It's a great time of the year. Football has kicked off, and from our local Pop Warner teams to the pros in the NFL, things are already heating up. Unlike baseball and basketball -- where a few losses don't have much impact on the playoffs -- in football, every single game is important. This makes every play of every game exciting, and although the season seems long, I know it will fly by, just ...

Bryans beat Qureshi-Bopanna in US Open doubles final (AFP)

AFP - Pakistan's Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi and India's Rohan Bopanna, trying to inspire peace between their homelands, were beaten by US top seeds Bob and Mike Bryan in Friday's US Open men's doubles final.

At 43, Torres starts training for 2012 Olympics (AP)

AP - Dara Torres is back in the pool and training for what she hopes will be her sixth Olympics.

Coach at No. 4 TCU on upset alert vs Tenn Tech (AP)

AP - TCU coach Gary Patterson may need to find some hate for a team that stirs up feelings of nostalgia for him.

Woods struggles again at Cog Hill (AP)

AP - Tiger Woods is now a long shot to get to the FedEx Cup finale.

Golf course transition to private management complete

The Mt. Graham Golf Course is under new management, but not much has changed. Burt Watkins is still the golf pro; prices have remained the same; and the holes are where they were.

Golf tournament set for Sept. 27

BRIDGEWATER — The Somerset County Business Partnership has announced that the 38th annual Robert G. Ransone Golf Tournament, the longest continuously running golf outing in Somerset County, will take place on Monday, Sept. 27 at Raritan Valley Country Club, Route 28, Raritan.

Cavendish scores second straight Vuelta stage win (AFP)

AFP - Britain's Mark Cavendish claimed his second successive stage victory in the Tour of Spain on Friday with a sprint finish while Spain's Igor Anton retained the overall leader's red jersey.

Mourinho tips Aragones for Portugal coach job (AFP)

AFP - Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said Friday he would like to see former Spain manager Luis Aragones replace the recently sacked Carlos Queiroz as Portugal?s national team coach.

Players union president Mawae ends football career (Reuters)

Reuters - Former Tennessee Titans center Kevin Mawae, the president of the NFL Players Association, is retiring from the league after 16 seasons, he said Friday.

Moving closer to Federer-Nadal final at US Open (AP)

AP - Looking back at recent U.S. Opens, Rafael Nadal sees simple explanations for why it's the only Grand Slam tournament he has yet to win.

Golf academy puts kids on course

The Simonds Golf Academy is kicking off classes next week.

Football: Stronger test awaits Ponies at Mounds View

Two football teams coming off big opening-week victories square off on Friday as Stillwater travels to Mounds View for a Suburban East Conference game at Mustang Stadium. The Ponies blanked Park-Cottage Grove 35-0 while the Mustangs ran up a 55-19 victory over Roseville. Stillwater and Mounds View met twice a year ago, with the Ponies claiming the first 19-7 and Mounds View ending Stillwater's ...

Football: Ponies host Park in season opener

Two football teams on opposite ends of the league standings start the season in the same position when Stillwater hosts Park-Cottage Grove in Friday's season opener at Pony Stadium. The games also serves as Parents Night for the Ponies.

IndyCar returning to Milwaukee in 2011 (AP)

AP - The IndyCar series is returning to the historic Milwaukee Mile, and series officials are hoping a new event promoter can succeed where others have failed.

Baseball. RTP: Destination Omaha Box Sets Available

Reaching The Peak: Destination Omaha Box Sets are now available for purchase. The seven-disk series produced by The Mtn. chronicles the historic 2010 baseball season with an inside look at the program. Cost for the set is $25 plus $4 shipping and handling. ORDER HERE!!!!

Soccer: Lady Tigers stay perfect, Tiger boys fall at North Valleys

The Douglas girls' soccer team improved to 7-0 on the year while rattling off its sixth-straight shutout in a 4-0 win over North Valleys Tuesday night.

Villanova football considering a move to the Big East

Football. Frogs Earn 11 NFL Roster Spots

Eleven former TCU football players have earned NFL roster spots entering the 2010 season. Among the group are nine Frogs currently placed on active rosters who are set to open their seasons this weekend.

Soccer seeks reversal of early fortune

The three-time defending league champion WHS Soccer varsity will do the chasing instead of the leading after a season opening 4-1 loss to the St. Gregory Hawks last Tuesday.

Penn State-Alabama might lack only Heisman winner (AP)

AP - Storied programs, iconic coaches and the kind of rich history normally reserved for longer-running rivalries.

IOC official hails 'new era' in relations with US (AP)

AP - The resolution of a key financial dispute heralds the "start of a new era" in relations between the U.S. and international Olympic committees and should help rebuild the American body's global standing, a senior IOC member said Friday.

AP source: NCAA investigating Vols basketball

Tennessee basketball coach Bruce Pearl and an assistant have been contacted by the NCAA about possible recruiting violations, according to a person familiar with the situation.

Basketball tryouts

The Westborough Youth Basketball Association will hold tryouts during the weeks of Sept. 13, Sept. 20 and Sept. 27 to determine the teams for the 2010 - 2011 season. Specific time slots and locations can be found on the organizations Web site, www.leaguelineup.com/westborowarriors.

Baseball. Rice Releases 2011 Baseball Schedule

With no shortage of tough competition and what may prove to be one the best slate of home games in the country, the Rice Owls' baseball schedule for the upcoming 2011 season was announced on Friday (Sept. 10).

Field size won't be at issue if US gets World Cup (AP)

AP - Organizers trying to bring the World Cup to the United States in 2018 or 2022 say all fields could be widened to meet international standards.

Tennis.com: Nadal, Federer on a collision course again

Tennis.com: Stars are toying with their opponents, likely will meet in Open final Sunday

Golf tour ‘Stands Up to Cancer’

Spending the day out on the golf course is already a winning recipe after a grueling week at work but throw in the knowledge the money raised during a round will go to helping find the cure for cancer, well, it just doesn't get much better than that.

Tennis team falls to Wharton

Christian Tuazon competes against Wharton during the Calhoun tennis team’s first scrimmage of the season on Aug. 25. Tuazon went on to win in boys number one singles, 6-1 and 6-4.

Tennis Lady Liberators to host Lebanon Monday, Nixa Sept. 16

The Bolivar tennis Lady Liberators will host a pair of nonconference foes with Lebanon coming to town at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 13, and Nixa arriving at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16.

Football Fans Rejoice! Applebee's Is Serving Up Game-Day Food and Fun!

Fall Football Lineup Includes Parties, Food and Drink Specials and the Ultimate Game-Day Watching Experience With DirecTV(R) Packages at Participating Applebee's

Klitschko predicts quick knockout against Peter (AP)

AP - Wladimir Klitschko is predicting a quick knockout in his rematch with Nigerian fighter Samuel Peter on Saturday.

Trio share lead at Champions Tour event in SKorea (AP)

AP - Fred Funk, Michael Allen and Jay Don Blake shared the lead Friday after the rain-delayed opening round of the Champions Tour's first event in Asia.

Football rescheduled

High school football fans will have to wait one extra day for the season to open in many Massachusetts communities.

Golf team gets into the swing

On Wednesday the Yellow Springs High School golf team hosted Bethel at Locust Hills golf course in Springfield. The team drove, chipped and putted their way through the course on a beautiful early fall day, ultimately losing the match by a score of 172-211.

Tennis team nets second place

NEBRASKA CITY – The Waverly tennis team is beginning to pick up the pace.

Crosby homers as Penguins take batting practice (AP)

AP - If the Pittsburgh Pirates need an answer to their power-hitting problems, maybe they can find it across town in Penguins star Sidney Crosby.

Verdasco loses, then picks a winner: It's Roger (AP)

AP - Most signs point toward Rafa vs. Roger in the U.S. Open final. If that does come to pass, Fernando Verdasco knows who he'd pick.

Giants leave Padres praying to maintain lead (Reuters)

Reuters - The San Francisco Giants defeated San Diego 7-3 to move within one game of the Padres in the battle for the National League West division title on Thursday.

SOCCER: HCCC freshman named Player of the Week

Herkimer County Community College men’s soccer player Joel Purkiss was named this week’s NJCAA National Player of the Week. A 6-foot-1 freshman from Sheffield, England, Purkiss recorded four goals and two assists in two matches.

Basketball Tryouts Set

Tryouts for the upcoming winter NJB basketball season will be held Monday evening, Sept. 20, in the Thurston Middle School gym. read more

Baseball notebook: Phillies third baseman Polanco has been playing with a broken elbow

SOCCER: Huron rebounds from league loss

The Huron soccer team rebounded from a loss to Grosse Ile by hammering host Flat Rock 8-1 last a week ago.

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Basketball booster pleads guilty to stealing from club

CHINO - The former president of a high school basketball team s booster club pleaded guilty this week to stealing from the club.

Football Superstars - The Pioneer In Football Games

Football Superstars, the pioneer in football games , has made another mark.

Basketball: Local man launches city youth league

LEWISTON - Local resident Jon Fortin has started local basketball league for residents of River Valley Village, formerly known as Tall Pines. Fortin, 24, has donated 10 hours a week to hold practices and games for the players involved in the league.

Tennis prepares for success

The BYU men’s tennis team is back to work this weekend at the Utah Fall Tennis Classic, where it has dominated in recent years. The Classic, which began Thursday, will be played on the Outdoor Tennis Courts and is free to the public. A BYU player has won the tournament each of the last three years, including past year in singles. Because the Fall Classic is sanctioned by the United States ...