The Starting Five

High School — Well, it’s Rivalry Week as Week 10 of the prep football season is here. Can’t believe it. We’ll have our preview sories during the week in print and online. Was at North Hagerstown for some quotes and on the way back saw some lights on at St. Maria Goretti’s Gael Center. Stopped in and there were the Gaels in their season-opening practice session. Yep, it won’t be long for hoops action.
It starts Nov. 23-24 with the Lions Classic at Broadfording Christian Academy for both the boys and girls. The first-night matchups are the same for the boys and girls — St. Maria Goretti plays Faith Christian and Saint James plays Broadfording. It all starts at 3:30 with the first girls game. And then there is the MAIT at Goretti on Nov. 27-28. The first night, a loaded Good Counsel faces Benedictine (Richmond, Va.) and will be followed by the Goretti-John Carroll game.

Baseball — OK, so the Phillies won to make it 3-2 and head back to New York. Wednesday it’s Pedro Martinzez probably going against Andy Pettitte. Too bad it’s not 3-2 Phillies. It really should be. Where has Ryan Howard been in the World Series and of course, Brad Lidge blows game 4. I really hope the Phillies can steal two games in New York. I doubt it, but I sure am hoping.

Pro Football — New Orleans’ offense is powerful. They’ve got the running and passing. And already, even after a 7-0 start, we get to listen to those who want to ask if the Saints can go unbeaten. They’ve got a fairly easy schedule except for playing New England. And by the way, the Saints’ defense has scored more touchdowns this year than the Cleveland Browns have as a team.

Pro Football II — And speaking of my lousy Browns, they let go General Manager George Kokinis. Like he’s the one putting on the pads and playing the game. Former Browns great Bernie Kosar is on as a special consultant and I think they should make him GM, just like Ozzie Newsome became a front office presence for Baltimore after his Browns playing days.

College Football — Florida football coach Urban Meyer suspended linebacker Brandon Spikes after his eye-poking incident with a Georgia player on Saturday. Meyer suspended him for the first half of Saturday’s upcoming game with Vanderbilt. Are you kidding? A weak puppy on the schedule … he should have gotten at least an entire one-game suspension.

NBA — Final tonight: Charlotte 79, New Jersey 68 …. did you say the NBA? Is that professional basketball? Oh yeah, I forgot the season started.