The 2011 edition of the JUSA Cup begins today across Johnston County with all eight county high schools in a battle for the prep boys soccer county championship. First-round matches will be held at four different sites, with the matches on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday shifting to Clayton High School.
Clayton is the defending event champion, having beaten North Johnston in last year's final.
The event schedule...

The Johnston County volleyball championships return to the high school sports scene, beginning today after a five-year absence. The tournament, featuring all eight JoCo high schools, will be held at South Johnston High School.
The schedule....

Garner will host the annual Highway 70 Pigskin Showdown tonight. The seven-team scrimmage includes Clayton, West Johnston, Richmond County and Middle Creek in the first session at 6 p.m.

Garner, Southeast Raleigh and Cary will be part of the 8 p.m. session.

In another scrimmage involving Johnston County teams, Cleveland hosts Smithfield-Selma. That event begins with a junior varsity scrimmage at 6. The varsity squads scrimmage about 7 p.m.

The fifth annual Kick It for Cancer boys soccer showcase is scheduled for Saturday at CASL's WRAL soccer complex in Raleigh. The event is expected to involve 22 teams.

The Corinth Holders at Clayton football game has been moved to Thursday, Sept. 8. The game was originally scheduled for Sept. 9.

Kick off time remains at 7:30. The junior varsity game will be moved up a day as well.

The organizers of the Highway 70 Pigskin Showdown prep football scrimmage at Garner are looking for another team after South Johnston High School pulled out of the event.

Double check today's News & Observer for an advertising insert from Dairy Queen that contains some sweet coupons.

Depending on where you live, you may have received a one-page shiny sheet with a strip of five coupons printed along the bottom:

• $3 off any cake.
• Free small dipped cone with the purchase of any combo.
• Buy one Mini Blizzard, get one FREE.
• Buy one banana split, get one FREE.
• Lunch special: $3.99 bacon cheeseburger combo. (Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

I believe the ad was targeted to subscribers who live in the Garner and Clayton areas because those are the DQ restaurants listed in the ad. (I didn't receive the coupons in the paper delivered to my home in Apex.)

However, the coupons don't have any location restrictions listed on them so presumably they are good at any Dairy Queen. The coupons expire Aug. 31.

Minor League Baseball news around the Carolina Mudcats and updates on Johnston County natives Jerry Sands and Chris Archer.

Announced tryout start dates for Clayton High School for the fall season. All prospective student-athletes must have a completed and current physical form turned in to their respective coach before participating in any tryout. Physical forms are available in the school's main office.
Football, Aug. 1, 7:59 a.m.
Boys Soccer, Aug. 1, 5 p.m.
Volleyball, Aug. 1, 2 p.m.
Cross Country, Aug. 1, 7:30 a.m.
Girls Tennis, Aug. 1, 5:30 p.m.
Girls Golf, Aug. 1, 8:30 a.m. (Pine Hollow)
Cheerleading, Aug. 3, 9 a.m.
 

Garner stayed alive in its American Legion Baseball series with Cary Friday night, forcing a deciding third game in their Area I West semifinal battle. Game 3 will be played tonight (Friday) at Trojan Park on the campus of Garner High School at 7.

North Chatham eliminated Clayton from the Area I West playoffs on Friday night with a 12-9 victory. North Chatham awaits the winner of the Garner-Cary series, which will begin on Monday night.