Leesburg Yellow Jackets Football News: leesburg yellow jackets

Showing posts with label leesburg yellow jackets. Show all posts

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.

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

Friday, June 24, 2011

Leesburg's Dondelaro Crosby headed to Missouri State Univ. today, June 9, 2011

By GERALD LACEY
STAFF WRITER
CARVER HEIGHTS QUARTERBACK CLUB
June 9, 2011
www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

LEESBURG - Leesburg's Dondelaro Crosby will continue his football career after receiving a full scholarship to play football at Missouri State University. Dondelaro Crosby becomes the first player to sign a letter of intent in the Randy Trivers era. Crosby gives all the credit to Trivers and his coaching staff for helping him get the opportunity to play at the next level.

"I am very excited and fortunate to play college football," said Crosby "Our new coaching staff played a very important role in my recruiting before they got here there were no schools looking at me."

FOR MORE CLICK BELOW

Leesburg's Dondelaro Crosby headed to Missouri State Univ. today

D' Mauri Jones commits to Miami June 21, 2011

Wide receiver D'Mauri Jones (Leesburg, Fla./Leesburg) is the latest piece of Al Golden's plan.

The 6-foot-2, 175-pounder became the 16th member of the Miami Hurricanes recruiting class Monday evening after taking a visit to the campus last weekend.

Members of the Hurricanes coaching staff got a first-hand look at Jones over the spring and offered him.

"I was always interested in Miami from the minute they came by in spring," Jones said. "The position coach [George McDonald] actually came down and evaluated me and then he offered on the spot. FOR MORE CLICK BELOW

D' Mauri Jones commits to Miami June 21, 2011

D' Mauri Jones Gaining Steam, June 8, 2011

Corey Long Recruiting Blog
June 8, 2011

As good as this spring has been for rising senior wide receiver D'Mauri Jones (Leesburg,
Fla./Leesburg), things could have been even better if he had the chance to play in a spring
game.

But Mother Nature had other ideas. FOR MORE CLICK BELOW

D' Mauri Jones Gaining Steam, June 8, 2011

Monday, April 4, 2011

Former Leesburg Standout Harrison gives Eagles option 1-A in backfield, August 26, 2007

FORMER LEESBURG YELLOW JACKETS STANDOUT TORY HARRISON AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISS

Written by

Tim Doherty

tdoherty@clarionledger.com

Southern Miss running back Damion Fletcher is the No. 1 option out of the backfield for the Golden Eagles.

But fellow sophomore Tory Harrison might be considered option 1-A.

Fletcher popped onto the collegiate landscape last fall, rushing for 1,388 yards and 11 touchdowns in one of the most productive seasons by a freshman running back in NCAA history.

But Harrison also made a mark, averaging 6.3 yards a carry while running for 326 yards and two scores.

"I think those two sophomores understand there is a competition now," USM running backs coach Courtney Messingham said. "The best thing about Tory is that he understands our offense so well.

"He can play tailback. We can go two-tailback settings, just because he understands the fullback situation. He has very good hands as a receiver, so you can slide him out of the backfield if you needed to."

University of Southern Miss RB Tory Harrison

The 6-foot-1, 188-pound Harrison is a bigger back with more speed in the open than the shifty, darting Fletcher.

"Tory brings more down-the-field speed and can make you miss, but not to the extent Damion can,"

Messingham said. "If you throw two or three guys in a room and say, 'Play tag,' Damion can touch everybody and make everybody miss."

Harrison said he is ready.

"I've gotten comfortable with everything, and I'm confident in myself now because I know I can do it," Harrison said.

Harrison's playing time last year was regulated by injuries and the ascension of Fletcher.

In fact, Harrison seemed destined for a redshirt season. But three veteran backs quit the team during the season, and when Fletcher had arthroscopic knee surgery after the Houston game, Harrison was moved from the sideline onto the depth chart.

He debuted against Virginia Tech, but gained just 27 yards on eight carries in two games.

Then came Memphis. Harrison ran for 138 yards against the Tigers, including a 50-yard run, the longest of the season by a USM back. He added 68 yards the next week against Tulane, scoring his first touchdown.

A shoulder injury against UAB kept him out of the regular-season finale and the Conference USA championship game. But Harrison was back for the GMAC Bowl against Ohio, where his 43-yard run for USM's first touchdown sparked a 28-7 victory over the Bobcats.

Now, Harrison said he's counting on seeing more work and becoming a more consistent performer.

"Who's starting, to me that's not that important," Harrison said. "I just want us to share the ball.

"From a running back standpoint, we don't even think about each other in a selfish way. We all get along fine, and whoever gets the ball, we're just going to do our thing with it."

RESOURCES

Tim Doherty

tdoherty@clarionledger.com

Article provided by:

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

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.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

1996 Leesburg Yellow Jackets Varsity Roster

H.O. DABNEY STADIUM, HOME OF THE LEESBURG YELLOW JACKETS

1996 LEESBURG HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY FOOTBALL ROSTER

23 DERRALD TUCKER

33 GROVER GADDY

25 TERRANCE SAGER

22 TOMMY JONES

20 BISHON ROBERTS

2 KY LITTLES

51 DEL JEFFERSON

40 BRYAN SHEEHAM

11 DUSTIN CORKHILL

31 KEITH FARLING

32 ANTHONY WALKER

24 B.J. LYNUM

44 JIM JUNECKO

26 CLARK SAYLOR

50 DANIEL VINCENT

74 DANNY WATSON

63 NESTOR ALVARADO

75 REDDICK WILLIAMS

88 PAUL NESBITT

87 APOLLO STINSON

76 CHRIS MANTOR

67 BROOKS LOGAN

12 SHAUN CUNNINGHAM

77 BRYAN STEPHENSON

72 JOHN RUSS

78 MIKE PALMER

52 JUSTIN ALLEN

84 JACOB THOMPSON

61 RANDY LANDIS

68 JEREMY GOGGIN

73 BRANDON McCOMB

COACH WILLIAMS

COACH HOFFMAN

COACH McNISH

COACH KAISER

Article provided by:

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Leesburg's Skuthan Signs With Auburn, December 15, 1975

By Franz Beard Sports Editor

Daily Commercial

December 15, 1975

Jim Skuthan, a 6-4, 230 pound offensive tackle, became the first high school football player from the Lake County area to sign a college scholarship, Saturday, when he signed a four-year grant-in-aid to Auburn University.

"I really liked the school better than any of those I had visited," said Skuthan. "The people were the friendliest there and the coaches were really nice. Everyone made me feel right at home,"

Skuthan, who is a top student as well as a fine athlete, levelled his choices down to Florida, Georgia, and Auburn before finally deciding to go with the Alabama school, "I had to do a lot of thinking about it," said Skuthan "and I decided on Auburn because they seemed to be the people who wanted me the most. I want to play at a school where I fell they really want me and that was Auburn."

Skuthan's signing was witnessed by a small group of friends and neighbors as well as Leesburg High football Coach Max Wettstein. I think Jim made a very good choice," said Wettstein. "I think he's going to turn into a top football player for Auburn. I'll be surprised if he doesn't do well up there."

Wettstein said that Skuthan has tremendous potential to become a standout football player in the Southeastern Conference.

"You've got to remember that he's only been playing football for a couple of years," said Wettstein. "He had never played before his junior year, so he's come a long, long way already. But, I think he's got his best years ahead of him.

"He's got a tremendous asset in his size," Wettstein continued. "He's already 6-4 and he
should get up to around 250 or maybe even 260 before he's through."

Wettstein said that Skuthan is a very dedicated player who will work long, hard hours to improve. "He realizes that he has to work hard to reach his potential," said the Leesburg coach. "Some kids with a lot of natural talent feel all they have to do is walk out there and they don't have that extra drive to improve themselves. Jim knows he has to work hard while these other guys are out messing around, he's working himself to death and trying to get better."

Skuthan's outstanding work in the class room will also help, according to Wettstein. "some kids have to be prodded to their work, looked after all the time and practically dragged to class," he said. "Jim's a good student and one of the most dependable people you will ever want to know. The coaches at Auburn will never have to worry about him in that department."

Skuthan played most of the season with a severe hip injury and Wettstein said that shows the kind of kid he is. "A lot of kids would have given up if they had been hurt, but not Jim," he said. "He came back and he played hurt. That says a lot for him, right there. It was unfortunate that he had to play hurt because I think he could have really had an outstanding season four us."

Skuthan, despite the injury problem, landed a berth on The Daily Commercial's All-Area offensive team.

RESOURCES
Franz Beard
Sports Editor

Daily Commercial

December 15, 1975

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

1976 DE WAYNE HAMILTON: SPORTS ILLUSTRATED TOP RECRUITING CLASSES OF ALL TIME

#4 1976 Alabama

Center Dwight Stephenson played on some of coach Bear Bryant's best Alabama teams, including national title winners in 1978 and 1979.

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED TOP RECRUITING CLASSES OF ALL TIME

4. Alabama, 1976Bear Bryant brought hundreds of great players to Tuscaloosa, but this class made the biggest contributions to two national championship teams. The second, in 1979, was Bryant's most dominant team.

This class produced only three NFL players, but one was center Dwight Stephenson, who was named an All-America in 1978 and 1979 and went on to a Hall-of-Fame career with the Miami Dolphins. Another future pro was defensive back Don McNeal, who pushed Penn State's Scott Fitzkee out of bounds at the one-yard-line to set up the goal-line stand that won Alabama the 1979 Sugar Bowl and the 1978 national title.

In 1979, class member Steadman Shealey piloted the Crimson Tide's wishbone offense while defensive linemen Curtis McGriff and Wayne Hamilton (Leesburg High School, Okahumpka Florida) led a unit that allowed just 67 points all season as the Tide rolled to a 12-0 record.
READ MORE CLICK BELOW:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/andy_staples/01/29/best-classes/2.html

Article provided by:

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

Jackets survive Eustis for winning season, November 19-20, 1983

By DANNY PROVENCHER
Special to the Leesburg Commercial

November 19-20, 1983

Leesburg - Though one foot may symbolize 12 inches to most people, it meant much more to the Eustis
Panthers Friday night-the difference between winning and losing.

With 27 seconds remaining in the game, Panther Dwayne McLeod attempted a 32-yard field goal but came up a foot short as the Leesburg Yellow Jackets hung on for a season ending 22-21 victory.

"it sure feels good," said Leesburg Coach Gene Foster as his team finished its season with its fourth consecutive victory and a 6-4 record, the fist winning season for the Jackets since 1977. Eustis, which clinched a berth in the Region 5 championship two weeks ago, finished its regular season at 6-4. Coach Clark Blake, however, said his Panthers were still trying to win their non-district game with Leesburg.

Leesburg High School Nike Men's Dri-FIT Mock Neck Long-Sleeve Golf Shirt - 203703

"We're not holding back for anyone-we came in to play," Blake said. "We don't want to be conservative. We will play the best we can."

The game not only ended in Leesburg's favor but also began that way.

On the Panthers' second play form scrimmage. Jacket linebacker Jimmy Sharp picked off a McLeod pass and rolled in from 33 yards for the score, giving Leesburg a 7-0 lead after Scotty Mullis' extra point.

On their next possession the Panthers bounced back to even the score. On a third and 10 from the Eustis 44, McLeod made up for his interception by connecting with receiver Chuck Mosley for 56 yards and TD. McLeod's PAT made it 7-7 with 5:12 left in the first quarter.

Leesburg scored again 3 1/2 minutes later when running back Charles Casey took a reverse around the left side for a 38-yard TD. Erick Berry ran for the two-point conversion, putting the Jackets up 15-7.

With 3:43 left in the half, running back Bernard Mickens scored on a 3-yard scamper for Eustis. The two-point conversion failed, and the Panthers trailed 15-13 at halftime.

During the third quarter, the Panthers took the lead for the first time on a 5-yard touchdown pass from McLeod to receiver Lee Jenkins. A two-point conversion attempt failed but Eustis led 19-15 at the 8:59 mark.

Leesburg's next points were scored three minutes later when running back Andre Graham burst through the Eustis defenders to find the end zone. Mullis' kick was good and the Jackets had the lead for good at 22-19.

The highlight of the game was the series of events that took place at the end of the fourth quarter after McLeod was intercepted by Jacket defender Vernon Allen. As the result of Allen's interception Leesburg gained possession of the ball on its own 4-yard line.

After three unsuccessful attempts at a first down, Jacket quarterback Dwayne Cornelius decide to play it safe by giving the Panthers a safety and two points.

Eustis fielded the free kick at its own 37 and went right to work with about three minutes left in the game. On a mixture of attacks from the ground and the air, the Panthers found themselves with a third and goal on the Leesburg 4-yard line. Eustis elected to try one more running play-a play that would it cost the game.

McLeod handed the ball to tailback Paul Whiley who attempted to run up the middle. When Whiley found the middle was closed, he ran backwards to try to round the corner, but was stopped for an 11-yard loss as Jacket defenders Sharp, Allen and Keith Williams mowed him over.

Eustis was then faced with a fourth down on the Leesburg 15-yard line. McLeod tried his 32 yard field goal but came up short...barely.

"I'm still proud of our kids," added Blake. "They just came up on the losing side of the scoreboard."

Leesburg finished the game with 289 offensive yards compared to 334 for Eustis. Berry was the game's leading rusher with 14 carries for 71 yards, while McLeod led Eustis with 66 yards rushing while completing 9 of 22 passes for 176 yards.

Foster concluded by saying, "We just thank God-all of us."

Next week Eustis takes its District 2A-10 championship to 2A-9 champion Wildwood to battle for
the Region 5 title.

By DANNY PROVENCHER
Special to the Leesburg Commercial
Leesburg Commercial
November 19-20, 1983

Article provided by:

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

Jacket Super-End Williams Signs Bethune-Cookman Grant, December 1969

GREG WILLIAMS, who has just climaxed a brilliant career as split end for Leesburg High School. has signed a full four year grant-in-aid scholarship at Bethune-Cookman College of Daytona Beach. Bud Asher, head offensive coach of the college, who called Williams "not only a outstanding player but an outstanding man. He has the potential to move into pro football ranks as a wide receiver." Asher feels that Leesburg Coach Wilbur Lofton has done and excellent job in developing players, some of whom he (Asher) hopes to sign up in the future

December 1969
By CLAY HARTSOE
Commercial Sports Editor

Leesburg High School Men's Rapid Dry T-Shirt - K450

Greg Williams, Leesburg's All Everything, super receiver, signed a grant-in-aid with Bethune-Cookman College yesterday.

Williams just finished a record breaking tenure as split-end for the Leesburg Yellow Jackets. He scored at least one touchdown per game in every game he played this year, with the exception of the Championship Game against Blake. Leesburg's whole offense was built around the passing of Mike Napier and the receiving of Greg Williams.

Bethune-Cookman's Head Offensive Coach Bud Asher, who signed Williams, said, "We feel that we're getting the best receiver in the State bar none. He will probably start for us in his Freshman Year. He has the potential to move into pro football ranks as a wide receiver."

Coach Asher is planning to make Behtune-Cookman a football power. On this trip he signed (besides Williams); (Ken Graham QB Jacksonville Gilbert 6'3 1/2" 185.) Leopold Sterling (All Southern HB Pahokee 5' 11" 185 lbs.) Henry Lewis (Clewiston DT 6' 2" 260 lbs.) Charles Anderson (Tackle Miami, Jackson 6' 2" 225 lbs.), Mosser Burke (DT Sanford Crooms, 6' 4" 260 lbs.) Myron Davis DE Sarasota, 6' 2" 240 lbs.) Arthur Jackson (Tackle Miami Jackson 6' "3 210 lbs). Howard Clark (LB Jax Stanton 6' 2" 215 lbs.) and Kenny Williams (Guard Jacksonville, Gilbert 6' 2 1/2"228 lbs.)

Coach Asher complimented Leesburg's Head Coach, Wilbur Lofton, on the excellent job he has done in developing players. Some of whom he (Asher) hopes to sign up in the future.

Williams runs the forty yard dash in 4.7 seconds, but speed is not his main forte. The way he can fake is his strongest asset. Many are the defenders he has left clutching thin air. He is also extremely hard to bring down when tackled.

Resources
By CLAY HARTSOE
Commercial Sports Editor
DAILY COMMERCIAL

Article provided by:

Gerald Lacey

Staff Writer

Carver Heights Quarterback Club

www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Lofton Happiest Coach; Pleased With Everything, September 7, 1969

BY BOBBY CRAWFORD
COMMERCIAL SPORTS WRITER
DAILY COMMERCIAL

September 7, 1969

EUSTIS - Mike Napier and Greg Williams are quite a pair of football players and they're even more enjoyable when you are Wilbur Lofton, head coach of Leesburg High, and have both playing for you.

Napier and Williams put on quite a show in Eustis Friday night before some 3200 football hungry fans, as they led Leesburg to two victories in their two quarters of football.

We asked Lofton if things had gone as he hoped they would. He responded happily, "Our running game came along better than I figured and of course the one bomb set things up." The bomb was on the opening play of the quarter against Groveland when Napier hit Williams with a 65 yard touchdown pass with the game only 58 seconds old.

Host Eustis High, highly regarded in the Central part of the state as a dominat football power, was held scoreless by Coach Ed McGonigal's Umatilla Bulldogs. Tom Comer, head coach at Eustis, was forced to sit the Jamboree out due to a bruised collarbone.

Leesburg High School Quiksilver Men's Essential Short Sleeve Shirt - QPA2006

Highly regarded sophomore Robbie Ball was moved into the quarterback slot and starting quarterback Rick Day went to the tailb ack position.

Comer replied, "we've got a lot of young boys that have to fill in on injuries and come the Tavares game we'll be ready."

Assistant coach Buck Collins Groveland, quite pleased with his teams victory over Umatilla responded, "We've only got 23 boys dressed out but they all do thier jobs and that's what counts." Despite allowing 18 points to Leesburg in one quarter, with two of the scores coming on
the first two plays, the Greenback defense allowed the Jackets only three first downs.

McGonigal and his band of scrappy Bulldogs once used as doormats for all the teams in the area, have showed that they will have to be reckioned with. They are led by Ken Roundtree at middle linebacker, who is, according to McGonigal, "one of the best linebackers in the state and one of the finest athletse I've ever coached."

With very little time to run the ball, all four teams went with their wide open offense, The one wiich would give them the quickest six points. Leesburg's Yellow Jackets displayed the best job of doing just that.

With the likes of Sam Rixie, Greg Johnson and James Mackey the Jackets will make an impression on all the teams that they come up against.

One might begin to look ahead to the eighth game of the season for both Leesburg and Eustis when they meet in Eustis, for what could be the deciding victory for the area championship. Who knows?

RESOURCES
BY BOBBY CRAWFORD
COMMERCIAL SPORTS WRITER

DAILY COMMERCIAL

September 7, 1969

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