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East Lake's Mike Lube has seen Tarpon rivalry from both sides

 
Published Sept. 22, 2016

For Mike Lube, the Tarpon Springs-East Lake game will have a strange vibe.

Last year, he experienced the intensity of the rivalry for the first time as the Spongers' coach.

Friday night, Lube will get a taste of competing against his former team when he coaches from the opposing sideline as an assistant with the Eagles.

"It's real emotional this week," Lube said. "I grew real close to a lot of the players and families at Tarpon Springs. Now, I'm starting to do the same thing at East Lake. There's an attachment to both sides, which makes it really tough."

In March, Lube was dismissed as coach by principal Leza Fatolitis. He went 2-8 in his only season at Tarpon Springs.

George Kotis returned for his second stint at the school, replacing Lube.

In the spring, Lube was hired as an assistant at neighboring rival East Lake, where he now teaches.

The passion for the rivalry does not change.

"It's still the best rivalry in Pinellas County," Lube said. "There's nothing like it. Still, I can't wait for this week to be over. It's causing too many sleepless nights."