Times wires
Friday, October 14, 2011

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Tigers might be battered, they might be bruised, and they might be one loss away from next season.

But they're not done. And that, designated hitter Victor Martinez says, makes them dangerous entering tonight's Game 6 of the American League Championship Series down three games to two.

"We don't get this opportunity often," said Martinez, one of four Tigers starters nursing an injury. "We're doing anything we can to stay in the lineup. The most important thing is to just help the team win."

That's difficult to do when you're in pain. Which might explain why Martinez (sore rib cage) is hitting .167 in the series and catcher Alex Avila (sore knees) has two hits in 21 at-bats. Outfielder Delmon Young (strained oblique) is hitting .182, but both of his hits were home runs.

And they are better off than outfielder Magglio Ordonez, who broke an ankle in the first game.

"To see guys like that play hurt, it means a lot," first baseman Miguel Cabrera said. "It makes you want to win more. They would do anything to get ready for the game and play."

But Avila waved away the praise.

"I don't think it's anything special," he said. "It's what we do. It's just a matter of making sure you're getting done whatever you need to get done as far as treatment-wise in the trainer's room to be out there on the field. You just deal with it."

The Tigers took Friday off to heal after winning Thursday to send the series back to Texas, where the Rangers tonight send 16-game winner Derek Holland to the mound against 15-game winner Max Scherzer.

"I don't know that I've ever been prouder of a team than this one," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said.

Times wires
Friday, October 14, 2011

WASHINGTON — Two key congressman emerged from an hourlong meeting with the NFL and players union and announced a deal to begin blood-testing players for human growth hormone. Minutes later, union officials would commit only to testing when a fair and safe system is in place — what they've said all along.

After Friday's high-profile mix of sports and politics, HGH testing in pro football didn't seem closer to reality.

"We're not guaranteeing any outcomes except there was an agreement to begin testing immediately," Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said after the meeting. " … We've agreed on a bipartisan basis to have the committee play a role if necessary" to bring the sides together.

Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings, the top Democrat on the committee, said he felt the sides benefited from being called in.

MARSHALL'S PLAN: Jets coach Rex Ryan, tongue in cheek, supported Dolphins receiver Brandon Marshall's announcement that he wants to get booted from Monday night's game. "If he wants to get kicked out of the game in the second quarter," a smiling Ryan said, "I think he should."

But Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie isn't buying it.

The former Florida State standout, friends with UCF's Marshall since their high school days in Florida, calls the receiver "a front-runner" and added, "(He's) got to give you something to write about because there's no talk going on down there because they're 0-4."

League spokesman Greg Aiello told Profootballtalk.com that the league would not send Marshall a warning letter.

BEARS: Defensive end Julius Peppers (sprained left knee) has not practiced all week and is doubtful for Sunday's game. … The league fined safety Brandon Meriweather $25,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit Monday against Detroit. He was fined $20,000 for an illegal hit a week earlier against Carolina and fined $50,000 (later reduced on appeal to $40,000) for an illegal hit last season.

BROWNS: Pro Bowl center Alex Mack returned to practice for the first time since his appendectomy on Oct. 3.

GIANTS: Defensive end Osi Umenyiora counts former teammates Antonio Pierce and Michael Strahan among his best friends, but the recent criticisms the players-turned-TV commentators leveled at Justin Tuck and Brandon Jacobs for not playing through injuries irked Umenyiora. "To hear them come out and say some of the things they said is very, very disappointing and makes me question how real and how authentic they are," he said.

RAIDERS: Coach Hue Jackson said Aaron Curry, a 2009 first-round pick acquired this week from Seattle, will start at weakside linebacker. Also, receiver Louis Murphy, a former Lakewood High and Florida star who has been out since surgery for a sports hernia in training camp, practiced and is expected to make his season debut.

RAVENS: The league fined running back Ray Rice $7,500 for grabbing the face mask of Rams cornerback Bradley Fletcher on Sept. 25. No penalty was called on the play.

TEXANS: Mario Williams, who is out for the season, had surgery on a torn pectoral muscle.

HEIMERDINGER SERVICE: Colleagues and friends paid tribute to former Titans offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger at a private funeral in Nashville. Heimerdinger, who was an NFL assistant for 16 years and receivers coach at Florida in the mid '80s, died Sept. 30 of a rare form of cancer. He was 58.

Times staff, wires
Friday, October 14, 2011

BOSTON — Red Sox principal owner John Henry had apparently heard enough.

Angry with what was being discussed on a Boston sports-talk radio show, Henry stopped by WBZ-FM 98.5 on Friday to deny that the club conducted a smear campaign against Terry Francona after letting him go as manager.

Henry said he was driving in his car when he heard the hosts on the show accusing ownership of leaking information to the Boston Globe that reflected poorly on Francona. In a front-page article this week, the paper cited team sources it did not identify as saying Francona was distracted by the breakup of his marriage and painkillers he took after knee surgery.

Francona, who left the team in a mutual decision Sept. 30, has denied the allegations.

"It's ridiculous that people would talk about things like that," Henry said during a 70-minute interview. "(Francona) brought two World Series to this franchise. He's arguably the best manager we've ever had."

But Henry was upset team sources were involved.

"If it's someone with the team — and that's what it says in the newspaper — then I'm very upset about it," he said. "It's reprehensible that it was written about in the first place."

Henry also said he opposed signing former Rays outfielder Carl Crawford to a seven-year, $142 million free-agent contract last offseason but leaves those decisions to the baseball people.

"(Crawford was) definitely a baseball signing," he said. "In fact, anyone involved in the process, anybody involved in upper management with the Red Sox will tell you that I personally opposed that. They all know that.

"I'll just tell you that at the time I opposed the deal, but I don't meddle to the point of making decisions for our baseball people."

As for the poor clubhouse culture — including allegations in the Boston Globe story that star pitchers Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and John Lackey drank beer, ate fried chicken and played video games in the clubhouse during games on days they didn't pitch — Henry said he had no idea about the situation.

Cubs, Epstein waiting: The Cubs are still talking with the Red Sox about compensation in a deal to bring Boston general manager Theo Epstein to Chicago, the Associated Press reported. Epstein agreed to a reported five-year deal with the Cubs, but it's unclear whether Chicago has to send the Red Sox cash, prospects or both.

Rays' Shelton to coach MLB all-stars in Taiwan

The Rays' Derek Shelton was named hitting coach for the Major League Baseball all-star team that will tour Taiwan next month. No Rays are among the 19 players named to the initial roster Friday; Yankees stars Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano are the headliners. The team will be managed by the Giants' Bruce Bochy.

"Any time you get an opportunity to be part of something like this, to be around players in an all-star type of setting, it's something to be excited about," Shelton said.

Rays equipment/home clubhouse manager Chris Westmoreland also was selected for the trip, which includes five games against the Chinese Taipei national team Nov. 1-6.

Ramirez saga: Former Ray Manny Ramirez pleaded not guilty to a domestic battery charge involving his wife. Ramirez's attorney filed the written plea in Fort Lauderdale. Ramirez, who did not appear at the hearing and is free on $2,500 bail, was arrested Sept. 12 after his wife said he slapped her.

Giants fan improves: Giants fan Bryan Stow, 42, who was severely beaten March 31 outside Dodgers Stadium, is making progress at a rehabilitation center but still shows signs of confusion, his family said.

Mets: Bob Geren was hired as bench coach, four months after he was fired as manager of the Athletics. He replaces Chip Hale, who became the A's bench coach last week.

Phillies: Left-hander Cole Hamels had two surgeries, one to remove loose bodies from his left elbow and one to repair a hernia, and he can begin a throwing program in three to four weeks.

Times staff writer Marc Topkin contributed to this report.

Chad Wise, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 14, 2011

HOLIDAY — Jamal Roberts factored in four of seven Zephyrhills' touchdowns as the Bulldogs defeated Anclote 51-16 Friday night.

Zephyrhills (5-2) started slowly, racking up 75 penalty yards in the first half, and didn't score until halfway through the second quarter.

The Bulldogs then got two quick touchdowns to end the half: a 19-yard rush by Roberts and a 10-yard pass from Roberts to Adrian Sanchez.

Nearing the end of the third quarter, Roberts received a pitch and looked to pass, saw nothing, and reversed to run 49 yards for the touchdown, extending the lead to 27-3.

After that touchdown, Anclote (1-5) started the first of two back-to-back kickoff returns. Alonzo Pettiford, having been held to 47 rushing yards up to that point, returned a 94-yard kickoff.

Zephyrhills' Adrian Sanchez restored his side's 24-point lead with a corresponding 85-yard return of his own.

After a Daniel Muir field goal put the Bulldogs up 44-9, Pettiford again returned a kickoff for a touchdown, this time for 88 yards.

The track meet continued with the ensuing kickoff, as Devon Brockington ran for a 76-yard return.

Anclote quarterback Josh Forgione had a night to forget, going 3-of-11 through the air. His offensive line did not help, as he lost 22 yards on the ground.

The Sharks' total offense gained 49 yards on the night.

Zephyrhills hosts Ridgewood next week as Anclote travels to Gulf for a Thursday night game.

Todd Foley, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 14, 2011

SEFFNER — Armwood has the best defense in the state and maybe the best player in Alvin Bailey. The Hawks did nothing but strengthen that claim Friday night against Strawberry Crest.

In an 80-0 thrashing, Armwood (7-0, 4-0) extended its scoreless quarter streak to 24, and Bailey had two returns for touchdowns and two receiving scores.

"I've had all of the Bailey boys and he is the best," coach Sean Callahan said. "I think he is probably the best football player in the state. He can do everything."

Strawberry Crest was handcuffed by Armwood's swarming defense. The Hawks held Strawberry Crest (0-6, 0-3) to no first downs in the first half and two for the game. Armwood scored on a fumble return by Eric Striker, had a pair of safeties and gang tackled the Chargers all night.

"That's what we try to do on that side of the ball," Callahan said. "We like to get a lot of guys running at the football."

Hawks quarterback Darryl Richardson threw three touchdowns.

Todd Foley, Times correspondent

Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 14, 2011

TAMPA — Seth Lewis, Tanner Richardson and Garrett Saunders combined for all eight touchdowns and Seffner Christian forced four turnovers — all leading to scores — in a record victory at Tampa Bay Tech.

The Crusaders, a second-year program, eclipsed its previous mark of 53 points set against Kissimmee Life Christian on Sept. 9.

Richardson, a quarterback, accounted for five touchdowns (three running, two passing). He had 91 yards rushing, highlighted by a 75-yard touchdown. Saunders had both touchdowns catches and also scored on a 55-yard interception return. Lewis led Seffner Christian with 121 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries.

Lewis gave the Crusaders a 14-0 lead late in the first quarter with a 96-yard run one play after Shore­crest was held on downs.

Linebacker Nathan Smith had 14 tackles for the Crusaders, who got fumble recoveries from Joe Hagel and Robbie Shell and interceptions from Richardson and Saunders.

Shorecrest's Alex Drexler ran for 118 yards and a score on 15 carries.

Don Jensen, Times correspondent

Daniel Feingold, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 14, 2011

CLEARWATER — Countryside had a dominating performance in its homecoming matchup, breaking the school record for most points scored in a game in a 66-6 victory over Wiregrass Ranch.

Four turnovers by the Bulls led to easy scores. The Cougars held the Bulls (0-6) to one first down and 138 total yards.

"We've got to play to our expectations, and I felt that we did that," Cougars coach Jared Davis said. "It's good to be able to see everybody play and everybody play at a high level."

Senior Diomi Roberts led the way with three rushing touchdowns. He added a fourth on special teams when he returned a blocked punt 15 yards. Roberts finished with 11 carries for 54 yards.

Gray Crow completed 11 of 17 passes for 108 yards with a touchdown and interception. With the score 49-0 at halftime, Countryside (7-0) had its younger players in for much of the second half.

Daniel Feingold, Times correspondent

Rod Gipson, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 14, 2011

TAMPA — Shaquille Speights rushed for 132 yards and a touchdown, and Jefferson's defense withstood a second-half King rally to hold on to a 29-16 Class 6A, District 8 win Friday.

Jefferson caught fire with a little less than four minutes remaining in the half — turning two turnovers into touchdowns to seemingly blow the game open.

Jefferson (2-4, 2-2) first scored on an 8-yard run from Deiondre Porter that capped a seven-play, 56-yard drive. The next two King possessions quickly ended when Greg Windham threw interceptions to Jefferson defenders, including Charles Booth, who returned a pick 45 yards for a touchdown. Less than 30 seconds later, Porter threw a 53-yard TD pass to Adrian Jenkins.

King struck back with Windham touchdown passes in the third and fourth quarters to narrow the gap. After Windham, who completed 14 of 44 passes for 178 yards, connected with Chris Murray on a 22-yard scoring strike, King (3-4, 2-2) got within 13 points.

The Lions got an onside kick with two minutes left but the Dragons defense held, got the ball back and ran out the clock.

Rod Gipson, Times correspondent

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer
Friday, October 14, 2011

TAMPA — For 56 weeks while living in forced exile from pro football, having again gone from hero to heel with another career-suicide attempt, Tanard Jackson wasn't always sure he wanted to do the time.

On Aug. 18, 2009, the NFL suspended the safety for the first four games of the upcoming season for his second positive test for marijuana.

But that was a relative slap on the wrist.

On Sept. 22, 2010, the league suspended him indefinitely. He couldn't apply for reinstatement for one year, and nobody was throwing him a life rope.

"There were a lot of emotions," Jackson, 26, said. "A lot of frustration, anger, guilt. But I dealt with it the best way I could with the support of family, friends and things like that.

"The doubts definitely came in mind; especially being out of football that long and knowing I was fighting an uphill battle. But it's worth it. It's worth it. That's the best way I can put it."

One day last week, Jackson leaned on a chair in front of his locker, in no hurry to peel away the Spandex undershirt with the Buccaneers logo that was wet with sweat and stuck to his body.

Jackson says he didn't go through months of living in a league-mandated drug rehabilitation center — with no way to stay in shape except pumping iron — to satisfy fawning fans.

The fame and fortune? Well, that had, literally, gone up in smoke as well.

What fueled Jackson was a chance to revisit ground zero, the opportunity to press restart. This time, Jackson isn't concerned about the future. Everything he missed he recaptured by simply walking back through the doors at One Buc Place.

"It's being right here in this locker room," said Jackson, who was reinstated by the NFL on Tuesday. "Putting on a helmet with a Buccaneers logo on the side. Putting on cleats. Putting on shoulder pads. Meeting rooms. Just being in this building."

Jackson's return to the playing field begins this afternoon against the Saints. For the Bucs, the timing couldn't be better.

The defense is battered and bruised.

Tackle Gerald McCoy is out for several weeks with a high sprain of his left ankle. Safety Cody Grimm suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 3. Rookie middle linebacker Mason Foster limped around all last week with a sprained ankle, and linebacker Quincy Black has missed two of the past three games with a similar injury. They are questionable and probable, respectively.

"You can't ever account for what he is as a football player," cornerback Ronde Barber said of Jackson. "You can't coach what he does. He instantly makes us better. That's nothing against the guys that are here. There's a reason he started as a rookie and a reason why he'll seamlessly fall into place this year.

"You can never have too many good bodies back there. So having a good one come back at this time is pretty ideal for us because we thought it might be a lot later."

Jackson, who has started every game for which he has been eligible since being a fourth-round pick out of Syracuse in 2007, has added more muscle to his 190-pound physique.

"Mainly lifting," said Jackson, who could start today depending on the personnel with which the Bucs open. "I didn't have the ability to do a lot of running and agility work."

Two years ago, Jackson's impact was immediate. In his first three games, he recorded 17 tackles, a forced fumble, two interceptions and a touchdown.

"That was before, but this is completely different," said Jackson, who has eight interceptions and five forced fumbles for his career. "I went to training camp with the team. This was 56 weeks, and being back, this is the first time putting on shoulder pads and a helmet."

Barber says from the time he took the practice field Wednesday, Jackson's movements have been fluid, natural, almost as if he were gliding on casters.

"He's just out there, and it's like, 'Well, T-Jack's back,' " Barber said. "It's more of a casual thing for him."

Jackson knows he will have his detractors. But his behavior has been so self-destructive, the battle remains largely internal.

"I'm in control of my actions now and what goes on from here," Jackson said. "I'm not in control of what people think about me.

"I think the hard part is the accountability part; letting a lot of people down: teammates, management and the fans, the die-hard fans of the Buccaneers organization. That's a struggle. But I got another chance, another opportunity to change."

By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist
Friday, October 14, 2011

TAMPA

Earlier this season, the Bucs managed a victory over Minnesota's 177-year-old quarterback, Donovan McNabb. The joy was widespread. • On the other hand, Drew Brees is better. • The following week, the Bucs finally found a way to beat Atlanta's Matt Ryan. Glee was everywhere. • Nevertheless, Drew Brees is better. • The week after that, the Bucs beat the Colts and Curtis Painter, who might soon be a painter. Confetti might have gotten in your eyes. • That said, Drew Brees is better. • He is better than Detroit's Matt Stafford and San Francisco's Alex Smith, the quarterbacks who have beaten the Bucs. He is better than Carolina's Cam Newton and Dallas' Tony Romo, who will come up later this season. With the possible exception of Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers, Brees is better than any quarterback who will take aim at the Bucs secondary this season. • And here he comes again, just as Breesy as ever.

Drew Brees hits town as the Bucs try to rebound from last week's rout.

Not him!

Oh, no!

As the Bucs attempt to dig their way out of the rubble, Brees' face is the last they wish to see. He is the monster in their closet. Over the past half-dozen seasons, there is no opponent who has caused more misery to the Bucs than Brees. He is sharp. He is accurate, and evidently, he seems intent on establishing citizenry in the Raymond James end zone.

"He's like a big video game," said Bucs coach Raheem Morris. "He can light up any time."

"He's the closest thing to a surgeon that I've played against," said cornerback Ronde Barber. "He's very precise. He's never confused."

"He's the best quarterback in the NFL," said cornerback Aqib Talib.

Such is the challenge the Bucs defense faces today. They have to protect the bull's-eye from one of the league's finest dart throwers. A week after being shredded in a 48-3 loss by an ordinary quarterback such as Smith, the Bucs have to respond against Brees. Two games later, they have to do it again in New Orleans.

Just a thought here, but maybe the safeties should back up a step. Maybe two.

Across the league, there are other quarterbacks who get more attention than Brees. Tom Brady, for one. Peyton Manning, when he's healthy. But the Bucs rarely play those two. Brees? He's a twice-a-year headache for the Bucs.

"Arguably, he's No. 1 (in the NFL)," said Morris. "You have the same three names on the top. Tom Brady. Peyton Manning. Brees. You can rank them 1-2-3 or 3-2-1. To me, Brees is on top because we play him this week.

"It's Drew. He's unbelievable. He's smart. He's dynamic. He knows how to get his team in the right plays. He knows how to prevent disasters from happening. He's a great football player, no doubt about it."

And now for the disturbing part: Brees has had such a good time in Tampa Bay that the Chamber of Commerce should get him to endorse its tourism ads.

In his past two games in Tampa Bay, for instance, Brees has thrown for 450 yards and six touchdowns and the Saints have outscored Tampa Bay 69-13. Even in the games the Bucs have won against Brees, including the past two seasons in New Orleans, it has felt more like survival than success. In 11 career games against the Bucs, Brees has thrown for 22 touchdowns with nine interceptions, a lifetime rating of 97.7.

Last year, for instance, Brees threw for 263 yards in Tampa to lead the Saints to a 31-6 victory. Tampa Bay won in New Orleans. The year before, in its Super Bowl season, New Orleans won 38-7 in Tampa. And the Bucs won in New Orleans.

"He has a lot of weapons, good weapons," Barber said. "He's not afraid to make any one of them his favorite guy. He's like an assassin. He doesn't care who he's throwing to."

Or, it appears, over.

For the Bucs, this matchup against the 32-year-old Brees comes just as the team is trying to stand again. That isn't as unusual as you might think. Good teams, even Super Bowl teams, get walloped from time to time. For the Bucs, the amnesia part will be easy. Overcoming injuries are tough, and overcoming bad habits are harder, and overcoming Brees is a tap dance across broken glass.

Today, the Bucs have a chance to do all of that. They have a chance to reclaim their season, a chance to take a lead in the NFC South, a chance to play well against a familiar nemesis.

"We have to win the matchups," Talib said. "This isn't rocket science. We just have to stop their routes."

First, though, they have to withstand Brees, which has always been a chore and a half. That's the thing about a surgeon. He can carve deeply, and he can leave blood.

If a team is not careful, he can cut out its heart.

Times wires
Friday, October 14, 2011

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Sprint Cup points leader Carl Edwards moved in front on a late restart and held off Kyle Busch on the final lap for his eighth NASCAR Nationwide series victory of the season on Friday night.

Edwards' right side was badly damaged after hitting the wall 32 laps into the race and he fell to 27th in the Dollar General 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. But he steadily moved up and took the lead for the first time with five laps left.

It was Edwards' sixth straight top-two finish in NASCAR's second-tier series.

The Sprint Cup points leader will try to make it a clean sweep at Charlotte — and extend his one-point lead in the Chase for the Championship standings — when he starts third in tonight's Bank of America 500.

Busch was second and Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne third. Elliott Sadler was fourth to earn a $100,000 bonus.

INDYCAR: Title contenders Dario Franchitti and Will Power qualified in the ninth row for Sunday's season finale in Las Vegas. Franchitti, who leads Power by 18 points, qualified 18th and will line up next to Power. Tony Kanaan earned the pole at 222.078 mph around the 1.5-mile track; Danica Patrick, who is leaving the series for NASCAR, qualified ninth.

TRUCKS: Ron Hornaday earned the pole for today's Smith's 350 at Las Vegas at 176.056 mph.

NHRA: Larry Dixon (Top Fuel), Cruz Pedregon (Funny Car), Mike Edwards (Pro Stock) and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) led their classes in the first day of qualifying at the Arizona Nationals in Phoenix.

Bobby Winsler, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 14, 2011

RIVERVIEW — Kendall Pearcy ran for two touchdowns and scored another as part of Curtis Fitch's three TD passes, and Steinbrenner (4-2, 1-1) shut out struggling Riverview (2-4, 0-2) 53-0 Friday.

On the Warriors' first play, Pearcey ran for a 60-yard touchdown that was negated by a block in the back. But in the second quarter he had a 5-yard TD run and added a 15-yard TD reception. In the third quarter he scored on a 79-yard run.

The Sharks converted a fourth-and-10 fake punt with the help of an unnecessary roughness call, and late in the second quarter, Leandre Boykin intercepted a pass at midfield to set up the Sharks before halftime.

But when the offense couldn't capitalize, Fitch engineered two scoring drives in the final minutes of the first half — a 15-yarder to Pearcy and a 20-yarder to Nick Green — to build a 34-0 lead.

The Warriors used 10 different players to run the ball and keep the chains moving. Steinbrenner was never forced to punt.

Bobby Winsler, Times correspondent

David Rice, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 14, 2011

VALRICO — Bloomingdale got back to winning ways on homecoming night with an emphatic win over Leto.

The Bulls (4-3) racked up 419 yards of total offense. Quarterback Cody Crouse led the way with four touchdowns through the air and one on the ground; junior running back Eugene Baker scored three touchdowns including one receiving.

"Any time you put 60 points on the board it builds the team's confidence," said Bulls coach John Booth, whose team had lost three of four coming in. "The kids have earned a night like tonight. I've said from the beginning that this team has turned a corner; tonight you can see it. We feel pretty good about where we are heading into a big district game against Wharton next week."

Leto started on a positive note as Andre Simpson ran 45 yards into Bulls territory, but the Falcons (0-7) endured a nightmare for the remainder of the game. Simpson finished with 140 yards rushing and a touchdown.

David Rice, Times correspondent

Friday, October 14, 2011

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. — Webb Simpson kept his name near the top of the leaderboard Friday and his eyes on a showdown with Luke Donald next week at Lake Buena Vista.

Simpson, trying to win the PGA Tour money title, made two late birdies for 3-under 67 at the McGladrey Classic. That left him two shots behind Billy Horschel, who picked up four shots over his last four holes for 64.

After finishing his second round, Simpson said he would play the year's final tournament, next week at Lake Buena Vista, in his bid to capture the money title. Donald, atop the money list by $68,971 over Simpson, said earlier in the day he would add next week's event to his schedule.

Donald, who was in England for his caddie's wedding, said on Twitter: "There was never really a decision to be made. I have a chance of making history. See you all at Disney next week." That was followed by a hash tag that said, "Bring it on."

Simpson kept doing just that.

After opening with 63 and facing stronger wind off the coastal waters, he survived a shaky start and poured in enough birdies to get into the lead with Michael Thompson, who had 64. They stayed there until Horschel made his late burst to take the lead at 12-under 130.

"I figured Luke was going to play," Simpson said. "I think he's kind of thinking the same thing I'm thinking, that if one of us was going to play, the other one really needed to."

It's the first time since 2003, when Vijay Singh held off Tiger Woods in the Tour Championship, that the tour money title will come down to the final tournament.

Horschel is No. 139 on the money list and said he's not worried — not as he tries to finish among the top 125 to keep his tour card, or tries to stay in the top 150 to avoid two stages of qualifying school.

"I'm not worried about No. 139," Horschel said. "I'm worried about playing well."

LPGA: Stacy Lewis joined fellow American Brittany Lang atop the leaderboard after Round 2 of the LPGA Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. Lewis shot 65 to tie Lang, also a co-leader after the first round, at 9-under 133. Brittany Lincicome of Seminole recovered from her opening 75 to shoot 68. Tampa's Cindy LaCrosse (71—145) and Kristy McPherson (78—151) were further back.

CHAMPIONS: Fred Couples and Steve Lowery shot 7-under 65 to share the first-round lead at the AT&T Championship in San Antonio, Texas.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Friday, October 14, 2011

.TONIGHT

Lightning at Panthers

When/where: 7:30; BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM

Key stats: The Lightning struggled with the Panthers last season, losing four of six meetings (two in shootouts, one in overtime). … Tampa Bay has killed off 21 consecutive penalties to begin the season. … Panthers LW Sean Bergen­heim, a postseason star for the Lightning last season, plays against his former team for the first time since signing with Florida as a free agent in the offseason. … Coach Guy Boucher wouldn't say Friday whether Dwayne Roloson or Mathieu Garon would start in goal.

Tim Porson, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 14, 2011

HUDSON — Jacob Guy and Pasco's passing attack proved to be too much for Hudson, as the Pirates rolled to a 70-0 victory Friday.

The Pirates (7-0, 4-0) scored touchdowns on all 10 of their possessions.

The first score came on Pasco's second play from scrimmage when Guy connected with Trey Dudley-Giles from 33 yards out. Dudley-Giles finished with four catches for 140 yards and two touchdowns.

The Cobras' next possession came to an abrupt end after they fumbled, giving the Pirates the ball on Hudson's 34.

On the next play Janarion Grant took the ball out to the right side and scored, giving the Pirates a 14-0 lead six minutes into the game.

After a three and out by Hudson (0-6, 0-4), Pasco running back David Emmanuel ran in from 2 yards to extend the lead to 21-0. He had an 8-yard score with just less than three minutes remaining in the half, making the score at halftime 49-0.

In the first half Guy also had a 10-yard score to Grant, a 65-yarder to Dudley-Giles and another to Grant for 59 yards.

Guy finished 12-for-13 for 264 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions.

In the second half, backup running back Blake Holtzhower added two rushing touchdowns for Pasco.

With the win, Pasco coach Tom McHugh is tied with coach Ricky Thomas for second all-time in school wins with 45.

Times wires
Friday, October 14, 2011

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Jeff Skinner, last season's rookie of the year, scored a power-play goal with 1:24 left and Cam Ward made 39 saves to lead the Hurricanes to a 4-3 win over the Sabres on Friday.

Brandon Sutter and Tim Brent each scored shorthanded goals for Carolina, which has won two straight since starting 0-2-1.

Skinner's goal came 57 seconds after Drew Stafford tied it at 3.

"It was a big win for us, a character win is the best way to describe it," Skinner said.

The Sabres played their first home game since opening with two wins in Europe last weekend.

"We gave up some beauties," coach Lindy Ruff said. "And all those beauties were given up because of plays we didn't need to make. … We burned ourselves."

Blues: Center Andy McDonald, who missed 24 games with a concussion last season, was being evaluated for another one after being hit in the head by the Stars' Vernon Fiddler on Thursday.

Capitals: Center Jay Beagle, helped off after being knocked to the ice in a fight with the Penguins' Arron Asham on Thursday, was fine "other than a fat lip" and was day-to-day, coach Bruce Boudreau said. Beagle was not allowed to return to the game under the league's concussion protocol, which prompted center Brooks Laich to say he is tired of such precautions and players are "being babysat a little too much." Laich, the team's player representative, said, "We accept that there's going to be dangers when we play this game."

Devils: Goalie Martin Brodeur (shoulder) was uncertain for tonight at Nashville.

Islanders: Goalie Rick Di­Pietro is out with a concussion again. He was struck in the mask by a puck on a shot by teammate Brian Rolston at practice Wednesday and had tests Thursday. Di­Pietro, 30, has played a total of 39 games the past three seasons because of injuries. He is in the sixth season of a 15-year, $67.5 million contract.

First Period—1, Buffalo, Vanek 3 (Leopold), 6:58. 2, Carolina, Harrison 1 (McBain), 8:20. 3, Buffalo, D.Roy 1 (Stafford, Ehrhoff), 10:01. 4, Carolina, Bra.Sutter 1, 19:48 (sh). Penalties—Pominville, Buf (hooking), 2:50; Harrison, Car (tripping), 5:07; Myers, Buf (tripping), 6:20; Allen, Car (interference), 18:59.

Second Period—5, Carolina, Brent 1 (Tlusty), 6:59 (sh). Penalties—McCormick, Buf (unsportsmanlike conduct), 3:10; LaRose, Car (high-sticking), 5:49; Ruutu, Car (slashing), 7:59; Gerbe, Buf (slashing), 7:59; Gleason, Car, major (fighting), 10:37; Gaustad, Buf, major (fighting), 10:37; Buffalo bench, served by Gerbe (too many men), 13:47; Ponikarovsky, Car (slashing), 17:58.

Third Period—6, Buffalo, Stafford 2 (Myers, Sekera), 17:39. 7, Carolina, Skinner 2 (Jokinen, Pitkanen), 18:36 (pp). Penalties—Skinner, Car (tripping), 7:31; Carolina bench, served by Stewart (too many men), 10:20; Vanek, Buf (tripping), 18:00; Ehrhoff, Buf (tripping), 19:28. Shots on Goal—Carolina 13-12-9—34. Buffalo 13-18-11—42. Power-play opportunities—Carolina 1 of 6; Buffalo 0 of 7. Goalies—Carolina, Ward 2-2-0 (42 shots-39 saves). Buffalo, Miller 2-1-0 (34-30). A—18,690 (18,690).

Colby Cole, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 14, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — The Knights moved to 4-1 in Class 5A, District 8 with a road victory.

Two minutes in, Robinson got a 12-yard run by Vidal Woodruff and got the two-point conversion on a Martin Ruiz run to take a lead it did not relinquish.

Gibbs cut the lead to two on a 4-yard run by Maurice Hall. Robinson immediately responded with a 93-yard kickoff return by Byron Pringle.

Gibbs (2-3 in 5A-8) cut the lead to three early in the second on a 67-yard pass from Patric Jones to Hall. Hall finished with 82 rushing yards, 67 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

Robinson extended its lead to 10 before halftime on a 22-yard run by Ruiz. Ruiz led Robinson with 78 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. The Knights opened the second half with a touchdown on a 16-yard run by Joe Foster to take a 29-12 lead.

"This is the first of four steps," Robinson coach Mike DePue said of the remaining district schedule. "We have three more big games to win in order to get into the playoffs."

Colby Cole, Times correspondent

Justin Dargahi, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 14, 2011

TAMPA — After playing to a draw for almost the entire first half, Wharton used a touchdown late in the second quarter to seize momentum before pulling away for a 28-7 win over Freedom.

The game was scoreless with a minute to go in the half when Wildcat sophomore quarterback Chase Litton found Vernon Hargreaves on a 50-yard go route down to the Patriots 1-yard line. After a holding penalty, Litton scored on a keeper from 10 yards to open the scoring.

Workhorse running back Darius Page scored on a 19-yard run midway through the third quarter for Wharton (2-5) before Hargreaves added a touchdown catch on the first play of the fourth to put the game out of reach.

Hargreaves, a junior defensive back, also added a sack and an interception.

Freedom (1-6) only managed 188 yards of total offense.

"We have yet to put two halves together," Wildcats coach David Mitchell said. "But a win is a win and we will take it any day of the week."

Page finished with 152 yards on 25 carries.

Justin Dargahi, Times correspondent

Times wires
Friday, October 14, 2011

NBA

Union may Have some Doubters

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — JaVale McGee only acknowledged the inevitable Friday when the Wizards center left a meeting and said a few NBA players are "ready to fold" in their labor negotiations.

Union president Derek Fisher and executive director Billy Hunter briefed a group of about 30 players on the state of negotiations.

As McGee left early he said, "There's definitely some guys in there saying that they're ready to fold, but … the majority of guys are willing to stand strong."

The first weeks of the regular season have already been cancelled. Commissioner David Stern said more cancellations could be announced next week if there's no deal before two days of owners meetings begin Wednesday.

"My gut tells me that there's no way Commissioner Stern and the NBA would damage their business by making us miss a whole season," Fisher said.

76ers sale: The sale of the 76ers from Comcast-Spectacor to New York-based leveraged buyout specialist Joshua Harris was approved by the league's board of governors and could be completed early next week, the Associated Press reported.

Olympics

Pro wrestler Angle eyes Games return

Former freestyle wrestling gold medalist Kurt Angle, who went on to fame in the world of scripted pro wrestling, said he is serious about becoming an Olympian for a second time.

Angle won the 1996 220-pound freestyle wrestling gold medal in the Atlanta Games. Now, approaching 43, he has scaled back his pro commitments and dedicated the last seven months to training for a run at making the U.S. team for the London Games. The U.S. Olympic trials are April 21 in Iowa.

"I love pro wrestling," said Angle, who is training three to four hours a day with former All-Americans at various colleges and a training facility around Pittsburgh, "but I'm glad I'm going back to the Olympics."

TENNIS

Roddick falls, Murray coasts at Masters

Andy Roddick lost to David Ferrer 6-7 (7-5), 6-2, 7-6 (7-2) while Andy Murray eased into the semifinals with a 6-3, 6-2 win over qualifier Matthew Ebden at the Shanghai Masters.

Roddick, the 10th-seeded American, wasted three break points on Ferrer's first service game of the third set and never challenged the Spaniard's serve again.

Felicano Lopez beat Florian Mayer 6-2, 6-4 to set up an all-Spanish semifinal with Ferrer.

Murray will face Japan's Kei Nishikori, who advanced with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Alexandr Dolgopolov.

More Tennis: Wimbledon champ Petra Kvitova eased past Daniela Hantuchova 6-2, 6-2 to reach her seventh semifinal of the year at the Generali Ladies in Linz, Austria. The top-seeded Kvitova plays Jelena Jankovic for a place in Sunday's final. … Rain washed out the semifinals at the Japan Open in Osaka, so top-seeded Samantha Stosur, the U.S. Open champ and Tampa resident, plays seventh-seeded Chanelle Scheepers today, while Marion Bartoli faces Ayumi Morita.

ET CETERA

Figure skating: Olympic champion Evan Lysacek has dropped out of the Grand Prix Series without giving a reason to U.S. Figure Skating.

Gymnastics: Japan's Kohei Uchimura scored 93.631 points to become the first man to win three world titles, finishing more than three points ahead of Germany's Philipp Boy at the world championships in Tokyo. John Orozco was the top American, rallying to finish fifth. U.S. champ Danell Leyva was last.

Horses: Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Rick Dutrow Jr., who had his license revoked and was barred from racing in New York for 10 years, won't be allowed to race in California either. Stewards at Santa Anita said they would uphold the New York ruling, in which racing officials cited Dutrow's long history of rules infractions, including horse medication violations.

Soccer: The United States will play France in a friendly at the Stade de France just north of Paris on Nov. 11, the first meeting between the nations in 32 years.

Times wires