Pinellas: Around the county

A look at the rest of the county.

By Times writers
Published September 2, 2006

COUNTRYSIDE 37, GIBBS 15

ST. PETERSBURG - Hotshot Countryside quarterback L.D. Crow made a colossal mistake on the second play from scrimmage then proceeded to play two flawless quarters, spearheading the Cougars.

After throwing an interception that Gibbs' Larry Murphy returned 37 yards for a touchdown 27 seconds into the game, Crow completed 10-of-11 passes as Countryside (2-0) scored 37 unanswered points and buried the host Gladiators (0-2) at Newton-Williams Memorial Stadium.

"I was pleased that when we threw that interception early, we drove right back 80 yards for the touchdown," Cougar coach John Davis said.

No. 2 tailback Dawrence Roberts finished Countryside's first scoring drive with a 3-yard run and its next with a 10-yard sprint.

- EMERY SKOLFIELD, Times Correspondent

Trinity Chr. 48, SPC 3

ST. PETERSBURG - The Conquerors' came, saw and, well, conquered.

Jacksonville Trinity Christian's Jamie Harper rushed for 99 yards on nine carries and two touchdowns. The Conqueror ground attack proved too much for the Barons defense as it averaged 9.8 yards per carry. Harper's 4-yard score capped a six-play, 56-yard-drive and gave the Conquerors an early lead.

After a fumble by the Barons, the Conquerors put the game out of reach on Montel Harris' 36-yard score and grabbed a 14-0 lead late in the first. Harris rushed 12 times for 142 yards.

The Barons' passing offense, which gained 182 yards, led to Brian Meehan's 35-yard field goal.

"We got beat by a better team and that's really what it was," coach Dan Mancuso said.

- AARON THOMAS, Times staff writer

KESWICK CHR. 21, BERKELEY PREP 7

ST. PETERSBURG - It started with the offensive line, and despite Berkeley Prep's efforts, it ended with Keswick Christian's second-ever win over the Buccaneers .

In a monumental win for the smaller school - albeit the No. 1-ranked Class B team in the state - junior Tyler Johansson, Josh Hansen, Trey Tomlinson, and Kolby Crider, alongside sophomore Ethan Engelhardt and freshman Scott Oliver confronted a Berkeley defense intent on holding back tailback Jared DiMaggio from setting school records like he did last week with over 200 yards.

Instead, from the start of the second quarter, the Crusader line gave quarterback Jared Stacy time to find Tony Anderson for a pair of touchdowns that put Keswick up 14-7 at halftime, and for good.

- ERIC MUSKATEVC, Times correspondent

BOCA CIEGA 32, CLEARWATER 7

CLEARWATER - One player's mistake is another's opportunity. The suspension of Boca Ciega running back Joshua Bellamy and receiver Preston Pace for violating team rules thrust junior Mundrae Francis into the spotlight, and he did not disappoint.

Francis had 14 carries for 213 yards, including two touchdowns.

"We needed someone to step up and Mundrae did that tonight," Boca Ciega assistant coach Mark Hampton said.

Francis' first score came on a run to the left side of the line that he took for 57 yards. Then with five seconds remaining in the third and his team at its 5, he took the handoff and raced for a 95-yard score that put the game out of reach.

Clearwater's only score came on a 1-yard run by Wesley Kier, set up by an interception.

- CHRIS WAGAR, Times correspondent

ST. PETERSBURG 14, EAST LAKE 7

EAST LAKE -- Football fans don't often associate a lineman as a scoring threat, but until Raynard Norton graduates, teams will have to respect his knack for finding the end zone.

Norton, a senior who wears No. 64, scored his third career touchdown as St. Petersburg High defeated East Lake.

Norton's first two career scores were after fumble recoveries last season. His touchdown against East Lake took place after he blocked a punt and recovered the ball in the end zone.

"I just beat the defender off the ball and made it happen," he said.

With 57 seconds remaining in the first half, senior Quinton Newton put the Green Devils ahead 14-0 with a 40-yard touchdown run.

Emmanuel Fleming had 81 yards rushing for St. Petersburg (1-1). Matt Bradberry completed three passes for 76 yards. East Lake fell to 1-1.

- DOUG KATES, Times correspondent

Shorecrest 9, St. Edward's 8

The Shorecrest Chargers got their first win of the season, making up for an embarrassing home-opening 65-0 loss last Friday."I felt like General Custer after last week," said Charger coach Phil Hayford. Fortunately it was not his team's last stand. "They get thrown down, only to bounce back higher," he added.

Senior Nick Maliska led the Shorecrest defense with an interception at the end of the first half, then forced and recovered a fumble to start the second.

The Chargers rushed for 349 yards on 59 tries. T.J. Smith had the only touchdown the Chargers: a 79-yard scamper down the visitors' sideline.

Josh Birkbeck kicked a 31-yard field goal with 11 minutes to provide Shorecrest its margin of victory.

On the next kickoff, Matt Bona bobbled the ball, then ran 98 yards for a touchdown.

Broghan Carnes' consistent rushing help the Chargers control the clock and hold on for the win.

- TRE LITTLEFIELD, Times correspondent

CORAL SPRINGS CHR. 28, INDIAN ROCKS CHRISTIAN 27

After falling behind by 13 in the first quarter, the Indian Rocks Christian (0-2) showed promise on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Matt Oliphant was 6-of-13 for 85 yards including a 40-yard strike to receiver Issac McMillen. The three-pronged rush attack of Jonny Sitton, Ethan Englebert and Louis Mason netted the Eagles 129 yards on the ground. Tom Brown came up big on defense, forcing a fumble and blocking a punt in the red zone.

"They didn't give up," Eagles head coach Mark Buchanan said. "Until the very last play they fought through, and that's the character these guys have. No matter what the score is, they are going to fight till the very last play."

The Crusaders (1-1) relied heavily on the Alfano brothers for a majority of their points. Quarterback Nick Alfano connected with his brother, John, for 20 of the team's 28 points.

- MIKE COLAPIETRO, Times correspondent

ADMIRAL FARRAGUT 24, BISHOP MCLAUGHLIN 7

SHADY HILLS - Admiral Farragut held off a late flurry by Bishop McLaughlin to earn its first win.

Kreg Brown carried the bulk of the offense for 162 rushing yards and a 3-yard touchdown run. The Hurricanes' (1-1) lone touchdown came in the second quarter when senior quarterback Coleman Hengesbach scrambled 15 yards for the score.

"Bishop McLaughlin is a real feisty group," Blue Jacket coach Chris Miller said. We felt it was real critical to come out after halftime and score."

Admiral Farragut (1-1) did score on its first possession after halftime as running back Noah Silverburg had a 3-yard touchdown run. The Blue Jackets' defense forced four punts, two fumbles and interception, while Brown had a 90-yard kickoff return for a score.

"(The return) felt amazing because it was my first one in my four years here," Brown said.

- MIKE CAMUNAS, Times correspondent

ROUNDUP

NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN 48, LAKELAND SANTA FE CATHOLIC 0: Mustangs coach Bob Dare's 100th win was a memorable one.

Northside Christian scored on several big plays, including a 90-yard return by Brett Anderson on the opening kickoff.

Cody Sirgey had a long touchdown reception and run, helping the Mustangs go ahead 28-0 at the half.

Dare pulled most of his starters after that. Host Santa Fe Catholic threatened to score at the end, but Billy Richards stepped in front of a pass and returned it 70 yards for the final score.

"It was real special to get such a big win this way," said Dare, who stayed on the field celebrating with his players for nearly an hour after the game.

CANTERBURY 46, LAKE MARY PREP 6: The visiting Crusaders got most of their production from Joey Cuda, Brandon Hamilton and John Lancaster.

Cuda ran for 78 yards on seven carries and scored once. Hamilton was 12-of-16 for 221 yards and two touchdowns. Lancaster caught six passes for 163 yards and a touchdown.

The score was 33-0 at the half.

- TIMES STAFF

[Last modified September 2, 2006, 07:07:22]