High school football season is …ov…ov…ov… I can’t say it. Go ahead. You try. Feels weird, doesn’t it? Ov …ovvvvvva… But it is. Let’s face it, we’re spoiled. We’ve had Tampa Bay area teams playing for state titles since, like, forever. Or at least 2000. You have to go back ...
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Thu. Dec. 20, 2012 at 11:50 a.m. | John C. Cotey
Clearwater Central Catholic safety Michael Stevenson ended his recruiting saga by committing to Wake Forest, Marauders coach John Davis said Wednesday. “It is a good fit for the school and for Mike,” Davis said. “Wake Forest is getting a good one because Mike can play.” Listed as a three-star recruit ...
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Wed. Dec. 19, 2012 at 9:10 p.m. | Bob Putnam
CLEARWATER — Lakewood receiver Marquez Valdes’ goal was to make it to the Class 5A state title game. That did not happen. The Spartans lost in heartbreaking fashion to Robinson in the region semifinals. But even though Valdes’ season ended on low note, his prep career finished on a high ...
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Thu. Dec. 13, 2012 at 12:20 a.m. | Bob Putnam
Five things we learned Friday night1. No chinks in the armor: Robinson's 49-21 victory over Pasco showed it has no glaring holes that Tallahassee Godby, its state semifinal foe, can expose. We knew about the Knights' speed, assertiveness up front and opportunistic defense, but the kicking game caught us off ...
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Sat. Dec. 01, 2012 at 5:37 p.m. | Times Staff
The Friday Night Rewind crew hit the two local playoff football games Friday night: Pasco-Robinson and University-Clearwater Central Catholic. And the gang also got into a little hoops action this week. Bonus videos from Berkeley Prep-Lakewood and River Ridge-Wiregrass Ranch. Bonus videos:
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Sat. Dec. 01, 2012 at 5:53 a.m. | Times Staff
photo gallery CLEARWATER — As he addressed his players after their 42-0 Class 3A state semifinal loss to Fort Lauderdale University School on Friday, Clearwater Central Catholic coach John Davis tried to remind them of this year’s accomplishments. He brought up the school-record 11 wins, the first semifinal appearance in ...
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Sat. Dec. 01, 2012 at 12:13 a.m. | Rodney Page
CLEARWATER — Jake Shade led his team to the playoffs last season. He won eight games, completed 64 percent of his passes and threw one interception in 113 pass attempts. Just one. Then they took his job away. “Disappointed? Yes,” he said. Naturally, he wondered what he had done wrong, ...
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Thu. Nov. 29, 2012 at 6:40 p.m. | John C. Cotey
Class 3A state semifinal Fort Lauderdale University School (10-0) at Clearwater Central Catholic (11-1), 7:30 Friday Watch: Game will be streamed live on YouTube by PlayOnNetwork. Winner gets: Orlando First Academy/Madison County winner in the state final at Orlando’s Citrus Bowl on Dec. 8 at 1 p.m. Playoff history: University ...
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Thu. Nov. 29, 2012 at 1:32 p.m. | Times Staff
CLEARWATER — They chase quarterbacks and running backs, hoping to slam them into the ground, delivering blows with such force that perhaps the football, or even a helmet, might spurt free. Those are the intentions of Clearwater Central Catholic’s linebacking trio of Kyle Brittain, Caanan Brown and Ethan Thompson. The ...
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Wed. Nov. 28, 2012 at 1:36 p.m. | Bob Putnam
These are the high school football playoffs. They are designed to get tougher each week, designed to culminate in crowning the best team in each classification. But if any of Tampa Bay’s teams makes a state final this season, it probably won’t be the hardest game of the season. That ...
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Mon. Nov. 26, 2012 at 6:38 p.m. | John C. Cotey
In hopes of alleviating long lines for Friday night's Class 3A state semifinal against Fort Lauderdale University, Clearwater Central Catholic will make tickets available in advance for its game. Tickets will be available Tuesday-Thursday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the school's front office. Tickets are $9 and must be purchased ...
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Mon. Nov. 26, 2012 at 5:43 p.m. | Rodney Page
They started off by playing one another in one of the most anticipated matchups of the season. • Now, Clearwater Central Catholic and East Lake are the only county teams left standing in the playoffs. • The Marauders (11-1) are in the state semifinals for the second time in school ...
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Sat. Nov. 24, 2012 at 6:09 p.m. | Times Staff
The Friday Night Rewind crew brings you playoff highlights from Clearwater Central Catholic-Tampa Catholic, Hillsborough-Armwood and Gainesville Eastside-Pasco:
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Sat. Nov. 24, 2012 at 4:42 a.m. | Times Staff
CLEARWATER Breaking! Someone scored on Clearwater Central Catholic. Really. It happened. Friday night. With 2:49 left in the first half, Tampa Catholic running back Kenny Bryant scored on a 3-yard run. Usually this time of year, that’s hardly news. But this CCC defense has been newsworthy, to say the least. ...
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Sat. Nov. 24, 2012 at 1:00 a.m. | John C. Cotey
photo gallery CLEARWATER — Having a good defense means never having to say you’re sorry. It also means Clearwater Central Catholic is headed to the state semifinals for the second time in school history. A fourth-down gamble late in Friday’s Class 3A region final against rival Tampa Catholic could have ...
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Sat. Nov. 24, 2012 at 12:56 a.m. | Bob Putnam