Sports

Experience, Competition Highlight Hilltopper Offensive Line

Local Sports August 19, 2026

WEST LIBERTY — If West Liberty head coach Chad Salisbury is looking for a place to lean on as the Hilltoppers prepare for the 2026 football season, the offensive line may be the logical starting point. The group returns a veteran core led by center Mason Fraley, who has played in all 11 games during each of the past two seasons and has appeared in 31 games over the past three years. Riley Plotner also played in all 11 games a year ago while Kemper Longwell saw action in 10 games last season. "We're probably the most experienced group that we have," Salisbury said during preseason ...

Soccer Pay Dispute Between OVAC, Referees Is Resolved

Local Sports August 19, 2026

Let the games begin in West Virginia and continue in Ohio as far as OVAC boys’ and girls’ high school soccer goes. The Mountain State debuts Wednesday while the Buckeye State has been playing for nearly a week. Following an ongoing pay increase dispute between the OVAC and the Ohio Valley Soccer Referee Association, both sides reached an agreement late Tuesday morning. According to an email from Wheeling attorney David Delk, representing the soccer officials, “The individual schools are paying the requested rate. … The soccer referee association is not dealing with the ...

Browns Rookie Receiver KC Concepcion Showing The Qualities That Made Him A First-Round Pick

Local Sports August 19, 2026

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — KC Concepcion was already feeling confident about the progress he was making in his first NFL training camp before the Cleveland Browns opened preseason play. What the first-round did last Saturday against Chicago reinforced that confidence and showed the high hopes the ...

Buckeyes And Ducks Out To Supplant Defending Champion Hoosiers In Big Ten And Beyond

Local Sports August 19, 2026

The 2025 Indiana Hoosiers won the Big Ten and national championship and were the first team in the modern era to go 16-0. They have 10 starters back, the hottest coach in the game and a manageable schedule. It's Ohio State and Oregon generating most of the preseason buzz, though, with both ...

Braxton Ashcraft Works 8 Efficient Innings, Oneil Cruz Homers As Pirates Top Tigers 4-1

Local Sports August 19, 2026

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Braxton Ashcraft allowed five hits over eight efficient innings, Oneil Cruz homered in his return from the injured list, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Detroit Tigers 4-1 on Tuesday night. Ashcraft (13-5), a first-time All-Star this season, struck out four and didn't ...

Cashius Howell, Colbie Young Among Potential Immediate Bengals Rookie Contributors

Local Sports August 18, 2026

CINCINNATI (AP) — With franchise stars Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Dexter Lawrence earning large salaries, the Cincinnati Bengals need to count on some young players to assemble their 53-man roster. Several are finding their roles so far. Even in a rookie class that ...