CARSON >> OK, so I know it was a preseason game. And I know Philip Rivers ended up not playing. And I know the Saints, nationally, aren’t the Cowboys or, regionally, the Raiders. But, even with all those excuses, shouldn’t the Chargers be able to generate more buzz than - I can’t believe I’m about t...

CARSON >> The Chargers’ offense has come up empty on 18 consecutive drives. Maybe Dexter McCoil should switch to the other side of the ball. The 6-foot-4 safety was responsible for the Chargers’ only score on Sunday, retu ing an interception 99 yards with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter. In ...

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. >> The bond between twin brothers can become stronger than most in the dynamic of the family. A twin brother can be both a best friend and brother at the same time. They can be motivators and they can even be there in the for the most important moments. They can also give their bro...

The Wilson High football program is in the midst of a renaissance under third-year coach Mark Ziegenhagen, but the Bruins only have four retu ing starters from the 2016 team that reached a CIF-SS divisional semifinal for the first time since 1991. “We’re young and raw with a lot of first-year starte...

After a disappointing 1-9 season in 2016, the Millikan football team was in need of a culture change. Former Lakewood High standout and University of Notre Dame defensive lineman Justin Utupo takes over as Millikan’s head coach after serving as the defensive coordinator last year. Utupo brings youth...

George Richardson is the fourth Cabrillo High football coach in as many years, so he knows that continuity is the most important thing for the Jaguars this season. “I’m a players coach with a disciplinarian approach,” Richardson said. “We’re trying to change the culture. That starts with the adults ...

COSTA MESA >> Yes, folks, there was a time when an NFL training camp was not a spectator sport or a marketing opportunity. What would Vince Lombardi or George Allen think? They’d probably consider today’s open-to-the-public practices akin to a three-ring circus and wonder how anyone got anything don...

BALTIMORE >> If the Angels’ offense can start slugging balls over the fence like this, maybe they can reach the postseason despite the continued stream of injured pitchers. The Angels’ 5-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday night, headlined by Mike Trout and Luis Valbuena each hitting tw...

OAKLAND >> The humor wasn’t lost on Mark Davis an hour or so before the Oakland Raiders took the field against the Rams on Saturday night. Or hubris. Like so many others around the NFL, the Raiders owner is keeping an eye on things down in Los Angeles. With the Rams trying to rebound from the shaky ...

LOS ANGELES >> A text from UCLA offensive line coach Hank Fraley flashed across Michael Alves’ phone screen. “You’re going with the ones tomorrow,” it read. Instead of being excited about his promotion from second-string guard to the first group, Alves was conce ed. “Is someone injured or something?...

DETROIT >> The Dodgers might want to stock up on bubble wrap. Hyun-Jin Ryu and three relievers combined on a four-hit shutout of the Detroit Tigers on Saturday afte oon as the Dodgers won 3-0 and moved another day closer to playing games that really matter again. More important than their 21st victo...

OAKLAND >> This is the Jared Goff the Rams drafted, or thought they drafted, anyway. Goff didn’t look perfect in Saturday night’s 24-21 preseason victory over Oakland but, well, what’s a good word for almost perfect? Goff led the Rams on three scoring drives in four first-half possessions, and compl...

There are two kinds of people in the world: Those who brush their teeth at the gym, and those who don’t. Likewise, there are two kinds of people in the world of sports: Those who play fantasy football, and those who choose to act like adults. As you probably just guessed, I’m not a fantasy owner, an...

BALTIMORE >> Hours after Albert Pujols made history with his 609th homer, he couldn’t enjoy it as much as he’d like because of Ma y Machado’s 131st. Pujols’ first-i ing homer on Friday night moved him into a tie with Sammy Sosa for eighth place on the all-time homer list. Pujols and Sosa, both bo in...

The Dodgers weren’t done when they acquired Yu Darvish and relievers Tony Watson and Tony Cingrani in the final hour before the non-waiver trade deadline. They acquired veteran outfielder Curtis Granderson from the New York Mets in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations Frida...

DETROIT >> Two months of rest and physical therapy allowed Adrian Gonzalez to roll back the odometer on his back. His role, however, is very much a part of the present. “I feel great,” Gonzalez said after being activated from the 60-day disabled list on Friday. “Last year was when the whole issue st...

OAKLAND >> The Rams will push their starters into the second quarter Saturday against the Oakland Raiders. It’s the typical plan of attack the second week of the preseason, with NFL coaches extending clock time for starters as they chart their flight plan toward the regular season. The primary objec...

ANAHEIM >> One day before the most decorated team in the history of USA Gymnastics enters the Hall of Fame, the next generation was on display Friday night at the P&G Championships. Simone Biles, in the building at Honda Center but not in a leotard, is contemplating her future along with the rest of...

“The North remembers” is a catch phrase from the HBO show “Game Of Thrones” that is also true for the Jordan High football program. The only Moore League school in North Long Beach has an ingrained sense of pride, but after years of disappointment, the Panthers are looking for a bright future while ...

LONG BEACH >> A 73rd-minute penalty kick and a shot cleared off of the line in the last seconds of overtime helped the Long Beach State women’s soccer team avoid a season-opening upset to Cal State Northridge on Friday night at George Allen Field. LBSU dominated possession and outshot the visiting M...