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Football: Sunlake 36, Wiregrass Ranch 0

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Steve Lee, Times Correspondent
Friday, September 9, 2011

WESLEY CHAPEL — Sunlake blew out an opponent with a shutout for the second straight week, improving to 2-0 with Friday night's 36-0 victory at Wiregrass Ranch.

The Seahawks, who were 8-2 last season but missed the playoffs, have outscored opponents by a combined 84-0.

"We've got a lot of fight to us," Sunlake coach Bill Browning said. "We should be physical."

Senior Cameron Stoltz has been putting up impressive numbers in his first year as starting quarterback. Although he only passed for 95 yards against Wiregrass Ranch, Stoltz threw for three touchdowns and has seven in two games.

Jamal Jones had two of those scoring receptions on plays of 19 and 31 yards. Stoltz also connected with Rashaud Daniels for a 17-yard touchdown.

The Seahawks picked up a 27-yard scoring run from Mike Lopez, and Thomas Koen kicked a 21-yard field goal.

Solid defensive plays led to two of Sunlake's first three touchdowns, with Jones returning an interception 31 yards and Nick Hoffman setting up Daniels' touchdown by recovering a fumble.

As in Sunlake's season opener, a running clock was used in the second half.

Wiregrass Ranch tried to reach the end zone on its last possession, but the drive stalled at the Sunlake 8-yard line.

Backup quarterback Ricky Weisbrodt completed a 24-yard pass to Matt DeCandio — the Bulls' longest play of the game — during that drive.

The Bulls, who mustered just 56 yards of offense, tried an onside kick at the start of the second half but failed to recover it.


Football: Plant City 29, Freedom 7

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By Todd Foley, Times Correspondent
Friday, September 9, 2011

TAMPA — It didn't take long for Plant City's Dazmond Patterson to make his presence known.

The 5-foot-8 senior running back took the opening play from scrimmage 69 yards for a touchdown. He would finish with three scores on the night with two more coming on receptions as he was just too fast for the Patriots to grab hold of.

Patterson's offense and Freedom's lack there of allowed the Raiders to coast in a sloppy game.

The game was so sloppy, there were a total of 40 penalties. At one point, things got so chippy that the game was delayed as the officials talked to both sides on the field.

Freedom, which lost its opener 36-0 to Durant, tried three different quarterbacks but couldn't score until linebacker Max Orr returned a fumble 35 yards late in the game for its first touchdown of the season.

Todd Foley, Times correspondent

Miami QB apologizes for his role in scandal

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Times wires
Friday, September 9, 2011

CORAL GABLES — Miami quarterback Jacory Harris apologized Friday to the school and its fans for his role in a benefits scandal.

It was the first time Harris spoke about the NCAA investigation since he was suspended one game for taking gifts from former booster Nevin Shapiro.

"I apologize to the university, President (Donna) Shalala, starting with her first for … everything that she had to go through," said Harris, who will start the Sept. 17 game against Ohio State. "Then all the fans, I want to apologize for something that happened our freshman year. We were all young, but that's still no excuse for what happened.

"And I apologize to this team for … putting them through things they had to go through."

Four others — Sean Spence, Marcus Forston, Adewale Ojomo and Travis Benjamin — also were suspended for one game for taking benefits from Shapiro. Olivier Vernon will miss six games and Ray Ray Armstrong and Dyron Dye four.

Harris declined to comment when asked if he believed the NCAA process was fair. The senior also offered no details on what happened in his interactions with Shapiro, whom he did not mention by name. He did say it was not difficult to remain quiet.

"It was something that was determining my future, so I wouldn't want to say anything that was going to hurt me," Harris said.

"But it was hard going through the things knowing that a ruling can change the outcome of my future."

Fresno State: As many as 25 players have been implicated in a welfare fraud investigation involving a third-party filing for false benefits. The school declined to name the players or say if they have been punished, saying it didn't want to interfere with the investigation of the Fresno County District Attorney's Office.

LSU: Affidavits from search warrants show suspended quarterback Jordan Jefferson and linebacker Josh Johns told police they were at the scene but not part of a bar fight that led to their arrests on battery charges. The two have not commented since the fight. Jefferson's lawyers said the affidavits further back their assertion that there isn't enough evidence to support the charges. Police said they won't comment until the investigation ends.

Ohio State: Starting tailback Jordan Hall, starting cornerback Travis Howard and backup safety Corey Brown won't play today against Toledo. They were suspended indefinitely shortly before the opener for taking $200 at a charity event.

South Carolina: Freshman receiver Damiere Byrd was suspended for four games by the NCAA for receiving $2,700 in impermissible benefits from a mentoring organization. It's the same organization from which Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd received benefits, leading to a two-game suspension.

Big 12: Texas A&M said Baylor has sold 830 tickets from its allotment of 3,850 for the Oct. 15 game in College Station, which is about 100 miles from the Bears' campus in Waco. Texas A&M wants to leave the Big 12 for the SEC, but Baylor and other league schools have threatened to sue. Baylor spokesman Nick Joos said plenty of Bears fans will be at the game: "Many of our fans have indicated that they acquired tickets from third-party sources since the seat locations available are superior to the back corner end zone location provided to visiting teams at Kyle Field."

FIU 24, Louisville 17: T.Y. Hilton caught two touchdowns, 74 and 83 yards to lift the visiting Panthers (2-0). FIU entered 0-21 against teams from the ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC.

Women's soccer: Florida State held off Florida 3-2 in front of 4,671 in Gainesville. The Seminoles (6-1), ranked No. 5 in the coaches' poll, saw the No. 9 Gators (4-2) tie the score twice before Tiffany McCarty scored the winner in the 72nd minute.

Football: Groveland South Lake 27, Hernando 13

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Derek J. LaRiviere, Times Correspondent
Friday, September 9, 2011

BROOKSVILLE — Hernando tried to slow the ball down and play smash-mouth football on a wet, muddy field on its way to a second victory against South Lake. That plan failed.

The Eagles' high-powered passing attack was successful from the first series as they won at Tom Fisher Stadium 27-13 on Friday night.

After a kickoff that pinned South Lake (2-0) inside its own 5, quarterback Chris White found a streaking Chad Lynn down the sideline for a 93-yard touchdown pass to open the scoring.

Undeterred, Hernando (1-1) struck back, sticking to its game plan. The Leopards went on a 15-play, 74-yard drive that took almost eight minutes off the clock. Marqui Redding capped it off with a 4-yard touchdown run to tie. Another long drive netted Hernando a 6-yard touchdown run from Tyrail Hawkins, but the big-play ability of South Lake flashed again on a 57-yard pass from White to James Brooks and the score was tied at 13 going into the locker room.

"We beat ourselves out there," Hernando coach John Palmer said. "You can't give up points in the last two minutes of the half. It always comes back to haunt you."

The momentum seemed to shift as the Eagles were the only team to score in the second half. White (9-of-13, 267 yards, three touchdowns, one interception) led another drive in the third quarter that ended on a Chris Floyd run, then tossed a TD to P.J. Harris to finish off the Leopards.

A bright spot for the home team was the offensive output of Hawkins. For the second time in two weeks, he went over 100 yards rushing (17 carries, 107 yards, one touchdown) and caught five balls for 63 yards. In the end, the six fumbles, including two lost, was too much to overcome.

"(Hawkins' performance) is what we have to build on," Palmer said. "If we hold onto the football, we are a much better team. Give credit to South Lake. They did a great job."

Football: Robinson 34, Dunedin 14

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Bobby Winsler, Times Correspondent
Friday, September 9, 2011

TAMPA — An early Robinson lead sustained the Knights, helping to preserve a win over Dunedin despite some sloppy play late.

Special teams and defense helped propel the Knights (2-0) in the first half. Byron Pringle contributed some good kickoff returns. Brandon Peters intercepted Falcons quarterback Anthony Diviney and, 25 yards later, scored to put his Knights up 14-0.

Robinson then forced a fumble, recovering the ball about 2 yards from the goal line. Two plays later, the game looked irreparably one-sided after Antonio Hampton's TD run.

On the ensuing drive, with fewer than two minutes left in the first half, Dunedin's Tramaine Batten broke open a 90-yard touchdown dash. In the fourth quarter, Diviney found Austin Ladd to contribute seven more points but, despite a few opportunities created by the defense, Dunedin (0-2) fell short.

Bobby Winsler, Times correspondent

Tampa Bay Rays cut into Boston Red Sox's wild-card lead with 7-2 victory

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Friday, September 9, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Wade Davis had reason to believe.

He was feeling stronger than he had been. Was outwardly confident despite his past struggles. And had the element of surprise by adding a cutter to his repertoire.

By the time Davis was done Friday night, delivering a masterful complete game in a 7-2 drubbing of the Red Sox, he gave the Rays a little more to believe in.

"We do believe," manager Joe Maddon said. "You could sense that from our guys today. Our guys wanted to play this game tonight, we were ready to play that game tonight. Probably there's going to be skeptics, and I understand that: 'It's one win, okay, show me tomorrow.'

"So we've got to show them tomorrow again. … We've got to show them that we're for real, and we mean this, and we're going to get this done. But it had to start tonight."

With the win, the Rays improved to a season-best 15 games over .500 at 79-64 and, more important, moved within 5½ games of the Red Sox, the closest they've been to the AL wild-card spot in nearly two months. Though still a considerable gap with only 19 games remaining, it's momentum — opening a series that Maddon said had "playoff connotations" — in the right direction.

While the Rays believe they have a chance, their fans, apparently, not so much. Only 18,482 made it to the Trop.

Davis, who failed in three starts against the Sox, was dominant from the start, scattering six hits in posting his second complete game, and his first since 2009. He sailed through the first five innings, throwing his fastball by hitters, mixing in his curve and for the first time of any substance, the cutter. He held the Sox to two runs when they rallied a bit in the sixth and finished the job in 114 pitches.

"Very committed to what he was doing today," Maddon said. "He had a different look about him. He definitely was not going to be denied today. And he was not."

Davis said he felt good about his last start, and despite three past rough outings against Boston, was eager for the challenge. Adding the cutter in place of his wayward slider during his last bullpen session was a bold move, too, considering the stakes.

"I hadn't got them out yet," Davis said. "I had to figure out a way."

Davis had plenty of help as the Rays piled on the battered and bruised Sox by taking a 5-0 lead by the third inning.

Catcher John Jaso led the way with a three-run homer in the first. Plus, he caught Dustin Pedroia stealing in the second and doubled to spark another rally in the sixth.

The Rays were sharp in all facets, such as a third-inning sequence when Johnny Damon beat out an infield single and Evan Longoria scored from second.

That was exactly what the Sox didn't need, as they lost for the fifth time in six games and eighth in their last 11.

Their pitching staff already battered with injuries to Clay Buchholz, Erik Bedard and Josh Beckett, the Sox got only three innings, and not good ones, from John Lackey, who departed officially due to a left calf bruise. And their suddenly anemic lineup was also shorthanded, as third baseman Kevin Youkilis was in Boston having his sore right hip examined.

"I don't care how many injuries we have, we're trying to go out and win," Sox manager Terry Francona said. "We didn't do a real good job of that tonight."

"We have to get back to playing good baseball," second baseman Pedroia said. "We've got to win games. We're trying our hardest, but we didn't play very well tonight. We have to come out and play better tomorrow."

Damon said the beauty of the situation is that there is absolutely no pressure on the Rays. Left unsaid, is the pressure mounting on the Sox?

"I'm not saying that there is, I think we hope that they feel the pressure," Longoria said. "That's kind of what we want them to do is feel us on their heels."

Football: Indian Rocks Christian 42, Calvary Christian 3

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Daniel Feingold, Times Correspondent
Friday, September 9, 2011

CLEARWATER — A wet field did not deter Indian Rocks Christian from maintaining a consistent rushing attack that complemented big passing plays in its easy win.

Casey Woods passed the ball just eight times. He completed five of them, four for touchdowns. He finished the game with 101 yards passing. Two of his touchdowns went to Sean Culkin.

Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles got 262 yards from nine running backs. The major contributor was Jake Votier, who had seven carries for 106 yards and a touchdown.

"It was good to come out here with this kind of a win and get a lot of kids in the game," said IRC coach Mark Buchanan, whose team beat Deerfield Beach Zion Lutheran 54-0 in its opener. "That's two weeks in a row for us."

The Warriors were held to 102 yards of offense.

Daniel Feingold, Times correspondent

Football: Bloomingdale 40, Strawberry Crest 6

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Travis Puterbaugh, Times Correspondent
Friday, September 9, 2011

DOVER — Bloomingdale improved to 2-0 for the first time and broke a 6-6 halftime tie with 21 third-quarter points en route to a decisive 40-6 victory over Strawberry Crest. Eugene Baker had a dominant performance for the Bulls, rushing for touchdowns of 80, 22 and 10 yards in the third quarter, while racking up 182 rushing yards total.

"He was a man tonight," Bloomingdale coach John Booth.

Baker got the Bulls on the board first in the second quarter on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Cody Crouse for a 6-0 lead. The Chargers (0-2) answered just three minutes later on Alex Portillo's 22-yard scoring run to tie.

In the second half, however, the Bulls blew the game open by scoring 34 unanswered points, paced by Baker's three TDs.

"I just told (my offensive line) to give me a few seconds, and I'll make a play," Baker said.

Travis Puterbaugh, Times correspondent


Football: Dixie Hollins 47, Seminole 29

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By Anthony Salveggi, Times Correspondent
Friday, September 9, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Dixie Hollins coach Mike Morey said he wanted his offense to be explosive. That's what he got in the Rebels' 47-29 win over Seminole.

"We were clicking (Friday night)," said Morey, whose Rebels are 1-1.

Dixie Hollins quarterback Dana Harrington accounted for four touchdowns, all in the first half. On the Rebels' second drive, Harrington went in for a 2-yard score that was set up by his 20-yard completion to Cornell Martin.

Harrington added a 13-yard touchdown run for a 23-0 lead.

Seminole (0-2) rushed for 210 yards behind Beau Browning and Brandon Trezza.

In the second half, Brandon Bell followed a Warhawks score with a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Anthony Salveggi, Times correspondent

Football: Fleming 29, Nature Coast 7

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Derek J. LaRiviere, Times Correspondent
Friday, September 9, 2011

FLEMING ISLAND — Nature Coast made the four-hour bus ride to Fleming Island to face the two-time defending region finalist Friday. The Sharks showed their mettle, even in defeat.

The Golden Eagles won 29-7, but the Sharks (Class 6A) showed they could play with the Class 7A powerhouse. But in the first quarter, the Sharks (1-1) were deep in Fleming territory before a fumble. Later, they gave up a long pass to the Golden Eagles (2-0).

"We never got anything going offensively, but if we don't bust coverage, I feel like it (would have been a) whole different ball game," Nature Coast coach Charles Liggett said. "One thing is for sure: I think this is the toughest team we'll play all year."

Matt Breida scored the Sharks' lone touchdown, scampering 7 yards in the fourth quarter.

Derek J. LaRiviere, Times correspondent

Football: Tarpon Springs 56, Clearwater 8

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Basil Spyridakos, Times Correspondent
Friday, September 9, 2011

TARPON SPRINGS — Tarpon Springs wide receiver Dondre Daley accounted for five of the Spongers' eight touchdowns to help his team cruise to a 56-8 victory against Clearwater.

Tarpon took a 7-0 lead on Louis Pappas' 11-yard swing pass to Daley, then the Spongers blocked a punt on the Tornadoes' next possession and Daley caught a pass for a 10-yard score.

"Defense was my point of emphasis going into this year," Tarpon coach Atif Austin said. "We're young, but the guys fly around on defense."

Daley wasn't done. In the second quarter, Pappas threw a backward pass to Daley, who tossed it 24 yards across the field to Kenny Blanch for an easy touchdown and a 28-0 lead.

Pappas was 11-of-15 for 184 yards passing and four touchdowns.

Basil Spyridakos, Times correspondent

Football: Mitchell 26, Gulf 9

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Matt Baker, Times Staff Writer
Friday, September 9, 2011

The Mustangs' ground game continued to dominate, as Mitchell pounded its way to a 26-9 win over Gulf on Friday night.

"We ran the ball well," Mitchell coach Scott Schmitz said. "We had too many turnovers, but we still ran the ball well and really took control of the ball game in the fourth quarter.'

Junior halfback Dan Barber rushed for a score, and quarterback Spencer Whittaker rushed for two touchdowns.

Whittaker also threw a touchdown pass to Cory Fenech.

Mitchell improved to 2-0 thanks to a pair of fourth-quarter scores. Gulf falls to 0-2.

The Mustangs face Ridgewood next week, while Gulf is off before a Sept. 23 matchup with Pasco.

Matt Baker, Times staff writer

Rangers 13, Athletics 4

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Times wires
Friday, September 9, 2011

Rangers 13, Athletics 4

ARLINGTON, Texas — Colby Lewis pitched into the eighth for his first win in nearly a month for the Rangers. Adrian Beltre had an RBI double for his 2,000th career hit, and Elvis Andrus had a tiebreaking RBI double in the fifth that made it 3-2. It was Texas' ninth straight win over the A's, its longest winning streak against its AL West rival since winning nine in a row in 1986.

Indians 8, White Sox 4

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Times wires
Friday, September 9, 2011

Indians 8, White Sox 4

CHICAGO — Rookie third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall set career highs with his two homers — both were two-run shots off White Sox starter Mark Buehrle — and four RBIs as the Indians ended a four-game skid. Jeanmar Gomez allowed two runs and six hits over six innings and improved to 3-0 with a 0.52 ERA in three starts since being recalled from Triple-A Columbus on Aug. 30.

Football: Fivay 21, Springstead 14

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Tim Porson, Times Correspondent
Friday, September 9, 2011

HUDSON — Fivay evened its record Friday night, pulling out a slim 21-14 win over Springstead to earn its first victory at home.

After the Eagles missed a late field-goal attempt, the Falcons drove 80 yards with running back Kyrie Rodriguez leading the way.

Rodriguez totaled 211 yards on 26 carries, including a 6-yard touchdown that tied the score at 7 with just more than 10 minutes left in the second quarter.

Springstead opened the scoring early. On the first play of their first possession, Eagles sophomore running back Kevin Bedford went 60 yards for a 7-0 lead. After Fivay tied the game, Springstead's next possession lasted nearly eight minutes. The drive ended on a run by sophomore quarterback Tyler Mahla from 9 yards out.

On the ensuing kickoff, Fivay fumbled and Springstead (1-1) recovered near midfield. On the next play, the Eagles gave possession right back with just more than two minutes left in the half.

Fivay capped off the 65-yard drive, in one minute and 18 seconds, on a run up the middle by sophomore Zach Russell from 4 yards out. The touchdown was set up by senior wideout James Bullock's leaping catch on a 28-yard gain, setting up first and goal.

Springstead opened the second half with another nearly eight-minute drive but could not capitalize. Springstead kicker Scott Baker missed a 36-yard field-goal attempt that would have given the Eagles a late lead.

Instead, Fivay went 80 yards on its next drive. Rodriguez had six carries for 57 yards on that drive. Junior quarterback Tyler Degen connected with Colin Hahn from 6 yards out to take the 21-14 lead. Degen finished with 101 yards with the one touchdown and one interception.


Football: Keswick Christian 30, Carrollwood Day 27

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Colby Cole, Times Correspondent
Saturday, September 10, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Keswick Christian won its district opener over Carrollwood Day 30-27 on a 26-yard field goal Friday by Ryan Broaderick as time expired. After taking over at its 30 with 1:03 left Keswick drove to the 11. A 43-yard run by Jalyn Coleman with 45 seconds left set up the field goal.

Carrollwood took a 19-6 lead midway through the third quarter behind two touchdown runs by Robert Davis.

Keswick responded with a long touchdown drive aided by an unsportsmanlike penalty against the Patriots sideline that was capped off by a 4-yard run by Taylor Angell. On the next Patriots possession, quarterback Deuce Gruden fumbled and Carl Curtiss recovered for the Crusaders. On the following play, Angell ran for a 37-yard touchdown.

Keswick extended the lead midway through the fourth on a 21-yard run by Kristian Craig.

Colby Cole, Times correspondent

Football: Jesuit 25, Middleton 6

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Miles Parks, Times Correspondent
Saturday, September 10, 2011

TAMPA — A game that featured two teams with the same name, 25 penalties and two safeties ended with an appropriately odd score as the Jesuit Tigers defeated the Middleton Tigers, 25-6.

Jesuit started Aaron Paulsen at quarterback, but after an ineffective first drive ended with a punt, coach James Harrell put in Paulsen's fellow senior, Tommy Eveld. Eveld finished 10-of-16 with a touchdown pass.

Jesuit benefited from poor Middleton special teams on multiple occasions. Two botched punts led to safeties and Jesuit had 202 kickoff return yards, including a 75-yard touchdown by Bryce Walker in the fourth quarter.

Harrell wasn't worried over his team's unconvincing win, and he says they'll be prepared for next week against Robinson.

"We'll be ready," Harrell said. "It'll be an emotional game. … I'm sure our guys will be up for the challenge."

Miles Parks, Times correspondent

Football: Berkeley Prep 38, Lakeland Victory Christian 12

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The Ledger
Saturday, September 10, 2011

LAKELAND — Lakeland Victory Christian's Demeitre Brim was again unable to play this week and his team suffered.

Brim, the only quarterback on the roster and a commit to Virginia, remained out with a broken jaw and could only watch as his team fell 38-12 to Berkeley Prep.

Victory Christian had no answer for the swift rushing moves of Nelson Agholor. Agholor compiled 102 yards on the ground and two rushing touchdowns — in the first quarter.

Agholor finished with 125 yards rushing and 20 yards through the air, including a receiving touchdown.

Where Berkeley triumphed the Crusaders faltered. Going into the half Victory Christian had just 12 yards rushing on 17 attempts.

Agholor made the Victory defense adjust, and that's when Bucs quarterback Destin Nichols came alive. In the second quarter Nichols threw for 92 yards and three touchdowns. Two of those touchdowns came against broken coverage — one to a wide-open Agholor on a wheel route and a quick screen to Christian Hardegree, who went 42 yards breaking just one arm-tackle attempt.

It wasn't until Berkeley put its starters to rest that Victory had any success.

The Ledger

Phillies 5, Brewers 3

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Times wires
Saturday, September 10, 2011

Phillies 5, Brewers 3

MILWAUKEE — Ryan Howard homered in his return and Roy Halladay continued the Phillies' pitching dominance. The NL East leader with baseball's best record (93-48) won its fifth straight. Howard, who rested his heel Thursday, hit a three-run homer, his 32nd of the year, in the first. Halladay struck out nine to reach 204 for the season and scattered four hits and a run over eight innings.

Football: Lakewood 28, Blake 0

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Rod Gipson, Times Correspondent
Saturday, September 10, 2011

TAMPA — No Dante Fowler, no problem.

Lakewood may have been without its premier defensive player but the Spartans still had quarterback Tracy Johnson and the rest of their defense. And behind Johnson's three first-half touchdown passes and a stout defense, Lakewood built an early lead and cruised to a 28-0 win at Blake.

The win helps erase the memory of a late-season loss to Blake last year and provides an early jump in the Class 5A, District 8 race. And Lakewood (2-0, 1-0) earned the win with Fowler sitting out because of disciplinary reasons.

Blake (1-1, 0-1) struggled offensively throughout the game.

The Yellow Jackets could put together only 99 yards of offense and were plagued with penalties, racking up 140 yards.

Johnson threw for 196 yards and ran for another 19 while figuring in all of the scoring.

Rod Gipson, Times correspondent

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