South Florida Local News

Atlantic drubs Blanche Ely 42-13 with four first half touchdowns in Pompano Beach after multiple game delays on Friday September 13, 2024.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffers fourth diagnosed concussion since 2020 in 31-10 loss to Buffalo Bills on Thursday, September 12, 2024.

Who’s ready for TV’s biggest night?

Hollywood’s primetime stars are on the red carpet for the 2024 Emmys.

Here’s what celebrities wore for the illustrious event:

Henry Giraldo, El SentinelLily Gladstone attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) Yvonne Valdez, El SentinelReese Witherspoon attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Henry Giraldo, El SentinelJennifer Aniston attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Viola Davis attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) Sofía Vergara attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Michael Laughlin / Sun SentinelNicola Coughlan attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Joe Cavaretta / Sun SentinelAyo Edebiri attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Yvonne Valdez, El SentinelJeremy Allen White attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

Joe Cavaretta / Sun SentinelMeryl Streep attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) Karen Pittman attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) Yvonne Valdez, El SentinelPaul Rudd attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

Maya Rudolph attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Michael Laughlin / Sun SentinelDa’Vine Joy Randolph attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Jim Rassol / Sun SentinelLaura Dern attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Jim Rassol / Sun SentinelKali Reis attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) Yvonne Valdez, El SentinelSarah Paulson attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) Joe Cavaretta / Sun SentinelSheryl Lee Ralph attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

Jim Rassol / Sun SentinelElizabeth Debicki attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Henry Giraldo, El SentinelRicky Martin attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Jim Rassol / Sun SentinelBrie Larson attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

Henry Giraldo, El SentinelStephen Nedoroscik attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) Michael Laughlin / Sun SentinelJanelle James attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) Michael Laughlin / Sun Sentinel(L-R) Rita Ora and Taika Waititi attend the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Kristen Wiig attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) Joe Cavaretta / Sun SentinelSelena Gomez attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) Joe Cavaretta / Sun SentinelReba McEntire attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Jim Rassol / Sun SentinelNava Mau attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Henry Giraldo, El Sentinel(L-R) Susan Downey and Robert Downey Jr. attend the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Henry Giraldo, El SentinelShaquita Smith attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

(L-R) Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna attend the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) Christine Baranski attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (L-R) Jean Smart and Kaitlin Olson attend the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

(L-R) Jimmy Kimmel and Molly McNearney attend the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Henry Giraldo, El SentinelTyler James Williams attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) Michael Laughlin / Sun Sentinel(L-R) Jon Hamm and Anna Osceola attend the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

Hannah Einbinder attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) Niecy Nash-Betts attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) Henry Giraldo, El SentinelKadiff Kirwan attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Jim Rassol / Sun SentinelJessica Gunning attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (L-R) Nakata Kurumi and Tadanobu Asano attend the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Yvonne Valdez, El SentinelBowen Yang attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Abby Elliott attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (L-R) Idris Elba and Sabrina Elba attend the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Mindy Kaling attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

Michael Laughlin / Sun SentinelSeth Meyers attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Jim Rassol / Sun Sentinel(L-R) Gisele Schmidt and Gary Oldman attend the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) Amber Chardae Robinson attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Joe Cavaretta / Sun Sentinel(L-R) Stephen Colbert and Evelyn McGee-Colbert attend the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) Carrie Coon attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) Yvonne Valdez, El Sentinel(L-R) Billy Crudup and Naomi Watts attend the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Jodie Foster attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) ESPNQuinta Brunson attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Henry Giraldo, El Sentinel(L-R) Carson Daly and Siri Pinter attend the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Henry Giraldo, El SentinelHiroyuki Sanada attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) Yvonne Valdez, El SentinelConnie Britton attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Lisa Ann Walter attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

Yvonne Valdez, El SentinelMatt Bomer attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) Henry Giraldo, El SentinelGina Torres attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Yvonne Valdez, El Sentinel(L-R) Sam Richardson and Nicole Boyd attend the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Yvonne Valdez, El SentinelMartin Short attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) (L-R) Saoirse Ronan and Jack Lowden attend the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) Henry Giraldo, El SentinelGreta Lee attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Lamorne Morris attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) Eiza Gonzalez attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Joe Cavaretta / Sun SentinelHarvey Guillén attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

Yvonne Valdez, El SentinelAnna Sawai attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) Henry Giraldo, El SentinelRichard Gadd attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Moeka Hoshi attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

Chris Perfetti attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Joe Cavaretta / Sun SentinelRamy Youssef attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) Henry Giraldo, El SentinelDakota Fanning attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Michael Laughlin / Sun SentinelAlan Cumming attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Henry Giraldo, El SentinelD’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) Michael Laughlin, Sun SentinelRuPaul attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Joe Cavaretta / Sun SentinelAja Naomi King attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Katie Aselton attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) (L-R) Skye P. Marshall and Kathy Bates attend the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

Joe Cavaretta / Sun SentinelSteve Martin attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Henry Giraldo, El SentinelKeltie Knight attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) Robert Duyos / Sun SentinelDan Levy attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Ilona Maher attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) Zuri Hall attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) Aaron Moten attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

Padma Lakshmi attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images) Robert Mayer / Sun Sentinel(L-R) Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Justin Mikita attend the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Michael Laughlin / Sun SentinelRobin Roberts attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Henry Giraldo, El Sentinel(L-R) Bobby Berk and Emily Hampshire attend the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Henry Giraldo, El SentinelJelly Roll attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

Climate change is creating a dire affordability crisis for South Florida residents, who have seen their property insurance and homeowners association fees skyrocket, speakers at a Sunday panel said.

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Democrat who represents much of the southern half of Broward County, and U.S. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat from Rhode Island, hosted a discussion at the Hollywood Commission chambers about the cascading effects of climate change, which panelists say have created an environmental and economic disaster for the region.

“We are in an especially urgent situation right now. Unfortunately, we have Republicans in Tallahassee who are not only refusing to confront these problems, but on climate change, they are in absolute denial,” Wasserman Schultz said. “Global warming and climate change are not someday things in Florida. They are a right now thing.”

Panelists included homeowners, climate experts and Democratic elected lawmakers. Several homeowners told stories of being bounced around from private insurance to state-owned Citizens Insurance and then back to higher-priced private insurance.

Joan Babcock, a Hollywood resident, said her homeowners insurance increased from $7,400 in 2021 to $9,500 in 2022 to “an astonishing $13,200” in 2023. She was dropped by her carrier and picked up by Citizens, the state-run insurance of last resort.

“This option did not last long as we have recently received a mandatory depopulation order” from Citizens, requiring her to choose between three different high-priced private companies.

“I cried when I opened that mail. We feel trapped,” she said. “We have been given four weeks to choose from three new unknown companies with no historical data to prove the worthiness. If we don’t make the choice then citizens will decide for us. Is this America?”

Other panelists said climate-related insurance increases are also leading to leading to huge increases in homeowners and condominium assessments, including in senior communities, such as Century Village.

Wasserman Schultz said she has traveled the streets of Hollywood with city and county leaders and see first-hand the effects of climate change.

“We were sloshing through the streets in sunny day weather, where we have sunny day flooding during king tides especially,” she said.

This has necessitated major investments, such as raising streets and building homes on higher platforms, she said. But she blasted Gov. Ron DeSantis for putting “politics ahead of people” by failing to apply for any money from a $5 billion pot for climate change grants through the federal Inflation Reduction Act.

The governor also signed into law this year a bill that de-emphasizes climate change in state statutes, while boosting expansion of natural gas, reducing regulation on gas pipelines in the state and increasing protections against bans on gas appliances such as stoves, according to a news release from the governor’s office.

.“We’re restoring sanity in our approach to energy and rejecting the agenda of the radical green zealots,” DeSantis said in a post on the X social media platform in May.

Although the discussion focused on South Florida, Whitehouse said it was important for him to learn what’s happening, both as the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and as a senator in Rhode Island, another coastal state.

“What is happening in Florida because of climate change and what is happening to your coasts and your economy and to your property and homeowners’ insurance in particular is a preview of what is going to be happening to other coastal states,” he said.

A 77-year-old Tamarac man reported missing Friday was found dead Friday in Fort Lauderdale, the Broward Sheriff’s Office reported.

Fort Lauderdale police located Merit A. Mulling at 11:23 a.m. Sunday in a body of water near the 3200 block of Northeast 58th Street, a Sheriff’s Office release said.

“He was pronounced deceased on scene. Detectives with Fort Lauderdale Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death,” the Sheriff’s Office release said.

The Sheriff’s Office Missing Persons Unit had asked for the public’s help Friday to locate Mullings, who according to family members, suffered from dementia. The Friday release described him as endangered.

This was not the first time Mullings had gone missing.  A missing report was issued on Dec. 21, 2021. That time, Coral Springs police located him and helped him to return his Tamarac residence.

By PATRICK STEVENS

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rookie James Wood homered twice, MacKenzie Gore pitched six innings of two-hit ball, and the Washington Nationals defeated the Miami Marlins 4-3 on Sunday.

Washington won the last three in the four-game series and finished 11-2 against the Marlins this season.

Jonah Bride homered for Miami, which clinched a last-place finish in the NL East for the first time since 2019. The Marlins dropped six of seven on its road trip to Pittsburgh and Washington.

It was the first multi-homer game for Wood. He ripped a 435-foot shot to center with two outs in the fifth inning off Miami starter Adam Oller, then led off the eighth against Declan Cronin with a 426-foot blast to left-center.

“Right now, if he gets the ball in the strike zone, he needs to pull the trigger a lot more,” Washington manager Dave Martinez said. “Today he did that, and he hit it high and far, so that’s a good sign for him. Hopefully he continues to do that here for the next 10 days or so and he finishes up strong.”

Wood had not homered since Aug. 18 at Philadelphia. He has seven home runs since his July 1 debut.

“You try not to, but sometimes I feel like I haven’t hit one in a while,” Wood said. “It felt good to get one today.”

Gore (9-12) allowed an unearned run and struck out five while walking two. He is 2-1 with a 1.95 ERA over his last five starts and has lowered his season ERA from 4.66 to 4.17 in that span.

It was also the fourth time in five starts the left-hander completed six innings. Gore had done so once in his 15 previous starts between May 29 and Aug. 17.

Jose Ferrer allowed two Marlins to reach scoring position with one out in the ninth, but induced David Hensley’s RBI groundout and got Nick Fortes to fly out to secure his first save in 64 career appearances.

“The adrenaline I had in the bullpen in that moment tripled,” Ferrer said through an interpreter of navigating the jam. “(It was) very different.”

The Nationals managed only one hit in the first three innings against Oller (1-4), then collected four in a row to erase a 1-0 deficit and take a 2-1 lead in the fourth.

Andrés Chaparro doubled into the corner in right with one out, then came around on Luis García Jr.’s single. José Tena followed with a single, and Keibert Ruiz then singled to right to score García.

Oller allowed three runs on six hits in five innings.

Bride greeted reliever Eduardo Salazar with a homer to lead off the seventh.

The Marlins opened the scoring in the third when Washington center fielder Jacob Young dropped Jhonny Pereda’s leadoff fly on the warning track for a two-base error. Pereda scored three batters later on Jake Burger’s sacrifice fly.

Miami was 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position.

“We just couldn’t scratch anything together until that ninth inning,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Nationals: SS CJ Abrams (sore left shoulder) was out of the lineup for the third consecutive day. … RHP Trevor Williams (flexor strain) allowed two runs while striking out four over 4 1/3 innings in a rehabilitation appearance Sunday for Double-A Harrisburg.

UP NEXT

Marlins: Off Monday. RHP Darren McCaughan (0-0, 7.06 ERA) starts the opener a three-game series at home Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Nationals: RHP Jake Irvin (10-12, 4.19), who is 7-4 with a 3.94 ERA on the road, draws the start Monday as Washington begins a three-game series at the New York Mets.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER, COLLEEN LONG, MICHAEL BALSAMO and ZEKE MILLER, Associated Press

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Donald Trump was the target of what the FBI said “appears to be an attempted assassination” at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sunday, just nine weeks after the Republican presidential nominee survived another attempt on his life. The former president said he was safe and well, and authorities held a man in custody.

U.S. Secret Service agents stationed a few holes up from where Trump was playing noticed the muzzle of an AK-style rifle sticking through the shrubbery that lines the course, roughly 400 yards away.

An agent fired and the gunman dropped the rifle and fled in an SUV, leaving the firearm behind along with two backpacks, a scope used for aiming and a GoPro camera, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said. The man was later stopped by law enforcement in a neighboring county.

He had a calm, flat demeanor and showed little emotion when he was stopped and didn’t question why he was pulled over, according Martin County Sheriff William Snyder.

“He never asked, ‘what is this about?’ Obviously, law enforcement with long rifles, blue lights, a lot going on. He never questioned it,” Snyder said.

It was the latest jarring moment in a campaign year marked by unprecedented upheaval. On July 13, Trump was shot during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and a bullet grazed his ear. Eight days later, Democratic President Joe Biden withdrew from the race, giving way for Vice President Kamala Harris to become the party’s nominee.

And it spawned new questions about Secret Service protective operations after the agency’s admitted failures in preventing the attempted assassination of Trump this summer.

In an email to supporters, Trump said: “There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I AM SAFE AND WELL!” He wrote: “Nothing will slow me down. I will NEVER SURRENDER!”

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He returned to Mar-a-Lago, his private club in Palm Beach where he lives, according to a person familiar with Trump’s movements who was not authorized to discuss them publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

It was not immediately clear whether the development would affect his campaign schedule. Trump was set to speak from Florida about cryptocurrency live on Monday night on the social media site X. He planned a town hall Tuesday in Flint, Michigan, followed by a rally Wednesday on New York’s Long Island.

An email to Trump campaign staffers obtained by AP said, “This is not a matter that we take lightly. Your safety is always our top priority. We ask that you remain vigilant in your daily comings and goings.”

“As we enter the last 50 days of President Trump’s campaign, we must remember that we will only be able save America from those who seek to destroy it by working together as one team.”

Biden and Harris were briefed and were being updated on the investigation. Harris, in a statement, said “violence has no place in America.”

Biden echoed that thought in his own statement and added that he had directed his team to ensure the Secret Service “has every resource, capability and protective measure necessary to ensure the former President’s continued safety.”

In the aftermath, Trump checked in with allies, including running mate Ohio Sen. JD Vance, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham and several Fox News hosts.

Fox News host Sean Hannity recounted on air his conversation with Trump and the former president’s golf partner, Steve Witkoff.

They told Hannity they had been on the fifth hole and about to go up to putt when they heard a “pop pop, pop pop.” Within seconds, he said Witkoff recounted, Secret Service agents “pounced” on Trump and “covered him” to protect him.

• Photos that show an AK-47 rifle, a backpack and a Go-Pro camera on a fence outside Trump International Golf Club taken after an apparent assassination attempt of Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, are displayed during a news conference at the Palm Beach County Main Library, Sunday. Sept. 15, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephany Matat)

• A Sherriff Crime Scene van leaves the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on September 15, 2024 following a shooting incident at former US president Donald Trump’s golf course. Trump’s campaign reported Sunday that there had been “gunshots in his vicinity” but added that the Republican presidential candidate was safe. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)

• A police car blocks the main gate of the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on September 15, 2024 following a shooting incident at former US president Donald Trump’s golf course. Trump’s campaign reported Sunday that there had been “gunshots in his vicinity” but added that the Republican presidential candidate was safe. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)

• Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, holds a photograph of the rifle and other items found near where a suspect was discovered as he stands with Rafael Barros (R), special agent in charge of the US Secret Service’s Miami field office during a press conference regarding an apparent assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump on September 15, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The FBI and U.S. Secret Service, along with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office, are investigating the incident, which the FBI said “appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump’ while he was golfing at Trump International Golf Club. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

• This photo provided by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office shows Sheriff’s vehicles surrounding an SUV on the northbound I-95 in Martin County on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (Martin County Sheriff’s Office via AP)

• A Federal Bureau of Investigation Mobile Command Center drives past the entrance to the Trump International Golf Club after an apparent assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump on September 15, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida. The FBI and U.S. Secret Service, along with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office, are investigating the incident, which the FBI said “appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump’ while he was golfing at Trump International Golf Club. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

• Cars are stuck in traffic after police blocked the road in West Palm Beach, Florida, on September 15, 2024 following a shooting incident at former US president Donald Trump’s golf course. Trump’s campaign reported Sunday that there had been “gunshots in his vicinity” but added that the Republican presidential candidate was safe. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)

• A billboard in Wilkes-Barre Township, Pennsylvania, depicting Donald Trump surviving an assassination. Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (Photo by DOMINIC GWINN/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

• Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at Harry Reid International Airport to board a plane after a campaign trip, Saturday, Sept.14, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

• Sheriff vehicles are pictured near Trump International Golf Club, Sunday. Sept. 15, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla., after gunshots were reported in the vicinity of Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Stephanie Matat)

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Photos that show an AK-47 rifle, a backpack and a Go-Pro camera on a fence outside Trump International Golf Club taken after an apparent assassination attempt of Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, are displayed during a news conference at the Palm Beach County Main Library, Sunday. Sept. 15, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephany Matat)

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Trump had returned to Florida this weekend from a West Coast swing that included a Friday night rally in Las Vegas and a Utah fundraiser. His campaign had not announced any public plans for Trump on Sunday. He often spends the morning playing golf, before having lunch at the club, one of three he owns in the state.

Trump has had a stepped-up security footprint since the assassination attempt in July. When he has been at Trump Tower in New York, parked dump trucks have formed a wall outside the building. At outdoor rallies, he now speaks from behind an enclosure of bulletproof glass.

The Florida golf course was partially shut down for Trump as he played, but there are several areas around the perimeter of the property where golfers are visible from the fence line. Secret Service agents and officers in golf carts and on ATVs generally secure the area several holes ahead and behind Trump when he plays. Agents also usually bring an armored vehicle onto the course to shelter Trump quickly should a threat arise.

The Palm Beach County sheriff said the entire golf course would have been lined with law enforcement if Trump were the president, but because he is not, “security is limited to the areas that the Secret Service deems possible.”

“I would imagine that the next time he comes to the golf course, there will probably be a little more people around the perimeter,” Bradshaw said. “But the Secret Service did exactly what they should have done, they provided exactly what the protection should have been and their agent did a fantastic job.”

Former presidents and their spouses have Secret Service protection for life, but the security around former presidents varies according to threat levels and exposure, with the toughest measures typically being taken in the immediate aftermath of their leaving office.

Trump’s protective detail has been higher than some other former presidents because of his high visibility and his campaign to seek the White House again.

The man in custody was Ryan Routh, three law enforcement officials told the AP. The officials who identified the suspect spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation.

Routh tried to recruit Afghan soldiers fleeing the Taliban to fight in Ukraine, and spent several months in the country, according to an interview with The New York Times last year. He told the newspaper that dozens of potential Afghan recruits have expressed an interest in fighting, and that he hoped to purchase passports for them in Pakistan.

The FBI was leading the investigation and working to determine any motive. Attorney General Merrick Garland was receiving regular updates. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were helping investigate.

“The FBI has responded to West Palm Beach Florida and is investigating what appears to be an attempted assassination of former President Trump,” the bureau said.

News reporters were not with Trump on Sunday. Bucking tradition, Trump’s campaign has not arranged to have a protective pool of reporters travel with him, as is standard for major party nominees and for the president. Harris does not have a protective pool at all times, but does allow reporters to travel with her for public events.

Snyder, the Martin County sheriff, said the suspect was apprehended within minutes of the FBI, Secret Service and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office putting out a “very urgent BOLO” — or “be on the lookout” alert detailing the specific vehicle sought, license plate number and description of the occupant.

Snyder said his deputies “immediately flooded” northbound I-95, deploying to every exit between the Palm Beach County line to the south and St. Lucie County line to the north.

“One of my road patrol units saw the vehicle, matched the tag and we set up on the vehicle,” Snyder said, “We pinched in on the car, got it safely stopped and got the driver in custody.”

Richer, Long, Tucker and Miller reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Lindsay Whitehurst in Washington, Michael Balsamo, Jill Colvin, Michelle L. Price and Michael R. Sisak in New York, and Meg Kinnard in Houston contributed to this report.

Broward County Public Schools will hold eight public hearings on schools that are being considered for closure or for a redefined educational mission.

All hearings will be from 6 to 8 p.m. This schedule lists the date and place of each meeting and  the specific schools to be discussed at each meeting.

Monday, Sept. 16, Dillard 6-12 High School

Elementary Schools: Broward Estates, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Larkdale, Lauderhill Paul Turner and Westwood Heights

Tuesday, Sept. 17, Fort Lauderdale High School

Elementary Schools: Bennett, North Fork, North Side, Thurgood Marshall and Walker

Wednesday, Sept. 18, Coconut Creek High School

Elementary Schools: Dr. Charles Drew, Coconut Creek and Liberty

Thursday, Sept. 19, Piper High School

Middle Schools: Bair, Plantation and Westpine

Monday, September 23, 2024, Everglades High School

Elementary Schools: Chapel Trail, Dolphin Bay, Panther Run, Silver Lakes, Silver Palms, Silver Shores and Sunset Lakes

Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, Charles W. Flanagan High School

Elementary Schools: Coconut Palm, Coral Cove, Palm Cove, Pasadena Lakes and Pines Lakes

Middle Schools: Driftwood, Glades, New Renaissance, Pines and Walter C. Young

Thursday, Sept. 26, Miramar High School

Elementary Schools: Fairway, Miramar, Sunshine and Watkins

Monday, Sept. 30, South Broward High School

Elementary Schools: Collins, Hollywood Central and Dr. Mary M. Bethune

Middle Schools: Attucks, McNicol and Olsen

Today is Sunday, Sept. 15, the 259th day of 2024. There are 107 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Sept. 15, 1963, four Black girls were killed when a bomb went off during Sunday services at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. (Three Ku Klux Klansmen were eventually convicted for their roles in the blast.)

Also on this date:

In 1835, Charles Darwin reached the Galápagos Islands aboard the HMS Beagle.

In 1935, the Nuremberg Laws were enacted in Nazi Germany, depriving German Jews of their citizenship.

In 1940, the tide turned in the Battle of Britain in World War II, as the Royal Air Force inflicted heavy losses upon the Luftwaffe.

In 1958, a commuter train headed for New York City plunged into Newark Bay after missing a stop signal and sliding off the open Newark Bay lift bridge, killing 48 people.

In 1959, Nikita Khrushchev became the first Soviet head of state to visit the United States as he arrived at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington.

In 1978, Muhammad Ali became the first boxer to capture the heavyweight title three times, winning by unanimous decision in his rematch with Leon Spinks.

In 2008, as a result of the subprime mortgage crisis, Lehman Brothers filed for Chapter 11 in the largest bankruptcy filing in U.S. history.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Writer-director Ron Shelton is 79.
• Actor Tommy Lee Jones is 78.
• Film director Oliver Stone is 78.
• Football coach Pete Carroll is 73.
• TV personality Lisa Vanderpump is 64.
• Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino is 63.
• Actor Josh Charles is 53.
• Olympic gold medal swimmer Tom Dolan is 49.
• Actor Tom Hardy is 47.
• Actor Amy Davidson is 45.
• Actor Dave Annable is 45.
• Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, is 40.
• TV personality Heidi Montag is 38.

General Daily Insight for September 15, 2024

Pleasure is ours for the taking! Alluring Venus in Libra is making a magnetic trine to lucky Jupiter in Gemini at 1:34 am EDT, encouraging everyone to be open about our desires and see what special things we can create when we work together. Meanwhile, the Moon in Aquarius will trine Jupiter and then Venus, helping us think in terms that benefit ourselves as well as the community. A special moment of healing will be possible once the Moon finally sextiles Chiron in Aries.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

Speaking your mind can nourish the blossoming of major breakthroughs. Venus in your partnership sector is aligning with Jupiter in your communications sector, boosting your signal to meet new people and discover ideas that can drastically improve the quality of your life. Current relationships of all kinds can benefit from this alignment, but people who appear on the scene now, in particular, can have a massively positive impact on you for ages to come. Be open and friendly, and you practically can’t go wrong.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

This could be one of the most lucrative days you’ve seen in ages. Your ruler Venus is making a lovely trine to Jupiter, which is an incredibly beautiful pairing already. Plus, with Venus in your work sector and Jupiter in your income sector, you can take this energy all the way to the bank. If you’re looking for a new job then you could hit on the perfect solution, but this may also result in a raise at your current gig. Go for gold!

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

No one can dim your shine. Thanks to a fabulous trine between Venus in your fun-loving 5th house and expansive Jupiter in your intelligent sign, you’re experiencing a golden moment where the universe is boosting your efforts to enact your dream goals. You only get to experience this particular alignment once every thirteen years! Don’t hesitate to take a chance on yourself and see what you can manifest during this miraculous time. When you put in the work, you can achieve amazing things.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

There is practically endless support on offer, whether you need it or not. A wonderful trine between Venus in your foundational 4th house and Jupiter in your subtle 12th house might result in people emerging to get you out of a bind when you least expect it. With Venus in your domestic sector, these people may be relatives or loved ones, but the 12th house loves surprises, so they could be all but unknown to you. Regardless, don’t forget to thank them!

Leo

July 23 – August 22

The universe appreciates the benefits of a friendly chat, especially today. Your neighborhood is full of things to see and do while pleasure-loving Venus tours your 3rd House of Local Community. Additionally, that energy turns global as Venus trines bountiful Jupiter in your 11th House of Worldwide Outreach. Whether you’re chatting up the person next to you in line or turning to social media for connections, your next big opportunity is only a few honest words away. By all means, speak up!

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

There’s a pot of gold waiting with “Virgo” written all over it! Venus is in your 2nd House of Earned Income, inspiring you to make it rain more than usual. That potential gets majorly amplified as Venus embraces lucky Jupiter in your 10th House of Business, showing you the best track toward a very lucrative finish line. This angle is also terrific for searching out new jobs that will pay quite well, so if you’re on the hunt, start sending out your resume.

Libra

September 23 – October 22

You can go as far as you like right now, Libra, so don’t even think about limiting yourself. You’re in your element while your ruler Venus tours your sign on its annual visit, giving you that extra special something. Your shine takes on a global appeal as Venus trines Jupiter in your 9th House of Exploration. If you’ve been playing life small, consider this your cosmic cue to start growing beyond what you have known! The whole world is waiting for your grand entrance.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

You can tap into something incredibly powerful today, something mystical and primordial. A rare trine between Venus in your transcendent 12th house and Jupiter in your transformational 8th house is inviting you to leave behind your old self and step into something new. Think of this as a portal: on the other side, there’s a happier, more satisfied version of yourself, but to get there you must decide what to leave behind. Identify what is hindering you, then let it go.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

People have something wonderful to offer you. You can benefit from your platonic relationships more than ever as Venus in your 11th House of Global Groups makes a beautiful trine to Jupiter in your 7th House of Bonds. This highlights the allies in your life that are truly special and fills them with all sorts of potential. You can use this energy in a multitude of ways, including professional or romantic, just as long as you collaborate to make something truly special.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

It will be difficult for anyone to outperform you. Venus in your 10th House of Professional Goals is giving you an undeniable edge in any competition and encouraging everyone to look upon you kindly. Its trine to Jupiter in your 6th House of Daily Work will help you put this advantage to very good use. You can succeed at almost anything you put your mind to presently, so don’t be shy about showing off a little! It could result in some well-deserved success.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

You can follow your heart wherever it leads you. Thanks to a supportive trine between Venus in your brave 9th house and lucky Jupiter in your passionate 5th house, the world is your oyster. This is like a green light from the universe, signaling your freedom to leave most mundane matters for another time. Use your free time to pursue whatever brings you joy. Life shouldn’t be all work, so by all means go have some fun! You certainly deserve it.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

You don’t need to rely on other people, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t or shouldn’t. Even if you’re capable of standing strong all by yourself, the planets are offering you a special kind of support and positivity. This is thanks to a bountiful trine between Venus in your shared resources sector and Jupiter in your domestic sphere. Indeed, you may not require any help! Whether or not you’re struggling at present, the lifting of any burdens from your shoulders should be a blessing.

BOCA RATON — Zuberi Mobley ran for 134 yards on 20 carries and scored three touchdowns and Florida Atlantic used a 17-point second quarter to pull away from Florida International for a 38-20 win on Saturday.

The Panthers took the opening drive and reached the end zone when Keyone Jenkins threw a 32-yard scoring pass to Eric Rivers for their lone lead. Mobley plunged in from the 1 to tie it with 1:37 left in the quarter.

In the second, Mobley had scoring runs of 72 yards and 1 yard wrapped around a 28-field goal from Morgan Suarez and led 24-7 at halftime.

The Owls (1-2) outgained Florida International (0-3) 420-368 in total yards.

Jenkins threw for 281 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions for FIU.

Florida Atlantic entered with a 16-4 all-time record against the Panthers.

___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

FORT WORTH, Texas — UCF coach Gus Malzahn wanted his team to be able to handle adversity.

That’s what they did Saturday night, rallying from 21 points in the third quarter to pull off a stunning 35-34 win over TCU. The victory marked the largest comeback since the Knights rallied from a 21-point deficit to defeat Boise State on Sept. 2, 2021.

RJ Harvey rushed for 180 yards and scored three touchdowns to help fuel the comeback for his fifth straight 100-yard rushing game dating to last season.

Quarterback KJ Jefferson shook off a slow start to pass for three touchdowns, including the 20-yarder to receiver Kobe Hudson with 42 seconds left that helped UCF (3-0, 1-0 Big 12) remain undefeated.

Kyle Lemmermann’s last-second 58-yard field goal attempt went right, guaranteeing UCF’s win.

“I’m extremely proud of our team,” Malzahn said. “We’re down by 21 points early in the third quarter and it wasn’t looking good. We didn’t play extremely well in any phase. We simplified some things on offense, and we just started committing to run it downhill, and when we did that, it opened up the passing game.”

TCU (2-1, 0-1 Big 12) jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead as quarterback Josh Hoover found an early rhythm, connecting on 10 of his first 15 passes for 114 yards.

UCF ready for prime-time showdown against TCU

The sophomore found receiver Eric McAlister for a 14-yard score on the Horned Frogs’ opening possession. On their next possession, Hoover needled a throw between two UCF defensive backs as receiver Savion Williams snagged the ball for an 18-yard touchdown.

It was another slow start for Jefferson, who misfired on four of his first five pass attempts. With the passing attack stuck in neutral, the Knights leaned heavily on a rush attack that entered the game ranked No. 1 in the country.

But the fifth-year starter heated up on the third possession, connecting on three passes to tight end Randy Pittman (18 yards) and Hudson (15) before finding Harvey on a wheel route for a 29-yard touchdown that got UCF on the scoreboard.

“Just proving myself,” Jefferson said of his performance. “Knowing that I always had that thought in my mind that they counted me out. So just having that, and going into that last drive, I looked everybody in the eye and told them, ‘I got y’all. I got y’all.’ “

On the next TCU possession, Hoover found Williams on a diving 16-yard touchdown that pushed the score to 21-7 with 10 minutes left in the first half.

UCF put together an impressive 6-minute drive at the end of the first half only to have Colton Boomer’s 27-yard field goal blocked.

Harvey scored twice in the second half, once on a 1-yard scramble and then on a 27-yard run at the start of the fourth quarter.

UCF finished with 519 yards while TCU had 460 yards, of which 402 were through the air.

Hoover finished 35 of 52 for 402 yards, with receiver Jack Bech accounting for 200 yards and a touchdown.

Jefferson finished with 230 yards on 13 of 22 pass attempts.

Hudson had 6 catches for 145 yards and two touchdowns, his second straight 100-yard performance of the season, but it was his final catch that the fifth-year receiver will remember the most.

“It’s probably got to be No. 1,” Hudson said. “It was a blessing. I thank God, my teammates, and the coaches for believing in me in that big-time moment.”

UCF has a bye week before hosting Colorado at FBC Mortgage Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Matt Murschel can be reached at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi made a successful return after a lengthy absence, scoring two goals and assisting on the third to lead Inter Miami to a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night.

The Argentine star winger and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner had not played with Inter Miami since June 1 because of national team commitments and a right ankle injury sustained in a 1-0 victory over Colombia in the Copa America final on July 14.

“A little bit tired because of the heat and humidity of Miami but I wanted to return so much after such a long time away,” Messi said in Spanish on the Apple TV broadcast after the game. “I started training with the group and began to feel better.”

Messi, who resumed practicing three weeks ago, showed no rust or ill-effects from the injury with his performance. He scored twice in a four-minute span midway through the first half that negated an early goal by Philadelphia.

“What he did was more typical than other things that happened tonight,” Inter Miami coach coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino said in Spanish. “I am happy that he finished the game and completed the 90 minutes. He felt fine.”

Without Messi, Miami went 8-2 and clinched an MLS playoff spot. Miami (19-4-5) also took the lead in the Supporters Shield table with 62 points.

“It’s nice to see that his injury has healed and that he’s as effective as he was before,” Inter Miami midfielder Julian Gressel said.

Luis Suárez had one assist and clinched Miami’s win with a strike on Messi’s assist during second half stoppage time. It was Suárez’s 17th goal of the season.

Messi’s first goal in the 26th minute evened it at 1-all. Suárez sent a short pass near the large area, where Messi retrieved it, outmaneuvered Union defender Kai Wagner into the box and converted a shot that landed inside the left post.

Four minutes later, Messi received a crossing pass inside the box and beat Philadelphia goalkeeper Andrew Rick with a 15-yard shot.

Suárez had a goal in the 44th minute overturned after a video review ruled an offside infraction.

“As the game progressed we ran the risk of not controlling the ball,” Martino said. “From the last 30 minutes of the first half we managed to handle the ball better.”

Messi’s mended ankle absorbed a kick by Philadelphia midfielder Quinn Sullivan in the 67th minute as both battled for a loose ball. Messi fell to the ground and favored the ankle but quickly stood and continued playing. Match referee Sergii Boiko assessed yellow cards to Sullivan and Martino, who argued for a stiffer infraction against Sullivan.

Seeking the equalizer, Philadelphia (7-12-9) pressured repeatedly throughout the second half before Messi centered a pass to Suárez and he converted from 18 yards.

Before his absence, the 37-year-old Messi had 12 goals and 13 assists in 12 league matches this season.

Fans barely settled in when Union forward Mikael Uhre stunned the home crowd with a goal two minutes into the match.

Messi had his first scoring opportunity in the seventh minute with a free kick near the half circle that was cleared by a wall of Philadelphia defenders.

For Inter Miami, the victory came with a price. Defender David Martinez left early in the first half because of a groin injury and his replacement Noah Allen also was removed after what Martino said was a blow to the head.

“We have to take it day by day and see how they recover and how they feel,” Martino said.

Both clubs continue league play with road matches on Wednesday. Inter Miami will visit Atlanta on Tuesday while the Union visit New York City FC on Tuesday.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

MIAMI GARDENS — The Hurricanes gave Cam Ward the keys to the offense, and for the third week in a row, he drove it to another blowout victory.

The Washington State transfer threw for 346 yards and five touchdowns as No. 10 Miami (3-0) rolled to a 62-0 victory over Ball State at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday. The Hurricanes set a program record with 750 total yards.

“Progress,” UM coach Mario Cristobal said. “There’s 12 chapters in a regular season and then you earn the rest from there. We’re improving. We’re getting better. We see a lot of areas where we can get better. we have done a good job of shutting out, closing out the noise and really focusing on our football family, and that’s all that matters.”

Miami fans needed to wait nearly two and a half hours for kickoff due to lightning in the area. The Hurricanes waited out the delay in the locker room, listening to music, watching other games and staying fed and hydrated.

“I was watching the Apple Cup over there,” Ward said. “My boy John (Mateer) got him one. That’s cool. I was watching the Apple Cup and just vibing in there. I was watching the LSU game a little bit. Then once we got later into it, then we turned it off and started locking back in, playing music. It felt like Little League halftime. We were in there snacking. It was a good time with the team.”

The fans who stuck around would not be disappointed in the result.

The Hurricanes went ahead 3-0 after a short field goal by Andy Borregales on their first drive. Jacolby George dropped a pass that would have extended the drive or could have been a touchdown, but he made up for it on Miami’s next drive.

George nearly scored (but was ruled out of bounds) and had two catches for 47 yards as the Hurricanes drove down the field, ending with a 21-yard touchdown pass from Ward to Xavier Restrepo.

Ward nearly tossed a second, 60-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Horton, but it was canceled out by a hands-to-the-face penalty on left tackle Markel Bell, who was filling in for the injured Jalen Rivers.

The Hurricanes did not pay for the mistake, though. Ward tossed a short pass to running back Chris Johnson Jr., who was a track star at Dillard High. Johnson showed off the speed, blazing past Ball State’s defenders for a 37-yard touchdown.

As the second quarter approached its end, the Hurricanes went on a scoring binge. Tight end Elijah Arroyo caught a 21-yard pass from Ward to put Miami up 24-0. On Ball State’s next drive, Tyler Baron pressured Cardinals quarterback Kadin Semonza into an interception, caught by Elijah Alston. Two plays later, Ward connected with Restrepo for their second touchdown of the game.

Ward ended the first half with four touchdowns and 317 passing yards. He kept rolling in the second half, throwing a 17-yard touchdown pass to Jacolby George for his fifth of the night. It was his first five-touchdown game at the FBS level in his career, and it concluded his night.

“We’re hitting on all cylinders in the passing game but, you know, you’ll ask Cam and he’ll tell you that he felt like he left some things out there that could have made it a better day,” Cristobal said. “And that’s the way we want to stay.

The Hurricanes brought the second-team players in during the third quarter, and they rewarded the team with more point. Ajay Allen rushed for 104 yards on seven carries, scoring a 56-yard touchdown.

Emory Williams, playing in his first game since suffering a season-ending arm injury against FSU last year, threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to highly touted freshman tight end Elija Lofton for the freshman’s first career touchdown. Jordan Lyle added a 7-yard touchdown run, as well, as UM completed the rout.

“From start to finish, I thought we became a better football team,” Cristobal said. “I thought we left the field different than how we entered, just finishing drives, getting them off the field [with] three-and-outs more successfully. [The] third down defense continued to play at a high level and got a shutout and really controlled the middle eight, which is a big thing for us so, all in all, just a really good performance and looking forward to a great opportunity next week.”

Five takeaways 1. What more can be said about Cam Ward?

Cam Ward has been nothing short of stellar since he arrived at UM. The veteran quarterback has conducted the Hurricanes’ offense fantastically through three games. He is the first Miami quarterback to throw for 300 or more yards in three straight games to begin a season.

“Show me somebody who is playing better than him in the country through three games,” Ball State coach Mike Neu said.

Ward has 11 touchdowns against one interception through three games. He had a bit of a slow start on Saturday but got into a rhythm as the game went on. Because of Ward’s performance, the Hurricanes hardly needed to run the ball — they had only eight rushing attempts in the first half.

“We expect that out of Cam from just training with him in the offseason, from throwing with him whenever,” George said. “We have seen it before. It’s new to y’all, but we’ve been seeing it.”

After throwing a touchdown on UM’s first drive of the second half, Miami subbed in Williams to finish the game.

2. Defensive line transfers continue to perform

Miami needed to mine the transfer portal for new defensive linemen, and they struck gold this offseason.

Simeon Barrow Jr., Tyler Baron and Elijah Alston combined for three sacks in the victory Saturday, and Alston had the interception.

Baron has been a revelation at edge rusher since the start of the season. He has 4.5 sacks and five tackles for loss this season.

Miami also held Ball State to just 6 rushing yards in the win.

“I feel like that’s just executing the play,” Alston said. “Whatever they call, we’ve got to go do it. The best thing you can do is just do your job. Don’t try to overdo it, don’t try to be Superman, don’t under do it. Just do your job.”

3. Hurricanes win the middle eight

Coaches sometimes tout winning the “middle eight” section of a game — the last four minutes of the first half and the first four minutes of the second half. Miami did that in dominant fashion against Ball State.

The Hurricanes scored a pair of touchdowns in the final two minutes of the first half, then scored again 2:34 into the second half, putting the game securely in hand.

4. Absolutely dominant defense

Ball State may not have an excellent offense, but the Hurricanes took care of business and then some on defense.

Miami shut out the Cardinals, and every Ball State drive ended with either a punt or a turnover (including a turnover on downs). The Hurricanes held the Cardinals to just 115 total yards.

The Hurricanes ended the game with four sacks, nine tackles for loss and an interception. Linebackers Francisco Mauigoa and Wesley Bissainthe led the team with six tackles each.

5. Still some mistakes to work out

Although the Hurricanes rolled to another rout, Cristobal would be the first to tell you they did not play perfectly.

George dropped a pass that definitely would have been a first down and could have been a touchdown. Baron, who has been excellent, had two offsides penalties. Wesley Bissainthe was called for a roughing the passer penalty, as well.

UM ended the game with eight penalties for 85 yards, so Miami still has things to work on as they head to Tampa next weekend to play South Florida.

“The one area that was disappointing was the penalties,” Cristobal said. “We certainly, on special teams, are trying hard to become a better special teams unit and we had some bright spots early on kickoff and then after we got tangled up on some of the return game stuff that is not us. We have got to do a better job.”

GAINESVILLE — Florida’s SEC-opening loss to Texas A&M left little doubt as to what’s next for the Gators.

It’s a matter of when and not if the school moves on from coach Billy Napier following Saturday’s 33-20 loss to the Aggies.

The Gators’ latest debacle under Napier laid bare his program’s shortcomings during a dark day in the Swamp featuring a 47-minute lightning delay followed by a heavy downpour. By the time the skies parted and the sun returned, it was too late to find many bright spots during another lopsided home loss under Napier.

When UF’s coach left the field after shaking hands with interim president Kent Fuchs, fans surrounded the tunnel at the south end zone and lustily booed.

“When you play ugly ball … it comes to with the territory,” Napier said. “I probably would have done the same thing, truth be known.”

The defeat dropped him to 12-16 at UF, including seven straight losses to power-conference teams — four of those defeats at home. If Napier were to be fired before this coming Saturday’s visit to Mississippi State, his tenure would be the shortest at the school in 100 years. J.A. VanFleet coached just 19 games in 1923-24.

UF would owe Napier 85% of the remaining value of his seven-year $51.8-million contract, or at least $26 million.

Florida head coach Billy Napier is 12-16 at UF after the Gators’ SEC-opening loss to Texas A&M Sept. 14 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

Napier, 45, did not sound like a man on the verge of losing his job but rather someone determined to turn things around.

“The quality of football in the opener and today, not up to standard,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of people taking ownership that are not in this room, and that’s a good thing. But we’ve got to get it fixed.”

Seemingly desperate for a win, Napier’s Gators (1-2, 0-1) came out flat against first-year Aggies coach Mike Elko’s rebuilding program, a 3.5-point favorite.

UF’s defense could not slow down the Aggies’ attack led by true freshman backup quarterback Marcel Reed while the Gators could not begin to keep up a week after true freshman DJ Lagway offered a glimmer of hope with a record-setting night against Samford.

During a 14-play, seven-minute drive for a field goal to start the game, Reed broke free for 31 yards on 2nd-and-21 and the Aggies converted third downs  of 10 and 12 yards before settling for a 31-yard field goal by Randy Bond. After UF managed just 10 yards on five plays before punting, Texas A&M marched 92 yards on 9 plays for a 10-0 lead, helped by a holding call by veteran Jason Marshall Jr. on 4th-and-4.

“As a defense we’ve got to be just more resilient,” cornerback Devin Moore said. “We’ve got to finish drives better.”

When UF’s offense showed some life to open the second half to cut the A&M lead to 20-7 on a touchdown pass from veteran Graham Mertz to Elijhah Badger, the Aggies answered two plays later with a 73-yard scoring catch by a wide-open Cyrus Allen.

Texas A&M (2-1, 1-0) then extended its lead to 33-7 on a pick-six by safety Bryce Anderson off a deflected pass from Mertz to Badger.

Lagway, who threw for a UF freshman-record 456 yards to go with three scores last week against Samford, connected with Chimere Dike for a 7-yard score with 1:04 remaining in the third quarter.

By then, the hole was far too deep due to another disappointing first half by Napier’s Gators.

Florida wide receiver Chimere Dike (17) is tackled in the rain by Texas A&M defender Shemar Stewart during the Gators’ loss to the Aggies Sept. 14 in the Swamp. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

When halftime arrived, UF had generated just 73 yards compared with 302 for the Aggies playing with Reed in place of starting quarterback Conner Weigman.

“We struggled getting lined up and executing basic calls,” Napier said. “Overall, not good defense. That’s about as simple as I can put it.”

The Gators’ attack was not much better when it mattered, managing to run just 15 first-half plays.

Questionable all week with an undisclosed injury, sophomore star Tre Wilson did not play after he led UF with six catches for 141 yards against Samford, highlighted by an 85-yard score off a shovel pass.

But it likely would not have mattered.

All evening, Texas A&M was a step ahead with defensive-minded Elko and a defensive staff featuring former UF assistants Jay Bateman as coordinator and Sean Spencer coaching the line.

“We know what it takes, and reality is we got our butts kicked today — and early,” Mertz said. “There’s no time to waste, especially in SEC play. You need to start fast and you need to get that going.”

Boos first began to rain down on Napier and his players as they exited the field trailing 20-0 at halftime, the first time UF failed to score during the opening 30 minutes since a 30-3 loss in the 2022 Las Vegas Bowl.

An offensive dud is understandable during a meaningless bowl game featuring a shorthanded squad without star quarterback Anthony Richardson. Saturday’s no-show was hard to explain coming from a coaching staff and team with a sense of urgency while pushing to move past a season-opening 41-17 flop against Miami and build on the 45-7 Week 2 rout of Samford.

Florida head coach Billy Napier fell to 12-16 at UF following a loss to Texas A&M Sept. 14 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

“Obviously couldn’t capture any momentum early,” Napier said.

When a public-service announcement from Napier flashed during halftime on the Jumbotron video board, a good portion of the reported crowd of 89,993 booed loudly.

The Texas A&M loss left Napier just 10-6 at Florida’s iconic home field, nicknamed the Swamp in 1990s by Steve Spurrier, who was 68-5 at home during 12 seasons.

If the Gators are to turn things around and save their coach, Mertz said it begins with the players.

“It’s up to us, honestly,” he said. “It’s up to us and what we do during the week, what we do during the game. Are you playing with heart or are you not?

“That’s where us as a team. We need to come together and we need to play the ball that we know we can play.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

This year’s Emmy Awards ceremony pits 17th-century Japanese politics against modern-day family dynamics, the drama of the British monarchy, and murders in both a New York apartment building and a freezing Alaskan town.

The 76th Primetime Emmys, airing live at 8 p.m. Sunday on ABC, celebrates the outstanding shows and miniseries that aired from June 1, 2023 to May 31, 2024.

The FX network leads the nominations with “Shōgun” and “The Bear” earning a whopping 25 and 23 nods, respectively.

But it’s not just about who’s expected to win, but also who should win. Below are the predictions for the night’s biggest awards.

Outstanding Comedy Series

Will win: Toss-up — “Abbott Elementary,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm” or “The Bear”

“Abbott Elementary” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” have the added benefit of being genuine comedies, while many argue that “The Bear” — with its tense atmosphere and themes of suicide and depression — is far better suited for the drama categories.

But despite the restaurant-set show running away with many comedy wins at last year’s awards, and being expected to do so again, “Curb” could take the gold given that its most recent season was its last.

Should win: “Abbott Elementary” or “Curb”

The third season of “Abbott Elementary” boasts a perfect 100% critics approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. And while the final season of “Curb” doesn’t reach the same heights as earlier years, Larry David remains in top form. The finale — much like the “Seinfeld” one it alludes to — might strain credulity but largely sticks the landing.

Lead Actor (Comedy)

Will win: Jeremy Allen White

Jeremy Allen White stars in “The Bear.” (FX/TNS)

What “The Bear” lacks in laughs it makes up for in White’s sophomore season range as Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto — a pinch of spice, a dash of vulnerability, and voila. White took home the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy last year, and could very likely do it again.

Should win: Jeremy Allen White or Larry David

While White indeed deserves the win, so does Larry David. At 77 years young, the comedian remains a master of improv and subverting audiences’ comfort, while still getting the laugh as an exaggerated version his surly self.

Lead Actress (Comedy)

Will win: Quinta Brunson or Jean Smart

Brunson, the 34-year-old star and creator of “Abbott Elementary,” remains pitch-perfect as second-grade teacher Janine Teagues in the ABC hit. But Jean Smart, at 73 years old, is getting her long-awaited due as stand-up diva Deborah Vance in “Hacks.” The role has twice earned her the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy.

Should win: Quinta Brunson or Jean Smart

Outstanding Drama Series

Will win: “Shōgun” or “The Crown”

The freshman season of “Shōgun” has a 99% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has been nominated more than any other series this year. The epic that was originally billed as a limited series, but went over so well it was renewed for two more seasons.

Though “The Crown” has somewhat fallen out of favor since its 2016 premiere, it’s the Netflix saga’s last opportunity to win, which could prove to be the clincher.

Should win: “Shōgun”

Lead Actor (Drama)

Will win: Gary Oldman or Hiroyuki Sanada

Oldman and Sanada are both masters of their craft and are at the heights of their power in “Slow Horses” and “Shōgun” respectively.

Should win: Hiroyuki Sanada

Lead Actress (Drama)

Will win: Imelda Staunton

With the reign of Queen Elizabeth II having come to an end with the final season of “The Crown,” it’s a healthy bet that Staunton will take home the gold this go-round.

Should win: Anna Sawai

Sawai’s performance in “Shōgun” has enticed viewers and critics, in part for its effectiveness through her reservedness. She could and likely should take home the award.

Anna Sawai as Toda Mariko in “Shōgun.” (Kurt Iswarienko/FX/TNS) Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series

Will win: “Baby Reindeer”

Richard Gadd’s semi-autobiographical black comedy deals in the gray and dominated the zeitgeist long after it dropped out of the Netflix Top 10. There’s almost no way it won’t win.

Should win: “Ripley”

Another Netflix hit, this Andrew Scott-led take is the first TV adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s novel “The Talented Mr. Ripley” — and a widely lauded one at that.

Lead Actor (Limited Series/Anthology)

Will win: Andrew Scott

The acclaimed actor has long been praised for his range of performances, from villainous Moriarty in “Sherlock” to the sexily pious Hot Priest in “Fleabag.” Still, he’s rarely awarded for his talents, but “Ripley” could finally be his time.

Should win: Andrew Scott

Lead Actress (Limited Series/Anthology)

Will win: Jodie Foster

Foster’s portrayal of a prickly yet protective police officer in the latest installment of “True Detective” is just as dynamic as any of her past efforts, proving she hasn’t skipped a beat over her lengthy career.

Should win: Juno Temple

Temple’s work in the most recent volume of “Fargo” has been somewhat overlooked in the run-up to the Emmys, but her physical and completely captivating performance is deserving of recognition. Should she win, it would be the first time “Fargo” has won an acting award, despite many of its stars being nominated.

By HARVEY VALENTINE

WASHINGTON (AP) — Jose Tena had two hits including a home run, Patrick Corbin pitched six innings and the Washington Nationals beat the Miami Marlins 4-1 on Saturday.

Joey Gallo and Juan Yepez also homered for Washington, which has won three of four, and Keibert Ruiz had two hits.

Tena is 13-for-36 (.361) in his past nine games, hitting safely in eight of them.

Corbin (6-13) has won four of his past five starts. He allowed a run on three hits with a walk and six strikeouts. Corbin didn’t allow a hit after the second inning and retired 13 of his last 15 batters.

Kyle Finnegan pitched the ninth for his 38th save, third most in the Majors.

Otto Lopez had two hits and the lone RBI for the Marlins, who have lost five of six.

Miami starter Valente Bellozo (2-4) gave up three runs on six hits — two of them homers — over 5 1/3 innings.

Gallo tied the score 1-1 in the bottom of the second when he sent a 2-0 Bellozo pitch into the second deck in right.

Washington took a 2-1 lead in the fourth. Tena singled, stole second and scored on Ruiz’s single over the first-base bag.

Tena made it 3-1 with a home run to center with one out in the sixth, ending Bellozo’s day, and Yepez homered in the eighth.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Marlins: RHP Sandy Alcantara (Tommy John surgery) threw a bullpen session Saturday and is slated to throw live batting practice Tuesday in Miami.

Nationals: SS CJ Abrams missed his second straight game with a sore left shoulder.

UP NEXT

Miami RHP Adam Oller (1-3, 5.40 ERA) opposes Washington LHP MacKenzie Gore (8-12, 4.34), who allowed one run on one hit in six innings against the Marlins on Sept. 4, to close the series.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Today is Saturday, Sept. 14, the 258th day of 2024. There are 108 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Sept. 14, 1901, President William McKinley died in Buffalo, New York, of gunshot wounds inflicted by an assassin eight days prior; Vice President Theodore Roosevelt succeeded him, becoming the youngest-ever U.S. president at age 42.

Also on this date:

In 1847, during the Mexican-American War, U.S. forces under Gen. Winfield Scott took control of Mexico City.

In 1861, the first naval engagement of the Civil War took place as the USS Colorado attacked and sank the Confederate private schooner Judah off the coast of Pensacola, Florida.

In 1927, modern dance pioneer Isadora Duncan died in Nice, France, when her scarf became entangled in a wheel of the sports car in which she was riding.

In 1982, Princess Grace of Monaco, formerly film star Grace Kelly, died at age 52 of injuries from a car crash the day before.

In 1991, the government of South Africa, the African National Congress and the Inkatha (in-KAH’-tah) Freedom Party signed a national peace pact.

In 1994, on the 34th day of a strike by players, Acting Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig announced the 1994 season was over.

In 2001, Americans packed churches and public squares on a day of remembrance for the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks. President George W. Bush prayed with his Cabinet and attended services at Washington National Cathedral, then flew to New York, where he waded into the ruins of the World Trade Center and addressed rescue workers in a show of resolve.

In 2012, fury over an anti-Muslim film ridiculing the Prophet Muhammad sparked violent clashes across the Muslim world.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Actor Walter Koenig (KAY’-nihg) (“Star Trek”) is 88.
• Architect Renzo Piano is 87.
• Basketball Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown is 84.
• Actor Sam Neill is 77.
• Country singer John Berry is 65.
• Actor Melissa Leo is 64.
• Actor Faith Ford is 60.
• Film director Bong Joon-Ho is 55.
• Supreme Court justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is 54.
• Actor Kimberly Williams-Paisley is 53.
• Actor Andrew Lincoln is 51.
• Rapper Nas is 51.
• Olympic gold medal middle-distance runner Hicham El Guerrouj is 50.
• Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is 46.
• Chef/TV personality Katie Lee is 43.
• Actor Jessica Brown Findlay is 37.
• NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler is 35.
• Golfer Tony Finau is 35.
• Actor Emma Kenney is 25.

POMPANO BEACH — In a game that featured everything from a 90-minute lightning delay to an accidental 20-minute stoppage in the third quarter because the lights went off due to a timer, visiting Atlantic drubbed the nation’s 27th-ranked team, Blanche Ely, 42-13 on Friday night.

Junior quarterback Lincoln Graf threw four first half touchdowns as visiting Atlantic (4-0) scored on their first five possessions and cruised to the victory over Blanche Ely (3-1) in the District 14-5A opener for both teams. Even Graf was surprised by the final margin.

“We plan for a dogfight every week,” Graf said. “We don’t want to underestimate any opponent, and we didn’t underestimate (Blanche) Ely and we have to keep that mindset through the rest of the season.”

The start of the game was delayed an hour and 30 minutes due to lightning in the area, and when the weather cleared it was the quick-strike Eagles that got on the scoreboard early and often.

Graf hit James Jones from 35 yards out for the first of three TD passes the pair hooked up on. The duo hooked up again on a 17-yard TD score with 5:44 remaining in the first quarter.

“I’m grateful for today and happy for the whole team,” Graf said. “It’s not just me. I would be a fool to say it is just me.

“Our playmakers were making plays,” Graf continued. “Everybody did an excellent job today. It was a weird game. There was an hour-and-a-half delay before the game, and I am glad our team figured out a way to keep doing their job. We are not perfect by any means, and we are far from perfect, but we are trying to get better every day, and I think today showcased that.”

Atlantic stretched the lead to 21-0 on a 59-yard TD run by Deandre Desinor with 2:34 left in the first quarter on a four-play, 51-yard drive. Blanche Ely cut the deficit to 21-7 on a 23-yard scoring toss from junior Omari McNeil to junior Gary Hadley.

 

Blanche Ely quarterback Omari McNeal (9) gets sacked by Jabari Henry, bottom, and Terry Clammy of Atlantic during the first half. Friday, Sept. 13, 2024 (Jim Rassol/Contributor).

 

Atlantic padded the lead to 35-7 with two scoring tosses from Graf, one of which covered 40 yards on a catch and run to Desinor and a 14-yard TD pass to Jones. The Tigers were driving for a score late in the first half as they drove from their own 20 to the Eagles’ 14, however, McNeil was intercepted by Atlantic’s Shamar Scruggs.

Graf threw for his fifth score of the night on a 4-yard toss to Kemari Walcott with 1:03 remaining in the third quarter to stretch the lead to 42-7 and force a running clock for the rest of the game.

There were also delays for an injury in the third quarter when Blanche Ely linebacker Cameron Davis was carted off on a stretcher with a neck injury and 22 penalties combined for both teams for 225 yards. The Tigers were whistled 12 times for 125 yards.

“Atlantic was the better team,” Blanche Ely coach Terrance McFadden lamented after the game. He said that Davis suffered a stinger and didn’t want to leave, but he was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure.

“They executed,” McFadden added. “They played a lot faster and at the end of the day, the best team won tonight. At the end of the day, this doesn’t change anything. It was probably something they needed.”

The teams have met five times since 2014 with Atlantic going 5-0 and outscoring the Tigers 187-48.

James Jones (6) of Atlantic catches a touchdown pass over Dwight Roberson (6) of Blanche Ely on fourth down late in the second quarter. Friday, Sept. 13, 2024 (Jim Rassol/Contributor).

BOCA RATON — Jupiter senior running back Christopher Vanhorn rushed for two touchdowns and the Warriors defense created four turnovers in the rain at Spanish River as they remained unbeaten with a 28-13 victory over the Sharks on Friday night.

Jupiter (4-0) has outscored opponents 110-19.

The Warriors had finished 9-2 last season, which included a district championship and regional quarterfinal appearance. Despite losing standout quarterback Luke Douglas, the Warriors have competed at a high level during the first month of the season.

Senior Reagan Fowle, senior Niko Casella and senior D-Tre Runner combined for five sacks in the victory. Senior Jayden Jackson, senior Shane Hollinger and junior Correy Fountain each recorded an interception and senior linebacker Ryan Senecal also stepped up to lift the defense. The offensive line was anchored by senior Joe Desantis and junior Colin Pessagno.

“Our defense has been lights-out and forced turnovers all year,” Jupiter coach Jason Kradman said. “They have been ballhawks in the secondary. Our defensive line puts pressure on the quarterback. We played an extremely well-coached team. They fly around and play fast and played us toe-to-toe. I am excited for our guys. We were able to lean on our offensive line playing against a tough front. I give credit to our coaching staff for doing a fantastic job. We are playing well in all three phases.”

Jupiter had a 7-0 advantage at the end of the first quarter and jumped out to a 21-7 lead entering halftime.

The Warriors marched 94 yards on their opening possession. Junior quarterback Andrew Embick connected with junior KJ Larsen for a 48-yard gain on the drive. On third-and-goal, Vanhorn rushed for a 1-yard touchdown with 5:07 left in the first.

Hollinger recorded an interception in the end zone late in the first to preserve the lead.

Senecal took a direct snap on a fake punt and rushed up the middle deep into Sharks territory. Vanhorn powered his way for an 11-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 14-0 with 9:58 left in the second.

“It feels good and I give credit to the linemen,” Vanhorn said. “It’s a really good start and we want to continue this streak.”

Fountain bounced out to the left and raced down the sideline for a 27-yard touchdown to increase the lead to 21-0 with 6:11 left in the first half.

Spanish River (2-2) lost a fumble at the Jupiter 20-yard line on their next possession.

The Sharks defense stepped up as they recovered a fumble at the 26 with 2:02 left in the first half.

Spanish River freshman quarterback Marcus Stracke rushed for a 3-yard score to cut the deficit to 21-7 with three seconds left prior to halftime.

Jupiter lost a fumble at the Spanish River 47 on the opening drive of the second half.

Spanish River’s offense capitalized later in the third quarter with starting field position at the Jupiter 40 after a punt. On third-and-goal, senior running back Tarrel Ocean rushed for a 1-yard score to make it 21-13 with 2:34 left in the third.

Fountain stepped up with an interception at the Sharks 42 in the fourth quarter. On the ensuing possession, Embick fired a 9-yard scoring pass to Larsen to push the lead to 28-13 with 8:11 remaining.

Jackson had an interception with 2:47 left to seal the victory.

The start of the game was delayed for an hour and 46 minutes due to lightning.