Senior forward Matt Foldesy notched two goals and one assist as St. Ignatius defeated Lakewood, 3-0, in a Division I boys district semifinal soccer match at St. Ignatius. The Wildcats advance to play St. Edward, which defeated North Royalton, 2-0. The match, part of the University Heights district, will unfold Thursday night at St. Ignatius.

Senior forward Matt Foldesy notched two goals and one assist as St. Ignatius defeated Lakewood, 3-0, in a Division I boys district semifinal soccer match at St. Ignatius.

The Wildcats advance to play St. Edward, which defeated North Royalton, 2-0. The match, part of the University Heights district, will unfold Thursday night at St. Ignatius.

Foldesy scored with 13:58 remaining in the first half, senior Preston Spurrier earning the assist. Foldesy had an unassisted tally four minutes later and assisted on junior Nate Fahey's second-half goal.

In the St. Edward victory, junior midfielder Zac Cairns scored both goals in the first half. Sophomore midfielder Matt Ramser assisted on the first, and senior midfielder Sean O'Donnell set up the second.

St. Ignatius is 17-1; St. Edward is 13-3-2.

University School 3, Orange 0: Senior forward Johnny McGuinnis, sophomore midfielder Drew Young and senior midfielder Dirk Sims scored for the Preppers (10-5-2) in a Division II University Heights district semifinal. McGuinnis had an assist.

Chagrin Falls 2, Beachwood 1 (OT): Junior forward Quinn Malone scored two minutes into overtime off the corner kick to give the Tigers the victory in a Division II University Heights district semifinal.

Chagrin Falls is 11-4-2.

Padua 2, Fairview 1: Junior Matt Bahnij scored the game-winner with 14 minutes left in a Division II Rocky River district semifinal.

Bay 3, Rocky River 2 (OT): Jack Creech's goal helped the Rockets win a thriller in a Rocky River district semifinal.

Copley 5, Brunswick 0: The Indians extended their unbeaten streak to 13 with a Division I Brunswick district semifinal victory.

Copley (11-0-2 during the streak) out-shot Brunswick, 11-4. The Indians led, 2-0, at halftime.

Medina 2, Highland 1: Ryan Stenquist and Mike Firlotte scored in the second half as the Battling Bees (11-1-6) won a Division I Brunswick district semifinal.

Mayfield 4, Cleveland Heights 0: Senior forward Joey Wise scored twice and had an assist as the Wildcats (14-1-3) prevailed in a Division I Euclid district semifinal.

Seniors Mitch Richuisa and Nick Kane also scored.

Aurora 2, Twinsburg 1: Senior forwardMike Melfi tied the score with 18 minutes left and bagged the game-winner with seven minutes remaining in a Division I Kent district semifinal.

Aurora is 12-4-2.

Solon 2, Hudson 1: Senior midfielder Jeremy Seaman and sophomore forward Aram Tosuynan scored as the Comets (10-4-3) won a Kent semifinal.

Volleyball

Springfield Local 3, East Palestine 1: Third-seeded Springfield Local won, 25-17, 26-24, 23-25, 25-17, in a Division III Salem district semifinal.

Girard 3, United Local 0: Top-seeded Girard won, 25-20, 25-21, 25-17, in the second match at Salem and will play Springfield Local on Wednesday night.

Kirtland 3, Berkshire 1: Second-seeded Kirtland won, 25-23, 25-17, 23-25, 25-18, in a Division III Leavittsburg district semifinal. Berkshire was the third seed.

Neftali Feliz wins ninth-inning duel with Albert Pujols as Rangers move within a win of championship.

View full sizeCharlie Riedel, Associated PressAdrian Beltre (left) is welcomed at the Rangers' dugout after scoring on Mike Napoli's two-run double in the eighth inning Monday evening. The Rangers are one game from the World Series title after the 4-2 victory.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Rangers spent most of their time Monday night intentionally walking almost every Cardinal they saw. When it came time to move their feet at a brisker pace, they were more than ready.

Mike Napoli hit a two-run double in the eighth inning as the Rangers beat St. Louis, 4-2, in Game 5 of the World Series. The Rangers lead the series, 3-2, and can win their first title in franchise history Wednesday night in Game 6 when right-hander Colby Lewis faces Cardinals lefty Jaime Garcia at Busch Stadium.

Texas pitchers tied a World Series record with four intentional walks, three to dangerous Albert Pujols, to thwart potential rallies in the third, fifth and seventh innings. The Cardinals stranded 12 runners and went 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position.

The win went to Darren Oliver, who pitched the eighth. Neftali Feliz pitched the ninth for his second save of the World Series and sixth of the postseason.

Feliz made things interesting when he hit Allen Craig to bring Pujols to the plate. There was no walking Pujols this time. With the count 3-2, Feliz struck out Pujols on an outside fastball and Napoli threw out Craig for a double play that set the 51,459 fans at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington into delirium.

The tension meter found the red zone again as Feliz walked Matt Holliday. When Feliz struck out Lance Berkman to end it -- the third strike went off Napoli's shin guard and he had to sprint three-fourths of the way to first to get the ball before throwing out Berkman -- the crowd roared for the final time this season.

Michael Young, with the score tied, 2-2, started the game-winning rally with a double off loser Octavio Dotel, who struck out Adrian Beltre and intentionally walked Nelson Cruz before Marc Rzepczynski relieved to face David Murphy in a lefty-lefty matchup. Murphy beat out an infield single that bounced off Rzepczynski's body to load the bases. Napoli followed with a double into the gap in right center on a 1-1 pitch.

Napoli, whose three-run homer in Game 4 provided the cushion for Derek Holland's 4-0 victory, has nine RBI in the World Series and 14 in the postseason.

St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said he wanted right-handed closer Jason Motte to face Napoli, but there was a miscommunication with bullpen coach Derek Lilliquist because of the crowd noise. Lance Lynn, who wasn't scheduled to pitch, got up instead. So when Napoli came to the plate, La Russa had no choice but to let Rzepczynski face Napoli with the bases loaded because he didn't want Lynn to pitch.

After Napoli's double, Rzepczynski struck out Mitch Moreland for the second out. Once again, La Russa wanted Motte to face Ian Kinsler. When Lynn jogged to the mound, La Russa said, "What are you doing here?"

That's why La Russa had Lynn intentionally walk Kinsler before Motte finally found his way to the mound to end the inning.

"There's a lot of noise in this ballpark," said La Russa. "I asked for Rzepczynski and Motte, they didn't hear Motte. I called back and said Motte, they heard Lynn. Sometimes it gets real loud when some of the bullpens are right in the midst of the fans."

Beltre's homer pulled Texas into a 2-2 tie with two out in the sixth, as he hit an 0-1 pitch from Chris Carpenter. He went down on one knee in his follow-through as he hit the ball 388 feet into the left-field seats. It was the Rangers' second homer of the night, the first coming off the bat of Moreland in the third.

The Cardinals took advantage of poor location by C.J. Wilson and sloppy play by his defense to take a 2-0 lead in the second. Wilson started the inning by walking Holliday. He wild-pitched him to second base before walking Berkman. David Freese flied out to right, but Yadier Molina singled to left to score Holliday. Left fielder Murphy dropped the ball three times as Berkman went from first to third on the error.

Skip Schumacher followed with a grounder to Moreland, playing even with the bag. He had a chance to throw out Berkman, but fumbled the ball before stepping on first.

Murphy made up for his error by ending the second with a diving catch against Nick Punto. When Punto reached first, he tried to break his bat over his knee. He failed.

St. Louis threatened again in the third because of Wilson's poor fielding. Rafael Furcal sent a bouncer to the first-base side of the mound. Wilson grabbed the ball and made a shuffle pass to first that bounced past Moreland for an error as Furcal went to second. Craig moved him to third on a sacrifice bunt and Wilson intentionally walked Pujols for the first time. The strategy worked as Holliday hit into a 5-4-3 double play.

Carpenter, who beat Wilson in Game 1, cruised through the first two innings. In the third, the slumping Moreland hit a 2-0 pitch 424 feet into the upper deck in right. Moreland came into the game hitting .087 (2-for-23) in the postseason.

The Rangers added two more hits, a pretty bunt single by Elvis Andrus and a single by Josh Hamilton, in the inning, but couldn't score the tying run.

Wilson was gone after Freese singled with one out in the sixth. He's lucky the regular season is 162 games long, because he certainly didn't help his free-agent value by going winless in five starts this postseason.

Scott Feldman relieved and gave up a single to Molina. Schumaker's ground out to first advanced the runners, but Feldman struck out Punto to end the inning.

In the fifth, Wilson intentionally walked Pujols for the second time. This loaded the bases with two out, but Wilson retired Holliday on a grounder.

Texas pitchers out-did themselves in the seventh, issuing two intentional walks to keep the 2-2 tie intact. Alexi Ogando, with two out, issued Pujols' third pass after Craig was thrown out trying to steal second on another miscommunication that took the bat out of Pujols' hands. Holliday followed with a single to center as Pujols went to third. When he rounded third, he drew the throw home as Holliday continued to second.

Berkman was intentionally walked to load the bases. Ogando ended the inning as Freese flied out to center.

La Russa would not go into detail as to why Craig was trying to steal in a tie game with Pujols at the plate. Pujols told reporters in the locker room that he called the hit-and-run by himself, but didn't swing at the pitch.

Pujols is just the third player in World Series history to be intentionally walked three times in one game. Barry Bonds (Game 7, 2002) and Rudy York (Game 5, 1946) are the others.

On Twitter: @hoynsie

Maynard's appearance at friend's Lakewood wrestling school can't hide his frustration from loss to Frankie Edgar.

View full sizeThomas Ondrey, The Plain DealerUFC fighter Gray Maynard (top) and Wrestling Factory of Cleveland owner Mike Kulczycki demonstrated take-down moves to a rapt group of boys on Saturday in Lakewood. The former St. Edward teammates remain close friends.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Best friends are there for each other. St. Edward High alum Mike Kulczycki has been in Gray Maynard's corner several times during his Eagles teammate journey towards the UFC lightweight title shot. That's including earlier this month, when champion Frankie Edgar scored a fourth-round technical knockout over Maynard in UFC 136 in Houston.

This time, it was Maynard in his friend's corner. The mixed martial arts star was in town over the weekend to help Kulczycki launch his Cleveland Wrestling Factory in Lakewood.

When Maynard's fighting career is over -- and he insisted that despite that loss in their third go-round, it's not -- he's got one as a teacher waiting for him. Young wrestlers from 8 to 18 listened with rapt attention as Maynard discussed moves, technique and training regimens. He did more than talk; Maynard showed the kids exactly what he was talking about, using Kulczycki as his teaching tool.

"I'd like to have a gym someday," Maynard conceded as the 50 or so kids in the converted warehouse room on Athens Avenue locked arms and attacked legs. But that's down the road.

What's closer to his future is a possible relocation from his current home in Las Vegas to California, near the birthplace of his longtime girlfriend, Jessica Wheeler.

The loss to Edgar clearly chafes Maynard. It's the only blemish on his 10-1-1 record with UFC. He beat Edgar before he became champion, and the two battled to a much-debated -- and rare -- title fight draw on New Year's Day of this year.

Just as in that fight, Maynard opened with a salvo that had the champion reeling. In January, he seemed to run out of gas after being unable to finish off Edgar in the first round after dropping him three separate times. Edgar, whom UFC President Dana White has called "best pound-for-pound fighter in the business," was able to regain his legs and senses and fought off Maynard's charges.

In Houston, Maynard seemed determined to avoid that outcome. He sent Edgar to the mat once, but didn't charge in willy-nilly as before, appearing to save some reserves. It turned out to be a mistake. Edgar was able to regain his focus, despite a savage beating, and in the fourth round caught Maynard with the blow that marked the beginning of the end.

"It was an uppercut that landed right on the button," Maynard said. "He didn't even hit me that hard. He didn't hurt me; my hand was hurting from hitting him. But he caught me right on the button."

The "button," Maynard explained, is a shot that's solid enough to rock a fighter, even if it doesn't have the full force of the puncher's strength. It's like hitting an off switch.

"It was a flurry," Maynard said. "I'm usually pretty good in those spots."

It was the first time in his career that Maynard has been dropped, and it clearly galls him.

"There is going to be a 'four,'" he said, referring to a rematch. "That's my goal. [Edgar] worked his way up to me and did a good job."

As per UFC safety rules, Maynard is prohibited from fighting through December. He doesn't yet know when his next fight will be, nor against whom. But really, it doesn't matter; every opponent is just a way station en route back to that rematch.

And it's a safe bet that Kulczycki, a former Michigan coach whom Maynard told the kids was his toughest and best wrestling training partner, will be at his side.

Because that's what best friends do.

If there is a split between former middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik and Jack Loew, the only trainer he has ever had since age 9, it is not official by any report.

Associated PressKelly Pavlik, left, mixes it up with Alfonso Lopez in the third round of a World Boxing Organization super bantamweight bout on May 7 in Las Vegas. The victory over Lopez was Pavlik’s most recent fight.

The trainer might be the last to know.

But if there is a split between former middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik and Jack Loew, the only trainer he has ever had since age 9, it is not official by any report.

While ESPN.com reported Saturday that Pavlik was leaving Loew and his Youngstown roots to go to California under the tutelage of trainer Robert Garcia, Pavlik’s promoter and co-manager said Monday that was not the case.

“It’s speculation,” said Cameron Dunkin, in a phone conversation from his headquarters in Las Vegas. “That’s most likely not done at all. There’s not much to say because nothing’s happening.”

Pavlik (37-2, 32 KOs) could not be reached, and Loew did not immediately return a phone call from The Plain Dealer.

Loew was quoted by the Youngstown Vindicator as having assurance from the fighter that he was still in the loop.

“I talked to Kelly Saturday night, and he told me that [the split] was an absolute lie, that it wasn’t happening,” said Loew in the Vindicator story. “He assured me again that I’m still his guy.”

Pavlik, 29, has gone through numerous disruptions to his career. After winning the 160-pound title from Jermain Taylor in September 2007, he has suffered through ill health and injuries, as well as alcohol and weight issues.

He lost his World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization titles to Sergio Garcia in April 2010 on a unanimous decision. After going through alcohol rehab, Pavlik returned in May with a win against Alfonso Lopez and was scheduled for an August tune-up bout in Youngstown against journeyman Darryl Cunningham.

However, citing unhappiness with the $50,000 payday, Pavlik pulled out days before the Cunningham bout. That wrecked his shot at a scheduled $1.3 million match against International Boxing Federation 168-pound champion Lucian Bute in Quebec City, Canada, on Nov. 5.

It raised the specter of Pavlik once again dealing with fitness and alcohol problems.

Dunkin said those matters, including his trainer, remain with the fighter.

“My job is to get him fights,” said Dunkin. “He will let me know when they are ready. I’ll be looking forward to that. He will be making the decision. I understand he’ll start training with Jack. They may leave [Youngstown] to train. I don’t know.”

Not knowing remains the one sure thing.

Pro show: Promoter Tim VanNewhouse is working on his first venture into the ring game with his show at the La Villa Banquet Center, 11500 Brookpark Road, in Cleveland on Nov. 12.

The headliner remains Cleveland junior middleweight Mark Davis (15-0, 5 KOs) against Guillermo Sanchez (13-3-1, 5 KOs) from Buffalo, N.Y. The promoter, an Air Force veteran, said part of the proceeds from the Veterans Day weekend card will benefit homeless vets.

Tickets are $50 and $25, with table seating also available. For more information, call Newhouse at 216-299-0910 or go to volacioushype.com.

This date: Evander Holyfield knocked out James “Buster” Douglas in the third round in Las Vegas to win the heavyweight title in 1990. It ended the short reign of Douglas after his upset of Mike Tyson in February.

Bob Dorksen, The Plain DealerMuhammad Ali, with ABC broadcaster Howard Cosell looking on, sends a jab in the direction of challenger Chuck Wepner during the weigh-in for their fight in March 1975. Wepner would go on to lose to Ali in the 15th round at the Richfield Coliseum.

Tonight: ESPN is showing a one-hour documentary tonight on the life and times of Chuck Wepner, titled “The Real Rocky.” Wepner (35-14-2, 17 KOs), nicknamed “The Bayonne Bleeder,” was stopped by Muhammad Ali in the 15th round at the Richfield Coliseum on March 24, 1975.

The bout was the inspiration for Sylvester Stallone’s “Rocky” movie series. It’s on at 8 p.m.

Friday: Showtime’s “ShoBox” series has middleweights Ossie Duran (26-8-2, 10 KOs) taking on Brandon Gonzales (14-0, 10 KOs) at 11 p.m.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

jmaxse@plaind.com, 216-999-5168

Did the Cleveland Browns make the grade last Sunday against Seattle?

Joshua Gunter | The Plain DealerCleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy (12) avoids the rush.

Ohio.com reporter Nate Ulrich takes on the role of a professor as he grades the Browns' performance on Sunday against Seattle.

The Browns snapped their two-game losing streak. That's the good part. Here's the rest:

OFFENSE: D

Quarterback: D. Colt McCoy completed 20-of-35 passes for 178 yards with an interception. He continued to struggle with accuracy, as evidenced by his passer rating of 59. However, he managed the game well at times, helping the Browns convert 12-of-24 third downs and hold possession for 42:56.

 DEFENSE: A

Linebackers: A-. Chris Gocong moved to strongside linebacker with Scott Fujita (concussion) inactive and finished with one of the team’s three sacks, two quarterback hits and four tackles. Middle linebacker D’Qwell Jackson had five tackles and was credited with one fumble recovery.

Ulrich writes how defensive coordinator Dick Jauron deserves the most credit because it was his defense that won this game.

More Browns

Protecting Colt McCoy has been an issue.

Defensive coordinator Dick Jauron has the Browns among defensive leaders.

Pat Shurmur defends his quarterback Colt McCoy.

Kicker Phil Dawson won the game despite thigh bruise. 

Got a Browns question for Tony Grossi, Mary Kay Cabot or Dennis Manoloff? Want to be part of The Plain Dealer / cleveland.com Browns Insider show? Our Skype line is open from 10-11 a.m. Just look for user name clevelanddotcom.

We'll be taking your Skype calls live from 10-11 a.m.  Tuesday. Add clevelanddotcom to your Skype contacts.

Got a Browns question for Tony Grossi, Mary Kay Cabot or Dennis Manoloff? Want to be part of The Plain Dealer / cleveland.com Browns Insider show?

If you're answered 'yes' and 'yes,' then we want to hear from you!

Have you seen any progress from Colt McCoy? Does Pat Shurmur need help calling plays? Have the Browns proven they can win without Peyton Hillis? 

Get your question ready, fire up your webcam, make sure you have Skype on your computer and then give us call today from 10-11 a.m.

We'll ask you for your name, your hometown and, in under 30 seconds, to pose your question to our panel of Browns experts.

The call will be recorded and played during Thursday's live show.

Once again, lines will be open from 10-11 a.m.

Here's what to do:

1. Log into your Skype account. Don't have one? Create one and download the software here.

2. Add Skype name "clevelanddotcom" to your contacts list and place a video call to us.

3. A cleveland.com producer will answer your call and record it. Selected videos will be played during Thursday's live show, when Grossi, Cabot and Manoloff will answer the questions.

4. Once again, we'll be taking calls from 10-11 a.m. today. If the line keeps ringing or your call is rejected, that means it's busy. Try again in a few minutes.

5. You can also email your videos to sports@cleveland.com or upload them to YouTube or cleveland.com and send us the link.

COLUMBUS. Ohio (AP) -- How a state panel of sports writers and broadcasters rates Ohio high school football teams in the seventh weekly Associated Press poll of 2011, by OHSAA divisions, with won-lost record and total points (first-place votes in parentheses): DIVISION I

St. Edward is one of three Northeast Ohio teams ranked in the top 10 in this week's Division I AP poll. - (Joshua Gunter | The Plain Dealer)

The Texas Rangers took advantage of the Cardinals' mistakes.

APAlbert Pujos

The Texas Rangers are one win away from winning their first World Series title. The St. Louis Cardinals are still trying to figure how they lost Game 5 on Monday night.

St. Louis Dispatch columnist Bryan Burwell writes about the weird and the meltdown suffered by the Cardinals in his column.

This was anything but a Fall Classic. This self-destructive 4-2 loss by the Cardinals to the American League champion Texas Rangers will be remembered for all the wrong reasons to Cardinals loyalists and marked down in baseball's annals as one of the most twisted tales the World Series has ever seen.

Burwell wonders if Jaime Garcia can conjure up another marvelous pitching performance like in Game 2. He also wonders if these same Cardinals can pull off the most historic comeback in franchise history can do something to give more spark to that flickering flame.

The NL champion Cardinals did their level best to let the Series slip out of their hands down here in Texas. On Monday night, it looked like the Cardinals were falling apart. Too many strange things were going bump in the night.

But we've seen that act before, haven't we? How long ago was it when we thought their season was on the brink?

 

More World Series news

The Cardinals blame it on the crowd noise.

Blame manager Tony La Russa for Game 5 loss.

Mike Napoli lines up perfectly for the Rangers.

The Rangers use a great strategy to hold off Pujos.

The Rangers win a wild Game 5.

Free agency looms for Albert Pujos.
 

Get your questions ready and join Terry Pluto today at noon as he talks Cleveland sports. What can we take away from the Browns' win over Seattle on Sunday? What did Terry think of Mike Holmgren's comments last week? We'll ask those questions and more.

Terry Pluto tackles your questions live every Tuesday at noon.

Get your questions ready and join Terry Pluto today at noon as he talks Cleveland sports.

What can we take away from the Browns' win over Seattle on Sunday? What did Terry think of Mike Holmgren's comments last week?

You can jump in the chat room and ask your questions as well as interact with other users and respond to Terry's remarks, or you can just listen. The chat will also be made available shortly after its completion in mp3 format.

"Not sure how anyone can complain with a 3-3 start after ten years of misery. Defense is much better than last year or any year in recent memory. It's a sign Browns are at least headed in a positive direction. Offense is pathetic, so that's a sign we still have a ways to go, of course." - vaohio

View full sizeJoshua Gunter | The Plain DealerFor all their flaws, Colt McCoy, Pat Shurmur and the Browns are 3-3.

In response to the story If offense gets the spotlight, Cleveland Browns' emphasis clearly has been defense: Terry Pluto, cleveland.com reader vaohio is fine with the team's start, but knows there's still work to do. This reader writes,

"Not sure how anyone can complain with a 3-3 start after ten years of misery. Defense is much better than last year or any year in recent memory. It's a sign Browns are at least headed in a positive direction. Offense is pathetic, so that's a sign we still have a ways to go, of course."

"Some team will pick him up. If not, I'm sure Antonetti will give him a call when Pronk inevitably goes on the DL. Last year of having to give Pronk $13 million and hopefully they let Grady go. It will be nice to see some younger healthy players, if they get active in free agency." - Scott Player

View full sizePD FileJim Thome finished out the 2011 season in an Indians uniform.

In response to the story Cleveland Indians' Jim Thome to City Club: 'I want to keep playing', cleveland.com reader Scott Player thinks Thome will find work somewhere. This reader writes,

"Some team will pick him up. If not, I'm sure Antonetti will give him a call when Pronk inevitably goes on the DL. Last year of having to give Pronk $13 million and hopefully they let Grady go. It will be nice to see some younger healthy players, if they get active in free agency."

"I don't think people realize how short the Heat's window is. Wade is going to be 30 in January. Given the amount of minutes he's logged, injury history and his style of play, he'll be a shell of himself by 32 or 33. Bosh is a second-tier star at best. Which just leaves LeBron, and we've seen how well he performs under the pressure of being 'the man.'" - andympa53

View full sizeRobert Duyos | Sun Sentinel | MCTLeBron James and the Heat came up short in their first attempt to win the NBA title.

In response to the story NBA lockout: Dan Gilbert is blamed by Miami columnist for holding things up, cleveland.com reader andympa53 thinks the Heat can't afford to lose a full season. This reader writes,

"I don't think people realize how short the Heat's window is. Wade is going to be 30 in January. Given the amount of minutes he's logged, injury history and his style of play, he'll be a shell of himself by 32 or 33. Bosh is a second-tier star at best. Which just leaves LeBron, and we've seen how well he performs under the pressure of being 'the man.'"

Ravens' loss Monday night, Steelers' O-line instability have left division wide open, Plain Dealer reporter says. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by Chuck Yarborough and Branson Wright.

The Cleveland Browns will try to move to 4-3 on Sunday when they play the 49ers in San Francisco. Which team will win, and by how many points? That's the question in today's Starting Blocks poll.

Today's guest on SBTV is Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff, who says he expects the Browns to come away with a win Sunday.

Also, after seeing how the Baltimore Ravens' laid an egg in a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday night, and with the way the Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive line has struggled, Dman says there's no reason the Browns can't win the wide-open AFC North.

Dman also talks about whether QB Colt McCoy is improving, as coach Pat Shurmur contends; and weighs in on whether the Texas Rangers can clinch the World Series after winning Game 5 Monday night over the St. Louis Cardinals.

SBTV will return Wednesday with Plain Dealer Ohio State reporter Doug Lesmerises talking Buckeyes football.

And remember to catch this week's Browns Insider show that streams live Thursday at 10 a.m. You can find that at cleveland.com/browns.

Do you bleed orange and brown? We want to know why you're such a dedicated Browns fan! Fifty lucky fans will win 2 tickets to the December 4 game against the Ravens!

John Kuntz, Plain Dealer file photoDoes the snow scare you away? It didn't scare this dedicated fan when the Browns hosted the Buffalo Bills December 16, 2007 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won the game.

The Ohio State Buckeyes need more of a balanced attack to beat Wisconsin.

PDJaamal Berry (4) can't run from trouble.

The Ohio State Buckeyes are pleased with their recent victory over Illinois, but even coach Luke Fickell knows his team needs more of a balance attack to move forward for the rest of the season.

Fickell's approach against Illinois was one completed pass and 55 plays running the ball. That has to change.

Fickell said he and the rest of the OSU coaching staff are looking for ways to get more passing production out of freshman quarterback Braxton Miller without making any drastic changes to the offense. Their preference is to use more short, quick passes and cut down on Miller's exposure to contact and sacks.

"You can't think you're going to re-invent the wheel in an extra week, but you've got to get better at what you do," Fickell said. "And we know there's a lot of things we can get better at."

Granted, a strong running game is a positive, but Matt Markey of The Toledo Blade writes how Fickell says that a strong running game will continue to be the foundation of anything the Buckeyes try to accomplish offensively.

More from the Horseshoe

Ohio State recruit works long, works hard.

More trouble for OSU running back Jaamal Berry.

Former president praises OSU.

The NBA is expected to cancel more games today, according to The New York Daily News.

Mary Altaffer | Associated PressNBA Commissioner David Stern.

It's not official, but it looks like the NBA will cancel two more weeks of the regular season, according to a story in The New York Daily News.

With talks broken off between the owners and players, and the two sides far apart on major "system" issues, the cancellations are expected to total at least 102 more games, through Nov. 28. No further talks are in the works.

An official announcement is expected today.

In the case of Sunday's game against Seattle, is a win a win? With increased attendance and revenues, can the Indians really follow up the 2011 season with a relatively quiet offseason? Plain Dealer sports columnist Terry Pluto answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter | The Plain DealerColt McCoy has been under pressure most of this season.

In the case of Sunday's game against Seattle, is a win a win? With increased attendance and revenues, can the Indians really follow up the 2011 season with a relatively quiet offseason?

Plain Dealer sports columnist Terry Pluto answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

Among other topics discussed:

• How can the Browns fix their special teams?

• Why is Colt McCoy struggling so much with his accuracy, an are most people saw as his strength?

• Do you consider this week's game in San Francisco a winnable game for the Browns?

• Would the Indians be better served to let some other team pay to find out if Grady Sizemore can come back?

• What have the playoff teams from the A.L. told you about the improvements the Indians need to make this offseason?

You can download the mp3 or listen with the player to the right.

Be sure to also like Terry Pluto on Facebook.

WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, Ohio - Shaker Heights has forfeited last Saturday's Lake Erie League football game against Warrensville Heights for refusing to play on the Tigers' muddy field. The determination was made Tuesday by Ohio High School Athletic Association Assistant Commissioner Henry Zaborniak Jr., who discussed the situation with both schools during phone conversations on Monday.

OHSAA rules Shaker Heights must forfeit Saturday's football game against Warrensville Heights. - (OHSAA)

WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, Ohio - Shaker Heights has forfeited last Saturday's Lake Erie League football game against Warrensville Heights for refusing to play on the Tigers' muddy field.

The determination was made Tuesday by Ohio High School Athletic Association Assistant Commissioner Henry Zaborniak Jr., who discussed the situation with both schools during phone conversations on Monday.

In an e-mailed statement, Zaborniak cited Shaker Heights for a breach of contract to cause the forfeit.

"We're happy that our argument was sustained," said Mark Fritz, who was in charge of the field conditions as business manager for the Warrensville Heights School District. "No games were canceled on Friday night and we felt the game could be played and stayed with that."

Shaker Heights principal Michael Griffith, who was on site Saturday afternoon, made the decision to not play after talking to coach Jarvis Gibson and trainer Bob Collins.

"Obviously, they have made the decision they feel appropriate, but we stand by the concern that the field was unsafe for our kids and theirs," said Griffith. "I would make the same decision again."

Warrensville Heights is allowed to seek financial damages for the lost game. However, Fritz said it was premature to pursue that point.

With the forfeit victory, Warrensville Heights improves to 3-6 and 1-4 in the LEL. Shaker Heights drops to 1-8, 1-4.

Lockout or no lockout, the wine and gold will be on the court this fall ----- in Canton.

CantonCharge.com

Despite the issues in the NBA, the NBDL will play this fall. The Canton Charge will make their home court debut at the Canton Memorial Civic Center on Nov. 25 against the Iowa Energy.

The Charge will wear uniforms familiar to Cleveland Cavaliers fans. The Charge will wear gold uniforms at home and wine uniforms on the road.

Former Ohio State star running back Beanie Wells won't need surgery after receiving hit against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

APBeanie Wells

Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic writes how former Ohio State running back Beanie Wells is stable and won't need surgery.

Wells, of the Arizona Cardinals, took a hit on the knee in the first half against the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday. Wells went out and didn't return.

Wells wouldn't say much about the injury other than he had significant swelling and it wasn't related to the surgery he had performed on the same knee a year ago.

"I don't really remember when it happened," Wells said. "I know I took a (hit) early in the first quarter and the second quarter I kind of felt something in there and took another shot."