By Anthony Salveggi, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 26, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — Clearwater's high snap on a field goal attempt with less than a minute to play helped St. Petersburg hold on 10-7.

St. Petersburg led 3-0 until quarterback Corey D'Angelo's 1-yard run in the fourth quarter gave the Green Devils a 10-point edge.

Clearwater cut the lead to three when Jordan Leston hit Devijohn Smith for a 5-yard TD.

A fumble by Deangelo Reaves set up Clearwater at the Green Devils' 37-yard line. Aided by penalties, including a personal foul call, the Tornadoes reached the 13.

After a delay of game, Clearwater sent in its kicking team for a 35-yard attempt. But the snap was high, and quarterback Leston, also the holder, had to run. He was stopped at the 13.

"A game like this comes down to who's going to make the mistake at the end," Green Devils coach Joe Fabrizio said.

Anthony Salveggi, Times correspondent

Samuel Henninger, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 26, 2012

LAND O'LAKES — With fierce winds blowing the entire game, Sunlake (5-2, 3-2) was able to take advantage of an outstanding ground game to beat River Ridge (2-5, 1-4) 35-9.

On the third offensive play, Seahawk senior leader Eddie Burgos needed to be helped off the field after sustaining an ankle injury. The next play resulted in a safety after a snap got over the punter and ended up in the back of the end zone. River Ridge went up 2-0.

Led by senior linebacker Brogan Ronske, the Sunlake defense made key stops throughout the first half to give its offense the ability to take the lead. Burgos returned at defensive back and made several key tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown.

Sunlake senior quarterback Josh Zifer went 7-for-11 for 78 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 206 yards and a score on 16 attempts.

"I just want to congratulate the coaches and the team. We came out and played hard. We did what we had to do to keep our playoff hopes alive," Zifer said.

The Royal Knights got another consistent game from senior quarterback Josh Maisel, who earned 107 total yards and scored his team's only touchdown on a 20-yard run.

Don Jensen, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 26, 2012

TAMPA — With leading rusher Ish Witter on crutches on the sideline and an ice pack on his right ankle, quarterback Brandon Hawkins put Alonso on his shoulders.

Hawkins drove his team 80 yards for the go-ahead score with 5:13 remaining, and Tampa Catholic quarterback Kyle Ploucher's pass on the final play fell incomplete in the end zone as Alonso (5-3) won 17-14 on homecoming.

TC (6-2) threatened on the final series, moving to the Alonso 35 with 10 seconds left. But Ploucher misfired on two straight passes.

Hawkins (14 of 30, 213 yards) accounted for both touchdowns with an 80-yard pass to Hunter Randolph and his short run.

"(TC) wasn't focusing on me running the ball," Hawkins said. "They were just getting back in their zones, not keeping their eyes on me. So I ran the ball and our receivers made plays when they had to."

Don Jensen, Times correspondent

Jacob Stewart, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 26, 2012

BRANDON — Plant City (4-4, 2-2) edged out a victory 22-20 in a seesaw battle with Brandon (1-7, 1-3) Friday. Sophomore kicker Jorge Navarrette connected on a winning 35-yard field goal with 1:42 to play. Brandon's final drive ended at the Raiders' 30-yard line, as Brandon Jones failed to complete four consecutive passes.

The Raiders leaned on the run en route to the tight victory. Senior Jordan Robinson scored Plant City's first touchdown and finished with 16 carries for 71 yards. But perhaps the biggest offensive play of the night came through the air. Down 14-12 with just more than 11 minutes to play, senior running back Colby Diers perfectly executed a fake field-goal attempt, finding Quenton Williams for an 11-yard gain and a first down. Senior quarterback Nick Rodriguez capped off the drive with a 1-yard sneak to put the Raiders up 19-14.

Jacob Stewart, Times correspondent

Todd Foley, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 26, 2012

TAMPA — Sickles senior Lee Myers, who hadn't played a game at quarterback since his sophomore season because of a knee injury last year, led the Gryphons to a 38-17 homecoming win over Strawberry Crest on Friday.

Myers rushed for 102 yards and three TDs, and threw for 91 yards.

"We let him have a few throws on Monday," coach Brian Turner said. "And he looked pretty good. Then we gave him a few more Tuesday and Wednesday. By the end of the week, he looked so good we decided to start him. He did a tremendous job."

After Alex Carswell caught a touchdown pass to put the Chargers ahead 7-0, Sickles scored the next 17 points. The Chargers tied the game early in the third quarter, but Sickles scored the next 21 points to put the game away.

Todd Foley, Times correspondent

Matt Baker, Times Staff Writer
Friday, October 26, 2012

Weeki Wachee overcame a 15-point halftime deficit on the road Friday to force overtime and eke out the first district win in school history, 29-22 over Interlachen.

"We didn't give up," coach Mark Lee said. "We fought adversity head-on and came out winning."

The Hornets (2-6, 1-5) struggled in the first half, falling behind 22-7 thanks to a long drive, a long touchdown run and an interception returned for a score.

"Offensively we weren't doing anything good," Lee said.

But the Hornets finally battled back in the third quarter behind better blocking and an offense that found some rhythm.

Sophomore Marcus Allen threw three touchdown passes — all to Jon King — to tie the game.

"They responded," Lee said.

And they finally clinched it in overtime, when Allen timed a pitch perfectly to Jacob Cimino, who rushed 4 yards for the winning touchdown.

Matt Baker, Times staff writer

Joseph Kornecki III, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 26, 2012

BROOKSVILLE — Land O'Lakes (2-6, 1-5) defeated Central 31-14 on Friday night in a battle to avoid last place in Class 6A, District 6.

The Gators got a great performance from sophomore Larenz Scroggins, who had two touchdown receptions off screen passes and a rushing touchdown. Scroggins made a key interception that negated a possible Central score with 25.2 seconds left in the first half.

"The kids played phenomenal, and they've worked hard," said Gators coach Brian Wachtel. "They've been in a lot of close games, and it was a phenomenal win."

Land O'Lakes got two first-half touchdowns, as sophomore quarterback James Pensyl hit Scroggins for a 36-yard touchdown pass off a screen for a 7-0 advantage.

Scroggins added a 2-yard touchdown rush in the second quarter for a 14-0 lead that would hold up into the intermission. The Gators' defense held Central (1-8, 0-6) scoreless in the first half, while holding them to just 87 total yards of offense.

In the third, Connor Stevens' long opening kickoff return from inside the 10-yard line to the Central 36 set up a Austin McGuire 1-yard touchdown run.

Central piled up 145 rushing yards in the third quarter. Senior Quadavis Battle took a toss and scampered 70 yards for Central's first score to cut the Gators' lead to 21-7. Another Scroggins touchdown reception put Land O'Lakes up 28-7.

Central quarterback Cole Teater cut the lead in half when he scored on a bruising 5-yard touchdown rush. The Gators added a 40-yard field for the final margin.

Travis Puterbaugh, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 26, 2012

LUTZ — Shaheem Barthel scored two touchdowns and registered a pair of interceptions to help lead Steinbrenner past Wiregrass Ranch 48-10 on Friday.

On the game's first play from scrimmage, Barthel picked off Wiregrass quarterback Shane Bucenell at the Steinbrenner 47. Barthel then capped a nine-play drive with a 3-yard run to give Steinbrenner a 7-0 lead.

"That's always a great way to start," Warriors coach Andres Perez-Reinaldo said of the interception then touchdown. "And our defense never really let up from that point on."

The Warriors dominated the first half, forcing three Wiregrass turnovers on defense and running the ball at will on offense. Barthel and Kendall Pearcey combined for 152 yards and three touchdowns during the half.

In addition, Warriors quarterback Curtis Fitch connected with his favorite target, Jon Marc Carrier, three times for 118 yards, including a 64-yard touchdown.

Max Martinez, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 26, 2012

SEMINOLE — When a team puts together as dominant a performance as Osceola did, it's difficult to single out the most valuable players.

At times, it was the defensive line and linebackers, who recovered fumbles on each of the Rebels' first three possessions.

At others, it was Courtney Burge, who had 110 yards and two touchdowns on only 12 carries. Or it was Austin Lawrence, who scored once on the ground and once through the air. In all, five running backs combined for 296 yards and six scores.

At other times, the secondary came up big, picking off Tyrie Adams on two second-half drives that could have gotten Dixie back in the game. Adams went 20-of-31 for 231 yards and four scores.

Max Martinez, Times correspondent

Chris Mills, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 26, 2012

SHADY HILLS — Bishop McLaughlin's Homecoming wasn't much of a celebration as Holy Trinity Episcopal romped 61-0 Friday night.

After scoring once in the first quarter, Holy Trinity really got its offense going in the second quarter. It had multiple big plays, including a 60-yard pass from quarterback Daniel Welch to wide receiver Willie Gibson, a 45-yard run by Josh Harden, and another 21-yard touchdown by Harden as the Tigers led 27-0 at the half.

In the second half, the Tigers continued to get a lot of mileage out of their ground game.

An impressive drive started the third quarter, as the Tigers got one first down after another from running back Nick Hammer. He eventually scored on a 13-yard run. After they established a 34-point lead, the Tigers put in their backup running back, who continued to put together scoring drives.

Holy Trinity finished with 371 rushing yards and 521 yards of total offense.

Bishop McLaughlin (4-4) was destroyed by turnovers. Almost every time the Hurricanes seemed to be putting together a scoring drive, they would fumble.

Andy Warrener, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 26, 2012

TAMPA — Chamberlain senior Jermaine Gilyard scored on an 8-yard double reverse in the final 1.5 seconds as the Chiefs won 19-17 over Gaither, which had erased a fourth-quarter deficit.

"Last year we would be in that same situation and we wouldn't get it, this year it's different," Gilyard said.

The Chiefs rushed 54 times though star running back Xavier Johnson left in the first half. Juniors Dakari Highsmith (19 carries, 120 yards) and Nick McNeal (15 for 56) stepped in as the Chiefs stayed alive in Class 7A. District 6.

The Chiefs led 13-10 when the Cowboys faced third and 8 from the Chamberlain 8-yard line. A shotgun snap squirted between junior quarterback Alex McGough's legs but he scooped it, scrambled left and hit senior Marcus Brown in the end zone to give the Cowboys a 17-13 lead.

Andy Warrener, Times correspondent

Bobby Winsler, Times Correspondent
Friday, October 26, 2012

GIBSONTON — Durant (8-0, 4-0) remained undefeated, scoring 28 unanswered points Friday after falling behind early to East Bay (3-5, 2-2) for a 28-3 victory. The Indians started strong but were overcome by the Cougars' persistent ground game.

Durant went to the run on the first drive but a fumble ended it early. East Bay capitalized with Mike Brown's 34-yard field goal.

Looking to rebound, Durant again drove down the field. East Bay's defense was on its heels before a goal-line interception once again ended the Cougars' effort. The pass was Trey VanDeGrift's only incompletion until four minutes remained in the fourth quarter.

Durant was led by Jamarlon Hamilton, who surpassed 100 yards rushing and added two scores.

Bobby Winsler, Times correspondent

Bob Putnam, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, October 27, 2012

CLEARWATER — The Class 3A, District 5 swim meet had a predictable feel, the kind that could unfold only one way.

Palm Harbor University's boys and girls teams were the overwhelming favorites. Everyone knew it, from the swimmers chasing them to the fans watching.

After all, the Hurricanes have more depth than anyone. With every stroke, PHU distanced itself from its competitors to win its sixth straight boys and girls team titles. The boys scored 499 points, beating East Lake by 114. The girls outscored Plant 440.5-386.5.

"It's about what I expected on both sides, though the girls was a little bit closer," coach Lisa Bitting said. "But we're not looking too far ahead, just trying to keep lowering our times and get as many kids through next week."

Ryan McRae and Tristan Sanders were the big point scorers for PHU. McRae won the 100 free (47.28 seconds) and 200 free (1 minute, 45.01 seconds), while Sanders took first in the 50 free (21.99) and 100 back (51.94), beating defending state champion Georgi Krastev of Northeast for the second time this season. Sanders and McRae also teamed with Manuel Barragan and Taylor Uselis to win the 400 free relay. Sanders also was on the 200 medley relay with Garrett Hoce, Barragan and Shaun Van Huyssteen that won in 1:41.62.

Krastev won the 100 fly (53.71) and was second in the 100 back (52.61).

On the girls side, the Hurricanes had only one winner, Kendall McIntosh in the 50 free (24.30). But they gobbled up points with top-eight placers in nearly every event.

The Panthers stayed close, thanks to strong individual performances. Emily Clifford won the 100 fly (1:00.20) and finished second in the 200 IM (2:13.20). Alexandria Donahue won the 100 breast (1:08). And Sydney Power won diving (435.10 points).

Clifford and Donahue teamed with Carter Flynn and Tara McGowan to win the 200 medley relay (1:52.39). Clifford, Donahue and McGowan also were on the 200 free relay, along with Ashlyn Gage, that won in 1:40.66.

"We scored the meet beforehand, and we knew it was going to be close," Plant coach Gil Gonzales said. "Our girls made up a lot of ground in the finals, and that was a moral victory for us."

As expected, East Lake's Sydney Pickrem dominated her signature event, winning the 200 individual medley in 2:04.30.

Pickrem's teammate, Michelle Turek, won the 100 free (53.12) and 200 free (1:51.95). Pickrem and Sanders also teamed with Mackenzie Hubbard and Madison Kennedy on the winning 400 free relay (3:36.99).

Class 2A, District 9: Osceola's girls won their second straight district title, outscoring Bradenton Lakewood Ranch 537-438.

"I thought our girls could win, and we pulled out some real fast times," Warriors coach Karen Smalley said.

Osceola did not have any individual champions but swept the relay events. Alexandria Wittman, Nicole Koda, Christina Tournant and Savannah Sawyer won the 200 medley (1:57.40). Wittman, Koda and Tournant also teamed with Nicole Nesto to take first in the 400 free (3:49.30). Sawyer and Nesto swam with Rose O'Connell and Alyse Carrier to win the 200 free (1:46.85).

Lakewood had two girls champions, Ewa Dymarek in the 100 breast (1:10.69) and Rebecca Halfast in the 100 back (1:01.19).

On the boys side, the Warriors were the runnerup with 344 points, 77 behind champion Lakewood Ranch. Osceola's Calvin Bryant won the 500 free (4:41.13). Lakewood's Noah Harasz took first in the 200 free (1:46.80) and the 100 back (56.71).

Mike McCollum, Times Correspondent
Saturday, October 27, 2012

TAMPA — Chase Litton ran for a touchdown and connected with Deon Thompson for two more as Wharton drubbed Blake 38-7 Friday night.

Wharton (6-2) got out of the gate quickly. The Wildcats opened the game with a 10-play drive on their first possession, capped by a 2-yard TD run by Jeff Keil, the first of his two rushing touchdowns.

The Wildcat defense was equally as dominant, pitching a shutout until the Yellow Jackets were able to finally reach the end zone late.

Litton's night was cut short late in the third quarter when he injured his knee on a sack. He did not return to the game, but Wharton coach David Mitchell said all is well.

"Chase is doing fine," Mitchell said. He'll be all ready to go for next week's big game (against Alonso)."

Mike McCollum, Times correspondent

Miles Parks, Times Correspondent
Saturday, October 27, 2012

RIVERVIEW — Quarterback Will Worth rushed for four touchdowns as Newsome (4-4, 3-1) rolled Riverview (2-6, 0-3) 42-6 on Friday night.

"It's not a one-man show," Newsome coach Kenneth Hiscock said of Worth. "But we do expect great things from him and he gave them to us tonight."

Turnovers turned the game into a rout quickly, as Newsome jumped out to a 28-0 halftime lead. That lead was extended to 35 points when Zac Slater took the second half's opening kickoff the distance.

Riverview avoided the shutout on a last-play touchdown. The Sharks turned the ball over five times and didn't gain a first down until midway through the second quarter.

Worth finished with 89 passing yards and 94 yards on the ground.

Miles Parks, Times correspondent

Michael Paonessa, Times Correspondent
Saturday, October 27, 2012

RIVERVIEW — In a sloppy Friday night meeting, Spoto defeated Lennard 13-3.

With nine total penalties and two lost fumbles combined by both teams in the first quarter, Spoto (3-5, 3-4) found success and hit the scoreboard first in the second quarter behind a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Andrew Henry.

As Spoto took a 7-3 lead into halftime, the score stood the same entering the fourth. Lennard (0-9, 0-7) kept the score close but a late 10-yard touchdown by Henry sealed the deal for the Spartans.

Henry finished with 111 yards on 16 rushes.

"Andrew has really stepped up huge for us this season, he is a main weapon for our team," said Spoto coach Dale Caparaso.

Michael Paonessa, Times correspondent

By Michael Hinman, Times Correspondent
Saturday, October 27, 2012

DUNEDIN — Falcons senior Mack Benson threw two touchdowns and was crowned homecoming king Friday as Dunedin downed Middleton 17-7.

Benson's key moment turned out to be a most unlikely play, a late-game interception. Junior cornerback Amp Carswell picked off Benson with less than 7 minutes left and the Tigers down a touchdown. On fourth and 15, an incomplete pass would've forced Dunedin to turn over the ball on downs at the Middleton 20. Instead, the interception pinned the Tigers at their own 5.

Two plays later, Simeon Grant tried to escape an end zone sack but instead was penalized for intentional grounding, giving Dunedin a safety.

Grant threw his touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter to James Hambrick after Jordan Algere's kickoff return to the 28.

Michael Hinman, Times correspondent

Christian Sandler, Times Correspondent
Saturday, October 27, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — Led by a pair of key turnovers late in the second half, Jesuit knocked off Gibbs 21-13 Friday night.

With their offense struggling, the Tigers (6-3) turned to two seniors in the secondary to pull away. With 11:50 left in the fourth, James Peek returned an interception 9 yards to give Jesuit a 14-6 lead. Soon after, Gibbs (2-6) was pinned deep again and fumbled the ball back to its end zone, where Bryant Camareno recovered for the Tigers and a 21-6 lead.

"The offense was moving a little slow," Jesuit coach James Harrell said, "I told our defense we had to step up. We weren't going to be denied."

The Gladiators opened the scoring in the first quarter on a 62-yard pass off a double reverse from Emmanuel Stewart to Marquis Allen. Jesuit took a 7-6 halftime lead on Ryan Black's 1-yard run.

The Tigers' defensive dominance began just before halftime as they recovered a fumble inside their 10.

Christian Sandler, Times correspondent

Times Staff
Saturday, October 27, 2012

CLEARWATER — The Class 3A, District 5 swim meet had a predictable feel, the kind that could unfold only one way.

Palm Harbor University's boys and girls teams were the overwhelming favorites. Everyone knew it, from the swimmers chasing them to the fans watching.

After all, the Hurricanes have more depth than anyone. With every stroke, PHU distanced itself from its competitors to win its sixth straight boys and girls team titles. The boys scored 499 points, beating East Lake by 114. The girls outscored Plant 440.5-386.5.

Ryan McRae and Tristan Sanders were the big point scorers for PHU. McRae won the 100 free (47.28 seconds) and 200 free (1 minute, 45.01 seconds), while Sanders took first in the 50 free (21.99) and 100 back (51.94), beating defending state champion Georgi Krastev of Northeast for the second time this season. Sanders and McRae also teamed with Manuel Barragan and Taylor Uselis to win the 400 free relay. Sanders also was on the 200 medley relay with Garrett Hoce, Barragan and Shaun Van Huyssteen that won in 1:41.62.

On the girls side, the Hurricanes had only one winner, but they gobbled up points with top-eight placers in nearly every event.

The Panthers stayed close, thanks to strong individual performances. Emily Clifford won the 100 fly (1:00.20) and finished second in the 200 IM (2:13.20). Alexandria Donahue won the 100 breast (1:08). And Sydney Power won diving (435.10 points).

Clifford and Donahue teamed with Carter Flynn and Tara McGowan to win the 200 medley relay (1:52.39). Clifford, Donahue and McGowan also were on the 200 free relay, along with Ashlyn Gage, that won in 1:40.66.

"We scored the meet beforehand, and we knew it was going to be close," Plant coach Gil Gonzales said. "Our girls made up a lot of ground in the finals, and that was a moral victory for us."

Class A, District 7: Tampa Prep's girls and host Berkeley Prep's boys prevailed in Friday's meet. Hannah Fredlake (200 free, 500 free) and Rasmus Skjaerpe (200 free, 100 fly) were among the Terrapins who won multiple events.

Phillip Haywood, Times Correspondent
Saturday, October 27, 2012

SEMINOLE — Northeast came into Friday's matchup with Seminole on a three-game losing streak. After a slow start the Vikings (7-2, 3-1) had things under control in a 35-0 victory.

Keith Harrington broke off a 97-yard run to start the scoring in the second quarter. Minutes later the junior running back went 77 yards to pay dirt and a 14-0 cushion.

After Northeast's Chris Jackson picked off Noah Weller deep in Vikings territory, Chris Davis went 95 yards on the ensuing play for Northeast's third score of the quarter. The Warhawks (2-6, 1-3) put together several drives but the Vikings' defense held up.

"We faced a huge must-win game tonight and we knew we had a chance to clinch a playoff berth," coach Mike Jalazo said. "Our victory was not perfect, but I was pleased with our speed and the plays we made."

Phillip Haywood, Times correspondent