KNEE
Category: Newsday.com Crossword
Unexpected winner
DARKHORSE
Trudge through the mud
SLOG
Timid one
SCAREDYCAT
Spool on a fishing rod
REEL
Sound of a haunted house’s floor
CREAK
Serious and strict
STERN
Seemingly strong opponent
PAPERTIGER
Scheme secretly
PLOT
Round toys on strings
YOYOS
Person exempt from criticism
SACREDCOW
Of high intelligence
SMART