We are giving couch potatoes everywhere an excuse to plant themselves in front of the flat screen and watch every NFL game they can find.

Napa’s boys had their hands full with the alumni on Saturday. Returning alumni from last year’s Monticello Empire League champions included Kiel Gordon, Taylor Brown, Warren McCann, Esteban Soria and DR Mast. They were aided by 2005 graduates Nathan Been and Jack Ramey. Kyle Ekstrand, a 2005 alum, also played.The alumni kept the game close for four quarters before the varsity team pulled away.

Golden Gate Motor Speedway has saved J.T. Mabry about 440 miles of travel each week since it opened July 26 in Vallejo.

The Napa High varsity girls water polo team got its first dose of competition Saturday morning as it took on a team of Indians alumni in a scrimmage.

The deer season in Napa County (Zone A) began on Aug. 9 and will end on Sept. 21. Dove season begins on Sept. 1, quail can be hunted starting Sept. 27, and Nov. 8 will be the first day of the fall wild turkey season.

I am asked the question a lot about how I prepare for races. How do I train? What do I eat? How long do I ride?