Joes New Balance Outlet

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Jackets Back In Winning Column, Leesburg 35, St. Cloud 7, September 29, 2012



Jackets End Two Game Losing Streak With 35-7 Win At Hubert O. Dabney Stadium.

By Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
September 29, 2012



LEESBURG - The Fightin' Yellow Jackets of Leesburg High School entered their 2012 Homecoming game coming off two straight losses at home. The Bulldogs of Saint Cloud High School returned to Leesburg Memorial Field at Hubert O. Dabney Stadium for the first time since 1994. The Jackets won last years game in a 38-36 shootout at Tom Gannarelli Field in St. Cloud.

"I love days like these when you wake up in the morning feeling bad and having a bad day," Senior
P/OLB/RB Austin Walker said a few hours before last nights game. "But underneath it all you know at 7:00 you get to go out there on that field and do what not many people can do on their Friday nights and that's hit somebody, be with the guys you love, and play the game of football."
READ MORE CLICK HERE

Saturday, September 22, 2012

East Ridge Outlasts Leesburg In Overtime 49-48, September 22, 2012


Clermont East Ridge Remains King Of Lake County Football

Jackets Lose Two Games In A Row For The First Time During Randy Trivers Tenure At Leesburg



 
By Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
September 14, 2012
LEESBURG - The
2012 FHSAA Class 7A District 4 schedule begin last night for the Fightin' Yellow Jackets of Leesburg High School. The Jackets entered the 2012 campaign with hopes of ending it's 20 year playoff win drought. Leesburg hosted it's South Lake County rival Clermont East Ridge for the first time in five seasons at Leesburg Memorial Field at Hubert O. Dabney Stadium.


East Ridge capitalized on another slow start by the Jackets offense and outlasted Leesburg 49-48 in overtime.

Bad weather had both teams struggling in the first half of the game. The last time the Yellow Jackets have lost back to back games at Hubert O. Dabney Stadium was during the 2004 season. The loss has virtually eliminated Leesburg from the 2012

FHSAA Playoffs barring a late season meltdown by East Ridge and Orlando Maynard Evans.


READ MORE CLICK BELOW

http://leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com/ARTICLES_2012_CLERMONT_EAST_RIDGE_REMAINS_KING_OF_LAKE_COUNTY_FOOTBALL_SEPTEMBER-22-2012.html

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Mount Dora Upsets Class 7A Leesburg 16-13, September 15, 2012

 
 
By Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
September 14, 2012


LEESBURG - The last time the Mount Dora Hurricanes visited Leesburg Memorial Field at Hubert O. Dabney Stadium they had 61 points scored against them. The Hurricanes had lost the last two meeting against Leesburg and came into the game with a chip on their shoulder. Leesburg sporting their new jerseys got off to another slow start something that has haunted them all season long. RB-DB Jordan Porter (Jr., 5-8, 160) scored the go ahead touchdown on a 13 yard run with 6:42 left in the game to upset the Class 7A Jackets 16-13 last night.

Mount Dora may have caught the Jackets looking ahead to this weeks game against
Clermont East Ridge.The loss is the first for Yellow Jackets 3rd year head coach Randy Trivers against a school in a lower classification than Leesburg. The Jackets hadn't been beat at home since the 2010 season. READ MORE CLICK BELOW
Mount Dora Runs Roughshod Over Leesburg, September 15, 2012

Monday, September 10, 2012

Gerald Lacey One On One With Trey Perry, Carson-Newman College, September 10, 2012

Former Yellow Jackets Standout Trey Perry with his mom Mona during senior night at end of the 2011 season at Leesburg High School.
Here is an exclusive one on one interview with Carson-Newman College Football Team True Freshmen DB Trey Perry 
 
Carver Heights Quarterback Club Presents:

Gerald Lacey One On One With Trey Perry

 

Gerald Lacey:
What are some of the differences between the two levels high school and college?

Trey Perry:
"Just catching up with the speed of the game and having an true position. I have been bouncing around my whole high school career now I have one main focus."
 
Gerald Lacey:
What are some of the differences between the two levels high school and college?
 

Trey Perry:
"Playing with more talent on the field.
In high school I did to much now in college its all about doing your job."
 

 

Gerald Lacey:
What made you choose Carson Newman College?
Trey Perry:
"Carson-Newman was all ways the right choice for me just talking to coach Hutsell everyday really made me feel comfortable about going so far from home chasing a dream."

Gerald Lacey:
What will your major be?


Trey Perry:
"Undeclared I want to find my strong points before I choose something that I want to advance my career on."



Gerald Lacey:
Has college been a good experience so far?

Trey Perry:
"Yes made an lot of Good Friends that have the same mind set as me."

Gerald Lacey:
Do you expect to see playing time this upcoming season or will you be a redshirt?

Trey Perry:
"I expect to see playing time and I also want to learn as much as I can from people that are in front of me."



Gerald Lacey:
Did Coach Trivers program prepare you for what you are seeing at the college level?

Trey Perry:
"Yes it did."

Gerald Lacey:
You were a part of the resurgence of Leesburg High School Football how does that make you feel as you look back on your great high school career?

 
Trey Perry:
"Great I'm just happy to have gotten as far as I did."
Resources



100 East Main Street
Leesburg Florida 34748



2012 Jackets In College Football Archives, Leesburg Public Library, 100 East Main Street, Leesburg Florida, Gerald Lacey, Staff Writer, Carver Heights Quarterback Club



Articles provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
1986 Leesburg Yellow Jackets Varsity Football Lettermen
Class of 1988 Leesburg High School



2012 Leesburg High School Football Archives, Leesburg High School, 1401 Yellow Jacket Way, Leesburg, Florida 34748, Gerald Lacey, Staff Writer Carver Heights Quarterback Club


Gerald is a professional Internet marketer and social media marketing expert. His online business ventures and websites generate multiple streams of income annually. His consulting clients include best selling authors and international speakers.

Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online





 
 

Former Arkansas Razorback Joins Coaching Staff At Leesburg, September 10, 2012

Leesburg High School WR Coach Crosby Tuck

Arkansas Razorback Crosby Tuck against the Kentucky Wildcats
 
By Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
September 10, 2012
 
LEESBURG, FLORIDA - Former University of Arkansas WR Crosby Tuck will coach the wide receivers for 3rd year head coach Randy Trivers this season at Leesburg. Tuck has been working with a young receivers corp after the graduation of D'Mauri Jones (University of Miami) and Juilliard Roberts. His career was cut short due to injuries and has been welcome to the Leesburg staff with open arms.
 
Courtesy: Wesley Hitt / Arkansas
He completed a standout prep career with 220 receptions, 4,344 receiving yards and 52 touchdowns for Coach Josh Floyd according the University of Arkansas website. He made 78 catches for 1,640 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior. He averaged more than 100 yards per game in earning Morning News All-Area honors. As a junior, he hauled in 67 passes for 1,443 yards and 16 scores. As a sophomore, he had 75 catches for 1,261 yards and 15 TDs. Rivals ranked him the No. 50 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 9 prospect in the state. Scout ranked him the No. 95 receiver in the country and No. 10 prospect in Arkansas. HawgSports.com listed him at No. 9 on its Natural 21 while Hawgs Illustrated listed him No. 8 in Arkansas. In baseball at Shiloh Christian, he was honorable mention all-state, and earned all-conference and all-conference tournament honors. He chose Arkansas after also considering Central Florida, Oklahoma State and Kansas State.

Arkansas Razorback Crosby Tuck runs for a touchdown in a 46 to 26 win over the Troy Trojans at Donald W. Reynolds Stadium on September 1, 2007 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Born July 29, 1988, he is the son of Greg and Becky Tuck. He was named to the Lon Farrell Academic Honor Roll for the 2007-08 academic year. His mother lettered in volleyball at North Carolina-Charlotte in 1976 and at Oklahoma State in 1977 and ’78.


Resources



100 East Main Street
Leesburg Florida 34748



2012 Jackets In College Football Archives, Leesburg Public Library, 100 East Main Street, Leesburg Florida, Gerald Lacey, Staff Writer, Carver Heights Quarterback Club



Articles provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
1986 Leesburg Yellow Jackets Varsity Football Lettermen
Class of 1988 Leesburg High School



2012 Leesburg High School Football Archives, Leesburg High School, 1401 Yellow Jacket Way, Leesburg, Florida 34748, Gerald Lacey, Staff Writer Carver Heights Quarterback Club


Gerald is a professional Internet marketer and social media marketing expert. His online business ventures and websites generate multiple streams of income annually. His consulting clients include best selling authors and international speakers.

Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online





 

 

Former Virginia Tech Star Whitaker Joins Jackets Staff, September 10. 2012

Former Virginia Tech QB Ike Whitaker is now the quarterbacks coach at Leesburg High School.

By Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
September 10, 2012

LEESBURG, FLORIDA - Leesburg High School 3rd year head coach Randy Trivers has a reputation for having some of the nations best coaches on his staff at Leesburg. For the second season in a row he has had to replace one of his coordinators. The Jackets once again seem not to have lost a step starting the season 2-0.


Ike Whitaker signs his Letter Of Intent to play football at Virginia Tech
Trivers added his former QB at Germantown's Northwest High School to the coaching staff for the 2012 season. Ike Whitaker a former QB at Virginia Tech is the quarterbacks coach for the Jackets this season. He brings plenty of knowledge and experience to Leesburg.

Whitaker signed with Virginia Tech as one of the country’s premier high school players, rated by Rivals.com as the third-best dual-threat quarterback in the nation. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound signal-caller led Germantown's Northwest High School football team to a 30-6 record over his three years as a starter and racked up nearly 5,000 career passing yards along with 56 passing touchdowns. As a senior, Whitaker threw for a school-record 2,856 yards and 28 touchdowns and added 10 scores on the ground, carrying the Jaguars to a Maryland Class 3A state championship.

Ike Whitaker led Northwest to the state championship in 2004. He returned in 2010 as a coach.
He was one of the most highly touted and decorated players to ever come out of Montgomery County—one of a select few who could boast winning a state title the same year being named 'All Met Player of the Year' by the Washington Post.

Whitaker comes to Leesburg after a coaching stint at his alma mater Northwest.

Resources



100 East Main Street
Leesburg Florida 34748



2012 Jackets In College Football Archives, Leesburg Public Library, 100 East Main Street, Leesburg Florida, Gerald Lacey, Staff Writer, Carver Heights Quarterback Club



Articles provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
1986 Leesburg Yellow Jackets Varsity Football Lettermen
Class of 1988 Leesburg High School



2012 Leesburg High School Football Archives, Leesburg High School, 1401 Yellow Jacket Way, Leesburg, Florida 34748, Gerald Lacey, Staff Writer Carver Heights Quarterback Club


Gerald is a professional Internet marketer and social media marketing expert. His online business ventures and websites generate multiple streams of income annually. His consulting clients include best selling authors and international speakers.

Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online







Randy Trivers: Leesburg at Eustis Photo, September 7, 2012


Resources


Photos by:
Ashley Beyer
Freelance Photographer
 


















Ashley Beyer is a freelance photographer who will be working with the Carver Heights Quarterback Club this season. She started photographing as a hobby when she was 13 with a manual SLR Canon film camera. In 1998 she received her first automatic Canon SLR camera. 

In the beginning as a hobby photographer her cousins and friends babies were her favorite subjects. Now, she is getting the chance to share her Leesburg High School football pictures with many people through Facebook and the Leesburg Yellow Jackets Football blog.

"It makes me happy to do that because I know there are families out there that would love to have pictures of their boys playing football and can't get to the games or don't have the means to record those memories."

Ashley Beyer Class of 2001 Leesburg High School



Leesburg Public Library 
100 East Main Street
Leesburg Florida 34748



2012 Jackets In College Football Archives, Leesburg Public Library, 100 East Main Street, Leesburg Florida, Gerald Lacey, Staff Writer, Carver Heights Quarterback Club



Articles provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
1986 Leesburg Yellow Jackets Varsity Football Lettermen
Class of 1988 Leesburg High School
 



 2012 Leesburg High School Football Archives, Leesburg High School, 1401 Yellow Jacket Way, Leesburg, Florida 34748, Gerald Lacey, Staff Writer Carver Heights Quarterback Club


Gerald is a professional Internet marketer and social media marketing expert. His online business ventures and websites generate multiple streams of income annually. His consulting clients include best selling authors and international speakers.

Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online

















Bryant "Mr. No" Benton, Leesburg at Eustis Photo, September 7, 2012



Resources


Photos by:
Ashley Beyer
Freelance Photographer
 
 
 


















Ashley Beyer is a freelance photographer who will be working with the Carver Heights Quarterback Club this season. She started photographing as a hobby when she was 13 with a manual SLR Canon film camera. In 1998 she received her first automatic Canon SLR camera. 

In the beginning as a hobby photographer her cousins and friends babies were her favorite subjects. Now, she is getting the chance to share her Leesburg High School football pictures with many people through Facebook and the Leesburg Yellow Jackets Football blog.

"It makes me happy to do that because I know there are families out there that would love to have pictures of their boys playing football and can't get to the games or don't have the means to record those memories."

Ashley Beyer Class of 2001 Leesburg High School



Leesburg Public Library 
100 East Main Street
Leesburg Florida 34748



2012 Jackets In College Football Archives, Leesburg Public Library, 100 East Main Street, Leesburg Florida, Gerald Lacey, Staff Writer, Carver Heights Quarterback Club



Articles provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
1986 Leesburg Yellow Jackets Varsity Football Lettermen
Class of 1988 Leesburg High School
 



 2012 Leesburg High School Football Archives, Leesburg High School, 1401 Yellow Jacket Way, Leesburg, Florida 34748, Gerald Lacey, Staff Writer Carver Heights Quarterback Club


Gerald is a professional Internet marketer and social media marketing expert. His online business ventures and websites generate multiple streams of income annually. His consulting clients include best selling authors and international speakers.

Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online

















Saturday, September 8, 2012

Tucker Leads Defense In Comeback Win Over Eustis, September 8, 2012

The Scoreboard at the Panther Den after Leesburg's come form behind over Eustis Friday night, September 8, 2012
By Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
September 8, 2012

EUSTIS, FL - Leesburg traveled across the Dead River bridge for the second week in a row to take on longtime Lake County rival Eustis High School. The Panther Den was once again the site of a epic battle between Leesburg and Eustis football teams Friday night. The game endured many twists during a hot and humid Central Florida night. A severe lighting storm delayed the game for 90 minutes, which may have worked to the Yellow Jackets advantage. It was the 71st meeting for the two schools in the 85 year history in one of the nations most storied high school football rivalries.

Senior DE/FB/OLB Jordan Tucker had a big time performance in all phases of the game for the Jackets (2-0, 0-0). Tucker's play demonstrated why he is ranked as the 50th best recruit in the state of Florida by the Miami Herald High School Sports Blog. Tucker and the rest of the Black Jackets defense helped Leesburg recover from a early 20-0 deficit for a 21-20 win. It was the fifth straight win over the Panthers for the Jackets and their third straight at the Panther Den.

Bryant "Mr. No" Benton enjoys a special moment after Leesburg's win over Eustis at the Panther Den, September 7, 2012

The Jackets have started the season 2-0 for the second straight season. Third year head coach Randy Trivers is now 3-0 against Eustis during his tenure at Leesburg High School.

Leesburg was on the road for the second straight week and Randy Trivers squad came out a little sluggish. Eustis looked like they were going to blow Leesburg out early in the contest. Junior QB Jabari Dunham led the Panther's offensive down the field on their first possession of the game. The Eustis coaching staff saw something on the right side of Leesburg defense and exploited it on the first drive. They repeatedly came up with big plays on third and fourth down going to the right side of the Yellow Jackets defense. Senior running back Darnell Hill was the workhorse on the drive. Hill carried the ball 6 times for 58 yards before Dunham finished the drive off with a 15 yard scoring strike to senior wide receiver Anthony Allen. Junior placekicker Grant Reynolds PAT was blocked by Jordan Tucker leaving the score at Eustis 6, Leesburg 0 with 8:44 left in the first quarter of play. It was the second week in a row that Tucker had a block kick on special teams.

Leesburg received the kickoff and started it's first possession from it's own 25 yard line. Four plays later a Leesburg pass was tipped by senior DJ Scott and intercepted by senior Darius Anderson. Anderson returned the interception down to the Jackets 46 yard line. The play ignited the home crowd at the sold out Panther Den.

Tanner Long, Chandler Strong, Ben Peppers and Allen Arnst celebrate after Leesburg's win over Eustis Friday night, September 7, 2012

Dunham starting his second straight Eustis vs. Leesburg game at quarterback, showed poise once again on the ensuing drive by the panthers. He showed athleticism and elusiveness leading the panthers down the field by attacking the right side of the Jackets defense. Dunham ended the drive with a 9 yard touchdown pass to Hill. The touchdown pass was the second of the night for Dunham and the fourth of the season. Reynolds PAT was good putting the Panthers out front 13-0 with 4:17 left in the first quarter. Dunham and Hill combined for 100 yards rushing on 23 carries in the first half. Dunham was on fire at this point in the game.

Leesburg's next possession started with a first down run for no gain. The next play the Jackets attempted a pass and the pass was once again intercepted by the McKinley Kirkpatrick his second on the season. McKinley returned the interception to the Jackets 36 yard line. Eustis defense has created 10 turnovers on the season. There seemed to be a mix up on the play between the quarterback and receiver there wasn't a Jacket within 15 yards of the pass.

Dunham quickly went back to work and on 2nd and 7 from the Jackets 33 yard line found senior wide receiver Anthony Allen wide open across the middle for an 18 yard gain. On the next play Dunham kept the ball on a option play for nine yards down to the Jackets 6 yard line. A couple of plays later Eustis lined up in a double tight end formation with three running backs. This time Dunham ran the option to the left side of the field with Hill taking the pitch 9 yards for a touchdown. Hill made four Jackets missed him on the way to the end zone and the sold out crowd went into a frenzy at the Panther Den. Reynolds converted the PAT and Eustis had a 20-0 lead early in the second quarter.

Leesburg 3rd year head coach Randy Trivers record is now 16-6 at Leesburg.
On the next Leesburg possession the Panther defense cause a fumble and took over possession of the football. It was Jackets third turnover of the half.

Eustis failed to capitalized on the Yellow Jacket miscue when Dunham was picked off by Trevon Bell. The interception was the third of the season for Dunham and slowed down the Eustis attack.

Leesburg would take over and go on a long drive aided by a roughing the passer penalty by the Panthers. Leesburg went back to the ground gain and junior running back Bryant "Mr. No. Benton begin chewing up large chunks of yardage on the ground. Tucker entered the game as a fullback and seem to help get the running game untracked. The Jackets moved into Panther territory for the first time in the game and Adrian Falconer took a screen pass and went 49 yards for a score. Junior James Eldridge PAT was good and Leesburg was inching it's way back into the ball game.

On the next Panther possession Tucker came up with a sack on third down forcing Eustis to punt on fourth down. The Jackets special teams blocked the punt and senior OLB/P/RB Austin Walker scooped up the football and returned for a Yellow Jacket touchdown. The PAT made the score Eustis 20, Leesburg 14 just before halftime. The Eustis crowd was now quiet as the Jackets were now back into the game.



The score remained 20-14 late into the fourth quarter when the Leesburg offense went to work on the ground. Tucker, Walker and Benton all carried the ball on the drive taking precious time off the clock. Senior quarterback Undra Mitchem ran a quarterback sneak from one yard out to tie the game. Eldridge PAT was good giving the Jackets a 21-20 lead with 5:15 left in the contest.

Eustis moved the ball down to the Leesburg 46 yard line on its final possession. On 4th and 2 Dunham pass was incomplete and the Jackets had comeback from being down 21-20 to secure it's second win of the season.

Eustis (1-1, 0-0) will travel to Wildwood to next Friday in a non-district game at Wildcat Field.

Leesburg will host Mount Dora in its 2012 Home opener in a non-district game at Leesburg Memorial Field at Hubert O. Dabney Stadium next week.

Resources



100 East Main Street
Leesburg Florida 34748



2012 Jackets In College Football Archives, Leesburg Public Library, 100 East Main Street, Leesburg Florida, Gerald Lacey, Staff Writer, Carver Heights Quarterback Club



Articles provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
1986 Leesburg Yellow Jackets Varsity Football Lettermen
Class of 1988 Leesburg High School
 



 2012 Leesburg High School Football Archives, Leesburg High School, 1401 Yellow Jacket Way, Leesburg, Florida 34748, Gerald Lacey, Staff Writer Carver Heights Quarterback Club


Gerald is a professional Internet marketer and social media marketing expert. His online business ventures and websites generate multiple streams of income annually. His consulting clients include best selling authors and international speakers.

Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online

















Thursday, September 6, 2012

2012 Leesburg vs. Eustis Game Preview, September 6, 2012

The Panther Den, Eustis High school, Eustis Florida
By Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
September 6, 2012

LEESBURG, Florida - Leesburg High School head football coach Randy Trivers will lead his Fightin' Yellow Jackets into the hostile confines of the Panther Den Friday night. You can throw out all of the records in the intense rivalry. The Leesburg vs. Eustis rivalry is one of the longest running rivalries in the nation. The schools started playing each other in 1927 with Leesburg dismantling the Panthers in the initial contest 61-0. 

The two schools are only 16.7 miles apart have battled almost every year since 1927 in this storied rivalry. Leesburg has won the last four meetings and looks to continue its dominance over the Panthers in Friday's game. Leesburg leads the series with 44-25-1 over a 85 year span. The Jackets won last years meeting 20-7 at Leesburg Memorial Field at Hubert O. Dabney Stadium.

Leesburg at Tavares, August 31, 2012 Photo by Ashley Beyer
Both teams looked impressive last week in wins over non-district opponents. Trivers is 2-0 against the Panthers and will be making his second visit to the Panther Den. On the Eustis sideline first year head coach Mike Hay is trying to tradition and swagger of past teams is Panthers' focus. The two schools have a combined total of 7 State Championship game appearances, 4 State Championships, 3 State Runnerup finishes, 17 District Championships and 28 FHSAA playoff appearances overall. 

"I know they've been down for a couple of years, but Eustis has traditionally been one of the powerhouse football programs in Lake County," Hay said. "They have a lot of good young players who got some valuable experience on the varsity roster last year."

"The best piece of advice is that football is a game, but it teaches you life lessons. You need to trust in your teammates, you have to be accountable and always be on time and you can never give up. What you want in life, you learn on the football field."

Senior OLB/P/RB Austin Walker will play a big role in Friday nights game against Eustis
 Eustis returns 19 starters off of last seasons 3-7 squad. The key loss was on offense when Jeremiah Sams who rushed for 1,024 yards as a junior at Eustis and picked up a Memphis offer during spring practice with the Panthers transferred to Lake Mary Prep.

After several playoff-bound years under coach Steve Moser, which included 27 wins between 2005 and 2007, Eustis' gridiron struggles began with a pair of two-win seasons in 2008 and 2009. Leesburg has had two consecutive winning seasons under Trivers and is looking to win it's first playoff game since 1992. The Jackets are 8-2 against Lake County opponents in the Randy Trivers Era. 

"Coach Hay was the committee's top recommendation to (Larry)," Cole said. "He is held with the highest regards from all the references, interviews, and telephone calls made on his behalf. His face-to-face interviews also were excellent. 

William M. "Billy" Rhodes, Jr. (Eustis High School, Eustis Florida) was Florida State's highest drafted offensive lineman at the time when he was selected in the fourth round by the St. Louis Cardinals. Rhodes joined teammate Ron Sellers as the only Seminoles to play in the 1969 Senior Bowl. During his four years, 1965-68, Rhodes played for legendary FSU Head Coach Bill Peterson. He lettered on three teams that went to bowl games, the 1966 Sun Bowl, the 1967 Gator Bowl, and the 1968 Peach Bowl. Rhodes was picked by Bill McGrotha to the all-time FSU football team and longtime Seminole line coach Bob Harrison listsed him as one of the toughest and best lineman to play for him.
"We're very excited to welcome coach Hay into the Eustis High School family." 

Hay is a graduate of Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He originally walked on at Ball State and, eventually, earned a scholarship as a long snapper for the Cardinals. 

Hay believes Eustis is the right place for him to begin his career as a head coach.

"I've wanted to be a coach for as long as I can remember," Hay said. "My dad introduced me to football and I've always admired his ability to inspire players to perform at their highest level. I want to have the same impact on young people as he had."  

Denver Broncos Danny Trevathan (Leesburg High School, Leesburg Florida) has played a big role in this longtime rivalry.
"My dad has been a football coach my whole life," Hay said. "He coached for 33 years. Growing up, I always wanted to be a head football coach.

"I know the community is hungry for a winner, I am hungry for a winner."

Eustis comes into the game after a big win against Lake Minneola. The Panthers had 326 yards total offense and the passing games appears to be solid led by junior Jabari Dunham who started last years contest as a starter. Dunham was 17-of-27 for 281 yards, 2 Tds and 2 Int's last week. Eustis runs a balance attack last week they had 27 rushing attempts and 27 passing attempts. They are a little suspect in the running game only picking up 45 total rushing yards against Lake Minneola.

Dunham like to spread the ball around Eustis had seven receivers with a least one catch last week. The Jackets defensive secondary will have their hands full with senior WR Clarence Few. Few led all Panther receivers last week with six receptions for 128 yards and one touchdown. Senior receiver Anthony Allen had 3 receptions for 92 yards.

Eustis Panthers junior Quarterback Jabari Dunham
Leesburg also features a balanced attack led by junior running back Mr. No Benton, who led Leesburg ball carriers with 74 yards on 16 carries. Benton feels like the Jackets haven't put their best game together yet and the sky is the limit for Trivers offense.

"I feel as if we can make it," Benton said. "We just have to touch up a few things."

Trivers will try to find a way to put the ball in sophomore WR Brian Jefferson. Jefferson had 103 yards, four receptions and two touchdowns from 34 and 47 yards out last Friday against Tavares. 

Leesburg Head Coach Randy Trivers leads his Fightin' Yellow Jackets down into the hostile environment of the Panther Den, Eustis High School, Eustis Florida, September 2010. The Jackets return to the Panther Den Friday night to face the panthers in one of the nations oldest high school football rivalries
Defensively the Jackets will rely on some veterans to shutdown the Panthers. Senior DE/OLB Jordan Tucker, will be counted on heavily in stopping the Panthers passing attack. Senior P/RB/OLB will have his hand in all phases of the game in will provide senior leadership on special teams and defense.

Eustis defense caused 7 turnovers last week including 4 interceptions. The Panthers are being more aggressive on defense this year under Hay. Leesburg will have to protect the football in order to have a chance to win.

2012 Varsity Football Team

Leesburg


Coach: Randy Trivers


2012 Record 1-0, 0-0
Last year: 8-2
Overall: 88-33


Top players: OL Chris Smith (Sr., 6-0, 225), OL Adriel Hansborough (Sr., 6-3, 240), DE-LB Jordan Tucker (Sr., 6-2, 210), WR-TE Lee Bennett (Jr., 6-1, 200), Austin Walker, Demetric Blue, Bryant Benton, Bryan Jefferson, Germaine Gasden, Estader Maurepass, Lee Bennett, Adrian Falconer

The Buzz: The Jackets are looking to start off 2-0 for second straight season. Bryan Jefferson is doing a nice job so far in replacing D'Mauri Jones. The Jackets have more depth and speed than Eustis and will try to use it their advantage. Junior running back Bryant "Mr. No" Benton will look to have a breakout game at the Panther Den.

2012 Eustis High School Varsity Football Team

 Eustis

Coach
: Mike Hay

2012 Record 1-0, 0-0
Last year : 0-0
Overall: 1-0

Top players
: RB-CB Darnell Hill (Sr., 5-10, 170), WR-CB Clarence Few (Sr., 6-0, 170), WR-LB Anthony Allen (Sr., 6-3, 181), OL-DL Wayne Perry (Sr., 6-2, 234), Jabari Dunham, McKinley Kirkpatrick, Dustin Dunham, Tyric Reid, Trey Fieldings, Darius Anderson, Marc Wilson, Tommy Files, Jaylon Graham

The Buzz
: New staff has brought new optimism. With 10 offensive and nine defensive starters returning, Panthers look to turn around recent down times. Hill (1,027 yards rushing) is explosive runner. LB D.J. Scott (Sr., 5-10, 193) missed last season with an injury.




LEESBURG HIGH SCHOOL FHSAA PLAYOFF HISTORY

State Championships 1927, 1929, 1934
State Runnerup 1928, 1969
District Championships 1969, 1971, 1992, 2007

1969 A CLASS 2A District Playoffs: Leesburg 12, Auburndale 0 


Semifinals: Leesburg 36, Belle Glade 23 


Championship: Blake 27, Leesburg 6 Blake (Tampa) 


1971
CLASS 3A District Playoffs: Haines City 34, Leesburg 0 

1992 CLASS 4A District Playoffs: Leesburg 47, Land O’Lakes 0


1992 Class 4A Regional Playoffs:
(Daytona Beach) Seabreeze 24, Leesburg 10

2000 CLASS 4A Regional Quarterfinals:  New Smyrna Beach 34, Leesburg 0


2001 CLASS 4A Regional Quarterfinals:  37 Palm Bay (Melbourne), Leesburg 0

2005 CLASS 4A Regional Quarterfinals: Nease (Ponte Vedra Beach) 63, Leesburg 20


2007 CLASS 4A Regional Quarterfinals: Columbia (Lake City) 21, Leesburg 0;


FHSAA Finals Record  0-1
FHSAA Tournament Record 3-7


The Panther Den, Eustis High School, Eustis Florida
EUSTIS HIGH SCHOOL FHSAA PLAYOFF HISTORY

1965 CLASS B STATE RUNNERUP
1966 CLASS B STATE SEMIFINALIST
1968 CLASS B STATE SEMIFINALIST
1971 CLASS 2A STATE SEMIFINALIST
1983 CLASS 2A STATE CHAMPIONS

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS
1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1983, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2005

1965 Class B Semifinals Eustis 13 Avon Park 13 
1965 Class B Championship Holmes County (Bonifay) 32 Eustis 0

1966 Class B Semifinals Avon Park 27 Eustis 0

1967 Class B District Playoffs Clay (Green Cove Springs) 14 Eustis 0

1968 Class B District Playoffs Eustis 13 Father Lopez (Daytona Beach) 7
1968 Class B Semifinals Carver (Delray Beach) 31 Eustis 7

1970 Class B District Playoffs Wildwood 6 Eustis 0

1971 Class 2A District Playoffs Eustis 25 Wildwood 14
1971 Class 2A Semifinals Port St. Joe 13 Eustis 0

1972 Class 2A District Playoffs Wildwood 22 Eustis 20

1983 Class 2A District Playoffs Eustis 16 Wildwood 2 
1983 Class 2A Regional Playoffs Eustis 39 Hardee County 7
1983 Class 2A Sectional Playoffs Eustis 14 Clewiston 7
1983 Class 2A State Championship Eustis 21 Fort Walton (DeFuniak Springs) 6

1991 Class 3A District Playoffs Pasco (Dade City) 28 Eustis 7 

1993 Class 3A Semifinal State First Round Jones (Orlando) 13 Eustis 7

1994 Class 4A Semifinal State First Round Astronaut (Titusville) 14 Eustis 9

1995 Class 4A Regional First Round Eustis 21 Atlantic (Port Orange) 18
1995 Class 4A Regional Quarterfinals Eustis 22 Eastside (Gainesville) 12
1995 Class 4A Regional Semifinals Robert E. Lee (Jacksonville) 21 Eustis 13

1996 Class 4A Regional First Round Eustis 40 L.C Jones (Orlando) 12
1996 Class 4A Regional Quarterfinals Crystal River 28 Eustis 14

1997 Class 4A Regional First Round North Marion (Citra) 45 Eustis 22

2000 Class 2A Regional Quarterfinals Lake Highland Prep (Orlando) 50 Eustis 19

2001 Class 2A Regional Quarterfinals 55 Dixie County (Cross City) Eustis 7
2002 Class 2A Regional Quarterfinals Lake Highland Prep (Orlando) 62 Eustis 14

2003 Class 2A Regional Semifinals Bradford (Starke) 41 Eustis 0

2005 Class 3A Regional Quarterfinals Eustis 14 Zephyrhils 6
2005 Class 3A Regional Semifinals North Marion (Citra) 25 Eustis 7

2006 Class 3A Regional Quarterfinals Eustis 22 Zephyrhills 14
2006 Class 3A Regional Semifinals Eustis 22 Williston 6
2006 Class 3A Regional Finals North Marion (Citra) 24 Eustis 8

2007 Class 3A Regional Quarterfinals Eustis 32 Pasco (Dade City) 16
2007 Class 3A Regional Semifinals Harmony 37 Eustis 0

FHSAA Finals Record 1-1

FHSAA Tournament Record 14-20

Former Jackets standout #9 Andy Carlton (Wake Forest University) has played in this series.
There have been several notable players who have played in this rivalry over the past few years. Leesburg players are Jonathan Cannon (Mississippi Valley State University, Arkansas Pine-Bluff), Greg Johnson (Florida State, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Oran Singleton (Central Arkansas, Southwest Baptist, Northwest CC), Gene "Tank" Ellis (Southwest Baptist), D.J. Keith (Southwest Baptist), Ty Lawrence (Southwest Baptist, Valdosta State),  Dayne Williams (Florida State University, New York Giants) Max Wettstein (Florida State University, Denver Broncos), Wayne Hamilton (University of Alabama, San Diego Chargers), Bubba Pratt (University of Florida), Danny Trevathan (University of Kentucky All-American), Tory Harrison (University of Southern Mississippi, Hartford Colonels of the UFL), Matt Shepherd (Monmouth College, All-American plays professionally in Finland), Dondelaro Crosby (Missouri State) Luther McDowell (Monmouth College), Tim Erving (Monmouth College), R.J. Peppers (Towson University), Jeremiah Thompson (Florida State),  Dontra Matthews (Virginia University of Lynchburg), Rod Cosgrove (Susquehanna University), Demetrius Singleton (Averitt University), Danny Hardaway (Monmouth College), Luke Freeze (Lenoir-Rhyne College), Shon Gunn (Ranger College), Anthony Saincilaire (Bacone College), Evan Hayden (Meghodist Unversity), Nathan Cornell (Chowan University), Joe Perry (Ranger College), Mike Lewis (Thiel College), Trevor Hawersaat (Southern Virginia University), Marquez Porter (East Los Angeles College), Salthaniel Hall (Brevard College), Mark Smith (Ranger College), David Faile (University of Central Florida), Marques Austin (Victor Valley College) Gary Semanchik (Florida State) to name a few.


Former Panthers standout Joe Burnett (Edmonton Eskimos)
Here are some notable Eustis players who have played in the series Joe Burnett (University of Central Florida, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, Edmonton Eskimos) Anthony Fielding (Morningside College, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys), Akeem Dunham (Vanderbilt), Courtney Keith (Bethune-Cookman University), Kadero Terrell (Kansas State University), Billy Rhodes Jr. (Florida State University), Billy Rhodes III (Florida State University), Bobby Rhodes (Florida State University), Bayfus McCoy (Georgia Military Institute), Alvin Dorsey, Damon Evans (Northland), Edmund Lewis (Bethune-Cookman University), Jimmy Ray Stephens (Florida Gators), Levi Duncan (East Central Mississippi Junior College), Alphonso Walker (Florida A&M University), Dewayne McCleod (Jacksonville State, Ala), Justin Amman (Florida State University, San Diego Chargers), Jared Beard (Eastern Kentucky University), too name a few.

Here are some famous alumni of the Leesburg vs. Eustis Rivalry

Former Eustis Standout Anthony Fielding here in a game at Morningside College. Fielding would later gone and make two Super Bowl appearances with the Dallas Cowboys and the Buffalo Bills.

LSU safety Eric Reid (1) blows up Vanderbilt wide receiver Akeem Dunham (Eustis High School, Eustis Florida) in the fourth quarter of last season’s contest (photo by Jon Roy).

New Hampshire defenders gang up on Bethune-Cookman's, Courtney Keith (1) during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010, in Daytona Beach, Fla. New Hampshire won 45-20. (AP Photo/Daytona Beach News-Journal, Nigel Cook)

#78 Greg Johnson (Leesburg High School, Fruitland Park Florida) during Florida State's game against Alabama.
 
#49 Dayne Williams (Leesburg High School, Fruitland Park Florida) carries the football during a Florida State vs. Nebraska game.
Resources

100 East Main Street
Leesburg Florida 34748














Photos by:
Ashley Beyer
Freelance Photographer























Articles provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
1986 Leesburg Yellow Jackets Varsity Football Lettermen
Class of 1988 Leesburg High School
 




 2012 Leesburg High School Football Archives, Leesburg High School, 1401 Yellow Jacket Way, Leesburg, Florida 34748, Gerald Lacey, Staff Writer Carver Heights Quarterback Club


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