Area briefs

Maypray plays in CFL's Grey Cup CALGARY, Alberta -- He was labeled as the X-factor heading into Sunday's Grey Cup. Now, champion will do just fine. Tim Maypray, the rookie kick returner for the CFL's Montreal Alouettes and former Virginia Military Institute and Randolph-Macon Academy student, helped guide the Alouettes to their second straight Grey Cup title, earning a 21-18 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Keeler: BCS might crumble on shopping's famed day

Black Friday. Usually those are words that excite many women around the country. Many women can't wait to go out and shop all day and night, running up their credit card bills and having a girls day out.

Jeff Nations: McNabb, Redskins retake the headlines

Normally, I love writing Monday columns. So many possibilities, after all ... a full slate of college football games to break down, or pivotal NFL match-ups to analyze. College basketball just kicked off last week and in-state teams, the NBA and NHL are still wide-open affairs this time of year, NASCAR's Chase for the Sprint Cup is rapidly winding down, baseball is just starting to hand out those tradition-rich awards we seem to endlessly debate.

Area programs well-armed for season

WOODSTOCK -- Michael Reynolds, Matt Sherfey, and John-Michael Pirtle are as dissimilar in mentality and ability as they are in physical build.

Central senior comfortable playing in natural roles

WOODSTOCK -- At the end of his sophomore season, Seth Wymer had to take on an unexpected role for the Falcons -- starting quarterback.

Do-it-all senior leads Eagles' playoff quest

BERRYVILLE -- Grant Shaw can do it all. OK, maybe that's a stretch for the senior running back. But as one of Clarke County's top returners from last year's 10-1 campaign, Shaw is being asked to do a lot this season.

Judges senior plans to cut comedy act

WINCHESTER -- Delroy McDaniel is going to be more serious this season. Known for being goofy and joking around with his teammates, McDaniel has decided this season he will cut back on the comedy.

Colonels junior prepares to take charge

WINCHESTER -- Mark Bean doesn't have to worry about having someone to lift weights with in the offseason. The James Wood junior and his fraternal twin brother, Christian, lift at least five days a week together in the offseason.

MMA lineman adept at adapting to change

WOODSTOCK -- Cole Spillars knew the challenge that awaited his second year playing football for Massanutten Military Academy.

Brother's example fuels Millbrook senior

WINCHESTER -- There's two walls in the Hartman household filled with the achievements of Jordan and Josh Hartman.

Junior signal caller set to lead Yellow Jackets

FRONT ROYAL -- If Randolph-Macon Academy football coach Frank Sullivan harbored any doubts about his quarterback situation last year, a rain-soaked sophomore needed just over five minutes on a mud-splattered field to provide all the reassurance the coach needed.

Warriors' top receiver not much for chatter

STEPHENS CITY -- Dominique Porter isn't much of a talker. He doesn't blab or jabber or prattle. Rather, he speaks in short, succinct sentences. He says what he needs to say, what he wants to say, nothing more.

Skyline senior to savor final season on gridiron

FRONT ROYAL -- Sometimes before a game, Ben Schurtz will walk up to teammate Luke Pingley and offer a proposition to his fellow defensive end.

Generals senior grows into starting role

QUICKSBURG -- Cole Shaffer, once a thin fourth-string tailback at Stonewall Jackson, has added a little weight to his frame, literally and figuratively.

Strasburg senior hoping for more TD memories

STRASBURG -- Tyler Himelright remembers his first touchdown reception of the 2009 season. Strasburg made him remember.

Tallent relying on deep backfield to carry the load

FRONT ROYAL -- On the first day of practice, something wasn't right for Warren County coach Tony Tallent. There was something, or rather someone, missing from the Wildcats' inaugural practice.

Who's No. 1?

The Northern Virginia Daily sports staff collaborated to create a preseason top 10.

Gaining yardage

Skyline's Josiah Patrick runs for yardage as Strasburg's Tyler Jenkins dives for the tackle during last season's game in Front Royal. Patrick, who ranked among the area's leading quarterbacks last year, is playing for Handley this season. Rich Cooley/Daily file