Riverview, Middleton earn district crowns

By BRYAN BURNS
Published April 26, 2007

TAMPA - Riverview and Middleton claimed district flag football championships Wednesday in the first-ever round of district tournaments for the second-year sport in Hillsborough County.

Riverview (District 6) scored on its first play from scrimmage - a 60-yard touchdown run from Mary Davis - and rolled to a 55-12 victory over East Bay.

On East Bay's second play, Marissa Trugillo intercepted a pass and returned it 37 yards for Riverview's second touchdown. From there the rout was on.

Riverview quarterback Michelle Trugillo finished 16-for-23 passing for 172 yards and five touchdowns - three passing and two rushing - and the Sharks' defense intercepted three passes to keep Riverview undefeated.

In Middleton's victory over Plant, the Tigers (District 8) opened took a 13-0 lead after three quarters and held on for a 13-7 victory. Plant had the ball deep in Middleton territory with a little more than a minute remaining but was stopped on fourth down 2 yards shy of the goal line.

"We didn't play our best," Middleton coach Bernadette Morgan said. "The defense really pulled it out for us. We stopped them twice in the red zone."

Both Middleton scores came on touchdown passes from Monique Jones. Jones hit Jessica Williams on a center screen in the first quarter from 5 yards out and later found Danielle Levins on a 7-yard quick slant in the third quarter to increase the Tigers' lead.

[Last modified April 26, 2007, 00:26:24]