The <em>Plant City Times & Observer</em> brings you the fourth installment of our 2013 weekly podcast, the <em>Plant City Times & Observer Gridiron Report</em>, breaking down high school football match-ups in the Plant City area for the entire 2013 season. Staff Writer Justin Kline is the host of the podcast, which features a weekly “Game […]
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WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND: Playoff action doesn’t disappoint
I knew on Monday morning that, with the three-way tie for first place, there would have to be a playoff to determine a district champion. And, what makes for more compelling drama than a series of fourth quarters? As we saw in Friday’s Durant-East Bay tilt, sometimes, all you need is one good quarter to […]
Continue ReadingPHOTO GALLERY: 7A District 8 Playoff Tiebreaker
After Friday night’s football slate, Strawberry Crest found itself tied with Plant City and East Bay in the district standings. Three quarters of Monday night football determined a champion and a runner-up. For the first time since 1973, East Bay is a district champion. They did it with back-to-back 7-0 wins over Crest and Plant […]
Continue ReadingWEEK 9: Plant City Vs. Strawberry Crest
Plant City and Strawberry Crest renewed their rivalry Oct. 25, at 1 Raider Place, in what was expected to be a close contest. Instead, the Raiders came away with a huge 41-14 win over their crosstown foes. They stifled the potent Charger offense in the first quarter and took at 27-0 lead into the locker […]
Continue ReadingWEEK 8: Strawberry Crest vs. East Bay
Strawberry Crest overcame some early-game turnovers and miscues to trample East Bay 35-14, Oct. 18, at home. Despite two turnovers that gave East Bay 14 points, the Chargers took a 19-14 lead into halftime. In the second half, the Chargers kept the pressure on, scoring 16 unanswered points.
Continue ReadingCrest cheerleader Macy Gay returns from ACL injury
Dawna Gay will never forget that day in May, when her phone rang. On the line was her daughter’s cheerleading coach. Macy Gay had just injured her knee in tumbling class, and it looked much worse than a simple sprain. “I had heard of girls tearing their (anterior cruciate ligament) but never really had experience […]
Continue ReadingATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Matt Chaney
You could say Strawberry Crest linebacker Matt Chaney had a good week. The senior got to experience Homecoming for one last time and was even appointed to the senior class’s Homecoming Court. On the field, Chaney racked up 20 tackles — 13 solo — in the Chargers’ Oct. 11 win over Riverview. What were you […]
Continue ReadingWEEK 7: Riverview at Strawberry Crest
The outcome of this one was never really in doubt, as Strawberry Crest cruised to a 24-7 win over Riverview. It seemed like the only thing the Chargers (6-2) couldn’t get right were extra point attempts – all of them failed. But it didn’t matter, as Austin Carswell had little trouble guiding the offense down […]
Continue ReadingRivalry Rematch: Strawberry Crest vs. Durant
Who saw this season coming? Who would have guessed that Durant, despite losing a large chunk of its starters to graduation, would be going into a game against Strawberry Crest with only one win? Especially after the 2012 spring game, when the two schools played each other and the Cougars came on top — quite […]
Continue ReadingWEEK 5: Freedom vs. Strawberry Crest
Strawberry Crest got off to a quick start, punching Freedom in the mouth early and holding on for a 22-14 home win. Those 22 points were all unanswered until the third quarter, when a blocked Freedom field goal attempt ended up in the hands of Scott Patchan, who ran it 37 yards for a touchdown. […]
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