Central releases list of football coaching applicants
Posted on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010 at 5:08 p.m.
Central released its list of applicants Tuesday vying to fill its vacant football head coaching vacancy. The most stunning statistic? Applications came in from 22 states including Arizona, Colorado, Wisconsin, Texas and South Dakota. The list of 75 names includes former Leto coach Hugh Dehnert, Central assistants Dustin Kupcik and ...
Osceola grad Nick Bennett signs with Arkansas-Monticello
Posted on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010 at 4:28 p.m.
Nick Bennett, a former all-county defensive lineman for Osceola, signed with Arkansas-Monticello this past week. Bennett was a key member of the Warriors' 2006 team that was a district runnerup. He spent the past two seasons at College of the Redwoods in Eureka, Calif., where he was named a Bay-Valley ...
Former Dixie Hollins star Gerard Atkins signs with Toledo
Posted on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010 at 4:26 p.m.
Gerard Atkins, a former standout at Dixie Hollins, signed with Toledo last week. Atkins, a tight end, initially was part of USF's recruiting class last season but was denied admission by the school's academic committee. He is part of Toledo class that includes plenty of offensive targets from Pinellas County. The ...
Barons to start baseball HOF
Posted on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010 at 4:07 p.m.
St. Petersburg Catholic is starting a baseball hall of fame for the school and is inducting its first class Friday at the Treasure Island Community Center. The induction ceremonies are from 6-9 p.m. and includes a dinner that is open to the public. The three inductees are Bill Freehan, Danny ...
Class 2A/2B all-state football
Posted on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010 at 3:50 p.m.
The Class 2A and 2B all-state football teams as selected by Florida's prep sports writers. Area players in boldClass 2AFirst TeamOffenseQB L.J. Thomas, QB, Belle Glade Glades Central, 6-0, 175, Sr.RB Chevelle Buie, Cocoa, 5-9, 175, Jr.RB Marcus Shaw, Arcadia DeSoto, 5-10, 190, Sr.RB Sony Michel, American Heritage, 5-11, 180, ...
Gone fishin’ … for a championship
Posted on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010 at 3:49 p.m.
Rivalshigh reports today that Alabama is looking into the possibility of adding a new sport to its high school lineup: bass fishing. No, that’s not a typo. “It's been discussed," said Alan Mitchell, an assistant director at the Alabama High School Athletic Association. "We don't know how many schools would ...
Sharks to honor 2000 state title team
Posted on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010 at 3:39 p.m.
The 2000 Riverview softball team, which captured the Class 4A state title in the program's second year of existence, will be recognized Thursday prior to the 2010 team's home opener against Armwood. The honoring of the '00 team will highlight the Sharks' Softball Alumni Night, in which all alumni of the program ...
Boys soccer: Plant at Palm Harbor University postponed until Wednesday
Posted on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010 at 3:22 p.m.
The boys soccer region semifinal match between Plant and Palm Harbor University has been postponed until Wednesday at 7 p.m. due to inclement weather moving through the area today. The decision was made jointly by PHU athletic director Larry Lopez and Plant A.D. Laura Figueredo after conferring earlier this afternoon. Palm ...
Former Tampa Prep star shines at Diving Winter National Championships
Posted on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010 at 10:13 a.m.
In case you missed it over the weekend …Tampa Prep alum Chris Colwill had another excellent showing, this time at the USA Diving winter national championships. This from the Associated Press: COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Chris Colwill came into the USA Diving winter national championships with the mindset that he was ...
Former Largo star McCluster preparing for NFL Combine
Posted on Monday, Feb. 8, 2010 at 5:01 p.m.
Former Largo and Ole Miss star Dexter McCluster is training at the Michael Johnson Performance Center in McKinney, Texas to prepare for the NFL Combine, which starts Feb. 24. McCluster said he started training the day after his MVP performance in the Cotton Bowl. Last year, five first-round picks trained ...
Former Land O'Lakes QB Joe Weatherford will transfer to West Georgia
Posted on Monday, Feb. 8, 2010 at 4:54 p.m.
Former Land O'Lakes quarterback Joe Weatherford confirmed his intention to transfer to West Georgia. Weatherford, who has been at Central Florida, was never truly in contention for the No. 1 job as he constantly battled behind Michael Greco and Rob Calabrese. Weatherford got no playing time last season after he ...
Class A/B all-state football
Posted on Monday, Feb. 8, 2010 at 4:11 p.m.
The Class A and B all-state football teams, chosen by Florida sports writers. Local players in bold. Class AFirst TeamOffenseQB Clint Trickett, Tallahassee North Florida Christian, 6-1, 170, SrRB Andrew Buie, Jacksonville Trinity Christian, 5-11 190 Jr.RB Scott Jones, St. Joseph, 5-10, 180, Sr.RB John Perry, Branford, 6-2, 185, Sr.WR ...
Gryphons' Bajza to miss Gaither rematch
Posted on Monday, Feb. 8, 2010 at 1:41 p.m.
Sickles' nationally ranked boys soccer team won't have its second-leading goal scorer when it hosts nearby nemesis Gaither for the third time in Tuesday's Class 5A region semifinals. Freshman center midfielder Michael Bajza (12 goals) is competing in an international tournament in Costa Rica with the U.S. Youth Soccer Olympic Development ...
Barons to Crusaders: Until we meet again
Posted on Monday, Feb. 8, 2010 at 11:26 a.m.
As far as dramatics go, you couldn’t beat Friday night’s Class 3A, District 10 girls basketball final between Tampa Catholic and St. Petersburg Catholic. TC won 67-66, even though it once trailed by 16 in the third quarter and was behind by three with 5.5 seconds left with possession in ...
Grey Crow back at Countryside … and the Cougars are happy to have him
Posted on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010 at 12:43 p.m.
A year ago, QB Grey Crow transferred from Countryside to Ocala Trinity Catholic to aid his football career. Today, he’s back with the Cougars. According to Countryside coach John Davis, Crow, who will be a junior this fall, enrolled at the school in January. Crow is the younger brother of ...
Bloomingdale falls in cheerleading finals, but Freedom surges
Posted on Friday, Feb. 5, 2010 at 10:22 p.m.
The Bloomingdale cheerleading team's drive for a third straight state championship ended in the FHSAA Competitive Cheerleading Championships large varsity division finals Friday night at the Silver Spurs Arena. The Bulls had established themselves as one of the state's most successful teams in the first two years of competitive cheering ...
Bloomingdale on its way to third straight state cheer title
Posted on Friday, Feb. 5, 2010 at 4:11 p.m.
The Bloomingdale cheerleading team came out of the FHSAA state competitive cheerleading championships large varsity division semifinals as the top team, putting the Bulls in good position for their third straight state title. Bloomingdale had an average score of 86.04, just more than second-place Winter Park (85.28). Three other Hillsborough County squads -- Newsome ...
Girls soccer: Palm Harbor University, Seminole region final games postponed until Saturday
Posted on Friday, Feb. 5, 2010 at 3:15 p.m.
Due to a tornado watch that has been issued for most of the state of Florida until 8 p.m., the region final girls soccer matches involving Palm Harbor University and Seminole have been postponed until Saturday. Both games were scheduled for a 7 p.m. start tonight. Seminole will play at ...
(UPDATE -- 3:26 p.m.) Girls soccer: Newsome's game postponed
Posted on Friday, Feb. 5, 2010 at 2:45 p.m.
Newsome's Class 5A region final at Lakeland George Jenkins, scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m., has been postponed because of the heavy showers anticipated to pound the bay area. The game. which was originally scheduled to be played Saturday at 1 p.m., will now be moved back to 5 p.m. on ...
Meanderings: Good morning, Eric Williams (updated with video!)
Posted on Friday, Feb. 5, 2010 at 10:28 a.m.
I've decided to dedicate this Meanderings to recruiting and Signing Day, with some of my favorite recollections, thoughts and....urg....ick....sorry, just threw up in my mouth a little bit. On second thought... ***BONUS SOCCER FOOTAGE ***-- Ben Wiley's throw-in is headed in by Eric Krukar...but not quite as a Charlotte player ...
Wiregrass Ranch's Steven Esoff finishes strong soccer career
Posted on Friday, Feb. 5, 2010 at 10:25 a.m.
Steven Esoff was a defender, but Wiregrass Ranch had trouble scoring goals. That led Bulls coach David Wilson to ask him to move up front. Esoff flourished, scoring 33 goals and notching 17 assists for 83 points - leading Wiregrass in all three categories and guiding the Bulls to their ...
Harrell: I've spoken with Jesuit
Posted on Friday, Feb. 5, 2010 at 10:07 a.m.
As has been widely speculated, Freedom football coach James Harrell confirmed Friday morning he has spoken with Jesuit officials about the Tigers' coaching vacancy, but said he hasn't been offered the job. Harrell, a former NFL and USFL linebacker, spent 11 seasons as a Tigers assistant (1994-2004) before becoming co-defensive ...
CNN.com: Concussions extra dangerous to teen brains
Posted on Friday, Feb. 5, 2010 at 9:39 a.m.
Some food for thought this morning … A CNN.com report today explores the topic of teen concussions, saying that “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 4 million sports and recreation-related concussions occur each year. Experts say the vast majority are suffered at the high school level, ...
Wiregrass Ranch's Eric Williams scores 1,000th point (update: 9:13 a.m.)
Posted on Friday, Feb. 5, 2010 at 7:11 a.m.
Wiregrass Ranch senior Eric Williams scored his 1,000th point Thursday night in a 67-57 win against Wesley Chapel in front of the biggest home crowd in Bulls history, acccording to Bulls coach Jeremy Calzone. Williams finished Thursday with 18 points, 14 rebounds and a school record 18 blocks for the ...
PCAC boys hoops set for Friday night
Posted on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010 at 6:35 p.m.
Clearwater plays at Lakewood in the Pinellas County Athletic Conference championship game Friday. This is a rematch of last year's conference final, which the Tornadoes won. The game will be played at 8:30 p.m. and will follow the girls basketball district final between Lakewood and Bradenton Lakewood Ranch, which starts ...
Fivay posts advertisement for athletic director
Posted on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010 at 10:50 a.m.
Fivay High has officially posted its opening for its athletic director opening. The new school, opening on State Road 52 in Hudson next fall, will fill the position before it begins filling coaching supplements, principal Angie Stone has said. Fivay, named after a once thriving sawmill town in the early ...
PCAC Challenge pairings set
Posted on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010 at 9:49 a.m.
As a result of the Lakewood boys basketball team’s win over St. Pete, here are the pairings for the PCAC Challenge and Championship. Challenge games (seeds 2-8) are played tonight, with the championship game set for Friday. Game times are 7 p.m. and varsity only. Boys South Boys ...
Jefferson alum Daron Rose to play for Terry Bowden
Posted on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010 at 9:43 a.m.
This from the Times’ Brian Landman and Greg Auman: Former Jefferson High and Florida State offensive tackle Daron Rose will be playing for Terry Bowden at North Alabama. Rose left FSU after the 2007 season for academic reasons (he missed the Music City Bowl for his part in the academic ...
Gators' recruiting class has star quality
Posted on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010 at 9:34 a.m.
For weeks, instability ruled in college football. At Florida, the coach with two national championships announced he was taking a leave of absence. At Southern California, the sideline icon left for the NFL. At Tennessee, the loose-lipped leader bolted for USC after only a season. Each program, it seemed, would ...
Signing day video
Posted on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010 at 7:25 p.m.
As signing day winds down for the bay area, we can look back and reflect on this year's recruits. Revisit the Class of 2010, as we wrap up the day's top bay area signings in video and photos. And don't forget to join us Thursday at noon for our live ...
Pasco County will have spring football games (update: 4:12 p.m.)
Posted on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010 at 12:18 p.m.
Pasco County will allow its schools to participate in spring football games beginning this year. Pasco County athletic director Phil Bell confirmed the decision Wednesday morning. The decision reverses a ban on Pasco County spring games in place for 19 years when principals voted to eliminate spring football altogether in ...
Interior motives propel Jesuit over Bucs
Posted on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010 at 10:07 a.m.
We take a brief diversion from the National Signing Day hubbub to reflect on one of the more eye-opening basketball scores from Tuesday night: Jesuit's 58-41 win against Class 3A, District 10 top seed Berkeley Prep (16-8). The Tigers (13-8), who have dropped four games by four or fewer points, outscored ...
Morning Meanderings: Good Morning, Brooke McKillen
Posted on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010 at 9:00 a.m.
TEAM OF THE NIGHT The Hudson girls soccer team is headed to the region final for the first time in school history, and it did it in remarkable fashion, ralling from a 3-1 deficit to beat River Ridge 4-3 on two goals by freshman Brooke McKillen. That's pretty remarkable considering ...
Recruiting news & notes from around the country
Posted on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010 at 8:28 a.m.
Here are some tid-bits to chew on this National Signing Day. Hit refresh every now and then. … 6:15 p.m.: Lane Kiffin and the USC Trojans have capped a big day with their biggest get – heralded OT Seantrel Henderson from Minnesota, a player Rivals.com has ranked No. 2 in ...
Signing day photo gallery
Posted on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010 at 7:53 a.m.
This is a big week for many high school athletes, as they'll be honoring their oral commitments by putting pen to paper. Today is national signing day so please send us any photos from ceremonies throughout the bay area to hometeam@tampabay.com. Be sure to include the name, school and college ...
Pasco K Brennan Allen named Parade All-American notable nominee
Posted on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010 at 7:33 a.m.
Pasco kicker Brennan Allen has been named a Parade All-American notable nominee. Allen is expected to sign a letter of intent this morning with Iowa Western Community College. He had interest from Purdue as late as Monday, but a scholarship offer wound up going to another kicker. He also had ...
Live chat: Signing day wrapup
Posted on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010 at 6:53 a.m.
Join us Thursday at noon as we offer final thoughts on the bay area Class of 2010 and look ahead to the Class of 2011. Wonder why some area talents seemed to get slighted by D-I programs this year? Think some were overrated? Have your thoughts on who will be ...
Wesley Chapel names five football coaching finalists
Posted on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010 at 4:40 p.m.
Wesley Chapel has announced its five finalists for its football head coaching vacancy. They are Ben Alford, Brian Colding, Michael Einspahr, Troy Hochstetler and Matthew Thompson. Final interviews will take place Friday and Monday. After those interviews are complete, a new head coach will be named to replace John Castelamare. ...
Plant's Wilder named EA Sports All-American
Posted on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010 at 4:20 p.m.
Plant junior RB/DE James Wilder Jr. has been named to the EA Sports All-American Team. Wilder, the Times All-Suncoast Player of the Year, was named to the third-team as one of the multi-purpose athletes. He was the only bay area athlete to make the team.
Lake Mary High loses logo battle … against Dodge
Posted on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010 at 12:38 p.m.
Strange news today from Seminole County, a suburb of Orlando … the Orlando Sentinel reports that Lake Mary High will lose its “Rams” logo because it too closely resembles the one used by car giant Dodge. “School Board attorney Ned Julian said the school will comply after Chrysler lawyers ordered ...
Nature Coast football job officially open
Posted on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010 at 10:09 a.m.
Nature Coast has posted its football head coaching vacancy on the Florida High School Athletic Association's Web site. The deadline to apply is Feb. 19. A copy of the advertisement is below this post. The position was posted internally and attracted just two candidates - Sharks defensive coordinator Charles Liggett ...
Tarpon Springs football coach George Kotis resigns
Posted on Monday, Feb. 1, 2010 at 9:33 p.m.
Tarpon Springs football coach George Kotis, who has headed up the Spongers program since 2006, resigned Monday, his wife, Artemis, confirmed. Artemis Kotis said her husband wanted to spend more time with his family. No other comments were given. Kotis recently led the Spongers to a 10-3 season. Tarpon Springs ...
Hillsborough boys soccer coaches poll
Posted on Monday, Feb. 1, 2010 at 3:49 p.m.
The final Hillsborough County boys soccer coaches poll, released Monday: 1. Sickles (21-1-3), 2. Jesuit (17-4-3), 3. Gaither (15-4-1), 4. Newsome (15-4-3), 5. Tampa Prep (14-4-2), 6. Plant City (13-2-2), 7. Berkeley Prep (10-8-3), 8. Plant (10-7-1), 9. Tampa Catholic (11-3-5), 10. East Bay (13-3-1)
Ciao, Godsey not in mix for Jesuit job
Posted on Monday, Feb. 1, 2010 at 2:09 p.m.
The two coaches most coveted by many Jesuit High fans -- Bob Weiner and Dominick Ciao -- won't be filling the Tigers' football coaching vacancy. Weiner, a Jesuit alumnus who has led Plant to three state titles in the last four seasons, told the Times more than two weeks ago ...
Berkeley's Roehn reinstated
Posted on Monday, Feb. 1, 2010 at 1:28 p.m.
The recent three-week leveled against Berkeley Prep boys soccer scoring leader T.J. Roehn has been reduced by a week, clearing him for Thursday's Class 3A region quarterfinal against Frostproof. Roehn, four goals shy of the school's alltime goals record, was suspended three weeks following a first-half incident in a Jan. ...
Frazier hits millenial mark in Plant win
Posted on Friday, Jan. 29, 2010 at 11:00 p.m.
Plant sophomore wing standout Michael Frazier has stuffed a career's worth of scoring into fewer than two seasons. Frazier eclipsed the 1,000-point mark for his career in the Panthers' 63-59 victory Friday against Newsome. The 29 points -- three higher than his season average -- give him 1,004 with no ...
Jesuit AD: Football hire expected in 2 weeks
Posted on Friday, Jan. 29, 2010 at 2:36 p.m.
Jesuit athletic director Terry Rupp said this afternoon he and his administrators could have a new football coach in place by mid-February. Rupp, a 1984 Jesuit graduate in his first year as the Tigers' AD, said the number of applications for the coaching job vacated by Joe Ross is pushing ...
Nature Coast assistant Charles Liggett withdraws from coaching search
Posted on Friday, Jan. 29, 2010 at 12:59 p.m.
Nature Coast defensive coordinator Charles Liggett told his fellow assistant coaches and athletic director Kristin Peeples on Wednesday that night he would pull his name from consideration for the football coaching vacancy. Liggett, who was the runnerup last year to Mark Lee, who was recently fired, said he and his ...
Wharton Invitational all-tourney team
Posted on Friday, Jan. 29, 2010 at 12:15 p.m.
The Wharton Invitational all-tournament soccer team released Friday (Sickles won the championship):Sickles: Matt Brown, Gil Davis, Boris Simeunovic East Bay: David Castillo, Miguel Cerveleon King: Jacob Baker, Christopher Lewis Hillsborough: Kofi Forkuoh Plant City: Esgar Montelongo Newsome: Joey Perfetto Wharton: Keenan Kushner
Morning Meanderings: Good morning, Tim Jackson
Posted on Friday, Jan. 29, 2010 at 9:34 a.m.
PSSSSSSST! Don't forget to check back today at 2 p.m. for our first-ever livestream of a football player making his college decision when Gibbs' Tim Jackson picks ...well, we can't tell you who, that would ruin all the fun. That, and, well, we're not really sure. TEAM OF THE NIGHT ...
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Recruiting updates
- East Lake’s Brandon Vazquez picks Merchant Marine Academy
- St. Petersburg's Davis signs with Tusculum
- A signing recap from Canterbury
- Plant's Wilder tabbed state's top 2011 prospect by Sentinel
- Highlight reel: Alexis Ungro
- Georgia -- not Florida -- leads in SEC football signings
- Analyst: Leon Orr is sleeper of Florida’s recruiting class
- Knights' Woods signs with Illinois
- Who will be No. 1 in Florida next year? One person’s opinion
- Why the Mid-American Conference recruits Florida (hint: it isn’t all about talent)