also said hed prepare some emergency options like recei

Cronulla have advanced to the NRL grand final with a 32-20 demolition of a listless North Queensland at Allianz Stadium.The result sent the 36,717-strong crowd into raptures on Friday night as the Sharks moved a step closer to claiming their first title in their 50-year history and ended the Cowboys hopes of winning back-to-back premierships.They will meet the winner of Saturdays clash between Canberra and Melbourne in Sunday weeks grand final at ANZ Stadium.The Cowboys gave themselves a sniff of hope when fullback Lachlan Coote, who otherwise had a forgettable night and was again troubled under the high ball, crossed for a soft try four minutes after halftime to make it 14-6.However, the Sharks picked themselves up off the canvas to advance to their fourth grand final - following their appearances in 1973, 1978 and the Super League decider in 1997.The Cowboys were blown off the park by a Sharks first-half blitz. Looking fatigued after their 90-minute epic against Brisbane last week, they crumbled under a mountain of unforced errors.When Chad Townsend crossed to make it 14-0 at the break, the Sharks had completed twice as many sets as the Cowboys (16/20 to 8/12), run for twice as many metres (791 to 390), and been tackled in their oppositions red zone 23 times compared to North Queenslands eight.Townsend bounced back from his shocker against Canberra a fortnight ago when he was hooked by coach Shane Flanagan, scoring one try, going close on another occasion and setting up another.The Sharks twice managed to get over the line, through Andrew Fifita and Townsend, but were denied by the video referees before they finally converted their weight of possession into points via a James Maloney penalty goal in the 17th minute.And when they found space on the left side, Sosaia Feki crossed in the corner before a botched Kyle Feldt dropout gifted Maloney another two points.Townsends 35th-minute four-pointer had big question marks on it, with the last pass from Maloney appearing to be forward, however referee Gerard Sutton was in line with the play.Cootes try shortly after halftime seemingly sparked the Sharks back to life as they piled on three tries in 14 minutes via Luke Lewis and a Maloney double.The Cowboys scored three tries in the final 10 minutes via a Feldt double and Cohen Hess but it was of little consolation.NRL PRELIMINARY FINAL 1Result: Cronulla 32 defeated North Queensland 20 at Allianz StadiumKey moment: When Chad Townsend put Luke Lewis over in the 52nd minute for a scoreline of 20-6, any thoughts of a Cowboys fightback were dashed.Key quote: It has taken 15 years for me to finally get to a grand final. - Sharks skipper Paul Gallen.Judiciary: NoneInjuries: NoneWhats next: The Sharks move onto their first grand final in a united competition since 1978 and premiers North Queensland bow out of the title race. Rick Mahorn Jersey . PAUL, Minn. Mateen Cleaves Pistons Jersey . Pierce was ejected in the third quarter of Indianas 103-86 win Monday. George Hill stole a bad pass and was going in for a layup, and Pierce hustled back and appeared to be trying to wrap him up. https://www.pistonsrookiesshop.com/Isiah-Thomas-City-Edition-Jersey/ . After Mondays hard-fought loss, the wait seemed longer than usual. Getting set to go their separate ways for a short Christmas break, the Raptors coach credited his team for their effort on a seemingly impossible three-game road trip, urging them to build on that success when they get back to work at the end of the week. Christian Laettner Pistons Jersey .Y. -- Jayna Hefford scored the winning goal Friday as Canada survived a scare with a 4-3 win over Sweden at the Four Nations womens hockey tournament. Louis King Jersey . 9. Price, heading to the 2014 Olympics for Canada, was named the First Star after posting wins in three starts with a 1.00 goals-against average and a .971 save percentage. OXFORD, Miss. -- The college career of Mississippi quarterback Chad Kelly is over at least a month before anyone expected.With Kelly out, Rebels coach Hugh Freeze faces a tough dilemma in deciding who should replace him: backup Jason Pellerin or prized recruit Shea Patterson.Kellys season came to a sudden end after he tore two ligaments in his right knee during a 37-27 victory over Georgia Southern on Saturday. The 6-foot-2 senior leaves as the third-most productive passer in school history, needing just 22 games to throw for 6,800 career yards after transferring from East Mississippi Community College.Freeze praised Kelly on Monday for all he has done at Ole Miss -- including leading the program to a Sugar Bowl win last season -- but doesnt have much time to get sentimental. The Rebels (4-5, 1-4 Southeastern Conference) are struggling to become bowl eligible and must go on the road to face No. 10 Texas A&M (7-2, 4-2) on Saturday.Ole Miss has to figure out who will be under center against the Aggies.All options are on the table, Freeze said.The choice isnt easy. The 6-foot-2 Patterson was one of the nations top recruits a year ago, but Freeze planned to redshirt him since Kelly was returning after throwing for 4,000 yards as a junior. Now with three games remaining -- four if the Rebels qualify for the postseason -- the fifth-year coach is trying to decide if its worth burning Pattersons redshirt to see what he can do.I think Shea is one of the most complete quarterbacks Ive ever seen as a freshman, Freeze said. It would be hard-pressed, provided he stays healthy and everything, for him not to be a starter here whenever that time comes.Freeze just isnt sure that time is now.ddddddddddddAfter all, its not like the Rebels are competing for an SEC Western Division title. Even with three wins to end the regular season, Ole Miss would have a 7-5 record and be stuck in a mid-tier bowl game.The other option for Freeze is Pellerin, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound redshirt freshman who has been used some this season in short-yardage and when games are out of reach. His passing numbers -- 5 of 13 passing for 53 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions -- arent great, but Freeze has said hes had some good moments.Freeze said Pellerin would receive the majority of the first-team snaps during practice on Monday. He also said hed prepare some emergency options like receiver Markell Pack, offensive lineman Jeremy Liggins or tight end Evan Engram if more injures occurred.The coach acknowledged that the playbook will be a little limited against the Aggies.Will it be what Chads done? Probably not, regardless of who goes at quarterback, Freeze said. Whoever it is, itd be crazy for us to carry the whole playbook into this game. We need to pick the things we really like and go with those.Engram said he was confident in both Pellerin and Patterson. He said Pellerins poise after Kellys injury helped the Rebels close the Georgia Southern win and that Patterson had been impressive in practice, especially for a true freshman.It will be a huge week for our offense, and our biggest challenge will be to rally around whoever is taking snaps, Engram said.---More AP College Football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 . ' ' '