Spring football gives coaches time to test out players who are new to the sport or evaluate players who have seen little varsity action. • Here are four of the North Suncoast’s secret weapons who saw little or no varsity time last fall but could become game changers this upcoming ...
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Thu. May 16, 2013 at 3:02 p.m. | Matt Baker
LAND O’LAKES In Sunlake’s rise from Pasco County doormat to regular playoff contender, the Seahawks haven’t had to face an offseason like this one: The graduation of 22 seniors, including two 1,000-yard rushers (Josh Zifer and Eddie Burgos). • “This is the most puzzle pieces we’ve had to put together ...
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Tue. May 14, 2013 at 2:56 p.m. | Matt Baker
HOLIDAY Despite Anclote’s reliance on the run last fall, the Sharks needed the leadership and skills of quarterback John Forgione to make their first playoff run. • That’s why one of Anclote’s big challenges this spring — along with developing the offensive line — is to find the replacement for ...
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Mon. May 13, 2013 at 8:18 p.m. | Matt Baker
LAND O’LAKES – After an all-North Suncoast prep career, Eddie Burgos is ready for what’s next in college. The Sunlake athlete signed with Black Hills State in a ceremony Friday afternoon. He was joined by OL Aaron Protch (Geneva College) and LB Brogan Ronske (Butte College). “I just want to ...
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Fri. May 10, 2013 at 3:51 p.m. | Matt Baker
One of the North Suncoast’s top athletes is off the recruiting market and joining a Pasco County rush to South Dakota. Sunlake ATH Eddie Burgos plans to sign with Black Hills State, Seahawks coach Bill Browning said Monday in an email. Pasco County coaches named Burgos the Sunshine Athletic Conference’s ...
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Mon. May 06, 2013 at 3:46 p.m. | Matt Baker
Quarterbacks get the headlines, the pressure and the scrutiny — even in spring ball. The North Suncoast didn’t graduate any superstar passers, but it lost several veteran starters and ended last season with a few battles still brewing under center. Here’s a quick look at some of the quarterback situations ...
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Thu. May 02, 2013 at 8:45 p.m. | Matt Baker
Two Sunlake football players have firmed up their college futures, Seahawks coach Bill Browning said Friday morning in an email. C Aaron Protch has orally committed to Geneva College during a visit to the NCAA Division III school in Beaver Falls, Pa. The 5-foot-11, 260-pound Protch led Sunlake with 14 ...
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Fri. April 05, 2013 at 11:27 a.m. | Matt Baker
ST. PETERSBURG — The last electrifying moment of Monday night came down to Northeast’s Drew Vimond, a player who has the flair for the dramatic. Vimond stepped to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning with the game against Sunlake tied at 2. He saw a fastball come ...
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Mon. March 25, 2013 at 11:28 p.m. | Bob Putnam
Girls player of the year Amanda Hayes, So., Mitchell Why we picked her: Hayes was the top offensive threat on the North Suncoast’s best team in a decade. She scored four goals in a season-opening win over Hudson and didn’t slow down. Hayes finished with a team-best 33 goals and ...
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Sat. March 16, 2013 at 8:03 p.m. | Matt Baker
LAND O’LAKES — During its perfect start to the season, Land O’Lakes has won in blowouts and close games. It has triumphed with offense and defense and pitching. And Friday night at rival Sunlake, the Gators won ugly — with a rally fueled by two bunt singles and a balk ...
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Sat. March 09, 2013 at 12:09 a.m. | Matt Baker
With winter sports wrapping up this week, baseball is swinging into focus. Here are the North Suncoast’s five biggest questions after the season’s first few games, plus a look at some of 2013’s top early performers: Five early questions 1. How will Land O’Lakes rebound from 2012? The Gators have ...
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Thu. Feb. 28, 2013 at 1:01 p.m. | Matt Baker
Sunlake K Connor Gilboy is headed to Florida as a preferred walk-on, the Seahawks announced Thursday morning via Twitter. The senior two-sport standout had plenty of soccer options, including interest from Stanford and Wake Forest. Gilboy set a Pasco County single-season record with 60 goals this winter during the Seahawks’ ...
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Thu. Feb. 21, 2013 at 11:44 a.m. | Matt Baker
LAND O’LAKES — The ball bounced Sunlake’s way for 30 perfect games. In the final 20 minutes of the 31st, the ball finally rolled the other direction. Ponte Vedra’s Michael Lee scored with 18 minutes left on a corner kick that couldn’t be cleared to end the best season in ...
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Fri. Feb. 08, 2013 at 10:37 p.m. | Matt Baker
The four area boys soccer teams standing on the precipice of a state title have reached the outer rungs of their respective brackets with collaborative efforts. Few get this far without production from different players; the guy who steps up Thursday may not be the same one who stars Friday. ...
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Thu. Feb. 07, 2013 at 8:35 p.m. | Times Staff
GAINESVILLE — Sunlake earned a trip to the state semifinals by defeating Gainesville Eastside in dramatic fashion, 2-1 in double overtime at Citizens’ Field in the 3A region final Tuesday night on Connor Spencer’s winning goal off a turnover at the 3:06 mark. Both teams battled in a physical game ...
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Wed. Feb. 06, 2013 at 12:41 a.m. | Joseph Kornecki III