Rod Gipson, Times Correspondent
Friday, November 18, 2011

TAMPA — Running back Nelson Agholor ran for 182 of his 270 yards in the first half Friday as Berkeley Prep built a huge lead and cruised to a 41-6 win against Frostproof in a Class 3A region semifinal.

Berkeley Prep (11-0) had little trouble from the onset, scoring just five plays in on a 14-yard dash from Agholor. Berkeley Prep added scores on its next two first-quarter drives. Quarterback Destin Nichols found wide receiver Christian Hardegree on 17-yard scoring pass and Agholor added a 55-yard touchdown run and the rout was on.

Frostproof (5-6), which had to survive a three-way tiebreaker to reach the playoffs, was playing its fourth game in 15 days and it showed.

"We really came out and executed on both sides of the ball," said Berkeley Prep coach Dominick Ciao. "It's a great win for our program. It's a playoff win and we get to play again next week."

Agholor rested most of the second half but staged his biggest run of the night before he left the game.

The senior national recruit burst through a hole and ran 77 yards for a score on the Bucs' second play of the second half. Running back Chris Williams added two scoring runs for the Buccaneers in the second half.

But it wasn't all offense for Berkeley Prep.

The defense stopped the Bulldogs on downs three times, forced three fumbles and intercepted Frostproof's Zach Jenkins, who was held to zero completions. Frostproof managed a 44-yard scoring run from Jake Smith on the last play of the game.

Berkeley Prep moves on to face familiar foe Fort Meade in the region final. Fort Meade ended the Bucs' playoff run last season.

Times wires
Friday, November 18, 2011

Soccer

Blatter: sorry if remarks on racism hurt

LONDON — Trying to stem the uproar caused by his comments on racism, Sepp Blatter, president of the sport's governing body, said Friday that he was sorry if he offended anyone but stopped short of a full apology and rejected calls to resign.

In two TV interviews Wednesday, Blatter said racist abuse does not exist on the field and that any racial incidents could be settled by a handshake at the end of a match.

In another TV interview Friday, Blatter said he "deeply regretted" using "unfortunate words" and he is "committed to the fight against racism," but he didn't retract his view.

The move came after Blatter was ridiculed in Britain for his comments, and many called for him to resign as FIFA's head.

Outside Britain, the collective reaction to the comments has been muted to nonexistent. Many national federations have refused to talk about the topic. The media in many of those countries and others have pushed the comments aside. Reaction has also been muted from FIFA sponsors.

More soccer

Bulgaria fined for fans' racist taunts

Europe's governing body, UEFA, said it fined the Bulgarian Football Union $54,000 after Bulgarian fans chanted racist abuse during a Euro 2012 qualifier against England in Sofia in September.

The charges also included the setting off and throwing of fireworks during the Sept. 2 match, which England won 3-0.

England's Football Association informed UEFA after the match that racist abuse had been aimed at midfielder Ashley Young, who is black.

The Bulgarian federation has three days after receiving UEFA's explanation for the fine to launch an appeal.

Officials banned: FIFA banned six more Caribbean officials for terms ranging from seven days to two years for what it said was their part in a bribery plot involving former presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hammam. The officials were offered or received $40,000 cash payments during bin Hammam's campaign visit to Trinidad in May to support him against Sepp Blatter, FIFA said. Bin Hammam withdrew his election bid after the scandal broke and was banned for life.

MLS: D.C. United midfielder Dwayne De Rosario was voted league MVP in voting by media, players and club officials, capping a season in which he was traded twice. De Rosario began the season with Toronto, was traded to New York on April 1 after three games, then was dealt again June 27. He had 16 goals and 12 assists.

ET cetera

Horses: Trainer Steve Asmussen reached 6,000 victories on his 46th birthday, winning the first race at Remington Park in Oklahoma City. He is fifth on the career list. Dale Baird is first with 9,445. Asmussen is best known for training Curlin, who won horse of the year in 2007 and '08, and filly Rachel Alexandra, who earned the honor in 2009. He has won the Preakness Stakes twice and won the Breeders' Cup Classic in 2007 with Curlin. … Drossel­meyer, winner of the Grade I Breeders' Cup Classic this year and the 2010 Belmont Stakes, has been retired to stand at stud in Versailles, Ky.

Drugs: The World Anti-Doping Agency will consider this weekend at a Montreal meeting whether the British Olympic Association is "noncompliant" with the global antidoping code. The association has a bylaw that bars British athletes for life from the Olympics if they are found guilty of doping. Britain is the only country that has such a rule.

Volleyball: Italy retained the women's World Cup title — the first team to do so since Cuba in 1999 — after the United States was swept by Japan in the tournament's last match in Tokyo. The Americans could have clinched their first title with a 3-0 or 3-1 win, but they were routed 29-27, 25-23, 25-18.

Times wires

Times wires
Friday, November 18, 2011

NEW YORK — Players and owners have reached a tentative verbal agreement on a five-year labor contract and hope to have a signed deal by next week.

Negotiators reached an understanding when they met late Thursday at the InterContinental O'Hare in Rosemont, Ill., the Associated Press reported, though the agreement is still being drafted.

The sides hope to sign a memorandum of understanding in time to announce the agreement Monday or Tuesday. The last item to fall in place was the luxury tax on high-payroll teams.

Under the agreement, a new restraint will be placed on the amount of money a team spends each year to sign selections from the amateur draft, with teams going over a threshold being penalized with a type of luxury tax. Also as part of the deal, players and owners are agreeing to add an extra wild-card round to the playoffs. The extra round will be one game, winner take all.

Kemp's $160M is tops in Dodgers history

LOS ANGELES — Centerfielder Matt Kemp and the Dodgers staked their futures together, finalizing a $160 million, eight-year deal that matches the seventh-highest deal in baseball history.

It's the richest deal in club history, topping pitcher Kevin Brown's $105 million, seven-year deal before the 1999 season.

"Another eight years in L.A. That sounds good. I love this city and the fans," said Kemp, 27.

Kemp, a favorite to win the National League MVP award next week, led the league in homers (39) and RBIs (126), finished third in batting average at .324 and stole 40 bases.

Kemp's agreement trails only the last two contracts of Alex Rodriguez ($275 million and $252 million), and deals for Derek Jeter ($189 million), Joe Mauer ($184 million), Mark Teixeira ($180 million) and CC Sabathia ($161 million), and matches the agreement Manny Ramirez signed with Boston before the 2001 season.

Kemp could have become a free agent after the 2012 season.

"He does everything, including playing every day," general manager Ned Colletti said. "In this day and age, finding somebody that's got power and speed is one of the toughest things to find."

Cubs introduce manager: New Cubs manager Dale Sveum said his approach to ending the club's long title drought will be low key and universal: He will demand as much accountability from the veterans as he will from the younger players. Whining will not be tolerated. Ground balls will be run out at full speed.

Sveum, who was also interviewed twice by the Red Sox, was introduced by the Cubs on Friday.

"I think the arrow fell in the right spot. Whenever you got two places like that and you're in the running, your head is spinning a little bit," Sveum said. "I think what it came down to (is) this was just the better fit."

RAYS: The Rays added right-handed pitchers Alex Colome and Wilking Rodriguez, and catcher Stephen Vogt to their 40-man roster, putting them at 38. They had until midnight Friday to set their roster before the Rule 5 draft.

Red Sox, Valentine talk: Former Mets and Rangers manager Bobby Valentine said he would "be honored" to talk more with the Red Sox about their vacant managerial position. He said he has spoken to general manager Ben Cherington and "I'm looking forward to having conversations, if that's what they want to do."

Nationals: A week after being freed from his abductors in Venezuela after being kidnapped for two days, catcher Wilson Ramos was checked by team doctors in Washington and pronounced to be "in terrific shape" by general manager Mike Rizzo. Ramos headed back to Venezuela late Friday and plans to play for his winter league team there.

Times staff writer Joe Smith contributed to this report.

David Rice, Times Correspondent
Friday, November 18, 2011

TAMPA — Jesuit coach James Harrell spent countless hours in the video room during the offseason studying the wing-t offense, knowing there could come a day in November when his team would have to face it. Friday night, the hours were worth it.

Harrell's team made the necessary adjustments against a system it rarely sees. That and a balanced offense helped the Tigers roll to a 42-14 victory over Port Orange Atlantic in a Class 5A region quarterfinal.

"Atlantic runs that offense pretty good, and it got to us early in the game," Harrell said. "I studied it throughout the offseason because here in Hillsborough County, we don't see the wing-t very much and I wanted to be able to adjust to it in case we ran into it in the postseason. We were able to do that after we got past the first couple of drives."

The Tigers (10-1) took the ball first and marched down the field for the first of Kevin Newman's two touchdown runs, a 3-yarder. The Sharks (7-4) responded with a quick score of their own, a 30-yard run.

The teams traded scores again before Jesuit took the lead with a 1-yard run by William Lucas. Tommy Eveld heated up on the next drive, throwing the first of his two touchdown passes, a 28-yarder to Tony Castro. Eveld completed 12 of 13 passes for 176 yards on the night.

"I was proud of the way our guys played," Harrell said. "Our quarterback stepped up and took control of the game while our running backs gave us the production we needed to move the ball on the ground. We're happy with the performance because this was a great win for our program."

By Rick Stroud , Times Staff Writer
Friday, November 18, 2011

"They had a little success last year, and they got a little full of themselves in the offseason."

"I look at the personalities (Josh Freeman) has to deal with — Kellen Winslow, Mike Williams, LeGarrette Blount. He's looking at all this mess saying, 'Really?' "

"When you have players who have some character flaws in the locker room, there's no steady force. When you're winning, it's okay. When you hit tough times, they take over. And when you lose, it's magnified."

— ESPN analyst and Former Jets and Chiefs coach Herm Edwards, who gave Bucs coach Raheem Morris his start in the NFL

Quarterback Josh Freeman plays tighter than the curls in his hair.

Last year's 10-6 record was the result of a bake sale schedule: a cupcake here, a cream puff there.

The team is so undisciplined under third-year coach Raheem Morris, they've invented their own version of flag football.

Those are just a few of the many theories that have been expressed this week after the Bucs were shelled by the Texans 39-7 last Sunday, their third straight loss and fourth in five games after a 3-1 start.

"I wish it were that simple. It's too complex," cornerback Ronde Barber said of the analysis. "Who says there's really anything wrong other than us getting beat or not winning? There's never just one reason why you win and there's certainly not one reason why you lose."

Winning won't get any easier for the Bucs Sunday at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, facing the undefeated defending Super Bowl champion Packers (9-0), who have kicked every team in the dairy air.

Why have the Bucs had so much trouble finding a silver lining in this mushroom cloud? Because there are no easy answers

Morris, citing a lack of effort from his players after Sunday's loss, increased the intensity of practice by putting his players in pads two days last week. Too little, too late, according to NFL Network analyst Mike Lombardi, who suggested Morris lacked leadership and accountability.

Former Jets and Chiefs coach Herm Edwards, who gave Morris his start in the NFL with a minority coaching internship in New York, said Bucs players are "undisciplined," and banked too much on last year's success.

And former Tampa Bay Pro Bowl safety John Lynch, part of a broadcast team for two of the Bucs' games for Fox, believes Morris even forecasted the collapse.

"It's almost like Raheem has been trying to say this in code, that maybe people thought they were better than they actually are and he knew that," Lynch said. "I know I had that sense being around him."

So what's really going on with the Bucs? Some more theories:

2010 was a mirage

Morris may have inadvertently buttressed this argument last week when he attributed the Bucs' losing streak to having the fourth-toughest schedule in the NFL.

"They had a little success last year and they got a little full of themselves in the offseason," said Edwards, an NFL analyst for ESPN. "They earned some respect. In the past, teams just figured they were young and they would fold and the quarterback kept bringing them back.

"When you look at it, the quarterback brought them back in the fourth quarter of four games. That's the difference between 10-6 and 6-10, which is about where they are now."

The Bucs beat one team with a winning record in 2010 — the Saints in final week of the season. (And the Saints, already in the playoffs, did not use their starters for the whole game.) This year, the Bucs opponents are a combined 48-37.

"There's no doubt," Morris said, "you can look at the (teams) we've lost to."

Freeman has regressed

Statistically, it's undeniable: nine touchdown and 13 interceptions (vs. 25 and 6, respectively, last year) and is the 29th rated quarterback in the NFL (QB rating of 72.6.)

But players such as receiver Mike Williams (one touchdown), Kellen Winslow (9.1 average) and LeGarrette Blount (ranked 28th in NFL, with just one 100-yard rushing game) have not performed to expectations either.

"I feel a little for the quarterback, because he's a good player," Edwards said. "I look at the personalities he has to deal with — Kellen Winslow, Mike Williams, LeGarrette Blount. He's looking at all this mess saying, 'Really?' "

Lynch says Freeman should be a reason for the Bucs avoiding losing streaks.

"I believe he is a special player," Lynch said. "They should not be as inconsistent as they are. That usually masks other things. What bothers you is how inconsistent there are. When they play good teams, they're getting blown out."

No leader on defense

Let's exclude Barber, who leads by example but is not a vocal guy. Middle linebacker Mason Foster may grow into that role, but he's a rookie. "Ideally, you'd like for it to be a linebacker," Morris said.

Quincy Black is a captain and $29 million player, but he doesn't make enough plays.

"Right now, you'd have to say ... you're lacking somebody saying, 'Huddle up! Let's go get it!' " Morris said. "That's a fair assessment. But I can see Mason growing into that very quickly, to be honest with you."

Lynch says that needs to happen immediately.

"I would tell him, 'You're on a young team, don't wait. Be that guy now.'"

Character issues

Edwards was shocked the Bucs claimed Albert Haynesworth, who was basically chased out of town in Washington and New England, off waivers last week. He was even more aghast when Freeman called him a 'mentor' this week.

"Why bring in a guy who doesn't like football?" Edwards said. "You want that guy influencing your young football team?

"I see that Raheem got on them for not giving effort. But when you have players who have some character flaws in the locker room, there's no steady force. When you're winning, it's okay. When you hit tough times, they take over. And when you lose, it's magnified."

The Bucs have committed 74 penalties in nine games this season. And according to Barber, effort should never be questioned on a pro football team.

"You should never have to coach effort — ever," Barber said. "I discount that being a factor for a loss. If guys don't want to play, they're not going to be playing. Effort speaks for itself. If you're talking about effort, you're talking about a team that needs to be completely bent over and whipped with a cane.

"My message, really, was establish your standards and make sure you're living to them."

Lynch summarized the Bucs predicament this way: "It's an important stretch for this organization," he said. "Because it could go into disarray."

Times wires
Friday, November 18, 2011

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Suspended Missouri football coach Gary Pinkel pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of drunken driving Friday and received a 30-day suspended sentence and two years' probation.

Two hours after he was charged, Pinkel and his attorney were in Boone County court. His plea renders a scheduled December court date moot.

"Mr. Pinkel seemed to want to get the case resolved and accept responsibility for his actions," said assistant prosecutor Cassandra Rogers. "This is definitely unusual that this was resolved so quickly. But it's not unheard of. As soon as I file the charges, anybody has the right to bring up the case earlier (than the scheduled hearing)."

Pinkel, 59, was arrested in Columbia on Wednesday night and suspended without pay the next day for today's final home game of the season, against Texas Tech. He is expected to return for the final regular-season game, against Kansas at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

Pinkel will lose as much as $306,000 for the arrest.

Syracuse: Safety Phillip Thomas, who had started all 10 games this season, was suspended for one year for an undisclosed violation of athletics department policy.

Women's soccer

FSU ROLLS: Florida State defeated Portland 3-1 at Memphis in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Janice Cayman had a goal and an assist to lead the Seminoles (16-6-1) into the third round at 2 p.m. Sunday against Louisville, a 2-0 winner over Memphis.

UCF ousts UF: Nicolette Radovcic's second-half goal proved the difference as the Knights (13-4-5) beat Florida (17-8) 3-2 in an NCAA Tournament second-round match in Gainesville. UCF advances to face North Carolina at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Tampa wins South region: Brittan Spence's header 51 seconds into the second overtime gave Tampa a 1-0 win over Lynn to capture the Division II tournament's South Region title in Savannah, Ga. Spence headed in a cross by former Palm Harbor University standout Cina Salemi, and goalkeeper Emelie Karstrom registered her fourth straight shutout for the Spartans, who won their sixth straight. UT (16-5-2) faces host team Armstrong Atlantic State (17-2-3) at 1 p.m. Sunday for a berth in the Final Four in Pensacola on Dec. 1.

Volleyball: Tampa and Eckerd advanced to tonight's Division II tournament South Region final. The host Spartans (31-1), ranked No. 2 in the coaches poll, advanced by sweeping Florida Southern 3-0. The Tritons (27-4), who handed Tampa its only loss, beat Rollins 3-2. Tonight's match is at 7 at UT's Martinez Center.

Times wires
Friday, November 18, 2011

AMES, Iowa — Jeff Woody scored on a 4-yard run in the second overtime and Iowa State stunned No. 2 Oklahoma State 37-31 Friday, derailing the Cowboys' national title hopes.

The Cyclones (6-4, 3-4 Big 12) overcame a 17-point deficit to beat the Cowboys (10-1, 7-1), who were just a win away from a showdown with Oklahoma for a likely spot in the BCS title game.

Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden's first pass in the second overtime was intercepted by Leonard Johnson. Woody then bullied his way into the end zone to give the Cyclones their first victory over a top-five opponent in school history.

Weeden threw for 476 yards but had three interceptions as the Cowboys turned it over five times.

OSU was a 27-point favorite against the Cyclones, who with the upset have thrown the national title picture into chaos with nine one-loss teams.

Iowa State tied the score at 24 with 5:30 left in regulation as QB Jared Barnett found Albert Gary for a 7-yard TD pass. OSU's Quinn Sharp pushed a 37-yard field goal barely wide right with 1:17 left to force overtime. It was just the third miss in 20 tries for Sharp.

The Cowboys were playing a day after women's basketball coach Kurt Budke and three others were killed in a plane crash.

Missouri: Suspended coach Gary Pinkel pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of drunken driving and received a 30-day suspended sentence and two years' probation.

Women's soccer

Tampa wins South region: Brittan Spence's header 51 seconds into the second overtime gave Tampa a 1-0 win over Lynn to capture the Division II South Region title in Savannah, Ga. Spence headed in a cross by former Palm Harbor University standout Cina Salemi for the Spartans. UT (16-5-2) faces host Armstrong Atlantic State (17-2-3) at 1 p.m. Sunday for a berth in the Final Four in Pensacola on Dec. 1.

FSU ROLLS: Florida State defeated Portland 3-1 at Memphis in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Janice Cayman had a goal and an assist to lead the Seminoles (16-6-1) into the third round at 2 p.m. Sunday against Louisville.

UCF ousts UF: Nicolette Radovcic's second-half goal proved the difference as the Knights (13-4-5) beat Florida (17-8) 3-2 in an NCAA Tournament second-round match in Gainesville. UCF advances to face North Carolina at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Volleyball: Tampa and Eckerd advanced to tonight's Division II South Region final. The host Spartans (31-1), ranked No. 2 in the coaches poll, advanced by sweeping Florida Southern 3-0. The Tritons (27-4), who handed Tampa its only loss, beat Rollins 3-2. Tonight's match is at 7 at UT's Martinez Center.

Allie Davison, Times Correspondent
Friday, November 18, 2011

ORLANDO — Wharton's first postseason appearance since 2008 ended Friday night in a 35-14 loss to Orlando Dr. Phillips in the Class 8A region quarter-finals.

"It was big. We have a new bunch, first time winning a playoff game with this group. These guys just play hard, mostly sophomore and juniors," said Dr. Phillips head coach Rodney Wells, whose team will visit the Orlando Boone-Plant winner next week.

The Panthers came out quick, catching the Wildcats defense off balance. They scored on 55- and 5-yard touchdown runs by junior Eric Harrell early in the first quarter.

Wharton answered on its ensuing drive with a 5-yard touchdown run from Vernon Hargreaves, set up by a pass from Chase Litton to Deon Sampson for 45 yards.

After four consecutive three and outs, Dr. Phillips' Isaiah Johnson found the end zone on a 7-yard touchdown run, extending the Panthers lead to 21-7 with 2:27 left in the half.

Under pressure, the Wildcats constructed an 80-yard, two-minute drive, finishing it off with a 7-yard touchdown pass from Litton to senior Nyere Thompson to close the Panthers lead to 21-14 heading into halftime.

Dr. Phillips struck first in the second half on a 52-yard run by Deionte Gaines that put the Panthers up by two touchdowns once more.

Hampered by incompletions and penalties, Wharton only converted nine first downs in the second half.

Wharton's Darius Page carried 19 times, four in the second, for only 44 yards.

Gaines scored for Dr. Phillips again after running in from 9 yards out to stretch the lead to 35-14.

Panthers quarterback and Boise State commitment Nick Patti was 8 for 21 for 145 yards on the night.

"They are much better than a 5-5 team. They play physical and have playmakers all over the field. They came in here and did what we thought they were going to do. Compete and play till the end," Wells said.

Times wires
Friday, November 18, 2011

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine says allegations that he molested two former ball boys for years are "patently false."

The school placed Fine on administrative leave Thursday "in light of the new allegations" and an investigation by the Syracuse City Police.

In a statement released by one of his attorneys Friday, Fine said the allegations have been thoroughly investigated multiple times and he has fully cooperated with past inquiries.

"Sadly, we live in an allegation-based society and an Internet age where in a matter of minutes one's lifelong reputation can be severely damaged," Fine said. "I am confident that, as in the past, a review of these allegations will be discredited and restore my reputation. I hope the latest review of these allegations will be conducted expeditiously.

"Finally, I appreciate (Chancellor Nancy Cantor's) statement that I should be accorded a fair opportunity to defend myself against these accusations. I fully intend to do so. There should never be a rush to judgment when someone's personal integrity and career are on the line."

Cantor said Friday the school will not turn a blind eye to child molestation allegations that resurfaced two weeks after the Penn State scandal hit the news.

ESPN reported the accusations were made by former ball boys Bobby Davis, 39, and Mike Lang, 45, who is Davis' stepbrother.

Davis told ESPN that Fine molested him beginning in 1984 and the sexual contact continued until he was around 27. A ball boy for six years, Davis told ESPN the abuse occurred at Fine's home, at Syracuse basketball facilities and on team road trips, including the 1987 Final Four.

Lang told ESPN that Fine molested him starting while he was in the fifth or sixth grade.

Fine is in his 35th season as a Syracuse assistant. No one answered the door at his home Friday.

Former Syracuse star Gerry McNamara will fill in on the coaching staff while Fine is on leave.

Around the nation

No. 3 Ohio St. 85, Jackson St. 41:

NO. 6 DUKE 82, DAVIDSON 69: Mason Plumlee had 16 points and 13 rebounds, and combined with brother Miles to score 10 straight during a decisive 25-4 run in the second half for the host Blue Devils (4-0). Austin Rivers and Seth Curry, the younger brother of former Davidson star Stephen Curry, finished with 17 points for Duke in its first game since Mike Krzyzewski broke the record for most coaching victories in men's Division I history.

NO. 13 XAVIER 66, MIAMI (OHIO) 60: Mark Lyons scored 11 of his 18 points in the first half as the host Musketeers (3-0) held on. There were seven ties and 14 lead changes, with neither team leading by more than six points until Xavier put on a late push and built a lead to 60-51.

MISS. ST. 67, NO. 15 ARIZONA 57: Arnett Moultrie had 19 points, 10 rebounds and an MVP trophy to celebrate his 21st birthday as Mississippi State upended the Wildcats to win the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer event at Madison Square Garden in New York. The Bulldogs (4-1) closed on a 10-2 run to win an in-season tournament for the first time since beating host Arizona 75-74 in the 2000 Fiesta Bowl Classic. Solomon Hill had 12 points and nine rebounds for Arizona (4-1).

NO. 19 TEXAS A&M 58, ST. JOHN'S 57: The Aggies won despite shooting only three free-throw attempts (making two) to 38 for the Red Storm at Madison Square Garden. St. John's made 22 free throws, and Nurideen Lindsey missed two with 2.3 seconds left in the Coaches vs. Cancer third-place game.

NO. 21 MARQUETTE 95, WINTHROP 73: Vander Blue had 26 points and was one of five players in double figures for Marquette at the Paradise Jam tournament in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Blue made his first nine shots from the field, including two 3-pointers, for the Golden Eagles (3-0).

UCF 84, HIGH POINT 72: Marcus Jordan scored 21 and Keith Clanton added 20 points and 15 rebounds for the host Knights (2-1).

NEW MEXICO 76, ARIZ. ST. 71: Kendall Williams scored 16 points, including 3 of 4 free throws in the final 28 seconds, for the visiting Lobos.

GEORGIA TECH 73, VCU 60: Glen Rice Jr. scored 19 points in his first game back from suspension to lead the Yellow Jackets at the Charleston (S.C.) Classic. Rice, who had missed three games for a rules violation, had 11 points during an 18-4 run.

TCU 57, VIRGINIA 55: Hank Thorns had 16 points and four assists for the Horned Frogs in their victory at the Paradise Jam.

NO. 4 CONNECTICUT: Freshman point guard Ryan Boatright has been suspended for six games for receiving improper benefits.

Women

NO. 8 DUKE 73, AUBURN 50: In her home debut, freshman Elizabeth Williams 18 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks for the Blue Devils (2-0).

NO. 24 OHIO ST. 70, TEMPLE 66: Tayler Hill scored 24 and Samantha Prahalis 20 as the host Buckeyes (2-0) withstood a rally by the Owls, who got within 66-63 with 32.3 seconds to go.

NEBRASKA 68, NO. 23 USC 50: Lindsey Moore scored 15 of her 22 in the second half to help the host Cornhuskers (2-0) protect a 13-point halftime lead. Briana Gilbreath had 18 points for USC (1-1).

John Patton, Special to the Times
Friday, November 18, 2011

OCALA — Having just watched his team drive 98 yards in less than three minutes to cut Ocala Vanguard's lead to a point with 6:02 remaining in the fourth quarter Friday, Sunlake assistant coach Brandon Browning asked his dad, head coach Bill Browning, a simple question.

"Did you come here to win or tie?" the younger Browning queried into the mouthpiece of his headset.

From there the answer was simple, made even simpler when the Knights jumped offside, cutting the distance to go in half. Seconds later 230-pound running back Jerome Samuels plunged into the end zone from a yard out to give the Seahawks their final margin of a 22-21 victory.

The win came in the first playoff game in school history and puts Sunlake (10-1) into the Class 6A, Region 2 semifinals.

Browning's call might be talked about for a long time.

"It was one of those decisions where you could be a hero or the biggest jerk in the world," he said.

Behind Florida State commitment P.J. Williams (15 carries for 147 yards with a rushing and return touchdown), the Knights led most of the game and were on their way to taking a 28-14 lead with fewer than nine minutes to play.

That's when the Seahawks played perhaps their best defense of the season.

After Kyle Sandner was tackled just shy of the goal line on second down, Vanguard had two tries to get into the end zone. However, Sandner (14 carries for 96 yards, one touchdown) was stopped for no gain then dropped for a loss.

From there, Cameron Stoltz (9-of-15 for 157 yards, two touchdowns) led an eight-play, 98-yard drive culminated when he dove in from a yard out, setting up the two-point conversion.

After each team punted, Vanguard got the ball back on the Seahawks' 42 with less than 20 seconds to play.

After a 15-yard completion from Cody Miller to Williams, senior Lee Brown attempted a 44-yard field goal with seven seconds remaining.

The kick had the distance but sailed slightly wide left.

"It's a shame it came down to that, but give (the Seahawks) credit," Vanguard coach Alex Castaneda said. "They went (98) yards and then went for two and got it. That's tough to do and they did it."

Derek J. LaRiviere, Times Correspondent
Friday, November 18, 2011

BROOKSVILLE — The first half of the 6A region quarterfinal Friday night between Hernando and Gainesville reflected the Leopards offense that fans have seen for most of the season.

It was the second half that was different.

Hernando was potent as it used its speed on the way to 14 points. Leopards 1,000-yard rusher Tyrail Hawkins was complemented by Jeremiah Jackson and Marqui Redding. Something changed after the Leopards went to the locker room.

While the defense continued apply pressure, playing its best game of the year, the offense began to drag its feet.

The lack of offense can be traced directly to Hawkins' lack of touches. After returning the ball 51 yards on the opening kickoff, the star tailback was dominant on his way to scoring a touchdown from 2 yards out to put the Leopards up 6-0.

He finished with 12 carries for 41 yards in the first half. He also had a catch for 37 yards. The junior back had only three more offensive touches in the entire contest, one of which came on fourth and almost 30 yards when he passed for 13 yards to Redding.

After the game, Hernando coach John Palmer talked about the value of the other cogs in the backfield, but there is no denying how much Hawkins has meant to his team's attack. Before the night was out, he had 190 total yards, including 102 return yards.

"Tyrail's a great player, but Jeremiah and Marqui are great players, too," Palmer said. "We just stalled on too many drives."

Hawkins wasn't 100 percent sure why he didn't get more opportunities in the second half. As the team's top playmaker and with the season on the line, the Leopards needed all the offense they could get.

"I think we were trying to soften them up on the inside," Hawkins said. "I couldn't tell you (why I didn't get the ball more)."

Nathan Cowan, Times Correspondent
Friday, November 18, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — P.J. Franklin emerged from the large shadow of Brent O'Neal to lead Canterbury past Naples St. John Neumann 36-8 in Friday's Class 2A region quarterfinal.

O'Neal, who entered with 1,867 rushing yards, 355 receiving yards and 33 touchdowns, played only a few snaps. The Crusaders did not disclose his injury. But after the game, he had ice on his left shoulder.

In O'Neal's place, Franklin ran for 125 yards and three touchdowns in Canterbury's first playoff game in school history.

"P.J.'s performance was awesome," Crusader coach Bill Jones said. "We wanted Brent to get some touches but tried to limit them."

The Crusaders fumbled on the first possession, but their defense forced a punt. On the ensuing drive, O'Neal's 44-yard run led to Franklin's first touchdown, a 6-yarder.

Later, Canterbury took over at its 25 and marched down the field behind the running of Franklin and quarterback Jake Holsinger. Franklin scored from 9 yards, dragged defenders into the end zone. After forcing a three-and-out, Franklin and Holsinger got some help from Sammy Faucette, whose 5-yard run made it 20-0.

Down 22-0, the Celtics showed signs of life. Quarterback Dylan Woods capped a 53-yard drive with a 1-yard scoring run and completed a two-point conversion to Johnny Augustin.

But DaSeans Thomas returned the ensuing kickoff 79 yards for a score, and Holsinger intercepted Woods in the end zone soon after.

By Travis Puterbaugh, Times Correspondent


Saturday, November 19, 2011

PLANT CITY — Knocked out of the game early, quarterback Alexander McGough returned to deliver the knockout blow with a 66-yard touchdown pass to Shug Oyegunle with 1:30 left to give Gaither a 38-30 victory over Durant on Friday night.

The Cowboys advance in the Class 7A playoffs to face host Tampa Bay Tech, which beat Brandon 37-0.

Trailing 8-0 after a 4-yard touchdown run by Durant's Jamarlon Hamilton, McGough got sidelined for almost a full quarter after hitting his elbow on the top of a Durant defender's helmet while following through on a pass.

"It was probably the most pain I ever felt in my entire life," McGough said.

Oyegunle stepped in at quarterback for McGough, but Gaither's offense failed to put up any points while Durant marched to a 23-7 halftime lead. Gaither's only score came on a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown by Edward Pastrana midway through the second quarter.

The tide turned early in the third quarter as the Cowboys recovered a muffed punt at the Durant 22-yard line. On fourth and goal from the 3, McGough found Demarcus Sexil in the end zone for a touchdown. A successful two-point conversion cut the lead to 23-15.

The Cowboys outscored Durant 23-7 the rest of the way. After cutting the Durant lead to 23-21 on a 19-yard run by Oyegunle, Nick Fabrizio answered with a 62-yard touchdown run to extend the Cougars lead to 30-21.

Gaither's sophomore quarterback, however, engineered a remarkable fourth-quarter comeback.

McGough connected with Carlo Perello on a 58-yard touchdown pass to make it 30-28 with 7:45 left in the fourth quarter.

After Gaither forced Durant to turn the ball over on downs with 5:48 left, Dalton Gilson's 27-yard field goal a minute later put Gaither on top 31-30.

Shortly after Oyegunle's touchdown gave Gaither an 8-point lead, Tyler McCollum ended Durant's comeback bid with his second interception of the game with 1:05 left.

Craig Handel, Special to the Times
Saturday, November 19, 2011

FORT MYERS — Rayshawn Jenkins could get used to this tailback thing.

In Admiral Farragut's 48-24 win over Evangelical Christian in the Class 2A-3 semifinals Friday, Jenkins ran for 356 yards on 14 carries and scored on TD runs of 76, 50 and 80 yards.

"Ohhhh, that's the best," said Jenkins when told his numbers. (He also ran for 249 yards in a playoff win over ECS last year.) "This is the first time I played tailback. Our offensive line is phenomenal. It all starts with 72, (Jonathan) Jun. When he's going, everybody's going."

After missing five games due to a rib injury, Jenkins, a recent Miami commit getting looks as a receiver and defensive back, is fully healthy.

"Our offensive line was outstanding," Farragut coach Chris Miller said. "I've seen Rayshawn Jenkins do a lot of good things. He's the man and we let him do his thing."

Napoleon Maxwell added 185 yards and TD runs of 75 and 46 yards as Farragut (10-1) ran for 597 total.

ECS coach Brian Lynch, whose team had its first unbeaten regular season, called it a great team against great athletes and the great athletes won.

"They're bigger and stronger and faster than we have talent to take care of," Lynch said. "They found a blocking assignment that gave them three long, long runs without getting touched. We just didn't see the adjustment quickly enough."

Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Saturday, November 19, 2011

TAMPA — Plant had a Few good men Friday night.

Senior quarterback James Few topped the list, throwing for a career-high six touchdowns as Plant pulled away from Orlando Boone 54-21 in a Class 8A playoff region quarterfinal at Dads Stadium.

Plant (10-1) is undefeated in seven first-round region quarterfinals under coach Robert Weiner.

Next week, it takes on another Orlando team, Dr. Phillips.

Few said it wasn't one of his better games, but he completed 14 of 27 passes for 259 yards (one interception). His first four touchdown passes (8, 29, 14 and 19 yards) went to senior wideout Austin Aikens — all during the first half — as Plant overcame deficits of 7-6 and 14-13 to grab a 34-21 lead.

Aikens finished with seven receptions for 129 yards.

"Austin is a beast with a capital B-E-A-S-T," Few said. "I like the matchup with Austin against anyone. I believe he has a 40-inch vertical (leap). He can get up there, so we're not afraid to throw it up to him.

"I didn't think I played that well. The O-line gave me plenty of time to step up. There were some ugly passes. I'm not going to lie. But there were some great catches, and we have a great, great group (of wideouts). I feel confident throwing to any of them."

Few sparked a 20-point third quarter with his final two scoring passes: a 16 yarder to Wesley Bullock and a 32-yarder to Alex Jackson.

Antonio Crawford and Bullock each amassed more than 100 yards in total offense and scored once.

Plant piled up 515 yards on offense (268 passing, 247 rushing).

The Panthers held Boone (5-6) to 240 yards, 10 first downs and forced three turnovers (Boone had 30 for the season). Plant's Reeves Rogers turned one miscue into a score with a 2-yard interception return midway through the second quarter.

Basil Spyridakos, Times Correspondent
Saturday, November 19, 2011

EAST LAKE — East Lake found itself in a bit of trouble going into the third quarter against Vero Beach. The Indians, on their opening drive of the second half, marched down the field and took a 22-21 lead when running back Dentist Hall punched it in from 4 yards.

The Eagles' defense has been a topic of scrutiny over the course of the season, but they answered in a huge way.

"That's the whole thing, momentum," East Lake coach Bob Hudson said. "These kids rallied and they're resilient."

East Lake (8-3) shut Vero Beach down the rest of the way Friday, winning 41-22 in Class 8A and moving on to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2003.

The Eagles started fast, as Pete DiNovo found Artavis Scott on a quick slant, and Scott ran through defenders for an 86-yard touchdown. DiNovo found tight end Stephen Buric in the back of the end zone from 6 yards on the next possession for a 14-0 lead.

With East Lake down 22-21, Khol Lilley beat the Indians offensive line to sack Nick Madden. Tyler Lane followed with a 20-yard touchdown run, giving the Eagles a 27-22 lead after a failed 2-point try.

"I didn't think they could stop me," Lane said. "Me and my line, and my fullback (Tyler) Carbonelli, they weren't ready for us."

East Lake's defense swarmed Vero (9-2) on fourth and inches, and DiNovo scored on a sneak seven plays later. An interception by Brendan Goettel stopped Vero's next possession.

On fourth and 3 from the Eagles' 33-yard line, Hudson went for it. Lane ran off-tackle for a 7-yard gain, then he capped the drive with a 9-yard touchdown run to finish the scoring.

"Ultimately, I have to make the decision, so I lined my offense and went," Hudson said. "I'm happy with the ground game there at the end. We were able to kill the clock out, and that's something we weren't able to do earlier in the year."

Rob Bibelhauser, Times Correspondent
Saturday, November 19, 2011

BRADENTON — Manatee's elite combination of speed and size proved too much for Pinellas Park on Friday night as a 55-2 region quarterfinal loss in Class 7A ended the Patriots' season.

The Patriot offense missed senior quarterback Brandon Hames, who suffered a broken wrist in a car accident Thursday night. Without him, Pinellas Park's offense managed only 148 total yards.

Pinellas Park coach Kenny Crawford said his team had "about an hour" to prepare a game plan that included tight end Tyree Graves taking over the QB responsibilities.

"It's huge. Obviously, they're a great football team," Crawford said. "We were still going to be the underdog, but we would have liked to give them a little better of a game. I think if we got our guys we can, but that's life. You have to deal with adversity and that's what we tell the kids."

The Patriots (7-4) gave up a fumble on the third play of the game that Hurricane defensive lineman Travis Weaver ran in 22 yards for the first score. Pinellas Park regrouped to play a strong first quarter that included a safety and a forced fumble at the goal line.

The start of the second quarter saw the Hurricane offense take flight as Manatee QB Cord Sandberg tossed two of his four touchdowns—both to wideout Anthony Lauro.

The Hurricanes (9-2) relied on a conservative, run-first approach spearheaded by senior running back Antonio Argus, who had 174 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns.

Jennifer Schroeder, Special to the Times
Saturday, November 19, 2011

PORT ST. LUCIE— Palm Harbor University took advantage of two key St. Lucie West Centennial mistakes and 111 penalty yards to win a tight Class 8A region matchup 20-17 Friday at South County Regional Stadium in Port St. Lucie.

Centennial piled up 17 first downs and 235 passing yards behind senior quarterback Tim Caffey, but it was not enough to top the upstart Hurricanes, who advance to face host East Lake in the next round.

The Hurricanes offense, led by quarterback Billy Pavlock, lost 18 yards on a high snap on the first play from scrimmage. Fortunately, they were already ahead 6-0 first on a 52-yard punt return by Pavlock for a touchdown.

"Their defensive line was really good," PHU coach Matt Lepain said. "I mean they came out and they were raw, and that will make you mess up. We had to start throwing the ball outside and running outside cause we couldn't get inside at all."

Centennial's best opportunity for a first-half touchdown ended with a Jon Poma fumble at the goal line. Pavlock recovered the ball for Palm Harbor U.

"That was a 14-point swing between the punt return and the fumble at the goal line," Centennial coach Ron Parker said.

According to Parker, his Centennial team had one big break down in the second half and that led to a 20-yard catch by Christian Lorenzo from Pavlock on the Hurricanes' opening drive of the second half.

The Hurricanes took advantage of another Eagles mistake when Hunter Beam intercepted Caffey's pass at midfield and returned it for a touchdown to stretch the lead to 20-3.

"My biggest thing with my kids is we have a very hard time finishing," Lepain said after Palm Harbor University's first playoff win in its history. "You saw it at the end. I keep telling them don't go for the ball or the strip, just make the tackle. That's what I really harped on. We took advantage of their mistakes and we were fortunate in the end."

Justin Miller, Times Correspondent
Saturday, November 19, 2011

ORLANDO — In a game where Robinson's defense forced four turnovers, it was only right that Vic Rivera intercepted a pass and returned it 35 yards for a score to seal the victory 30-10 over host Bishop Moore in Friday's Class 5A region quarterfinal.

Byron Pringle fumbled on the Knights first possession, but quickly made up for his mistake when he caught a pass from Vidal Woodruff, broke a tackle and was off to the end zone on a 76-yard reception. Pringle finished the game with six receptions for 131 yards.

Terrance Baldwin caused the first turnover for the Knights defense as he picked off a pass from Danny May. Later in the second quarter, the Knights' Ethan Kindle forced a fumble. Bishop Moore's offense was stonewalled in the first half.

Robinson kicker Kody Thomas drilled a 34-yard field goal right before halftime to send the Knights to the locker room with a 10-point lead.

Woodruff threw an interception early in the third quarter to all the Hornets to get back into the game. Bishop Moore used a perfectly timed play-action call to score it's first TD as May found Jack Ramsberger wide open down the middle of the field for 45 yards.

On Robinson's next possession, Pringle went in at QB and found Kindle for a 45-yard pass to put the Knights into the red zone. Woodruff came back in under center and found Tre' Leonard in the corner of the end zone for an 18-yard score.

Bishop Moore trailed 17-10 as it narrowed the gap early in the fourth quarter after converting a 28-yard field.

Martin Ruiz helped finish off Bishop Moore, running in a 33-yard TD in the last few minutes of the game. Ruiz carried the ball 15 times for 93 yards, while the freshman Michael Duclos rushed for 97 yards on 15 carries.

With Robinson up 24-10 with less than three minutes to play, Bishop Moore was driving down the field when it fumbled. Robinson's Jovan Woods quickly recovered it to seal the victory for the Knights.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, November 19, 2011

If the Lightning does call up a player from AHL Norfolk — something that seems more likely every time Blair Jones is a healthy scratch — it has an interesting choice.

Should it promote forward Carter Ashton, who with 12 goals, 19 points and 30 penalty minutes in 18 games entering Saturday is having a terrific start to his first full AHL season? Or Dana Tyrell, who played last season with Tampa Bay, understands how the team plays and would slide seamlessly into the lineup?

Ashton, 20, at 6 feet 3, 215 pounds, has a kind of rugged, Ryan Malone vibe. Tyrell, 22, is 5-11, 185, is fast, forechecks and is reliable defensively.

The splashier callup clearly would be Ashton, a 2009 first-round draft pick who many believe will eventually be a fine NHL player. But the smarter callup for the short and long term might be Tyrell.

Think about it. Tyrell knows he can play in the NHL, and he fills a specific Tampa Bay need: fourth-line speed, checking and defense. As Lightning coach Guy Boucher recently said, "He brought us relentless reliability. I would take that any time."

Ashton is a work in progress. Though his accomplishments for Norfolk are impressive, they are a very small snapshot, and therein lies a danger.

Ashton entered Saturday with 29 AHL games on his resume in two seasons. And honestly, he didn't wow anybody at training camp.

In other words, do you put Ashton in a situation for which he may not be ready and risk his failure and having to send him back to the minors with perhaps his confidence depleted?

"If you bring a guy up to keep him," Boucher said, speaking generally, "you'd better be sure."

Applied to Ashton, that might mean letting him play and develop in a situation where he can succeed.

Bottom line on Tyrell: The Lightning knows he can play in the NHL. He was sent to Norfolk as the last cut out of camp only because he did not need to clear waivers.

He doesn't need them to come back, either.