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Largo Enjoys 59-17 Laugher

By LEE DIEKEMPER

Tribune correspondent

Published: December 6, 2008

LARGO - Midway through the second quarter Largo had a long pass play for a touchdown taken off the board on a controversial call. Largo defensive line coach Jeremy Frioud barked at Packers coach Rick Rodriguez, "Hey coach. Challenge it. Throw the red flag."

Rodriguez wheeled around with a smile as wide as Tampa Bay. The game was that kind of laugher for the Packers.

Largo broke out its not-so-often used passing attack and lit up Punta Gorda Charlotte 59-17 to win the Class 5A-Region 3 title. The win enables the Packers to advance to their second consecutive state semifinal appearance. Largo will play at Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas (13-0) on Friday. The Raiders knocked off the Packers in last year's 5A state semifinal.

Largo quarterback Ryan Eppes threw touchdown passes of 87, 27 and 35 yards, finishing with 268 yards. The senior also scored on a 22-yard run late. While nearly throwing for 300 yards may not seem like a whole lot, for Largo it's the equivalent of Arena Football.

Running back Marcel Durham also scored touchdowns on runs of 32, 3 and 7 yards. The 59 points were the most the Packers have scored since Rodriguez took over the program in 2000.

"It started with our offensive line," Eppes said. "They blocked spectacularly." Eppes insisted the Packers' game plan was not to throw the ball but to play their standard smashmouth variety.

"Charlotte's defensive lines were taking our down linemen and taking their knees out," Rodriguez said. "Normally, yeah, we usually like to bang it between the tackles. Run, run, run. But if Charlotte's defensive linemen were going to dive down like they did and try to take our knees out, we're going to throw the ball."

Wide receiver Myrick Gwyn caught two of Eppes' touchdowns. Mike Lang hauled in the 87-yard score.