High School
7/22/2009
Morris News Service
ATHENS, Ga. - Georgia's decision to withdraw a football recruit's scholarship offer while he was on campus last weekend prompted the coach at Carver High School to ban the Bulldogs from recruiting at the Columbus school.
Dell McGee said Tuesday that Georgia rescinded a written offer made to Devin Burns while the senior-to-be quarterback was on a visit, along with his parents and four younger siblings, on Saturday and ready to make a verbal commitment.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-07-22/story/georgia_prep_coach_bans_bulldogs_from_recruiting_at_school#comments
7/21/2009
The impact of longtime Bishop Kenny coach and athletic director Joe Parete's death continues to be felt in Jacksonville's sports community.
Parete died Thursday, at 76. He served as Bishop Kenny's athletic director from 1959-89, except for the 1984-85 year, when he was an assistant football coach. Among the players Parete coached who went on to success was James Thompson, who was the first African-American football player to play at BK, in the 1960s.
Thompson became a noted engineer in the nation's space program before his death in 1996.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-07-21/story/former_bishop_kenny_coach_joe_parete_leaves_strong_legacy#comments
7/19/2009
The Times-Union is highlighting four area football players who are among the most coveted prospects on the First Coast. Each is at a different stage of recruitment. Every month until signing day in February, the four players share their experiences, in their words, with high school sports editor Hays Carlyon.
Brent Benedict
Bolles
Position: Offensive tackle.
Commitment: Solid verbal to Georgia.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-07-19/story/following_a_fantastic_four#comments
7/18/2009
Some people hated it. Some people supported it.
Most of those at Mandarin High School had just accepted it as a sign of the times.
Either way, a Florida High School Athletic Association cost-cutting policy to reduce the number of athletic contests during the 2009-10 school year was reversed during a FHSAA board meeting Wednesday. Policy 6 was to decrease the number of varsity games 20 percent and junior varsity 40 percent for all sports except football and competitive cheerleading.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-07-18/story/mandarin_sports_mandarin_coaches_react_to_reversal_of_fhsaas_pol#comments
7/15/2009 6:23:57 PM
GAINESVILLE — The Florida High School Athletics Association board voted unanimously Wednesday to rescind a policy enacted in April that was challenged over gender-equity issues.
The FHSAA’s revised Policy 6 reduced the maximum number of regular-season games by 20 percent for varsity teams and 40 percent for sub-varsity teams in all sports except football and competitive cheerleading for the next two years.
The decision was made to help schools reduce their travel budgets in light of the state’s budget cuts and originally passed by a 9-6 vote.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-07-15/story/fhsaa_rescinds_plans_to_reduce_playing_schedule#comments
7/15/2009
GAINESVILLE - The Florida High School Athletic Association is preparing to revisit a cost-cutting move to reduce the number of games high school students play, which some have claimed discriminates against female athletes.
The FHSAA will again discuss the schedule cuts at a board meeting today in Gainesville.
The group voted in April to cut the number of games in which young athletes compete. The FHSAA said the change would reduce costs and help schools cope in a difficult economy. But football was spared under the new rule.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-07-15/story/fhsaa_could_rescind_schedule_cuts_today#comments
7/13/2009 1:00:00 AM
High school football games bring images of Friday night lights, packed bleachers and long lines at the concession stands.
In short, a popular money-makers for schools - the sport that makes enough money to pay for all the others. Or so you'd think.
And strictly at the school level, football in Northeast Florida generally takes in more money than it costs despite the rising price of transportation, field maintenance, equipment and uniforms.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-07-13/story/high_school_football_makes_money_but_not_enough#comments
7/7/2009 1:00:00 AM
Lawyers for the agency that regulates high school athletics in Florida have asked a judge to dismiss a gender equity lawsuit against it on grounds that football is a coed sport.
They cite to the judge that at least three girls statewide play football and said that means a decision by the Florida High School Athletic Association to reduce all sports schedules except football and cheerleading doesn't discriminate.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-07-07/story/fhsaa_football_is_co-ed_sport#comments
7/22/2009
Morris News Service
ATHENS, Ga. - Georgia's decision to withdraw a football recruit's scholarship offer while he was on campus last weekend prompted the coach at Carver High School to ban the Bulldogs from recruiting at the Columbus school.
Dell McGee said Tuesday that Georgia rescinded a written offer made to Devin Burns while the senior-to-be quarterback was on a visit, along with his parents and four younger siblings, on Saturday and ready to make a verbal commitment.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-07-22/story/georgia_prep_coach_bans_bulldogs_from_recruiting_at_school#comments
7/21/2009
The impact of longtime Bishop Kenny coach and athletic director Joe Parete's death continues to be felt in Jacksonville's sports community.
Parete died Thursday, at 76. He served as Bishop Kenny's athletic director from 1959-89, except for the 1984-85 year, when he was an assistant football coach. Among the players Parete coached who went on to success was James Thompson, who was the first African-American football player to play at BK, in the 1960s.
Thompson became a noted engineer in the nation's space program before his death in 1996.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-07-21/story/former_bishop_kenny_coach_joe_parete_leaves_strong_legacy#comments
7/19/2009
The Times-Union is highlighting four area football players who are among the most coveted prospects on the First Coast. Each is at a different stage of recruitment. Every month until signing day in February, the four players share their experiences, in their words, with high school sports editor Hays Carlyon.
Brent Benedict
Bolles
Position: Offensive tackle.
Commitment: Solid verbal to Georgia.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-07-19/story/following_a_fantastic_four#comments
7/18/2009
Some people hated it. Some people supported it.
Most of those at Mandarin High School had just accepted it as a sign of the times.
Either way, a Florida High School Athletic Association cost-cutting policy to reduce the number of athletic contests during the 2009-10 school year was reversed during a FHSAA board meeting Wednesday. Policy 6 was to decrease the number of varsity games 20 percent and junior varsity 40 percent for all sports except football and competitive cheerleading.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-07-18/story/mandarin_sports_mandarin_coaches_react_to_reversal_of_fhsaas_pol#comments
7/15/2009 6:23:57 PM
GAINESVILLE — The Florida High School Athletics Association board voted unanimously Wednesday to rescind a policy enacted in April that was challenged over gender-equity issues.
The FHSAA’s revised Policy 6 reduced the maximum number of regular-season games by 20 percent for varsity teams and 40 percent for sub-varsity teams in all sports except football and competitive cheerleading for the next two years.
The decision was made to help schools reduce their travel budgets in light of the state’s budget cuts and originally passed by a 9-6 vote.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-07-15/story/fhsaa_rescinds_plans_to_reduce_playing_schedule#comments
7/15/2009
GAINESVILLE - The Florida High School Athletic Association is preparing to revisit a cost-cutting move to reduce the number of games high school students play, which some have claimed discriminates against female athletes.
The FHSAA will again discuss the schedule cuts at a board meeting today in Gainesville.
The group voted in April to cut the number of games in which young athletes compete. The FHSAA said the change would reduce costs and help schools cope in a difficult economy. But football was spared under the new rule.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-07-15/story/fhsaa_could_rescind_schedule_cuts_today#comments
7/13/2009 1:00:00 AM
High school football games bring images of Friday night lights, packed bleachers and long lines at the concession stands.
In short, a popular money-makers for schools - the sport that makes enough money to pay for all the others. Or so you'd think.
And strictly at the school level, football in Northeast Florida generally takes in more money than it costs despite the rising price of transportation, field maintenance, equipment and uniforms.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2009-07-13/story/high_school_football_makes_money_but_not_enough#comments
7/7/2009 1:00:00 AM
Lawyers for the agency that regulates high school athletics in Florida have asked a judge to dismiss a gender equity lawsuit against it on grounds that football is a coed sport.
They cite to the judge that at least three girls statewide play football and said that means a decision by the Florida High School Athletic Association to reduce all sports schedules except football and cheerleading doesn't discriminate.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-07-07/story/fhsaa_football_is_co-ed_sport#comments
8/1/2009
St. Johns Country Day School officials have made a smooth transition in replacing Rodney DuBose as head football coach. Merlin Smith, who was defensive coordinator, takes over for DuBose, who has accepted a job on the Orange Park High School staff with Danny Green. DuBose came from Forrest High School to start the Spartan program in 2006.
"It's a new opportunity for me," he said. "It's bittersweet because coach DuBose had to leave. However, he wanted us to move forward and continue the great things that we have been doing in the past and build on it."
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-08-01/story/smooth_football_transition_at_st_johns_country_day_school#comments
8/11/2009
The high school football season has officially started as players and coaches return to the practice field this week. With just over three weeks to get ready before the season opener Sept. 4, high school sports editor Hays Carlyon takes a look at the key questions facing area teams.
JACKSON TIGERS
Can Jackson find a quality quarterback?
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-08-11/story/high_school_football_teams_seek_answers_in_camp#comments
8/22/2009
As you would expect from a developing football program, Mandarin Christian High School has a lot of "new" stuff this year.
New district, new coaches, new home field, just to name a few things.
But most important: all the new faces behind the helmets this year.
After sometimes dressing just 15 players during their 3-7 season in 2008, the Eagles have 28 players in camp this year, according to new head coach Denny Thompson. He was the offensive coordinator last season, and took over the top job in February.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-08-22/story/mandarin_christian_football_team_heads_into_season_with_high_hop#comments
8/24/2009
High school coaches don't often receive the accolades of professional athletes, so why do some athletes who have enjoyed successful careers decide to return to the trenches of high school? Times-Union reporter Francine King asked six former athletes who are now area coaches why they made that choice.
WILLIE OFFORD
Paxon football
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-08-24/story/athletes_go_back_to_school_on_first_coast#comments
8/29/2009 12:45:58 AM
This isn't what opposing football teams in Class 2B wanted to hear from Bolles coach Corky Rogers.
"Right now where we sit, we lost so many players defensively, we're really struggling. I just don't know what to expect from this team."
But before teams start to think this might be the year to topple the Bulldogs, it's important to note that Rogers basically said the same thing about his 2008 team. And all it did was win 14 consecutive games and the ninth state championship in the program's history.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-08-29/story/bolles_ready_to_repeat#comments
8/29/2009
There's a transformation under way. It began last season.
Northeast Florida still is home to a football hotbed, but the epicenter has shifted.
For most of this decade, St. Johns County was home to the top-flight football talent and teams in the area, led by St. Augustine, Nease and Bartram Trail. The teams reached the playoffs consistently and, more importantly, consistently won once they got there.
Now there's a new alpha zone: Clay County.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-08-29/story/clay_county_supplanting_st_johns_as_a_football_power#comments
8/29/2009
The Keystone Heights football program is going through a lot of changes. The Indians will be playing in a new district, running a new offense and trying to rebound from last year's 3-7 campaign and qualify for playoffs for the first time since 2006.
"We step up to a new district this year and we will be facing a lot of new competition," said head coach Chuck Dickinson. "We lose Bolles from our schedule, but we pick up a very good Ocala Trinity Catholic."
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-08-29/story/new_look_new_opponents_for_keystone_heights_football#comments
8/29/2009
Orange Park has plenty of firepower returning from last year's regional final team.
What the Raiders have lost is the surprise factor.
Going into last season with a new head coach and very little expectations, Orange Park went 10-3 and advanced into the third round of the playoffs.
This year, the Raiders have gone from the hunters to the hunted.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-08-29/story/orange_park_high_football_cant_be_sneaky_this_season#comments
8/29/2009
The Fletcher High School football team went undefeated last year for the first time in the school's 71-year history and won district and conference championships.
But this year, the team's most dynamic offensive play-makers have graduated and a realigned district pits it against some challenging opponents.
However, Joe Reynolds, entering his 20th and final season as the Senators' head coach, could have one more trick up his sleeve.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-08-29/story/fletcher_high_football_coach_confident_team_can_repeat_success_o#comments
8/29/2009
Nease High School's football team was decimated last season by the loss of 30 graduating seniors and the transfer of about 100 others to the new Ponte Vedra High School.
Under first-year head coach Danny Cowgill, the team still managed to finish 7-4 overall and was runner-up to Ridgeview in District 5-4A. The Panthers also advanced to the regional semifinals, where they fell to Ridgeview 24-12.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-08-29/story/lack_of_returning_starters_doesnt_deter_nease_footballs_playoff_#comments
8/29/2009
After playing as an independent last year, Ponte Vedra High's football team will join a tough District 3-3A this year that includes Bartram Trail, Clay, Creekside and Nease.
Head coach Mike Loyd, a former NFL quarterback, admits the new district will be a challenge for his second-year program, but he sees a positive angle as well.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-08-29/story/ponte_vedra_sharks_night_and_day_already_after_2_8_inaugural_sea#comments
8/29/2009
Going into his first season as head coach, Matt Toblin has his Clay High players sights set on practicing on the morning of Nov. 26.
"I told the kids that if we are practicing on Thanksgiving morning, that means we are into the third round of the playoffs," said Toblin, a former defensive coordinator at Nease. "I know what it takes to get into the third round of the playoffs and we want our players to have the expectation of success. We have set the bar higher."
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-08-29/story/new_clay_high_football_coach_sets_bar_high#comments
8/29/2009
Last season, Ridgeview had its best season in school history, defeating perennial state power Nease twice and advancing to the third round of the playoffs.
The bad news is that 18 seniors graduated from last year's team, including quarterback Derek Hatcher, wide receiver Tyler Bass and several other key performers.
So it could be a tough road back to prominence.
Quarterback Demario Kohn and two returning starters will run a new offensive scheme.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-08-29/story/encore_will_be_tricky_for_ridgeview_high_football#comments
8/29/2009
New football coach Jeff Webb likes what he sees at Fleming Island.
Webb, who is entering his 36th year of coaching with a career record of 247-91-1, takes over for the retired Neal Chipoletti and inherits a talented, hungry team with a wealth of talent. The Golden Eagles finished 8-2 last year, yet missed the playoffs because of lopsided district losses to Orange Park and Gainesville Buchholz late in the season.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-08-29/story/fleming_island_high_football_hungry_for_success#comments
8/29/2009
The Providence School football team has never been to the playoffs, and its road this season will not be easy.
Providence is part of a crowded District 3-1A that features defending state champion North Florida Christian, P.K. Yonge, Trinity Christian, Bishop Snyder and Eagle's View.
Head coach Paul Peterson also scheduled games with Class 3A opponents Bishop Kenny and Stanton to give the Stallions experience with bigger, faster teams after last year's disappointing loss to district rival North Florida Christian.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-08-29/story/providence_stallions_get_ready_for_winning_football_season_with_#comments
8/31/2009 12:08:10 AM
Storylines
Rekindling a rivalry
Baker County and Baldwin share a lot of history on the football field, but not much of it is recent. According to third-year Baldwin coach Andy Giddens, who graduated from Baker County, the two schools were great rivals back in the 1960s. But the Macclenny area grew, sending Baker County into a higher classification, and the teams have not played each other in some time. But they will have a chance to renew their rivalry - with district implications - beginning Oct. 9 at Baker County.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-08-31/story/high_school_football_preview_district_2_2a#comments
8/30/2009
Urban Meyer, Bobby Bowden, Mark Richt and other college coaches are taking note - and advantage. There's a little something extra special about the crop of senior football prospects on the First Coast this year. After a year in which most big-time programs stayed away from the Jacksonville area, there has been an upgrade in the talent pool for the 2009 season. The area has received its own football stimulus package highlighted by several recruits headed to Florida, Florida State, Georgia and Miami as well as other major programs.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-08-30/story/super_11_first_coast_gets_stimulus_package_of_talent#comments
9/3/2009
Class 6A: DISTRICT 1
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-09-03/story/high_school_football_class_5a_and_6a_preview#comments
9/3/2009
Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6 Nov. 13read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-09-03/story/high_school_football_class_5a_and_6a_schedules#comments
9/3/2009
STORYLINES
Mustangs motivated
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-09-03/story/high_school_football_class_5a_and_6a_storylines#comments
9/2/2009
Columbia
Head coach: Craig Howard (second year, 4-6; 34th year overall).
Last year: 4-6 (1-2).
Key returners: Tiger Powell (RB, Sr., 6-1, 210); Brach Bessant (LB, Sr., 6-0, 230); Fontaine Woodbury (DE, Sr., 6-1, 220); Timmy Jernigan (DT, Jr., 6-2, 275).
Key newcomers: Cameron Sweat (QB, Sr., 6-1, 180); Jamal Montague (WR, Sr., 6-3, 190).
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-09-02/story/district_4_4a_football_previews#comments
9/2/2009
Find the weak link - just try.
You can't.
There is little doubt which district in the area is the most compelling this season.
The five-school group in newly formed District 4-4A is filled with parity. Columbia, Lee, Ridgeview, White and Wolfson form a district that should be the most entertaining to follow on the First Coast.
Three of the teams (Lee, Ridgeview and White) reached the playoffs last season. Wolfson was no pushover with a 5-5 record. Columbia went a disappointing 4-6, but three of its losses were by a combined total of eight points.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-09-02/story/five_favorites_form_in_new_football_district_4_4a#comments
9/1/2009 12:02:35 AM
DISTRICT 2-3A
Bishop Kenny
Head coach: Mark Thorson (eighth year, 37-35).
Last year: 7-3 (2-2).
Key returners: Neil Basford (TE/DE, Sr., 6-4, 235); Mark Butler (RB/DB, Sr., 5-7, 160); Chase Crabtree (FS/WR, Sr., 6-0, 180); Kyle Caffey (LB, Sr., 6-2, 225).
Key newcomers: Trenton Parete (QB, Sr., 5-10, 165); Eric Apple (QB, Sr., 5-11, 170).
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-09-01/story/high_school_football_preview_class_3a#comments
9/1/2009 12:02:34 AM
There's one more football season left in this decade. However, the title of "team of the decade" among area public schools in football has long been settled.
St. Augustine coach Joey Wiles and his Yellow Jackets have put together a decade of true dominance and appear poised to finish the decade in style with another state title run.
Consider how far Wiles has brought the Yellow Jackets since being hired in 1996.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-09-01/story/its_been_golden_age_for_st_augustine_yellow_jackets#comments
9/3/2009
Class 6A: DISTRICT 1
Mandarin
Head coach: Jason Robinson (second season, 7-3).
Last year: 7-3 (4-1).
Key returners: Larry Mitchell (LB, Sr., 5-10, 215); Chelton Carter (WR, Sr., 6-3, 195); Richard Graham (OL, Sr., 6-0, 250); Kevin Bell (CB, Sr., 5-9, 160).
Key newcomers: Ryan Chatham (QB, Jr., 6-2, 175); Daniel Cherry (WR, Sr., 6-4, 185).
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-09-03/story/high_school_football_class_5a_and_6a_preview#comments
9/5/2009
The second regular-season meeting ever and the first since 1994 between Fletcher and Nease Friday was sloppy, ragged and filled with mistakes.
That shouldn't be a surprise for any high school team's opening game. The good news for Fletcher coach Joe Reynolds and Nease coach Danny Cowgill is that they saw enough positives from their teams to avoid a sleepless night or two before returning to practice Monday.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-09-05/story/fletcher_beats_nease_in_prep_football_opener#comments
9/4/2009
Three top games to watch
Nease at Fletcher, 7 p.m. This is a fantastic Duval vs. St. Johns County matchup. The teams have rarely played each other in the past, despite a relatively close proximity. Expect a great quarterback duel between Fletcher's Jake Medlock and Nease's Tyler Weir. The teams also have excellent kicking games.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-09-04/story/high_school_football_week_1_preview#comments
9/11/2009
Few, if any, football teams will have as much motivation tonight as Mandarin.
The Mustangs suffered a tragic loss earlier this week when senior running back Jarell Stewart drowned on Labor Day while trying to save his girlfriend, who was struggling in rough waters at a St. Johns County beach.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-09-11/story/mandarin_will_honor_stewart_tonight#comments
9/11/2009
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: WEEK 2
Power poll Rankings are based on which teams are the most legitimate contenders to win a state championship in their classification.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-09-11/story/prep_football_week_2#comments
9/12/2009
The Mandarin High School football team practiced and played with heavy hearts this week after the death of Jarell Stewart on Monday in Ponte Vedra Beach.
The 17-year-old senior was a reserve running back and special teams player for the Mustangs.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/2009-09-12/story/mandarin_sports_mandarin_football_carries_on_in_face_of_tragedy#comments
9/12/2009
Duane Brady ran the first half and the clock ran in the second.
The St. Augustine High School football team stayed unbeaten against a St. Johns County rival with a 49-7 rout of Bartram Trail on Friday. The victory was the Yellow Jackets' ninth in a row over the Bears and the most lopsided since a 34-0 lashing in 2003.
It ended with a running clock and St. Augustine reserves wrapping up a 2-0 start.
It was Brady's rushing and the St. Augustine defense that stole the show.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-09-12/story/brady_sparks_st_augustine_to_rout_of_bartram_trail#comments
9/12/2009
Trinity Christian 21, Baker County 7
Trinity Christian held a 7-0 halftime lead after a 1-yard touchdown run by Andrew Buie with 7:49 left in the first half. ... The Conquerors (2-0) stretched their lead with a 27-yard TD run by Rahshad Knight with 7:53 remaining in the third. ... Harold Moore scored on a direct snap from 73 yards for the Wildcats (1-1). ... Trinity Christian scored the final points of the game on a 45-yard pass from Buie to Matt Hardy with 4:57 left in the third quarter. ... Baker County outgained Trinity Christian 230-167.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-09-12/story/high_school_football_roundup_trinity_christian_creekside_pull_of#comments
9/12/2009
Four Clay County high school football teams will be featured on this season's Comcast High School Game of the Week broadcasts.
The first game is a replay of the Ridgeview High at Clay High on Friday, Oct. 2. Orange Park High will be featured twice. The first Raider game to be rebroadcast is at Sandalwood on Friday, Oct. 9. The final broadcast of the season will be the replay of Orange Park at Fleming Island contest on Friday, Nov. 13.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-09-12/story/clay_sports_4_football_teams_get_comcast_spotlight#comments
9/11/2009
Few, if any, football teams will have as much motivation tonight as Mandarin.
The Mustangs suffered a tragic loss earlier this week when senior running back Jarell Stewart drowned on Labor Day while trying to save his girlfriend, who was struggling in rough waters at a St. Johns County beach.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-09-11/story/mandarin_mustangs_will_honor_stewart_tonight#comments
9/11/2009
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: WEEK 2
Power poll Rankings are based on which teams are the most legitimate contenders to win a state championship in their classification.
1. Bolles (1-0), Class 2B Today: Bye. Last week: def. Miami Archbishop Carroll 47-0. Comment: Bolles has week off before another long road trip (over 300 miles) to Plantation American Heritage.
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-09-11/story/first_coast_prep_football_power_poll_week_2#comments
9/16/2009
There are many quality teams throughout the First Coast area, but who has the best quarterbacks? What about the best linebackers? High school sports editor Hays Carlyon breaks down the truly elite units in the area this year.
QUARTERBACKS
read more
http://www.jacksonville.com/sports/high_school/2009-09-16/story/first_coast_high_school_football_best_of_the_best#comments
PNJ - Sports
7/25/2009 11:57:00 PM
Local prep players work hard at a local combine to enhance their college opportunities.
7/28/2009 12:49:00 AM
FSU coch Bobby Bowden continued to express his desire on Monday to remain in a chase with Penn State's Joe Paterno to become the winningest coach in major college football.
7/29/2009 12:45:00 AM
The University of Alabama formally asked the NCAA to restore 21 vacated victories to the football program in a 29-page appeal on Tuesday.
8/1/2009
A woman sentenced for stealing more than $250,000 from Barber Dairy Co. claims officials with the firm allowed her to use a company credit card in exchange for steering her son to play football for Alabama.
8/3/2009
Alabama's Rolando McClain hasn't fully embraced the attention that comes with being one of college football's top middle linebackers.
8/3/2009
FSU football players gain benefit of community service project
8/5/2009
The University of South Alabama football team practiced in shorts and helmets for two hours Tuesday.
8/8/2009
Floirda number one in preseason college football poll. See the full Top 25 here.
8/9/2009
We're less than a month away from the start of college football season. The first shocker could be on the horizon. It will occur if Delaware implements sports wagering in three horse-track casinos.
8/9/2009
More than 100 teams, 8,000 participants form unique partnership in Gulf Coast Youth Football Alliance
8/11/2009
All over the two-county area Monday, prep football teams headed out in the blazing sun and stifling humidity to begin their first day of practice.
8/12/2009
Gators goal is to be considered best college football team of all-time
8/12/2009
Florida State's football team will hold its first practice in full pads today.
8/15/2009
Northview High completed a formality Friday, officially naming Sid Wheatley as the Chiefs' new football coach.
8/16/2009
The Northwest Florida Gator Club is hosting its annual Gator Football Kickoff Party at Seville Quarter on Tuesday.
8/17/2009
The Pensacola Lightning semipro football team defeated the Louisiana Storm 20-12 Saturday at Tad Gormley Stadium in New Orleans.
8/18/2009
With a tighter football schedule, another hurricane strike would be disaster for the SEC
8/18/2009
The Northwest Florida Gator Club is hosting its annual Gator Football Kickoff Party tonight at Seville Quarter.
8/20/2009
Amid slow football ticket sales and a cut in the Florida State's athletics budget, the AD is doing his best to keep the program steady in trying economic times.
8/21/2009
The University of West Florida men's and women's cross country teams get a chance to compete in sunny California. Area high school cross country teams will benefit from Running Wild's Spike Night, and area prep football coaches are a little frustrated with players' tardiness.
8/25/2009
The Pensacola Lightning crushed the Georgia Crush 59-0 in a semipro football game Saturday night at Pensacola High School.
8/25/2009
Alabama has asked an Athens man to stay away from two Crimson Tide football players he took on a Gulf Coast fishing trip, though the university didn't report any NCAA violations or penalize itself over the outing.
8/25/2009
Alabama Crimson Tide fans are invited to the 'Bama Football Kick-off Party, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Will Call Sports Grille on Palafox Place in downtown Pensacola. There is no admission charge.
8/25/2009
The South Alabama football team held its first media day Monday.
8/26/2009
Senior running back and linebacker Rush Hendricks and senior quarterback Steven Brabham have very different styles.
8/27/2009
Did you know that Pensacola High is the oldest football program in the state of Florida?
8/27/2009
Arena football leagues to conduct tryouts in Pensacola.
8/28/2009
The Milton High School and PHS volleyball programs are strengthening. Tate football players are working on their ACT scores, and area swim teams are struggling to schedule meets.
8/30/2009
The Florida State football team didn't impress any of its coaches Saturday in the final preseason scrimmage of 2009.
8/30/2009
The University of Alabama athletic director announced Saturday that head football coach Nick Saban signed a three-year contract extension.
8/31/2009
Alabama tight end Colin Peek will be starting his Crimson Tide career in the city where he last played as a college football player.
9/2/2009
It's safe to say that there's plenty of legroom on the Florida State football bandwagon.
9/3/2009
Washington High football coach Chet Bergalowski hopes his Wildcats can find their way out of a two-year downturn.
9/3/2009
TALLAHASSEE — After practicing in full pads the last two days, the Florida State coaching staff decided to put the football players in shorts on Wednesday.
9/4/2009
Finally, it's football season.
9/4/2009
There will be plenty of area watch parties Saturday as the college football season begins.
9/4/2009
The team with the most rushing yards in this storied football rivalry between Florida State and Miami usually would win the game. In a 13-year stretch that begin in 1988, there was just one exception.
9/7/2009
GAINESVILLE — Riley Cooper has been pleading with his roommate, Tim Tebow, to throw him the football for over a year now.
9/8/2009
AUBURN, Ala — The hype that surrounded Auburn's freshmen wideouts dissipated quickly Saturday night.
9/9/2009
Smith attempting to get back in good graces with Auburn's football team
9/11/2009 1:06:00 AM
Six days after dominating one of the top teams in the state of Alabama, Pace traveled to Tallahassee and fell to Godby High, 48-28.
9/11/2009
Gulf Breeze (0-1) at Catholic (1-0)
9/12/2009
The Milton High School football team rolled to a 42-14 victory against Freeport on Friday night at Haywood Hanna Stadium.
9/15/2009
Pensacola's Trent Richardson was the named the Southeastern Conference freshman football player of the week, following his breakout game Saturday in helping Alabama to its 40-14 victory against Florida International.
9/17/2009
A look at how local college football players fared last week.
Copyright 2009, Pensacola News Journal
tallahassee.com - Local sports news from Tallahassee.com.
7/29/2009 1:48:00 AM
The ultimate measure doesn't take place until the season begins.
7/31/2009 12:55:00 AM
Almost 3,500 hours of community service. That's what FSU student-athletes contributed during the 2008-09 academic year.
8/1/2009 2:30:00 AM
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Donovan Rose and Alonzo Lee might be the newest head coaches in the MEAC, but they've known for a long time how they would run a college football program when they got their chance.
8/1/2009 2:31:00 AM
Ask Florida State veteran football players in three weeks what they think about Jacobbi McDaniel and Demonte McAllister.
8/1/2009 2:30:00 AM
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A large photo of FAMU return specialist Leroy Vann was hard to miss on the table where coach Joe Taylor fielded questions from reporters in a room where football was the only topic.
8/1/2009 2:28:00 AM
The recruiting frenzy continues for the Florida State football team.
8/2/2009 1:07:00 AM
More than 40 Florida State football players learned Saturday that, really, even the little things can make a difference.
8/2/2009 1:01:00 AM
Robert Okeafor has a few reasons for wanting FAMU to finish the football season with a chance to play in the postseason:
8/2/2009 1:14:00 AM
It is a conclusion not unlike the one many make when evaluating Florida State's football program.
8/4/2009 1:35:00 AM
Long before LeRoy Vann became a playmaker on FAMU's football team, he heard just about all the short jokes.
8/5/2009 12:57:00 AM
Preseason camp will have a different feel for the Florida State football team this year because of the quarterback position.
8/7/2009 1:01:00 AM
Jimbo Fisher promised that backup quarterback E.J. Manuel will get the opportunity to finally display the talent that made him a premier high school quarterback and coveted signee for Florida State's football program.
8/7/2009 1:00:00 AM
On the eve of the first practice of the 2009 season, the Florida State football program took care of one final piece of business remaining from the 2008 season.
8/9/2009 12:56:00 AM
CANTON, Ohio — Late Dallas Cowboys receiver and former Florida A&M standout Bob Hayes was been inducted posthumously into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
8/10/2009 1:58:00 AM
Well before you picked up your newspaper this morning, the Lincoln High football team finished its first official practice of the season.
8/11/2009 12:56:00 AM
Bobby Jackson and Jerod Brisbon didn't know how familiar their paths to FAMU were until they met Monday, the first day for football players to check into their dorms.
8/12/2009 12:55:00 AM
Just about every one of FAMU's football players — from those with an established name to the ones who hope to make a name for themselves — were on the track early Tuesday morning.
8/12/2009 1:19:00 AM
"As far as athleticism, there's no doubt he has it. There's no question. But how does he tie it into the scheme? And that's what he's trying to master right now. He's working hard," said TE coach James Coley
8/16/2009 12:42:00 AM
Joe Taylor has a bit of concern about how this season will play out for his football team. And, it doesn't have a lot to do with the X's and O's of the game.
8/17/2009 12:30:00 AM
FAMU safety Jonathan Ferrell knows exactly what his younger brother, Willie, is going through as he sits out a year from playing football.
8/17/2009 12:31:00 AM
The thermometer topped 100 degrees at the Seminole Golf Course when former Florida State running back Nick Maddox, who now works for Seminole Boosters, met former North Florida Christian and University of Georgia football player Tony Milton.
8/19/2009 12:40:00 AM
Practice provided mixed results for the FAMU football team Tuesday afternoon — a lot of heat and rain and too much lightning.
8/21/2009 1:02:00 AM
Mickey Andrews went into the preseason needing his players to firmly grasp the starting roles at the rover and field cornerback positions. A dozen days into Florida State's preparation for the 2009 football season, the veteran defensive coordinator still does.
8/22/2009 12:51:00 AM
Quarterback Curtis Pulley is going to run with the ball for the FAMU football team. No question about that, it seems, considering how much he carried the ball last season.
8/22/2009 10:12:00 PM
It's more than just a coincidence that two of the six new Big Bend head football coaches used to be Florida State teammates.
8/22/2009 10:08:00 PM
If you've spent any amount of time in this town, you already know it to be true.
8/26/2009 1:22:00 AM
First-year Lincoln head football coach Yusuf Shakir takes pride in special teams.
8/30/2009 12:58:00 AM
Bobby Bowden called Saturday's scrimmage a "dress rehearsal" for Florida State's season-opener against Miami. Judging from the reaction to that rehearsal, there are plenty of things left to be addressed.
8/31/2009 1:07:00 AM
Yusuf Shakir was supposed to spend this week preparing the Lincoln High football team for its season opener Thursday against Niceville.
9/1/2009 1:01:00 AM
Every time Evander Wilson walked by the trophy case at Coatesville (Pa.) High School, he'd see a photo of his brother, Steve Brazzle. It served as a reminder how good an athlete Brazzle was and gave his younger brother something to aspire to.
9/1/2009 1:02:00 AM
A day after Lincoln High football coach Yusuf Shakir was suspended following his DUI arrest, about 60 players' parents expressed overwhelming support for Shakir and asked school principal Allen Burch to reinstate him.
9/2/2009 1:23:00 AM
When the depth chart was officially released by the Florida State coaching staff Monday night, one name seemed to jump off the page more than any other. It was a name that most FSU football fans had never heard of before, but had managed to climb to the top spot at left-side defensive end.
9/3/2009 1:03:00 AM
The unknown that makes any season-opener intriguing and challenging has already reached another level for Florida State football coordinators as they prepare for Monday's game against Miami.
9/4/2009 1:53:00 AM
It's only fitting a game between Lincoln High and Niceville High, two of the top teams in Class 4A football, decided their first game of the 2009 season in the fourth quarter.
9/4/2009 1:59:00 AM
More than a dozen signs adorned the fencing and other areas at Gene Cox Stadium Thursday evening as Lincoln High School prepared to play a powerful Niceville football team to begin its 2009 season.
9/5/2009 1:49:00 AM
It looked as though the Leon High football team would drop its 12th straight game against Godby on Friday night at Gene Cox Stadium.
9/5/2009 1:46:00 AM
Jacquay Nunnally has come full circle to the point that he finds himself telling young football players some of the same things he heard before he became a record-setting receiver at FAMU almost a decade ago.
9/5/2009 2:08:00 AM
Long before today's kickoff against FAMU, Al Lavan knew his Delaware State football team had a lot of catching up to do — on the field and in the win-loss column.
9/7/2009 12:48:00 AM
Let the ACC get off to another embarrassing start to its football season.
9/7/2009 12:51:00 AM
The effort made by Taiwan Easterling to just reach this point shouldn't be lost upon Florida State football fans tonight during the Miami football game.
9/8/2009 2:43:00 AM
North Florida Christian quarterback Clint Trickett grew up in a coach's house and — just as importantly for his development as a quarterback — around the game of football wherever his father's duties took him. Practice fields and meeting rooms became the younger Trickett's classroom. Coaches and players were his on-the-spot teachers.
9/9/2009 2:46:00 AM
The Florida A&M football team won last year's meeting with Winston-Salem State University by a shutout. The preseason expectations have been set high for the Rattlers in 2009.
9/10/2009 1:57:00 AM
Kermit Blount didn't seem to be playing down the underdog role that his Winston-Salem State football team is carrying one bit.
9/10/2009 1:57:00 AM
Kermit Blount didn't seem to be playing down the underdog role that his Winston-Salem State football team is carrying one bit.
9/11/2009 1:52:00 AM
Five years ago, Jacksonville State quarterback Ryan Perrilloux was considered by many to be the best high school football player in the United States.
9/11/2009 1:58:00 AM
Maybe there is a synonym for discipline, but those involved in today's football showdown between Rickards and Chiles have yet to use it in casual conversation.
9/12/2009 2:21:00 AM
Most of the Rickards High football players were babies — or not even in this world — back in 1992 when the Raiders last won a season-opener.
9/12/2009 2:29:00 AM
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — FAMU football coach Joe Taylor didn't have to wait until Friday to figure out why his offense sputtered before the Rattlers came away from Gray Stadium with a 34-10 victory.
9/12/2009 2:20:00 AM
Slow and steady, yard by yard, the Florida High football team kept a stranglehold on the Directors' Cup.
9/13/2009 2:40:00 AM
It had been almost two full years since Richard Goodman played in a real football game.
9/14/2009 12:54:00 AM
Linebacker John Williams couldn't stand the confusion in his head any more last summer. Just before the start of preseason camp, he resolved his conundrum by walking away from the Florida A&M football program.
9/14/2009 12:47:00 AM
Youth has been served during the infancy of Florida State's 2009 football season.
9/15/2009 12:56:00 AM
The first time the Florida A&M football team lined up to receive a punt this season, the crowd rose to its feet. The scene became somewhat ceremonious on every ensuring special teams appearance, especially when the Rattlers were on the receiving end.
9/17/2009 1:12:00 AM
Homecoming football games carry special significance for both teams. On one side is the home team looking to protect its turf in front of their classmates and alumni and on the other is a team that is motivated to ruin the party because the opponent had the gall to schedule them.
9/17/2009 1:16:00 AM
The biggest challenge for the North Florida Christian football team this season has nothing to do with offensive or defensive schemes, or even special teams. It's actually getting to play.
9/17/2009 1:07:00 AM
An injury to Jermaine Thomas opened the door for Ty Jones to make his first start as a Florida State football player. Jones answered with two touchdown runs.
Copyright 2009, tallahassee.com
MiamiHerald.com: Miami-Dade High Schools
7/23/2009 9:22:00 PM
As he stood on the field prior to last Saturday's first game of the annual University of South Florida Sling & Shoot 7-on-7 tournament in Tampa, Coral Reef coach Chevas Clements had nothing but positives to say to his team.
7/16/2009 12:20:00 AM
While there are many lists that come out throughout the course of a year, giving fans and high school football followers a sampling of the athletes to keep an eye on, keep in mind that rankings will always be subjective at best.
7/16/2009 12:30:00 AM
While rankings are always subjective at best, our list was compiled from watching thousands of athletes perform with full gear on in football arenas, giving them the opportunity to showcase their football skills and not just a combine performance or a 7-on-7 event, which are helpful, but in no way definitive, and in no way what college coaches want to hear when seeking information.
6/26/2009 6:16:00 PM
Talk about the demise of Booker T. Washington's football program and standout senior running back Eduardo Clements rolls his eyes and gives that smile of disbelief. Head coach Earl Tillman won't even dignify the question with a response.
6/15/2009 9:01:00 PM
It was during an impromptu media session last September that the members of Booker T. Washington's football team -- ranked eighth in the nation by USA Today in 2007 -- took turns fielding on-camera questions outside the team's practice field.
6/9/2009 10:52:00 PM
After a stalled drive, Hialeah football coach Marc Berman huddled with his quarterback, Juan Soto, at the far end of Field No. 5 at Central Park in Plantation. During the Miami Dolphins Academy 7-on-7 tournament on Tuesday, Berman took extra time out to coach Soto when he could.
6/5/2009 3:01:00 AM
The FHSAA announced this week that it will hold a vote Friday in Orlando to possibly change April's decision that would cut the number of varsity games (except football) by 20 percent.
6/2/2009 3:01:00 AM
The summer hasn't officially begun. The national hype surrounding South Florida's top high school football teams has. One of the first national rankings was released Monday by MaxPreps.com, and it has Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas ranked exactly where it finished last season -- No. 1.
6/1/2009 3:01:00 AM
For years, college recruiters and scouts have combed through South Florida looking for the next great skill player with world-class speed and high-end athleticism.
5/29/2009 3:01:00 AM
Westminster Christian announced this week that it has promoted coaching veteran Joe Mira to head football coach for the upcoming season.
5/29/2009 11:32:00 PM
Central began what has the potential to be an impressive season Friday, defeating Belle Glade Glades Central 34-12 in a spring football game at Traz Powell Stadium.
7/29/2009 1:00:00 AM
Incoming freshman linebacker Frankie Telfort will not play football for the University of Southern California because of a heart condition known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which was discovered during his first month on campus.
7/30/2009 9:00:00 PM
One piece of furniture in the den of Frank and Sandra Telfort's Richmond Heights home sticks out like a sore thumb: An Olympic bench draped with 225 pounds of weight sits in a corner, behind the couch but easy to access.
8/1/2009 12:32:00 AM
Miami Belen Jesuit's football team has earned a reputation for being the pipeline to Ivy League schools, but senior defensive back Pablo Alvarez interrupted that tradition last week when the 6-3, 190-pound speedster announced that he would be attending the University of Virginia.
8/1/2009 12:32:00 AM
Miami Belen Jesuit's football team has earned a reputation for being the pipeline to Ivy League schools, but senior defensive back Pablo Alvarez interrupted that tradition last week when the 6-3, 190-pound speedster announced that he would be attending the University of Virginia.
8/6/2009
Having been around high school football for several decades, it is never surprising how much talent pops up each year. Running back could be a position that boasts as much national, regional and statewide talent as you will find anywhere.
8/15/2009 12:17:00 AM
Miami Palmetto football player Delvin Jones, ranked the No. 17 ``athlete'' in the nation by Rivals.com, committed to the University of Tennessee on Friday.
8/14/2009 2:57:00 PM
Tim Neal sort of feels like he's back in college, cramming for a big final.
Except Neal, the new football coach at Southwest Miami, hasn't been studying chemistry or world history. He has been learning the intricacies of being a head coach for the past few months.
8/13/2009 6:22:00 PM
As far back as most can remember, South Florida has long been a hotbed when producing athletes who had the ability to play at a high level in college in the defensive secondary, and make it to the National Football League as well.
8/17/2009 2:12:00 PM
Coral Gables linebacker Denzel Perryman believes the attention he has attracted from various college coaches is due to what he enjoys most on the football field -- making jarring tackles.
8/19/2009 9:37:00 PM
Playing virtually every snap of a football game isn't common at the large-school level. But Hialeah's Calvin Smith did it last season at two of the toughest positions: offensive and defensive line.
8/25/2009 1:52:00 PM
A football purist will say that defense wins championships.
For Booker T. Washington senior defensive end Lynden Trail, that statement isn't strong enough.
8/27/2009 3:27:00 PM
Off the field, La Salle's Sam Miller has a soft-spoken, almost gentle demeanor.
On the football field, however, it is quite a different story.
8/27/2009 3:37:00 PM
A quarterback is normally considered the leader of a football team.
But during Michael Strauss' junior season in 2008, he deferred to seniors such as running back Darian Mallary , linebacker Frank Telfort , and wide receiver Conner Vernon .
8/27/2009 1:00:00 AM
Dade and Broward county high school football teams took to the field Thursday night in a bevy of preseason classics.
NORTHWESTERN 38 - NORLAND 7
8/30/2009
In the past five years, a prototype for the University of Florida football player has emerged. Up and down Urban Meyer's roster, recruits have shared traits regardless of position best summed up in two words: speed and power.
8/29/2009 1:00:00 AM
It could be time to get rid of the word ``mythical'' when referring to these national champions.
Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, which finished last season ranked as the consensus No. 1 team in the country, picked up right where it left off with a 52-7 rout of Upper Arlington (Ohio) on Saturday at Ohio Stadium in the opening game of the Burger King Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Football Series.
9/1/2009 1:00:00 AM
NORTHWESTERN
VS. CAROL CITY
7:30 p.m., Friday, Traz.
Ever since Northwestern began its four-year run as Miami-Dade County's top team, it has dominated this once competitive rivalry.
9/2/2009 1:00:00 AM
Northwestern and Central, expected to vie for supremacy in Miami-Dade County this season, debuted at the top spots in the first Florida high school football state rankings released by The Associated Press on Tuesday.
9/3/2009 1:00:00 AM
The Ronald Reagan football team's school bus looked like a party bus when it left Ted Hendricks Stadium on Wednesday night.
Players were hollering and cheering while fellow students screamed and honked the horns in celebration as they followed in their cars.
9/3/2009 1:00:00 AM
While Orlando and the state championships are still months away, it's never too early to predict which teams will lineup for two weekends to play for a coveted title.
9/5/2009 12:26:00 AM
Eduardo Clements, 17, has attended six funerals for fellow teenagers in his young life. The most recent, for Booker T. Washington High football teammate Anthony Smith, was the most wrenching.
9/5/2009 1:00:00 AM
Sean Taylor helped make Gulliver Prep a consistent football contender in Miami-Dade County.
And Friday, the Raiders linked the former University of Miami and NFL star's name to the team's future.
9/6/2009 1:00:00 AM
Coral Gables running back Jarvis Bridge has one season left to show scouts he can be a major contributor at the college level.
Bridge didn't waste any time Saturday night, returning the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. Shortly thereafter, Bridge scored the first of three rushing touchdowns that propelled Coral Gables to a comfortable 40-12 victory against Hialeah-Miami Lakes at Ted Hendricks Stadium.
9/8/2009 1:00:00 AM
After playing in the preseason the past four years, this meeting between Columbus and Belen Jesuit will count. But don't tell that to either side of this rivalry.
9/15/2009 1:00:00 AM
The past three meetings between these teams have been a nightmare for Hialeah, as Northwestern juggernaut has won by a combined 156-29.
9/15/2009 1:00:00 AM
Westland Hialeah's football team didn't take long to secure its first varsity football victory. Following an opening-week shutout loss to Miami Springs, the Wildcats defeated Coral Park 16-6 despite giving up 242 rushing yards to the Rams.
9/16/2009 2:00:00 AM
Teams in sports like football and basketball can easily intimidate opponents with their size and speed, even before a game.
Belen's cross-country team draws looks of awe before it even runs onto a course from just its sheer numbers.
9/16/2009 1:00:00 AM
Carol City opened the football season with consecutive losses and still is trying to find its offensive identity. But its outlook took a turn for the worse Monday.
9/17/2009 1:00:00 AM
For high school sports fans, the fall usually marks the start of football season.
But for many talented bowlers across the state, the end of summer is when the lanes start to heat up.
9/17/2009 1:00:00 AM
Jakhari Gore has already shown what a game-breaking threat he can be on the football field.
On Wednesday night, Gore showed he can be a workhorse, too.
Copyright 2009 MiamiHerald.com
news-press.com
7/23/2009 11:46:00 PM
Other than having good grades - they are required to be eligible in high school football - players at Shady Oaks Park agreed upon one skill that is...
7/31/2009 12:35:00 AM
Two things became clear to Bishop Verot High School officials upon learning that the football team would join an all-local district this season.
8/7/2009 12:44:00 AM
This week, 35 players on the East Lee County High School football team have been camping out in tents in the wilderness near Petersburg, W.Va.
8/6/2009 1:25:00 PM
Baker High tight end Jonathan Garcia has verbally committed to Wake Forest.
8/6/2009 1:16:00 PM
ESPNU released its list of the nation's top 150 high school football prospects Wednesday, and Cape Coral High's Jaylen Watkins, a University of...
8/7/2009 12:44:00 AM
This week, 35 players on the East Lee County High School football team have been camping out in tents in the wilderness near Petersburg, W.Va.
8/7/2009 12:41:00 AM
Baker High School tight end Jonathan Garcia has verbally committed to Wake Forest.
8/10/2009 2:46:00 PM
For a team used to a lot of celebrating — and usually in the postseason — the Naples High School football team was nothing but business as usual...
8/10/2009 2:31:00 PM
Lehigh Senior High School players had their first day of practice under new coach Pete Fominaya today.
8/10/2009 1:09:00 PM
The Southwest Florida Christian varsity football team held its first official practice this morning.
8/10/2009 12:22:00 PM
Three hours spent in the summer sun showed at the Dunbar football fields today.
8/10/2009 11:54:00 AM
At Gulf Coast High School, football players were sweating it out this morning on the first day of fall football practice.
8/10/2009 11:50:00 AM
When most people think of the beginning of football practice, they envision hot, sweaty practices under the scorching sun.
8/10/2009 11:02:00 AM
The oldest high school football program in Lee County had an early start this morning.
8/10/2009 12:10:00 AM
New districts entering the high school football season bring new rivalries, the obvious being crosstown neighbors Bishop Verot and Fort Myers.
8/11/2009 12:39:00 AM
As last year's high school football all-stars settle in at colleges throughout the country, new faces have been working hard to fill those roles.
8/12/2009 12:23:00 AM
The First Baptist Academy in Naples began its first football practices this week, amidst searing heat, big enthusiasm from the players and plenty of...
8/12/2009 12:23:00 AM
At first glance, it would seem that the odds are stacked against the Southwest Florida Christian Academy football team this season.
8/12/2009 11:37:00 PM
The North Fort Myers High football team changed its look on the sideline last season, hiring coach Barry Goettemoeller.
8/12/2009 4:48:00 PM
The Golden Gate Titans are adjusting to new coach Steve Crowley's coaching style.
8/12/2009 4:17:00 PM
LaBelle High football coach Hal Bennett is very excited about sophomore kicker David Antunez.
8/12/2009 4:07:00 PM
Gateway Charter coach Joe Swain is excited that his team will finally be playing against other Lee County competition and playing in a district.
8/12/2009 3:50:00 PM
The Clewiston High football team has 23 players on its varsity roster as of Wednesday.
8/12/2009 3:37:00 PM
The LaBelle High football team has hit the ground running looking to improve on last year's 0-10 season.
8/15/2009 1:02:00 AM
Four new local high school football coaches have five days of practice under their belts.
8/14/2009 10:00:00 PM
Two Island Coast High School football players have been instructed to stay home for at least seven days because they have flu-like symptoms.
8/14/2009 4:34:00 PM
Two Island Coast High School football players have been instructed to stay home for at least seven days because they have flu-like symptoms.
8/14/2009 12:55:00 AM
The smell of fresh-cut grass often marked the first week of high school football practices.
8/16/2009 12:37:00 AM
• The News-Press is featuring 30 Southwest Florida college football players projected to have a major role with their teams this season.
8/17/2009 3:30:00 PM
Dunbar High graduate Antavian Edison is making quite the impression on Purdue football coach Danny Hope.
8/20/2009 12:32:00 AM
The News-Press is featuring 30 Southwest Florida college football players projected to have major roles with their teams this season.
8/19/2009 10:41:00 AM
Get a first look at this season's Tigers squad with interviews, clips from practice and team information. |
8/21/2009 12:44:00 AM
Mariner High School football player Eric Mitchell has verbally committed to play at the University of Mississippi.
8/20/2009 11:14:00 PM
Get a first look at this season's Panther squad with interviews, clips from practice and team information. |
8/21/2009 10:12:00 PM
The News-Press is featuring 30 Southwest Florida college football players projected to have major roles with their teams this season.
8/23/2009 11:24:00 PM
As juniors at Cape Coral Christian last year, Josh Grayson, Jake Mikell and eight of their friends concocted a plan.
8/26/2009 12:17:00 AM
A North Fort Myers High football player was back home Tuesday after spending six days in the intensive-care unit recovering from heat stroke and...
8/27/2009 1:44:00 AM
North Fort Myers High freshman football player Chase Lopez was happy to be home and alive Wednesday.
8/26/2009 12:17:00 AM
A North Fort Myers High football player was back home Tuesday after spending six days in the intensive-care unit recovering from heat stroke and...
8/27/2009 7:37:00 PM
In his 38-year career, Cape Coral High football coach Mike Goebbel never witnessed anything like the recruiting circus that took over his school this...
8/28/2009 1:08:00 AM
A look at tonight's high school football preseason games:
8/28/2009 1:00:00 AM
The School District of Collier County canceled today's preseason football game between Lely High School and Tampa Catholic, after the district...
8/27/2009 7:02:00 PM
Evangelical Christian quarterback Colton Lynch has heard just about every question in the book about his football family.
8/27/2009 6:34:00 PM
Desmond Kearse has the complete package that college football programs are looking for.
8/27/2009 6:24:00 PM
In his gangly, preteen days with the Cape Coral Junior Football Association, Jonathan Garcia didn't turn many heads.
8/29/2009 10:45:00 AM
The Southwest Florida Christian Kings went into their inaugural football outing against North Broward Prep expecting the worst in Friday's preseason...
8/29/2009 1:56:00 AM
Two young football teams were put to the test at Sam Sirianni Field on Friday, but Plantation American Heritage came out on top, defeating host Fort...
9/3/2009 1:23:00 AM
Not many Naples High School football players start on the varsity team as sophomores.
9/4/2009 12:59:00 AM
Naples at Dunbar
9/4/2009 12:19:00 AM
If history is any indication, the scoreboard operator at Riverdale High School for tonight's season opening football game between East Lee County and...
9/3/2009 5:15:00 PM
Read about Friday's games, what to watch and The News-Press' picks.
9/5/2009 1:31:00 AM
A battle between two of Lee County's newest football programs turned into a rout as Southwest Florida Christian Academy thumped Cape Coral Christian...
9/6/2009 12:54:00 AM
Lely's Darion Hall rushed for 148 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, but it wasn't enough as the Trojans dropped their season opener 34-14 to Miami...
9/11/2009 1:03:00 AM
Things have not come easy for the Estero High School football team, which has lost 23 consecutive games dating to 2006.
9/11/2009 1:01:00 AM
The School District of Collier County announced that Lely High football coach Steve Pricer resigned Thursday, effective immediately.
9/11/2009 12:58:00 AM
- All games will be at 7:30 p.m. unless noted
9/10/2009 11:32:00 PM
• Radio: WMYR-AM (1410)
9/12/2009 1:49:00 AM
Entering Friday night, it had been 1,058 days since the Estero High football team had last won a game.
9/17/2009 1:33:00 AM
Dunbar (1-1) at Fort Myers (1-1)
9/17/2009 1:19:00 AM
Former Lely High School football coach Steve Pricer was forced to resign last week over what he called a dispute over football operations.
9/16/2009 5:20:00 PM
Check out our high school football preview show. It's Week 3 in Southwest Florida and we focus on the big game between Fort Myers and Dunbar.
9/16/2009 10:12:00 PM
Dunbar (1-1) at Fort Myers (1-1)
Copyright 2009, news-press.com
naplesnews.com Stories: Prepzone News
abusch@naplesnews.com (ANGELA BUSCH)
7/21/2009 10:18:00 PM
Edgerrin James is famous for his cut-backs, his side-to-side dashes, his unwillingness to be tackled, his hesitations, his spins. He’s got the moves.
abusch@naplesnews.com (ANGELA BUSCH)
7/21/2009 10:10:00 AM
Edgerrin James is making the most of his time off the football field by coming home -- and bringing company with him.
afisher@naplesnews.com (ADAM FISHER)
7/17/2009 6:08:00 PM
The Collier County leader in tackles last season and the reigning Daily News defensive player of the year is out of summer workouts with a broken leg.
abusch@naplesnews.com (ANGELA BUSCH)
7/17/2009 3:39:00 PM
He graduated from Immokalee High School 13 years ago, but Edgerrin James has never really left Collier County. The former Pro Bowl running back is making that clear next week by hosting a free mini-camp for local children on Tuesday at the Immokalee Sports Complex. The Edgerrin James Foundation and Collier County Parks and Recreation are hosting the event, which is from 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
afisher@naplesnews.com (ADAM FISHER)
7/16/2009 4:09:00 PM
The length of high school athletic seasons will remain the same next school year.The Florida High School Athletic Association board of directors voted unanimously Wednesday to rescind Policy 6, which reduced the number of contests by 20 percent in all varsity sports except football and competitive cheerleading. The board voted 15-0 to eliminate cutting competitions at a special meeting called after the group Florida Parents for Athletic Equity filed a lawsuit against the FHSAA in June. The lawsuit claimed Policy 6 was in violation of Title IX, which guarantees equal athletic opportunities for both genders, because it reduced more games in girls sports than boys.
afisher@naplesnews.com (ADAM FISHER)
8/10/2009 7:49:00 PM
Players in shorts and helmets chanting in unison. Coaches barking orders in gruffy football jargon. Blocking pads and dummies strewn about the field. Running drills and plays incessantly until every minuscule detail is perfect.
8/10/2009 3:11:00 PM
Our reporters are out covering the first day of high school football practice in Southwest Florida. This file will be updated as reports are sent in from each school:
tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)
8/10/2009 7:00:00 AM
It's official: High school football is under way. Teams can practice for the first time starting this morning, and Immokalee was among the earliest, starting at 6 a.m.
8/14/2009 4:02:00 PM
He's long been known as “Baby J” to his famous cousin, NFL running back Edgerrin James, and simply as J.J. by his University of Miami teammates.
wmwommack@naplesnews.com (WOODY WOMMACK)
8/14/2009 2:44:00 PM
Following the 2008 season in the Arena Football League, Cleannord Saintil felt like he was on top of the world.
afisher@naplesnews.com (ADAM FISHER)
8/13/2009 6:57:00 PM
Two-a-days. The term strikes fear in the hearts of most football players. The August ritual consists of two grueling practices under the hot Florida sun, when heat indexes can surpass 100 even during early-morning sessions.
tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)
8/17/2009 9:07:00 PM
Naples radio station WCNZ/AM 1660 once again will broadcast high school football games on a weekly basis this season. Joe Klimas will do the play-by-play, and Troy Miller will provide color commentary.
8/17/2009 8:33:00 PM
Notes on area football teams
wmwommack@naplesnews.com (WOODY WOMMACK)
8/20/2009 2:39:00 PM
As First Baptist Academy prepares to kick off its inaugural football season next week, another Collier County school could be the next to jump on the football bandwagon.
afisher@naplesnews.com (ADAM FISHER)
8/21/2009 7:34:00 PM
After being named the Daily News Offensive Player of the Year as a senior at Barron Collier, Quin Thornton will not play NCAA football this fall.
8/24/2009 10:30:00 PM
Notes on area football programs:
tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)
8/24/2009 5:56:00 PM
The Seattle Seahawks are mum on talk they are on "Edge." For now, anyway.
8/24/2009 5:31:00 PM
Join Nick Krueger and Adam Fisher as they break down a new football team each until the start of the season.
tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)
8/24/2009 5:56:00 PM
The Seattle Seahawks are mum on talk they are on "Edge." For now, anyway.
afisher@naplesnews.com (ADAM FISHER)
8/26/2009 2:25:00 PM
The Naples High football team has gone through reclassifications before, and it hasn’t mattered.
8/26/2009 9:00:00 AM
2009 preseason schedule
8/24/2009 5:31:00 PM
Join Nick Krueger and Adam Fisher as they break down a new football team each day until the start of the season.
afisher@naplesnews.com (ADAM FISHER)
8/27/2009 3:24:00 PM
A cloud of disappointment hung over the Lely High School football locker room Thursday, minutes after the Trojans learned Friday’s preseason game was canceled because of an outbreak of the H1N1 influenza virus at opponent Tampa Catholic. With as much as 20 percent of Tampa Catholic High School’s 700 students out this week with swine flu symptoms, the Collier County School District called off Friday’s game with concern the Lely players could become infected.
8/28/2009 11:14:00 PM
Besides an injury that knocked LaBelle's starting quarterback out of the game, Friday night's contest between the Cowboys and Indians looked like a typical preseason high school football matchup.
wmwommack@naplesnews.com (WOODY WOMMACK)
8/28/2009 10:46:00 PM
In a game that featured over 700 yards of offense and nearly 100 points, Barron Collier held off South Fort Myers 45-40 at home on Friday night.
heart22@comcast.com (TOM RIFE)
8/28/2009 10:39:00 PM
As dress rehearsals go, the Golden Gate Titans had to like what they saw in Friday night’s Kickoff Classic preseason football game at St. John Neumann.
dccaldwell@naplesnews.com (DANA CALDWELL)
8/28/2009 10:37:00 PM
The brand-new FieldTurf at Gulf Coast was home to a weird, pass-happy and fumble-filled tuneup for next week’s real deals Friday night.
afisher@naplesnews.com (ADAM FISHER)
8/28/2009 10:34:00 PM
The Naples High defense did it’s best to bail out the team’s stagnant offense in Friday’s Kickoff Classic against Hialeah, but the Golden Eagles couldn’t find the endzone in a 7-6 loss.
dave.montrose@gmail.com (DAVE MONTROSE)
8/28/2009 10:33:00 PM
From a glance, Estero’s preseason loss Friday night looked like a prelude to another rough year for the Wildcats.
8/28/2009 10:06:00 PM
After finishing with a 1-9 record in 2008 and with a new regime at the helm in first-year coach Dan Newbrough, Palmetto Ridge faced a tough task against Division I recruit running back Marcus Shaw and his Arcadia-DeSoto teammates in Friday night’s kickoff classic
tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)
8/28/2009 7:30:00 AM
Tonight, the area's high school football teams get one final tune-up for the real thing, the regular season. They just may be preseason games, but we'll have them covered with our team of reporters, photographers and video.
8/28/2009 11:34:00 PM
It might only be preseason but it’s still high school football. Check out all of the photos and stories from Friday night’s action.
scottbclair@yahoo.com (SCOTT CLAIR)
8/30/2009 6:00:00 AM
The last time Immokalee played on the Class 2A level, in 2004, the Indians finished 11-2 and won the state championship.
rjlalonde@naplesnews.com (ROGER LALONDE)
8/30/2009 6:00:00 AM
The Lely Trojans will open their season at Miami-Gulliver Prep on Friday night with a lot of pent-up energy.
afisher@naplesnews.com (ADAM FISHER)
8/30/2009 6:00:00 AM
There are always high expectations when playing at Southwest Florida’s pre-eminent football program, but this year’s Naples High players could feel additional pressure to match last season’s record-setting offense.
8/28/2009 11:34:00 PM
It might only be preseason but it’s still high school football. Check out all of the photos and stories from Friday night’s action.
wmwommack@naplesnews.com (WOODY WOMMACK)
8/31/2009 6:00:00 AM
Following a 1-9 season in 2008, a coaching change and an offseason transfer of one of the team’s top offense weapons, one wouldn’t expect spirits to be high in the Palmetto Ridge football team’s locker room.
wmwommack@naplesnews.com (WOODY WOMMACK)
8/31/2009 6:00:00 AM
When Steve Crowley took over the Golden Gate football program from longtime coach Dave Tanner earlier this year, he knew he would have his work cut out for him.
8/28/2009 11:34:00 PM
It might only be preseason but it’s still high school football. Check out all of the photos and stories from Friday night’s action.
heart22@comcast.com (TOM RIFE)
9/1/2009 6:00:00 AM
Numbers are up. Spirits are up. Time is up.
afisher@naplesnews.com (ADAM FISHER)
9/1/2009 6:00:00 AM
Dating back to its first practice this past spring, the First Baptist Academy football program turns four months old today. In that short time, the first-year Lions already have heard enough from the team’s critics.
kkjohnson@bonitanews.com (KEVIN JOHNSON)
9/2/2009 6:01:00 AM
When last season ended, Grant Redhead could have easily pointed to the eight wins his South Fort Myers Wolfpack accumulated and patted the boys on the back.
kkjohnson@bonitanews.com (KEVIN JOHNSON)
9/2/2009 6:00:00 AM
Rich Dombroski isn’t greedy. The Estero High football coach would settle for one.
tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)
9/1/2009 6:36:00 PM
The Naples High football team was ranked third in Class 3A in the Associated Press poll released Tuesday afternoon
scottbclair@yahoo.com (SCOTT CLAIR)
9/3/2009 6:00:00 AM
There’s a lot of newness for the Sharks football team this season: new quarterback, new defensive system, new district and a new synthetic turf field.
tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)
9/2/2009 10:11:00 PM
Updates on local college football players:
afisher@naplesnews.com (ADAM FISHER)
9/2/2009 2:13:00 PM
In a rematch of one of last season’s best games, both Naples and Dunbar high schools expect larger than normal crowds for Friday’s football season opener.
kkjohnson@bonitanews.com (KEVIN JOHNSON)
9/2/2009 6:01:00 AM
When last season ended, Grant Redhead could have easily pointed to the eight wins his South Fort Myers Wolfpack accumulated and patted the boys on the back.
kkjohnson@bonitanews.com (KEVIN JOHNSON)
9/2/2009 6:00:00 AM
Rich Dombroski isn’t greedy. The Estero High football coach would settle for one.
kkjohnson@bonitanews.com (KEVIN JOHNSON)
9/3/2009 5:41:00 PM
Two tight games were an ideal way start to the south Lee County rivalry between Estero and South Fort Myers.
wmwommack@naplesnews.com (WOODY WOMMACK)
9/3/2009 5:35:00 PM
Despite a preseason game that featured missed opportunities and a few mistakes, first-year Palmetto Ridge coach Dan Newbrough is upbeat heading into his team's contest against Port Charlotte on Friday night.
wmwommack@naplesnews.com (WOODY WOMMACK)
9/3/2009 5:25:00 PM
Taking a program that finishes near the bottom of the standings year after year isn't going to be easy for first-year Golden Gate football coach Steve Crowley.
heart22@comcast.com (TOM RIFE)
9/3/2009 2:54:00 PM
In one sense, it’s déjà vu for the St. John Neumann Celtics in Friday’s 2009 regular-season opener. Just like last year, the Warriors of Miami-Westminster Christian School will be on other side of the football.
rjlalonde@naplesnews.com (ROGER LALONDE)
9/3/2009 2:23:00 PM
Unfortunately for Miami-Gulliver Prep coach Earl Sims, his team might just play into Lely’s strengths when they host the Trojans at 4 p.m. Friday. That's if his team's performance in its preseason game is any indication.
afisher@naplesnews.com (ADAM FISHER)
9/3/2009 2:17:00 PM
Even before boarding the bus to Moore Haven for the program’s first ever game, First Baptist Academy already has felt the positive effects a football team can bring.
afisher@naplesnews.com (ADAM FISHER)
9/3/2009 2:11:00 PM
Both teams in Friday night’s Immokalee at Barron Collier matchup are coming off preseason victories, yet both they’ll need to play better tonight to earn Week 1 victories.
tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)
9/3/2009 9:52:00 AM
For the 20th year, the state of Florida can catch up on scores live every Friday night. The Beef ‘O’ Brady’s High School Scoreboard is back for its 20th installment, broadcasting on over 30 radio stations around the state from 10 p.m.-midnight starting Friday. Local stations WMYR/AM 1410 and WCNZ/AM 1660 will be picking up the show.
9/3/2009 7:24:00 AM
Can Dunbar beat Naples? Will Immokalee upset Barron? Can Estero get a win? Check out Week 1 analysis.
afisher@naplesnews.com (ADAM FISHER)
9/3/2009 6:00:00 AM
Barron Collier had one of the most prolific offenses in Southwest Florida last season, ringing up more than 33 points a game and winning a second straight district championship.
afisher@naplesnews.com (ADAM FISHER)
9/4/2009 10:45:00 PM
The offense looked sloppy at times, and the defense gave up some big plays, but both Naples High units performed when they needed to in the Golden Eagles’ 14-12 victory Friday at Dunbar.
9/4/2009 10:44:00 PM
Dan Newbrough’s Palmetto Ridge Bears did just about everything right Friday night, as the first-year head coach celebrated a 38-20 victory over Port Charlotte.
kkjohnson@bonitanews.com (KEVIN JOHNSON)
9/4/2009 10:40:00 PM
Heavy favorite South Fort Myers let it be known early that there would be no upset on opening night.
heart22@comcast.com (TOM RIFE)
9/4/2009 10:33:00 PM
With a full moon hovering to the east of Cougar Stadium, one might have expected some oddball events Friday night when Barron Collier played host to Immokalee in the 2009 regular-season opener for both teams.
dccaldwell@naplesnews.com (DANA CALDWELL)
9/4/2009 10:26:00 PM
Gulf Coast made its third straight playoff appearance last year while Golden Gate won but one game and has yet to play in the postseason.
wmwommack@naplesnews.com (WOODY WOMMACK)
9/4/2009 10:25:00 PM
First Baptist Academy got its first taste of varsity high school football on Friday night, and the Lions took their lumps as Moore Haven overpowered FBA 56-6.
9/4/2009 9:15:00 PM
This time, the taste of meaningful football was mere minutes away for the Lely Trojans. Pregame ceremonies were finished; the last warmup passes and punts flew through Friday’s damp air.
ankent@gmail.com (ANDY KENT)
9/4/2009 8:54:00 PM
There was no final score to analyze Friday for St. John Neumann football coach Steve Howey as the Celtics’ season opener with Miami-Westminster Christian was called due to lightning with 8:30 left in the first half and the Warriors leading 13-0.
9/5/2009 8:54:00 PM
Darion Hall rushed for 165 yards and Lely High School overcame thunder and lightning, cross-state treks and a global pandemic in the past week to finally hit someone besides each other, even if it was for only three quarters.
9/5/2009 1:58:00 PM
Notes from Friday night's games.
tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)
9/5/2009 11:27:00 AM
After 22 1/2 hours, Lely High School's football team has finally taken the field for its 2009 opener. Lightning delayed the start of the Lely-Gulliver Prep game, scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Saturday in Miami.
kkjohnson@bonitanews.com (KEVIN JOHNSON)
9/4/2009 10:40:00 PM
Heavy favorite South Fort Myers let it be known early that there would be no upset on opening night.
heart22@comcast.com (TOM RIFE)
9/4/2009 10:33:00 PM
With a full moon hovering to the east of Cougar Stadium, one might have expected some oddball events Friday night when Barron Collier played host to Immokalee in the 2009 regular-season opener for both teams.
9/7/2009 7:17:00 PM
Notes on area football teams:
wmwommack@naplesnews.com (WOODY WOMMACK)
9/7/2009 7:14:00 PM
When most recruiting experts discuss a Division I standout football player at Lely, the conversation is almost always centered around running back Darion Hall.
tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)
9/8/2009 7:13:00 PM
Naples High picked up one first-place vote in Class 3A but remained the state's No. 3 team
tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)
9/9/2009 3:18:00 PM
First Baptist Academy’s new football field will remain in the dark at least for one more week.
tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)
9/11/2009 6:00:00 AM
Check out this week's previews and if you can't go to the game come back tonight for live scores, updates and photo galleries from all of the area's action.
afisher@naplesnews.com (ADAM FISHER)
9/10/2009 6:24:00 PM
Tim Speakman knows better than anyone the intensity that surrounds the Battle for the Gate. A year ago, Speakman was running Palmetto Ridge football practices, trying to get his team ready for the annual game against Golden Gate. He saw the motivation and desire in his Bears to beat their biggest rival.
heart22@comcast.com (TOM RIFE)
9/10/2009 5:53:00 PM
The Barron Collier Cougars want to show everyone that they can play football with the big dogs. And that is why head coach Mark Ivey and the Cougars are eager to sink their claws into the Miami-Archbishop Carroll Bulldogs on Friday night on BC’s artificial turf.
kkjohnson@bonitanews.com (KEVIN JOHNSON)
9/10/2009 5:48:00 PM
South Fort Myers and East Lee County enter week two from opposite ends of the spectrum.
wmwommack@naplesnews.com (WOODY WOMMACK)
9/10/2009 3:31:00 PM
One of Southwest Florida’s finest high school football rivalries will add another chapter to its storied history when Naples travels to Immokalee on Friday night.
dccaldwell@naplesnews.com (DANA CALDWELL)
9/10/2009 2:11:00 PM
Estero's Wildcats honestly believe they can scratch out a win Friday night at home against St. John Neumann and snap their 22-game losing streak.
afisher@naplesnews.com (ADAM FISHER, ROGER LALONDE)
9/10/2009 1:52:00 PM
Just hours after Collier County Public Schools issued a press release saying Lely football coach Steve Pricer resigned because of health issues, the now ex-Trojans coach said his health is not why he is no longer on the sideline.
afisher@naplesnews.com (ADAM FISHER)
9/10/2009 1:47:00 PM
In the program’s first game, the First Baptist Academy football team found out action on Friday nights goes much faster than afternoon practices.
wmwommack@naplesnews.com (WOODY WOMMACK)
9/11/2009 5:50:00 PM
With his team up two points and just over two minutes left in his first game as a starter for Ohio State, former Immokalee star Brian Rolle was in the right place at the right time — and that wasn’t by accident.
tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)
9/12/2009 6:00:00 AM
Updates on local players in college football:
scottbclair@yahoo.com (SCOTT CLAIR)
9/11/2009 11:37:00 PM
Though the skies finally cleared enough Friday to allow the Lely football team to play a complete game for the first time this season Friday night, considerable storm clouds still loomed over the program in the form of ex-coach Steve Pricer.
dccaldwell@naplesnews.com (DANA CALDWELL)
9/11/2009 11:20:00 PM
Seems these always are long-range shootouts. Unfortunately for East Lee County, the Jaguars finally ran out of bullets. South Fort Myers survived huge games by East running backs James Holland and Kyandre Smith and a late lightning delay to get out of Jaguar Stadium with a 42-38 win.
kkjohnson@bonitanews.com (KEVIN JOHNSON)
9/11/2009 10:58:00 PM
The streak is over.
9/11/2009 10:49:00 PM
Despite the pouring rain, a 90-minute lightning delay and no lights, the First Baptist Academy Lions and the St. Stephen’s Episcopal Falcons battled it out, and while the Lions couldn’t seem to catch a break, the Falcons caught them all, beating First Baptist 47-0.
wmwommack@naplesnews.com (WOODY WOMMACK)
9/11/2009 10:28:00 PM
With his team down 24-18, facing a fourth-and-eight from the Naples 26-yard line and just over two minutes left in the fourth quarter, Immokalee quarterback Kovan McSwain knew he would need a miracle to bring his team a victory.
afisher@naplesnews.com (ADAM FISHER)
9/11/2009 9:58:00 PM
An early offensive outburst Friday had Palmetto Ridge thinking it would cruise to another victory in the Battle for the Gate. Two first-quarter touchdowns, though, proved to be just enough for the Bears to hold off Golden Gate.
heart22@comcast.com (TOM RIFE)
9/11/2009 9:50:00 PM
Spreading around the offensive responsibility, Barron Collier improved to 2-0 Friday night with a 49-14 victory over Miami-Archbishop Carroll (0-2).
scottbclair@yahoo.com (SCOTT CLAIR, ADAM FISHER, ROGER LALONDE)
9/11/2009 12:52:00 PM
Weather permitting, former Lely coach Steve Pricer plans on being in the stands when the Trojans hosted Gulf Coast tonight at 7:30.
tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)
9/11/2009 6:00:00 AM
Check out this week's previews and if you can't go to the game come back tonight for live scores, updates and photo galleries from all of the area's action.
9/12/2009 11:46:00 AM
Our reporters weren't done after Friday night's games. They're filing follow-up notes today. Here's what's in so far:
tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)
9/12/2009 10:32:00 PM
Updates on local college football players heading into the first week of games
9/14/2009 9:00:00 PM
Notes on area football teams:
tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)
9/14/2009 7:41:00 PM
The following is the Beef 'O' Brady's Top 25 high school football poll. First place votes are in parentheses, followed by classification, record and points.
tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)
9/14/2009 6:21:00 PM
The Associated Press Top 10 Florida high school football poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records, rating points and previous rankings:
rjlalonde@naplesnews.com (ROGER LALONDE)
9/14/2009 5:57:00 PM
Thom Popoli, a Lely volunteer assistant football coach and avid backer of Lely athletics through his Foxboro Sports Tavern, is trying to get Steve Pricer's job back.
afisher@naplesnews.com (ADAM FISHER)
9/16/2009 2:06:00 PM
Last weekend might have been one of the best in the young lives of Estero’s 35 varsity football players.
tlaten@naplesnews.com (Naples Daily News staff report)
9/15/2009 1:10:00 PM
Despite a last-minute cancelation by its opponent, First Baptist Academy will play its first ever home football game as scheduled Friday.
afisher@naplesnews.com (ADAM FISHER)
9/16/2009 9:46:00 PM
As a coaching colleague and a good friend of ousted Lely football coach Steve Pricer, Thom Popoli said the former Trojans coach didn’t get a fair shake when he was forced to resign last week.
kkjohnson@bonitanews.com (KEVIN JOHNSON)
9/16/2009 8:33:00 PM
Five miles separate South Fort Myers and Cypress Lake high schools. The distance on the scoreboard, however, has been far greater in this south Lee County rivalry that has yet to produce a close game.
afisher@naplesnews.com (ADAM FISHER)
9/16/2009 7:53:00 PM
The Naples High football team will play the rest of the season without quarterback Kyle Zech.