Mark Popek isn’t your typical “gifted athlete makes it” story. While some athletes seem destined to play in NFL as soon as they strap on shoulder pads in high school, for most of his prep career, Popek was a long shot to even to get quality varsity playing time. A self-described “tall and lanky tight […]
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PCHS players clean up at VTO Combine
Plant City High football players had a strong showing over the weekend as PCHS hosted the VTO Sports Prep 100 Tampa Combine. Jyquis Thomas was named MVP for defensive backs, John Broome was MVP for defensive linemen, Landon Galloway was MVP for tight ends and Quincy Robinson was MVP for offensive lineman. Hassan Bailey was […]
Continue ReadingBASEBALL: Plant City-Jenkins to continue Saturday
The Plant City baseball team appeared to be headed to the 7A Region 2 semifinals, but not so fast. The region quarterfinal game Thursday night between Plant City and George Jenkins was suspended in the bottom of the seventh due to rain. Jenkins had scored in the inning to tie the game at 2-2, but […]
Continue ReadingPole vaulter Bogan Stitzel is headed to state
It started out as suggestion from a friend on Bogan Stitzel’s swim team at Plant City High School. “He told me to come out one day and give it a try,” Stitzel said about his first experience trying pole vaulting as a sophomore. “I had seen it on the Olympics before and just thought it […]
Continue ReadingFormer PCHS standout signs as undrafted free agent with Jets
While most of the news Monday in the NFL surrounded the release of New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow, a former Plant City High standout is getting an opportunity with the Jets. Offensive lineman Mark Popek has signed with the Jets as part of a 15 player undrafted free agent list. Popek started nine games […]
Continue ReadingSoftball: Plant City upends No. 8 Bartow in region quarterfinals
PLANT CITY – There were many that doubted, but the Plant City High softball team let that fuel them, along with the past meetings with its opponent Wednesday. Plant City (16-8) defeated perennial power Bartow 5-2 Wednesday at home in the 7A Region 11 quarterfinals. The win snapped a two-game region playoff losing streak to […]
Continue ReadingATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Ali Grimmel
Wide receiver and captain Ali Grimmel has been a leader for the Plant City High flag football team in more ways than one. The four-year starter has 33 catches on the year for 312 yards, but it is her vocal leadership that stands out. Grimmel, also a competitive cheerleader at PCHS, uses her outgoing personality […]
Continue ReadingStrawberry Queen, three others ink with colleges
Four Plant City High School student-athletes made their college choices official Wednesday with a signing ceremony held at the school. Kelsey Fry (West Florida, swimming), Seth Crowell (Florida Tech, football), Joe Davis (Webber, football) and Keven Long (Three Rivers College, baseball) will all play their respective sports at the next level after graduating from PCHS […]
Continue ReadingWinning Attitude
The baseball program at Plant City High School dates back decades before Durant began its program in the mid-1990s, but the Cougars have had more success in recent years and have grown into a perennial power. That’s something new PCHS head coach Mike Fryrear, a Durant alumnus and former player, hopes to achieve with the […]
Continue ReadingPHOTO GALLERY: PCHS flag football vs. Armwood
Two first-half touchdowns led to a 12-6 win for the Plant City High School flag football team over Armwood April 8. Sam Black caught a pass in the corner of the endzone for the first score of the game, before Kristen Wyckoff caught a pass and ran for a 30-yard score. Both extra-point attempts failed, […]
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