Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 29 August 1997 — Page 1

FRIDAY. AUGUST 29.1997 ■ MARION COUNTY S COMPLETE GUIDE TO LOCAL AND PRO SPORTS

Colts head hrto regular seasoi oi positive note

By JAMES M. KEOUGH JR.

Sports Writer

resemble die hapless unit that regis-

tered a 1-15 record in 1991.

But like the mystical phoenix that Life in the National Football League rose from the ashies, the real India-

isn’t getting any easier.

Particularly in the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference. As if things weren’t already competitive enough. Bill Parcells is now rebuilding the New York Jets. The New England Patriots are coming off a trip to the Superbowl. The Miami Dolphins are one year wiser under the direction of Jimmy Johnson and the Buffalo Bills are seemingly always

competitive.

As a result, many of the football . ^.experts Jiave picked the Indianapolis Colts to finish near the bottom of the

AFC East.

And until last week in the RCA Dome against the Detroit Lions, this year’s home team appeared destined to prove the experts were right on target. After struggling through the preseason both offensively and defensively, this team appeared to be a long shot to earn its third consecutive trip to

the playoffs.

In fact, these Colts were starting to

napolis Colts finally showed up last Thursday night and caged the aggressive Lions 16-3 in the team’s preseason finale. The team finished the

preseason with a record of 2-2 and a head of steam heading into the regular Sm COLTS, Pago 3 The Colts ended the preseason with a decisive 163 victory over the Detroit Lions. The victory gives the team confidence going Into ■ ■■ -E* mlafTVV Ofi Sunday. (Recorder photo by Walt Thomas.)

iklbe clinch playoff berth The Indianapolis Indians (80-57) clinched a playoff berth Monday in a 6-5 win over the Buffalo Bisons. The tribe, as of Tuesday, is also in prime contention for the first place spot currently occupied by Buffalo. The tribe continue their homestand against Louisville before departing to Louisville on Sunday. At left, Damian Jackson was the winning run as the Indiana defeatesthe Redbirda on Sunday. Louisville returns to Victory Field on Friday. (Recorder photos by John Crider.)

*>' v»v. .

First baseman Brian Hunter (35) was key In SundaYagame against the Louisville Redbirda, hitting the game winning RBI In the 12th inning. > i i j i 1 ; •,* i* i i i i i t • • .. ' tit