Strawberry Crest fans packed the school’s home section May 21. They were as hyped for the team as if they were under Friday night lights in late August. A small sea of black-and-red-clad Charger fans rose for every positive play and filled the evening air with their own brand of thunder. Just outside the […]
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WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND? Nothing is as contagious as a strong human spirit
Most journalists can tell you why they first got into the business, and they can also tell you exactly when they realized they made the right choice. I’m sure our managing editor, Amber Jurgensen, could tell you her story off the top of her head. Now that I’ve found my go-to example, let me share […]
Continue ReadingSidelines 6.5.15
Do you have a good sports scoop for us? Email Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com, or Tweet us at @PCTOSports. BASEBALL + Durant alums win championship The University of Tampa Spartans are, as of Saturday, May 30, riding high as the NCAA Division II National Champions. Over the weekend, the Spartans picked up a 3-1 win […]
Continue ReadingHurst wraps up first year at USNA
Kellyanne Hurst has been celebrating the end of her first year in the United States Naval Academy, joined in Maryland by her family. Having survived both her “plebe summer” and “plebe year,” all while staying committed to the women’s golf team, the Plant City High alumna is ready to begin her major in oceanography and […]
Continue ReadingTeams take shape during spring football
Some would say it isn’t really springtime until those football pads are popping and the sound of a coach’s whistling blends in with the birds’. Since all three Plant City-area schools played in spring games Thursday, May 21, it must be springtime. Those local athletes are about to hear a lot from their coaches over […]
Continue ReadingWHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND? Thursday Night Notes
I couldn’t be happier to be writing about high school football right now, even if it’s only about a spring game. There really is nothing quite like watching the game in Florida, even if the game in question features zero juggernauts. I drove out to Strawberry Crest last Thursday to catch the Chargers and the […]
Continue ReadingSidelines 5.29.15
Do you have a good sports scoop for us? Email Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com, or Tweet us at @PCTOSports. FOOTBALL + Cougars drop game to Newsome The Durant-Newsome rivalry started another chapter Thursday, May 21, albeit in one half of a spring football jamboree. The Cougars and Wolves played one half of a game at […]
Continue ReadingTeam chemistry puts Durant baseball back in 7A top tier
Who can forget Tyler Danish’s masterful 2013 season, when the senior led the Durant Cougars to the FHSAA State Championship tournament? Maybe Durant fans haven’t forgotten those good days, and much of the 2015 squad certainly hasn’t either. But this year’s team has done what Danish’s squad didn’t: They got to the State Championship without […]
Continue ReadingBaker ends high school career, focuses on college
It’s been one heck of a ride for Chelsea Baker: a high school career full of ESPN cameras, trips to Japan and team success. But now that the FHSAA 7A State Championship tournament is over, the Durant senior has other plans. Chief among them is being a normal student again. The incoming Florida Atlantic University […]
Continue ReadingSidelines 5.22.15
Do you have a good sports scoop for us? Email Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com, or Tweet us at @PCTOSports. RACING + Keel crashes in Dallas The start of Aidan Keel’s MAXSpeed/Rotax U.S. Open campaign didn’t go as well as hoped. He wrecked and was not able to finish the feature race. Keel, who started 23rd […]
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