Indian Rocks Christian, Armwood and East Lake are the last Tampa Bay football teams left standing, and all three hit the road Friday for their fourth-round games. Discover a little about each of the teams they’ll face. Victory Christian (12-1) Opponent: Indian Rocks Christian (12-0) What: Class 2A state final ...
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Mon. Dec. 01, 2014 at 6:12 p.m. | Rodney Page, Kelly Parsons and Bob Putnam
1. Tampa Prep (2-0, 0-0) This week: Thursday at Brooks DeBartolo Lowdown: So far, the Terrapins have been on cruise control, winning their first two games by 22 points or more. Juwan Durham has led the way with an average of 25 points, 10.5 rebounds and 5.5 blocks per game. ...
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Mon. Dec. 01, 2014 at 5:23 p.m. | Bob Putnam
1. Seffner Christian (4-0, 1-0) This week: Monday at Bishop McLaughlin, Friday vs. Spruce Creek Lowdown: After a week off, the Crusaders play in their second district game of the season tonight in a battle of the unbeatens. With five Crusaders averaging double-digit points per game, we think they stand ...
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Mon. Dec. 01, 2014 at 4:30 p.m. | Rodney Page and Kelly Parsons
Sports Illustrated is reporting the University of Alabama-Birmingham will anouunce this week that is shutting down its football program. The news leaves recruits with offers from the Blazers in limbo. Countryside offensive lineman Riley Metheney is one of them. Metheny's lone Division I offer came from UAB earlier this year. ...
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Sun. Nov. 30, 2014 at 5:09 p.m. | Bob Putnam
Team of the Week Indian Rocks Christian: The Golden Eagles improved to 12-0 with their 40-19 win over Belle Glade Glades Day. That sets up Friday’s Class 2A state final against Lakeland Victory Christian at Orlando’s Citrus Bowl. It is the first time IRC has advanced to a state final. ...
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Sat. Nov. 29, 2014 at 11:23 p.m. | Rodney Page, Kelly Parsons and Bob Putnam
TARPON SPRINGS — A prodigiously proficient first-half offensive attack has East Lake headed to its second straight state semifinal. East Lake easily handled previously unbeaten Fort Myers 40-7 on Friday. East Lake (13-0) travels to Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas in next week’s Class 7A state semifinals. Jake Hudson completed ...
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Fri. Nov. 28, 2014 at 11:54 p.m. | Darek Sharp
SEFFNER — As Armwood waited on its sideline just before kickoff against Gainesville in Friday’s Class 6A region final, the Hawks’ heads turned when the Hurricanes ran out onto Lyle Flagg Field in a cloud of smoke. The Armwood players were angered to see their opponent having its way on ...
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Fri. Nov. 28, 2014 at 11:49 p.m. | Kelly Parsons
LIVE OAK — Lakewood quarterback Ryan Davis became Pinellas County’s all-time passing leader with 6,760 career yards, surpassing the previous mark of 6,733 set by former East Lake standout Pete DiNovo. Davis needed just 68 yards to become the record-holder in Friday’s Class 5A region final at Live Oak Suwannee. ...
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Fri. Nov. 28, 2014 at 11:43 p.m. | Bob Putnam
CLEARWATER — With a berth in the Class 3A state championship on the line, it was a tough time for Clearwater Central Catholic to be nicked up. After suffering a severe ankle injury just a week ago, standout quarterback Jeff Smith willed his way behind center Friday night against Delray ...
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Fri. Nov. 28, 2014 at 11:40 p.m. | Chuck Frye
ORLANDO -— Trailing by one point in double overtime Friday night, second-year Jesuit coach Matt Thompson made arguably the gutsiest decision of his young career. After a 2-yard fourth-down touchdown run by Malik Davis put the Tigers an extra point away from forcing a third extra period against Orlando Bishop ...
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Fri. Nov. 28, 2014 at 11:37 p.m. | Jeff Odom
KISSIMMEE — In many ways, the final play of the game was a snapshot of Tampa Bay Tech’s historic season. Trailing 35-7 and facing a running clock for the entire second half, Deon Cain ran off left end for a 10-yard touchdown. On the ensuing extra-point try with the clock ...
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Fri. Nov. 28, 2014 at 11:36 p.m. | Brandon Wright
BELLE GLADE — Early in the third quarter of Indian Rocks Christian’s Class 2A state semifinal against Glades Day, the Eagles were in unfamiliar territory. They trailed by five points, which hasn’t happened all season, and needed to find a way to slow the Gators’ momentum. The answer turned out ...
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Fri. Nov. 28, 2014 at 10:38 p.m. | Rodney Page
Rabid shoppers will converge on area malls Friday for the latest high-tech gizmos and gadgets — all at slashed prices, of course. But on high school football fields around Tampa Bay and beyond, players won’t be entertaining dreams of steals and stocking stuffers. Instead, they’re focused on a attaining little ...
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Thu. Nov. 27, 2014 at 4:45 p.m. | Rodney Page, Kelly Parsons and Bob Putnam
Region finals 7A: Fort Myers (12-0) at East Lake (12-0) Winner plays: Royal Palm Beach-Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas champion Know the foe: Fort Myers, which is in the playoffs for the first time since 2011, won its first postseason games at home. But the Green Wave has not fared ...
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Thu. Nov. 27, 2014 at 4:44 p.m. | Kelly Parsons and Bob Putnam
EAST LAKE — On football nights, nearly 25 percent of the student population at East Lake High School seems to mobilize in the direction of the stadium. Swarms of Eagles faithful converge in the parking lot hours before kickoff to tailgate. During games, they file into a corner of the stands, wear ...
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Wed. Nov. 26, 2014 at 7:52 p.m. | Bob Putnam