Jackets In Tangerine Bowl Jamboree Tonight, September 4, 1970

By WAYNE STOKES
Sports Editor
Daily Commercial
September 4, 1970

Leesburg's 1970 Fighting Yellow Jackets travel to Orlando tonight to face the challenge of two Orlando Class AA powerhouses in the Tangerine Bowl football Jamboree hosted by Boone High School.

This will be the first opportunity for Head Coach Wilbur Lofton and staff to see their latest edition of Yellow jacket gridders in action and the results could be staggering. With a team that is not overloaded in the depth department, the Jackets head for the Tangerine Bowl Jamboree and encounters with two of the most powerful football aggregations in Central Florida.

With kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m., Leesburg will tangle with Orlando -Boone in the opening quarter of play, with Titusville facing Edgewater in the second frame. After the first half is completed, Boone comes back against Titusville and the Jackets bounce back in the final quarter against everybody's choice for Class AA honors in Central Florida, Edgewater.

Both Orlando schools are loaded with fine football players and both squads have experienced personnel in most spots. It should be a matchup of powerful lines in both quarters of Leesburg's action, as each team is reputed to be strong at these positions.

Edgewater is classed as a very physical team, one capable of bulldozing a foe under through sheer man power and strength,Boone is more of an unknown quantity.

Leesburg has another fine defensive line, as has been the case for the past few seasons, and 1970 may be the best lineup yet. This is a tribute to the excellent trench work taught by Hubert Dabney, line coach for the Jackets. Big lineman like Greg Johnson, Lynn Gilbert, Phil McEachern, and Co. should have the size, strength, talent to stick heads with any team in the state this year.

Operating behind a young offensive line may create some problems at the beginning but once the boys get the feel of operating as a unit under their belts, the offense should by a thing of beauty to watch.

Leading the offense for the Jackets in 1970 is the super junior quarterback prosperity, Dandy Andy Carlton. This sterling youngster has all the tools to follow last year's all-state quarterback, Mike Napier, and if he can remain healthy for the season, these same honors are not beyond his grasp. Andy will be leading the Jackets out of a pro set offense, utilizing a floating pocket type of attack, and working his passing game to a varied pattern of receivers.

Overall, the Jackets passing game should be outstanding. Carlton has excellent speed in his wideouts, Tim Wesley and Jerome Kerrison. Both boys are small but both have the good hands and can really carry the mail, once the pass is caught. These two scooters will give the Jackets a fine deep threat for the long pass, thrown so well by Carlton.

The short passing game could well be the most potent part of the Jackets game plans this year, with an abundance of strong receivers to throw to. A dark horse for all-state honors may be waiting at tight end for the Jackets in the person of Kenny Hicks. This youngster is tipping the scales at 198 pounds for the Jackets this year and has to be called a bull of a runner with excellent hands. Hicks  has been one of the most improved players in the Jackets camp, so far, and the hard working senior be headed for a real big year. He will be a player to keep your eyes on tonight, as he likes to run for the end zone and doesn't mind going over the top of people to get there.

Both set-backs have good hands and dare both rated as fine pass receivers. The passing game to the running backs coming out of the backfield will put extra pressure on the defensive linebackers, causing the Jackets deep passing game to become even more of a threat.

With big horse, Tommy Ryan, counted on becoming one of the state's best at his backfield spot, this big, durable senior can be expected to be a potent running threat against everyone. Tommy comes in at close to 200 pounds and has the speed to make his strength even greater. His running mate in the backfield will be Hovie Guthrie, quick-striking senior halfback, who might miss the game tonight because of personal problems out of the state. When Hovie returns, he and Ryan should form a dynamic duo for Jacket foes to defend against.

With the pieces of the puzzle still to be put together, tonight's Jamboree should prove to be most interesting. A big crowd is expected at the Tangerine Bowl in Orlando, and plenty of tickets are still available at the LHS Athletic Department office. All tickets sold here at home will be for the use of the Leesburg Athletic Department only, while gate receipts at the Tangerine Bowl will be split four ways. 

Let's have a good turnout to support our Jacket's tonight and spur them on to another championship season. The squad has a difficult task following the 1969 group who battled into the Class A runnerup spot, but with the full support of the community, the talent is there for an encore.

Other Jamborees in the area pits Clermont, Eustis, Mt. Dora, and Umatilla in the Bulldogs Stadium at Umatilla, with a 7:30 kickoff. Wildwood, expected to be a Class B powerhouse, travels to Apopka to play in the Blue Darters Jamboree with Oak Ridge, Evans, and Apopka.

It should be a most interesting night.

Resources

WAYNE STOKES
Sports Editor
Daily Commercial
www.dailycommercial.com
September 4, 1970

Leesburg Public Library
http://www.ci.leesburg.fl.us/library/

Article provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
1986 Varsity Jackets Football Lettermen #82
Class of 1988 Leesburg High School 

leesburgyellowjacketsfootball@yahoo.com
www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

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

Leesburg Ties Edgewater - Downs Boone In Tangerine Bowl Jamboree, September 6, 1970

By WAYNE STOKES
Sports Editor
Daily Commercial
September 6, 1970

ORLANDO - Last night was the night that David travelled to meet Goliath, as Leesburg's Fighting Yellow Jackets face Orlando Class AA powers, Boone and Edgewater, in the Tangerine Bowl football Jamboree. In conditions that were far from being good football weather at the beginning of the contest, Leesburg faced the Boone High Braves in opening quarter of the four team affair.

On the opening kickoff, Gene Elton toed the wet football into the end zone, and suddenly, 1970 football was underway. Rain was falling in torrents at this time and lighting was filling the darkened water-logged sky as Boone set up for their first offensive thrusts of the year.

Three running plays proved to be hapless in the nasty weather and Tom Bolen's Braves were forced to punt the football away.

Tim Wesley and Jerome Kerrison dropped back in twin safeties for the Jackets as Boone was
forced to kick from near their goal line. Their first punt effort was nullified by offsetting penalties and on the second try, Leesburg took over at the 42 yard line of Boone.

The Leesburg offense was directed by junior quarterback Andy Carlton and on the first and ten play at the 42 yard line, Andy dropped a little flare pass out to Hovie Guthrie, moving out from his halfback spot. The gain was good for six yards and on the second try, Guthrie took a handofff for five yards and a first down.

With first down and ten at the Boone 31 yard mark, Tommy Ryan took a handoff from Carlton and tried to move through the middle of the Boone defensive line but was stopped for no gain. After a pass attempt to Jerome Kerrison was wide of the mark, Carlton fired a pass to Tim Wesley for nine yards but was still short of a first down. On fourth and one at the 22 yard line of Boone, Tommy Ryan bolted through to the nineteen and the Jackets were still rolling with another first and ten.

On a first and ten at the Boone 19, Carlton tried a pass in the right flat that was incomplete and almost picked off. Hovie Guthrie blasted off the right side of the next down and churned up the T-Bowl turf down to the nine and a half yard stripe, close to another first down. With third and a short one yard, Leesburg called time to set up their goal line offense. Carlton sneaked through to the eight yard line for the first down and it became first and goal for Leesburg at the Boone eight yard line.

On first down, little Hovie Guthrie tore through for four yards and it was second and four from the four. On the next carry, Tommy Ryan bulled downed to the two yard line and the Jackets were knocking on the door with their first offensive series. From the two yard line, Andy Carlton bootlegged the ball around the left side before tossing a little pass to the tight end Kenny Hicks, standing all alone in the end zone and the Jackets had dented the scoreboard.

Touchdown for the Yellow Jackets.

With 5:18 showing on the Tangerine Bowl scoreboard clock, the try for the extra point was wide and Leesburg was ready to kick off with their 6-0 lead.

At this point, the rain was still falling in sheets but it didn't seem to effect the machine-like offense of the Yellow Jackets as they marched straight down the field to paydirt on their try of the 1970 football season.

Gene Elton kicked off for Leesburg again and the kick was picked up on the twenty five yard line. The run back was stopped short on a sharp open field tackle by Marvin King, sophomore
defensive back.

Boone went on offense on their 32 yard line, and their first running attempt was halted by a fine tackle by the left cornerback, Hovie Guthrie, good for a three yard loss. After an incomplete pass, Boone's quarterback Robin Harrelson fired a pass down the middle that was good for eighteen yards and a Boone first down.

On the first down, Boone tried the bomb but it was short and Carl Chatman broke up the attempt. Coming back on second down, Boone again tried the pass but this play was broken up on a nifty piece of defensive secondary work by Steve Ezell, the monster man from the Jackets. With third and ten to go, Harrelson dropped back to pass and was stormed under by Greg Johnson and Lynn Gilbert for a seven yard loss. The officials spotted a personal foul against Leesburg that nullified the loss.

On first down from the Leesburg 40, Lynn Gilbert blew in from his right tackle spot and threw the quarterback for a ten yard loss. A running play failed to gain and on third and 20, Harrelson threw the ball under heavy pursuit and Leon Scott the middle guard, drifted back on pass coverage to pick the football out of the air for an interception.

Scott returned the ball back to the Leesburg 40, where the Jackets set up offensive shop.

On first down, Ryan was stopped for a two yard gain that was nullified by a fifteen yard penalty for a personal foul against Leesburg.

Three running plays allowed the Jackets to run the clock out and Leesburg

The second period was devoted to Edgewater and Titusville, with the Edgewater Eagles pulling out a 6-0 victory.

Buster Morrison, Edgewater quarterback, filled the Tangerine Bowl with passes in this quarter, losing several long gainers to dropped passes in the open.

Edgewater passed 80 percent of the time against Titusville and it looked as if the Jackets secondary would get a severe test when the two teams collided in the fourth quarter of play.

In the third period, Titusville managed a field goal to defeat Boone, 3-0, getting their only points of the night with only 27 seconds left on the third period clock.

The fourth quarter was played without any rain falling, which was fitting as the two class teams of the Jamboree were set to go against each other.

Edgewater, holding the banner of the Class AA District Champions aloft, was ready to defend their claims against the challenge of the strong Class A Jackets.

Leesburg had to kick off for the second time and Gene Elton lofted the ball down to the four yard line, where a reverse handoff on the return brought the ball up to the Edgewater 32 yard marker.

Three running plays moved the ball all the way down to the Leesburg 47 yard line, with Edgewater spotting a weakness around the right side of the Jackets defensive set.

Morrison, the quarterback, gained two off the left side before big Jimmy Eller broke through for 17 yards down the middle on a trap play. With first down on the Leesburg 28, the first running play was halted for no gain. On the second down, Morrison attempted to pass but was rushed and had to move out of the pocket for a one yard pickup. With third and nine at the 27, Morrison dropped back again and threw the ball toward the goal line where it was picked off by Tommy Ryan, who played a tremendous game on defense, and returned back up field to the Leesburg 37.

Going with the same offensive setup with Wesley split wide to the left and Kerrison wide to the
right, Leesburg began to work on offense for the first time against the huge Edgewater defense.

Two running plays netted nothing and on third and ten, Carlton passed complete to Hovie Guthrie but it was short of the first down. Tommy Ryan set up to punt for the Jackets and took a low snap, but got his kick away down to the Edgewater 19 yard line.

The first Eagle running play netted a long gainer up to the Edgewater 39 yard stripe, where the ball carrier McKinney was chased down from behind by Tommy Ryan. A trap play up the middle was good for six yards before Tommy Ryan halted the ball carrier once again. On second down, a reverse around the right side of the Jackets line pushed the ball all the way up to the Leesburg 44 yard line before Carl Chatman made the touchdown preventing tackle.

On the 44 of Leesburg, Morrison dropped back to pass but was slammed to the soggy Tangerine Bowl turf by big Greg Johnson for seven yard loss. On second and long yardage, Morrison dropped back again and received another big rush from Johnson and Gilbert, but got the pass away for a four yard pickup.

On third down and long yardage, Morrison tried to pass but was unsuccessful and it brought up a punting situation. Morrison punted dead on the Yellow Jacket 15, where Andy Carlton was ready to get the Jackets rolling on offense.

On first and ten at the fifteen, Carlton fired complete to Jerome Kerrison up to the 24 yard line. Edgewater was penalized fifteen yards at this point for piling on after the whistle had blown and that moved the ball all the way up to the Leesburg 38.

On first down, Guthrie was stopped for one yard and the second down pass play was incomplete. On third down, Kerrison made a beautiful grab of a Carlton serial to keep the drive alive up to the mid-field stripe.

With another first down registered at the Edgewater 49 yard line, Carlton dropped back to pass and tossed a nineteen yard completion to his junior flanker, Tim Wesley, down to the Edgewater thirty yard stripe, good for still another first and ten situation.

A five yard walk off set the ball back to the thirty five, where Leesburg was face with a first and fifteen for the first down. Tommy Ryan bolted around the left end for eight tough yards before Andy Carlton rolled right and ran the ball down to the 21 yard stripe, short of the first down by one long yard.

Only thirty seconds showed on the clock, with Leesburg faced with a fourth and one situation at the 21. Leesburg fumbled the snap of the wet football and time ran out with Leesburg and Edgewater deadlocked in a scoreless duel in the wet, Tangerine Bowl jamboree.

After the ball game, coach Lofton remarked after being asked if he was pleased with the effort his charges turned in with a statement that sums up the attitude of everyone connected with Leesburg football this year. We asked Lofton if he was pleased and he replied "You don't know just how pleased I really am with the fine job that our kids turned in out there tonight. I thought they gave an excellent account of themselves and I think we are going to be all right this year".

Coming from Coach Lofton, never one to bubble optimism, this has to be a fine ballclub in 1970 and everyone turned in an effort of which they can be proud of. It was a fine night, once again, for Yellow Jacket football.

WAYNE STOKES
Sports Editor
Daily Commercial
www.dailycommercial.com
September 6, 1970
 

Article written by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
1986 Varsity Jackets Football Lettermen #82
Class of 1988 Leesburg High School 

leesburgyellowjacketsfootball@yahoo.com
www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

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.