BRIEFS

Rocky McIntosh Rocky has 4 tackles in Redskins' win

Former Gaffney star linebacker Rocky McIntosh had two tackles and assisted on two other tackles in Washington's 25-17 victory over Detroit Sunday.

Washington improves to 6- 2 this season.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver and former Gaffney High star Sidney Rice had a bye week but will return to action Sunday against Houston. For the season, Rice has three catches for 37 yards and a TD for the (3-4) Vikings.

Gaffney runners finish fifth

The Gaffney boys and girls cross country teams finished fifth at the Region III 4A championships at Fort Mill on Friday.

Gaffney's Austin Steagall and Andrew Motts made the All Region Team.

"This is a great accomplishment because three of the top 10 teams in the state are in our region," Gaffney coach Kevin Hammett said. "To see that we are becoming competitive with the better athletes means that we are heading in the right direction. Austin has received a lot of attention this year, deservedly so, while Andrew has been silent and steady. It's good to both of them being recognized along side of some of the state's top runners."

Sidney Rice Lady Saints place fourth

The Limestone College women's cross country team finished fourth at the 2008 Conference Carolinas cross country championship while the Saint men finished sixth.

Lady Saint Courtney Rankin earned First Team All-Conference honors with a fourth-place finish.

The Lees-McRae women and the St. Andrews Presbyterian men claimed the 2008 Conference Carolinas Cross Country Championships The Lady Bobcats totaled 48 points, while the Knights narrowly edged the Lees-McRae men by a 43-48 count.

In the women's team results, Converse finished second with 78 points, while Anderson was third with 94.

Phillies move closer to title

Ryan Howard could imagine the mayhem.

"It will be absolute bedlam," he said. "It will be one of the craziest places on Earth. It's kind of scary to imagine."

First, though, the Phillies need one more win.

Their 10-2 romp over the Tampa Bay Rays gave Philadelphia a 3-1 World Series lead. Howard drove in five runs with two homers and Joe Blanton shut his eyes, swung and became the first pitcher in 34 years to homer in the Series.

Come Monday night, the team of 10,000 losses could give titlestarved Philadelphia its first champion in any of the four big sports since the NBA's 76ers in 1983. The Phillies' only Series victory came in 1980.

"A championship is the only way to fully reverse that thought of how the Phillies are portrayed," said Jimmy Rollins, who sparked them with three hits and three runs. "If we get that game, I believe we will be happy, the city will be happy, there will be a big parade."

Blanton and four relievers combined on a five-hitter, and Jason Werth also homered.