Oh, what a year 2021 was for area sports

SAN FRANCISCO — Cody Bellinger hit a tiebreaking single in the ninth inning and prized midseason acquisition Max Scherzer came out of the bullpen for his first career save, sending the Los Angeles Dodgers past the San Francisco Giants 2-1 in a thrilling winner-take-all Game 5 on Thursday night and into the NL Championship Series.

St. Louis Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak, left, answers questions after the team announced Mike Shildt, right, as manager, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.,in this Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018, file photo. The Cardinals fired Shildt over organizational differences Thursday, just one week after St. Louis lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers on a walk-off homer in the wild-card game. Mozeliak said the firing was “something that popped up recently,” but he refused to expand on what he called “philosophical differences” between Shildt, the coaching staff and the front office.

Cardinals fire Mike Shildt over 'philosophical differences'

By Dave Skretta

The Cardinals fired former National League manager of the year Mike Shildt over organizational differences Thursday, just one week after St. Louis lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers on a walk-off homer in the wild-card game.

Carolina Hurricanes' Andrei Svechnikov (37) attempts to shoot past New York Islanders' Kyle Palmieri (21), Adam Pelech (3) and goaltender Ilya Sorokin during the third period of Thursday's game in Raleigh.

Svechnikov, Hurricanes beat Islanders 6-3 to open season

By Aaron Beard

RALEIGH — Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour felt good about the way his new-look roster played together on the opening night of the season. The familiar faces from three straight playoff appearances — led by Andrei Svechnikov — were pretty sharp, too.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady shouts as he runs on to the field before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Tom Brady throws 2 TD passes, Buccaneers beat Eagles 28-22

By Rob Maaddi

PHILADELPHIA — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers keep losing key players and stockpiling victories.

Wilson Christian's Lin Scott traverses his way through the course during Thursday's Pumpkin Run on the WCA campus. Scott finished third as the Chargers placed second following a fifth-place tiebreaker with Cape Fear Academy. Jimmy Lewis | Times

Massive Pumpkin Run leaves Charger harriers with optimism

By Jimmy Lewis

The largest athletic gathering ever to be held on the campus of Wilson Christian Academy deserved a bit of drama.

Members of the Sallie B. Howard School varsity boys soccer team pose after beating Wayne Prep 2-1 to clinch the CAASC Triangle Athletic Conference championship on Thursday. Contributed photo

AREA ROUNDUP: Eagles secure TAC tournament title

GOLDSBORO — In just its first season as a varsity program, the Sallie B. Howard School varsity boys soccer team can lay claim to a conference tournament championship.

Area calendar, Oct. 15-16

October 15, 2021

Friday, October 15 College Women’s Volleyball Erskine at Barton, 7 p.m. College Cross-Country Barto...

Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold (14) celebrates his touchdown run with Dan Arnold (85) and Cameron Erving (75) during the first half of Thursday's game in Houston.

Darnold, defense lead Panthers past Texans; McCaffrey hurt

By Kristie Rieken

HOUSTON — Thanks to another efficient performance from Sam Darnold and continued dominant play by their defense, the Carolina Panthers are 3-0 for the first time since 2015, when they reached the Super Bowl.

MIDDLE SCHOOL ROUNDUP: Elm City club tennis wins opener

Comprised of students from Elm City Middle, the Lake Wilson girls tennis team opened its season Thursday with a 7-2 conquest of Red Oak.

WYSA ‘06 Explosion closes in on Piedmont Conference crown

A 2-0 showing on a rare home weekend in National League Piedmont Conference play for the Wilson Youth Soccer Association ‘06 Explosion has the club on the verge of a history-making precedent.

Daniels accounts for 6 TDs as Demons outduel South Johnston

FOUR OAKS — The Fike High varsity football team came prepared for a high-scoring affair Thursday night.

AREA ROUNDUP: Greenfield stays unbeaten in CPIC play, sweeps Liberty

RICHLANDS — The Greenfield School varsity volleyball team won its third match without a loss in 1-A/2-A Coastal Plain Independents Conference play Thursday with a 25-9, 25-17, 25-22 win over host Liberty Christian.

JV RESULT: Greenfield drops first CPIC match at Liberty