Preps

Football: Wait may soon be over

After more than 100 years, Largo makes it to a state semifinal game. Fans are really hoping for a state title.

By BOB PUTNAM
Published December 2, 2007

LARGO - When Largo opened in 1890, fans were willing to wait for a championship.

The fans are still waiting.

For a program with no state final appearances and a county that has never enjoyed a state title, a celebration may be close at hand.

A victory in Friday's Class 5A state semifinals against Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas would free Packers fans from years of frustration and earn a measure of fame for a program that has never played on the game's biggest stage.

It won't be easy. St. Thomas Aquinas is a traditional powerhouse with 10 state championship appearances, including the past three seasons all losses to Lakeland.

"We know what we're facing," Largo coach Rick Rodriguez said. "But the good thing is they have to come to us."

Largo players past and present can sense the Packers' excitement as they drive through the city, watch television and listen to the radio. In their opinion, the time has come for Largo, which is starting to be known for its football.

Signs supporting the Packers are evident throughout the city. Words of encouragement are on marquees at restaurants and at the school.

On Friday, raucous fans will try to influence the outcome. The atmosphere can be difficult for opponents to cope with. After all, Largo is on a 19-game home win streak, and fans rev up the noise whenever the visiting team has the ball.

Nevertheless, the Packers say they sense an air of skepticism outside their locker room.

"This is going to be our toughest game yet," Largo running back Brynn Harvey said.

Knowing the team's frustrating history, today's Packers say they realize how important Friday's game is to the fans and to the former players. The crowd has roared with approval each time a former player or local sports figure has stopped by during the playoffs.

But for the football team and the city, Largo's chance to hoist a state championship banner would mean much more.

"This all anybody is talking about," Packers quarterback Leonard Johnson said. "We all want to make history."

Results

at East Lake: W 20-0
at Palm Harbor U: W 46-13
vs. St. Petersburg: W 28-0
vs. Dunedin: W 37-31 (2OT)
at Pinellas Park: W 48-0
vs. Lakewood: W 34-14
vs. Dixie Hollins: W 28-9
at Seminole: W 34-0
at Gibbs: W 17-14
vs. Northeast: W 41-7

Playoffs

vs. East Lake: W 19-7 (region quarterfinals)
at Dunedin: W 31-0 (region semifinals)
vs. Cape Coral: W 28-13 (region final)

Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (12-1)

Results

at Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons: W 24-13
vs. South Plantation: W 51-14
at Miramar Everglades: W 45-30
vs. Hollywood Hills: W 42-0
vs. Cooper City: W 56-7
at Deerfield Beach: L 41-43
at Hollywood South Broward: W 35-0
vs. Hollywood McArthur: W 42-7
at Davie Western: W 58-3
vs. Miramar: W 38-6

Playoffs

vs. Pompano Beach Ely: W 13-12 (region quarterfinals)
vs. Fort Lauderdale Dillard: W 41-12 (region semifinals)
vs. Melbourne Palm Bay: W 59-14 (region final)

Fast facts

In a rush!

Largo's Brynn Harvey already has the set the county record for most rushing yards in the regular season with 2,043. Now he's aiming for another record.

Harvey is trying to become the county's all-time leading rusher in a season, including playoff games. Former Packer star Dexter McCluster set the mark with 2,490 yards in 2005, a season in which Largo played three playoff games.

Harvey now has 2,432 yards after rushing for 200 against Cape Coral.

If Harvey sets the mark, the former record holder will be on hand to witness it. McCluster, who is now at Ole Miss, plans on coming to Friday's game.

[Last modified December 1, 2007, 21:18:32]