Leesburg Yellow Jackets Football News: eustis vs leesburg football

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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Noor Davis, D’Mauri Jones give Leesburg two big-time recruits, August 23, 2011

Noor Davis and D'Mauri Jones give Leesburg two big-time recruits

by Joe Williams

Orlando Sentinel

August 23, 2011

Leesburg’s athletic program could be on quite a resurgence. The Yellow Jackets boys basketball team won the Class 4A state championships last year and their football team has two of Central Florida’s most prized recruits.

Noor Davis (6-4, 225), a senior linebacker who transferred this year from The Villages Charter School, has committed to Stanford University. He is regarded as the No. 1 linebacker in the country by Rivals.com and is No. 11 on the Sentinel’s 2012 Central Florida Super60 recruiting list.

D’Mauri Jones (6-3, 175), a senior wide receiver, has committed to the University of Miami. Jones, No. 15 in the Super60 list, had 40 receptions for 544 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. He also played on the Yellow Jackets basketball team..

The two, who attended Saturday’s third annual Sentinel Varsity Football Media Day, are both expecting a lot of success this season for the Yellow Jackets. Jones said winning a state championship in basketball has helped give him a lot of confidence for this coming football season.

“It showed us that if you work hard, in the end you can accomplish anything,” Jones said about the biggest lesson he learned from the basketball season.

Davis said he has noticed a big difference transferring from Villages to Leesburg where second-year coach Randy Trivers, a former college assistant at Rutgers and Syracuse University, has instilled a positive attitude. Davis had 88 tackles in nine games last season with 6.5 quarterback sacks.

“I don’t want to look back at the past, I am excited about the future,” Davis said when asked to compare the two programs. “All I will say is it is tremendously different at Leesburg. There are a lot more athletes and a better coaching staff. I just tip my hat to what is being done at Leesburg.”

Resources
Joe Williams
Orlando Sentinel
August 23, 2011

Article provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
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.

Wildwood stings Leesburg, August 27, 1994

Corbin scores 2 touchdowns for Wildcat

By Brian McLaughlin
Daily Commercial Correspondent

Daily Commercial
August 27, 1994

LEESBURG - Wildwood scored four touchdowns, all of them plays of more than 55 yards, to defeat Leesburg 26-12 on Friday in one half of play in a Kickoff Classic

A Kickoff Classic is an exhibition game. Leesburg and Wildwood chose to let the junior varsity teams play the first half. The varsity followed in the second half.

Tailback Marcus Corbin led the way for the Wildcats, rushing for 128 yards on just five carries and scoring two of the touchdowns.

Leesburg moved the ball well, accumulating yardage but turning the ball over four times.

"Our offense had a lot of rust tonight," Leesburg Coach Ed Hoffman said. "It would have been nice to have won this one for momentum going into the season, but I was still proud of the way they always came back."

On the opposite end of the field, Wildwood Coach Gene Foster complimented his players efforts but was also quick to point out weaknesses.

"Our defense will have to learn to be more disciplined," Foster said. "We will have to work on getting in shape as a team also."

It didn't seem like the Wildcats were out of breath on their first two offensive possessions though, as solid down field blocking and alert running by Brian Haugabrook and Corbin put Wildwood ahead quickly 13-0.

Leesburg did not sit down at that point though. On a fourth down, the Jackets lined up in punt formation but quarterback Brian Hepburn took the snap and threw a 49-yard pass to Ken Thompson, who took it to the 10 yard line.

Leesburg only needed one play to punch it into the endzone, with tailback Bishon Roberts taking it in.

On the ensuing kickoff, Telly Brutton returned the ball 81 yards for a touchdown, putting the Wildcats up 19-6.

"Our backs did one heck of a job, but nothing would have happened without the offensive line's blocking tonight," Foster said.

In the first half of teh game, the Leesburg junior varsity defeated Wildwood 13-0 behind the rushing of Grover Gaddy. Gaddy finished with 53 yards on eight carries scoring one touchdown.

Resources

Brian McLaughlin
Daily Commercial Correspondent

Daily Commercial
August 27, 1994

Articles provided by:

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Singleton slices through Clermont, September 4, 1992

Hubert O. Dabney Stadium, Leesburg High School, Leesburg Florida Home of the Jackets

Singleton slices through Clermont

Leesburg, Eustis win football jamboree halves

By Gary White
Daily Commercial Staff Writer

Daily Commercial

September 4, 1992

CLERMONT - So much for the theory that defenses develop ahead of offenses during the preseason.

All four teams in Thursday night's football jamboree at Clermont showed defensive rust, committing at least a couple (and in some cases many more) major breakdowns. Meanwhile, each team showed at least glimmers of vitality on offense.

Of course, it was all much like a presidential election. Everyone called it meaningless but paid ample attention to what took place.

They did in fact keep score, and Eustis outlasted Mount Dora 20-13 in the first half. Leesburg defeated Clermont 16-7 in the finale.

In that second matchup between the two Lake County teams carrying the highest preseason expectations, it took Leesburg tailback 13 seconds to pick up where he left off in 1991. Singleton, who gained 1,798 yards and scored 20 touchdowns last season, took a pitchout on Leesburg's first play and darted untouched 48 yards for a touchdown.

Singleton, playing sparingly, gathered 112 yards on six carries. He set up leesburg's second touchdown by turning a fake punt into a 23-yard dash for a first down.

"That kid doesn't surprise me anymore," Leesburg Coach Ed Hoffman said. "If we can get that kid out on the end and only two (defenders) are out there, he's going to do something."

But Singleton wasn't the only impressive runner on the field. In the first half, Eustis tailback Oliver Longley showed that Eustis may weather the departure of All-State runner Bayfus McCoy after all. Longley carried 13 times for 93 yards and added a 76-yard touchdown on a kickoff return.

"Don't let him get in the sceondary," Eustis Coach Kevin McClelland said of Longley.

"Speed makes up for a lot of mistakes."

Clermont tailback Kendrick Moore also gave indications that he could be the dominant runner the Highlanders have lacked in recent seasons. Moore totaled 88 yards on nine carries, including a 66-yard touchdown that seemed to stun the proud Jackets.

"I counted five missed tackles," Hoffman said. "But I credit their team and their running backs. They've got two very good, skilled running backs."

"I think Kendrick showed when he gets in the open field he's going to be hard to tackle," Clermont Coach Bruce Kregloe said. "He's a pretty big kid; he's not going to fall down when he gets hit with an arm. He didn't get the ball as much tonight as he will."

The most interesting matchup of the night was Clermont sizeable offensive line against Leesburg's defense. The Jackets, who return all but two starters form a team that yielded 11 points per game, won the battle.

But in addition to Moore's touchdown, Leesburg allowed a 40-yard pass from Brian Roehn to Marshea Dugan. Clermont moved to Leesburg's 23-yard line on that drive before D.J. Keith intercepted Roehn in the end zone.

Both teams played it extremely conservative. With Eustis, the Jackets' opening opponent, watching from behind the north end zone, Leesburg attempted only one pass. Instead, Hoffman stuck with the option offense, and third-year starting quarterback Steve Gooden ran it expertly.

Gooden moved the Jackets 68 yards on their second drive before Brian Rausch kicked a 25-yard field goal. On the next possession, Gooden froze the Highlanders with an inside fake and ran 33 yards for a touchdown.

Longley showed his quickness as Eustis took a 13-0 lead and held off Mount Dora. He capped the Panthers first drive by taking a pitchout, reversing through the Hurricanes defense and going 68 yards for a score.

Mount Dora's first possession resulted in disaster when free safety Brian Faircloth intercepted a Montana Mace pass and returned it 5 yards for a touchdown. Longley gave Eustis its final score when he fielded a short kickoff and made Mount Dora pay for overrunning the play.

Both Mount Dora touchdowns came after Tim Pruett took over at quarterback. Brad Lott scored on a 2-yard run to cap a 40-yard drive, and Pruett connected with Cleve Hickson for a 75-yard score down the left sideline.

But Mount Dora Caoch Craig Cosden said his quarterback situation remains undecided.

"Tim showed he can get in there and do an effective job," Cosden said. "I have absolute confidence in Montana Mace. I think that (position) is a positive for us."

Resources

Gary White
Daily Commercial Staff Writer

Daily Commercial

September 4, 1992

Article provided by:

Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

geraldlacey@leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Football teams face fall tuneups, September 3, 1992

Hubert O. Dabney Stadium, Leesburg High School, Leesburg Florida, Home of the Jackets

Football teams face fall tuneups

Clermont, Groveland host events

By Pete Barth
Daily Commercial Staff Writer
Daily Commercial

September 3, 1992

Perhaps Groveland Coach Raymond Green speaks for all football coaches when he describes the meaning of preseason jamborees.

"When you play the game of football, you always look to win when you kick off, but this is the one time when everyone can be a winner if their team executes," Green said. "Coming out on top on the scoreboard isn't as important as executing."

Lake County's football coaches agree that winning a half or quarter in a jamboree isn't the top objective. Instead, the coaches throw out works like "execution" and "blocking schemes" when asked what they're looking for. There will be two jamborees tonight in south Lake County. In Groveland, five teams will play two quarters each. At 6:30 p.m., Umatilla plays Bishop Moore for a quarter. Then, Bishop Moore plays Melbourne Central Catholic followed by Umatilla vs. Groveland.

The Clermont jamboree's final half features perhaps the area's top two teams in Clermontand Leesburg. That doesn't make a difference, Highlanders Coach Bruce Kregloe said.

"It's the same old thing," he said when asked if the opponent made this jamboree more important than those of the past. "Our attention is focused 99.5 percent on Lecanto (Clermont's season-opening opponent). We got our first look at Leesburg today."

Kregloe said he'll be concerned with how his players block, tackle and execute the Clermont plays. Everything after that is gravy.

"I think this is a good test for us, and if we win or play well it certainly would be a confidence-builder," Kregloe said.

The Highlanders will work primarily on their running game, which features big running backs Kendrick Moore and Keith Enos.

"Ultimately, this is just a practice, a scrimmage," Kregloe said. "The main difference is you've got people watching."

Leesburg High first-year coach Ed Hoffman echoed Kregloe, saying execution of the fundamentals is the number one thing he concerned with.

"And we don't want to get anyone hurt and we don't want to see a lot of mistakes," he added. "I'm looking forward to seeing how our offense clicks, and I know our defense will play well."

The experienced Yellow jackets are led by All-State first team halfback Oran Singleton, who racked up more than 1,700 yards last season. Quarterback Steve Gooden also returns.

Mount Dora Coach Craig Cosden is anxious to see how his young team will produce, especially since the area's top passer-receiver duo from a year ago is graduated. Cosden said he has two players with the potential to fill the shoes of departed quarterback Jamie Pruett (1,036 yards passing) and receiver Mike Redd (49 catches).

We've got to throw the ball and throw it successfully," Cosden said. "I have two guys I think will be good players. Montana Mace is our quarterback and Cleve Hicikson will be a great receiver for us. He has run a 10.9 100 meters."

Eustis will be breaking in new players at several positions, notably quarterback, where senior Chessie Pyatt takes over for two-year starter Anthony Allen.

Two of the three local teams at the Groveland jamboree return starting quarterbacks. Tavares' Billy Keener and Umatilla's Greg Ogiste lead to teams looking to improve on losing records last season.

As for Groveland, Green said he already feels like his team is a winner. Last year, it was unclear if the Green backs would even have enough players to field a team. Tonight, Green will suit out 30 players and he said there will be even more for next week's opener.

"Basically, we're looking to see how the young kids perform," Green said. "the group of seniors we've got this year is probably the best group of seniors I've ever had."

Stacy issacs gets the nod at starting quarterback for the Greenback Gators, while the backfield appears solid with Jeff Bradham, Steve Boyd and Kenyatta Thompson ready to carry the ball.

Resources

Pete Barth
Daily Commercial Staff Writer
Daily Commercial

September 3, 1992

Article provided by:

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

geraldlacey@leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

Former NFL coach to help Jackets, August 3, 1993

Hubert O. Dabney Stadium, Leesburg High School, Leesburg Florida, Home of the Jackets

Lou Saban volunteers to help Leesburg High football team

By Gary White
Daily Commercial Staff Writer
Daily Commercial
August 3, 1993

Lou Saban made an attempt at retirement a few years ago. It didn't last long.

"I tried that; I couldn't stand it," Saban said. "There's only so much golf and tennis you can play."

So when the former professional football coach moved to Mount Dora about six months ago, he kept an eye out for an opportunity to do some coaching. That led to a few conversations with Leesburg High School head coach Ed Hoffman.

Saban said Monday he has agreed to serve as a volunteer assistant coach this season for Leesburg. Practice begins next Monday.

"As a volunteer, I'm going to be there when I can be, but it's pretty hard to determine when and how I can," Saban said. "It just seems like the thing to do. I'm glad to help,"

Saban, 71, said he's not sure how often he'll attend Leesburg practices or whether he'll be on them sidelines for games. I've got a couple other thing s brewing," he said.

Hoffman said Saban (whom he described as a "consultant") will concentrate on defense, helping to fill a void created when defensive coordinator George Fuller decided not to coach this season for personal reasons.

"I'm just real happy to have him want to be involved with the Leesburg program," Hoffman said. "He'll be coming to our school, but he won't be a full-time coach. He's just a guy who's always going to be involved with football."

Saban has been involved with the game for more than 50 years. After a playing career with the Cleveland Browns in the All-American Football Conference, he began coaching at Cleveland's Case institute in 1950. It didn't take him long to establish a reputation as both a successful coach and a nomad.

He coached the Boston Patriots and Denver Broncos of the American Football League and served two different stints as head coach of the Buffalo Bills. He was at Buffalo in 1973 when Hall of Famer O.J. Simpson set a National Football League record by rushing for 2,003 yards. After a decade and a half of pro coaching, Saban resigned from Buffalo during the 1975 season.

He returned to the college ranks, coaching at the University of Miami in 1977-1978 and adding stops at Army and the University of Central Florida. Saban eventually got involved in high school coaching, working at Martin County and Stuart South Fork. Last season he served as an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League.

It was during his days at UCF that Saban began visiting Mount Dora, where he now owns a home on a golf course.

"I've been here about six months now," Saban said. "That sounds long for me."

Saban said he had been vaguely acquainted with Hoffman before they began talking this summer.

"We bumped shoulders along the way, and naturally he knows of my background," Saban said. "I'll give the team what I've got and the time I've got."

Resources

Gary White
Daily Commercial Staff Writer
Daily Commercial
August 3, 1993

Article provided by:

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

geraldlacey@leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

Leesburg's Rector earns college spot, May 21, 1993

Hubert O. Dabney Stadium, Leesburg High School, Leesburg, Florida, Home of the Jackets

Leesburg's Rector earns college spot

By Pete Barth
Daily Commercial Staff Writer
Daily Commercial
May 21, 1993

Clay Rector, a senior at Leesburg High, has been a somewhat frustrated on looker at the Yellow Jackets'
football practices this spring. He's given the Leesburg coaching staff some help with the current batch of
players, but he's had the urge to do more.

"I'm so anxious to hit, I told Coach (Ed Hoffman) to put me on the scout team," Rector said. "But since I'm a senior and not eligible, I can't play because of insurance and stuff."

But unlike most boys whose high school eligibility has passed, Rector apparently will play organized football again. He's going to sign a letter of intent to play for NAIA division I power Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tenn. on Monday. It's a full-ride scholarship.

Rector, 17, will play defensive end at Carson-Newman. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder played offensive guard and defensive end at Leesburg. he will bring strength (325 bench press) and speed (4.7) with him when he takes part in his first college practice on Aug. 11.

"They liked his work ethics," Hoffman said. "And they like how he's aggressive on the field. The one thing they told me is they want him to gain weight."

Rector has a solid academic background. He had a 3.2 grade-pointaverage his senior year and a 3.2
cumulative average. He also earned a 750 on his SAT and a 21 on his SAT.

A couple of years ago, Rector was bent on playing at the University of Florida, where two of his uncles
played. But when he realized he didn't have the size to go the major college route, he began to look elsewhere. In Carson-Newman, Rector found a team with a rich tradition. Led by former Mount Dora high star Larry Smith, the school won the NAIA Division I championship three years ago.

Rector said he's been told by the Carson-Newman coaches that he'll get a shot to play right away.

"My chances of playing are good," he said. "They told me they've determined that I'll be second-string my first year, with a chance to move up with hard work."

Resources

Pete Barth
Daily Commercial Staff Writer
Daily Commercial
May 21, 1993

Article provided by:

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

geraldlacey@leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

Leesburg's start jolts Eustis, September 4, 1993

Hubert O. Dabney Stadium, Leesburg High School, Leesburg Florida, Home of the Jackets

Leesburg's start jolts Eustis

By Gary White
Daily Commercial Staff Writer
Daily Commercial
September 4, 1993

EUSTIS - In a game that seemed it would never end, the beginning was all that really mattered.

Leesburg's defense set up two early scores Friday night and the Jackets withstood a one-hour lightning delay to beat Eustis 14-0 in a non-district football game.

With defensive tackle Henry Wright leading the way, Leesburg held Eustis to seven yards of total offense in the first half.

Wright made tackles on four of Eustis' first six offensive plays. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound senior set the
tone be meeting Eustis running back John Potts in the backfield for a 8-yard loss on the game's first play.

Leesburg forced a punt on Eustis' first possession and Aaron Blake caught Ryan LaMere's short kick
on the run and returned it to the Eustis *-yard line. Two plays later, Blake plunged in from the 1-yard line.

An interception gave Leesburg another scoring chance, but Brent Mauriell's 21-yard field goal attempt was wide.

Two plays later, though, Nick Williams recovered a fumble by Marcus Russell at the Eustis 20. Two plays after that, quarterback T.J. Gooden ran 10 yards around the left side for a touchdown. Mauriell's kick made it 14-0 with 10:46 left in the first half. At that point, the skies opened and Leesburg's offense stalled.

The first half ended under heavy rain, and the lightning soon began.

Lightning prompted Eustis officials to stop the game with 8:15 remaining in the third quarter. When play resumed, the Panthers seemed to quickly grab the momentum. But Leesburg quarterback Brian Hepburn's apparent fumble on the first play was whistled dead.

The Panthers picked up all nine of their first downs after the delay. But by then it was too late.

Eustis outgained Leesburg 137-24 in the second half. But the Panthers comeback fizzled as they twice lost fumbles inside Leesburg territory.

Eustis moving toward a score on its final possession, but a pass from Maurice Hayes to John Potts resulted in a fumble which was recovered by Leesburg's Alan Neiford with 27 seconds remaining.

"We were slopping around," said Leesburg Coach Ed Hoffman. "The weather probably hurt both teams.

Both teams adjourned to the Eustis gym during the lightning delay. When play resumed, only about 150 spectators remained from an original crowd of about 1,000.

Eustis officials considered calling the game and completing it this morning.

Resources

Gary White
Daily Commercial Staff Writer
Daily Commercial
September 4, 1993

Article provided by:

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

geraldlacey@leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

UF's Taylor tackles his former spot, August 19, 1993

UF's Taylor tackles his former spot

By Robbie Andreu
NYT Regional Newspapers
August 19, 1993

GAINESVILLE - During the Thursday night mayhem in Mississippi last October, while Shane Matthews played out his worst nightmare on national television, Ryan Taylor endured his own private hell.

Everyone knows what the Mississippi State Bulldogs did to Matthews that inglorious evening. They harassed and embarrassed the Florida quarterback from Pascagoula who was playing his first collegiate game in his home state.They flung him around like a rag ooll and rubbed his face in the turf. They intercepted five of his passes and made the best quarterback in UF history appear to be the worst.

While Matthews was being stripped of his dignity, Taylor was quietly, painfully suffering his own worst humiliation.

The offensive tackle from Leesburg was rendered helpless that night. Helpless to protect Matthews; helpless to defend himself against MSU's powerful defensive front.

Hampered by a shoulder injury he suffered early in the game, Taylor found himself in a brutal physical mismatch against MSU defensive end Jerome Brown.

No matter how hard he tried, the results were the same: Brown either ran around him or through him to terrorize Matthews.

"Jerome Brown. I'll never forget him and I'll never forget that night," Taylor said after UF's Tuesday morning practice. "He was strong and so big tht I couldn't handle him with my shoulder hurting like it was. He was one of the biggest guys I've ever seen.

"And he didn't say a single word to me the whole night. He was just fired up and ready to play. It was a a bad night."When the carnage finally ceased, the Gators were on the wrong end of a 30-6 score and a promising season was suddenly in shambles. Taylor, for one, was beaten and demoralize. And things got worse for Taylor after that.

A few days after the game, he was pulled from the staring lineup and replaced at right tackle by Jason Odom, a true freshman from Bartow. Senior guard Dexter Smith was also benched, giving way to sophomore Dean Golden.

The shakeup on the line seemed to stabilize the offense and help the Gators launch a seven game winning streak.

Odom started the final nine games of the season and became an honorable mention freshman All-American.

Taylor quielty accepted his fate and disappered on the UF bench.

"The first day I saw Jason I knew one day he was going to be a great player," Taylor said. "I knew it was just a matter of time before he came on. He came in after the Mississippi State game and played some great football.

"I just tried to be there and help him out anyway I could the rest of the season.

"I was a fourth-year junior and I could have just given up right then. But I wanted to come back and prove I can still play football."

His comeback trail has led him back to the first unit at right tackle. With Odom unable to participate in contact drills until at least Aug. 25 because of a bad back, Taylor has stepped back into his old starting position.

There has been speculation that if Odom is not ready in time for the start of the season then Golden would move over from guard and be the starter at right tackle.

But that is only speculaltion. The reality is that Taylor is running No. 1 at the position and will be given the opportunity to hold the jobl "He's improved a lot. He's pretty solid over there right now," UF coach Steve Spurrrier said. "He's worked hard in the weight room and he's stronger and quicker. If Jason doesn't go he'll have the first opportunity over there.

"He'll get the first shot just like he did last year."

Taylor has come prepared. He is stronger, faster and has much quicker feet than a year ago. He is one of the many UF players who has benefited from Rich Tuten's rigor ous offseason conditioning program.

"The big difference is that I'm quicker on my feet now," Taylor said. "On those quick, five-yard takeoffs I'm so much better. My legs are so much stronger and explosive now.

"I feel confident right now. It's a good feeling knowing the coached still believe in me. I hope I can show them I'm still hungry and fired up to play."

Taylor understands that when Odom returns, he will likely have to relinquish his starting job.

"When Jason gets back he'll have the best shot at starting," Taylor said. "But I'm still going to work my butt off and do the best I can for the team.

"I'd like to play as much as possible, and I'd like to see us win as many games as we can and get to the Sugar Bowl. I would like to contribute in some way to the team's success."

Robbie Andreu is a sportswriter for the Gainesville Sun.

Resources

Robbie Andreu
NYT Regional Newspapers
August 19, 1993

Article provided by:

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

geraldlacey@leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Editorial

It's Our Project Now

Daily Commericial
December 21, 1969

The new Memorial Field bleacher section, which will look like the drawing above and replace the old wooden seciton pictured at right, will give Leesburg a stadium that we can be as proud of as we are of the Yellow Jackets football team.

We need it. The Jackets deserve it.

Only one thing could stop us getting it, says Frank Ezell, who's put in a lot of time bringing it to the doorway ofexistence: that's lack of support from the people of Leesburg.

We think Leesburg will give that support.

Leesburg loves the jackets the way kinds love Christmas.

Yet...

The first game of the championship playoff series--with Auburndale--was so poorly attended that leesburg had no chance of playing any of the other championship games in Leesburg.

And The Dad's Club Holiday Bowl--a direct source of revenue for the stadium--was a poorly attended disappointment.

What does this mean? It could mean that construction of the new stadium would be delayed. There's a dim possiblilty Leesburg wouldn't get a new stadium at all.

The Dad's Club and the Stadium Committee have handled the plans so far. From now on, it's a community project.

That's the way it should be. Come on, Leesburg.

Resources

Daily Commericial
December 21, 1969

Article provided by:

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

geraldlacey@leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

Monday, February 28, 2011

Leesburg Yellow Jackets Peppers punts his way into Towson scholarship

LEESBURG

FRANK JOLLEY | Staff Writer

frankjolley@dailycommercial.com

R.J. Peppers figured he would be playing football at a Division-III school next year.

Once Leesburg coach Randy Trivers started getting the word out about his talented punter, however, Peppers' stock began to rise.

And rise. FOR MORE CLICK BELOW

Daily Commercial

Monday, December 27, 2010

UNDRA MITCHEM, JR. SHATTERS MIKE NAPIER's 41 YEAR OLD REGULAR.....

UNDRA MICTHEM SHATTERS MIKE NAPIER's 41 YEAR OLD REGULAR SEASON PASSING RECORD www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Leesburg Stuffs Mccoy, Shuts Out Eustis Mitchem, Hanks Each Break 100-yard Barrier In Jackets' 21-0 Victory

Former Leesburg Standout Undra Mitchem at The Citadel

October 21, 1989|By Joe Williams of The Sentinel Staff

EUSTIS — On a night when a pair of Leesburg High School running backs each rushed for more than 100 yards, it was the Yellow Jackets' defense that played a starring role, leading Leesburg to a 21-0 victory over Eustis on Friday night in a non-district game played at The Panther Den.

Leesburg's duo of senior halfbacks, Undra Mitchem and Lee Hanks (playing in only his second game since recovering from a fractured ankle) both broke through for long runs to add to their totals.

Former Leesburg Yellow Jacket Standout Lee Hanks at Morninside College

Hanks, who gained 132 yards on 15 carries, ignited Leesburg (2-4) on its first possession in front of an estimated crowd of 1,200 chilly fans. He broke loose for a 65-yard touchdown run. Mitchem, who had 145 yards on 17 carries, broke loose on a 71-yard carry in the third quarter to help set up his 4-yard touchdown run two plays later.

Mitchem would have scored on his long run if Brian Treves didn't trip him up at Eustis' 15 before Garlan Wilkins got to the stumbling Mitchem at the 9.

But it was Leesburg's defense that battered and stuffed Eustis' offense. The Panthers (3-4), who gave quarterback Steve Williams his first start in an attempt to build a better passing attack, never sustained much of an attack. Williams was 1 of 10 for 12 yards with three interceptions.

Leesburg keyed on Bayfus McCoy, Eustis' sophomore tailback who entered the game with 1,073 yards for the season and hadn't been held under 100 yards in a game. McCoy, who injured his left hand late in the first quarter and played the remainder of the game with it taped, never gained more than 2 yards on a carry and ended with minus 9 yards on 13 carries.

Without McCoy's standard performance, Eustis' offense could gain only 35 yards.
McCoy also fumbled the ball away three times, which accounted for half of the Panthers' six turnovers. Williams' interceptions were the others. Eric Sims picked off two interceptions and Willie Dickens grabbed the other.

''They just stopped us,'' Eustis Coach George Fuller said. ''Bayfus had a hand injury which didn't help, but the offense just wasn't clicking and they were stuffing us up front. We just played like we were flat.''

Eustis' only drive came in the first quarter and was aided by two 15-yard penalties against Leesburg, including a roughing-the-punter penalty. With those penalties and some hard running by Eustis fullback Darren Moore, the Panthers drove to Leesburg's 22 before turning over the ball on downs.

Eustis never again got closer than Leesburg's 46, but Leesburg spent much of the night in Eustis' territory.
The Yellow Jackets came up just short of the goal line on the final play of the first half. Leesburg linebacker Joe Fernandez recovered McCoy's fumble at Eustis' 49 with 1:22 remaining. Mitchem, following a 35-yard gain, got around the right end with time running out but was knocked out of bounds at the goal line.

''I don't think this was our best defensive game of the season,'' Leesburg Coach Ken Weir said. ''Without a doubt, I think that was against Vanguard a 30-10 victory. But this was a good defensive effort.''

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Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Eustis Goes For 2, Beats Leesburg

October 20, 1990

By Joe Williams of The Sentinel Staff

LEESBURG — There was a satisfied look on Bayfus McCoy's face as he walked off the field at Hubert O. Dabney Stadium Friday afternoon after scoring an overtime touchdown to help lift Eustis to a 22-21 victory against Leesburg.

McCoy was one of the state's rushing leaders through the middle of the year last season before Leesburg's defense stopped him for minus 9 yards. Friday, although McCoy only gained 56 yards on 17 carries, he got the upper hand, scoring on a 1-yard run in overtime and quieting the crowd of about 1,000.

Eustis quarterback Anthony Allen then faked a handoff to McCoy on the conversion attempt, freezing Leesburg's defense momentarily, before Allen took off on a bootleg around left end and got into the corner of the end zone for the victory.

''When it got into crunch time, I wanted the ball,'' McCoy said. ''It's just a good feeling to come in here and beat a AAAA school. Now, all we have to do is start beating the AA and AAA schools.''

Class AAA Eustis (3-3) elected to play defense first after winning the coin toss for the Kansas tiebreaker. Leesburg (3-4) took the ball on the 10, and three plays later reserve fullback Bobby Dan McGlohorn scored on a 2-yard run. Chris Craine kicked the extra point, putting Leesburg up, 21-14.

After Eustis scored on McCoy's 1-yard run, kicker Justin Smith jogged onto the field to attempt the extra point, but Eustis Coach Kevin McClelland called timeout and opted to go for the conversion.

''I'm going to go for the two (points) anytime I'm in a situation like that,'' McClelland said. ''I don't care what anybody else does, I wanted to go for the win right there.''

Leesburg seemed to be in control most of the game. But the Yellow Jackets lost some key defensive players, such as linebackers Bryant Reed and Ty Lawrence, to injuries in the first half. Then, Leesburg also hurt itself with a couple of mistakes.

Leesburg led, 14-7, in the third quarter after sophomore running back Oran Singleton, who rushing for 121 yards on 20 carries, scored on a 55-yard touchdown run.

After linebacker Jason Sellers intercepted a pass by Allen at Eustis' 40 on the next possession, Leesburg looked like it was going to put the game away. But fullback Joe Fernandez fumbled on the 18, and defensive lineman Jason Cory recovered his second fumble of the game.

Eustis then was presented with an opportunity to tie the score with 7:39 remaining when a high snap sailed through punter Brian Rausch's fingers. Rausch picked up the ball but was tackled at Leesburg's 5 by Rodney Stevenson and Matt Brown.

Three plays later, Allen scored on a 3-yard run to tie the score and force overtime.

Resources
Joe Williams of The Sentinel Staff
Orlando Sentinel

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