Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Largo 7, Clearwater 6

By TIM SWEENEY

© St. Petersburg Times, published September 9, 2000

CLEARWATER -- A blocked extra point attempt in the fourth quarter was the difference as Largo head coach Rick Rodriguez got his first win as the Packers head coach at the expense of his former team. Eric Brooks' 9-yard touchdown run off a fumbled snap in the first quarter and the subsequent point after by Brandon Mai was enough for the Packers to improve to 1-1.

PLAY OF THE GAME: Clearwater (0-2) pulled to within 7-6 on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Trey Garrison to Ryan Vaught with 4:49 left in the game, but Largo's Chris McDowell blocked the point after attempt to preserve the win.

PLAYERS OF THE GAME: In addition to his touchdown, Clearwater's Vaught carried 20 times for 64 tough yards. Eric Brooks ran for 40 yards and Devon Goodloe gained 43 for Largo. Four of Mai's seven punts went for more than 45 yards to help the Packers win the field position battle.

KEY STATISTIC: Offense was not the order of the day. Largo had just 99 yards of total offense, all of it on the ground, while Clearwater had 153 with 133 coming via the run.

THEY SAID IT: "I was battling my friend (Clearwater head coach) Tom Bostic and it was tough because he's been like a brother to me. I'm worn out. That was an emotional time. Our kids played four quarters and we knew that would decide the game. -- Rick Rodriguez, Largo coach

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright