Sports

Pinellas football roundup

By Times staff writers
Published October 8, 2005

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Northside Christian 32, Tampa Baptist 0

ST. PETERSBURG - Due to weather conditions this game was moved from Tampa Baptists' home field to Northside Christian where the Mustangs (3-4) didn't let up. Northside Christian was able to play a flawless first half against the Rams (1-6) and take a 32-0 lead into halftime. Pace Austin led the way with three rushes for 63 yards and two touchdowns, and Cody Sirgey added 28 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries.

"We've lost some tough games this year, we really wanted to come out and execute in today's game, and I think we did a pretty good job," said Northside coach Bob Dare. "We also really wanted to be able to get some of our younger guys some playing time as well, it was a great win for us."

- SHANE HOCKEMEYER, Times correspondent

Osceola 27, Clearwater 15

SEMINOLE - Behind the quarterback play of Sergio Allen and the dominating runs by Roberto Rubi and Bryce Williams, Osceola rolled over Clearwater. Allen rushed for 90 yards on three carries, including a 64-yard touchdown, and passed for 62 yards with both completions going for touchdowns. Rubi, in his first game back from ineligibility, bulled his way for 133 yards on 20 carries while Williams added 62 yards on three carries and one touchdown.

PLAY OF THE GAME: Facing a fourth-and-two on his own 40-yard line, Rubi fought for the first down and got it. On the following play, Williams found the open hole and ran for 52 yards, which led to his 5-yard touchdown run to put the Warriors up 6-0. The Tornadoes never recovered.

PLAYERS OF THE GAME: Osceola's offensive line, led by seniors Andrew Pawlowski, Kyle Nagy and James Gillespie, opened huge holes for Rubi and Williams while protecting Allen from being touched the whole night.

KEY STATISTIC: Osceola outrushed Clearwater, 342 to 99.

- CHRIS GIRANDOLA, Times correspondent

Bishop McLaughlin 30, Canterbury 28

ST. PETERSBURG - Canterbury narrowly missed winning its first game of the season.

After trailing by 10 at halftime, the resilient Crusaders took a 21-17 lead into the fourth quarter. But an untimely turnover and a gutsy fourth down call by the Hurricanes kept the Crusaders winless.

PLAY OF THE GAME: With just under three minutes remaining, the Hurricanes faced fourth and 10 from the Crusaders 37. Rob Gallagher then completed a halfback option pass to James McGarragher down to the 15-yard line, sealing the victory.

PLAYERS OF THE GAME: Canterbury QB Brandon Hamilton had a solid performance, completing 14-of-23 for 115 yards and one touchdown. For the Crusaders, running back Cal Kuenzel scored three times while gaining 141 yards on 22 carries.

KEY STATISTIC: Bishop McLaughlin didn't turn the ball over, while the Crusaders' lone fumble came at a critical time in the fourth quarter and eventually put them in a nine-point deficit with less than 11 minutes to play.

THEY SAID IT: "I like the intensity we had in the fourth quarter. I'm proud of our team." - Shannon Brooks, Canterbury coach

- ANTHONY SALVEGGI, Times correspondent

Largo 28, PHU 0

LARGO - Dexter McCluster ran for three touchdowns to pace the rejuvenated Packers past Palm Harbor University. Largo (4-2) snapped a two-game losing streak behind an explosive running game and a swarming defense that stymied the reeling Hurricanes (1-5) into 66 total yards of offense in the second half.

McCluster befuddled the Hurricanes defense the entire night with remarkable touchdown runs of 15, 42, and 30 yards. The multifaceted senior set the tone in the first quarter. After having an 80-yard punt return touchdown called back for holding, McCluster ran off back-to-back 15-yard runs with the second resulting in the Packers first touchdown.

On the Packers second drive, Largo quarterback Leonard Johnson floated a 6-yard touchdown pass to tailback Jarvis Boatwright in the corner of the end zone, increasing the lead to 14-0 with 3:46 left in the first half. Two more electrifying touchdowns by McCluster secured the Packers victory, and gave them some needed momentum going into next week's district battle with Seminole.

PLAY OF THE GAME: With the Packers clinging to a 14-0 lead late in the second quarter, McCluster raced 42 yards up the sideline for a touchdown.

PLAYERS OF THE GAME: McCluster carried 17 times for 195 yards and three touchdowns. The Packers ponderous offensive line pounded the Hurricanes defensive line into submission, helping the backs rush for 233 yards. Palm Harbor's Nigel Burkes ran for 76 yards on 12 carries.

KEY STATISTIC: The Hurricane defense was once again vulnerable to big plays as it surrendered 250 total yards, three touchdown runs, and a touchdown pass.

THEY SAID IT: "I knew I had to come out here tonight and run hard for us to get a win. The offensive line opened up enough big holes for me to break off some big runs." - McCluster.

- CARMINO IMONDI, Times staff writer

Naples St. John Neumann 14, Shorecrest 6

The Chargers lost to St. John Neumann for the second consecutive season. The loss drops Shorecrest to 2-4; St. John Neumann remained undefeated at 5-0. Shorecrest plays at home next week against Tampa Baptist.

- TIMES STAFF

Bloomingdale 17, Freedom 10

VALRICO - The Bulls handed the Patriots only their second loss of the season and reached .500. Bloomingdale (3-3) kept Freedom (5-2) bottled up in the first half while its offense moved enough to score a touchdown and set up Phillip Romanski's 39-yard field goal. Louis Bonnet scored Freedom's only touchdown, a 3-yard run in the third. Chris Surdovel made a 36-yard field goal in the fourth for the Patriots.

PLAY OF THE GAME: About midway through the fourth, Bloomingdale led 10-7 and had the ball inside the Freedom 5. Three times, Bloomingdale failed to score, and a penalty moved it back to the 7. But set up for a field goal, holder Mike Green pulled the ball up, ran right and hit Brandon Moore for a touchdown.

PLAYERS OF THE GAME: Bloomingdale's Brenton Johnson and Dominick Colla did not score but helped it control the clock. Johnson carried the ball 14 times for 127 yards, and Colla added 82 on 10 carries.

KEY STATISTIC: The Bulls did not commit a turnover.

THEY SAID IT: "Freedom has a very good team that hits hard, but our guys just wanted this game more. Our kids played hard and made no mistakes. That is always the best formula for a win." - Bloomingdale coach Corey Brinson.

- TERRY JONES, Times correspondent

[Last modified October 8, 2005, 01:26:19]

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