KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith said Tuesday that he has not given any thought to breaking off negotiations on a long-term contract, though that remains a distinct possibility with the start of the regular season just a week away. Smith said earlier in training camp that he wanted to end discussions of a new deal by the time the games count. That happens Sept. 7, when Kansas City opens its season against Tennessee. Smith is in the final year of the three-year contract he signed with San Francisco, and is due to make $8 million this season. His agent has been speaking to the Chiefs for several months, but the two sides have not been close to an agreement.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jamaal Charles has confidence that the Kansas City Chiefs offense will be in synch when the regular season rolls around a week from Sunday. Evidently, so does Andy Reid. The Chiefs’ coach said Tuesday that he is unlikely to play any of his starters in Thursday night’s preseason game in Green Bay. Reid had hinted last week that he may break from his norm and play at least some of them after lackluster performances in their first three preseason games. The Chiefs have struggled to gel while dealing with a rash of injuries and suspensions that could keep several key players off the field in Week 1 against Tennessee.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs waived offensive tackle Ryan McKee and defensive backs Kevin Rutland and Damond Smith on Tuesday to reach the 75-man roster limit. McKee was trying to make a comeback in the NFL after spending last season working as an assistant coach at North Carolina. Rutland and Smith were trying to win jobs at cornerback. The Chiefs had to reach the limit by Tuesday afternoon. They play their final preseason game in Green Bay on Thursday night before final roster cuts are due on Saturday. The Chiefs open their regular season Sept. 7 against Tennessee.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pinch-hitter Ike Davis launched a tiebreaking, three-run homer off Seth Maness in the eighth inning Tuesday night, lifting the Pittsburgh Pirates over the St. Louis Cardinals 5-2. The Pirates won after reigning NL MVP Andrew McCutchen left in the fifth inning because of discomfort in his left ribs. Recently on the disabled list because of a rib problem, the center fielder ran into the wall earlier in the game.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s biggest concern could be at kicker. And punter. Iowa opens on Saturday against Northern Iowa with a remarkably settled depth chart. Aside from the kicking game and a bit of jostling at linebacker, the Hawkeyes already know exactly who they’ll be counting on in 2014.

Marshall Koehn will open the season as Iowa’s kicker, and junior college transfer Dillon Kidd will start at punter. As long as Iowa stays healthy, it appears to have enough depth and experience to contend for the Big Ten West title.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – University of Iowa President Sally Mason says she stands by the controversial firing of women’s field hockey coach Tracey Griesbaum. Mason told reporters Tuesday that she understands that Griesbaum was a successful coach with many supporters, but that she “also understand the reasons” why athletic director Gary Barta removed her.

Barta said this month that he fired the 14-year coach after an investigation identified concerns and issues in the program. One professor says Griesbaum created a culture of intimidation. Giresbaum has said that a few former players have falsely accused her of mistreating them.

Current team members issued a statement last week expressing support for Griesbaum, and many former players, parents and even rival programs have called for her reinstatement.

Griesbaum’s longtime assistant, Lisa Cellucci, has been named interim coach.

A big event is coming this weekend to Atlantic’s Sunnyside Park. Atlantic Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring says the Iowa Disc Golf Tournament…a Frisbee –style Tournament of Champions – will be held Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 30-31. Last year, the event, which was created by Atlantic resident Frank Saddlemire, drew 140 participants from five different states.

Herring says there are varying levels of players in the Coca-Cola Classic tournament, including Professional, Advanced, Junior, Intermediate, and Recreational.  He says the degree of difficulty in completing the course varies on the level of expertise and experience, and at some points is unbelievably hard.

The event is hosted by the Atlantic Disc Golf Club. For more information, or to register, surf the web to www.discgolfscene.com/tournaments/Iowa, and click on the Coca Cola Classic site.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles and safety Eric Berry have returned to practice after dealing with injuries. Left tackle Eric Fisher was absent Monday due to an illness.

Berry has missed most of the past couple weeks with a heel injury. Charles has been out the past two preseason games after hurting his foot while moving out of the dorms at the Chiefs’ training camp headquarters at Missouri Western.

Coach Andy Reid was not available to discuss their status for Thursday night’s preseason finale in Green Bay. Normally, Reid does not play his starters in the fourth preseason game, but a lackluster effort against Minnesota on Saturday night might cause him to change his approach. He indicated afterward that some starters could play against the Packers.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina and right-hander Michael Wacha are ready for the next step in their return from the disabled list. General manager John Mozeliak said Monday that Molina and Wacha will report to Double-A Springfield this week to continue their rehabilitation.

Molina has been on the disabled list since July 10 with a torn ligament in his right thumb that required surgery. Wacha has been on the DL since mid-June with a stress reaction in his right shoulder. Wacha will throw live batting practice with Springfield on Wednesday.

The Cardinals have managed to stay in the middle of the NL Central Division race without Molina and Wacha. St. Louis entered Monday night’s game in Pittsburgh just 1 1/2 games behind Milwaukee.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Matt Holliday’s two-run single in the seventh inning off Jared Hughes capped a late rally, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 on Monday night. Jon Jay’s pinch-hit single tied the game with two outs in the seventh and Holliday followed with a sharp single to left off Hughes (6-4) to score Jay and Matt Carpenter.

John Lackey (13-8) worked out of trouble early to work seven innings and pick up his second victory with the Cardinals after arriving in a trade from Boston on July 31. Trevor Rosenthal gave up a leadoff home run in the ninth to Andrew McCutchen but held on to earn his 39th save.

Pedro Alvarez hit his 18th homer in the second off Lackey, but the Pirates managed little after that to fall further behind St. Louis and first-place Milwaukee in the NL Central race.

Compiled by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union

Class 1-A
School 2013 Record

1. Holy Trinity Catholic 47-5
2. Janesville 38-4
3. Central Lyon 28-7
4. Grandview Christian 28-11 (as GV Park Baptist)
5. LeMars Gehlen Catholic 24-12
6. Tripoli 24-15
7. Guthrie Center 23-7
8. Don Bosco 18-14
9. New London 37-7
10. Algona Bishop Garrigan 18-17
11. Turkey Valley 20-14
12. Northwood-Kensett 16-9
13. Springville 30-11
14. Fremont-Mills 22-5
15. Murray 27-4

Class 2-A
School  2013 Record

1. Dike-New Hartford 45-1
2. Western Christian 45-3
3. Unity Christian 23-11
4. Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont 35-6
5. Grundy Center 29-9
6. Council Bluffs St. Albert 27-5
7. South Central Calhoun 38-5
8. Wapsie Valley 28-9
9. Des Moines Christian 28-10
10. West Branch 26-8
11. Treynor 23-12
12. Hudson 23-12
13. Sumner-Fredericksburg 38-4
14. Woodward-Granger 24-16
15. Jesup 20-12

Class 3-A
School 2013 Record

1. Solon 33-3
2. Mount Vernon 26-11
3. Iowa Falls-Alden 28-7
4. Independence 35-9
5. Red Oak 27-7
6. Nevada 32-12
7. Mediapolis 34-9
8. Kuemper Catholic 28-5
9. West Liberty 19-13
10. Beckman Catholic 19-18
11. Algona 31-7
12. Union 28-8
13. Davis County 29-14
14. Forest City 27-11
15. MOC-Floyd Valley 35-6

Class 4-A
School 2013 Record

1. Harlan 37-4
2. West Delaware 37-6
3. Indianola 29-11
4. Marion 25-16
5. Sioux City Bishop Heelan 32-20
6. Clear Creek-Amana 23-10
7. Le Mars 24-13
8. Lewis Central 18-16
9. Charles City 40-7
10. Cedar Rapids Xavier 28-11
11. Waverly-Shell Rock 46-7
12. Boone 25-19
13. Pella 21-16
14. Webster City 24-10
15. Mount Pleasant 29-5

Class 5-A
School 2013 Record

1. Ankeny Centennial 33-9
2. Ankeny 37-5
3. Dowling Catholic 32-8
4. Bettendorf 36-2
5. Iowa City West 26-10
6. Pleasant Valley 28-7
7. Waukee 19-20
8. Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln 38-12
9. Linn-Mar 23-15
10. Johnston 32-5