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

Kudos For Jackets, Wildcats, September 8, 1970

1970 Leesburg High School head coach Wilbur Lofton

By WAYNE STOKES
Sports Editor
Daily Commercial
September 8, 1970

A good Tuesday afternoon after Labor Day everyone.

What this means is that it won't be long until the last remnants of Summer will have faded away into the chilly morns of our wonderful Florida winters. Winters in Florida brings out the best in everyone, it seems because they never get too cold for anyone but yet they always hold the promise of good football happening. This is why winter is to be my favorite time, because of the excitement that the football season holds in store.

Coaches Palmer and Lofton deserve a hearty host of kudos for their super jobs turned in last Friday night, as both schools travelled to Orange County to participate in football jamborees and both emerged with glorious respect by their Class AA foes.

Regardless of the obvious snub given our local products by the major news media located in the backyards of both Jamborees, it was a fine moment for little Wildwood High School, who played the shirts off Oak Ridge and Evans, both highly regarded Metro Conference powers.

Wildwood, only a Class B school, played Oak Ridge to a 0-0 standoff, and handed Evans an 8-0 whitewashing.

In the Tangerine Bowl Jamboree, Leesburg's Fighting Yellow Jackets served notice that they are back on the scene in force again this year, holding statewide Class AA powerhouse Edgewater, to a scoreless deadlock, and stopping Boone, 6-0.

The Jackets played a solid brand of football in the Jamboree, exhibiting their strong defense, which is counted to be one of the best around. From the strong front four of Hicks, Johnson, Gilbert and Moseley, through the linebacking trio of McEachern, Scott, and Ryan, into the four deep secondary of Guthrie, Ezell, King and Chatman, things appear on course for another head knocking Leesburg defense.

Playing in miserable conditions to operate on offense proved no handicap to Andy Carlton and Co., as they worked their game plan to perfection. Carlton showed tremendous poise against two powerful opposing lines and played a whale of a football game at his quarterback spot.

His offensive line played superbly, keeping Andy untouched while in the pocket , reminiscent of the Fla. Gators last year. Hicks, Johnson, McEachern, Scott, Gilbert, and McClelland played a great game in both quarters against physically larger foes.

The receiving game appeared at first indication to be even stronger than last year, overall, and that would be a boon to any coach's hopes. Tim Wesley and Jerome Kerrison showed a lot of pass grabbing savvy working from their wideout spots, as did strong safety Kenny Hicks, who scored the only touchdown from his tight end position.

Both backs, Guthrie and Ryan, turned in solid efforts, with Guthrie showing a bundle of drive and determination on his ball toting chores.

With the season opener against DeLand up for Sept. 25; Coaches Lofton, Dabney, and Wettstein have plenty of time to polish up their artillery for what could well be the locals strongest test of the year.

Resources

WAYNE STOKES
Sports Editor
Daily Commercial

www.dailycommercial.com
September 8, 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

This Had To Be The Game, September 17, 1969

Daily Commercial
September 17, 1969

Great games were the rule especially last year. But a Brownie Scout, a stray dog, Bud Wilkinson even a computer with a short fuse could have picked The Best, Hands down, the greatest show of the greatest year came in the season's fourth week, when Leesburg High paused in its march to the State Class A finals to lock horns with the Wildwood Wildcats.

Leesburg entered the game with a 3-0 record, the last victory the biggest for the Jackets' fine offense, a 32-12 defeat of Kissimmee in which Mike Napier passed for 330 yards and three touchdowns and Greg Williams caught 12 for 186 yards and a score. But Kissimmee had been a slip up for the Jackets' defense- though Kissimmee got only 71 total yards, two Kowboy runners invaded Jacket goal line territory, the first TDs given up by the Jackets all year.

Wildwood, on the other hand, busy building a team that would run away from all comers after the Leesburg game, had just lost big in Tallahassee, 38-12 to Florida High a puzzler, even weeks later, to Coach Dub Palmer, who characteristically took the blame himself: "I just didn't get them ready for it," he said. Wildwood was 2-1 and beginning to feel its chance of getting into the State Class B playoffs slipping away in the hot competition of Class B football, Palmer pointed out, one loss can be the loss of a season.

Wildwood, then, was mad maybe a little desperate. Leesburg was riding the crest of the long wave that broke, two months later, in the Championship game in Tampa. The two teams squared off for this traditional rivalry which for reasons officially unrelated to this game will not be played this year.

Then Sports Editor Mike Fowler wrote this account of the big game:

WILDWOOD _ As a football game, it was nuclear parity, a whale vs. an elephant, a tornado meeting a hurricane. Wildwood's Wildcats, sky-high, floated onto the field a couple of feet above the ground, and Leesburg's Yellow Jackets floated out to meet them. It was the annual grudge match, in which season's records meant nothing. One school could have fielded the NFL All-Stars, the other then donkeys and a parrot, and it still would have been a battle.

Wildwood won every static except luck and the final score, which was 7-2 Leesburg -a 57-yard TD pass from Mike Napier to Greg Williams beating a safety forced by Wildcats Vaughn Black and Wayne Allen, who blocked a punt in the end zone.

A rash of mistakes, made in the fourth quarter, hurt Wildwood, which outrushed and outpassed the Jackets and held their smooth offense to only five first downs. Leesburg, stymied on offense, hurled all its defensive force at the Wildcats, capitalized on their mistakes and used one big play to win.

But the game was defense, as the Wildcats held the Yellow Jackets-who entered averaging 378 total yards a game to just 149, and held quarterback Napier to just four completions in 13 attempts and 81 yards one of them that 57-yarder to Williams for the winning touchdown.

And the Jackets' defense which allowed the Wildcats almost as many yards as they had allowed their previous three opponents combined (243 to 317) dug in everytime Wildwood threatened--outstanding especially in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter when the Cats were moving easily and desperately, and Tony Hart intercepted two passes and Sherrill Lackey one to end the game with reserve quarterback Andy Carlton falling on the ball three times as the clock ran to zero.

It left Jacket Coach Wilbur Lofton leaning against a car conceding, "We were just lucky to get out of it," and Wildcat Coach Dub Palmer regretting the interceptions, the fumbles, and one play in particular, a bad mistake certain he'd just lost a game he should have won.

Leesburg spent most of the first half backing up.

Wildwood roared out from their 3-0 to open the game, behind running back Wayne Allen who carried a total of 18 times for 97 yards, caught three passes from Dale Nichols for 35 yards and threw one pass himself to Elijah Jackson for 15 yards. With Allen carrying the first four plays, the Wildcats reached Leesburg's 46 before punting, pushing the Jackets to their own 26, where Mike Chatman got one yard, Napier missed one pass to Williams and completed another which was nullified by a holding penalty. The Jackets found themselves on their 12, forced to punt.

Larry Humes dropped into the end zone and kicked, but Allen and Black charged through, blocked it, and nearly recovered for a touchdown. In fact, six points had gone on the scoreboard by the time the pileup disentangled to reveal Humes hugging the ball, a safety not TD.

The teams treaded defensive heroics then, as Wildwood held the Jackets on the Cat 18, forcing a futile field goal attempt, then the Jacket defensive line stopped Wildwood's four tries from the Jacket six. The half ended on this note.)

Leesburg's vein of luck grew deeper and richer shortly into the second half, after a short punt gave the Jackets the ball on their own 43.

On the first play, Napier and Williams teamed up on the play that was to be the Jackets biggest al

The rest of the game was Wildwood errors killing Wildwood opportunities.

Two passes from Nichols to Jackson took the Wildcats from their 40 to the Leesburg 27 after the kickoff, but Leesburg's Mike Chatman recovered a fumbled pitchout to end that.

Leesburg punted to Watkins at the Wildwood 15, Watkins just touched the ball, and Andy Carlton scooped it up-missing a touchdown by a rule which prohibits running a fumbled punt. A pass interference call moved Leesburg to the six as the fourth quarter began, but Wildcat Bruce Johnson intercepted a Napier pass at the one and the Wildcats moved out on Nichols arm completions this drive went to Allen twice and to Jackson once.

But with five minutes remaining and the Wildcats in Jacket territory, Tony Hart began an eleventh-hour pattern which would prove fatal to Wildcat hopes when he intercepted a Nicholas pass on his own 42.

Wildwood got two more opportunities, and both ended the same way. Leesburg punted,, but Bruce Johnson, in at quarterback lobbed a pass into Sherrill Lackey's hands on the Cats' second play. Then Chatman fumbled, Wildcat Dennis Wallace recovered, Nichols passed to Johnson and Hart intercepted again at the Leesburg 45 with a minute left, and Carlton ran out the clock.

The second interception was a mistake, nothing else. Wildwood carries two quarterbacks Nichols for passing and Johnson, a fine runner, for moments when a run is imperative. But in the fourth quarter, with Johnson directing the team, Wildwood called a pass play. Johnson lobbed one end over end that came near nobody but Sherrill Lackey, who intercepted looking surprised.

"It was my fault," said Palmer afterwards.  "I forgot the boy was in there and called the pass. I guess he figured, well, I'll give it a try. But that's what happened."

Resources
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.

Good Job Of Guarding, September 1, 1971

Good Job Of Guarding

LEESBURG - Coach Wilbur Lofton was especially well pleased with one aspect of Tuesday's Yellow Jacket practice as Leesburg works towards its Tangerine Bowl Jamboree appearance.

Lofton liked the way his interior offensive line blocked during a passing scrimmage. Sam Carson, James Charles, Bill Pok, Sam Mackey and Greg Johnson did a fine job of protecting quarterback Andy Carlton. Carlton completed several passes to Tim Wesley, Jim Busby and Gene Elton.

The Jackets will play Boone in the first quarter, beginning at 7:30, and then take on Edgewater in the fourth quarter. Tickets are on sale at Athletic Director E.P. Burt's office. Cost is $2 for adults and $1 for students.

Leesburg fans are reminded that they should purchase their tickets here if possible, because the Yellow Jackets receive all the money from ticket sales that they take in at the school. Leesburg receives only one-fourth of the gate receipts, after expenses, at the Tangerine Bowl.

Resources

Sports Section

Daily Commercial

www.dailycommercial.com

Article provide by:

Gerald Lacey 

Staff Writer 

Carver Heights Quarterback Club
1986 Varsity Jackets Football Lettermen #82
Class of 1988 Leeburg High School
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.

Jackets Face Each Other Friday Night, Thursday, September 11, 1969

Sports Staff
Daily Commercial
Thursday September 11, 1969

If predictions and forecasts and previews and practices are correct, Leesburg High's Yellow Jackets face some of the toughest competition Friday night that they'll face all year-themselves.

It's the Orange & Black Game, staged by the Dad's Club, in which Varsity Jackets are combined
with the Junior Varsity Jackets into two teams for a gladiator-display at Memorial Field.

Game time is 7:30 and tickets are one dollar for adults, fifty cents for students. All proceeds go to the Dad's Club to finance the various projects they sponsor for the team.

It should be an offensive duel extraordinaire with at least three fine quarterbacks looking for place to play Mike Napier, varsity backup Andy Carlton and Jayvee's Kenny Nappi.

Look also in the first appearance of the Yellow Jackets at home, for ends Greg Williams and Sherrill Lackey and Ricky Bosanquet of the JV.

The Junior Jackets include several boys who played on the fine Leesburg Junior High team last year, when it posted a 6-1 record.

RESOURCES

DAILY COMMERCIAL 

September 11, 1969

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.

  

 

Jackets on Display In Jamboree Friday, September 3, 1969

By Sports Staff
Daily Commercial
September 3, 1969

The new model Yellow Jackets - rugged as  a Jeep on defense, flashy as a Ferrari on offense - will be unveiled in Eustis Friday night, along with three other Area football teams in the second big pre-season Jamboree, a free-wheeling affair in which each team plays two quarters against different opponents.

Leesburg, Eustis, Umatilla and Groveland are the high schools which will take the Eustis High field at 7:30 p.m. to preview their 1969 models in a show Ford, Chevy and Plymouth would envy. Leesburg's Yellow Jackets meet grudge-rival Eustis Panthers in the second quarter, a potentially explosive twelve minutes with the Jackets, led by quarterback Mike Napier colliding head-on with last year's Area champions.

Leesburg will play the third quarter against Groveland.

It'll be the year's first look at Coach Wilbur Lofton's potentially fine offense, based on the passing of Napier, whose folder of letters from interested colleges already looks like the manuscript of a thick novel. On the receiving end of Napier's tosses will be such as all-state candidate Greg Williams and wideouts Tommy Ryan, Theodis Williams, Sherrill Lackey and Danny Bradford. The Jackets' defense, led by linebacker Sam Rixie, is expected to be rugged. But Eustis should provide a rough test, with Coach Tommy Comer bringing a strong line and big backs.

Wildwood High will host another Jamboree Friday at 8 p.m. South Sumter, North Marion, Hernando of Brooksville and Wildwood will participate.

The schedule pits the South Sumter Rebels against North Marion in the first quarter, Wildwood's Wildcats against the big Hernando Leopards in the second, the Wildcats and Rebels in the third and Hernando against North Marion in the finale.

Admission at Carter Field in Wildwood is $1.50 for adults and $1 for students.

RESOURCES

DAILY COMMERCIAL

September 3, 1969

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.

  

Jackets Passing Too Much

Best In The State?
September 24, 1969

Jackets Passing Too Much
Ask Wilbur Lofton and he'll tell you his Leesburg High Yellow Jackets will be lucky to win five games. Ask a Yellow Jacket fan and he'll tell you they'll win them all.

Which of the two is right? Only time will tell, But one thing is for sure, the Yellow Jackets could go all the way.

The size, depth and experience is there at all the key spots - quarterback, wideouts, tackles, linebacking, In fact, the only key spot that remains a question mark is at running back, but that position may take care of itself.

"We could end up with a fine ballclub," remarks Lofton. We'll have as fine a Class A team as anybody, but you have to take into consideration our schedule. It's loaded with tough games."

A quick look at the schedule indicates such. It's dotted with two Class AA schools, four Class A schools and three Class Bs. It's about as varied a schedule as you can get

How can they be that tough with three Class B schools on the slate? It's simple ... the Class B teams are Eustis, Winter Garden Lakeview and Wildwood. Any of the three make a formidable opponent for any Class A school. Eustis has enough boys to be a Class A, But managed to stay in Class B one more year.

Winter Garden was a class A last year, went 8-2 against a predominately Class A schedule, but lacked two boys  of having enough this year. Wildwood, though small even for a Class B, won the 1965 state Class A football championship.

The Class AA schools are Deland and Ocala. DeLand has 736 boys in its top three grades, Ocala 1080. Leesburg has 471.

But, despite the awesome foes, there were many schools that dared not even schedule the Yellow Jackets this year, so feared were they of the passing of Mike Napier, the catching of Greg Williams, the defensive play of Greg Johnson, Sam  Rixie and Mike Chatman.

Basically, this Leesburg team could be the finest in the school's history, and it has the potential to win the 13 games necessary for a state Class A football title.

Lofton considers Napier the finest all-around quarterback he has ever coached. The 6-1, 185 pound senior has college scouts drooling with a passing arm that accounted for nearly 1,500 yards last season and legs that ran for nearly 600 more.

He is an odds-on favorite for All-State honors and a major college scholarship. Lofton also plans to use him as much as possible. When he's not on offense, he'll be a safety on defense and a fine one. He also will handle the punting chores.

Leesburg will go to the air much more than last year, Lofton promises, Napier's aerials will be directed primarily at Greg Williams, a 185-pound speedster who caught 51 last year for 973 yards and 11 scores. He, too, is all-state material.

But Williams isn't the only Napier target. Williams demands double (and sometimes triple) coverage with his speed, sure hands and quick moves. So Napier may go more to a capable crop that includes wideouts Tommy Ryan (190), Theodis Williams (160), Sherrill Lackey (165) AND Denny Bradford (160).

Napier may also be used as a wideout at times, with sophomore Andy Carlton: Destined to become as fine - if not finer - than Napier, at the quarterback slot, Carlton threw a 49-yard touchdown pass in the spring game and hit on four of five as a freshman last year.

Lackey, who played defense lat year, could become the pair's prime target. He caught both touchdown passes through in the spring game and has the speed to get open quick.

We may have to pass a little more than I like," cautions Lofton, "unless we can find ourselves a running game."

Sam Rixie, who doubles as an outstanding linebacker, will be the key. The 170-pounder will
run from the fullback spot and could be a fine one, though the lacks experience at that
position. Ryan, Anthony Hart (160), James Hulsh (175), Henry Kerrison (180) and Napier are
also expected to  handle the running chores.

Weakest places along the line are right in the heart - at guard and center, Isaac Williams, a
monster at 235-pounder, was lost in the spring by grades and would have been the starting
center.

But the tackle position is so well stocked that Lofton decided over the summer to move Rocky Norris, all 270-pounds of him, to offensive center.

The tackles may be the strongest point on the team. Greg Johnson, a starter as a freshman
last year, will go both ways, as will newcomer James Mackey. Johnson is 6-4 225.... Mackey
6-3, 205. Both have exceptional speed and have all-star credentials.

Mark Sneed, if he doesn't play guard, is big at 205, and will see a lot of action.

RESOURCES 

DAILY COMMERCIAL 

September 24, 1969

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.

John Bowman Sports Editor, July 25, 1969

July 25, 1969
DAILY COMMERCIAL

Believe it or not, right here in the middle of summer, spring football begins for area high schools in just three weeks.

As hard to comprehend as that is, let me pass along this bit of very important information that involves just about every decent Class A football team in the state, and any team in the area who hopes to make a run for the area title.

There will be no Leesburg-Lyman Rick Browne game this year. Lyman, which moved up to Class AA this year and whose weapon is Rick Browne, possibly the most formidable weapon in Florida high schools this year, will not play Leesburg. Get that?

"We just could not come to agreement with them on a contract," said Leesburg pricipal Buford Robinson. "We tried our best, but we could get no satisfaction, so they will not be on our schedule this fall."

Whew! That's good news. Leesburg coach Wilbur Lofton seems like a different man since he found out he doesn't have to prepare for the likes of Browne. He only ran the  the ball 38 times against the Yellow jackets last fall in 20-7 Lyman victory.

Browne is probably the finest college prospect in the state this year, as evidenced by the hordes of college coaches and scouts that attended the Greyhounds spring pratice. Brown, plus the fact that Lyman is so much bigger and has so many moretochoosenfrom, not being on the schedule is a welcome relief.

He'll be missed about as much as a sore tooth, claims Lofton.

With Lyman off the schedule, It brings up an interesting question? Will Leesburg now be able to make a run at the district championship?

Lofton keeps saying if the Yellow Jackets win four or five he'll be happy, but you know he's got to be kidding. No team with the likes of Mike Napier, Andy Carlton, Greg Williams, Greg Johnson (at 15, 6-4 and 220) will be a loser. There's just no way, Wilbur, just no way.

RESOURCES
John Bowman
Sports Editor 

DAILY COMMERCIAL
July 25, 1969

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.

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

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.

 

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

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.