Editor’s note: This is the fifth installment in a six-part series compiled by staff writer Tim Koelble looking back at some of the biggest local, regional and national stories of 2012.

SEPTEMBER


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1 - Saint James opens football season with 40-14 win over Hancock. … Williamsport boys win the small-school division in the Clear Spring Interstate Classic cross country meet.

3 - After a weekend delay, Clear Spring opens football season with 19-14 win over Fairfield.

4 - Orioles beat Toronto 12-0 to claim a share of first place in the AL East for the first time since 1997.

6 - In boys soccer, Owen Marx scores three goals to lead Williamsport over South Hagerstown, 5-1.

7 - Suns lose best-of-3 playoff series to Greensboro 7-5. … In prep football, Isiaha Smith of South Hagerstown scores five times in 47-0 win over Francis Scott Key.

8 - Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg is shut down for the year after pitching vs. Marlins.

9 - Robert Griffin III leads Washington to 40-32 win over New Orleans in pro debut, throwing for 320 yards.

10 - Britain’s Andy Murray wins U.S. Open. … Ifeanyi Idegwu scores to give North Hagerstown 2-1 win over Thomas Johnson in boys soccer.

11 - In volleyball, Williamsport sweeps Smithsburg to end Leopards’ home winning streak that dated back to October, 2008.

13 - In boys soccer, Boonsboro beats South 3-1 as Connor Prunty scores two goals. … In girls soccer, Clear Spring blanks North 1-0.

14 - In football, Isiaha Smith scores three touchdowns in South’s 32-13 win over Boonsboro.

15 - In girls soccer, Williamsport beats Smithsburg 2-1 and Boonsboro beats North 1-0 in Washington County semifinals. … In cross country, Williamsport wins boys large-school division at Big Spring Invitational.

18 - In volleyball, Williamsport blanks South Hagerstown 3-0.

19 - Orioles call up 19-year-old Dylan Bundy from Double-A Bowie.

20 - In boys soccer, Tiago DeSouza scores in 52nd minute to give Williamsport 1-0 win over North.

21 - In football, South rallies to beat Thomas Johnson 21-14 and the Rebel defense picks off five passes.

22 - In football, Boonsboro rips Clear Spring 46-0, Catoctin rolls over Williamsport 40-7 and Saint James blanks St. John’s Catholic Prep 14-0.