The McIntosh Lady Chiefs are a match away from the state finals and a possible rematch with Woodward Academy, a team that has defeated them in all three matches between the two teams this season. Before that can happen, McIntosh needed to get past Marist, a team they played last night after the paper went to press, and Woodward Academy needed to defeat Chamblee. If both schools won, they will meet on Saturday at 4 p.m. at Westminster.

No state softball titles for three local teams

Three local teams were on a quest for a state title in softball and all three stalled out short of the goal.

Quail Ridge Farm is preparing to host the Wishbone Classic horse show on Nov. 12 at Quail Ridge Farm, just outside of Newnan.

The Peachtree City Tennis Center will host the SEC Fall Coaches Classic Women’s tennis tournament this weekend. This event will see over 70 Division I women’s tennis players from the Southeastern Conference, playing in singles and doubles matchers.

Friday night’s football games offered a little bit of everything from tightly played, close games to blowouts.

Landmark, McIntosh and Starr’s Mill girls win titles, as do Fayette County and Landmark boys teams

Four teams entered the state volleyball playoffs in their respective classifications last week and only one has survived to make the final four this week, McIntosh High School’s Lady Chiefs.

• Ryan Barr, a Starr’s Mill gradaute, got some playing time for Bloomsburg University in their 42-35 win over West Chester University.

Tiger Martial Arts in Fayetteville sent 13 athletes to compete in the annual national Tae Kwon Do championships in Georgia last week and the team won 18 gold medals.

The Gym South Gymnastics Team took on several of the top teams in the state recently and came away with excellent results.

The volleyball season ended a little too early for the Sandy Creek Lady Patriots (37-17).

Ippon Judo, Jujitsu and Karate struck gold four times in Waynesville N.C on Saturday, Oct. 1.

How great is Roger Clemens? Why isn’t Moises Alou in the 2005 World Series? Why is it so remarkable that Jermaine Dye is in the 2005 World Series?

Back when Frank Ofori was playing tennis on the ATP tour, he stenciled a smiley face on his racket.

Fayette County (2-7) @ Starr’s Mill (7-2)

Fayette County heads into this game coming off of a bye week and that always helps a team nurse some of their nagging injuries that players pick up over the course of a season. it also gives them one extra week to prepare for their opponent, although Fayette County has to be familiar with Starr’s Mill, their cross county rival by now. The Tigers have had an up and down season and injuries have played a part of that but they can let the previous game go tonight and just focus on playing their best game of the season.

The state sectionals of volleyball start tomorrow and four local teams have a chance to win a state title.

Fayette County(19-12) vs Lassiter (33-13), Milton H.S., 10 a.m.

The Starr's Mill Panthers Cross Country team continued their success at the Auburn Classic on Saturday with the girls Team finishing 2nd and the boys taking 3rd place. Top finishers for the girl's team were Ginny Balkcom finishing 6th overall with a time of 20:27. Teammates Kristin Horton (7th place, 20:27) and Mary Kate Hyer (8th place, 20:29) were close behind. Other top finishers were Stephanie Adams(21:29), Aya Ishizu(21:42), Sarah Balkcom(22:09), Ginny Hyer(22:22), Shannon Phillips(22:38), Kelly McNair(22:41), and Brianna Kourjian(23:02).

NASCAR comes to town this weekend with a full slate of racing action starting today at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton. In addition to qualifying on Friday night, there will also be the Papa John’s Invitational, a Legends Race featuring some of the best Legends drivers around. There will also be a NASCAR Craftman Series truck race, a race in the Crown Royal IROC seres, the Easy Care 200, part of the NASCAR Busch series, and of course, the Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500, which will feature all of the top NASCAR racers. Former Peachtree City resident Reed Sorenson will drive in his first Nextel Cup series race on Sunday. He will also wave the green flag for the Papa John’s Invitational.

Starr’s Mill High School’s Sarah Capati has signed a scholarship offer to attend classes and play for Berry College’s nationally-ranked women’s soccer program beginning in the fall of 2006, according to Berry head coach Lorenzo Canalis.

Four teams have good games, Chiefs handed tough loss

Fayette County lost to the Starr’s Mill in three straight matches; 25-11, 25-11, 25-14, last Thursday in the area championship. Starr’s Mill led the entire way in the first two matches and trailed 2-1 in the third match before retaking the lead. The Lady Panthers dominated with good play at the service line and excellent passing. Their size up front also stopped a number of Fayette volleys and added some points for Starr’s Mill.

Starr’s Mill, Fayette County, Whitewater and Our Lady of Mercy were the only teams from the county to enter the state softball playoffs in their respective classifications.

The Last Chance Invitational was held Saturday at the site of the state cross country meet in Carrollton. The race gives runners one more chance to see where they stack up against other teams in their classifications. McIntosh’s girls won the AAAA race, while Landmark Christian’s girls won the Class A race. In the boys race, Landmark and Our Lady of Mercy placed second and third in the A race.

• Ryan Barr, a Starr’s Mill graduate, got some playing time for Bloomsburg University in their 40-12 win over Mansfield University.

The Tyrone Recreation Department will offer rhythmic gymnastics and those interested in learning about the sport are invited to attend a free open house on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 6 p.m.

Fayette County faced Starr’s Mill for the area championship for the second year in a row on Thursday and for the second straight year, Starr’s Mill emerged victorious.

As the final coats of paint are applied,  Atlanta Motor Speedway once again looks like the world-class racing facility it  was before an F2 tornado ravished it on July 6. In fact, it is a much improved facility.

If you are out on the golf cart paths of Peachtree City on a Sunday afternoon, you might see them running. To most people, they would look like two average high school kids out for a jog, but those who follow cross country know that these two runners, Iain Turnbull and Emily Borsare, have two of the fastest times in the state and are contending for state titles in Class AAAA.

East Coweta (5-3) vs. Lovejoy (3-5)

This game may not be the game everyone thought it would be at the beginning of the season but it still has plenty of playoff implications. East Coweta has won two region games in a row since falling to Starr’s Mill and, with a 3-1 region record, they are still in the hunt for a region championship. They just need to hope Newnan beats Starr’s Mill this week and then they beat Lovejoy tonight and Newnan next Friday. The Indians scored the most points they had all season last Friday against Union Grove and have to be feeling good about their chances tonight.

AAAAA South Sectional, Hamilton Complex, Tifton

East Coweta (17-7) vs. Groves (18-6), 4 p.m.
Winner plays winner of Lowndes/Stephenson at 8 p.m.