Columbus Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella ripped the game officials and the NHL in a fist-pounding tirade after a 3-2 shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday.

In overtime, the Blackhawks were called for too many men on the ice with about 19 seconds left. The clock ran down 1.1 seconds after the play was whistled dead, but the time wasn't added back. Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski put the puck behind Chicago goalie Robin Lehner on the ensuing power play, but the buzzer had already sounded. Had those 1.1 seconds been put back on the clock, the goal likely would have ended the game.

"So the whistle is blown at 19.2 on the clock. For some reason, the clock is run down a second and a tenth to 18.1. Whatever reason, I have no goddamn idea. So instead of resetting the clock, [they] tell our captain, 'We're not going to do it.' [The league office in] Toronto doesn't step in, refs don't do their freaking job and now we lose the game, and we lose our goalie," Tortorella said after the game.

Columbus goalie Joonas Korpisalo had to be helped from the ice after getting injured on Jonathan Toews' goal in the first round of the shootout. Elvis Merzlikins replaced him in the shootout, which Tortorella stressed that Werenski's goal would have prevented.

"So the chain of events, if it was done right," Tortorella said, striking the podium in front of him, "is that we don't lose our goalie and we win the hockey game. So all the goddamn technology, right? The technology and getting things right ... the stubbornness tonight, by the officials and by the league and Toronto, however it's supposed to goddamn work, screws us."

It was a frustrating loss on several fronts for Columbus, which blew a 2-0 lead to the Blackhawks in regulation. The silver lining is that the Blue Jackets' point streak reached 10 games, with a 6-0-4 record in that stretch. But Tortorella wasn't interested in examining the overall game after that overtime clock debacle.

"It's ridiculous. I'm not taking any goddamn questions," he said to end his news conference, storming away.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys' season ended following Sunday's 47-16 win over the Washington Redskins, but there is plenty of work as 2020 beckons.

His future uncertain all season, Jason Garrett's contract is set to expire after the Cowboys' fourth 8-8 finish in his nine years as head coach. Dak Prescott is set to become an unrestricted free agent, although the Cowboys will use the franchise tag on the quarterback if they are unable to reach an extension with him.

The Cowboys could have as many as 26 players set for unrestricted free agency, including key contributors such as receiver Amari Cooper, cornerback Byron Jones, tight end Jason Witten, linebacker Sean Lee, defensive end Robert Quinn, defensive tackle Maliek Collins, safety Jeff Heath and receiver Randall Cobb.

Beyond Garrett, defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli, passing game coordinator Kris Richard and special teams coordinator Keith O'Quinn are among the assistants whose deals end as well.

Garrett's status, however, tops the list.

"I'm not going to get into it at all, an evaluation or an assessment," owner and general manager Jerry Jones said. "I'm not. I'm going to do exactly what I always do and get up, go forward and do the best job that I can. We'll make those decisions accordingly."

Washington, Carolina and Cleveland are set to begin coaching searches soon, but that will not impact Jones' timetable on a decision, he said.

"What other teams are doing, I'm not concerned about from a timing standpoint," Jones said. "I'm just not concerned about it. They can hire every name you've heard tonight, I'm not concerned."

Throughout the season, Garrett brushed off talk about his future and attempted to do the same Sunday, while acknowledging a meeting with Jones has not been scheduled.

"I want to be the coach of the Dallas Cowboys," said Garrett, who has a career mark of 85-67. "We will see what happens."

Does he think he will be the coach?

"I have no idea," Garrett said.

Barring something unforeseen, Prescott will be the Cowboys' quarterback in 2020. A franchise tag could cost the Cowboys anywhere from $27 million to $33 million. He set career highs in touchdown passes (30) and passing yards (4,902) while starting every game for the fourth straight season. His passing total was 1 yard shy of Tony Romo's single-season team record. Prescott said he never thought about the contract during the season and is not about to think about it now.

"When those talks come and when that happens, it happens; it'll be a blessing," Prescott said. "But that's not why I play this game. I play this game for the love of it. My first love as an individual, and I'm committed to those guys in the locker room, my teammates. And that's what wakes me up every day, that's what gets me going ... I play it with passion and I put so much into it. It has nothing to do with a contract or money. So I'm not thinking of that."

Prescott was at times emotional as he spoke, especially when acknowledging what Garrett and Witten have meant to his career. Leading into the Washington game, Witten said he would make a decision on his playing career.

Witten, who turns 38 in May, finished with 63 catches for 529 yards and four touchdowns in his return to the Cowboys after spending last season as ESPN's Monday Night Football analyst.

"One of the best decisions I made was listening to my gut and coming back to play," Witten said, fighting through emotions. "I'm sure that decision can get picked apart a million different ways, but I'm really proud I played and I love this game. This game's given so much to me."

Witten opened his postgame remarks by apologizing to the fans for the team's failures. The Cowboys entered the season with Super Bowl expectations, but after a 3-0 start, their season devolved into weekly inconsistencies as they lost eight of their next 13 games.

The Cowboys had a chance to make the playoffs if the Philadelphia Eagles lost to the New York Giants. Only once did the score of that game appear on the digital board above the field. It showed the Eagles and Giants tied in the third quarter.

Late in the fourth quarter, word reached the sideline that Philadelphia would win.

As the coaches and players walked from the field to the locker room, barely a word was spoken.

"It's unbelievable," Jones said. "We blew people out and we couldn't get out of our own way at times. Inconsistent, I've heard that word used a lot. The inconsistencies that are involved with this season are mind-boggling. But that's what this time is about, beginning right now, is to really reflect back on it and look and see how we can make improvements. We made a lot of coaching changes to start this year. A lot of coaching changes. And I went in thinking that was a strength of ours, those coaching changes.

"Now, I knew and said at the time that I wanted the exuberance of young coaches and coaches that would basically go for it, try things. I didn't want them being conservative in light of the fact that they didn't have experience. I think that there's no question that our lack of experience -- and I had thought that Jason with his experience could be a great safety net for them -- there was just too much to catch this season."

BEREA, Ohio -- Even after a dispiriting loss to the lowly Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Cleveland Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens spoke like he'd have a job to come to on Monday.

Turned out, he would not.

Shortly after the team landed from Cincinnati, owner Jimmy Haslam and general manager John Dorsey met with Kitchens at the team's practice facility to fire him following one season in which Cleveland finished 6-10.

Owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam announced the move in a statement, while the meeting with Kitchens was still ongoing, according to a team source.

"We thank Freddie for his hard work and commitment to this organization but did not see the success or opportunities for improvement to move forward with him as our head coach," the Haslams said. "Our focus is on hiring an exceptional leader for this football team and we will take a comprehensive approach to this process. We are excited about the core players we have to build around and develop and we look forward to bringing in a strong head coach that will put this group of players in the best position to succeed."

The Haslams have now gone through six head coaches, including interims, since buying the team in 2012. Cleveland will be hiring its 12th head coach since returning to the NFL in 1999.

After another listless performance in Sunday's 33-23 loss to the then-1-14 Bengals, yet another coaching move in Cleveland felt unavoidable - even as Kitchens pushed back on any inevitability.

"We've got meeting scheduled through next week, and I'm looking forward to going to work tomorrow," Kitchens said. "They have not given me any indication of anything else. Mr. Jimmy and Dee, I think they want me to do my job, and that's what I'm gonna do - until they tell me not to, if they tell me not to."

The Haslams had seen enough, as Kitchens' brief tenure was enveloped by discipline issues and distractions.

The Browns ranked in the top five in penalties and penalty yardage all season.

Then on Nov. 14, in the closing seconds of a victory over Pittsburgh, star defensive end Myles Garrett ripped the helmet off Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph and slugged him in the head with it. The incident left Garrett suspended indefinitely, and the ensuing melee led the NFL to fine both the Browns and Steelers $250,000 apiece.

Before the Dec. 1 rematch, Kitchens was photographed at the movies wearing a "Pittsburgh started it" T-shirt, a reference to the brawl. After the Steelers won the game 20-13, which severely damaged Cleveland's playoff chances, several Pittsburgh players criticized Kitchens for wearing the shirt.

Kitchens, who originally came to Cleveland last year as a running backs coach, took over as offensive coordinator midway through last season after head coach Hue Jackson was fired. With Kitchens calling plays, Mayfield thrived and went on to break the NFL rookie record with 27 passing touchdowns.

The offensive surge in the second half, propelling the Browns to a 7-8-1 finish, prompted Dorsey to make Kitchens his first head-coaching hire, even though Kitchens had never been a head coach before at any level. Though the Browns hadn't won their division in 30 years, expectations for Cleveland ballooned even higher when Dorsey traded for All-Pro wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. from the New York Giants in the spring.

But with Kitchens still calling plays, the offense never found a groove. Mayfield threw 21 interceptions, the offensive line struggled to protect for him and star wideouts Beckham and Jarvis Landry battled nagging hip injuries.

Cleveland ranked just 22nd in offensive efficiency and scored more than 30 points only twice all season. Meanwhile, without Garrett, the Browns defense crumbled down the stretch, surrendering at least 30 points in its final three games.

After the loss to the Bengals, even Kitchens admitted this season failed to meet expectations

"Six and 10 is not even remotely good enough," he said. "We're not running an operation here to try to be six and 10."

And so, after 256 games over four months, we finally know who will compete for the Super Bowl LIV trophy. The 49ers' exciting 26-21 victory Sunday night over the Seahawks finalized the NFC bracket and set in motion the next five weeks of NFL playoffs.

The win gave the Niners the No. 1 seed in the conference, while the Ravens' season-long domination secured them the AFC's top spot. The Packers and Chiefs also receive first-round byes.

Our playoff primer breaks down what all 12 teams must do to reach the Super Bowl in Miami. ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI) also provides such chances for every playoff-bound team.

NFC:
1. 49ers | 2. Packers
3. Saints | 4. Eagles
5. Seahawks | 6. Vikings

AFC:
1. Ravens | 2. Chiefs
3. Patriots | 4. Texans
5. Bills | 6. Titans

NFC

1. San Francisco 49ers (13-3)

First game: vs. lowest remaining seed in divisional round (Jan. 11 at 4:35 p.m. ET, NBC)

Chance to make the Super Bowl: 34.8%

Reason for hope: The 49ers obviously have an impressive win total, but their losses have actually been among their most impressive games of the year -- which bodes well for postseason competitiveness. They took the Ravens to the final play in Baltimore. They went to overtime in their first game against the Seahawks. And in their one "letdown," they lost to the Falcons at home in the final seconds. In other words, this team always shows up.

Reason for concern: Because of injuries and other personnel issues, the 49ers defense didn't replicate its first-half success in the latter stages of the season. It has ranked No. 24 in points allowed since Week 9. Most concerning was a three-game stretch between Weeks 14-16 when they allowed an average of 35.3 points per game, second-most in the NFL during that period. There are still some elite-level players and disruptors on this defense, but its overall performance has trended the wrong way over an extended period.

X factor: Coach Kyle Shanahan's playcalling. Of everything the 49ers have going for them, the best might be Shanahan's ability to set up defenses and choose the perfect time for an unconventional play. It's no accident when you see 49ers receivers running wide open across the field. It's also not surprising to note that 49ers running backs have ranked among the NFL's top five all season in average yards gained before contact. Shanahan on game day might be the 49ers' best weapon of all.

2. Green Bay Packers (13-3)

First game: vs. highest remaining seed in divisional round (Jan. 12 at 6:40 p.m. ET, Fox)

Chance to make the Super Bowl: 26.6%

Reason for hope: The Packers won 13 games without needing quarterback Aaron Rodgers to carry them in any of them. There are plenty of theories about his subdued statistics this season; he entered Week 17 ranked No. 21 in QBR. Had he lost a step? Was he simply subordinating himself to a new value system set forth by first-year coach Matt LaFleur? Regardless, the Packers enter the playoffs with a quarterback who has a long and proven history of willing teams to big championship-level victories.

Reason for concern: The Packers only beat two teams that will finish the season with a winning record: the Vikings (twice) and the Chiefs when they were playing without quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The Packers have offered no excuses about "winning ugly," nor should they. Thirteen wins is no joke. But not all wins are created equal. In the one game they faced a championship contender at full strength, in Week 12 at San Francisco, they lost by 29 points. In short, a 13-win team has entered the playoffs without showing us that they are a dominant team.

X factor: Tailback Aaron Jones. Why hasn't Rodgers been asked to carry the team? The biggest reason is Jones, who finished the season with 1,084 rushing yards -- the most by a Packers player in five seasons. Jones also caught 49 passes, the most by a Packers running back in 16 seasons. The Packers will need to get him going in the playoffs if they want to re-create their regular-season success.

3. New Orleans Saints (13-3)

First game: vs. Minnesota in wild-card round (Sunday at 1:05 p.m. ET, Fox)

Chance to make the Super Bowl: 25.5%

Reason for hope: The Saints overcame the biggest obstacle a team can face -- the extended loss of a starting quarterback -- and still finished with one of the top records in the NFL. Winning all five games that quarterback Drew Brees (thumb) missed is not only an enormous confidence-booster, but also a demonstration of the team's depth, balance and ability to adjust. All three qualities are critical to making a playoff run.

Reason for concern: On the other side of receiver Michael Thomas' record-setting season lies a fair question: What would the Saints' offense look like if he was injured or otherwise sidelined. Any team would be set back by the loss of a No. 1 receiver, but the Saints' offense runs more directly through him than any other receiver in the game. Thomas led the league in targets by a mile, and had at least 120 more targets than every other Saints receiver. Regardless of their ability to adapt, the Saints don't want to have to answer this question.

X factor: Linebacker Demario Davis. One of the best free-agent signings in Saints history, Davis is the rare three-way linebacker who is a sure tackler against the run, can cover running backs and tight ends in space and also blitz effectively. His versatility allows defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to use playcalls that would leave other teams vulnerable.

4. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7)

First game: vs. Seattle in wild-card round (Sunday at 4:40 p.m. ET, NBC)

Chance to make the Super Bowl: 4.5%

Reason for hope: Quarterback Carson Wentz pulled off quite a feat in leading the Eagles into the playoffs after a 5-7 start. In fact, he became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for at least 4,000 yards without a single wide receiver who finished the season with at least 500 receiving yards. Such was the revolving personnel door that Wentz and the Eagles dealt with, one caused mostly by injuries.

Reason for concern: The Eagles' injury list is ridiculous. They finished up a Week 17 win over the Giants without their top three wideouts, their No. 1 tight end, their top two running backs and right tackle Lane Johnson. Playing at home is preferable to being on the road, but next weekend's starting lineup might well look more like what we would see for a preseason game than in the postseason.

X factor: Tight end Dallas Goedert. The responsibility for replacing Zach Ertz (ribs, kidney) and preserving the Eagles' tight end-centric offense falls on Goedert. He was targeted on a team-high 10 passes in Week 17, catching four for 65 yards. It is hard to imagine the Eagles advancing without an Ertz-like performance from Goedert.

5. Seattle Seahawks (11-5)

First game: at Philadelphia in wild-card round (Sunday at 4:40 p.m. ET, NBC)

Chance to make the Super Bowl: 4.2%

Reason for hope: Quarterback Russell Wilson has played at an MVP level for much of the season and has been the NFL's best at completing passes with high degrees of difficulty. He's rescued them in playoff games before and can do it again.

Reason for concern: Losing left tackle Duane Brown and the majority of running back depth in late December could be a crippling blow. It's possible that Brown could return for the playoffs, and it's fun that the Seahawks brought back Marshawn Lynch. But the Seahawks have absorbed a late personnel crisis that will make a deep playoff run more difficult.

X factor: Pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney. When on the field, Clowney is the defensive game-wrecker that the Seahawks haven't had in recent seasons. The Seahawks just need to keep their fingers crossed that he can stay healthy.

6. Minnesota Vikings (10-6)

First game: at New Orleans in wild-card round (Sunday at 1:05 p.m. ET, Fox)

Chance to make the Super Bowl: 4.3%

Reason for hope: Running back Dalvin Cook is expected to return after missing two weeks because of a chest injury. Cook has previously been limited by a shoulder injury and averaged 3.1 yards per carry in his final four games of the regular season. But the Vikings' offense runs through his ability to hit the outside zone and to be a productive outlet receiver, and there is optimism that he'll be fresh and ready for the playoffs.

Reason for concern: The Vikings didn't beat a winning team on the road this season and haven't won a playoff game on the road since 2004. In fact, their road playoff record is 2-11 over the past three decades, dating back to 1988. It's difficult for any team to win away from home in the playoffs, but there is little evidence to suggest this Vikings team can be any different.

X factor: Quarterback Kirk Cousins. We have seen more of "Good Kirk" than "Bad Kirk" this season, but "Bad Kirk" in a playoff game means almost certain defeat. His worst performances of the season, in Weeks 2 and 14 against the Packers (8.3 and 25.1 QBR, respectively) and Week 4 against the Bears (21.1) all came in Vikings losses.

AFC

1. Baltimore Ravens (14-2)

First game: vs. lowest remaining seed in divisional round (Jan. 11 at 8:15 p.m. ET, CBS)

Chance to make the Super Bowl: 42.4%

Reason for hope: No one figured out how to stop an offense centered around the unique skills of quarterback Lamar Jackson, and if anything, the Ravens got more productive over time. They averaged 30 points per game during the first half of the season and 36 during the second half, not counting the Week 17 matchup against the Steelers when they rested many starters. The closest anyone came was the 49ers in Week 13 -- and the Ravens still scored 20 points and won. If there is a blueprint for stopping them, someone is going to have to debut it in the playoffs.

Reason for concern: Running back Mark Ingram II suffered a strained calf in Week 16, and while he'll have a full two weeks to rest, such injuries can linger and are especially limiting for a runner. Ingram averaged 5.0 yards per carry and scored 15 total touchdowns in 15 games, serving as an important counterpunch when defenses loaded up against Jackson. Gus Edwards is a solid backup, but like any team, the Ravens want to be at full strength in the postseason.

X factor: Kicker Justin Tucker. What coach wouldn't cherish the security Tucker provides? He made 24 of 25 attempts during the regular season, and his only miss bounced off the upright. Tucker has the highest career conversion rate (90.6%) of any active kicker, and there is no better choice to take a game-winning kick in the playoffs.

2. Kansas City Chiefs (12-4)

First game: vs. highest remaining seed in divisional round (Jan. 12 at 3:05 p.m. ET, CBS)

Chance to make the Super Bowl: 40.3%

Reason for hope: Were it not for the emergence of the Ravens' Jackson, Patrick Mahomes might have repeated as MVP -- despite a knee injury that cost him two games. Mahomes has roared back in the second half of the season, leading the Chiefs to victories in five of the six games since his return, and is playing at the same level at which he finished 2018. There is nothing that could give the Chiefs more confidence as they enter the playoffs.

Reason for concern: If the Chiefs need to run the ball, as teams often do during the playoffs, do you trust that part of their offense? The Chiefs entered Week 17 with the lowest per-game average of rushing yards (93.8) of any team that had qualified for the playoffs. Leading rusher LeSean McCoy, who is 31, has been deactivated for multiple games -- presumably to ensure he is healthy for the playoffs.

X factor: Pass-rusher Terrell Suggs. The Chiefs put in a waiver claim for Suggs in part to keep him from the Ravens. But imagine what a postseason boost he could give, even if for only a handful of plays per game. The Chiefs defense finished the season well, but any playoff team could benefit from a pass-rush specialist such as Suggs.

3. New England Patriots (12-4)

First game: vs. Tennessee in wild-card round (Saturday at 8:15 p.m. ET, CBS)

Chance to make the Super Bowl: 13.7%

Reason for hope: The Patriots always find a way. Even after one of the more trying and frustrating seasons of the Bill Belichick/Tom Brady era, they are just three games away from the Super Bowl. If they could win 12 regular season games while Brady produced his lowest-ever QBR, then what can't they do? (QBR was first tabulated in 2006.) Their league-leading defense has carried it through the year, and defense is never more valuable than in the playoffs.

Reason for concern: The Patriots have breezed through the Belichick/Brady era essentially with two kickers: Adam Vinatieri and Stephen Gostkowski. Each made kicks that secured and validated a dynasty. But Gostkowski's season-ending hip injury has left the Patriots bouncing through multiple replacements. In a season when points were already at a premium given their offensive struggles, the Patriots can't rely on drive-ending bailouts from the kicking game.

X factor: Cornerback Stephon Gilmore. The Patriots' best player this season, Gilmore should be at the center of Belichick's postseason approach. As he told NFL Films earlier this year, Belichick abides by the Sun Tzu advice that teaches: "Attack weaknesses and utilize strengths." Gilmore likely will be asked to handle some of the most difficult assignments of the playoff run. The Patriots will count on him to handle it.

4. Houston Texans (10-6)

First game: vs. Buffalo in wild-card round (Saturday at 4:35 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN)

Chance to make the Super Bowl: 1.3%

Reason for hope: The Texans have successfully addressed one of their biggest problems from 2018: lost yardage from quarterback Deshaun Watson taking 62 sacks (for a league-high 384 yards). This season, Watson cut the sacks by nearly 30%. The Texans are going to have a hard time distinguishing themselves in a loaded conference, but sacks are one way they have objectively improved after previous playoff flameouts.

Reason for concern: The Texans' defense entered Week 17 ranked No. 22 in Football Outsiders' DVOA, worst among any team that had qualified for the playoffs. Most concerning is that it had given up an average of 270.3 passing yards per game, third-worst in the NFL, through 16 weeks. That's a big worry in a conference with Mahomes and Jackson.

X factor: Wide receiver Will Fuller V. When he isn't sidelined by injury, Fuller is a game-changer. He managed to catch 49 passes in 11 games during the regular season, and despite multiple leg injuries, he still has the ability to stretch the defense. The Texans' offense is different when he is available.

5. Buffalo Bills (10-6)

First game: at Houston in wild-card round (Saturday at 4:35 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN)

Chance to make the Super Bowl: 1.1%

Reason for hope: If you're in the "defense wins championships" crowd, you probably consider the Bills a legitimate contender. They entered Week 17 ranked No. 5 in defensive DVOA and No. 2 in points allowed. They have an active front, multiple playmakers in the back end and make opponents work for everything. This is a team built to stifle opponents and hope that the offense can find a way to score enough to win.

Reason for concern: Quarterback Josh Allen has no doubt improved from his rookie season and offers a unique set of playmaking skills. Most notably, he is a good enough runner for the Bills to design plays for him. But any objective ranking of playoff passers would put him at or near the bottom. There wouldn't be a ton of optimism if the Bills need to throw to win a game.

X factor: Safety Micah Hyde. Of all the Bills' defensive playmakers, Hyde might be the most versatile and perhaps the one most likely to make a surprising game-changing play. He is a strong tackler, has some burst as a blitzer and always finds a way to get near the ball.

6. Tennessee Titans (9-7)

First game: at New England in wild-card round (Saturday at 8:15 p.m. ET, CBS)

Chance to make the Super Bowl: 1.1%

Reason for hope: There is a reason the Titans were the final AFC team to clinch. They've got some holes. But they can enter the postseason knowing that they are 7-3 since quarterback Ryan Tannehill replaced Marcus Mariota in the starting lineup. From that point on, the Titans were the NFL's fourth-highest-scoring offense.

Reason for concern: It's one thing to get on a run to clinch the No. 6 seed. But are the Titans really ready to go to Foxborough, Massachusetts, and beat the Patriots? The last time they won at New England, the year was 1993 and the franchise was known as the Houston Oilers. Since then, the Titans are 0-6 at Gillette Stadium, including the playoffs. Overall, the Patriots are 8-2 against the Titans since 1993.

X factor: Wide receiver A.J. Brown. Along with Tannehill, Brown's emergence has been key to the Titans' run. He had at least 100 receiving yards in four of the Titans' final six games, demonstrating elite-level ball skills as well as a strong ability to run after the catch. He is the kind of playmaker who can make up for deficiencies in other areas.

PORT ROYAL, Pa. – Don Clark, the president of the Juniata County Agricultural Society for the last 10 years, died Sunday after a battle with cancer at the age of 73.

The news was revealed in a post on Port Royal Speedway’s official Facebook page Sunday evening.

As president of the Juniata Country Agricultural Society, Clark was an avid supporter of Port Royal Speedway, which is located on the grounds of the Juniata County Fair. Clark worked to make sure Port Royal Speedway and the Juniata County Fair remained updated, safe and  enjoyable for spectators.

Clark was responsible for creating an all-volunteer Board of Directors and appointed current  Port Royal Speedway promoter Steve O’Neal, who is charge of racing activities at Port Royal Speedway along with the Port Royal Speedway Promotions team.

Clark delivered the invocation during opening ceremonies prior to each event at Port Royal Speedway. He was recognized as the Fair Person of the Year in 2016.

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Must See Racing Sprint Car Series regular Charlie Schultz, one of the longest-tenured go-kart racers at the Rumble in Fort Wayne, was presented with the event’s highest honor during opening ceremonies on Saturday night.

Schultz was named as the recipient of the sixth annual David Lesiecki Award for Untiring Dedication and Devotion to Motorsports, recognizing the Lorain, Ohio veteran’s longtime commitment to both the Rumble itself and short-track auto racing as a whole.

The award was created in 2014 to honor the late Lesiecki, who passed away prior to that year’s Rumble and was instrumental in the operation and success of the quarter midget class at the event for many years.

Lesiecki‘s widow Diana and sons A.J. and Jonathan, who raced 600cc micro sprints at the Rumble for many years, have remained an active part of the Rumble community and the event’s operational success.

Diana has maintained the quarter midget program behind the scenes since David’s passing with help from 2018 Lesiecki Award recipient David Ebert, while A.J. and Jonathan transitioned over to lead the technical inspection side of the micro sprint program this year instead of racing in their own rights.

Much as they’ve continued to give their time and efforts to the Rumble, the Lesiecki family wanted to honor Schultz for doing the same and continuing to give back to the sport in numerous ways.

“My dad lived by a motto of the three Ds: determination, dedication and discipline, and this year’s recipient falls under all three of those,” noted A.J. Lesiecki. “Dedication, because he’s been with Larry Boos’ show longer than most in this building, from the Marion days to the Columbus shows to the Fort Wayne shows, to even running in 600s and at Toledo; he definitely falls under that category. Discipline, because my father always put new kids in quarter midgets if they wanted to give racing a try, and Charlie is constantly molding the younger generation and helping people learn the skills of racing fabrication. Multiple people, including myself and my brother, have come through under his guide.

“And determination, because there’s not a harder guy to race against or beat than Charlie Schultz when you’re beside him or chasing him on the race track,” Lesiecki added with a laugh. “We’re truly honored to recognize him for all he’s done in racing and at this Rumble, and to present him with this year’s David Lesiecki Award. He deserves to be right alongside the five previous recipients of my father’s award.”

Schultz is a past go-kart feature winner at the Rumble and earned a top-five finish on Saturday night in the Senior Caged division.

He was blown away, however, at being recognized by the Lesiecki family – who he’s known and remained friends with for many years – in such a manner as he was during the Rumble finale.

“Receiving this was definitely a surprise. I really had no idea it was coming,” Schultz admitted. “We were downstairs and everyone was like, ‘Come on, let’s go upstairs for opening ceremonies,’ and we were standing over (in turn four) watching and listen to A.J. talk, and he was getting pretty choked up, which I can definitely understand. But when they called my name, it definitely took me by surprise.

“David was a very close friend, almost like a second dad to me. We had our fights, and we had arguments, but he was the guy that would go out of his way, not just for me … but for anybody in racing,” Schultz recalled. “He got so many kids started in quarter midgets and just gave them an opportunity to get that spark for racing ignited, to love the sport like he did. He did so much for me that to this day I still run a sticker in memory of David Lesiecki on my kart and my other race cars.

“It means a lot just to receive this award. I love the Lesiecki family and this is a really special moment for me.”

Past recipients of the David Lesiecki Award include John Ivy (2014), Doc Hathaway (2015), Larry Cleveland (2016), Joe Liguori (2017) and David Ebert (2018).

ADAIRSVILLE, Ga. – Crate Racin’ USA officials have announced the purchase of the South Eastern Crate Ass’n, which campaigns several racing divisions in the Carolinas and Northeast Georgia.

While there will be a change of ownership, not much else will change in the near future.

“The divisions that race under the SECA banner will remain in place with very few adjustments for the 2020 season,” Crate Racin’ USA Director Adam Stewart said. “We will have a new website up soon that will contain rules, contact information, and all of the pertinent information.”

Stewart said all of the SECA staff and many of the key personnel will remain on board and keep things more the same than different. The main thing Crate Racin’ USA will add to what is already in place at SECA is a larger national public relations footprint and added technical support going forward.

Scott Childress turned over the keys of SECA to Stewart, and now he can concentrate on not only working with the SECA team, but also promoting Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, S.C., and Lavonia (Ga.) Speedway.

“I’m excited to see what Crate Racin’ USA brings to the SECA drivers and tracks,” Childress said. “Crate Racin’ USA will bring a common set of rules for 604 Late Models and Street Stocks that will give drivers in the Carolinas and Northeast Georgia an opportunity to travel more to bigger races, and at the same time, open opportunities for tracks to have bigger races that will bring more cars and more fans to our area.”

“Both Adam and I thought it would be a good thing for SECA to become part of Crate Racin’ USA because both organizations have good people, and we would just let them do what they do best,” Childress said. “I know I’m looking forward to having Crate Racin’ USA SECA Late Model and Street Stock events in 2020 at Cherokee Speedway and Lavonia Speedway.”

CINCINNATI -- Amid mounting speculation his job could be in jeopardy, Cleveland Browns coach Freddie Kitchens said he has "not been given any indication" from ownership or general manager John Dorsey that he will be fired after his first season.

The Browns (6-10) fell to the Cincinnati Bengals 33-23 to finish the year on a three-game skid.

"I haven't been told anything different," Kitchens said. "So ... they expect me to do my job, and I'm gonna show up tomorrow and do my job. That's what I'm gonna do. Do my job, until they tell me not to, if they tell me not to."

Since owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam bought the team in 2012, the Browns have cycled through six head coaches, including interims. Cleveland fired Hue Jackson midway through last season and promoted Kitchens from running backs coach to interim offensive coordinator. After the offense and rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield thrived with Kitchens calling plays, the Browns promoted Kitchens to head coach in the offseason.

But Mayfield and the offense have struggled this season, along with the rest of the team, as the NFL's longest playoff drought was extended to 17 years.

"We're not running an operation here to try to be 6-10," Kitchens said. "We're trying to win every time we go out. We didn't get that done this year. But moving forward, we've gotta do a much better job coaching, playing, making plays. And when we're back in those situations, perform better."

The team was flying back to Cleveland, where Kitchens said it will be back to business for him.

"I'm looking forward to [Monday]," Kitchens said. "We've got meetings scheduled through next week.

"I truly don't buy into the speculation stuff. I'll work and show up tomorrow and do the best job I can do for the Browns tomorrow."

NEW ORLEANS -- Houston Rockets guard James Harden will miss his first game of the season Sunday night with a toe sprain, according to coach Mike D'Antoni.

"He probably could [play], but given the circumstances it's better that he doesn't," D'Antoni said before the game. "He's banged up a little bit."

With Russell Westbrook also out (rest), the Rockets will start Austin Rivers and Eric Gordon on Sunday against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Harden played 39 minutes in Saturday's game against the Brooklyn Nets in a 108-98 win. He finished with 44 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists.

This will be the first game he has missed this season. In the past three seasons, Houston is 8-6 when Harden doesn't play and the team is 17-12 without Harden in his career, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.

Harden is averaging a league-leading 38.3 points per game this season.

The Rockets will also be without center Clint Capela, who will miss his second consecutive game with a heel injury.

LAKE CITY, Fla. – The last name Pauch carries a sense of responsibility in Northeast auto racing. It’s safe to say Billy Pauch Jr. is doing the legacy well.

Pauch, the third-generation of the famed New Jersey racing family, enjoyed a successful season traversing the dirt tracks of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Delaware.

The Milford, N.J., driver recorded 10 victories in the modified division amidst his other open-wheel racing endeavors.

Among those conquests was a nationally televised victory with the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco at Georgetown (Del.) Speedway. Pauch ran down and passed the region’s leading winner – Matt Sheppard – and went on to win the VAHLCO Racing Wheels Blast at the Beach presented by Melon 1 in August.

Pauch won twice on the Georgetown clay, picked up a pair of victories at Big Diamond Speedway in Minersville, Pa., and racked up six Sunoco checkered flags at New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway en route to the championship in the track’s headline division.

Now, with the 2019 campaign fading into the rear view, Pauch has his sights set on a new goal: the inaugural Sunshine Swing at All-Tech Raceway in Lake City, Fla., Feb. 5-8.

The 32-year-old has filed an entry to compete in the Sunshine Swing’aboard the Rick Holsten-owned No. 96 with progressively lucrative payouts: $5,000 on Thursday, $7,500 on Friday and $10,000 on Saturday.

While he has competed in the Sunshine State previously driving a pavement modified and micro sprint, Pauch has never taken part in a dirt modified event on Florida soil. That will change in just more than a month’s time at the half-mile oval located roughly an hour to the south and west of Jacksonville.