The Indianapolis Colts are one of the NFL’s best teams and did nothing to hurt their reputation in a three-point loss in New England on opening night. Now they go into Tennessee an underdog for the second straight week, step two in a devastating early schedule. But there’s reason for optimism for Peyton Manning and…

1. (24) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, owner points. 2. (48) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, owner points. 3. (8) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, owner points. 4. (20) Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, owner points. 5. (17) Matt Kenseth, Ford, owner points. 6. (38) Elliott Sadler, Ford, owner points. 7. (97) Kurt Busch, Ford, owner points. 8. (6) Mark Martin, Ford,…

Duane Sherrill I’ve always been cautious about giving too much credence to the first couple of weeks of a new football season. Case in point: Last season, when everyone jumped on the Buffalo Bill bandwagon after a first week 31-0 crushing of the Patriots. The commentators were preaching the Pats’ funeral and the Bills’ praises.…

USSSA co-ed qualifier A state and national qualifier for USSSA co-ed softball teams will be played Sept. 24 and 25 at the Warren County Fairgrounds. Entry fee is $180, and deadline to enter is Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. Awards will be given for first through third place, as well as 10 all-tournament trophies and…

Frank Francisco, one of three Texas Rangers relievers suspended for their part in a bullpen brawl with fans in Oakland earlier this week, began serving his season-ending ban on Saturday. Francisco was suspended by the commissioner’s office Friday for the rest of the season — 16 games — for throwing a chair that struck a…

LOUDON, N.H. (AP) It was an inauspicious start to the 10-race playoff for NASCAR’s Nextel Cup championship with rain washing out qualifying Friday at New Hampshire International Speedway. Only 16 cars ran laps on to the 1.058-mile oval before rain began falling. NASCAR officials waited more than an hour before deciding to set the lineup…

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard The Lady Pioneer volleyball team was trying to rebound from its loss against Siegel on Tuesday by going to Wilson Central on Friday for a two-day tournament. But on Friday night, the Lady Pioneers fell to Wilson Central 25-14, 25-13 and in the second game fell…

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard Last Saturday in the 5- and 6-year-old Warren County Junior Football League, the Packers picked up a pair of wins by downing the Titans 18-0 and the Steelers 21-0. Against the Packers, Darius Wright went the length of the field on the opening play of the…

Our Viewpoint With Hurricane Ivan scheduled to hit the Gulf Coast early Thursday morning and eventually make its way to Tennessee, there was apprehension in the air. Considering how recent hurricanes have relentlessly pounded Florida the past month, that concern was understandable. With weather forecasters telling us heavy rain and strong winds were on the…

Amy Satterwhite Lately, very few of the presidential candidates’ issues we’ve been asked to ponder have had anything to do with the real world. I personally don’t care that much how many Purple Hearts John Kerry received or if a report about President Bush’s National Guard service was wrong due to fabrications. Military service and…