.

The loss of Johnson could clear up the quarterback position for the Mountaineers. Sophomore Geno Smith, who played five games last season, is slated to be the starter this season while Brunetti or Johnson was supposed to be the backup.

If Johnson leaves, Brunetti will be the backup and then Coley White - brother of former standout Pat White - or Bradley Starks will be the No. 3 quarterback. Both Coley White and Starks are now playing wide receiver for WVU but came to campus as quarterbacks.

Meanwhile, the Mountaineers are still preparing for the 2010 campaign. On Tuesday, Stewart had his team in practice twice.

In fact, it is one of just four two-a-days for the Mountaineers during this camp.

"I remember when they were all two-a-days," Stewart said. "We had a good crisp practice this morning and got some good work in."

The Mountaineers worked on blitz schemes on both offense and defense in the morning and were scheduled for just helmets and shoulder pads in the evening.

WVU opens the season on Sept. 4 when it hosts Coastal Carolina.

By now, the entire playbook has been installed for the Mountaineers.

Stewart said in the past, the playbook was installed little by little. Now, the entire book is thrown at the players at the beginning of camp.

"The old school was to break everyone in easily," Stewart said during his Tuesday press conference. "Now, we believe the right thing to do is get everything in right away. The first five days we install everything and then go over all of it in segments."

CARMICHAELS - Blue Mountain took a 3-1 lead in the Fayette County Baseball League championship series as the Copperheads defeated Bud Murphy's, 8-6, in a sloppy affair on Monday at Carmichaels High School.

J.W. Kayla continued to enjoy a productive series for Blue Mountain, going 3-for-3, including the first RBI of the game on a single that scored Chuck Gasti.

Tyler Schrader got the Game 4 start for Blue Mountain, and despite his significant control issues, left the game without yielding a run.

Schrader walked five and hit two batters before leaving the game with two outs in the third inning. Addison Scherich relieved Schrader and got the final out of the third to escape a bases-loaded jam.

"We didn't want our three starting pitchers to go on short rest," said Blue mountain manager Dickie Krause. "Now we have them set up to go the next three nights."

Bud's trailed 2-0 when its offense finally surfaced in the fourth inning. Jared Early started the inning with a single and scored on a triple from Cole Lowman. Bud's also got RBIs from Casey Teagarden, Mike Hermann, and Dave Gonos in their five-run outburst.

Early drew a bases-loaded walk off of Cy Mozingo, who had relieved Scherich in the inning, to account for the final run in Bud's half of the fourth.

"We hit better today," said Bud Murphy's manager Lou Pasquale. "They just hit a little better than us."

Blue Mountain bounced right back in its half of the fourth. Gasti hit a triple and scored on a wild pitch, and second baseman George Taylor brought the game back to even on a two-run single that scored Gene Franks and Ryan Lewicki.

Andy Schleihauf gave Bud's another brief lead in the fifth when he hit a sacrifice fly that scored Teagarden, but Blue Mountain quickly took momentum back.

Bud's starting pitcher Todd Dunham began to show signs of fatigue in the fifth and suffered control problems of his own. Ron Nopwosky scored on a bases-loaded walk before Teagarden relieved Dunham.

Blue Mountain scored on another bases-loaded walk before Kayla hit a single to score Gasti.

Mozingo shut out Bud's in the sixth and seventh the seal the victory.

Krause is excited his team is another step closer to a championship, but remains grounded knowing there is work yet to be done.

"We know what were stepping into tomorrow night, they know how to play on their home field," said Krause, adding, "You have to win four games and we took a beautiful step tonight."

Monday marked the first official day of fall sports practice for 16 local schools in six different sports.

Although Monday was the first official day to practice, some athletes have been conditioning since their seasons ended in 2009.

"Most schools work out during the summer, and that is the key to success during the season," Laurel Highlands football coach Jack Buehner said. "Our kids have been receptive to putting the work in."

Uniontown football coach John Fortugna is hoping for more success as his Red Raiders reached the second round of the WPIAL playoffs last season after defeating Belle Vernon in the first round to snap a 44-year playoff victory drought.

"We're hoping going to the second round of the playoffs is something we can build on," Fortugna said. "We ran the kids all summer. They should be ready to go after putting in the work during the offseason."

The football coaches didn't have to deal with the usual headaches that come with trying on pads and helmets because the WPIAL allowed equipment to be passed out prior to the first day with a condition that there would not be any contact.

Buehner and the rest of the area football coaches realized that would take away some of the first-day hassles.

"The WPIAL letting us pass out equipment earlier made things a bit easier," Buehner said. "The weather's cooperating. It hasn't been that hot. The scrimmages against West Mifflin and Connellsville will be a good indication of where we are."

Carmichaels football coach John Menhart said that the first day for his team was typical of what he has seen in 30 years of coaching.

"It was a typical first day with the heat, kids feeling sorry for themselves, and the bumps and bruises," Menhart said. "They did have a lot of excitement and it was a pretty smooth transition from conditioning."

Offseason conditioning has become increasingly important in the scheme of the whole season, and Connellsville football coach Jeff Immel expressed his appreciation for the effort his team gave.

"I thought the first practice went well," Immel said. "The effort and focus is there. We're just focusing on what we have to do as a team."

California football coach Brady Barbero said that his players were excited to be able to hit someone after months of no-contact drills and conditioning.

"We had a good core of the team show up for conditioning and now we will see if they were working or not as we are starting to hit," Barbero said. "We are looking to get to our scrimmage Saturday at Westinghouse, and the kids really like to be able to hit someone else. The first week always gives a good indication of where you are."

Football is not the only sport that opened up its season as boys and girls cross country, boys and girls golf, boys and girls soccer, girls volleyball and girls tennis got their seasons going, as well.

Veteran Uniontown cross country coach Joe Everhart was missing some of his runners as many of his athletes participate in band.

"We're still in a conditioning stage right now," Everhart said. "It's hard getting everyone together and we'll be excited to get the band kids back."

Everhart is aware of the strength of other area teams and hopes he can find some new runners to go along with his experienced group for a nice blend of talent.

"We have some good first-year runners that we hope will learn from the experienced kids," Everhart said.

Laurel Highlands cross country coach Bob Costello has a good core of youthful runners that he hopes will bring the Mustangs and Fillies to first place in the section and county after winning both titles last season.

"Our numbers are healthy," Costello said. "We have about 35 kids combined. I have lots of freshmen and sophomores with some upperclassmen."

Costello's troops turned some heads in the area last season by beating teams from the area with more experience, but the longtime coach knows they can't take anything for granted.

"We've had a good summer and been consistent, but nobody is going to hand us anything," Costello said. "We're going to have to work for it, but that is the great thing about cross country. It's a sport where you can succeed by working hard. You don't need skills like hand and eye coordination."

Uniontown boys golf coach Aaron Scott is holding tryouts that will culminate with his team being selected. Scott's golfers played nine holes today at Duck Hollow.

"I should know my team by Thursday," Scott said. "We had some kids play in the Fayette County Open and some other events. I think we'll have a winning record this year. I haven't had any depth in recent years, but we should do well this season."

Jess Dubois enters her first year as head coach of Laurel Highlands girls soccer team. The 2005 grad is eager to coach her alma mater.

"I love working for my school and helping the girls," Dubois said. "I was an assistant here before this season."

Dubois knows the challenge and hopes that encouraging girls to come out within the school will help the team.

"I tried to go around the school to get girls to come out," Dubois said. "We had open clinics for all interested players in the area. We have about 35 girls out, which is a lot. I think we are in good shape. We are in a tough, competitive section, but we have a good group of girls."

Carmichaels girls volleyball coach Ashley Speeney is conducting the first of three days of tryouts before selecting her team. Speeney had about 20 girls commit to conditioning during the summer months and estimates about 25 trying out for the team.

"The first day is basically the start of our tryouts," the second-year coach said. "We have a summer program at the Uniontown YMCA where the girls work on their conditioning. There aren't really any obstacles in the first day for us in terms of equipment. We have everything we need and are ready to go."

Boys and girls golf start the competition schedule on Monday, Aug. 23, with the county's teams participating in the Fayette County Scholastic Open at Duck Hollow Golf Club.

Girls tennis begins play on Monday, Aug. 30, and football, boys and girls soccer, girls volleyball, girls tennis, and girls and boys cross country open action on Friday, Sept. 3.

Copperheads take 2-1 series lead with 3-1 win over Bud Murphy's

CONNELLSVILLE - Blue Mountain utilized the long ball and took advantage of a dominant performance from starting pitcher Kevin Holdsworth for a 3-1 victory over Bud Murphy's Sunday in Game 3 of the Fayette County Baseball League championship series.

Holdsworth allowed one run on three hits as he lead his team to a 2-1 advantage in the best-of-seven series.

"Kevin was awesome today. He came out and gave us a fantastic effort," said Blue Mountain manager Dickie Krause.

Blue Mountain wasted no time getting on the board as leadoff hitter Chuck Gasti blasted a homer over the left field fence at Breakneck Field in the top of the first inning.

"Chuck hits the lead-off home run. We're playing with a lead immediately and it takes the edge off," said Krause.

Andy Schleihauf hit a single for Bud's in the bottom of the first, and it was the last hit Holdsworth would allow until the seventh.

JW Kayla started off the fifth as Gasti began the first, smacking a solo shot of his own to make it a 2-0 lead.

Bud's pitcher Marty Fagler matched Holdsworth's hit total with three, but did let two of those hits leave the park.

"We have ruined two good pitching performances in the finals," said Bud Murphy's manager Lou Pasquale. "We have one hit until the seventh inning, that's terrible."

Cy Mozingo added another run for Blue Mountain in the seventh when he scored on a wild pitch and a throwing error.

Bud Murphy's finally began to show signs of life in its half of the seventh.

Schleihauf started off the inning with his second single of the game. Dave Gonas hit the RBI single to score Kaitan Smiley who was running in place of Schleihauf.

Krause called on Mozingo to record the final two outs and take the first road win of the series.

"This is a tough place to play," said Krause. "The advantage we have over other teams in the league is that we have had some success here."

The series resumes today at 5:45 p.m. when Blue Mountain hosts Bud Murphy's in Game 4 at Carmichaels High School.

Wade Schnorr controlled the pace Saturday morning, and his efforts were rewarded with a first-place finish in the 27th annual Phil Foley 5K Run/Walk held on the Yough River Trail.

The Connellsville native was literally out of sight, covering the 3.1-mile course in 15:59, nearly two minutes ahead of the field. Connellsville junior Adam Siecinski was second in 17:45 and veteran Connellsville runner Brad Herrington finished third in 17:55.

Yough cross country coach and Geibel Catholic grad Dana Newlin also had a gap in first place in the women's 5K run, winning in 20:43. Dunbar's Debbie Conner finished second in 21:09 and teenager Katie Zwetolitz, of Lynchburg, Va., was third in 22:23.

Connellsville's Matthew Ptacek won another men's title in the 5K walk, finishing easily in first with his time of 31:21. Dunbar's Ken Landman was second in 33:58 and Connellsville's Jason Soltis placed third in 35:15.

Mount Pleasant's Jodi Hall was the first female walker to cross the finish line with her winning time of 36:32. Confluence's Carol Wilson finished second in 37:28, 14 seconds ahead of Uniontown's Deb Migyanko.

A total of 100 runners and 46 walkers competed in the annual event.

CARMICHAELS - Two veteran players led Blue Mountain to a 3-1 win over Bud Murphy's in the Fayette County Baseball League's championship series on Friday.

The win evens the best-of-seven series at one game apiece.

Game 3 is scheduled for 5 p.m. today at Breakneck field, and Game 4 will be played at 5:45 p.m. Monday at the Carmichaels High School field.

Pitcher Justin Schrader gave up five hits and struck out seven batters, while catcher Jeff Thompson's two-out double in the fifth inning drove in pinch runner Andy Manion and Josh George to break a 1-1 tie.

Schrader and Bud Murphy's pitcher Nick Damico were locked in a tight pitching duel until Thompson's big hit.

Damico stranded three base runners with a strikeout in the Blue Mountain first inning.

Schrader gave up a first inning single to Andy Schleihauf and a leadoff double to Ben Herrington in the second, but was equal to the challenge until the visitors' fourth inning.

Blue Mountain had taken a 1-0 lead in the third when Chuck Gasti started the inning with his second single, moved to second on J.W. Kayla's sacrifice bunt, and scored on George's two-out single.

Bud Murphy's tied the game with one out in the fourth on successive singles by Brian Sankovich, Herrington and Mike Hermann, as pinch runner Colin Roble scored, but the Copperheads turned a double play to end the threat.

Schrader allowed only two base runners in the final three innings on leadoff walks to Jared Early in the fifth and Herrington in the seventh. Schrader struck out the next three batters in the seventh to seal the win.

"This was huge," Blue Mountain manager Dick Krause said afterwards. "If you fall behind 0-2, that's a tough one."

He said games between the teams have always close. "We outscored them by three runs in four (regular season) games, and they beat us by one run in the first playoff game. The run differential is just a couple. We weren't perfect tonight but it was enough."

Krause said Schrader and Thompson came through as veteran players do in clutch situations. "I'm not surprised the big pitching performance came from a veteran, and Jason Thompson came through in the clutch."

Bud Murphy's manager Lou Pasquale said he expects the series to remain close to the finish. "These are two teams with good pitching and good defenses. We had just one inning and one run is not going to work. I've got to believe that five runs in any game may be the most scored by any team."

A quick check of antlerless deer license availability shows that the supply is quickly being exhausted with most WMUs already sold out.

WMU 2C, which includes Fayette County east of Route 119 and all of Somerset County, has already sold out of its allocation.

More than 32,000 licenses still remain in WMU 2A, which includes all of Fayette County west of Route 119, all of Greene County and a portion of Washington County.

WMU 2B has 60,000 licenses remaining. The area includes all of Beaver County and northern Washington County.

Most of the "Big Woods" counties are sold out. The only licenses remaining in the area in WMU 3A, where less than 1,000 licenses remained late last week.

Illegal nighttime shooting activity usually starts to pick up this time of year.

The temptation to do a little hunting is too great for some resist, especially when they see a trophy buck prancing around the neighbor's pasture field.

I've been hearing reports of nice bucks roaming around. A friend told me his son saw three trophy bucks running together.

I saw my first buck at night in a while last week. It had a high rack, but little mass. At least it broke the ice after a long spell without seeing antlers.

What is disappointing is the number of does that were killed recently.

After a sort of lull in road kills, it seems the cooler nights, following blistering hot days get them on the on the move for food and water, where they tend to get in trouble.

Persons hearing what they suspect is illegal shooting at night are asked to report the incidents by calling the Game Commission's Southwest Region office at 724-238-9523.

A current list of area hunter/trapper education classes in published each week on this page.

It is likely that very few classes will be added to this year's list.

If you have a first-time hunter who plans to hunt during the current license year, think about getting him/her enrolled in one of the upcoming classes.

The Covered Bridge Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society is sponsoring a half-day pheasant hunt at Alpine Hunting & Fishing Club in Bridgeville on Saturday, Oct. 9.

For more information contact Brian Hanna at 412-296-1178 or go on the Internet and visit the website www.gundogalliance.com/RGS.

I finally got my boat out for its annual shakedown cruse on the Mon last week.

The weather was hot, but it felt rather cool while moving along just enjoying the scenery.

Despite great river conditions, the boat traffic was super light, as we only saw two other boats, which wasn't bad even for a weekday.

Talked with some fishermen. They have been catching some channel cats, bass, white bass and sheephead early in the morning and toward dark, but not in great numbers.

Scott Gates at S&S Bait & Tackle at Chalk Hill went to Erie for walleye last weekend.

"We had a great time," Scott said. "We got blown off the lake Sunday, but other than that, the fishing was great.

"We caught 18 walleye that weighed a little better than 100 pounds.

"Lake Erie is excellent right now. We sailed out of Walnut Creek. The lake was really rough one day, and we weren't able to get out of the inlet until about 11 a.m. We caught four walleye that day."

Saturday Gates put in some coordinates a friend had given him, and the walleye were still holding in the same spot.

"We ran about 10 miles out," Gates said. "Between 7:30 and 1 o'clock, we caught 18 walleye. A couple of them pushed nine pounds. Others were eight and seven pounds. The smallest fish we caught were five-pounders."

As we spoke on Friday, Scott and his wife Debbie were getting ready to leave for another weekend of fishing at Erie.

On the local front, Gates said that nobody has been fishing.

"It's so hot during the day that nobody even wants to go outside," he said. "I heard the Yough is so low now that you can see the old bridge at Jockey Hollow.

"I drove past Big Sandy the other day. It is so low, the water is hardly moving.

"Guys aren't even fishing the Youghiogheny River, and if the dam (Yough) gets much lower, it is going to be hard to launch a boat."

The fishing report on the Fish and Boat Commission's website noted that some nice channel cats were being caught at the Yough Dam, and some anglers are catching a few walleyes and some largemouth bass.

Northern pike have been providing the most activity at High Point with largemouth bass and channel catfish making up the bulk of the catch at Lake Somerset.

The word out of Quemahoning Reservoir is that a few northern pike are being caught. Some nice sized smallmouth and largemouth bass are being caught, as are some bullheads.

The 3rd annual Joseph A. Loncaric Charity Sporting Clays Shoot will be held Saturday, Aug. 28 at The Shooting Academy at Nemacolin Woodlands.

Registration is at 9 a.m., and shooting begins at 10.

Entry fee is $115 if registered by Aug. 21. After that the fee is $125. Walk-ins are welcome.

The fee includes 100 clay targets and golf cart, ammunition (12 or 20 gauge only), catered lunch and refreshments, plus a pick of the table raffle and a chance to win a Browning 625 sporting over and under shotgun.

For more information contact Frank Novobilsky at 724-326-8356, Dan Coldren Sr. at 724-326-8610, Rick Coldren at 724-925-1559, Dan Coldren Jr. at 724-736-0662 or Scott Novobilsky at 724-326-4857.

All proceeds benefit the Joseph A. Loncaric Scholarship Fund at Saint Vincent College.

CARMICHAELS — Two veteran players led Blue Mountain to a 3-1 win over Bud Murphy’s in the Fayette County Baseball League’s championship series on Friday.

The win evens the best-of-seven series at one game apiece.

Pitcher Justin Schrader gave up five hits and struck out seven batters, while catcher Jeff Thompson’s two-out double in the fifth inning drove in pinch runner Andy Manion and Josh George to break a 1-1 tie.

Schrader and Bud Murphy’s pitcher Nick Damico were locked in a tight pitching duel until Thompson’s big hit.

Damico stranded three base runners with a strikeout in the Blue Mountain first inning.

Schrader gave up a first inning single to Andy Schleihauf and a leadoff double to Ben Herrington in the second, but was equal to the challenge until the visitors’ fourth inning.

 Blue Mountain had taken a 1-0 lead in the third when Chuck Gasti started the inning with his second single, moved to second on J.W. Kayla’s sacrifice bunt, and scored on George’s two-out single.

Bud Murphy’s tied the game with one out in the fourth on successive singles by Brian Sankovich, Herrington and Mike Hermann, as pinch runner Colin Roble scored, but the Copperheads turned a double play to end the threat.

Schrader allowed only two base runners in the final three innings on leadoff walks to Jared Early in the fifth and Herrington in the seventh. Schrader struck out the next three batters in the seventh to seal the win.

The teams will play the series’ third game at 5 p.m. Sunday at Bud Murphy’s home field in Breakneck.

 “This was huge,” Blue Mountain manager Dick Krause said afterwards. “If you fall behind 0-2, that’s a tough one.”

He said games between the teams have always close. “We outscored them by three runs in four (regular season) games, and they beat us by one run in the first playoff game. The run differential is just a couple. We weren’t perfect tonight but it was enough.”

Krause said Schrader and Thompson came through as veteran players do in clutch situations. “I’m not surprised the big pitching performance came from a veteran, and Jason Thompson came through in the clutch.”

Bud Murphy’s manager Lou Pasquale said he expects the series to remain close to the finish. “These are two teams with good pitching and good defenses. We had just one inning and one run is not going to work. I’ve got to believe that five runs in any game may be the most scored by any team.”

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (AP) — Tiger Woods ate breakfast three times before he teed off in the first round of the PGA Championship. It was time for dinner when his second round began Friday.

Bubba Watson walked off Whistling Straits atop the leaderboard after opening with a 68. He waited 30 hours for his next shot.

And then there's Nick Watney.

“I was talking with my caddie this afternoon, and we were talking about something that happened this morning,” he said. “But we both thought it was yesterday. So it's been a long day. I'll have no trouble sleeping tonight and wake up tomorrow and see where we're at.”

Not much is clear in the final major of the year.

At least not yet.

After two days — but not two full rounds — Matt Kuchar was atop the leaderboard after another rock-solid round on a soft course. He nearly holed out from the 13th fairway again during a stretch of three straight birdies that led to a 3-under 69.

Kuchar was at 8-under 136, one shot ahead of Watney, who had a 68.

“Not too much trouble to report in two rounds,” said Kuchar, explaining the key to success in just about any major.

The only trouble was sleep. Kuchar woke up at 4 a.m. to get to the course and resume his second round at 7 a.m. But while it was clear on the practice range, it was soon tough to see the clubhouse 200 yards away, and players had to wait 2½ hours to start. Kuchar made birdie on his first hole — the sixth — to take the lead, finished up his 67, had a quick lunch and played the second round.

“Sitting around right now, it's nice to be done,” said Kuchar, who left the course about 12 hours after he arrived.

Woods finally teed off at 5:45 p.m., leaving him enough time to play six holes and make six pars.

Only they sure weren't routine.

He had to scramble for par off a cart path, out of grass up to his knees and from a grassy knoll that made it tough for him to keep his balance. After the siren sounded to suspend play, Woods opted to finish the sixth hole. He chipped out of deep grass below the green and left himself a 5-foot birdie putt that spun 270 degrees around the cup and sent him home somber.

“Had to hang in there, and did a good job with that,” Woods, who remained at 1 under, told a PGA official.

The fog played havoc on the starting times. Whistling Straits delivered its own share of misery, too, starting with European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie. He played in the same group with Kuchar and was 26 shots worse over two rounds, going 78-83.

Phil Mickelson took some unusual routes from tee-to-green, although some of his misses were so big that he wound up in the gallery, where the grass had been trampled. Mickelson carries extra gloves in his bag for souvenirs when he hits a fan, and he handed one out on the 15th hole, complete with a frown sign inside the “o” in “Sorry.”

No apologies were necessarily when he scrambled his way to a 69, putting him at 2-under 142 and still very much alive in his quest to move to No. 1 in the world for the first time.

“This is a penalizing golf course to not play from the fairway,” Mickelson said. “And I certainly explored a lot of areas here. First 27 holes for me to keep it around par was a feat, and I drove it better the last nine holes. ... I just want to be in a position where if I play like I know I can, I can make up some ground. And I feel like I'm within striking distance.”

Join the crowd.

Bryce Molder, once regarded as a can't-miss kid when he played on the same Georgia Tech team as Kuchar, made an impressive debut in his first PGA Championship. He made five birdies in a six-hole stretch and wound up with a 67.

That put him in a large group at 5-under 139 that included 19-year-old S.Y. Noh (71), 21-year-old Rory McIlroy (68), short-hitting Zach Johnson (70) and big-hitting Dustin Johnson (68).

Dustin Johnson, the 54-hole leader in the U.S. Open until a memorable meltdown, made a sensational par save to start his day by blasting out of a bunker — one foot in the sand, one foot on a dune — from 50 yards away to about 10 feet. That was the 15th hole of the first round.

Equally memorable was the tee shot he blasted on the par-5 fifth hole, leaving him only a wedge from 149 yards and a 35-foot eagle putt that turned his fortunes.

“It fits me perfect,” he said when asked about the design of the fifth hole.

Chad Campbell had another 70 and was alone — at the moment — at 4-under 140. But of the 78 players who had to return at 7 a.m. Saturday to resume the second round — provided there's no fog — Martin Laird and Francesco Molinari also were at 4 under.

Watson looked as though he would make up ground in a hurry.

He birdied his first two holes, and had a 5-foot birdie putt on the 12th to make it three in a row and pull within one shot of the lead. He rammed it about 4 feet by and wound up three-putting for bogey. Watson stumbled again on the par-5 16th when his shot out of a bunker caught the lip and he was 3 under for the tournament when he stopped at the turn.

Kuchar is No. 7 in the Ryder Cup standings, and no matter where he winds up when the cut is made Saturday, these were two big days toward securing a spot on his first team. He has called this a “great” year, referring to the eight top 10s, but he has yet to win.

He put that Georgia Tech degree to good use in analyzing his slow-starting PGA Tour career, realizing that winning starts with at least giving himself a chance.

“The goal for the week is to put yourself in contention on Sunday,” Kuchar said. “To win, there's definitely an element of luck involved in winning. You just can't control everything out there. If fate is on your side, you find yourself in the winner's circle.”

Ernie Els began his day with a 5-wood for a second shot into the par-4 15th — “How about starting out on this?” he said as he walked off the green with a hard-earned par — and ended it with a double bogey on the final hole of his second round for a 74. He was in a large group at 2-under 142, yet found himself hopeful that Woods and the late starters didn't get off the hook by a storm system that threatened all day.

“It would be a little unfair if these guys don't play this afternoon if a weather system comes in and they get a quiet day tomorrow,” Els said. “Then, a lot of guys will lap us.”

Not to worry. The wind was whipping along Lake Michigan, and players were grinding.

Woods had to work harder than ever not to drop shots. The par 5s on the front nine continue to taunt him, especially No. 2. Woods drove into a steep bunker, then turned quickly when sand sprayed into his face on the second shot, which traveled about 90 yards right of the gallery. From a muddy cart path, he ripped a 3-wood to the right of the green and escaped with par.

Woods also made a par on No. 5, the easiest hole at Whistling Straits, which felt like losing a stroke to the field.

He slammed his driver to the turf after his tee shot sailed to the right on the sixth, and he was stewing when the birdie putt spun around the hole. Walking toward the parking lot in the twilight, Woods declined comment, while dozens of other players hurried to get home.

Just like the first two days, Saturday figured to be a marathon.

The Waynesburg Central graduate was 3-down after five holes, but battled back to go 1-up on No. 15. Alex tied the match on the next hole, and the two golfers matched scores to force a sudden-death playoff.

Alex parred No. 1, a 349-yard par-4, while Rohanna settled for bogey.

"I played (the 19th hole) exactly as I wanted with my driver. I hit it straight with a little draw, and it went into the bunker," explained Rohanna. "I was about 70 yards from the green. It's probably one of the hardest shots for me. I wasn't sure what to hit, and put it in the greenside bunker.

"I punched it out and had about 30 feet for par. She had a 20-foot putt for birdie. I had to go for it, and knocked it by the hole. She two-putted (for the win)."

Rohanna trailed right from the start as Alex went par-birdie to go 2-up.

"The first hole was the only hole she won because I gave it to her," said Rohanna. "I went risk-reward and went into the sand."

Alex went 3-up when she parred No. 5, a 351-yard par-4, to Rohanna's bogey. Rohanna was down on the scoreboard, but not out.

"I didn't get down on myself. I told myself that I don't care what I have to do, I'm not going to give up this match," said Rohanna.

Rohanna's confidence returned as she stormed back to tie the match with two birdies and a par on Nos. 7, 8 and 9 to go all square into No. 10.

"I made some good putts in the middle holes. On No. 7, I hit perfect into the green and had a two-foot putt for birdie," said Rohanna. "Nos. 8 and 9 were difficult, and she played them well all week. She three-putted No. 8.

"That was such a confidence builder. Then I made an 8-foot birdie (putt) to bring it back to all square."

Alex regained the lead with a birdie on No. 10, a 372-yard par-4, and retained the lead until No. 14 when Rohanna birdied No. 14, a 331-yard par-4.

Rohanna pushed ahead for the first and only time in the match when she parred No. 15, a 358-yard par-4, only to have Alex tie the match on the next hole.

"I decided to play (No. 16) a little different then I'm used to and hit it squarely through the fairway into the rough."

Rohanna had a chance for another lead on No. 17, a 119-yard par-3, but her birdie putt just missed.

"She had a 16 foot for birdie and left it short. I had a 10-footer and had already made it. I did everything perfect, but it just failed to drop."

Rohanna had one last shot to win in regulation, but knocked her 25-foot birdie putt two feet past the hole.

Erynne Lee was the only co-medalist to advance into the quarterfinals with Rohanna and Jaclyn Sweeney losing in the third round. Only three of the top 16 seeds advanced into the final eight, supporting Rohanna's argument on just how tough the Women's Amateur field is.

"The top 150 players in the world were here this week. No. 1 could win or No. 64 could win," explained Rohanna. "I know how to play match play now. I have confidence going into the school year."

Rohanna has one more tournament on the docket before she heads back to Ohio State University for her sophomore year. She, along with two other Rohannas, her brother Tommy and Pennsylvania Open champion Robert, plans to play against the men in the WPGA's West Penn Open at St. Clair Country Club on Monday-Tuesday, Aug. 23-24.

The Bud Murphy's at Blue Mountain playoff game scheduled for Thursday will be played today at 5:45 p.m. at Carmichaels following heavy rain.

Hockey

CALGARY, Alberta (AP) - Veteran forward Craig Conroy has re-signed with the Calgary Flames on Wednesday.

Conroy received a one-year deal.

Conroy has appeared in 991 games - roughly half of them with the Flames - over 14 seasons. He has 180 goals and 360 assists for 540 points.

Last season, the 38-year-old had three goals and 15 points in 63 games.

Originally drafted 123rd overall by Montreal in 1990, Conroy has played for the Canadiens, St. Louis, Los Angeles and Calgary.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - The Buffalo Sabres have re-signed forward Mark Mancari to a one-year contract.

Mancari was a restricted free agent who spent most of last season playing for Portland of the American Hockey League. The 2004 seventh-round draft pick led the Pirates with 74 points (28 goals, 46 assists) in 74 games.

Mill Run is celebrating 100 years of baseball this year.

A 100-year anniversary celebration will be held at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 28 at the Mill Run Ball field.

Following the opening ceremonies, an old-timers game will be held at 2 p.m., and picnic will follow at 4:30.

Those attending are asked to take a covered dish.

Donations are being accepted. Make checks payable to the Mill Run Baseball Team. Donations can be mailed to Mill Run Baseball. Attn. Ray Orndorff, Jr. P.O. Box 37 Mill Run, PA. 15464.

For updated information log on to the team's website at www.millrunbaseball.com.

Dr. Dennis Brown, of Washington, scored a hole-in-one at Nemacolin Country Club, using a 7-iron to ace No. 16, a 160-yard par-3. Dr. George Jones, Mark Raitano and Jack LaCarte witnessed the shot.

Carmichaels Golf Club had two golfers score a hole-in-one recently.

Pia Bandish, of Pittsburgh, scored a hole-in-one on Aug. 7 on No. 3, a 168-yard par-3. Mike Smell and Jamie Bandish witnessed the shot.

Pye Plasko, of Carmichaels, scored a hole-in-one Aug. 9 during the Monday Morning Scramble on No. 15, a 129-yard par-3. Mike Lemansky, Ray Lemansky, Fran Lemansky and Ed Morris witnessed the shot.

The last time the stroke play medalist continued on to win the U.S. Women's Amateur Championship was 25 years ago.

The co-medalists, including Waynesburg's Rachel Rohanna, moved one match closer to breaking that streak with victories in the round of 64 Wednesday at Charlotte (N.C.) Country Club.

Rohanna rallied from 2-down with seven holes to play for a 1-up victory over Isabel Han. Erynne Lee needed 19 holes to defeat Isabelle Lendl, while Jaclyn Sweeney had an easier time as she beat Jaclyn Jansen, 6 and 5.

Rohanna plays Marina Alex, of Wayne, N.J., in the round of 32 today at 7:30 a.m. on the 6,559-yard, par-72 course. Alex, the No. 32 seed, advanced with a 2 and 1 victory over Victoria Tanco, of Bradenton, Fla.

Rohanna's confidence has been running high, fueled by her tournament-record 7-under 65 in Monday's first round of stroke play. Even though she trailed relatively late in the match, she didn't lose faith in herself.

"She was making good putts and hit some really good shots. She played well," said Rohanna. "I was 2-down with seven holes to go, but there was a par-5 (No. 12, 574 yards) and a really long par-4 (No. 16, 418 yards), and that was an advantage to me.

"I told myself to just keep playing like I had been this week."

Rohanna sliced Han's lead in half on No. 12 when she parred the par-5, and went all square on the next hole with another par to Han's bogey.

The two golfers matched pars on the next two holes, both par-4s, but Rohanna regained the lead she held on the second hole when she parred the long No. 16 while Han, who survived a six-way playoff for the final match play berth, had another bogey. The two matched pars on the final two holes, a 119-yard par-3 and 421-yard par-4.

After Rohanna took the lead on No. 2, Han tied the match on the next hole with a birdie and went 1-up with a par on No. 6, a 383-yard par-4. She extended her lead by a stroke when Rohanna bogeyed No. 7, a 497-yard par-5, to Han's par.

Han maintained at least a one-hole advantage until No. 12, going 2-up on two other occasions.

Rohanna's putter managed to keep her alive on several holes.

"I missed a couple of 5-footers, but I made some good solid putts. I made a really good 20-footer to save par on No. 16," said Rohanna. "I felt confident in my game. I felt I had a good chance to come back."

Rohanna has warmed to match play, but had never come from behind before.

"This is the first match I've won from being down in a match," said Rohanna. "It gives me so much more confidence going into the rest of the week."

The weather remained hot and balmy, so Rohanna doesn't mind the early tee time.

"I'll get out before it gets too hot. The greens will be a little softer before they dry out," explained Rohanna.

A victory moves Rohanna into the round of 16 later in the day with a 1 p.m. tee time against the winner of the Cydney Clanton-Kristen Park match.

Robert Rohanna started the final round of the Pennsylvania Open Wednesday with a birdie, and never looked back, earning his first paycheck as a professional with an even-par 71 for a three-day total of 12-under 201 at Applebrook Golf Club in Malvern, Pa.

Rohanna held a two-stroke advantage over Blaine Peffley, of Lebanon, and was three ahead of Zak Drescher, an amateur from Landisville.

Geibel Catholic graduate Dan Konieczny worked his way up the leaderboard on the final day, shooting a 4-under 71 to move into a tie for fourth with Andrew Mason, of Huntingdon Valley, and Billy Stewart, of Devon, at 6-under 207.

Rohanna played a steady round, simply doing what needed to be done.

"(Peffley) never really put any heat on," said the Waynesburg Central graduate. "I did what I had to do to win. That wasn't the plan going in after seeing the birdie-fest it was on the first two rounds."

The Penn State University grad opened birdie, par, par, par, par, but gave the stroke back with a bogey on No. 6, a 396-yard par-4. He birdied No. 8, a 581-yard par-5, and parred No. 9 to go out in 1-under 35.

Peffley had a triple-bogey 7 on No. 4, a 418-yard par-4, giving Rohanna some distance. Peffley went out in 3-over 39, so Rohanna added four strokes to his cushion.

Peffley made a brief run on Rohanna, opening the back with an eagle and birdie, but then bogeyed two of the next three holes to give back two strokes. Rohanna shot a 1-over 36 on the back, while Peffley had a 2-under 33.

"They had scoreboards out there (on the course)," said Rohanna. "I hit the ball well today, but didn't make any putts. The pins were tough. The greens were firm and really fast. I knew birdies were slim.

"I was happy with my round."

Rohanna hasn't played much this summer because of a wrist injury, but it wasn't too bothersome in the final round.

"It was real hot and I took a full dose of my medicine (for the injury), so (the wrist) wasn't too bad. I had a pain on a couple shots," said Rohanna.

With his summer season beginning as the season is coming to a close, Rohanna feels his first professional victory is a strong kickoff for the rest of 2010. He plans to play in the West Penn Open on Aug. 23-24, and then play in the Monday qualifier at Green Oaks Golf Club for a spot in the Mylan Classic, a Nationwide Tour event that will be held Aug. 30-Sept. 5 at Southpointe Golf Club in Canonsburg.

"I feel like 'Happy Gilmore' out there," Rohanna said of the big check he was presented for his victory. "This is a big tournament to win. It's my first as a professional.

"Hopefully, it keeps my confidence up and gives me some good momentum going into Q-school this fall."

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Paul Menard is taking his father's sponsorship money to Richard Childress Racing next season, giving that organization the financial security it needs to expand to the NASCAR-mandated maximum of four cars.

"When this opportunity to join RCR came about, it was a no-brainer," Menard said Wednesday.

RCR ran four cars last season, but let Casey Mears go at the end of the year when it failed to secure financing to keep that team running. As a four-car team, RCR struggled on the track and failed to put a single car in the 12-driver Chase for the Sprint Cup championship.

Down to three cars this year, RCR has rebounded into one of NASCAR's top teams. Kevin Harvick is the current series points leader, Jeff Burton is in contention for a spot in the Chase and Clint Bowyer is in a tight battle for the 12th and final qualifying spot.

But the team couldn't turn down the financing from Menard, who brings with him a mediocre resume but sponsorship from his father's Wisconsin-based home improvement company. The Menard's chain is the third-largest home improvement company in the country.

"We feel Paul will contribute to the continued progress and success of RCR," Richard Childress said. "Paul will fit in perfectly with our team of drivers at RCR, and they are all looking forward to working with him. We're also very proud to be aligned with Menards, one of the great family business success stories in American history."

Menard is in his fourth full Cup season and is currently 23rd in the standings while driving for Richard Petty Motorsports.

He finished a career-best 26th in the standings driving for Dale Earnhardt Inc. in 2008. He jumped to Yates Racing last year, finishing 31st in the standings, and was absorbed by RPM when those two teams merged before this season.

Menard has one career NASCAR victory - a Nationwide Series win in 2006 - and 51 top-10 finishes in 152 Cup starts.

Moving to RCR gives that team yet another boost when the organization seems to be clicking across the board. Harvick has two victories this year and is expected to announce next week that Budweiser will sponsor him in 2011, and Childress' engines appear to be the best in NASCAR right now.

But the Menard defection also leaves RPM in a bit of a bind.

The team announced last week that it had re-signed AJ Allmendinger, but star driver Kasey Kahne is leaving at the end of the year and his sponsorship from Budweiser is also out the door. Elliott Sadler has said the team told him he won't be brought back, and now Menard is taking much-needed sponsorship dollars away from the organization.

RPM, however, is expected to sign Marcos Ambrose to drive for the team in 2011, though his sponsorship remains unclear.