Largo                  18

SCORE BY QUARTER

For most of the 21st century, Largo has worn the crown as the marquee program in Pinellas County. The reign, though, appears to have come to an end.

Diomi Roberts rushed for 180 yards and three touchdowns to lead Countryside to a 28-18 victory over the Packers on Friday. The Cougars (3-0) have taken three straight regular-season meetings from Largo since a playoff loss to it in 2008.

“Everybody talks about (Largo’s) a physical team,” said Roberts, whose team rushed for 219 yards in all.

“We just wanted to show them who was more physical and who was the best team in Pinellas County. They’ve got a good tradition here at Largo, and now we’re starting one at Countryside.”

Largo (1-2) had its chances. After a 40-yard punt return for a touchdown by Derrick Doss cut its lead to 20-12 with 10:27 left, Countryside embarked on a 12-play, 59-yard drive capped by Roberts’ 7 -yard touchdown.

The Cougars converted a fourth and 1 from the Packers 37, Roberts taking an option pitch 7 yards.

Almost as important, the drive took nearly seven minutes off the clock.

“I was going to punt, and Diomi came up to me and said, ‘Coach, I got this. Run this play, and it’s mine,’  ” Cougars coach Jared Davis said. “I said, ‘If you’re telling me that, you better do it.’  ”

The Cougars extend their regular-season win streak to 17 games. Three wins have come against the Packers.

“We don’t think about the past victories,” Roberts said. “We just think about the next one; the one in front of us.”

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Story by tampabay.com/hometeam

West Orange          1

SCORE BY PERIOD

Countryside goalkeeper Danny George could think of just one thing Friday when the head referee held up one finger in the Class 6A region semifinal against Winter Garden West Orange.

“This is going to be the longest minute I’ve ever had to experience,” George said.

With the Cougars clinging to a 2-1 lead, George was correct as the Warriors sent every player forward, including keeper Juan Fajardo. George was peppered with one shot after another — five in the final minute — until at last the final whistle sounded, setting off a wild celebration by fans and players at midfield.

“I just didn’t want anything like the Plant game to happen again,” George said in reference to last season’s heartbreaker in which Countryside allowed Plant to score in the final minute of regulation then in overtime in a 2-1 defeat in the region semifinals. “We’ve worked so hard to get back to this point and beyond, I don’t think I could have taken it if the same thing happened again.”

The Cougars (23-1-1), No. 9 in the ESPN Rise poll, got off to a slow start then broke through early in the second half when Taylor Cook found Nikolai Hammer open at the top of the goalmouth and Hammer easily put it past Fajardo.

Countryside’s next goal with eight minutes to play typified the way the Cougars have played all season as Dalton Martinez received a pass from his brother, Jagger, and took the ball into the corner, where he chipped a cross over to the middle part of the penalty box. Derya Ekren, with his back to the goal, did a mini-bicycle kick sending the ball into the left corner of the goal.

The Warriors (13-2-1) made the game interesting 25 seconds later when Evan Cartwright put in a header off a cross on a corner kick by Camillo Villa.

“It’s been tough because we’ve had the talent but for whatever reason, we haven’t been able to capitalize on it,” Countryside coach Dave Sica said. “We’ve faced adversity throughout the year and from season to season, but when this group decides to work, they’re capable of achieving big things.”

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tampabay.com/hometeam

East Lake            0

SCORE BY PERIOD

When asked if it seemed Countryside had the “it” factor to compete for the state title after a 3-0 victory over East Lake on Tuesday, Cougars coach Dave Sica bristled at the notion.

“I don’t even want to think about our next game, let alone the playoffs,” he said. “Time will only tell.”

The Cougars, who have wins over Palm Harbor University and Seminole along with a 2-2 tie against Sickles, exhibited a championship style of play on both sides of the ball against a talented East Lake squad. The offense made just as many crafty plays as the defense did.

Nikolai Hammer had two goals to raise his season total to 18 and sophomore fullback David Kuckkahn tallied his first goal as Countryside improved to 9-1-1 and avenged last week’s penalty-kick loss to the Eagles in a Thanksgiving tournament.

“That was an eye-opener for us,” said Hammer, who scored five of the Cougars’ 10 goals in the tournament. “We were a little bit tense (Tuesday night) early on, but once (Kuckkahn) scored, it allowed us to relax and put things together a bit easier.”

The first half was evenly played until Kuckkahn flicked in a shot off a corner kick by Andrew Hitt just less than 15 minutes before halftime.

The Cougars were more aggressive in the second half and peppered Eagles keeper Stephen Barna with several shots on goal. Then Hammer got by a defender in the open field and rifled in a low line drive from just inside the penalty box to give the Cougars a comfortable cushion midway through the second half.

“We, as a coaching staff, have to keep reminding them that they have to prove they’re the best team on the field with hard work combined with their talent,” Sica said. “That’s our motto this year. Prove it. There’s too much work to be done before we can tell if we have what it takes to win states. We just have to keep progressing from one game to the next.”

The East Lake girls got goals from Madison Del Duca, Kristy Legoas and Meghan Dodge in a 3-0 victory over Countryside. The Cougars dominated in the first half with several shots on goal, but Eagles coach Derek Harrington moved Meghan Kelly and Karina White from outside halfback to the inner portion of his alignment to create more opportunities.

“They are our toughest players, and they were able to win the ball at midfield and create plays for our attackers,” he said.

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tampabay.com     Hometeam

“I think it is a wonderful opportunity that will provide unparalleled options on how students can further their education without having to go all the way to Palm Harbor,” said senior Aggie Boron. With the possibility of IB coming to Countryside, the program would be able to reach a new audience of Pinellas County students that can’t make the long trip to Palm Harbor each day. According to Tampabay.com, with about 567 students currently attending Palm Harbor’s IB program about 117 of those IB pupils are zoned for Countryside compared to the 115 students that are originally zoned to attend Palm Harbor. The other 335 students that make up the program should be attending various school’s throughout the county.

“I think it is a terrible idea since the hallways are already jammed packed. Our traditional program could suffer because of the lack of space,” argued senior, Sebastian Boron. Being one the most populated schools in the county, Countryside is still trying to locate teachers in regular classrooms even after the first six weeks. Some teachers are still forced to use science classroom labs as substitute classrooms until a suitable space can be arranged. Students are worried that with the addition of five hundred or more possible IB students coming to Countryside, there won’t be enough physical space. Even with expansion or the addition of portable classrooms, the initial IB student population would increase the already over-crowded conditions for the short term.

It is clear that both sides within the school are not going to give up without a fight. Countryside needs to raise its standards of education from the state rated ‘D’ school and deal with the overpopulation problem at the same time. Regardless of the decision, Countryside is in the midst of major changes. It could be more crowded hallways due to an additional program or possible construction issues that will affect both the current student population and the potential IB students.

Countryside      14

East Lake            13

SCORE BY QUARTER

Video Provided By Bay News 9

Following his team’s worst 24 minutes of the season, Countryside coach Jared Davis assessed the first-half carnage — penalties, picks, punts mishandled — and offered a simple message of resilience.

“We couldn’t do anything about the first half at that point. It was over,” Davis said. “We had to regroup and keep going.”

Two quarters later, after their defense applied the most glorious lockdown ever administered on Countryside’s campus, the Cougars (9-0, 4-0) were Class 5A, District 8 champions.

Holding East Lake (6-2, 2-1) without a first down in the second half, the Cougars seized field position and momentum, rallying for two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a wild 14-13 win.

Quarterback Gray Crow’s 16-yard scoring strike to Nico Morgado on the fourth quarter’s third play — followed by Ryan Halter’s PAT — cut East Lake’s lead to 13-7.

After the Eagles’ third consecutive four-and-out possession, Terry Johnson tied the score, bouncing off a blocker at the line of scrimmage before darting outside for a 38-yard TD. Halter’s PAT with 8:12 to play was the winner.

East Lake, meantime, had nearly as many punts (four) as passing yards (8) in the second half.

“We knew the game was going to fall in our hands regardless,” Cougars cornerback Alex Dixon said. “We just stuck it out and played football.”

Subtract Tyler Lane’s 61-yard dash up the middle on the game’s third play, which set up East Lake’s only TD, and the Eagles managed 98 yards. When not flushed from the pocket, sophomore Pete DiNovo  found few open targets. He finished 3-for-15 for 46 yards.

“They’re not 9-0 for nothing,” Eagles coach Bob Hudson said.

“(The defensive players) have developed a mentality that no matter what happens the game’s on their shoulders anyhow,” Davis said. “And to be a great defense you have to be that way.”

Initially, the defensive shot in the arm was accompanied by offensive shots to the foot.

Countryside was whistled for three first-half personal fouls, the first of which came at the East Lake 19. A play later, Patrick Millen intercepted Crow, who was pressured heavily on the play by senior Blake Teel.

Then early in the second quarter, Countryside mishandled a punt that was recovered by Nick Trump at the Cougars’ 6, setting up a 27-yard Cameron Mitchell field goal that made it 10-0.

Two more personal fouls on the ensuing Cougars drive forced them to punt from their 9, setting up a 37-yard Mitchell field goal that made it 13-0 with 49 seconds to go in the half. East Lake’s offense never got beyond its 40-yard line the rest of the game. Its lone offensive highlight, Reggie Dickerson’s long dash up the middle into Cougars’ territory, was nullified by a holding whistle.

“Right there they gained a breath of fresh air,” Hudson said. “If we take it down and put points on the board, I think they’re still at zero. Maybe if we even got a field goal out of it, that might have kept it going our way.”

Tampa Tech      696

Countryside      674

At the Total Team Challenge at St. Petersburg’s North Shore Pool, the Palm Harbor University swim team pulled off a total team victory Saturday.

The Hurricanes swept the boys, girls and overall team competitions, then completed the sweep by taking the coveted spirit award.

Event organizer and Northeast coach Bill Burrows said it was the first time in the meet’s 21-year history that one team won the swimming and the spirit competitions.

“Usually, it works out to win one or the other, but not both together,” said PHU coach Lisa Bitting, whose team won the Class 3A classification at the event. “I’d like to think that the spirit and everything that we had helped us win the swimming as well. … A lot of the kids that help us win the spirit award aren’t always the kids that are fastest in the pool, so it kind of gives them something to feel like they’re a part of that as well.”

The Hurricanes won handily with a combined 840 points. Tampa Prep, which earned first among the Class A schools, was second overall at 696 points. Countryside (674 points) took third.

In the girls competition, the Hurricanes placed first in five of 12 events to earn 426 total points, 36 more than second place Tampa Prep. PHU was led by senior Emily Bloxam, who swam legs on the winning 250-yard sprint crescendo relay (2 minutes, 16.97 seconds) as well as the 200 freestyle (1:43.65), 400 freestyle (3:44.22) and 500 distance crescendo (4:48.81) relays that placed second.

The PHU boys topped Countryside by 54 points for first place. PHU (414) got an outstanding performance from David Morgan, who headlined four winning relays. Morgan anchored the 200 breaststroke (2:05.65) and 4×100 individual medley (3:58.77) relays and was a part of the 100 medley (45.96) and 200 medley (1:39.75) relays that set meet records. The Hurricanes boys won six events overall.

The overall swimming title was never in doubt, but each PHU swimming victory seemed to elicited louder cheers.

“At this point in the season, I’m most excited about the spirit award because it helps bond the team together, kind of sets the tone for the camaraderie and just the team feeling of high school athletics,” Bitting said. “So, in that sense, it’s good to see all the kids kind of gel together and work together.”

Osceola won first place for the Class 2A competition, and the visiting spirit award went to Sarasota Cardinal Mooney.

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tampabay.com     Home Team

For Northside, which hasn’t missed the state tournament since 2001, this year represents the Mustangs’ best chance at a title to go along with the one they won in 2004.

The senior class features three of the area’s brightest stars, A.J. Newell, Michelle Butler and Danielle Grace. Newell and Grace have been in the program for five seasons. Butler is spending her fourth year with the Mustangs.

A.J.’s younger sister, Anna, a freshman, could be the best golfer in the county next year once A.J. leaves to continue her career at the University of Tennessee.

But Northside’s players, along with coach D.J. Jackson, know this year could be the last in a phenomenal run that has seen the Mustangs finish third (2007), third (2008) and second (2009) in their past three trips to state.

The Mustangs will be hard pressed to assemble a class of golfers this talented again.

“Hopefully, we can win the title this year,” Jackson said. “That’s what it’s all about for this group of kids.”

Jackson certainly feels there’s no group more deserving of a state championship than his Mustangs.

After all, as he points out, his players aren’t only great players, but they’re great people as well.
Instead of trying to bludgeon inferior teams into submission, you’re more likely to see a Northside golfer sharing a tip or two with an opponent on the course.

“I think high school is so much more than trying to win a state championship,” A.J. Newell said. “I think it’s about making the team better and getting to know the girls on your team and the other teams better.”

These Mustangs enjoy golf and are quick to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with others.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure to coach these girls,” Jackson said. “I’ve truly been blessed.”

Still, in the back of their minds, the Mustangs know a state title would be the perfect ending to a storied prep career for their three seniors.

“I think we feel like we want to go out with a bang,” Newell said. “That would be awesome. I think that if we all get out there and play, we should be right there at the end.”

Players to watch
Michelle Butler, Sr., Northside Christian: Division I-A prospect and backbone of Mustangs’ state title contender won districts by two strokes a year ago.
Lauren Coe, So., Palm Harbor University: East Lake transfer makes an already strong Hurricanes squad even better.
Shane Crutchfield, Jr., St. Petersburg: Won district and region titles en route to a state tournament appearance.
Hannah Espy, Jr., East Lake: Shot 81 at districts to help East Lake qualify for regionals.
Ali Franzese, So., Osceola: Coming off a freshman campaign where she was second at districts and eighth at regionals.
Danielle Grace, Sr., Northside Christian: Consistent performer who has been a mainstay in the Mustangs’ lineup for five seasons.
Justine Knox, Sr., Dunedin: Won districts by three strokes with 66 and qualified for states by shooting 71 at regionals.
A.J. Newell, Sr., Northside Christian: Tennessee oral commit would like to finish her Northside career by capturing team and individual state titles.
Anna Newell, Fr., Northside Christian: The future of the Mustangs program tied for ninth at states in 2009.
Jordan Patton, Jr., East Lake: Shot 74 at districts a year ago and followed with 76 at regionals.
Jasmine Wade, Jr., Palm Harbor University: Fired 72 at regionals, missing out on state by a stroke.
Erin Williamson, So., Countryside: Had the lowest round at districts for a rapidly improving Cougars team.

Top teams
Northside Christian: Addition of eighth-grader Alison Armstrong gives an already loaded Mustangs squad five golfers capable of shooting par.
Palm Harbor University: With the quartet of Wade, Coe, Allyson Henning and Emily Gomez in the starting four, the Hurricanes enter the season as the team to beat among public schools.
East Lake: Eagles finished second at districts a year ago to qualify for regionals, where they placed fourth.
On the bubble: Countryside

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tampabay.com      Home Team

List of Live Action Films Derived from Cartoons: (Alpha Order)
The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle
Alvin and The Chipmunks
Casper
Dragonball: Evolution
Dudley Do-Right
Fat Albert
The Flintstones
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Garfield
George of the Jungle
Inspector Gadget
Josie and the Pussycats
Masters of the Universe
Popeye
Richie Rich
Scooby-Doo
Speed Racer
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Transformers
Underdog

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AJ Quenell

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