Kickoff classics begin with four games tonight and four more Friday. The regular season is not far behind.
By BOB PUTNAM
Published August 26, 2004
Bob Hudson is a Pasco County guy.
The East Lake coach went to Gulf. His wife teaches at River Ridge. They live near Mitchell.
So when it came time to schedule a kickoff classic, Hudson knew where to look.
The Eagles will travel to play River Ridge at 7 tonight.
"I'm familiar with so many people up there," Hudson said. "It's nice to play someone different."
East Lake's game is one of the four scheduled for tonight. The other games are: Osceola at Largo, Palm Harbor at Seminole and Northside Christian at Orlando First Academy.
Hudson, a second-year coach, is trying to build on last year's success. The Eagles went 5-7 and advanced to the region semifinals. This year, East Lake has to replace quarterback Lewis Caralla and fullback Leo Deartiaga.
The kickoff classic gives Hudson the perfect opportunity to see how well the newcomers have adapted to their roles.
"It's a good test for us," Hudson said. "That's why we like these games."
The preseason games were created in 1993 to raise money for the Florida High School Athletic Association, which was in debt and had just bought a new office building in Gainesville. Tickets had to cost at least $3, and the FHSAA took 25 percent of the gross receipts.
Those stipulations still exist, but the rest of the money is split between the competing teams, welcome revenue for county public schools.
Operating under a centralized funding system, public school teams in Pinellas must divvy up revenue earned from gross receipts in jamborees and regular-season games. But in preseason games, the money from the gate belongs to them.
Other teams are taking advantage of that rule. On Friday, Boca Ciega will play at Kissimmee Gateway, Lakewood will play at Melbourne Central Catholic, Clearwater will play at Sarasota Riverview and Gibbs will play at Lakewood Ranch.
The only teams left out of the mix are Pinellas Park and Tarpon Springs. Both planned to compete in a jamboree, but Osceola, Lakewood and Largo backed out.
The Spongers and Patriots decided not play another because they meet early in the season.
