Pinellas players of the week

By BOB PUTNAM
Published September 7, 2005

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: JOCK SANDERS, ST. PETERSBURG CATHOLIC

Jock Sanders is a rarity among football players in that he is adept at a number of offensive positions.

The junior has played primarily as a running back, but he did serious damage to Jacksonville Trinity Christian by lining up all over the field.

Sanders had two catches for 75 yards and added another 200 yards rushing on 16 carries. But his best performance came when he replaced an injured David Girardi at quarterback in the second quarter.

Using his legs to avoid the rush, Sanders bought enough time to throw for 218 yards as the Barons rallied from a 14-0 deficit to win 38-35. Sanders accounted for four touchdowns and recovered an onside kick.

"(Jock) can do some special things when he has the ball," coach Dan Mancuso said. "He reminds me a lot of (current FSU receiver) Chris Davis."

Girardi received 18 stitches to close a wound on his lip and mouth and will miss Friday's game against Jesuit. That means Sanders will line up under center in a game that features two unbeaten teams.

Gamble has all the tools - size (6-foot-3, 180 pounds), speed and explosiveness - to dominate receivers.

He also is dangerous with the ball in his hands.

Dunedin found out last week.

Gamble, a senior, had a game-high two interceptions to go along with seven solo tackles (three for loss) and a caused fumble.

But he didn't stop there, returning one of his picks 52 yards for a touchdown that gave Tarpon Springs the big-play it needed in an 18-12 victory over the Falcons.

"That interception return changed the game," coach Bruce Buck said. "We had not done much up to that point."

Gamble has made a habit this season of creating a turnover at the most opportune time. Against rival East Lake in Week 1, Gamble intercepted a pass and returned it 38 yards to set up a game-tying score.

"I'm just trying to do whatever I can to give us that spark that'll get us back in the game," Gamble said.

[Last modified September 7, 2005, 01:03:06]