This spring, Harrison Beck was the name that rolled off the tongues of recruiting gurus.
The Countryside quarterback emerged as a big-time prospect last season after throwing more than 2,000 yards and leading the Cougars to the Class 4A regional final as a junior.
College coaches, including Florida's Ron Zook, Nebraska's Bill Callahan and LSU's Nick Saban, flocked to campus to watch him perform. None of those coaches came to the May 18 spring game at St. Petersburg Catholic, but there were plenty of other recruiters roaming the sidelines. Cougars coach John Davis said as many as 40 representatives from Division I schools attended.
Beck did not disappoint.
After throwing an interception on his first attempt, the senior settled down and was 17-of-21 for 210 yards. St. Petersburg Catholic won 41-35 thanks to the junior varsity, which opened with a 13-0 first quarter lead before the varsity squads took over.
"We were able to spread it around pretty well," Davis said.
Beck threw for one score and ran for another. His favorite target was Mike James, a transfer from Clearwater Central Catholic who caught seven passes for 112 yards. Other receivers who played well were Matt Mooney, A.J. Mathews and Parker Miles. But for all that Beck did, he might not have been the most impressive quarterback.
The Barons' Billy Tapp shredded the Cougars young secondary, throwing for 306 yards and three TDs. Running back Carl Teague ran for the other.
"Tapp became a major prospect after that game," Davis said. "We're replacing a lot on the defensive side of the ball, and we're brand new in the secondary. Tapp picked us apart. But as bad as we looked, I saw things that can be corrected."
HARDEE 28, DUNEDIN 27 (OT): The Falcons got off to a fast start as quarterback Theo Wilson ran 75 yards for a touchdown on the first play. On Dunedin's next offensive play, fullback Tim Benjamin went 97 yards for a TD.
Leading 14-0, the Falcons allowed a field goal before adding another score as Wilson connected with Ricky Rouse on a 30-yard pass to set up a 3-yard run by Benjamin to make it 20-3. Hardee had a safety before the half.
In the second half, Dunedin's junior varsity and varsity teams each gave up touchdowns to tie it. Both teams agreed to one round of overtime. Benjamin scored on the Falcon's possession but the point-after failed. Hardee responded with a touchdown and successful conversion to win.
CLEARWATER 48, CC CATHOLIC 15: After losing to the Marauders last spring, the Tornadoes got revenge with a resounding win.
Clearwater's offensive line was without junior Jarrod Holt, who was sidelined with a broken bone in his foot. Despite his absence, the Tornadoes' line came through, opening holes for Jason Harris and giving quarterback Brice Lawrence time to throw.
Colin McCarthy, the Marauders quarterback last season, switched to receiver to give Andrew Nowels a chance at the position. The experiment worked as the two connected on both of CCC's touchdowns. McCarthy later left with cramps, joining several other starters, who were ineligible or injured, on the bench.
One of the CCC stars who played was offensive lineman A.J. Trump. The senior had more than 30 recruiters watching him.
Both teams agreed to play their varsity the first three quarters. Clearwater led 36-15 at that point.
SEMINOLE 37, EAST LAKE 7: The Warhawks, known more for their ground-oriented Wing-T attack, shucked their roots and went to the air. Bryant Lumpkin, last year's junior varsity quarterback, filled in for Devin Collins, who was ineligible this spring. Lumpkin threw 15 passes, two for TDs.
Seminole also used its ground game effectively. Colby Erskin and Anthony Siano each racked up yards running behind lineman Justin Castillo. On defense, Warhawks coach Sam Roper singled out Trevor Bennett, who performed well in his new role as middle linebacker.
OSCEOLA 20, NORTHEAST 13: Last season, the Warriors had three interchangeable backs - Ryan Thompson, Sergio Felton and Tyler Gross - that made their three-headed attack a success. Felton and Gross graduated, leaving coach George Palmer with the difficult task of replacing them. Palmer found a worthy candidate after the spring game. Steve Williams scored all three touchdowns, including a 30-yard run and 30-yard reception from Ben Paul, to lead Osceola.
LARGO 34, PINELLAS PARK 21: Packers coach Rick Rodriguez had no trouble getting the most out of Dexter McCluster. The multitalented junior was everywhere against the Patriots.
He ran a kickoff 70 yards, returned a punt 64 yards that was called back on a penalty, picked off a pass in the end zone and caught a pass for a touchdown.
McCluster's scoring reception was thrown by Mike Helms, a sophomore who is replacing Fred Marshall. Helms also threw two interceptions but rebounded from his shaky start. Others who stood out for Largo were Jemel Howard, Matt Snyder, Jamal Williams and Andy McGaffagan.
DAYTONA BEACH WARNER CHR. 21, SHORECREST 14: As a small private school, the Chargers always have had problems with depth. Until this spring.
Chargers coach Phil Hayford had 46 players and was able to implement a two-platoon system, which he never has done in his 25 years at the school.
That helped as the Chargers built a 14-0 lead as quarterback Luc Darr ran 7 yards and running back Chris Cheezam ran 6 yards for scores. Jacob Stein kicked both extra points. Cheezam finished with 97 yards. Defensively, Matt Darr had 16 solo tackles and five assists and defensive lineman Sam Wells had seven solo tackles, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
After Warner Christian rallied to take the lead, Shorecrest got the ball with 1:53 to go. Luc Darr completed two passes to Mark Catanese on a drive that ended on Warner's 30 as time expired.
DIXIE HOLLINS 35, ST. PETERSBURG 0: Dan Puckett and Mike Martin each scored twice for the Rebels. Both of Puckett's touchdowns came on runs of 10 yards or less. Martin scored on a 35-yard run and threw for another.
Dixie opened a 28-0 lead in the third quarter before coach Mike Morey sprinkled in some junior varsity players.
BOCA CIEGA 44, NAPLES LELY 21: Pirates coach Jean Gordon expected to have a big crowd in Naples. But a fatal accident on I-75 shut down southbound lanes, delaying traffic several hours and forcing those who made the trip to miss the game. It turned out to be one of Boca Ciega's best.
The Pirates put last season's growing pains in the past as the offense racked up almost 500 yards. With offensive linemen Terry Coston and Chip Stallo leading the way, Justin Miller ran for more than a 100 yards.
