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Tourney to test Brandon, King

By JEREMY RASMUSSEN

© St. Petersburg Times, published December 17, 2000

TAMPA -- In the past few years, the Puma Tournament has been a showcase of state champions -- Flagler Palm Coast, Gaither, Bloomingdale and Jesuit to name a few.

This season, the tournament also features champions from other states, including Santa Ana Mater Dei, Temecula Valley and San Jose Bellarmine Prep from California, Glendale (Ariz.) Ironwood, Houston Strake Jesuit and Lafayette (La.) Northside.

Amid the great teams, two local underdogs hope to make a decent showing. After advancing to the Class 4A regional final last year, Brandon received its first Puma invitation while King is playing in its first since Lonnie Houston was a freshman.

"I felt like we were right there with most of the competition," King coach Dave Outlaw said of his team's appearance three years ago. "If we come out this time with maybe two wins and two losses, it will be a good showing for us."

Outlaw hopes Houston will have his game face on against the top-notch competition and in front of college coaches such as North Carolina State's George Tarantini.

"Lonnie's only human. He'll play hard and play well, but sometimes, he'll get marked out," Outlaw said. "Paul Scrivens (now at South Florida) was marked liked crazy, but he learned how to be a great passer and ended up with more assists than goals in his senior season.

"I'm hoping Lonnie will learn to be a great passer, too. But if he gets the ball on the 18, how can I tell him to pass it? He's such a force up front."

Houston, also a placekicker, has 15 goals and three assists in the seven games since King's football season ended.

King (6-1-2) faces Jacksonville Stanton Prep (12-2, ranked No. 7 in Class 2A) in its first game.

Brandon (5-1-2), meanwhile, might have a tougher road.

The Eagles face defending Class 5A champ Flagler Palm Coast (10-0, No. 1 in 3A) in the first round and then face either Gaither (8-1) or Hialeah American in the second round.

To win even one of those games would be a huge coup for the Eagles, who are coming off a big 6-2 district win over Sarasota on Friday.

"You have to play the best if you want to be the best," Brandon coach Allen Ware said. "It's what we've wanted. Being in the Puma gives us the opportunity to play against the best in the state and around the country.

"It's our first time, and we'd like to put on a good showing. I don't think we'll be intimidated, but we have to come out with our A game."

Ware will count on twins John and Tim Sobzcak to provide leadership, but he has found an unexpected scorer in Charlie Price. Price, who wrestled last year, notched his first hat trick against Sarasota and leads the team with eight goals.

"I know (Palm Coast) attacks and attacks well," Ware said. "We'll have to withstand some pressure to win."

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