GO FISHING is a look at the area fishing scene through the eyes of local charter boat captains and fishing guides. Today: Bill Miller. ...more

January 4, 2009

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." ...more

December 6, 2008

It's getting to be a broken record but it's a tune which will prompt Largo coach Rick Rodriguez to break out into song: The Packers used a stingy defense and a punishing ground game to dominate St. Petersburg (9-3) on Friday 30-0 in the Class 5A-Region 3 semifinals. ...more

November 29, 2008

Preview capsules for the high school football playoff games on Nov. 28 ...more

November 27, 2008

Marcel Durham's 71-yard touchdown run on the second play of the second half was the second-half spark Largo coach Rick Rodriguez was looking for as the Packers (3-0) held off St. Petersburg (2-2) with a 17-16 win. ...more

September 27, 2008

Thursday Countryside (1-0) at Gibbs (1-0) Countryside won a much closer game than expected against Pinellas Park, 19-6. it was a game Cougars coach John Davis did not foresee being one of his team's tougher matchups. Now, the Cougars begin a four-game stretch that will likely make or break their season by traveling to Gibbs, which also won its first game of the year over Lakewood 14-9. ...more

September 10, 2008

The University of Central Florida's search to find a productive replacement for All-American tailback Kevin Smith may take awhile, but the Knights reeled in some solid candidates Wednesday. ...more

February 7, 2008

So much for public input. Despite testimony from dozens of offshore skippers who, without exception, reported gag grouper numbers at very high levels, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council last week voted to tighten harvest regulations on the popular reef species. Grouper harvest would be shut down from Jan. 15 to April 15, and the bag limit dropped from five fish to one if the rule gets final approval this spring. The overall grouper bag limit would drop to three fish of all species. ...more

February 3, 2008

When asked how he would describe Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas' offense, a Largo defensive assistant who requested anonymity bowed his head and inhaled heavily, deep in thought. After gaining perspective, he summed up the Raiders in terms Pinellas County high school football fans could understand. ...more

December 7, 2007

Class 5A REGION 2 FINAL Kissimmee Osceola at Chamberlain WHERE: John Adcock Stadium, 9401 North Blvd., Tampa RECORDS: Osceola 12-0, Chamberlain 9-3 OUTLOOK: Unranked Chamberlain hosts top-ranked and undefeated Osceola for a trip to the Class 5A state semifinals. Osceola eliminated defending state champ Lakeland in the region semifinals and also snapped the former national champion Dreadnaughts' win streak of 53 games earlier this season. The Kowboys are led by running back Bubba Brown, who has rushed for 1,936 yards and 34 touchdowns this season, including 109 yards and three touchdowns in last week's playoff win against Lakeland. Chamberlain has lost only two games at home this season, that being to Hillsborough and Plant. Junior quarterback Dontae Aycock leads the Chiefs' offense with 1,065 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns and 853 passing yards with five touchdowns. ... Chamberlain's secondary has a total of 14 interceptions, three of which have been returned for touchdowns. Senior defensive back Justin Bell has been the defensive catalyst, recording 99 tackles, three interceptions and has also been a standout on special teams with six blocked punts and two blocked kicks. Nick Williams REGION 3 FINAL Cape Coral at Largo WHERE: Packers Stadium, 410 Missouri Ave. N., Largo RECORDS: Cape Coral 10-2, Largo 12-0 OUTLOOK: The first real test to see how legitimate of a state playoff contender Largo is comes tonight when the Packers play a team from outside Pinellas County. Largo coach Rick Rodriguez stated emphatically Cape Coral is "the toughest team we have faced so far." Rodriguez noted Cape Coral has a balanced offense with a strong offensive line. Like Largo, its best players play on both sides of the ball. Spencer Boyd is Cape Coral's leading rusher with 1,027 yards. Quarterback David Pasquale has thrown for 1,707 yards. Fortunately for Largo, the Packers have faced a quality quarterback before in Clearwater's Luke Loucks and solid running backs like Dunedin's Adaris Bellamy, and effectively handled them. But Largo has yet this season faced an opponent with as many weapons. Despite having Pinellas County regular-season rushing record holder Brynn Harvey (2,237 yards and 26 touchdowns through 12 games), don't be surprised if Rodriguez opens up the offense utilizing quarterback Leonard Johnson's arm as well as his legs (862 yards rushing, nine rushing touchdowns) which excites Johnson. "I have to admit, handing the ball off to the same guy 20 or 25 times can get a little boring," Johnson said. If Johnson can hit some key passes to open up the field for Harvey, the Packers just might advance. Lee Diekemper ...more

November 30, 2007