NASCAR Races Toward Restart

April 28, 2020 3:50 am

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – NASCAR is racing toward a restart that could come as early as mid-May.  The stock car series is trying to put together a schedule that allows it to race in states that have started re-opening without spectators. The series is working on safety protocols that other racing leagues will be watching.  Teams could be back at work in North Carolina race shops by the end of the week when local stay-at-home orders expire.

AFC North Takes On New Look

April 28, 2020 3:44 am

Following a season in which Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens ran away with the AFC North title, the rest of the division has been working diligently to narrow the gap. The Ravens, however, show no signs of slowing down. After a whirlwind of free agent signings and the NFL draft, the AFC North has a decidedly different look. The Bengals have No. 1 draft pick Joe Burrow, the Steelers expect to have quarterback Ben Roethlisberger back and the Browns are sporting a new GM and a first-year coach. But the Ravens improved, too, and expect to repeat as division champs.

Report; Saints Talking With QB Winston

April 27, 2020 3:42 am

NEW ORLEANS (AP) – A person familiar with the situation says the New Orleans Saints and quarterback Jameis Winston are working on a contract proposal to make the former Buccaneers starter a backup to Drew Brees. The person says the Saints and Winston are in “advanced” talks.  The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Sunday because negotiations were ongoing.  Winston passed for 5,109 yards and 33 touchdowns last season but also threw 30 interceptions. Tampa Bay has replaced Winston with ex-Patriots QB Tom Brady.

Championship Classics on Home Stretch

April 26, 2020 2:44 am

We’re rolling back the hands of time, featuring the dozen state championship games involving Washington County high school teams over the past 10 years.  We’ve relived basketball, baseball, softball and hockey championships so far, adding an afternoon broadcast to our original evening schedule.  Now, we’re heading down the home stretch with just a few classics remaining.

Every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday through the end of the month, we’re opening the championship game archives. Our broadcasts air at 1 pm and again at 7 pm. Championship Classics are available on WJPA-AM (1450) and online. LISTEN HERE!  Here’s the remaining schedule:

Tuesday, April 28–2010 Softball–Chartiers-Houston vs. Montgomery
Thursday, April 30–2010 Hockey–Canon-McMillan vs. Cardinal O’Hara

Eagles Add Hurts At QB

April 25, 2020 3:40 am

UNDATED (AP) – The Philadelphia Eagles selected Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts in the second round of the NFL draft and hybrid safety-linebacker Davion Taylor from Colorado in the third round. After taking TCU wide receiver Jalen Reagor with the 21st overall pick in the first round, the Eagles made a stunning move to get Hurts at No. 53. Carson Wentz, who signed a $137 million contract extension last season, is Philadelphia’s starter and there’s no quarterback controversy. Hurts transferred from Alabama to Oklahoma and became a Heisman Trophy finalist last year when he threw for 3,851 yards and 32 touchdowns.

No First Round Pick, No Problem For Steelers

April 24, 2020 1:59 am

PITTSBURGH (AP) –  The Pittsburgh Steelers spent the first round of the NFL draft as spectators. The team traded its first pick in this year’s draft last September for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. He earned All-Pro honors in 2019 thanks to a series of dynamic plays that helped keep the injury-ravaged club in the playoff hunt until the final weeks of the season. Pittsburgh likely won’t be on the clock until the middle of the second round, where it has the 49th overall pick.

Gronk Joins Brady & The Bucs

April 22, 2020 3:45 am

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – Rob Gronkowski spent nine seasons catching passes from Tom Brady in New England. The two are about to reunite in Tampa Bay.  Gronkowski’s agent says the tight end is about to come out of retirement and has accepted a trade to the Buccaneers. The Patriots also would send a seventh-round pick to the Bucs for a fourth-rounder.  The deal is pending a physical and would give Brady one of his most dependable pass-catchers. Brady signed a two-year, $50 million contract with the Bucs last month.  Gronkowski has caught 521 passes for 7,861 yards and 79 touchdowns in 115 regular-season games. The five-time Pro Bowl selection has another 81 catches for 1,163 yards and 12 TDs in 16 playoff games.

Championship Classics Adds Daytime Broadcast

April 22, 2020 2:17 am

You asked. We listened.  Due to several requests, we’re adding a daytime broadcast to our Championship Classics through the rest of the month.  Now, each featured state championship game will air at 1 pm and again at 7 pm.

Over the past 10 years, WJPA has carried a dozen state championship games involving Washington County high school teams.  This month, we’re re-playing those games, just as they aired originally.  Every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday night through the month of April, we’re opening the championship game archives.  Our remaining coverage includes state championship games in softball, hockey and wrestling. Championship Classics are available on WJPA-AM (1450) and online. LISTEN HERE!  Here’s the remaining schedule:

Thursday, April 23–2013 Team Tournament Wrestling–Canon-McMillan vs. Central Dauphin
Friday, April 24–2012 Team Tournament Wrestling–Canon-McMillan vs. McDowell
Tuesday, April 28–2010 Softball–Chartiers-Houston vs. Montgomery
Thursday, April 30–2010 Hockey–Canon-McMillan vs. Cardinal O’Hara

Djokovic Says He Won’t Take Vaccine

April 21, 2020 3:44 am

UNDATED (AP) – Novak Djokovic says he won’t take any anti-coronavirus vaccination if it becomes compulsory for tennis players to return to the world tours.  The world’s top-ranked men’s tennis player said in a live Facebook chat he wouldn’t “be forced by someone to take a vaccine in order to be able to travel.” Djokovic and his wife have two children and have spoken previously against vaccinations.  Djokovic won the Australian Open in January for his 17th grand slam singles title.

Petition Circulates In Japan For Use Of Empty Athletes Village

April 19, 2020 8:02 am

An online petition addressed to Tokyo Olympic organizers and the city government has drawn tens of thousands of signatures for permission to occupy the massive Athletes Village going up alongside Tokyo Bay. The village was to be home to 11,000 Olympic athletes and 4,400 Paralympic athletes. It is largely complete and empty with the Olympic opening postponed by the virus outbreak until July 23, 2021.