State Football Poll

Posted Aug 25, 2008 by Adam Adkins

Updated Aug 25, 2008 at 06:41 PM

The Associated Press Top 10 Florida high school preseason football poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, and rating points:

CLASS 6A
1. Deerfield Beach (18) 223
2. Apopka (3) 196
3. North Miami Beach 181
4. Miami Northwestern (2) 158
5. Boone 131
6. Cypress Bay 109
7. Miami Central 83
8. Miramar 51
9. Christopher Columbus Catholic 39
10. Edgewater 26
Others receiving votes: Timber Creek 22, Vero Beach 12, South Dade 6, Spruce Creek 5, Park Vista Community 5, Dr. Phillips 4, Boyd Anderson 4, Flagler Palm Coast 3, Sanford Seminole 3, Homestead 2, Lake Brantley 1, Royal Palm Beach 1.

CLASS 5A
1. St. Thomas Aquinas (21) 228
2. Lakeland (2) 198
3. Chamberlain 160
4. Manatee 142
5. Mainland 119
6. Kissimmee Osceola 115
7. Largo 112
8. Niceville 63
9. Pine Forest 31
10. Dillard 23
Others receiving votes: Cape Coral 18, Bartram Trail 15, Fleming Island 14, Fletcher 7, Lake Gibson 6, Palm Bay 6, Venice 4, Atlantic Community 4.

CLASS 4A
1. Armwood (21) 221
2. Miami Washington (2) 207
3. Plant 164
4. Dwyer 161
5. Lincoln 107
6. Nease 102
7. Pace 86
8. Ft. Walton Beach 82
9. Columbia 74
10. First Coast 21
Others receiving votes: Seabreeze 11, Hallandale 7, Olympic Heights 5, Rockledge 5, Eastside 5, Boca Ciega 3, Hillsborough 3, Fort Pierce Westwood 1.

CLASS 3A
1. Naples (16) 222
2. Glades Central (7) 210
3. Booker 170
4. St. Augustine 158
5. Monsignor Pace 126
6. Godby 95
7. Palmetto 77
8. North Marion 71
9. Lake Wales 65
10. Cocoa 32
Others receiving votes: Immokalee 8, DeSoto County 7, Astronaut 5, South Fort Myers 5, Eustis 4, Harmony 3, Pensacola 3, Miami Edison 3, Williston 1.

CLASS 2A
1. Madison County (23) 230
2. South Sumter 199
3. Bolles School 182
4. Plantation American Heritage 136
5. Tampa Catholic 121
Others receiving votes: Archbishop Carroll 40, Fort White 6, Walton 6.

CLASS 1A
1. Glades Day (14) 214
2. Fort Meade (4) 197
3. Delray American Heritage (4) 173
4. North Florida Christian (1) 159
5. Lafayette 115
Others receiving votes: Dade Christian 43, Port St. Joe 7, West Gadsden 6, Florida Air Academy 6.

CLASS 2B
1. Pahokee (23) 230
2. Ocala Trinity Catholic 185
3. Florida 170
4. Newberry 160
5. Crescent City 105
Others receiving votes: Frostproof 32, King’s Academy 14, Episcopal 6, Trinity Christian-Jacksonville 6, Wildwood 6, Baker School 6.

CLASS 1B
1. Jupiter Christian (22) 229
2. FAMU Developmental Research (1) 206
3. Warner Christian 151
4. Victory Christian 145
5. Eagle’s View 106
Others receiving votes: Keswick Christian 28, Deltona Trinity Christian 26, Bradenton Prep 21, Pine Castle Christian 8.

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Jesuit Fifth, Twomey Third At East Lake Invite

Posted Aug 25, 2008 by Adam Adkins

Updated Aug 25, 2008 at 05:32 PM

Jesuit’s golf team took fifth and Tigers senior Jack Twomey third in Monday morning’s 14-team East Lake Invitational, a scheduled 18-hole event that was shortened because of inclement weather.

Jesuit coach John Crumbley said the Tigers got through 12 holes at Wentworth Golf Club in Tarpon Springs before the tournament was suspended because of bad weather. Tournament officials then decided to score it based on nine-hole totals.

That gave Twomey, who was 1-over through nine holes, third place in the individual standings.

“I started off pretty bad. I had a triple-bogey on the first hole,” Twomey said. “Then I kind of forgot about it and bounced back with two birdies in next three holes after that. Then I played pretty steady until we started getting poured on.”

Jesuit was also paced by senior Trent Silver’s 3-over total.

“Not a bad start,” Crumbley said.

This was the first of two 18-hole golf events on the Tigers’ 2008 schedule. Jesuit also will play in the Hawkins Crutchfield Inviational in Sebring on Sept. 15.
Berkeley Prep also will make the trip to that annual tournament, which often includes many of the state’s top programs.

Twomey also said Monday that he was recently accepted to the University of Mississippi and plans to attempt to walk on to the Rebels’ golf team.

“They pretty much said that if I have some really good finishes this year ... that I have a preferred walk-on spot, and if I make it through there then I can make my way on to the team,” Twomey said.

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Our Buc’s Will Beat The Texans Because They Are Low On “Gas!”

Posted Aug 25, 2008 by By Albert Owens

Updated Aug 26, 2008 at 01:22 PM

  Enjoying the Game with some of Bucified Fans, from a “#1 Fan-omenal-Fan” perspective!

Congratulations Jaguars, you have just won a pre season game in Tampa Bay. Enjoy it while it lasts because it may be your last!

My Fanatical Friends, we barely lost our first pre-season game 2008, we made every mistake imaginable against the Jacksonville Jaguars. They just squeaked by…

I know all of the Jacksonville fans were worried all the way to the end. In the end, luck prevailed. If it wasn’t for our quarterback Jeff Garcia needing to work out some kinks, this story would have had a different ending. No one is supposed to enjoy a PRE-SEASON GAME Victory, the way Wonder Woman and her crew did.  Let’s just say, I rather make all the errors and work out the kinks in the preseason then do it during regular season. If we keep our eye focuses on the big picture, we need to stay focused on making history.  Let’s win the Big One, the Big Show, the Super Bowl, and we will do it on our own turf.  So, let Jax have their fun now, let them revel in a glimpse of victory as we will hold the crown for the history books…. Wanda Woman…is your real name is “ FAY “??

My Fanatical Friends, let me give you my perspective on why the loss was a great thing for the Buccaneers! Also, why you shouldn’t let these commentators confuse you with their assessments on the BUCs. We will open up our 2008 season against two teams in our division, the Saints and the Falcons.  It is very important to be ready when your goal is the SUPER BOWL. This will be a September 2008 you will always remember. I even have new dance steps and I am ready for a full transformation and get totally BUCIFIED. The FANATICAL SIDE not the FAN-OMENAL Side!  Make no mistake we must do what it takes to be here in TAMPA BAY, playing in our stadium 2-01-09 so the set back with the Jags was a dress rehearsal for future success.

Trust me, I am figuring out how we can benefit from the Tampa Bay RAYS streak and All of our Olympians in BEIJING, China.  I enjoyed the Olympics for the last 2 weeks from the beauty of the opening ceremony to the spectacular, dazzling closing, I so enjoyed it because over 200 countries came together to have fun..  The Olympians gave us new role models to look up to and to feed off of.  So many compelling life stories that influence my Bucified Acronym… if you don`t know it …Just TEXT BUCIFIED To 82672 and you will understand…Thank You OLYMPICS BEIJING, see you in LONDON 2012!  …This will help my scholarship recipients further understand my Fanatical side as they go off to college.  Now we have to play the Houston Texans and I know you are with me in believing in our Bucs, they will put one in the win column for the end of the preseason. The Texans are out of “gas” my fanatical friends and in order for them to fill up, it will cost them a pretty penny…..so, let’s make sure we beat the Texans in Houston and make them rope some cattle,  because they won’t be roping any Buc’s!

My Prediction BUCS 20 Texans 14        

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Vinny will be the new captain (and other Lightning tidbits)

Posted Aug 25, 2008 by Erik Erlendsson

Updated Aug 25, 2008 at 05:23 PM

This won’t come as much of a surprise, seeing as he signed what amounts to a life-time contract with the team, but Vinny Lecavalier will be wearing the captain’s “C’’ when he suits up in a Lightning uniform this season. It will be Lecavalier’s second-go-round wearing the C on his jersey after he was captain on March 11, 2000, following the trade of Chris Gratton to Buffalo. Lecavalier was captain for one season before it was taken away following his contract holdout prior to the 2001-02 campaign. But that Lecavalier is not today’s Lecavalier. He is much more mature, understands what he needs to do to be a leader, how to take his game to that level. He’s ready to take on this role, and, quite frankly he’s earned it.

* Saw this note over the weekend, as well from the Arizona Republic that Tyson Nash is getting a tryout with the Lightning. Don’t really understand the tryout agreement here as the Lightning are overstocked with forwards heading into camp, but there’s no harm in bringing him in and it doesn’t cost the team much. Can’t see Nash, who is a pest in the Sean Avery mold without the skill level, making the team after spending the past couple of years playing in Japan.

* Had a question about posting the training camp roster, which I certainly will do once I get my hands on it, but as of now I don’t have the roster of the 43 players who will be coming to Camp Melrose Place.

* There are a few more additions to the Vinny Lecavalier celebrity poker tournament, set for Sept. 11. Among the celebrities who have committed to the charity event are: Marty St. Louis, Vinny Prospal, Ryan Malone, Mark Recchi, Jeff Halpern, Nick Tarnasky, Shane O’Brien, Michel Ouellet, Ryan Craig and Jason Ward. New Lightning head coach Barry Melrose will serve as one of the evening’s hosts. Also on the list include former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Mike Alstott, tennis pro Mardy Fish, Deal or No Deal’s Stacey Gardner, Jared Jeffries of the New York Knicks, and actress/model/poker pro Christina Lindley. Other poker, sports and entertainment celebrities are also expected to be announced.

* Before anybody asks, yes, I plan on doing another Top 10 list soon, with the next topic to be the Top 10 newest additions to the team. But first I plan on doing a Top 10 Olympic moments from my perspective, which I hope to get out before my 11 a.m. meeting on Tuesday.

* Finally, here is some information about a new in-house entertainment plan for a pep band they plan to call the Frozen Funk:

The Frozen Funk, the Tampa Bay Lightning’s in-arena band, will hold auditions for the 2008-09 season Saturday, Sept. 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Music Showcase in Brandon. The band is looking for individuals with unique personalities who are exciting, outgoing and capable of providing plenty of energy at Lightning home games.

The Frozen Funk, arranged much like a collegiate athletic band, will perform high-energy music at all Tampa Bay Lightning home games. The instrumentation of the band consists of saxophones, sousaphones, trombones, trumpets and a drum set. The band will be directed by John Schnettler, director of the USF “Herd of Thunder” Marching and Pep Bands.

Those interested in auditioning will be asked to perform a high-energy marching, pep, rock, jazz or blues piece of their choice, along with a mandatory piece, “Shake a Tail Feather,” which is available for download on the Music Showcase Web site . Applicants will be asked to sight read a pep band song provided at the audition. They will also have the option to perform an improv piece, in B-flat blues, in the same tempo and style as “Shake a Tail Feather.”

Interested applicants must be at least 18 years old and own their own instrument (Sousaphones excluded). Applicants must also be able to sight read music and good improvisational skills are encouraged. Candidates should be able to work as many as 20 Lightning home games throughout the season and be willing to stay as late as 11 p.m. Marching or pep band experience is a plus.

The Lightning will provide the band with uniforms and members will be compensated $50 and given a meal voucher and a parking pass for every game they work. Bonus pay is available for those interested in being The Frozen Funk’s music arranger. Those with previous experience in this area are asked to bring a sample of their work.

For more information, please contact John Schnettler at 813.974.0845 or at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

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Berkeley Golf Loaded Again

Posted Aug 25, 2008 by Adam Adkins

Updated Aug 25, 2008 at 04:50 PM

These days are good for Berkeley Prep golf coach Tom Shea.

After watching both his boys and girls golf teams reach the state tournament last season, Shea has the luxury of welcoming back the bulk of those teams in 2008.

The top five players from the Bucs’ 2007 girls squad are back, and three of the top five are back for the boys, led by sophomore Blake Morris.

Morris had a productive summer on the course, one that included a runner-up finish at the 87th Connecticut Junior Amateur.

In addition to Morris, RJ Campbell and Austin Suarez are returning starters, and also back is Charles Godfrey, a varsity player in 2007 who played in about half Berkeley Prep’s matches last season.

Shea also believes there are four-five sophomores who “may surprise some people” and could figure into the rotation. Included in that group is Ren Scott and Bradley Glisson.

“I think the boys will be just as good [as last year],” Shea said.

Check Tuesday’s Tampa Tribune for the 2008 Hillsborough County boys and girls golf season previews.

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Locals Leave Vegas With Opposite Outcomes

Posted Aug 25, 2008 by Eddie Daniels

Updated Aug 25, 2008 at 04:42 PM

Tampa’s Derrick Samuels, trained by 4th Street Boxing’s Jim McLoughlin, lost his shot at the NABA-US junior welterweight belt Saturday night in Vegas.

Marvin Cordova Jr. collected a split decision victory in the 10-round main event at the Tropicana Hotel & Casino, 97-93, 96-94, 94-96. Because he couldn’t make the contracted weight of 140, Cordova (20-0-1, 11 KOs), who weighed in at 143, did not pick up the hardware. Samuels (15-4-1, 4 KOs) came in at 139.

On the undercard, St. Pete light heavyweight Akinyemi Laleye (10-1, 5 KOs), dropped Isaiah Henderson (11-10, 7 KOs) with a first-round knockout at the 2:20 mark.

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Harvin Status Still Questionable

Posted Aug 25, 2008 by Mick Elliott

Updated Aug 25, 2008 at 04:39 PM

  Florida coach Urban Meyer’s first game-week press conference was held Monday and the status of star receiver/running back Percy Harvin was the day’s hot topic.

Although Meyer said the “hopes to see’’ his most exciting player in action during Saturday’s season opener against Hawaii in The Swamp, more and more the impression is that any action – if any – will be limited.

  Harvin underwent foot surgery in the spring to repair a heel problem.

“He still has a reaction – when he goes for a little bit he needs to watch it because it gets sore,’’ Meyer said.

Otherwise, Meyer proclaimed himself satisfied with his team’s preparedness and eager to get the season started.

“I am fairly satisfied with that. Last year we had a very young team and I don’t think we understood how to prepare. The two positions out there that just look completely different to me are the cornerbacks and the running backs.

“Those two spots were very adequate last year but I think that they are way above adequate right now. That is a giant leap. Tim Tebow knows how to prepare and we have a bunch of guys on the offensive line who have been around so they are OK. It’s just those other groups that we were concerned with but the running backs, corners and defensive line are all way ahead of where they were one year ago.’’

 

 

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Ponton Leaves Ga. Southern

Posted Aug 25, 2008 by Adam Adkins and Bill Ward

Updated Aug 25, 2008 at 06:17 PM

Georgia Southern is set to get the first crack at national No. 1 Georgia on Saturday, but the Eagles will do so without the services of former Hillsborough High standout Ricky Ponton, who is no longer with the team.

According to a release from the school’s athletic department, Ponton “is no longer a member of the Georgia Southern team due to medical reasons. According to coach [Chris] Hatcher, Ponton underwent surgery on his knee following spring practice and would not be ready for the 2008 season.”

Hillsborough coach Earl Garcia was unsure whether Ponton, a redshirt junior running back, would attempt to join another program.

Ponton was previously with the University of South Florida but left the program prior to the 2007 season. He rushed for 679 career yards in two season with the Bulls.

Ponton was a two-way standout at Hillsborough High, playing linebacker and running back. As a senior with the Terriers during the 2003 season, Ponton rushed for 1,460 and 23 touchdowns to earn Tribune All-Hillsborough County first team honors.

Ponton’s borther, Marc Thomas, is a freshman linebacker at Georgia Southern. Thomas is one of two local players on the Eagles’ roster, joining former Brandon High standout Samir Baker, who is a freshman receiver.

Tribune reporter Bill Ward contributed to this report.

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Young Boxers On Display In September

Posted Aug 25, 2008 by Eddie Daniels

Updated Aug 26, 2008 at 04:27 PM

Those interested in checking out young, up-and-coming talent on the local boxing scene, check out the following press release from Mickey Liera…

FOUR YOUNG AREA BOXERS/2012 OLYMPIC HOPEFULS FEATURED IN THE NIGHT OF LEGENDS BOXING SHOW SEPT. 6 AT TAMPA’S CUBAN CLUB

TAMPA, Florida – August 21, 2008 – Tampa ‘s Legends of Boxing Club will showcase the talents of four of the best boxing prospects for the 2012 Olympics, along with other young boxers from around the country, during the Night of Legends Boxing Show on September 6 at Tampa’s historic Cuban Club, located at 2010 Avenida Republica de Cuba. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and the first bout is slated to begin at 6 p.m. in the main ballroom on the third floor of the Cuban Club. General admission tickets will start at $10, VIP seats are $20, and VIP tables (six seats) are $250.

The Night of Legends will consist of 20-25 bouts including 2012 Olympic hopefuls and Legends of Boxing team members Sammy Valentin, Jr. (14), Daniel Lozano (18) who is turning pro this Fall, Evander Lance Lamourt (16) and Martin Lagunas Jr.(14) who ranks 8th in the state. All four have national and regional fight experience and are training under the watchful eye of the former three-time boxing World Champion Francisco Arreola who founded the Legends boxing Club in Tampa.

A total of 70-80 boxers from all over Florida and the southeast are expected to be a part of this night of pure boxing entertainment. Proceeds from the event will benefit USA Boxing and Legends Boxing Club. For more information visit the website http://www.legendsboxingclub.com or contact Francisco Arreola at 813-598-3694.

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Depth chart revisions

Posted Aug 25, 2008 by Brett McMurphy

Updated Aug 25, 2008 at 02:07 PM

There have been a few tweaks made to the University of South Florida’s official depth chart. Here’s the latest rundown, which, of course, doesn’t guarantee who will start once Saturday actually gets here.

Also, for those who can’t get enough predictions, here are 12 from ESPN’s writers and broadcasters. Six picked West Virginia to win the Big East, three USF and three Pittsburgh.

OFFENSE

X A .J. Love; Carlton Mitchell; Daniel Bryant
H Jessie Hester; Patrick Richardson; Ed Alcin
LT Ryan Schmidt; Mike McGowan; Damien Edwards
LG Matt Huners; Chaz Hine; Jeremiah Warren
C Jake Griffin; Jacob Sims; Kevin McCaskill
RG Zach Hermann; Joe Herzhauser; Josh Garvin
RT Marc Dile; Danous Estenor; Mark Popek
TE Cedric Hill; Trent Pupello; Ben Busbee; Andrew Ketchel
Y Taurus Johnson; Dontavia Bogan; Antwon Hanks
Z Marcus Edwards; Jeffrey Wilson; Jason Sherman
QB Matt Grothe; Grant Gregory
RB-A Benjamin Williams; Richard Kelly; Shawn Cannon; Mo Plancher
RB-B 33 Jamar Taylor OR Mike Ford

DEFENSE

LE Jarriett Buie; Craig Marshall; David Bedford
NT Terrell McClain; Sampson Genus; Marvin Peoples
DT Aaron Harris; Keith McCaskill; David Fonua
RE George Selvie; Patrick Hampton; Shane McElwain
SLB Tyrone McKenzie; Chris Robinson; LaDre Watkins
MLB Kion Wilson; Alonzo McQueen; Mike Lanaris
WLB Brouce Mompremier; Sabbath Joseph; Armando Sanchez
CB Tyller Roberts; Tyson Butler; Theo Wilson
SS Carlton Williams; Louis Gachette; Charlton Sinclair
FS Nate Allen; Danny Verpaele; Jerrell Young
CB Jerome Murphy; Quenton Washington; John Lejiste

SPECIALISTS

K Delbert Alvarado; Justin Teachey
KO Justin Teachey; Maikon Bonani
P Delbert Alvarado; Justin Teachey
LS Eric Setser; Mike Walsh
KR Jerome Murphy and Taurus Johnson; Dontavia Bogan and Daniel Bryant
PR Marcus Edwards; Patrick Richardson; Daniel Bryant
H Grant Gregory

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