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Football: Sickles 38, Wharton 21

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Allie Davison, Times Correspondent
Saturday, September 10, 2011

TAMPA — With both teams having injured starting quarterbacks, junior Nate Mills helped Sickles win a showdown between backups, 38-21 over Wharton.

The Gryphons went up 10-0 early on an 11-yard touchdown from Mills to Bilal Salat and a 32-yard field goal following a Wildcats fumble. Mills was subbing for starter Lee Myers.

Replacing Chase Litton for Wharton was Vernon Hargraves, a starting defensive back. Playing both ways, Hargraves had an 8-yard rushing score in the first half but limped off in the third quarter, to be replaced by DJ Grant.

Grant's 30-yard rushing touchdown in the third brought Wharton within 17-14 but the Gryphons pulled away.

Sickles was called for 11 penalties, almost all in the second half.

"Every week now," coach Brian Turner said. "It's my fault. We have some hot heads and I've got to get them under control.".

Allie Davison, Times correspondent


Football: Steinbrenner 20, East Bay 14

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Michael Paonessa, Times Correspondent
Saturday, September 10, 2011

LUTZ — Steinbrenner battled wet field conditions to beat East Bay 20-14.

In a game with a total of 10 fumbles, a steady air game in the first half by sophomore quarterback Curtis Fitch helped the Warriors even the halftime score at 14.

Fitch finished the game with 106 yards and a touchdown through the air.

Even though the playing field was ripped up due to wet conditions, the Warriors racked up 131 yards on 37 carries to secure the running game.

Steinbrenner coach Floyd Graham said he was happy with his squad coming away with the win but knew playing on the wet surface was challenging.

"It was horrible," Graham said. "It completely limited what we wanted to do. We also have to play better to make district. But regardless, I'm happy we won the game."

Michael Paonessa, Times correspondent

Football: Gaither 48, Leto 3

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Kyle Beckett, Times Correspondent
Saturday, September 10, 2011

TAMPA — The Leto defense allowed Gaither to run freely up and down the field Friday, to the tune of 48 points. Gaither's defense, meanwhile, held the Falcons to a field goal, caused three interceptions and three fumbles, which the Cowboys recovered.

Gaither quarterback Alex McGough finished 4-of-7 for, 76 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He took apart the Leto defense with his fast throws.

On one drive, after pounding the ball all the way to Leto's 35, McGough rifled it deep over the middle to Paul Barrett for a touchdown as the Cowboys took a 45-3 lead.

His counterpart, Leto's Michael Serra, ended the night 4-of-18 for 55 yards and three interceptions, and faced continuous heavy pressure.

Gaither controlled the game without flashy stats, finishing with 120 passing yards and 105 rushing.

Kyle Beckett, Times correspondent

Football: Clearwater Central Catholic 20, Lakeland Christian 6

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The Ledger
Saturday, September 10, 2011

LAKELAND – On a wet, slippery night at Vikings Stadium, turnovers were the story as 1,347 fans saw Clearwater Central Catholic defeat Lakeland Christian 20-6.

Neither team turned the ball over in the first half, as Lakeland Christian took a 3-0 lead. The second half was a different story as Lakeland Christian freshman quarterback Christian Alexander had a night to forget.

Two Alexander fumbles in the third quarter led to 13 Marauders points. The first came on an option play inside Lakeland Christian's own red zone; that set up senior running back Justin Goodloe's 11-yard touchdown run two plays later.

The Vikings turned the ball over four times in the quarter; Alexander's second fumble was plucked out of the air by Clearwater Central Catholic defensive lineman Tony Olmo, who raced 26 yards for a score to give the Marauders a 13-3 lead.

Lakeland Christian closed within a touchdown early in the fourth quarter, but senior running back Blair Vaughn broke free for a 55-yard touchdown with 4:22 left to clinch it for CCC.

The Marauders (1-1) forced seven fumbles and recovered five. CCC travels again next week to play at Hudson.

The Ledger

Football: Alonso 26, Durant 5

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Mike McCollum, Times Correspondent
Saturday, September 10, 2011

TAMPA — Eddie Castillo and Brandon Holloway combined for four touchdowns as Alonso ran over Durant 26-5 Friday night.

Castillo got the Ravens going with a 44-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Quarterback Brandon Hawkins found Castillo for a 14-yard strike just before halftime.

The Alonso defense put its stamp on the game, forcing Durant into three fumbles on three straight possessions during the third quarter. The Ravens quickly took advantage of the turnovers, converting two of them into touchdowns on long runs by Holloway.

By comparison to other rosters the Ravens are a small squad, carrying only 35 players. But coach Brian Emanuel gushed about his unit after the game.

"Sure we've only got 35 guys, but the players on this team are committed to doing whatever it takes to win," he said. "I'll take my 35 all day, every day.

Mike McCollum, Times correspondent

Diamondbacks 3, Padres 2

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Times wires
Saturday, September 10, 2011

Diamondbacks 3, Padres 2

PHOENIX — Seldom-used first baseman Lyle Overbay singled in the tiebreaking run in the eighth inning and Daniel Hudson pitched his third complete game of the season for Arizona. Overbay's hit drove in Aaron Hill, who led off the eighth with a walk against reliever Chad Qualls. Hill advanced to third on Miguel Montero's single. Hudson allowed two runs — one earned — on five hits and struck out seven. He gave up a leadoff double to Jesus Guzman in the ninth but stranded the runner at third.

Cardinals 4, Braves 3, 10 innings

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Times wires
Saturday, September 10, 2011

Cardinals 4, Braves 3

10 innings

ST. LOUIS — Nick Punto hit a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded in the 10th after Albert Pujols' two-run single tied it an inning earlier, and the Cardinals kept their faint postseason hopes alive.

Angels 2, Yankees 1

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Times wires
Saturday, September 10, 2011

Angels 2, Yankees 1

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Pinch-hitter Maicer Izturis drove home pinch-runner Jeremy Moore with a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the ninth and Los Angeles rallied for its fifth win in six games. Jered Weaver struck out 11 Yankees over eight innings and allowed just three hits, but he left without a win when his teammates couldn't solve Bartolo Colon, who gave up six hits and an unearned run in seven innings. The Angels got their 10th win of the season on their final swing.


Dodgers 2, Giants 1

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Times wires
Saturday, September 10, 2011

Dodgers 2, Giants 1

SAN FRANCISCO — National League Cy Young Award contender Clayton Kershaw outdueled two-time winner Tim Lincecum and pinch-hitter Jamey Carroll drove home the go-ahead run in the ninth for Los Angeles. The reigning World Series champion Giants fell to 81/2 games back of first-place Arizona in the NL West with 18 to play. Kershaw allowed three hits, one unearned run, struck out nine and walked one in eight strong innings.

NHL's oldest player Dwayne Roloson remains Tampa Bay Lightning's No. 1 goaltender

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By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, September 10, 2011

BRANDON — Dwayne Roloson did his best recently to convince an acquaintance his age was "just a number."

"Just because you're born on a certain day, people think it's an issue," he said.

Actually, it kind of is.

The Lightning goaltender, the league's oldest player, will be 42 on Oct. 12, and is the only player born in the '60s (1969). All of which makes the level of play he has maintained even more noteworthy.

But it also means the questions he faced last season about handling the physical and mental demands of being a No. 1, especially through a long playoff run, are a year more relevant.

Ask away, Roloson said at the Ice Sports Forum. "It has no bearing on me at all. I make sure I'm physically ready to play and make sure I'm healthy to play."

The NHL has had its share of 40-somethings, including Chris Chelios, who played until 48 and goalie Johnny Bower, who played until 45.

Mark Recchi, 43 last season, retired after being an integral part of the Bruins Stanley Cup championship. Gordie Howe played until he was 52.

The fountain of youth for Roloson, 18-12-4 with four shutouts after his Jan. 1 acquisition from the Islanders, has been conditioning. He takes it so seriously, he said he stayed in Buffalo to train after his 1999-2000 season with the Sabres while wife Melissa, pregnant with their oldest, Brett, went back to their Toronto-area home.

"That was intense physical training, and now that's his norm," said Scot Prohaska, Roloson's long-time trainer. "He's still right there."

"I know my first few years pro I wasn't in as good shape as I am now," Roloson said. "It's just part of maturing and knowing what you have to do to play every day and be ready for a full season."

Even so, the Lightning is not taking any chances. It signed Mathieu Garon as backup, and while coach Guy Boucher wouldn't put a number on it, the expectation is Garon will play about 30 regular-season games.

Boucher did say he likely will not play Roloson in back-to-back games, especially on the road.

It's all part of a plan to keep Roloson fresh and avoid what happened during last season's Eastern Conference final with the Bruins in which Roloson was benched for a game with Boucher saying the goalie needed a break.

"You do want to keep your finger on the pulse," Prohaska said. "He's such a competitor and wants to be out there so badly, you have to communicate with him throughout the year."

It will help having Roloson with the team from season's start.

"That way the plan is our plan," Boucher said. "When you take somebody in trade, you can't really tell how much ice time he's had in practice, how much time he had in games. It's hard to evaluate his limits. Now we know and we can have a plan with him so he can be at his best on a consistent basis."

Meanwhile, Roloson, in his 14th season and with a new one-year, $3 million deal with an additional $500,000 in playoff bonuses, is not acting his age.

"You look at him and you couldn't tell he is 41," Garon said. "He still looks young. The more I look at him it makes me believe I can play a long time."

As Roloson said of his age, "Realistically, it's just a number."

Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@sptimes.com.

Guy Boucher seeks intensity when Tampa Bay Lightning opens camp

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By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, September 10, 2011

BRANDON — One thing about an NHL season, Lightning coach Guy Boucher said, "The B plan can become the A plan pretty quick."

That is why Boucher doesn't want any letup at a training camp that starts Friday at the Ice Sports Forum with perhaps three jobs (and maybe only one) open on the big club.

"My speech to the players will be that everything you do matters," Boucher said. "It matters because we get information to act on them now or a little later or in the long run. There's injuries and all kinds of trades that can happen."

Barring that, it may be tough to crack the lineup.

Goaltending is set, and with eight defensemen on one-way contracts the blue line is full. That leaves finding replacements for forwards Simon Gagne and Sean Bergenheim, both lost to free agency, and filling a fourth-line grinder position.

Newly acquired Ryan Shannon likely will get a chance to fill Gagne's spot as a top-six forward. And Tom Pyatt, who played last season for the Canadiens, seems to have the early inside track on one of the other two openings.

The last spot seems up for grabs between (take a breath) Dana Tyrell, Mattias Ritola, Blair Jones, Carter Ashton, Alex Picard, James Wright, Michel Ouellet, Trevor Smith and James Wyman.

"Play to your strengths," Boucher said is his advice. "You have to make me think you're the best at something so I can make room for you."

SEEING CLEARLY: Vinny Lecavalier said he will stick with the visor he was forced to wear in April, when Chicago's Michael Frolik inadvertently clipped him in the right eye with a stick blade.

The captain, who had a scratched cornea, wore the visor through the playoffs and kept it during summer workouts.

"I usually take it off when I'm skating alone, but I kept it on just to make sure I got used to it even more," said Lecavalier, who added being a father changed his attitude about the equipment.

"Maybe it's a cliche talking like that, but it's true," he said. "You don't want to lose an eye, and it just came that close.

THE DEPARTED: Bergenheim, who signed a four-year, $11 million deal with the Panthers, said his decision to leave Tampa Bay came down to money.

"The way we looked at the market was very different," he said of the Lightning's attempts to re-sign him.

Bergenheim, who is keeping his Tampa home and skated at the Ice Sports Forum ahead of training camp, was a breakout star in the playoffs with nine goals, five fewer than he had in 80 regular-season games.

"I learned a lot here," he said. "It's something I will take with me wherever I play in the future."

CHARITY EVENT: Lecavalier's fifth-annual Texas Hold 'Em Celebrity Poker Tournament and Casino Night is Wednesday at the Pepin Hospitality Center in Tampa. Proceeds benefit the Vincent Lecavalier Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at All Children's Hospital. For information or to register, call (727) 781-8183 or go to vinny4.com.

ODDS AND ENDS: C Steven Stamkos and W Marty St. Louis spent two days last week at the NHL media blowout in New York. ... D Victor Hedman for the second straight year in his native Sweden held the Victor Hedman Hockey School. Canucks star Daniel Sedin helped coach. Hedman said about 100 kids showed up, including the son of Swedish icon Markus Naslund. ... RW Teddy Purcell turned 26 last week, D Mattias Ohlund 35.

Coach Guy Boucher seeks intensity when Tampa Bay Lightning opens camp

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By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, September 10, 2011

BRANDON — One thing about an NHL season, Lightning coach Guy Boucher said, "The B plan can become the A plan pretty quick."

That is why Boucher doesn't want any letup at a training camp that starts Friday at the Ice Sports Forum with perhaps three jobs (and maybe only one) open on the big club.

"My speech to the players will be that everything you do matters," Boucher said. "It matters because we get information to act on them now or a little later or in the long run. There's injuries and all kinds of trades that can happen."

Barring that, it may be tough to crack the lineup.

Goaltending is set, and with eight defensemen on one-way contracts, the blue line is full. That leaves finding replacements for forwards Simon Gagne and Sean Bergenheim, both lost to free agency, and filling a fourth-line grinder position.

Newly acquired Ryan Shannon likely will get a chance to fill Gagne's spot as a top-six forward. And Tom Pyatt, who played last season for the Canadiens, seems to have the early inside track on one of the other two openings.

The last spot seems up for grabs between (take a breath) Dana Tyrell, Mattias Ritola, Blair Jones, Carter Ashton, Alex Picard, James Wright, Michel Ouellet, Trevor Smith and James Wyman.

"Play to your strengths," Boucher said is his advice. "You have to make me think you're the best at something so I can make room for you."

SEEING CLEARLY: Vinny Lecavalier said he will stick with the visor he was forced to wear in April after Chicago's Michael Frolik inadvertently clipped him in the right eye with a stick blade.

The captain, who had a scratched cornea, wore the visor through the playoffs and kept it during summer workouts.

"I usually take it off when I'm skating alone, but I kept it on just to make sure I got used to it even more," said Lecavalier, who added that being a father changed his attitude about the equipment.

"Maybe it's a cliche talking like that, but it's true," he said. "You don't want to lose an eye, and it just came that close.

THE DEPARTED: Bergenheim, who signed a four-year, $11 million deal with the Panthers, said his decision to leave Tampa Bay came down to money.

"The way we looked at the market was very different," he said of the Lightning's attempts to re-sign him.

Bergenheim, who said he is keeping his Tampa home and skated at the Ice Sports Forum ahead of training camp, was a breakout star in the playoffs with nine goals, five fewer than he had in 80 regular-season games. "I learned a lot here," he said. "It's something I will take with me wherever I play in the future."

CHARITY EVENT: Lecavalier's fifth annual Texas Hold 'Em Celebrity Poker Tournament and Casino Night is Wednesday at the Pepin Hospitality Center in Tampa. Proceeds benefit the Vincent Lecavalier Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at All Children's Hospital. For information or to register, call (727) 781-8183 or go to vinny4.com.

ODDS AND ENDS: C Steven Stamkos and W Marty St. Louis spent two days last week at the NHL media blowout in New York. … D Victor Hedman for the second straight year in his native Sweden held the Victor Hedman Hockey School last month. Canucks star Daniel Sedin helped coach. Hedman said about 100 kids showed up, including the son of Swedish icon Markus Naslund. … RW Teddy Purcell turned 26 last week, D Mattias Ohlund 35.

Rays Tales: How the Tampa Bay Rays got to 1,000 wins

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By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, September 10, 2011

There was a lot, besides nearly 14 seasons and 2,245 games, that went into the Rays recording their 1,000th victory in franchise history last week. A look inside that large round number:

Comparatively speaking

The Rays lineup from their first win, April 1, 1998, with Dave Martinez in rightfield, and the lineup for win 1,000, for which he was the bench coach:

Win No. 1

Quinton McCracken cf

Miguel Cairo 2b

Wade Boggs 3b

Fred McGriff 1b

Paul Sorrento dh

Dave Martinez rf

John Flaherty c

Rich Butler lf

Kevin Stocker ss

Rolando Arrojo p

Win No. 1000

Desmond Jennings lf

B.J. Upton cf

Evan Longoria 3b

Ben Zobrist 2b

Sean Rodriguez ss

Brandon Guyer dh

Casey Kotchman 1b

Kelly Shoppach c

Justin Ruggiano rf

David Price p

By opponents

Blue Jays 120 Orioles 119

Red Sox 94 Yankees 84

Royals 65 Rangers 57

Mariners 56 Tigers 51

Twins 51 Angels 49

A's 48 White Sox 46

Indians 42 Marlins 37

Phillies 12 Nats/Expos 9

D'backs 8 Mets 7

Astros 6 Braves 6

Padres 6 Rockies 5

Brewers 4 Cubs 4

Pirates 4 Cardinals 3

Dodgers 3 Giants 3

Reds 1

Home plate

37 Different stadiums the Rays have won in, including one game each at AT&T Park (Giants), Busch Stadium (Cardinals), RFK Stadium (Nationals), Tokyo Dome (vs. Yankees) and Wrigley Field (Cubs).

By comparison

How long it took to get 1,000 wins compared to other expansion-era teams:

Team Games Team Games

Royals 1,898 D'backs 2,020

Blue Jays 2,076 Angels 2,095

Marlins 2,122 Brewers 2,129

Nationals 2,138 Rockies 2,148

Astros 2,208Rays 2,245

Mets 2,296 Mariners 2,328

Padres 2,375 Rangers 2,380

Milestone wins

No. Date Opp. Winner

1 4-1-1998 11-8 vs. Det. Arrojo

100 7-7-99 3-2 vs. Bos. Eiland

200 9-29-2000 8-6 vs. Bos. Yan

300 8-4-0210-3 vs. CWS Kennedy

400 6-2-04 4-2 at Min. Waechter

500 8-19-05 2-1 vs. Tex. McClung

600 5-28-07 6-5 vs. Det. Glover

700 7-6-08 9-2 vs. KC Shields

800 8-3-09 10-4 vs. KC Kazmir

900 8-18-10 8-6 vs. Tex. Shields

1,000 9-7-11 5-4 vs. Tex. McGee

Time warp

The Rays' improvement is obvious looking at 100-win increments:

To win Games To win Games

100 246 200 237

300 274 400 264

500 232 600 251

700 200 800 181

900 176 1,000 184

Game boys

To get to 1,000 wins, the Rays:

303 players used, with 110 pitchers getting victories

19,905 1/3 innings played

.260 Batting average, scored 10,102 runs, hit 2,172 home runs

4.69 ERA, threw 331,471 pitches, allowed 2,587 home runs

On the other hand …

1,683 Games the Rays needed to lose their first 1,000



9-11 memories

• Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg was in his office two blocks away with a clear view of the World Trade Center and felt the attacks before he saw them. He and his employees evacuated, and he walked amid the disaster and debris 4-5 miles to his sister's apartment. He still has the shoes he wore — "still covered in the soot, stored in a plastic bag where I can see them.''

• The Rays played the first game at Yankee Stadium after the attacks, on Sept. 25, 2001, participating in an emotional ceremony, wearing NYPD/FD caps and donating their day's pay to the relief effort (and winning 4-0). "The way tonight was," Rays starter Tanyon Sturtze said, "everyone was just playing for New York."

Rays rumblings

Executive vice president Andrew Friedman was No. 1 on the Chicago Tribune's most recent "power ranking" of candidates for the Cubs GM job, which noted he "has all the goods that the Ricketts family likes — young, analytical, successful — and raided the Cubs system when he gave up Matt Garza;" senior VP Gerry Hunsicker was 14th. … Who thought we'd see the day when Johnny Damon had shorter hair than Joe Maddon? … The Rays don't have any presence in the Moneyball movie, though Damon's departure from the A's is a central, and somewhat negative, theme. Former Rays Carlos Peña and Chad Bradford are featured. … Guy Gallagher's Tropicana Field visiting clubhouse was voted second best behind Yankee Stadium in the Sports Illustrated poll of MLB players. … RHP James Shields' 2012 option went up $500,000, to $7.5 million, because he pitched 600 innings over 2009-11, and that could increase another $500,000 if he's a top-five finisher in the Cy Young voting. … One theory on ex-Rays GM Chuck LaMar's resignation from his job with the Phillies, per the Philadelphia Daily News, is a dispute over investment in player development. Others say that's not it.

Got a minute? James Shields

Must-see TV? The League, it's a show about fantasy football, and it's hilarious.

Big night out meal? Bern's Steak House; I really like the dessert room.

Band you'd like to be on stage with? I'd have to go with Metallica, for sure.

Worst job? At Bed Bath & Beyond, in appliances. It didn't last very long, put it that way.

With your wife Ryane's permission, dream date? (Actor) Mila Kunis, from Friends With Benefits and Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

561

at home

439

on the road

298

in the day

702

at night

365

on grass

635

on turf

Blue Jays 5, Orioles 4

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Times wires
Saturday, September 10, 2011

Blue Jays 5, Orioles 4

TORONTO — Pinch-hitter J.P. Arencibia hit a winning single with two out in the ninth inning off Kevin Gregg as Toronto rallied. "We had a chance to win the game, we were one out, one pitch away," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "It's a frustrated clubhouse right now."

Swimming: Palm Harbor University boys, girls rout field at Total Team Relay Challenge

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By Bob Putnam, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, September 10, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — The swimming portion of the Total Team Relay Challenge went as expected. Palm Harbor University had numbers no other team could match and swam laps around its competition at North Shore Pool, winning the boys team title (424 points), the girls team title (436) and the overall team title (860).

No team came within 78 points of beating the Hurricanes on the boys or girls side. PHU won its fifth straight overall title by nearly 200 points. Better still, the Hurricanes did it without one of their top swimmers, David Morgan, who was on a recruiting trip to Ohio State this weekend.

But the title PHU really coveted was the one for most spirit. The Hurricanes arrived at the pool at 6 a.m. Saturday, armed with tie-dyed shirts, water bottles and noodles that were turned into noisemakers and decorations for their tent. Even the parents got involved, bringing cowbells to make noise.

It worked. PHU tied St. Petersburg for the most spirit.

"The kids worked really hard at showing team spirit," Hurricanes coach Lisa Bitting said. "Most of them stayed up all night getting ready for this meet."

PHU's girls won six events and the boys won nine. The Hurricanes 200 free relay of Ryan McRae, Zach Perrotti, Shaun VanHuyssteen and Jason Williams won in 1 minute, 29.65 seconds to break the meet record by more than three seconds.

"It was an impressive performance as a team," Bitting said. "I think the most points we've ever had. It was great to see what the boys did with David not being here."

Late morning showers and lightning delayed the start but did not dampen the spirit. Once the swimming was over, the Green Devils gathered around the pool deck, dancing while a deejay blasted music.

"The great thing was there was so much enthusiasm," Bitting said. "It's a nice way to start the season."

Boys team scores: Palm Harbor University 424, East Lake 340, Osceola 280, St. Petersburg 268, Seminole 268, Countryside 258, Tampa Prep 254, Punta Gorda Charlotte 236, Northeast 230, Shorecrest 178, Clearwater 136, St. Petersburg Catholic 118, Sarasota Cardinal Mooney 114, Lakewood 104, Tarpon Springs 104, Gibbs 90, Bradenton St. Stephens 76, Canterbury 72.

Girls team scores: Palm Harbor University 436, Tampa Prep 358, East Lake 326, Countryside 308, Punta Gorda Charlotte 298, Osceola 284, Seminole 278, Northeast 224, Shorecrest 218, St. Petersburg 192, Sarasota Cardinal Mooney 151, Tarpon Springs 134, Gibbs 126, Canterbury 86, Lakewood 80, Clearwater 65, St. Petersburg Catholic 56, Bradenton St. Stephens 46, Calvary Christian 28.


Pinellas: Sunday morning quarterback

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By Bryan Burns and Bob Putnam, Times Staff Writers
Saturday, September 10, 2011

At the start of the season it was hard to tell how the six new coaches in the county would fare. After two weeks, we know they're doing a pretty good job. Of the 10 remaining undefeated teams in the county, four have done it with new coaches: Canterbury (Bill Jones), Gibbs (Antonio Knox), Northeast (Mike Jalazo) and Palm Harbor University (Matt Lepain). We've also realized that Countryside still is tough to beat, especially after the Cougars knocked off rival East Lake 27-14 in the most hyped game of the season. The recap of Week 2:

Super seven

1. Countryside (2-0): The Cougars turn it on in the second half to beat East Lake for the seventh time in their past eight meetings.

2. Largo (1-1): After losing to Bradenton Southeast, the Packers bounce back in a big way with a 26-0 win over Pinellas Park.

3. East Lake (1-1): There's no time to dwell on the 27-21 loss to Countryside with the huge rivalry game against Tarpon Springs looming this week.

4. Lakewood (2-0): No Dante Fowler. No problem. Spartans defense comes through with first shutout, 28-0 over Blake.

5. Gibbs (2-0): Defense has been the Gladiators' calling card with a combined five points allowed and no touchdowns in first two games.

6. Tarpon Springs (2-0): At this rate, Louis Pappas will throw for 40 touchdown passes this season, though schedule will get tougher.

7. CC Catholic (1-1): Marauders survive several special teams miscues to get first win.

Knocking on the door: Admiral Farragut (2-0), Palm Harbor University (2-0) and Northeast (2-0)

Notable performances

DB Devin Abraham, East Lake: Came up big against Countryside with two interceptions.

QB Dana Harrington, Dixie Hollins: Harrington had four touchdowns to give the Rebels their first win. Harrington rushed for three scores and connected with Alex Valentin for a 63-yard touchdown pass.

QB Tracy Johnson, Lakewood: He makes his second appearance in as many weeks after tossing three touchdown passes and running for a fourth at Blake. He was 13 of 25 for 196 yards.

RB Ryan Myers, Palm Harbor University: Senior running back amassed 195 yards on 34 carries and had two touchdowns to help the Hurricanes move to 2-0 with a 35-26 win over St. Petersburg.

RB Brent O'Neal, Canterbury: O'Neal's 4-yard carry in overtime and two-point conversion run sealed Canterbury's 43-42 win over Cambridge. O'Neal had 148 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, returned a kickoff 98 yards and had a 95-yard interception return.

QB Louis Pappas, Tarpon Springs: The senior quarterback threw four touchdown passes in the Spongers' rout of Clearwater. He has eight in two games and is on pace for 40 TDs this year.

DL Auggie Sanchez, Northeast: Had three sacks and six tackles for loss in 14-6 win over Anclote.

WR Artavis Scott, East Lake: Scott caught six passes for 131 yards in loss to Countryside. He also had an 80-yard touchdown reception from QB Pete DiNovo in the third quarter that gave the Eagles a temporary 14-7 lead.

DB Gary Simon, Gibbs: Simon accounted for two scores and nearly a third in the Gladiators' 27-0 win over Lennard. The senior Division I recruit had an interception return for a score and a touchdown catch. A third touchdown on a punt return was brought back by a penalty.

RB Jarvis Stewart, Largo: The sophomore powered the Packers past Pinellas Park with 118 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries in a 26-0 victory.

QB Casey Woods, Indian Rocks Christian: Woods only threw the ball eight times in a 42-3 win against Calvary Christian, but four of them went for touchdowns. Woods threw for 101 yards total and had a long of 63 yards, a TD to Sean Culkin.

Offensive player of the week

WR Dondre Daley, Tarpon Springs: The senior transfer from Anclote has made an immediate impact for the Spongers, as evidenced by his all-around performance Friday. Daley accounted for five touchdowns total in Tarpon Springs' 56-8 rout of Clearwater. He had three touchdown catches, including a 48-yarder in the third quarter that put the Spongers ahead 42-8. In the first half, Daley threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Blanche, and he returned a first-quarter blocked punt 10 yards for another score.

Defensive player of the week

DB Mike Johnson, Countryside: The senior produced for two game-changing plays in one of the county's biggest rivalry games, intercepting passes on consecutive fourth-quarter drives to fend off East Lake in a 27-21 victory. With Countryside clinging to a 21-14 lead, Johnson picked off Eagles QB Pete DiNovo and weaved his way 29 yards for a touchdown to put the Cougars up by 13. He added a second interception moments later.

Audible

"We just pounded the ball down, and we were having fun. That's just what we do. We can do that all night against any team, guaranteed."

Jeff Albert, Countryside's 6-foot-5, 315-pound left tackle, on his team's power run game that churned out 169 yards on 43 carries vs. East Lake.

NFL TV viewing guide

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By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, September 10, 2011

The NFL season kicked off Thursday night in Green Bay, and today the league gets into high gear. We look at what to expect on TV this season, from the pregame shows to the game broadcasts. Here's the Two Cents "Football Television Guide.''

The other pregame shows

Fox NFL Sunday is like an old pair of jeans. It's comfortable because analysts Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long and Jimmy Johnson have been around for so long. Relatively new guy Michael Strahan goes between being really good and really bad. Keep any eye out for changes, because the show has a new executive producer.

The NFL Network's NFL GameDay Morning has added Kurt Warner, and that should improve the show. Its only problem (well, besides most people in the Tampa Bay area not getting the network because they have Bright House Networks cable, which doesn't carry it) is that GameDay Morning has too many analysts (Warren Sapp, Michael Irvin and Steve Mariucci) who say outlandish things simply to be outlandish. The hope is Warner brings calmness to the hyperbole.

CBS's NFL Today has the potential to be a good show, especially because it has a couple of real keepers in analysts Dan Marino and Bill Cowher. But I'm not a fan of Shannon Sharpe and Boomer Esiason (who also likes to be controversial just to be controversial), and this show kills way too much time laughing at jokes that aren't funny. When these guys are serious, they are occasionally good.

NBC's Football Night in America is outstanding, but it benefits from being able to do something the other shows can't: show fresh highlights from that day's games.

Best pregame analyst

I always thought of ESPN's Tom Jackson, left, as the voice of reason of pregame shows. Then he damaged his credibility last season when he missed badly on a Jets-Pats prediction and then said he was trying to fire up the Jets with his pick. Still, that's just one slip, and it shouldn't wipe out 25 years of good broadcasting. When Jackson and NBC's Tony Dungy talk, you get the feeling they mean what they say and aren't just trying to get their names in newspapers and blogs. Also, keep an eye on ESPN's Bill Parcells. He has been very good in the past as an analyst, mostly because he's so arrogant he doesn't care whom he offends, insults or criticizes.

Best pregame host

All the pregame hosts are solid — yeah, even ESPN's Chris Berman, who takes a lot of heat from fans and media critics alike. Sure, he's a little full of himself, his shtick of imitating Howard Cosell (''He could go all the way … '') has grown weary, and he's a bit of a shill for the NFL, but it's not easy being the traffic cop for the too many personalties on Sunday NFL Countdown. Give Berman credit for the show never veering over the curb. CBS's James Brown, Fox's Curt Menefee and the NFL Network's Rich Eisen are solid, but no one is better than NBC's Bob Costas, left. NBC's Football Night in America also uses Dan Patrick as a co-host and he's sensational in setting up analysts Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison. Take your pick between Costas and Patrick. Good thing is, you can watch them both because they are on the same show.

Best reporter

ESPN's Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen seem to have most of the info you need on Sunday morning, but Fox's Jay Glazer, left, is a must-see right before kickoff. He seems to break a big story a couple of times a month, which is not easy in a sport as heavily covered as the NFL. Jason La Canfora of the NFL Network is solid, too.

Best announcing team

NBC's Al Michaels is the best play-by-play man in the business. NBC's Cris Collinsworth is the best game analyst in the business. They work together, making it a no-brainer to call them the best broadcasting team in the business.

ESPN's Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski and Jon Gruden are a close runnerup. Gruden is this close to being one of the all-time broadcasting greats. He just needs to simmer down a bit on the praise.

Other thoughts

• CBS has added play-by-play guy Marv Albert, who will work with Rich Gannon. They have a chance to be one of TV's best teams, but I miss Albert calling Monday night games on radio's Westwood One broadcasts.

• Most underrated team: CBS's Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts.

• Most underrated game analyst: CBS's Dan Dierdorf.

• Most overrated team: CBS's Jim Nantz and Phil Simms.

• Most overrated analyst: A tie between Fox's Tony Siragusa and Daryl Johnston. Unfortunately, they work together.

• Aside from the NFL Network's Kurt Warner, the other new guy to check out is Chad Pennington, the semi-retired QB who will work some games for CBS.

• Best game broadcast: NBC's Sunday Night Football. Then again, NBC does only one game a week, so it better be good.

tom jones' two cents

The poll

Which Bucs cut was most surprising? Total: 754 votes

Tyrone McKenzie: 50 percent

Ed Gant: 21 percent

Ahmad Black: 12 percent

Rudy Carpenter: 8 percent

Kyle Moore: 5 percent

Other: 4 percent

This week's question

Which Florida college has the best starting quarterback?

Vote at sports.tampabay.com.

Best pregame show

ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown is expanding to three hours, with a starting time of 10 a.m. It's easy to knock some of things ESPN does, and at one time or another, everyone on this pregame show seems to get under my skin. But pound for pound, there's not a better Sunday pregame show. The mix of personalities — Tom Jackson, Mike Ditka, Keyshawn Johnson, Cris Carter and, this season, Bill Parcells — always makes for interesting, intelligent debates. Listening to this crew bat around the controversy of the day is about as good as it gets on Sunday morning. Of course, ESPN doesn't have the time constraints that CBS and Fox have with their hour-long shows. But to ESPN's credit, its show never has dead air. ESPN does a deft job of bouncing from reporter to reporter at various game sites, and the features are usually informative and/or entertaining.

Buckeyes eke out a victory

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Times wires


Saturday, September 10, 2011

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Overmatched and intimidated, in-state opponents usually put up the white flag when they play mighty Ohio State. Toledo filled the air with yellow ones.

The Rockets were penalized 14 times for 102 yards — the No. 15 Buckeyes just twice for 13 — helping lead to Saturday's 27-22 loss.

"We didn't play well enough to win," said Toledo coach Tim Beckman, a former Ohio State assistant. "There were too many mistakes on our part."

Ohio State improved to 43-0-1 against teams from Ohio since losing 7-6 to Oberlin in 1921. But unlike most other Ohio colleges, the Rockets weren't outclassed. They even looked quicker than the Buckeyes, still missing seven top players serving NCAA suspensions for taking cash and other improper benefits.

Chris Fields' 69-yard punt return for a touchdown late in the first half put Ohio State up 21-15. Toledo retook the lead in the third on Adonis Thomas' 4-yard run on fourth and 1.

After a punt, the Rockets drove to the Ohio State 33. But a fumbled snap ended the drive.

The Buckeyes promptly came back. The key was a 36-yard pass from Joe Bauserman to Devin Smith. Carlos Hyde capped the march with his second touchdown run of the day, a 3-yarder. A failed two-point conversion kept the margin at five points.

The Buckeyes only had to run out the clock on their next-to-last possession, but freshman Rod Smith fumbled. Ohio State held when tackle John Simon, who left earlier in the game with cramps, pressured Terrance Owens into an incompletion on fourth down with 48 seconds left.

"You're bummed he did fumble," Buckeyes defensive back Tyler Moeller said. "But you're excited the game's in your hands."

The Rockets, who get another chance at a national power, Boise State, on Friday, were left to ponder what could have been.

"We got some respect," defensive end Malcom Riley said. "But that wasn't what we were trying to get."

Wolverines pull it out late

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Times wires
Saturday, September 10, 2011

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Denard Robinson stunned Notre Dame in the final minute again.

He threw a 16-yard touchdown to Roy Roundtree with two seconds left, lifting Michigan to a 35-31 win on Saturday.

The Wolverines, playing their first home night game ever, trailed 24-7 entering the fourth. They took their first lead on Robinson's 21-yard touchdown to Vincent Smith with 1:12 left. Then they lost it.

Briefly.

Notre Dame's Tommy Rees threw a 29-yard touchdown to Theo Riddick with 30 seconds left. But Jeremy Gallon got open on a pass that got Michigan from its 20 to the Notre Dame 16.

The Wolverines have won three straight against the Irish for the first time since 1908. And all three in the current run have come on late plays by their quarterbacks. Last year at Notre Dame, Robinson ran for a touchdown with 27 seconds left. Two years ago, Tate Forcier threw a touchdown with 11 seconds left.

Robinson didn't match his game last year, when he had a school-record 502 yards of offense. But Notre Dame couldn't stop him when it mattered.

He was 11-of-24 for 338 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions and ran 11 times for 108 yards and a score.

The rushing touchdown came on a fortunate bounce, when he scooped up Stephen Hopkins' fumble inside the 1 and trotted in.

Notre Dame committed five turnovers in its season opening loss to USF. Saturday, it was doomed by turnovers again.

Rees threw two interceptions, one near the end zone, and fumbled deep in Michigan territory. Running back Cierre Wood, who gave Notre Dame a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, also fumbled.

In his first loss in five starts, Rees was 27-of-39 for 315 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Wood ran for 134 yards and a score on 25 carries.

Michael Floyd caught 13 passes for 159 yards, becoming Notre Dame's career leader in receiving yards.

North Suncoast: Sunday morning quarterback

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By Matt Baker, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, September 10, 2011

What we learned in Week 2

1. Pasco is the cream of the crop

Yes, Land O'Lakes was without several starters, but Pasco's 33-point romp over the Gators was convincing. Give credit to the offensive line for making key halftime adjustments. After giving up four first-half sacks, the Pirates' line held Land O'Lakes in the final two quarters. The result was 32 unanswered points and the kind of fireworks North Suncoast foes should get used to seeing.

2. Fivay is moving in the right direction

The Falcons earned the biggest varsity win in their young school's history, knocking off a consistently solid Springstead team 21-14. Squeezing out a close victory is a major sign of progress for a young program that stumbled late the week before against River Ridge. Fivay remains a contender for the runnerup spot in its district, if it can survive its next two games: against Anclote on Sept. 23 and Wesley Chapel the week after.

3. Leopards need big-play help

Hernando might have more athletes who can handle the ball, but they don't have the home run hitter anymore. The graduation of Alvin Delaine has left the Leopards without a consistent big-play threat on offense. Hernando moved the ball on long drives that used up a lot of clock, but South Lake was able to strike back quickly, and this could be a long-term problem when the Leopards play potent offenses this season.

4. Sunlake is for real

The Seahawks looked great in the preseason and a Week 1 win over Hudson, and dominated this week against a tougher opponent, Wiregrass Ranch. Give credit to Sunlake's defense, which held the Bulls to 56 yards of offense and pitched a second consecutive shutout. The only TD Sunlake's varsity has allowed this year was against Fivay in a preseason contest. The Seahawks are definitely one of Pasco County's top three teams.

5. Wesley Chapel's defense is legit

The Wildcats allowed only one touchdown in Week 1 against Wiregrass Ranch and tallied four interceptions. Wesley Chapel gave up two scores Friday against St. Petersburg Catholic, but one of those was a fumble recovery for a TD. The Wildcats had five sacks and held the Barons to only 3 yards rushing, not too shabby. They're off this week, but they will have to try to corral Zephyrhills star Jamal Roberts in a district opener on Sept. 23.

Game balls

David Emmanuel and Janarion Grant, ATH, Pasco: The two junior stars combined for 390 yards and all six Pirates touchdowns in a 39-6 win over Land O'Lakes. Expect plenty more performances like that throughout the season. It's only a matter of time before Division-I recruiters take notice.

Tyrail Hawkins, RB, Hernando: One week after rushing for more than 100 yards in the opener over East Ridge, Hawkins totaled 170 yards in total offense (107 rushing, 63 receiving) and scored the second touchdown for Hernando in a 27-13 loss to South Lake. He also had two other scores called back due to penalties.

Jamal Jones, WR/DB, Sunlake: He caught two of Cameron Stoltz's touchdown passes and returned an interception 31 yards for another score in a 36-0 win over the Bulls.

Brevet Killett, QB, Anclote: Sharks coaches put the 6-foot freshman in for a late spark, and it worked. He threw a touchdown on his first varsity pass in a 14-6 loss to Northeast.

Terrence Owens, WR/DB, Hernando: After recovering a blocked punt from Malcolm Hudson and intercepting a pass on defense, Owens helped move the ball downfield for the Leopards as a main target for Cleve Pope by catching four balls for 83 yards.

River Ridge defense: The Royal Knights shut out Ridgewood 34-0 thanks to big plays from Malik Moore and others. River Ridge (2-0) has already equaled its win total for all of last season and looks like the North Suncoast's most improved team.

Kyrie Rodriguez, RB, Fivay: The Falcons had plenty of playmakers, but the nod goes to Rodriguez, who rushed for 211 yards in Fivay's 21-14 win over Springstead. It was the Falcons' first-ever varsity home victory.

Cameron Stoltz, QB, Sunlake: Another game, another batch of touchdown passes. The senior was 8 of 12 for 95 yards and three TDs in a 36-0 win over Wiregrass Ranch.

Ty Tanner, K/P, Wesley Chapel: Let's give the guy some props for a 51-yard touchdown pass to Robert Jota on a game-changing fake punt in a 26-14 win over St. Petersburg Catholic. The other Tanner (quarterback Keegan) wasn't too shabby either, with 213 passing yards and two TDs.

Nico Watts, DB/WR, Land O'Lakes: The Gators lost big, but Watts played well. He locked down on Pasco star receiver Trey Dudley-Giles and caught a 60-yard bomb from Ryan Bird for his team's only touchdown.

Spencer Whittaker, QB, Mitchell: Threw for the game's first touchdown and ran for two more scores to help the Mustangs earn a 26-9 win over Gulf. Mitchell will try to improve to 3-0 this week against Ridgewood.

Times correspondent Derek J. LaRiviere contributed to this report.

Quotable

"Those kids were just monsters on the inside. They were everything you would think they would be."

Charles Liggett, Nature Coast coach, referring to the defensive line of two-time defending regional finalist Fleming Island. Nature Coast lost to the Golden Eagles 29-7.

Looking ahead:

Pasco vs. Wiregrass Ranch: The Bulls are reeling after two losses to start the season, while Pasco is rolling after two big wins. Wiregrass Ranch needs to get healthy after playing without its starting quarterback and running back in Week 2. Pasco needs to stay healthy to get ready for district play.

Rest: Lots of it. Land O'Lakes needs it to heal after playing without four starters Friday and having several key players leave the game with apparent injuries. Anclote and Fivay have the week off, too, before facing each other in a key district opener. Gulf, Springstead, Sunlake, Wesley Chapel and River Ridge are also off. How will they handle the bye week?

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