Fan favorite
Junior strives to deliver a championship to his faithful supporters
By RICK MINTER Cox News Service
      Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR's biggest star, has high expectations placed on him because of his immense popularity and because he's the son of one of the sport's all-time icons. The level of his popularity is astounding. Even during the times when he hasn't performed well on the track, he remains at the top of the heap with fans.
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Rick Minter's OBSERVATIONS
Key story lines as NASCAR heads to Dover.
      Ragan lands a sponsor David Ragan came close to making the Chase in his sophomore season before a wreck at Richmond, normally one of his best tracks, took him out of the running.
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NUMERICALLY SPEAKING
      28 Cup victories at Dover by Chevrolet, tops among manufacturers. 10 Cup victories by Rick Hendrick at Dover, tops among car owners. 7 Points positions lost at New Hampshire by previous points leader Kyle Busch (right), the most of any Chase driver.
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Hornaday Jr. weathers the storm
      There's nothing like winning a race to make a bad week end on a good note. Ron Hornaday Jr. can attest to that. He spent most of last week dealing with the revelation that he admitted using testosterone for more than a year before it was placed on the sport's banned list.
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Bo knows quarterback
By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Sports Editor larry@gaffneyledger.com
      Bo Davidson probably isn't the most-gifted player on the Gaffney High roster. Or the most promising. Or the most celebrated. But he's likely the most important - and most scrutinized. But Davidson embraces the role as starting quarterback for the storied program, even if it means being the target of unwarranted criticism when the offense struggles.
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Gaffney tries to remain on roll at Hanna
By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Sports Editor larry@gaffneyledger.com
      You'd think the T.L. Hanna Yellow Jackets would possess one of the most feared passing games in the state with two Division I prospects at wide receiver. You'd be wrong. First-year Hanna coach Kenya Fouch said the talented wideout duo of Quinton Payton, who has verbally committed to N.C.
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Blacksburg coaches search for winning combination
By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Sports Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com
      Chase Hames rushed for 220 yards and three touchdowns as the Blacksburg junior varsity beat Indian Land, 28-8, earlier this month. His electrifying performance prompted Blacksburg varsity head football coach Mickey Moss to give the sophomore cornerback playing time at tailback against Chesnee the following week.
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LEDGER FOOTBALL EXPERTS
      JOE L. HUGHES II (27-7) LAST WEEK: 10-2 MOOSE LITTLEJOHN (24-10) LAST WEEK: 10-2 SCOTT POWELL JOSH JEFFRIES (20-14) (21-13) LAST WEEK:
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Buffs upset West Virginia
ASSOCIATED PRESS
      BOULDER, Colo. - Colorado kicker Aric Goodman wasn't ignored or isolated on the sideline as he waited for his chance. Some of his Buffaloes teammates even sought him out and offered a little friendly advice ¿
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BRIEFS
      Shaquille Davidson rushed for three touchdowns and was on the recieving end of another to help the Gaffney Middle School Chiefs to a 50-14 victory over McCracken on Wednesday. O'Bryant Davidson had an interception, a touchdown reception and returned a kickoff for a TD for the Chiefs, who improve to 2-0.
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Mickelson, Kim lead off for U.S. at Ryder Cup
ASSOCIATED PRESS
      LOUISVILLE, Ky.- Phil Mickelson and rising star Anthony Kim will lead off for the Americans at the Ryder Cup on Friday, while defending champion Europe countered with Padraig Harrington, winner of the last two majors, and Robert Karlsson.
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