AL PLAYOFFS START TODAY, COLONIALS AT PETERSBURG

The AL Playoffs start today with Tampa visiting Texas and Detroit visiting New York, the 1st round series are 3 out of 5 series and the rest of the playoffs are 4 out of 7.  I think the Tigers and the Rays will win in the AL.  The Colonial Heights football team will be on the road at Petersburg tonight and its going to feel like football weather with temps in the 50's.  This week the Nascar Sprint and Nationwide Series will be at Dover, the Nationwide Series will run tomorrow ans the Sprint Cup Series will run race 3 in the chase on Sunday.  I sure hope the colder temps slow down the spread of the mosquito's around here, I went to the JV football game for a little while and I got ate alive.  I sure am glad that it is Friday.  MICKEY

~ I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed. ~ Booker T. Washington

BRAVES AND RED SOX KNOCKED OUT ON THE FINAL OF THE SEASON

The Atlanta Braves lead the Phillies 3-2 entering the top of the 9th inning last night before the Phillies got a run in the top of the 9th and won the game in the 13th inning and coming away with a 4-3 win.  The Braves had several chances to win the game before coming up short and with Cardinals crushing the Astros the Cards win the NL Wildcard.  The Red Sox suffered the same fate last night losing to the Orioles 4-3 and Tampa beating the Yankees 8-7 in 12 innings.  The Rays trailed the Yankees 7-0 before getting 6 in the bottom of the 8th inning and getting another in the 9th on a solo HR with 2 strikes and 2 out on the batter.  The Braves and Red Sox don't have anybody to blame but themselves to blame for not making the playoffs.  The cold weather is on the way for this weekend.  MICKEY

IT ALL COMES DOWN TO 1 GAME

Well after 161 games for the Atlanta Braves it all comes down to today if the Braves want to play another day. The Braves lost again to the Phillies last night while the Cardinals beat the Astros so both teams are tied entering the final game of the season.  If both teams wen today there will be a 1 game playoff tomorrow in St. Louis, if 1 team win and the other loses the winner wins the NL Wildcard.  In the AL Wildcard race the Rays & the Red Sox are in the very same situation.  What a rain we had yesterday afternoon here in Colonial Heights, we had over 2 inches in a very short period of time and there is a chance we could have the same situation today as well.  I think the mosquitoes are going to have a field day in the back yard.  I am still missing about 8 peoples picks for this weeks games, hopefully everybody will get them on time by 9pm tonight.  MICKEY

COLONIALS WIN, REDSKINS LOSE

The Colonial Heights Colonials football team improved to 2-1 on the season with a 14-12 win over Armstrong last night, the Colonials will travel to Petersburg on Friday night.  The Dallas Cowboys got 6 field goals last night en route to a 18-16 win over the Redskins last night when both times had trouble finding the end-zone, the Skins got the only TD of the night but it wasn't enough to overcome the Cowboys.  In the NL Wildcard race last night both the Braves and the Cardinals both lost so the Braves still hold a 1 game lead over the Cards, in the AL Wildcard race Tampa beat the Yankees while the Red Sox lost to the Orioles so with 2 games left the Rays & the Red Sox are all tied up.  I am not feeling all that well this morning, my left foot and left hand are sore and one of my wisdom teeth is flaring up a bit as well.  MICKEY

PACKERS NOW 3-0, COLONIALS IN ACTION TONIGHT

The Green Bay Packers improved to 3-0 on the season with a 27-17 win over the Bears in Chicago yesterday.  The Packers really didn't play all that well but they played good enough to come away with the win, next week the Packers will be at home against the Broncos.  Tonight on Monday Night Football the Redskins look to go to 3-0 when the play there arch rival the Dallas Cowboys on the road.  The Colonial Heights Colonials football team will play Armstrong tonight 6pm at home, this is makeup game from Friday nights rain-out.  The Atlanta Braves lead in the NL Wildcard is now down to 1 game after the Braves lost again to the Nationals and the Cardinals beat the Cubs again, both the Braves and Cards have 3 games left in the season.  The Braves will be at home against the Phillies while the Cardinals will be at Houston.  Tony Stewart won his 2nd race in the chase yesterday at New Hampshire, the race became another fuel mileage race at the end.  In the chase standings Stewart now leads Kevin Harvick by 7 points, defending champ Jimmie Johnson is now in 10th place.  MICKEY

“A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it.” Albert Einstein

THE CHIEF STILL LEADS BY 2 GAMES

Well after 4 weeks of the contest The Chief continues to lead by 2 games after having another very steady week going 16-6.  John has has moved to 2nd place by himself just 2 games back, Andrew who was in 2nd place dropped all the way to 13th place after have a very tough week going 10-12, Amanda joined Andrew having a tough week going 10-12 as well.  Guy & Tom had the best week going 17-5 and both moved up in the standings, Guy went from 10th to 6th while Tom went from 15th to 12th.  The top 12 players are within 6 games of 1st place while 13th through 23rd have some work to do.  This weeks game schedule looks like it might be the toughest schedule we have had so far and it could be a make or break week for some players for sure.  Don't forget I need everybody's picks back by 9pm on Wednesday night, last week there where a few people who were a bit sluggish getting there picks in.  MICKEY

WEEK 5 GAMES
SOUTH FLORIDA AT PITTSBURGH
TEXAS A&M VS ARKANSAS AT COWBOYS STADIUM
ALABAMA AT FLORIDA
AUBURN AT SOUTH CAROLINA
MISSISSIPPI STATE AT GEORGIA
RUTGERS AT SYRACUSE
TULANE AT ARMY
TEXAS TECH AT KANSAS
AIR FORCE AT NAVY
WAKE FOREST AT BOSTON COLLEGE
WESTERN MICHIGAN AT UCONN
GEORGIA TECH AT N.C. STATE
MICHIGAN STATE AT OHIO STATE
IDAHO AT VIRGINIA
BAYLOR AT KANSAS STATE
CLEMSON AT VIRGINIA TECH
TEXAS AT IOWA STATE
WASHINGTON AT UTAH
DUKE AT FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL
NORTH CAROLINA AT EAST CAROLINA
NEBRASKA AT WISCONSIN
NOTRE DAME AT PURDUE
OLE MISS AT FRESNO STATE
RICHMOND AT JAMES MADISON

STANDINGS AFTER WEEK 4

1. THE CHIEF 60-26---

2. JOHN 58-28 -2

3. BOBBY 57-29 -3

4. JULIANNE 56-30 -4

5. MURPH 56-30 -4

6. GUY 56-30 -4

7. CHIZ 55-31 -5

8. GLEN 55-31 -5

9. MICKEY 55-31 -5

10. DUSTY 55-31 -5

11. SCOTT 54-32 -6

12. TOM 54-32 -6

13. ANDREW 52-34 -8

14. RICK 51-35 -9

15. LEE 51-35 -9

16. ERIK 50-36 -10

17. KEITH 49-37 -11

18. JOY 49-37 -11

19. BIFF 48-38 -12

20. JONATHAN 47-39 -13

21. GEORGE 47-39 -13

22. AMANDA 45-41 -15

23. PHILLIPS 40-46 -20

TIE BREAKER STANDINGS

1. THE CHIEF 1

1. JULIANNE 1

1. ERIK 1

1. MICKEY 1

1. CHIZ 1

1. JOHN 1

1. GUY 1

1. TOM 1

VIRGINIA LOSES AGAIN, PACKERS LOOK TO GO TO 3-0

The Virginia Cavaliers football team lost a game I thought they should have won yesterday losing to Southern Mississippi 30-24.  There were plenty of reason the Cavs lost this one form the 3 interceptions on offense, to the very poor tackling on defense, and the very poor play of the special teams on several occasions.  Also I thought the Southern Miss coaches did out coach the Cavs but I don't think everybody should be blaming all the Cavs coaches for the loss either, this team is very much still a work in progress.  Just remember back to the early years for Coach Beamer at Virginia Tech, they wanted to run him out of town as well.  All you can do is worry about next weeks game with Idaho, you cannot change what happened in the past.  Also yesterday the East Carolina Pirates picked up there 1st win of the season yesterday beating UAB 28-23, the Pirates will have to play much better next week to beat UNC.  The Green Bay Packers will be looking to go to 3-0 today when the play on the road in Chicago, the Packers never seem to play very well in Chicago so this will be a tough task for the Packers.  The Braves lead in the NL Wildcard is now at 2 games after the Braves lost and the Cardinals won yesterday, there are just 4 games left in the season.  It looks like they will get today's race in New Hampshire, there is only a 10% chance of rain and I hoping Jr. has another good run but I think Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman will be the favorites to win today.  I will send out the updated standings and next weeks games in the Mickey's College Football Pick-Em a little later this morning, it does look like The Chief still leads though.  MICKEY

Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile. 
Vince Lombardi 

COLONIALS WASHED OUT, VIRGINIA AT HOME

The Colonial Heights Colonials football game last night against Armstrong was rained out and postponed until Monday night at 6pm.  Several games in the are went as scheduled but it was just a little to wet here in the Heights.  Down at the beach I think First Flight might have wished last nights game was rained out as Northeastern beat First Flight 66-15, the Manteo game was rained out.  Well I am not going to any college football games this week, I am going to stay home and watch several games at on time.  The Virginia Cavaliers will be at home this afternoon against Southern Miss while East Carolina Pirates will be looking to pick up its first win of the season against the Blazers of UAB.  In baseball action last night the Braves beat the Nationals and the Cubs beat the Cardinals and now lead the NL Wildcard by 3 games, dad is heading today to watch the Braves and Nationals game.  Ryan Newman captured the pole for this weeks race at New Hampshire, Kasey Kahne will join him on the front row.  I have to say today's donuts where very good.  MICKEY

RAIN MAY CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TONIGHT

Well the Colonial Heights Colonials football team is scheduled to be back at home tonight at 7pm against Armstromg weather permitting.  I have to say it is not looking good for tonight's game.  Down at the beach Northeastern will be at First Flight and Southside will be at Manteo and it is suppose to rain down there as well.  Well the New York Mets helped out the Atlanta Braves last beating the Cardinals in the 9th inning, tonight the Braves will be in Washington while the Cardinals will be at home against the Cubs.  The Braves now lead the Cardinals by 2 games for the NL Wildcard and yes the same weather system effecting us could wash out the Braves and Nats tonight.  The 2nd race in the chase is scheduled this weekend at New Hampshire and yes rain could be a problem up there as well.  There is a Flash Flood Watch for the potential for up to 1-3 inches of rain here in the Heights and most of Central Virginia.  MICKEY

Begin each day as if it were on purpose.
- Mary Anne Radmacher

BRAVES WILDCARD LEAD DOWN TO 1 1/2 GAMES

The Atlanta Braves lead in the National League Wildcard race is now down to 1 1/2 games over the Cardinals after the Braves lost to the Marlins and the Cardinals beat the Mets last night.  The Braves had better right there ship pretty quick or they are not going to make the playoffs this year.  Well all the picks are now in for this weeks games, I did have a few people that where little slow getting them in this week but they are all in now.  We got a pretty good rain shower here in the Heights yesterday afternoon and it appears that it is going to be very humid today with some more rain on the way.  The mosquito's are already pretty bad and with some more rain around here I have got a feeling are going to get around here.  MICKEY

The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.
- Joseph Campbell

PAC12 WILL NOT ADD ANYMORE TEAMS

The Pac12 said late last night that it will not add anymore teams and will stay the Pac12 and will not expand to the Pac16.  The question is what does that do to Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State do the stay in there conference or look to go somewhere else.  Also does the ACC still expand to 16 teams or will it just stay at 14, I guess will just have to see see what happens.  It looks like there is a chance of rain all the way through next Monday, it is not going to rain all day and of the upcoming days but it might rain some everyday.  The entry's for this weeks football contest have been very slow coming in this week, hopefully everybody will get them in by the deadline tonight.  MICKEY

STEWART WINS AT CHICAGO, HARVICK LEADS RACE FOR CHASE

Tony Stewart picked a good time to pick up his 1st win of the season yesterday at Chicago holding off Kevin Harvick for the win.  Kevin Harvick is now the points leader with Harvick 2nd, Dale Earnhardt Jr. came in 3rd place yesterday and now is 5th in the standings.  Next week the Nascar Sprint Cup Series heads to New Hampshire.  After today there is a better than 50% chance of rain each day through Friday and it the chance might extend in to Saturday as well.  Well it now appears that Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are all now headed to the Pac12 which will its name to the Pac16, however nothing has been made official yet.  Also the SEC is looking to add some more teams as well, stay tuned for more as the conferences turn.  MICKEY

Eat grapefruit. One a day can reduce arterial narrowing by 46 percent, lower your LDL cholesterol by more than 10 percent, and help drop your blood pressure by more than 5 points.

1	+1	Kevin Harvick	2054	Leader	27	0	4	8	14	4,959,790
2	+7	Tony Stewart	2047	-7	27	0	1	4	12	4,504,220
3	+2	Carl Edwards	2044	-10	27	2	1	13	18	6,698,040
4	+3	Kurt Busch	2043	-11	27	3	1	7	15	4,744,000
5	+5	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	2041	-13	27	1	0	4	10	3,335,490
6	+5	Brad Keselowski	2040	-14	27	1	3	7	11	3,954,270
7	+1	Ryan Newman	2040	-14	27	2	1	8	14	4,173,620
8	-2	Jimmie Johnson	2038	-16	27	0	1	11	18	4,813,810
9	-8	Kyle Busch	2035	-19	27	1	4	13	16	5,029,520
10	-6	Matt Kenseth	2030	-24	27	2	2	7	14	4,698,130

PACKERS & REDSKINS NOW 2-0

The Green Bay Packers shook of a sluggish start yesterday and beat the Carolina Panthers 30-23 bu the Packers defense still gave up over 400 yards passing to Cam Newton.  The Packers need to get defense playing better or it's going to catch up with them soon.  The Washington Redskins got a late filed goal against the Arizona Cardinals and came away with 22-21 and with the win the Skins are now in 1st place by themselves in the NFL East, next week the Redskins will play the Cowboys in Dallas on Monday night.  The 1st race in Nascar's chase was rained out in Chicago and they will try to run the race at Noon today.  The ACC officially added two schools yesterday and with the two additions now has 14 teams, it is still unclear when Syracuse & Pittsburgh will join the conference.  Also it looks like they will add two more schools in the pretty near future.  MICKEY

JOHN HAD THE BEST WEEK BUT THE CHIEF STILL LEADS

Well John had the best week in week 3 of the contest going 17-5 which was 2 games ahead of Scott who who went 15-7 this week.  The Chief continues to lead the contest after week 3 and his lead is 2 games over Andrew, Bobby, Julianne, Murph & John.  The top 17 players in the contest are within 7 games of the lead which I have to say is pretty good.  Erik who was in 2nd place had a bit of a rough week going 9-13 dropping back to 12th place 6 games back.  This upcoming week could be a make or break week for some, there are some pretty tough games.  Here are the updated standings and next weeks games.  MICKEY

WEEK 4 GAMES
NC STATE AT CINCINNATI
CENTRAL FLORIDA AT BYU
NORTH CAROLINA AT GEORGIA TECH
SAN DIEGO STATE AT MICHIGAN
FLORIDA STATE AT CLEMSON
OKLAHOMA STATE AT TEXAS A&M
LSU AT WEST VIRGINIA
KANSAS STATE AT MIAMI
NOTRE DAME AT PITTSBURGH
GEORGIA AT OLE MISS
TEMPLE AT MARYLAND
OHIO AT RUTGERS
ARMY AT BALL STATE
TULANE AT DUKE
UCLA AT OREGON STATE
SOUTHERN MISS AT VIRGINIA
CALIFORNIA AT WASHINGTON
VIRGINIA TECH AT MARSHALL
ARKANSAS AT ALABAMA
VANDERBILT AT SOUTH CAROLINA
USC AT ARIZONA STATE
JAMES MADISON AT WILLIAM & MARY


STANDINGS AFTER WEEK 3

1. THE CHIEF 44-20---

2. ANDREW 42-22 -2

3. BOBBY 42-22 -2

4. JULIANNE 42-22 -2

5. MURPH 42-22 -2

6. JOHN 42-22 -2

7. CHIZ 40-24 -4

8. GLEN 40-24 -4

9. MICKEY 39-25 -5

10. GUY 39-25 -5

11. DUSTY 39-25 -5

12. SCOTT 39-25 -5

13. ERIK 38-26 -6

14. RICK 38-26 -6

15. TOM 37-27 -7

16. LEE 37-27 -7

17. KEITH 37-27 -7

18. BIFF 35-29 -9

19. JOY 35-29 -9

20. AMANDA 35-29 -9

21. JONATHAN 33-31 -11

22. GEORGE 33-31 -11

23. PHILLIPS 25-36 -16

TIE BREAKER STANDINGS

1. THE CHIEF 1

1. JULIANNE 1

1. ERIK 1

1. MICKEY 1

1. CHIZ 1

1. JOHN 1

VIRGINIA FALLS ON THE ROAD AT NORTH CAROLINA, GREEN BAY AT CAROLINA

The Virginia Cavaliers lost to the North Carolina Tar Heels yesterday 28-17 at North Carolina.  The Cavs looked good at times but overall the Heels where just a better team yesterday, the Cavs will return home the next two weekends against Southern Miss and Idaho respectively.  I am still tallying up the results of Mickey's College Football Pick-Em contest and send out the updated information later this morning.  In the NFL today the Packers will be on the road at Carolina looking to stop Cam Newton and the high powered Carolina Panthers offense, the Pack will be looking for a better defensive effort than they got last week.  The Redskins will be at home again this week against the Arizona Cardinals, could the Skins be 2-0 after today.  Matt Kenseth captured the pole for today's race in Chicago edging out Paul Menard for the top spot.  Kurt Busch & Ryan Newman had the best qualifying efforts of those drivers in the chase.  Brad Keselowski won yesterdays Nationwide race with Carl Edwards finishing 2nd.  Well I hope everybody has a good day.  MICKEY

VIRGINIA LOOKS FOR ANOTHER WIN

The 2-0 Virginia Cavaliers will be on the road at North Carolina this afternoon looking to knock off the Tar Heels and improve to 3-0 on the season.  This will be a very tough task for the very young Cavalier offense against a very good UNC defense, the game will be on ESPN U at 3:30pm.  The Colonial Heights Colonials football team lost on the road last night at Park View South Hill 27-6, the Colonials will return home next Friday against Armstrong.  Down at the beach First Flight was off last night while Manteo picked up it's 2nd victory of the week beating Riverside 14-0, earlier in the week they beat First Flight 36-6.  The will qualify today for the 1st race of the chase at Chicago today, the race is tomorrow afternoon.  In MLB action last night the Braves lost to the Mets while Cardinals beat the Phillies and with the win the Cardinals are now just 3.5 back of the Braves for the NL Wildcard.  I did go over to Dunkin Donuts this morning and I gave the donuts a 80 this morning, they just weren't as good as they usually are.  MICKEY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MICKEY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME, It was 45 years ago today that I came into this world.  I have to say that I feel every bit of 45 today and this year my birthday fell on my favorite day of the week Friday.  The Colonial Heights Colonials football team will be on the road tonight at Park View South Hill, the CH JV team won there against Park View on Wednesday.  I went up the high school and caught some volleyball action last night, the CH girls team won while the boys team lost to Matoaca.  The 1st race in the race for the chase is this weekend at Chicago with all the chase contenders looking to have a good run.  It is a very cool 52 degrees here in Colonial Heights this morning.  MICKEY

OLD OUTER BANKS PHOTO

I found this old Outer Banks photo taken from atop the Wright Brothers Memorial on facebook which appears to be taken either in the 50's or 60's.  As you can tell by the photo there hasn't been a whole lot of development yet but you can see the hotel on beach road that sits at the end of our street when you look off our front porch.  I wish I could say I have everybody's pick for this weeks games but I don't, I am missing one persons picks which has delayed me sending out who everybody picked this week.  It's not easy running a contest which has so many people in it if they are not going to follow the rules of the contest, hopefully they will get there entry in today.  The next 2 days the temp will only be in the 60's and there is a 50% chance of rain the next 3 days however the rain is suppose to be very light.  MICKEY

THE PICKS HAVE BEEN A BIT LOW COMING IN THIS WEEK

Well I have to say the picks have been a bit slow trickling in this week compared to lat week, I still need 7 peoples picks and I am hoping everybody gets them in by 9pm tonight.  The Atalanta Braves continued the push to make the NL Playoffs last night knocking off the Florida Marlins however the Cardinals also one yesterday as well.  The Braves lead the Cardinals for the NL Wildcard by 4.5 games heading into today's games.  I think somebody has a birthday coming up on Friday, does anybody know it is.  MICKEY