Preps

North Suncoast: News and Notes

By DAVID MURPHY AND IZZY GOULD
Published October 14, 2007

Alumni update

He stood there, head to toe in Florida Gators gear, fingering his SEC championship ring. Former Zephyrhills standout Bryan Thomas watched not one, but two Bulldogs game this week.

With the Gators on a bye week, Thomas a backup safety for No. 13 Florida decided to watch some Bulldogs football. Thomas said he caught Monday's makeup game against Pasco and he was at Friday's game against Gulliver Prep.

"Yeah, just got back to see the family and some friends, and catch some of the old high school atmosphere," Thomas said. "I had to come Monday it's the rival game and all."

Alumni update II

In attendance at the Ridgewood-Mitchell game was former Central offensive lineman Andy Leavine, now a sophomore starter at Florida International. Leavine and his father, Andrew, made the trip from Brooksville to see Rams running back Byronell Arline in action.

Heatseekers

1. Ridgewood (6-0)

Logic would suggest that if the Rams beat Tarpon Springs this week, they are playoff-bound. The Spongers, coming off a win over East Lake, will be Ridgewood's toughest test yet.

2. Land O'Lakes (5-1)

Land O'Lakes got to sit back and enjoy the action this week. A must-win game against Central awaits.

3. Zephyrhills (4-2)

Bulldogs held their own against a tough Gulliver Prep team. They should have an easier go of things this week against Wiregrass.

4. Central (4-2)

Bears are back from their bye week, and their playoff hopes hinge on this week's district showdown against Land O'Lakes.

5. Nature Coast (4-2)

Sharks lost to South Sumter, but not before treating all in attendance to an overtime thriller. That said, a loss to Citrus this week would put the Sharks' playoff hopes in jeopardy.

For the complete list, visit highschool.tampabay.com.

Quotable

"I'm just so proud of them. We took it to the No. 4 team in the state." Jamie Joyner, Nature Coast coach on a 45-42 double-overtime loss to Bushnell South Sumter.

Pasco represented at UCF-USF

Before kickoff Saturday, former Gulf star Alton Voss, wearing a green No. 3 USF jersey, stood beside Mitchell's Tate Humphrey. And on the far sideline stood former Land O'Lakes quarterback Joe Weatherford, now at UCF.

Nature Coast comes close

Sharks coach Joyner, perhaps for the first time in his career, enjoyed the ride home after a loss. Nature Coast fell in double overtime at perennial power Bushnell South Sumter. Joyner said a victory would have ranked a close second to an upset of Springstead in 2006.

Compiled by Times staff writers Izzy Gould and David Murphy. Times correspondent Mike Camunas contributed to this report.

[Last modified October 13, 2007, 21:22:56]