9-10-04 HS Football Reports

[E.T.]

Published Friday, September 10, 2004

Highlanders Must Avoid Mistakes

By Roy Fuoco

The Ledger

roy.fuoco@theledger.com

LAKE WALES -- It's just one game, but Lake Wales is achieving one of its goals heading into the season -- cutting down the mental mistakes.

Highlanders coach Chad Barnhardt was continually frustrated last season with the mental penalties that would prematurely end drives that would eventually result in close losses.

In its 12-10 victory over Auburndale, Lake Wales committed just two penalities for 20 yards. Barnhardt wants to see more of that kind of discipline this week when the Highlanders travel to Lakeland to play Lake Gibson at 7:30 tonight in The Ledger's Game of the Week.

The Highlanders go into the game with a 1-0 record, the first time they've won their opener in the three seasons under Barnhardt.

"It was a good, solid effort against a good team," Barnhardt said. "We played good defense, controlled the clock and had few penalties and good discipline. We didn't beat ourselves."

Cutting down the mental mistakes on penalities, however, was only part of the goal.

Lake Wales' three turnovers, two interceptions and one lost fumble, isn't going to make any coach happy. The Highlanders over came those mistakes -something they haven't been able to to the previous two seasons.

And Barnhardt knows his team still has a ways to go before being considered among the county's elite teams.

"We did some good things last week, but we still have a lot to prove to people," Barnhardt said.

The best things Lake Wales did last week, at least offensively, was run the ball. Harry Agee went over 200 yards for the second time in his career, taking advantage of a strong performance by the offensive line. Even taking away his two long touchdown runs, Agee had 100 yards on 23 carries.

"He made things some things happen because of what they (linemen) did, and he also made things happen on his own," Barnhardt said.

The Highlanders were a bit conservative against Auburndale as sophomore quarterback Arthur Barnes started in place of Nick Polston, who was battling a nagging injury. Barnhardt held Polston out as a precaution, but the senior quarterback will start this week.

In addition to Agee's running and no mental mistakes, the strong performance by the defense was as important as anything in the victory.

Although the Bloodhounds have a lot of talented performers on offense, the Highlanders' defense could have an even tougher challenge against the Braves.

Barnhardt is well-aware of how potent Lake Gibson's offense is, both through the air and on the ground. He also knows that Lake Gibson goes into the game as favorites. He also expects his team to continue to work its way back to the top.

[E.T.]

Published Friday, September 10, 2004

Time to See What These Teams Have

You know, I would have much preferred to have started the season of predictions like I did with the Pigskin Picks that The Ledger's sports staff does every week.

When the chart runs in Saturday's paper, you'll see the above mug sitting all the way on the right of the chart above a pitiful 5-12 or 4-13 record (depending on the Patriots game).

That's how you start. There's no place to go but up.

In the prep arena, I began the week 6-2. That's no way to start. Sure there's always the chance for perfection, but it will be much easier to go the other way.

And what's scary is that we don't even know a lot about these teams yet. Most teams didn't come anywhere their normal amount of practice times because of the weather. At this rate, it's likely the trick-or-treaters will be going out before the teams really are rounding into form.

Of course, that's if Ivan doesn't come through.

This week's picks:

Lake Wales at Lake Gibson: The Highlanders have one good weapon so far in Harry Agee. The Braves are more multi-dimensional. Lake Gibson, 17-7.

Bartow at Winter Haven: Winter Haven has one good back in Drek Hubbard and potential in the passing game. Bartow has T.J. Jackson and others and maybe better passing. Bartow, 28-14.

Auburndale at Kissimmee Gateway: Auburndale really does have more than Dedrick Davis. Gateway could pose problems if 'Hounds aren't ready. Auburndale, 21-7.

Fort Meade at Avon Park: The Miners have many playmakers -- Barfield, Huntley, Whitehurst, Johnson, Laspina. The Red Devils just want to play a game. Fort Meade, 42-14.

Sebring at Frostproof: Frostproof has one of the most exciting young quarterbacks in Cedric Cox and a couple of strong backs that could give the Bulldogs a very dangerous offense. Frostproof, 22-19.

George Jenkins at Kathleen: Kathleen has two great running backs, one great defense and perhaps occasional big-play passing. George Jenkins . . . we'll see after it finally plays a regular-season game. Kathleen, 21-6

Haines City vs. Bear Creek, Colo.: Haines City has a good back in Kendall Berry, a good quarterback in Theo Gray and a good receiver in Bruce Howard. Bear Creek has jet lag. Bear Creek, 21-14.

Lake Region at Plant City: I'm assuming Lake Region has a football team. They haven't played yet. Plant City hasn't played since the Kickoff Classic. Plant City 14-7.

Miami Senior at Lakeland: Last week wasn't a fluke. Lakeland indeed has many dangerous offensive weapons. Miami Senior's woes continue. Lakeland, 35-7.

Mulberry at Zephyrhills: The Panthers didn't have a lot to brag about last year. This year could be different. Mulberry, 20-12.

Tampa Catholic at Evangel: Evangel has plenty of veterans on both sides of the ball. Tampa Catholic was promoting linemen in the preseason. Evangel, 33-7.

All Saints' at Northside Christian: Let's just say that the Saints' season really begins after this game. Northside Christian, 28-7.

Sante Fe at Master's Academy: I was impressed with Santa Fe allowing just one TD last week. Now let's see if the Crimson Hawks can score. Santa Fe, 7-0.

[E.T.]

I hope that WR Frazier follows Grothe to USF.

Hopefully, RB Harris will as well when his time comes.

Published Saturday, September 11, 2004

Grothe, Frazier, Harris Lead Braves to Big Rout

By **** Scanlon

The Ledger

****.scanlon@theledger.com

LAKELAND -- Matt Grothe threw three touchdown passes to Roger Frazier and Isaac Harris ran for three more touchdowns in Lake Gibson's 42-7 victory over Lake Wales on Friday night.

The second-ranked Braves (20) started slowly before running the Highlanders out of Virgil Ramage Stadium with touchdowns on six straight possessions.

Lake Wales (1-1) had no answer for Frazier, who caught seven passes for 162 yards and three long touchdowns.

Harris, who got the Braves going with a 43-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter, finished with 112 yards on 18 carries.

The Braves had to rely on their defense to stay in the game in the first half before a crowd of about 1,500.

"We dropped some passes, and our kids weren't really focusing on what we needed to do, for whatever reason," said Lake Gibson coach Keith DeMyer. "Once we got focused on what they were giving us, then it was just a matter of executing what we were trying to do."

Lake Wales managed 148 total yards. Harry Agee, who ran for 224 yards and two touchdowns in a season-opening victory last week, was held to 58 yards on 13 carries.

But the Highlanders had a 7-0 lead when Jerrell Wilson scored on a 23-yard pass from Nick Polston early in the second quarter. They would not move the ball into Lake Gibson territory again until they were 28 points behind.

A Jeff Powell interception had stopped Lake Gibson's first drive, and the Braves punted away their second possession, their only punt of the game. Then a big tackle by linebacker Welton Lee stopped the Braves on fourth down at the Lake Wales 15 midway through the second period.

But the rest of the game was all Braves.

Harris broke through a big hole and ran 43 yards to tie it, 7-7, with 4:42 left in the first half. Lake Gibson took the lead for the first time on a 15-yard run by Harris with 1:34 left in the half.

The third quarter belonged to Grothe and Frazier.

Frazier outjumped a Highlander defender, shook a tackle and ran for a 46-yard touchdown to make it 217. When the Braves got the ball back, Grothe dropped straight back and found Frazier across the middle on a 32-yard TD.

After Chris Duvalt's 46-yard punt return, Harris ran 10 yards for his third TD of the game, turning it into a 35-7 rout.

A 43-yard punt return by Duvalt set up the Braves' final score. Frazier finished it with a 24-yard catch from Grothe with 7:40 remaining.

The the all-state senior quarterback completed 11-of-19 passes for 174 yards and three touchdowns with one interception.

Lake Gibson's lines wore down the Highlanders. Injuries to Dustin Edwards and David Matlock, who had helped Lake Wales dominate Auburndale last week, were a factor. Matlock, the Highlanders' starting center, left the game early in the first quarter with an ankle injury.

Lake Gibson opens district play next week at George Jenkins.

Lake Wales will play at home against Winter Haven.

http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040911/NEWS/409110456/1254

Meanwhile, our 2006 QB Jarred Fayson won a barn burner of a game, which I watched on Bright House:

Hillsborough Survives 3 OTs Vs. Middleton

By EDUARDO A. ENCINA eencina@tampatrib.com

Published: Sep 11, 2004

TAMPA - Hillsborough's Earl Garcia has been through plenty of playbooks in his three decades of football coaching, but the Terriers' season opener against neighborhood rival Middleton on Friday night proved that even a coaching dean can run out of calls on his playcard.

Even in defeat, Middleton made a name for itself at Abe Brown Stadium on Friday, writing a memorable chapter in its brief football history renewal.

But tradition prevailed in the end - the long, strenuous end. It took Hillsborough three overtimes, nearly four hours and one extremely bold call for the Terriers to defeat Middleton, 43-42.

``I ran out of plays. It's past my bedtime. We had to go for it,'' Garcia said.

Hillsborough converted a 2- point play in the final overtime, a power rush up the middle in which senior running back Jimmy Sapp pushed forward, pedaled his legs and dragged Middleton defenders into the end zone.

``Coach [Garcia], that's a man with guts,'' Sapp said. ``I saw the goal line and took all 185 [pounds] and leaned in.''

As Sapp fell into the end zone, Middleton football players fell to the ground in exhaustion, their faces planted in the turf of their home field. The Tigers fought Hillsborough to the end in this roller- coaster affair, but it was little consolation.

Middleton ran out to a surprising 14-0 lead when Tigers senior defensive end David Lee scooped up a Jarred Fayson fumble and ran 30 yards for a score. And even after the Terriers answered before the half on a 2-yard touchdown by Sapp, Middleton still had momentum heading into the locker room.

Fayson, Hillsborough's star senior quarterback had struggled in the first half, completing just one pass.

But just as quickly as Middleton had grasped momentum, the Tigers were deflated 59 seconds into the second half when I.T. Antigha intercepted a wobbly Cedric Harris pass and scampered 35 yards to tie the game at 14.

``This game could have been over long before overtime,'' Middleton coach Harry Hubbard said. ``This isn't a district game. They did not beat us, and they know they did not beat us.''

Harris, who was briefly benched, rebounded to give a memorable performance. He completed all seven passes - including catching his own deflected pass - and ran for 21 yards on Middleton's 82-yard game-tying drive late in the fourth.

Fayson rebounded as well, scoring two of Hillsborough's three overtime touchdowns, including a 4-yard run that set the stage for Sapp's conversion run.

JESUIT 14, SUWANNEE 7: At Live Oak, Jesuit opened its season with a victory against Class 3A No. 4 Live Oak Suwannee.

Leading by a touchdown in the fourth quarter, Jesuit closed out the game by stopping Suwannee four times on its own 5-yard line.

Jesuit running back Anthony Allen led the Tigers with a touchdown and 188 yards on the ground while quarterback Chris Uhrig threw for 144 yards and a touchdown. Preston Puryear had 12 tackles and a sack.

The Tigers (1-0) scored on their first two drives of the game and had a 14-0 halftime lead. Uhrig capped an 11-play, 89-yard opening drive with a 34-yard touchdown pass to Hunter McCrory.

http://sports.tbo.com/sports/MGBO1F9AZYD.html

Thought he was a sophmore  ???  :

[E.T.]

CCC capitalizes on Hernando's slip-ups

Despite being matched physically, the Marauders defeat the Leopards 33-13.

By FRANK PASTOR, Times Staff Writer

Published September 11, 2004

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BROOKSVILLE - On game days, the Hernando coaching staff wears purple T-shirts that read, "Teams that make goal-line stands win championships."

Unfortunately for the Leopards, the adage holds true during the regular season, too.

Clearwater Central Catholic turned away Hernando on four plays from inside the 5-yard line early in the fourth quarter on its way to a 33-13 victory Friday at Tom Fisher Memorial Stadium.

Though the Marauders led by 26 at the time, the defensive stand might have been the most significant series in the mind of coach Mike Jalazo, whose team played for the first time this season.

"That goal-line stand, I loved it," Jalazo said. "They dug deep. It takes a lot of heart. Those guys played hard, played hard, and we stopped them."

CCC's Paul Raven rushed for two touchdowns, and Riley Cooper returned a punt 79 yards for another score to offset 219 rushing yards by Chad Sanders.

Hernando (0-2) matched Clearwater Central Catholic (1-0) physically, but the Marauders took advantage of three Leopards turnovers and two special teams miscues.

"It was probably fairly even on both sides," first-year Hernando coach Matt Smith said. "I just felt like we were more physical than they were, and at key times we were making boneheaded mistakes."

Leading 12-0 after Cooper's punt return, CCC got the ball on the Hernando 38 after quarterback James Thomas mishandled the snap from center. One play later, Colin McCarthy caught a TD pass from Andrew Nowels to extend the Marauders' lead.

Sanders' 45-yard touchdown run brought Hernando back to 19-7 at halftime, but two more mistakes by the Leopards allowed CCC to move ahead 33-7.

Though Hernando lost by 20 or more points for the second consecutive week, Smith said his team played tougher defensively and moved the ball better than in last week's 44-12 loss at Springstead.

[E.T.]

Cougars show varied attack

Countryside lets opponents know it has more weapons than just Harrison Beck with a 31-7 win over Clearwater.

By JOHN C. COTEY, Times Staff Writer

Published September 11, 2004

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CLEARWATER - The fans waited for Harrison Beck to start winging the ball around the field. They waited for the bombs, the quick screens, the vaunted air attack.

They waited ... and waited ... and waited.

The highly hyped Beck didn't throw his first pass until one minute was left in the first quarter, but once he did the Cougars started rolling, all the way to a 31-7 victory over Clearwater on Friday night at Cougar Stadium.

But Beck was only part of a multi-layered story for the Cougars, who got big debuts from transfers Mike James and Bobby Floyd (Clearwater Central Catholic) and Anthony Graham (Northeast), an outstanding defensive effort and a performance by the offensive line that left Beck and coach John Davis beaming.

"You want to know the real story here tonight?" Beck said. "The offensive line. I mean, wow. I could sit back there all day."

Countryside made it clear from the start that despite its image as a passing team, it would not be painted into a one-dimensional corner. Beck completed 11 of 14 passes as the Cougars threw for 173 yards and rushed for 151.

"You can't be one-dimensional and win the district we're in," said Davis, whose team will be challenged by Dunedin, Largo and Dixie Hollins in league play. All four teams won Friday.

"I thought the offensive line was as good (as Beck said they were)," Davis added. "We did about what we wanted to tonight."

So did Clearwater - for one quarter, the first. Quarterback Bryce Lawrence capped a 12-play, 50-yard, six minute drive with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Jabez Mitchem to give the Tornadoes a 7-0 lead.

Two players later, Beck completed his first pass, a 26-yarder to tight end Parker Miles, and a 25-yard screen pass to James set up the first of two Greg Meyer touchdown runs to tie the game.

Clearwater lost a fumble its next drive, and then Lawrence had an interception returned for 23 yards by lineman Mike Ralat with 8:46 left in the first half to give Countryside the lead for good.

The Cougars ground Clearwater into the submission in the second half. Casey Roebuck (69 yards) and Graham (53 yards) delivered some bruising runs, and Beck even caught a touchdown pass for the final score midway through the fourth quarter.

On the play, Floyd took the handoff and ran right before stopping and hitting Beck, who bowled over a defender to get into the end zone.

The Cougars' defense held Clearwater to zero first downs in the second half and minus-4 yards. Harris, one of the county's top returning ball carriers, had 69 yards, but just five after the halftime break before leaving with cramps.

"They made the plays and we didn't," said Clearwater coach Tom Bostic, whose team has started 0-3 the last four seasons and hasn't won an opener since 1999. "We were cramping up there at the end, and that's something we'll have to look at."

[E.T.]

Defensive battle finally goes East Bay's way

Two late interceptions by Jeremy Russell seal the win for the Indians, who beat Plant 10-7.

By BRANDON WRIGHT

Published September 11, 2004

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TAMPA - Plant barely resembled the team that stumbled to a 1-9 mark last season, but the turnaround was not quite enough.

East Bay kicker Mike Verboski atoned for an earlier miss by hitting a 22-yard field goal with 1:38 left to give the visiting Indians a 10-7 season-opening victory.

"We had a letdown tonight," East Bay coach Brian Thornton said. "But I think Plant did a heck of a job and we were lucky to come out of it with a win."

Jeremy Russell picked off a pair of Robert Marve passes in the fourth quarter, with the first setting up the winning drive and the second sealing the victory.

Russell's first interception at the Indians' 4 with 8:31 to play was the catalyst for a classic East Bay drive.

The Indians' wishbone offense, facing an increasingly weary Plant defense, ground out a 14-play, 81-yard drive capped by Verboski's field goal.

Plant trailed by three with less than a minute left, but Russell dashed any hopes of a comeback, intercepting Marve on the Panthers' next play from scrimmage.

East Bay rushed 48 times for 242 yards while the Indians held Plant to 100 yards of total offense. The Indians managed 16 first downs to Plant's six, and East Bay's defense allowed the Panther's offense to cross midfield only once.

But Plant hung around thanks to Leandre Walner.

The senior linebacker, who also led Plant with 35 yards rushing, pulled off a defensive hat trick to give the Panthers a 7-0 first-quarter lead. Walner hammered Randy Merrell, forcing a fumble, which he recovered and returned 54 yards for a touchdown.

"That was an unbelievable play and it kind of popped our balloon a little bit real early," Thornton said.

The Indians tied it at 7 with less than a minute to play in the first half when Merrell plunged in from the 1.

[E.T.]

Dixie Hollins off to fast start

Dan Puckett pounds away at Gibbs as the Rebels roll to a 21-8 victory.

By JEFF BERLINICKE

Published September 11, 2004

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ST. PETERSBURG - Getting off to a flying start is nothing new at Dixie Hollins. Last season, the Rebels started off 4-0 before losing six of the next eight.

After Friday's 21-8 win over Gibbs at St. Petersburg High, the Rebels know that a big start doesn't mean anything if they can't close it out.

"We worked hard all summer. We decided if we want to win, we had better be in better shape than anyone we play," Dixie Hollins coach Mike Morey said. "We were in better shape (Friday) and it showed."

The Rebels had plenty of help from a stifling defense and the pounding rushing of senior Dan Puckett, who ran for a game-high 124 yards on 18 yards. His longest run was 17 yards, but he picked up key first downs and was able to pick up yardage late in the game to help the Rebels kill the clock.

The Rebels struck early with a touchdown on their first drive of the game. Puckett wrapped up a 13-play, 68-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run around right end. He went in untouched and the Rebels led 7-0 after the extra point.

The Gibbs offense was forced to punt on every first-half possession until running out the clock at the end of the second quarter. The Dixie offense wasn't doing much better, but it mustered another touchdown when quarterback Mike Martin scored the first of two on the Rebels' first drive of the third quarter with a 36-yard run up the middle. He scored later on a 5-yard run.

[E.T.]

Dragons take it to the edge

Jefferson QB Steven Garcia hurls a 45-yarder, stunning Chamberlain with a clock-beating 27-21 victory.

By MIKE READLING, Times Staff Writer

Published September 11, 2004

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TAMPA - It was another night of Billy Ball at John Adcock Stadium Friday as Jefferson and Chamberlain took turns throwing the ball deep, running the ball long and finishing the game with a pair of thrilling plays.

The only downside for Chiefs fans was the fact that head coach Billy Turner ended up on the wrong end of this nail-biter.

Jefferson quarterback Steven Garcia completed a 45-yard pass to Tertavian Ingram with no time on the clock to lead the Dragons to a 27-21 victory, stunning the Chamberlain sideline which has become so accustomed to seeing their team pull out wins in a similar fashion.

"I've had it happen for me probably 10 times," Turner said. "But it's never happened to me like that."

The game-winning heave was an obvious relief to Jefferson coach Mike Simmonds.

"You have to give Chamberlain credit and especially Coach Turner, who is like a surrogate father to me out here," Simmonds said. "That guy deserved to win that game. But so did we. We dusted off the playbook and (offensive coordinator) Mike Fenton made the call of the season."

That call was a play Fenton drew up in the huddle during a timeout with one second remaining in the game. It's name was, fittingly, "Big Ben."

When the ball was snapped, Garcia moved around in the pocket long enough to give his trio of receivers time to reach the end zone. His heave landed in the outstretched hands of 6-foot tall receiver Ingram right at the goal line. It was Ingram's only catch of the night.

"I knew it was coming. I knew this was my chance," Ingram said. "It was all out. He threw it up, someone had to come up with the grab. God picked me."

Garcia said it was one of those plays that you know is going to work as soon as the ball is thrown.

"Me and Tertavian used to play after school every day," Garcia said. "I used to just throw it up and he'd catch it all the time."

The game wouldn't have even come to that point had Chamberlain not been able to rally back from a two touchdown deficit thanks to Jordan Wilson.

The senior carried the ball 25 times for 177 yards and three touchdowns. One of those was a 39-yard run off right tackle and back across the field to tie the game with 38 seconds remaining.

In the end, however, that score just set up Jefferson's dramatic ending.

[E.T.]

First lesson for HCA becomes a painful one

Indian Rocks Christian averages 10 yards a carry to spoil the Lions' first game ever, 65-0.

By JOHN SCHWARB, Times Staff Writer

Published September 11, 2004

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LARGO - The scoreboard did not lie Friday night.

Fortunately for Hernando Christian, it didn't tell the truth either. Hurricane Frances knocked the scoreboard out of order.

Were it functioning, it would have told the one-sided story of the Lions' football debut. Host Indian Rocks Christian romped to a 65-0 victory.

IRC, an established Pinellas County Class A school, easily pulled away behind a rushing attack that averaged 10 yards a carry. The score was 49-0 at halftime, thanks in large part to five touchdowns and 153 yards on nine carries by senior halfback Jimmy Davis.

"We knew (IRC) would be tough, these kids here are well-disciplined," HCA coach Steve Johnson said. "For us, every down is a training down."

From the opening kick it was evident that opening night would be a long night of training, as IRC senior Dan Joyner returned the kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown. He broke one tackle and ran away from the rest of the Lions.

HCA (0-1) did not get a first down until its fourth possession, when it trailed 28-0. It collected only 60 yards of offense in the first half, including 30 yards on 13 rushes.

With the game slipping out of reach, HCA went for a couple of fourth-down plays deep in its own territory, and when failing the Golden Eagles were quick to cash in with rushing touchdowns.

The second half was more respectable for HCA, as IRC scored just two touchdowns.

"We're sleepers, we just don't seem to get going until the second half," Johnson said. "The kids played with heart though, they hung in there."

Both teams came into the game under unusual circumstances, playing season openers in Week 2 of the season with little practice time in the past week.

"I didn't know what to expect, I thought we would fumble a lot, I thought we would jump offsides a lot," IRC coach Chris Westfield said.

That was not the case. The Eagles did not turn the ball over and never punted.

[E.T.]

Inspired Eagles blank Wharton

Frank Hernandez leaves his father's hospital bed to motivate Brandon.

By ANTHONY GAGLIANO, Times Staff Writer

Published September 11, 2004

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TAMPA - After Hurricane Frances canceled last week's games, players were ready to start the season.

Some wanted it more than others.

Brandon's Frank Hernandez couldn't practice this week. Instead, he was by his father's side in the hospital. Wednesday, Hernandez's father suffered a heart attack and went on life support. But Friday, there was no place Hernandez wanted to be other than on the field against Wharton.

"His dream was always to see me succeed and play football in college," the senior offensive lineman said. "So, that's my goal: to fulfill his dream."

The emotions came pouring out as Brandon coach Jim Wilt bestowed the game ball on Hernandez after the Eagles' 17-0 win at Wharton. One of the team captains for the game, Hernandez raised the ball high as tears streamed down his face.

"He thought this was the best place for him to be," Wilt said. "He had to go the day before yesterday when they came and took him off the practice field. He wasn't there (Thursday), and he called today and wanted to know if he could come and play. The team definitely and all the coaching staff wanted him here."

Hernandez's offensive line played determined football, especially in the second half as the Eagles took the kickoff and marched down for a 31-yard field goal to make the score 10-0. With a non-existent passing offense (1-of-7 for minus-1 yard), the Eagles offense line opened the holes for a pair of 100-yard rushers. Win Hutchinson finished with 12 carries for 122 yards and sophomore Mike Brown added 113 yards on 10 attempts. Brown supplied all the scoring Brandon needed when he took a toss and raced around left end, going 53 yards for a touchdown on the Eagles' first play from scrimmage.