8-27 HS Football Report

[E.T.]

Published Friday, August 27, 2004

Exhibition Games Kick Off

By Roy Fuoco

The Ledger

roy.fuoco@theledger.com

Prep football is back. There are seven exhibition football games and one real football game taking place tonight.

Oh sure, they're all Kickoff Classics, which are nothing more than exhibition games. The Lakeland at Lake Gibson game, however, goes a little beyond just being a glorified practice game, at least to the fans.

Last season's game was a 20-16 Lake Gibson victory before more than 4,000 fans, who created a playoff atmosphere rather than an exhibition atmosphere.

Lakeland coach Bill Castle lamented that that's the problem with playing a rival in a Kickoff Classic. Although all coaches want to win the Classics, most coaches also want to be able to play as many players as possible to give them experience and see what they still need to work on for the regular season.

The Braves took advantage of having seven returning starters on offense last year, while Lakeland had fewer returning starters.

Lake Gibson quarterback Matt Grothe foreshadowed the great year he went on to have by engineering a 73-yard scoring drive in the closing minutes that was capped with by a 5-yard touchdown pass to Roger Frazier. This year, it's reverse with the Dreadnaughts having more returning starters (seven), although both teams each have just one returning offensive lineman. Grothe and Frazier are two of the Braves four returning starters on offense.

Both squads have a strong core returning on defense. Lake Gibson has seven returning starters, led by defensive linemen Van Alexander and Aubrey Bowers, while Lakeland has six returners, led by lineman Kendrick Stewart and defensive back Randy Dobie.

The game should be a preview for a season in which some of the strongest teams in the county are in Lakeland. In addition to these two teams, Kathleen in Class 3A and Evangel Christian in Class A should be among the county's best.

But whatever the emotion is, at least they're playing. Two games involving four county teams had their games canceled due to stadium damage caused by Hurricane Charley. The two games were Lake Region at Lake Wales and Fort Meade at Haines City.

Tonight will also mark the first game for new George Jenkins head coach Patrick Smith, whose Eagles host Bartow, and Santa Fe's Mike Jones, whose Crimson Hawks host Warner Christian.

[E.T.]

Lakeland has a very good DT, so Grothe's success will heavily depend on his young O-Lines job of getting him the time to find Frazier.

Down the field goes Frazier !!!

[Papa_Bull]

I forget whether you said you are going to the game. If so, tell us afterwards what you think of lineman Kendrick Stewart.

I may have asked before, but do you know if it will be shown on TV, live or on tape? If so, on what channel and when?

[E.T.]

Bright House was there and BULLieve it will be on 47 replay.

Prior chat of opening weekend of Polk County Football:

http://www.thebullspen.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=news;action=display;num=1093473653

[E.T.]

Published Saturday, August 28, 2004

Harris Runs Wild for Lake Gibson

The Braves take over in the second half against Lakeland.

By Corey Long

The Ledger

corey.long@theledger.com

LAKELAND -- The nature provided the lightning, but Issac Harris provided the thunder.

The junior running back rushed for 176 yards in the second half, ran for a score and caught another as part of a dominating second-half performance by Lake Gibson in a 28-6 victory over Lakeland at Virgil Ramage Stadium in front of an overflow crowd of 5,500.

In what was supposed to be a battle between two of the top quarterbacks in the area -- Lake Gibson's Matt Grothe and Lakeland's Chris Griffin -- the 5foot-9 Harris stole the show.

The lightning delayed the game for over an hour and both offenses struggled until late in the first half when Grothe directed a nine-play drive that led to a 5-yard pass to Harris to give the Braves a 6-0 lead.

Griffin led Lakeland right back down the field with some help from sophomore running back Chris Rainey. With under 10 seconds remaining in the half Griffin avoided a blitz and connected with a diving Paul Wilson to knot the score at halftime.

But things got tougher for the Dreadnaughts in the second half as Lake Gibson's offensive line started generating holes for Harris and time for Grothe.

The game's turning point came in the third period with the Braves facing a fourth-and-11 at the Lakeland 30, Grothe hit senior Roger Frazier on a slant for a touchdown and a 14-6 lead.

"We shot ourselves in the foot too many times," said Lakeland coach Bill Castle, whose team was penalized multiple times for personal fouls and holding. "We did a couple things well but we weren't ready to play football."

Early in the fourth quarter Harris broke off an 80-yard run to end the scoring.

"We played so much better up front than I expected," said Lake Gibson coach Keith DeMyer. "We came out and beat a talented team."

Lakeland 0 6 0 0 -- 6

Lake Gibson 0 6 15 7 -- 28

Second Quarter

LG -- Harris 5 pass from Grothe (pass failed) 1:25

L -- Wilson 19 pass from Griffin (kick failed) 6.8

Third Quarter

LG -- Frazier 30 pass from Grothe (Shaw pass from Grothe) 6:13

LG -- Grothe 1 run (Grothe kick) 1:18

Fourth Quarter

LG -- Harris 80 run (Jacoby kick) 11:34

[E.T.]

Published Saturday, August 28, 2004

Winter Haven Blanks Frostproof

By MIKE AKINS

Ledger Correspondent

WINTER HAVEN -- The Winter Haven Blue Devils used a strong running attack to defeat Frostproof, 14-0, in the Kickoff Classic at Denison Stadium on Friday night.

The Blue Devils used the nifty running of senior running back Drek Hubbard to score the first touchdown, a 65-yard jaunt up the far sideline eight minutes into the game. Hubbard also had a 35-yard run in the first quarter that ended with a Blue Devil fumble.

The Bulldogs had trouble with fumbles as well as they committed nine, losing five of them.

The Blue Devils rushed for 200 yards, with Hubbard gaining 150 of them. When he needed a breather, junior Deante Lewis came in and rushed for 45.

The Blue Devil defense put pressure on Bulldog quarterbacks Cedric Cox and Carlton Thomas all night, limiting Frostproof to 120 yards of offense and four first downs.

The Blue Devils got the ball down to the 1-yard line late in the first half before losing their third fumble of the game. Two plays later, defensive back Christian Franklin intercepted a Thomas pass and raced 35 yards with 39 seconds left to go.

Evangel 31, Heritage 0

LAKELAND -- Evangel Christian pounded American Heritage, 31-0, in its Kickoff Classic on Friday night before 500 spectators.

The game looked and felt like an exhibition game, as the Chargers turned the ball over four times and had more than 50 yards in penalties on offense alone. However, their defense looked dominating, and the offense was still efficient behind Austin Davis.

Davis stole the show, scoring four touchdowns while rushing for 222 yards on 15 carries to propel the Chargers' rushing attack.

Evangel scored right at the end of the first quarter when quarterback Paul Fussell connected with Davis on a 7-yard swing pass.

The following kickoff, Davis rocked American Heritage's Gerald Miller, setting the tone for the rest of the game.

Davis then set up the Chargers' next score, returning a punt 64 yards to American Heritage's 2yard line. Senior tailback Rod Coby, who left the game in the second half with a leg injury, found the end zone, making it 12-0 Evangel in the second quarter.

What made it truly Davis' night took place at the end of the first half. Punting from his own 20-yard line, Davis mishandled a long snap. With numerous defenders closing in, Davis somehow dodged two defenders and returned it 80 yards to the house, making it 18-0 at the half.

Evangel's defense did not allow American Heritage past the 50 yard line in the second half, stuffing the run and putting constant pressure on Stallion quarterback Dustin Johnson.

Linebacker Isaiah Jewell led the Chargers' defense with 13 tackles, while Chris Clinton forced a fumble.

Davis scored his third touchdown on a 7-yard run in the third quarter and then ended his night on a 22-yard run making it 31-0 at the end of the third quarter.

EVAN GIBSON

American Heritage 0 0 0 0 -- 0

Evangel Christian 6 12 13 0 -- 31

[E.T.]

Published Saturday, August 28, 2004

Auburndale Rips Plant City, 29-2, As Offense Roars

By **** Scanlon

The Ledger

****.scanlon@theledger.com

PLANT CITY -- Darius Bryant, DeMario Leverett and Everett Laster scored long touchdowns for Auburndale on Friday night in a 29-2 smashing of Plant City in a kickoff classic.

The Bloodhounds, who will open their season at Lake Wales on Friday, also got a 6-yard touchdown run from Dedrick Davis and a 32-yard field goal by Pascal Milien while holding the Raiders to 159 total yards.

The Plant City scoreboard, a hurricane casualty, was not working. But the Raiders wouldn't need it until the final minutes when a bad snap resulted in a safety for Plant City's only points.

Auburndale rolled up 323 yards of offense and didn't commit a turnover before a crowd of about 1,500.

Davis, Auburndale's senior quarterback who also punts, returns punts and plays defense, directed a 55-yard drive for the game's first score early in the second quarter. After completing a 17-yard pass to Bryant, Davis ran for the 'Hounds' first touchdown and a 6-0 lead.

Plant City drove deep into Auburndale territory late in the first half, but had to settle for a 29-yard field goal attempt. Bryant blocked the kick, picked up the football on the run and ran 78 yards for the 'Hounds' second touchdown.

Backup quarterback Cory Mathis took over in the second half for Auburndale and had a big third quarter, completing five passes for 146 yards. He hit Leverett on a slant across the middle, and the junior receiver took it 69 yards to make it 19-0.

Auburndale 0 12 14 3 -- 29

Plant City 0 0 0 2 -- 2

Second quarter

A -- D. Davis 6 run (kick failed).

A -- Bryant 78 run with blocked kick (kick blocked ).

Third quarter

A -- Leverett 69 pass from Mathis (Clark kick).

A -- Laster 62 run (Clark kick).

Fourth quarter

A -- Field goal 32 Milien.

P -- Safety, Mathis recovered snap in end zone.

Bartow 21, Jenkins 0

LAKELAND -- Bartow quarterback Roland Stephens passed for 122 yards and two touchdowns in the second quarter, leading the Yellow Jackets to a 21-0 victory over George Jenkins in a high school football "Classic" Friday night at Veterans Stadium.

While the left-handed Stephens was igniting the offense, Bartow's new defensive unit contained the Eagles well enough to keep them out of the end zone. Jenkins missed two field goals in the game.

The season opener was delayed an hour and 35 minutes by an electrical storm.

It was a hard-hitting, emotional contest in which Jenkins Coach Patrick Smith was ejected for standing out on the field while trying to get an explanation for a series of penalty flags on a punt play.

Stephens' team was unable to get a consistent drive going in the third quarter against a stubborn Jenkins defensive unit, so he went through the air in the second period. He completed a 29-yard pass to Steve Wesley to set up the Yellow Jackets' first score. Six plays after that Alfredrick Jones slammed over from a yard out and Brandon Pickard kicked the first of three extra points.

On Bartow's next possession, Stephens connected with Levon Dixon for 25 yards, Dixon making a finger-time grab in Jenkins territory at the 43. Backup running back Brandon Bridges scored from the 10 with 3:24 remaining in the first half.

Bartow could have been content to go into the dressing from with a 14-point lead, but Stephens faked a dive play, then threw far down the right sideline to Geno Johnson for a touchdown with just 8.9 seconds to go in the half.

"We had a lot of question marks with a lot of new players on defense," said Bartow Coach Shawn Killets. "But they all did a good job."

DURWARD BUCK

Bartow 0 21 0 0 -- 21

George Jenkins 0 0 0 0 -- 0

Second Quarter

Bar -- A. Jones, 1-run (Pickard kick) 9:30

Bar -- Bridges, 10-run (Pickard kick) 3:24

Bar -- Johnson, 78-pass from Stephens (Pickard kick) 0:09.

Mooney 34, All Saints 0

WINTER HAVEN -- All Saints' Academy coach Trae Stokes figured this was his team's toughest game.

With just seven days of practice, the Saints had their hands full against a deep Cardinal Mooney squad. The Cougars made the twohour trek from Sarasota worthwhile in an easy 34-0 win over the host Saints.

"It was uphill from the kickoff," said Stokes, who still has St. Petersburg schools Northside Christian and Keswick Christian in the first two weeks of the season. "I am proud of the way our team fought."

After an 85-minute rain delay, the teams agreed to eight-minute quarters for this FHSAA Kickoff Classic. The Cougars outgained ASA 217-46 and held the Saints to just three first downs.

JODY ROYCE

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

[E.T.]

Published Saturday, August 28, 2004

Kathleen Downs Mulberry, 7-0

By RICHARD CONNERS

Ledger Correspondent

MULBERRY -- Kathleen used a single touchdown and stingy defense to beat Mulberry, 7-0, in a wet Kickoff Classic exhibition game Friday night before some 1,200 fans at the Phosphate Bowl.

Set up by a 43-yard run by Marcus Okobi, the Red Devils' Scott Bryant plunged in from 1 yard out to give the varsity players a 7-0 advantage after Clint Slappy's extra point.

For all intents and purposes, there were two games; the first half was played by the varsity players and the second played by junior varsity.

The two-quarter game started as a battle of defenses. Neither team could move the ball before a harsh lightning storm delayed action for 30-plus minutes.

When action resumed, Mulberry had the ball at its own 45 and fourth down with 13 yards to go. After a five-yard penalty on the Red Devils, the Panthers attempted a fake 62-yard field goal that the Red Devils anticipated and stopped.

With excellent field position and momentum the Red Devils quickly moved the ball down to the Panthers' 13. But with wet conditions the Red Devils' fumbled snap gave the ball back to the Panthers.

The game remained tight because of a combined seven fumbles for the teams.

But the statistics belonged to Kathleen, which netted 121 total yards to the Panthers negative-16 yards.

The second half started with two quick touchdowns by the Kathleen junior varsity. The first score took just three plays for 68 yards.

Kathleen 0 7 -- 7

Mulberry 0 0 -- 0

Second Quarter

K--Bryant 1 run (Slappy kick) 6:24

Landmark 40, Providence 14:

4 TDs, 146 Yards for Julien

In Brandon, Marcus Julien had 18 carries for 146 yards and four touchdowns to lead Landmark Christian to a 40-14 victory over Brandon Providence Christian in the regular season opener for both schools.

Julien had TD runs of 3, 4, 58 and 2 yards as Landmark overcame six fumbles (two lost) in the Florida Christian Conference contest.

The Patriots had a 28-14 lead at the half before their defense took over, shutting out Providence in the second half.

Landmark Christian linebackers A.J. Allen and Bradley Lang also had big games.

Allen had 13 tackles, an interception and forced a fumble, while Lang added nine tackles, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble.

The Patriots (1-0) next travel to Tampa to take on Temple Heights Friday at 7:30 p.m.

RICK BROWN

Landmark 14 14 12 0 -- 40

Providence 0 14 0 0 -- 14

First Quarter

L -- Julien 3 run (pass failed), 10:05

L -- Julien 4 run (Gonzales from Callihan), 2:10

Second Quarter

P -- West 32 pass from Littrell (Patterson pass from Littrell), 11:53

L -- Julien 58 run (pass failed), 11:35

P -- West 38 pass from Littrell (kick failed), 3:15

L -- Julien 2 run (Downing from Callihan), :04

Third Quarter

L -- Lazarus 9 pass from Callihan, 4:07 (pass failed)

L -- Downing 14 interception return (pass failed), :06

[E.T.]

Springstead's O-line paces win over Mitchell

By JOHN SCHWARB, Times Staff Writer

Published August 28, 2004

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SPRING HILL - The offseason questions Springstead had about its offensive line got straight answers Friday night.

Not to mention a few to the left and right as well.

Eagles running backs galloped for 185 yards on 28 carries, pacing Springstead to a 17-14 win over Mitchell in three quarters of varsity preseason action. The front five of Chris Sibilia, Will Wilson, Kevin Hennessey, Phil McGuire and Chris Schaefer set the pace.

"I was very happy with the offensive line. I thought we did a fine job," Springstead coach Bill Vonada said.

The Eagles got on the board first after two big plays. Starting on Mitchell's 49, Ken Beeker broke off a 19-yard run. Then quarterback Ian Wald found Quinden Floyd in the left slot, where he shook off a tackler and went in for a 30-yard touchdown.

Mitchell answered with a more conventional drive to start the second quarter, driving 51 yards on eight plays, capped by a 4-yard run up the middle from senior fullback Spencer Brown to tie the score at 7.

Brown was the star for Mitchell, rushing for 104 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries.

"As a whole, I liked the way we ran it," Mitchell coach Scott Schmitz said. "We just didn't make plays when we needed to make plays."

Springstead went back ahead for good on its first possession of the third quarter. Running back Tim Dow and Wald had the big plays, Dow a 29-yard run and Wald a 23-yard scramble that left two Mustangs colliding. Josh Magrini scored on a 5-yard run.

The Eagles added a 37-yard field goal from Justin DeMutiis to go up 17-7. Then Mitchell managed one more sustained drive of 80 yards in nine plays.

Backup quarterback Alex Wilson completed three passes and Brown again provided the exclamation point, an 18-yard touchdown run up the middle.

WESLEY CHAPEL 33, NEWSOME 8: Nigel Bryant ran for close to 150 yards to lead Wesley Chapel to a 33-8 win over Newsome in Riverview. Bryant scored two touchdowns, one a 51-yard run.

The game was played at Riverview High because Newsome's stadium is not scheduled to be ready until its home opener Sept. 17.

Wesley Chapel scored 26 points in the first half. Aaron Dickler scored on a 35-yard run, and Jeff Reamer caught a 25-yard touchdown from Anthony Rawson. Brian Koesling scored the Wildcats' final touchdown with a 1-yard run, which was set up by Bryant's 15-yard run.

"We learned we have a lot of work to do after tonight's game," coach John Castelamare said. "We weren't in as good conditioning as they were. "We will have to play a much better game next week."

Will Pullie scored on a 7-yard run for Newsome's only touchdown. The score was set up by a 15-yard pass from Tim Maguire to Blake Spenser. Pullie ran up the middle for the two-point conversion.

- Times correspondent Terry Jones contributed to this report.

[E.T.]

Bucs limit mistakes in victory

By FRANK PASTOR, Times Staff Writer

Published August 28, 2004

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NEW PORT RICHEY - Gulf did the least to hurt itself in a mistake-filled game, defeating Nature Coast Tech 23-8 in three quarters of varsity play.

Sidelined in the spring with a broken hand, sophomore quarterback Alton Voss ran four yards for a touchdown and threw 12 yards to Chris Mazzeo for another in his first varsity start.

Mario Collins scored on a 2-yard run, and the defense added a safety.

"Overall, I was pleased," Gulf coach Keith Newton said. "Of course, those mistakes that you get in a classic can make a difference. Fortunately (Friday), they didn't make a big difference."

The teams combined for eight turnovers, including five by Nature Coast, which fumbled four times.

"The good thing is, the mistakes we made are correctable," Nature Coast coach Jamie Joyner said.

Gulf handed Nature Coast its only score.

After the Bucs were flagged for illegal motion, quarterback Robert Robinson flipped the ball in the air, thinking the play was dead. Sharks defensive lineman Robert Fleming picked up the ball and raced untouched 64 yards into the end zone.

Julian Ford ran 48 yards for a touchdown, and Cody Clemson threw a 14-yard scoring pass to Danny Mayhill as Gulf's junior varsity defeated Nature Coast 13-0 in the final quarter.

RIDGEWOOD 23, LECANTO 0: LECANTO - Lecanto coach Bob LeCours looked onto the field and noticed something was wrong. Without hesitation, he shouted toward his team, "Where's the tight end? Where's the tight end?"

Welcome to the preseason.

Ridgewood defeated Lecanto 23-0, but in the three sloppy quarters played by the varsity, it was a much closer 9-0. Plenty of flags were thrown, and plenty of mistakes were made. Both coaches, though, came away encouraged.

"We made too many mistakes, but I thought we played hard," Ridgewood coach Troy Cornwell said. Freshman running back David Williams scored Ridgewood's varsity touchdown. Jon Koenigsfeld added a 27-yard field goal. The JV was led by Byronell Arline's two touchdown runs.

For Lecanto, it wasn't all bad. The Panthers defense, despite being put in more than a few dicey situations, played well. And the offense, at times, showed signs of life.

"When we executed, we looked good," LeCours said. "At this point, there are too many lapses, but it's not the end of the world. It's attention to detail. "

- KEITH NIEBUHR, Times staff writer

MOUNT DORA 28, CRYSTAL RIVER 14: Host Crystal River started its new passing era. Unlike the 1,000-yard rushers of old, the Pirates have a duo of junior quarterback Kyle Daquanna and junior receiver Matt Schrantz. Daquanna connected with Schrantz five times for 42 yards.

"Yes, they work well together," Crystal River coach Craig Frederick said. The junior varsity squads played the first half to 20-14, with Mount Dora accounting for the only varsity score..

Daquanna, who started on the junior varsity last season, completed seven of his 16 passes for 92 yards. He found receivers, but they had trouble catching the ball. On defense there were some big plays, but the Pirates looked sluggish. Senior Ryan Stephen came up with a sack for a 9-yard loss to stop the varsity Hurricanes' opening drive. Drawdy also had a sack for a loss of 19. "The defense was a little tired out at times," said Frederick, who has been the head coach for three weeks. Crystal River graduated 18 seniors and has only two returners: junior running back Seth Metz and senior lineman Richard Drawdy.

- DAWN REISS, Times staff writer