Comment on Gardner lifts American past Hampton 64-60

HIGHLANDS RANCH — Ralston Valley’s plan to control the clock and slow the game down against Valor Christian looked like a great idea for about a quarter and a half. Then Chase Hanosh broke into the open field from the shadow of his own goalposts for what should stand as one of the greatest plays in this Centennial State prep football season.

It was a glorious Friday night at Coors Field. Unless, of course, you played for the Rockies, who were blasted 11-4. But if you were a blue-clad Dodgers fan — and there were plenty of them — it provided a chance to cheer on a team that locked up the National League West title for the 11th time in the last 12 seasons by defeating the Padres Thursday night. And if you were simply a fan of baseball legends, you got to see Shohei Ohtani continue his supernatural season. The Dodgers’ designated hitter, who’s a lock to win National League MVP, supplied the in-game pyrotechnics long before the postgame fireworks that drew an announced sellout crowd of 48,750 to the ballpark. Ohtani hit 4 for 5, slugged a three-run homer to the second deck above right field in the sixth inning, drove in four runs, and stole his 57th base.

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. — The Greenbrier Resort sits on 11,000 acres and features four golf courses, 20 dining options and one coach with an office. Sean Payton helped design the football footprint that led the New Orleans Saints to escape the heat, if not the internet, for three straight training camps here beginning in 2014. As Payton rode around in his golf cart surveying the grounds this week, often flanked by family and friends, it is clear why he loves West Virginia. But with apologies to John Denver, Payton’s “almost heaven” almost never happened.

Class 5A 1. Cherry Creek (3-1) vs. No. 8 Pine Creek, 7 p.m. Friday. Next week: at Cherokee Trail, 6 p.m. Oct. 5. 2. Mountain Vista (5-0) won at Overland, 55-6: The Golden Eagles returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, part of a 49-0 first half that triggered a running clock, and didn’t look back en route to their first 5-0 start in 10 years.

One day into training camp, the Nuggets now have two injured players. Peyton Watson did not practice Friday due to a soft-tissue hamstring injury that will likely keep him out for Denver’s first two preseason games. The team plays twice in Abu Dhabi next week against the Boston Celtics. “I think it’s really important that we’re smart about his injury, his rehab, his recovery,” coach Michael Malone said.

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. — Why bother putting a card in the mail when you can just deliver a thank-you message in person? That’s what the Broncos should do Sunday at MetLife Stadium. Tell the New York Jets thank you. If they spend a few extra bucks on one of those 3D pop-up cards, all the better. Thanks for the high-quality defensive lineman — among the scarcest resources in football — for the bargain-basement price. Thanks for helping transform a defensive front that last year was among the NFL’s worst and, through three games this year, is a disruptive group. Thanks for not only the player but for the ripple effect he’s had on Zach Allen, D.