Spartans crash Gibbs' party

By JOSEPH SMITH
Published August 26, 2006

ST. PETERSBURG - Lakewood senior quarterback Corey Henderson turned plenty of heads Friday night.

The short but swift signal-caller threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns in the Spartans' 35-0 win over Gibbs, spoiling the rival's first home game in three seasons.

But Henderson's biggest statement came after the game.

"Our defense is the best in Pinellas County," he said.

The same Spartans' defense that gave up 30 or more points in six games last year surrendered just 125 yardsFriday.

That quieted a standing-room crowd of about 1,500, which spilled out of the new bleachers at Newton-Williams Memorial Field. The problem was, Gibbs coach Al Davis said, his players bought into the "hype."

"We put so much pressure on them, to do well on the new field," Davis said. "I think they were over-playing."

The Gladiators' secondary overplayed on Henderson's first touchdown pass, which came on the second play of the game. Receiver Ronnie Lane sped past man coverage down the right side, caught Henderson's pass at midfield and scampered for the 80-yard score. Gibbs sputtered on its first possession, which consisted of three incomplete passes and two penalties. The Gladiators' miscues (seven penalties, four fumbles) became a recurrent theme.

Last season, Henderson struggled through his first year as starting quarterback and Lakewood went 2-8. The short and swift senior played like a seasoned veteran on Friday, scrambling (28 yards) and passing to several different receivers.

[Last modified August 26, 2006, 08:26:56]