After losing many of their key leaders to graduation, the Plant City Raiders’ new crop of seniors are about to fill big shoes. To help the boys become better leaders on and off the field, the Raiders called in the U.S. Marines. Led by Capt. Kevin Lowe and Staff Sgt. Jose Moreno, a team of […]
Continue ReadingHigh Schools
T.J. Chase transfers to IMG Academy
T.J. Chase had himself a great sophomore year with the Plant City Raiders. Averaging 20.1 yards per catch, he helped lead his team to a playoff berth and racked up more than 20 football scholarship offers from NCAA Division I schools. He hasn’t given any of them a verbal commitment yet, but he’s already made […]
Continue ReadingSIDELINES
Do you have a good sports scoop for us? Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com. FALL SPORTS + Area schools announce tryouts As of press time, Plant City and Strawberry Crest high schools have released tryout information for Fall sports. The following PCHS tryouts are scheduled for Monday, Aug. 4: Volleyball (9 to 11:30 a.m., gymnasium); golf […]
Continue ReadingATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Kellie Pernula
A senior on the Plant City High School volleyball team, Kellie Pernula spent much of this past week helping at the Lady Raiders’ summer volleyball camp, working with the young campers to improve their skills. Tell me a little bit about your volleyball career. I’ve been playing since the sixth grade, and I’ve played for […]
Continue ReadingChargers bring in new offensive, defensive coordinators
It’s going to be an interesting year for the Strawberry Crest Chargers. After losing much of their core to graduation, the Chargers are looking at a relatively inexperienced roster, including many players who have never played on the varsity level. In addition, the team will add some personnel changes on both sides of the ball. […]
Continue ReadingWHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND? Chelsea Baker makes MLB history
Here’s a little bit of trivia for you baseball fans out there: Who is the youngest woman to ever throw batting practice before a Major League Baseball game? Whatever the answer was, it changed on Monday afternoon. It’s now Durant High School relief pitcher Chelsea Baker, who also threw out the first pitch right before […]
Continue ReadingDurant Football to Host Yard Sale Saturday
The Durant High School football program is starting a new tradition on Saturday morning. No, it has nothing to do with the team itself – it’s the first annual Durant Football Family Yard Sale. From 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., anyone can stop by the school gymnasium and shop. All funds raised from the yard […]
Continue ReadingPHOTO GALLERY: Mike Gottman Youth Football Camp
Monday morning, at 8:30 a.m. sharp, Durant High School’s practice field was lively with the fourth annual Mike Gottman Youth Football Camp. All week long, the 50 campers will learn offense, defense and special teams from Gottman and the rest of the Durant Cougars’ coaching staff. With plenty of food and even more football, the […]
Continue ReadingTyler Danish adjusting to life as a pro
Count Tyler Danish as one of those people who loves their job more than just about anything. Even if it’s been one of the biggest adjustments of his young life. Danish, 19, was just promoted to a higher level of competition for the second time since the Chicago White Sox drafted him 55th overall last […]
Continue ReadingWHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND? A few thoughts following spring ball
My favorite thing to hear when the Plant City Times & Observer staff has its weekly meeting is, “Justin, go cover football.” It’s not quite June yet, and I had been itching to get back onto the football sidelines with my camera and iPhone in hand for quite some time. Really, because Plant City’s playoff […]
Continue Reading
