Barons pound out problems

By BOB PUTNAM and DOUG KATES
Published May 20, 2006

ST. PETERSBURG - Keswick Christian coach Rick Sanson said all he was looking for was a tough game against St. Petersburg Catholic.

He knew he was facing much more than that.

The Barons still were seething after receiving a postseason ban for three years and $13,000 fine by the Florida High School Athletic Association for recruiting and illegal offseason practices.

The Crusaders ended up paying for it.

St. Petersburg Catholic took out its frustrations with a 42-18 victory Friday.

"We were like a tiger ready to come out of its cage," Barons coach Dan Mancuso said. "The kids took the controversy well. Our goal is to have an undefeated season and show people we are the true Class 2A state champs."

After a scoreless first quarter between both junior varsity teams, SPC pulled out all the stops. The Barons called fake punts, halfback passes and reverses. Most of it worked, as SPC's Jock Sanders and Darius Bellamy each scored twice on runs in the second quarter. The Barons kept it going in the third quarter with Bellamy scoring on a 60-yard run and David Girardi hitting Andrew Harris on a 58-yard touchdown pass.

SPC rested most of its starters in the fourth quarter. Keswick Christian rallied with three touchdowns in the quarter. Jared DiMaggio (98 yards rushing) scored on a 7-yard run. Orve Johansson returned a fumble 32 yards and Tony Anderson caught a 60-yard pass from Jared Stacey for touchdowns.

"We knew they had great team speed," Sanson said. "But you don't know how much speed they have until you see it up close. It was hard, but our kids will get better from the experience."

SEMINOLE - St. Petersburg coach Joe Fabrizio called it "strange."

After 19 years as the Seminole offensive coordinator and 16 years as the athletic director, Fabrizio took his new team, the Green Devils, on the road to face his old team.

Seminole won the spring battle 20-13, but in three quarters of regulation varsity play, the Warhawks shut out the Green Devils 20-0.

In the first quarter, Seminole quarterback Tyler Bradley crossed the goal line on a 1-yard run. On their next drive, Warhawks running back Marcus Santini scored on a 15-yard run. Seminole made it three touchdowns in three consecutive drives when quarterback Bryant Lumpkin hit Kevin Keesee on a 48-yard touchdown pass.

St. Petersburg scored on a JV touchdown and in a varsity overtime drill.

It was only a spring scrimmage, but Seminole can boast its varsity passing game was perfect. Bradley was 7-for-7 for 88 yards and Lumpkin finished 1-for-1. Receiver T.J. Grzesikowski had a big game with three receptions for 57 yards. The Warhawks collected 101 yards rushing on 31 carries. The Green Devils were limited to 11 yards on 20 carries, but had 40 yards in penalties.

[Last modified May 20, 2006, 01:58:12]