 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Gaither's post-season spot fulfills a dazzling turnaroundBy ROD GIPSON © St. Petersburg Times, published November 12, 2000 Prep football ended its regular schedule last week, but that was about the lone similarity between varying scenarios among local teams. Gaither and Chamberlain closed out their seasons playing each other on Thursday, with the Cowboys prevailing 14-9. But both are headed to the playoffs. Gaither (9-1) enters the post season as the Class 6A, District 4 champion. Chamberlain (7-3) heads to the playoffs as the Class 5A, District 7 runners-up. There will be no playoffs for Sickles, Wharton or Leto. Sickles and Wharton end disappointing seasons at 2-8, while the injury-plagued Falcons went 0-10. For Gaither, the district title completes an amazing turnaround. The Cowboys won a total of five games from 1996 to 1998, then went 7-5 last season, advancing to the second round of the playoffs. But under the guidance of new coach Howie DeCristofaro and the galloping of standout rusher Lydell Ross, Gaither lost just once this season and is preparing to host a playoff game Friday, most likely against Orlando Edgewater, the 6A-3 runners-up. Ross, meanwhile, who set a pre-season goal of breaking the county rushing record, did just that in Thursday's victory over Chamberlain. He ends the year with 2,150 yards and 23 touchdowns. Chamberlain heads to the post season with wins in three of its last four games but will probably draw the unenviable task of facing Class 5A defending champ Lakeland in the first round. Sickles had a solid quarterback in Drew DeBerg but could only manage wins against Wharton and Leto. The Wildcats also fattened up against Leto in addition to escaping with a win against Plant. Leto coach Andy Martin admitted his 2000 team had a lot of talent to replace from last year's playoff squad, but he couldn't have expected this result. Things started bad in pre-season practice when transfer and projected starting running back J.R. Courtney went down with a broken ankle. The Falcons closest game was a 14-13 loss to Blake on Sept. 29, but throughout the season Leto suffered each defeat by an average of 27 points. Sunshine Network will provide live coverage of the Florida High School Activities Association's announcement of Florida high school football playoff pairings today beginning at 5:30 p.m. This marks the second consecutive year that the network has aired the first look at the pairings. GIRLS GOLF: It was more than obvious that the Code sisters would play the leads in Chamberlain's successful drive for a third consecutive state championship last week. And they did. Whitney and Mallory Code each shot a 73 at Sandridge Golf Club in Vero Beach, but the Chiefs' supporting players also were solid. Brooke Layton shot a final round 78 for a two-day total of 161. Mandy Barenbrugge had a two day total of 173, and Jennifer Stanley checked in with a 184. SWIMMING: Despite finishing fifth in the Class 2A, District 6 meet Wednesday, Chamberlain's girls team did find some success. The Chiefs' 200 medley relay team placed second to advance to the state meet Nov. 16 in Orlando. Among individuals, junior Catherine Pippinger was the lone district champ. She won the 100-meter backstroke in one minute, four seconds. SCHOLARSHIPS: The early signing period saw two area athletes make college commitments, in softball and baseball. Chamberlain pitcher Niki Trowell has signed with the University of South Florida, and Gaither pitcher Ryan Anderson has signed with University of Louisiana-Lafayette. Anderson helped Gaither go 21-4 last season and win the Class 6A-7 district baseball title. Trowell went 10-2 for the Chiefs a season ago, helping her team to a 28-4 record and a Class 4A regional softball final berth.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
From the Times |
