A few things happened over the course of the last seven days that don't normally happen.
Peyton Manning made his much anticipated return to the National Football League. As a result the Denver Broncos beat the Pittsburgh Steelers for the first time in five years (in a regular season game).
It was however just another fourth quarter comeback for the Broncos.
How weird it was seeing Manning in Denver orange rather than Indianapolis blue.
Pittsburgh would challenge Manning's healthy and possible rusty play after sitting out all of last season and having had four surgeries on his neck.
The Steelers defence sent five or more pass rushers on 14 of Manning's 29 drop backs, says ESPN's department of stats and information.
They did get to Manning twice but he would make Pittsburgh pay for their blitz. He went 9-11 passing and 152 yards and he threw both touchdowns in those situations.
This is the last newspaper before the scheduled date of the National Hockey League lockout. There is a good chance that the only hockey any of us will be seeing this season will be at the Farrell Agencies Arena.
According to various internet reports, the majority of the support seems to be with the players. Many are planning to take their services elsewhere (Europe) if it is the only way to stay in shape.
Patrick Sharp and Joffrey Lupul are two of the players who said they are considering that as an option.
The Maple Leafs forward told reporters at the team's annual charity golf tournament that he has started making calls to teams in Europe. "There are definitely some options to go play there," Lupul said. "I am just going to wait and try to take it week by week."I have been training hard all summer, ready to go and ready to play, and I will be playing hockey somewhere this winter. "Sweden said they would not be taking any guys unless it was for the whole year. The other leagues are open to taking guys."
In the previous lockout, one that wiped out the entire 2004-05 NHL season, Lupul played for the Anaheim Ducks' AHL affiliate in Cincinnati.
Almost all of the local football scene probably had quite the weekend beginning Saturday afternoon.
The Roby Sharpe-led YRHS senior football team also made a debut (like Manning). YRHS left the Regina Intercollegiate Football League and back in April and they made their first trip to Moose Jaw to play in their league.
Apparently they couldn't find the field at first but when they did they found the end zone plenty.
Also picking up some rather impressive 'W's over the weekend were the Atom Gridders, the Pee Wee Gridders and that was topped off by the Green Riders, who went on to win both matchups, the Labour Day affair and the re-match, the Banjo Bowl, apparently the latter was a game they were supposed to lose in the last 36 seconds.
The coaches of the Atom football team in Yorkton had more reason than usually to celebrate a win, their victory over the Canadians turned out to be the first by a Yorkton team in that age group. The team is into its second year in operation.
The other thing that happens around here an average of once per year is that a team called the Stampeders played in Yorkton on Sunday (against the Terriers) an won a very close game.
If there's anything you'd like to see covered by Game 7, please forward your suggestions to the Yorkton This Week sportsdesk by phone (306) 782-2465, or email jeff@yorkton this week.com
