For the past 12 months, the Plant City Observer has devoted its sports section to our community’s athletes, teams and coaches. We’ve stood on the sidelines and watched amazing plays develop. We’ve met athletes who have overcome astounding odds. We’ve seen Plant City’s best use their skills to achieve amazing accomplishments. For this special anniversary […]
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SHOW ME THE MAUNEY: Time flies when you’re having fun
It’s hard to believe that it has already been a full year for the Plant City Observer. It seems like just yesterday that I was meeting all the coaches at local schools and scoping out the sports scene here. The great thing about this job is it allows me to go out and meet some […]
Continue ReadingPlant City’s Montel McBride commits to Alabama
Less than a month ago, Plant City offensive/defensive lineman Montel McBride received an offer from the University of Alabama. Today, McBride announced that he plans to play football for the Crimson Tide next year. The 6-4, 330-pound class of 2014 prospect made the verbal commitment today at The Opening, a prestigious prospect camp and combine […]
Continue ReadingMontel McBride takes national stage this week in Oregon
Plant City High 2014 offensive lineman Montel McBride has quickly built a strong reputation through the recruiting circuit in the Southeast, and has a slew of big name schools requesting his services next year. This week, the standout will have an opportunity to put his skills on display at the national level, as one of […]
Continue ReadingPHOTO GALLERY: Strawberry Crest baseball camp
Thursday was the last day of the Chargers Baseball Camp at Strawberry Crest High School. About 25 kids ranging from 13 to 17 took part in the camp, where they learned the fundamentals of the game along with some of the finer points of each position. Participants ranged from eighth graders and incoming freshmen to […]
Continue ReadingATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Sarah Subko
We wouldn’t advise messing with Sarah Subko. In addition to playing volleyball, the rising junior at Strawberry Crest High School also wrestles and competes in judo tournaments around the world, including one in Dallas this week. Along with volleyball, she also plans to wrestle for the Chargers next season. What position do you play in […]
Continue ReadingPHOTO GALLERY: 7-on-7 U at Otis Andrews
High School teams from around the Tampa Bay area and around the state of Florida took part in the 7-on-7 U West Florida Shootout Tournament at Otis M. Andrews Park in Plant City. The tournament is a part of the 7-on-7 U National Championship Series. The tournament featured skill players from high school football teams […]
Continue ReadingPassion fuels Durant coach Jackson Barwick
In the 1993 film “Rudy,” the lead character, Daniel E. ‘Rudy” Ruettiger, played by Sean Astin, has a memorable dialogue with Notre Dame coach Ara Parseghian, played by the late Jason Miller. I’ve come to realize that God made some people out to be football players, and that I’m not one of them, Rudy said. […]
Continue ReadingSHOW ME THE MAUNEY: Athletes prove anything is possible
If there is one lesson that should be taken away from recent stories in the sports section of the Plant City Observer, it’s that great things are possible with hard work and dedication. In the past few weeks, we have brought you stories of overcoming great odds and local athletes achieving great things. This underlying […]
Continue ReadingPHOTO GALLERY: Durant Youth Football Camp
Durant High School continued its annual summer tradition of developing young athletes this week as head coach Mike Gottman and his staff and players conducted the 2013 Cougars Youth Football Camp. The Cougars coaching staff has more than 100 years of combined coaching experience. Durant is coming off an undefeated regular season and a second […]
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