High School Sports Blog

Westminster Christian SS David Thompson breaks home run record

Westminster Christian sophomore shortstop David Thompson is Miami-Dade County's new home run king...and could be on his way toward one of the greatest careers the county has ever seen.

And he did it with an inning for the ages.

Thompson, who entered the state final four with 17 homers, hit two more in the same inning Monday to break the county's single-season home run record of 18 previously set by Monsignor Pace's Adrian Cardenas in 2006.

Thompson also tied the state record of 19 shared by Miramar Florida Bible's Frankie Figueroa (1996), Merritt Island's Tommy Parrott (1999) and Tampa Catholic's Donnie Scott (1978).

And the record-breaker was an inside-the-park home run that followed a shot that left the park to begin a 9-run fourth inning that brought Westminster back from a 4-0 deficit.

Oh yeah, the Warriors won 13-5 and are headed to Tuesday's Class 2A final where they will try to win back-to-back state championships. Westminster faces St. Petersburg Shorecrest Prep at 4 p.m. at Digital Domain Park in Port St. Lucie.

Follow Pines Charter's Class 4A soccer semifinal live

Here's a link to follow the Pines Charter-New Port Richey Mitchell Class 4A boys' soccer state semifinal live today at 5 p.m. in Tampa

 http://bit.ly/9ihLVN

Tampa Tribune writer Nicolas Murray will be our correspondent at the game, providing the updates.

Krop, Gulliver, American Heritage clinch state tennis championships

I just got word from Altamonte Springs that the Krop boys' and girls' tennis teams have swept the Class 4A state tennis championships.

It is the third consecutive title for the Lightning girls, while for the guys, it is their fourth in six years.

Gulliver's boys, who won all their matches yesterday, are putting the finishing touches on their third straight title.

American Heritage's girls, after clinching their second straight state title yesterday, are working on individual gold now.

Palmetto's girls finished second, and Coral Gables' boys are playing a doubles match this afternoon against Boca Raton Spanish River that could land them a runner-up spot.

We'll have all the final results and stories later tonight online and in the paper tomorrow.

Florida All-State Football teams -- Class 2B

And following Class 2A, naturally is Class 2B. State champion Pahokee is well-represented in this one, along with a few players from Ransom Everglades and Parkway Academy.

NOTE: Dade, Broward and Palm Beach players listed in bold.

CLASS 2B ALL STATE TEAMS

1ST TEAM
Offense
QB Rob Henry, Ocala Trinity Catholic, 6-1/190, Sr.
RB Steve Ierulli, Sarasota Cardinal Mooney, 5-9/195 Sr.
RB Ryan Brown, Newberry, 5-9/185, Sr.
RB Vincent Smith, Pahokee, 5-10/185, Sr.
OL Steve Whitmer, Newberry, 6-2/305, Sr.
OL Donald Hester, Pahokee, 6-4/330, Sr.
OL Jaquan Bentley, Pahokee, 6-2/280, Sr.
OL Michael Armstrong, Ocala Trinity Catholic, 6-1/210, Sr.
OL John McGhin, Tallahassee Florida High, 6-5/280, Sr.
WR Kadron Boone, Ocala Trinity Catholic, 6-2/190, Jr.
WR Nickell Robey, Frostproof, 5-9/165, Jr.
PK Frankie Velez, Ocala Trinity Catholic, 5-11/190, Jr.
UT Nu'Keese Richardson, Pahokee, 5-11/175, Sr.

Defense
DL Boris Hadley, Newberry, 5-9/225, Jr.
DL Lonnie Gosha, Lake Butler Union County, 6-3/245, Soph.
DL Brandon Jenkins, Tallahassee Florida High, 6-4/230, Sr.
DL Brandin Hawthorne, Pahokee, 6-2/200, Sr.
LB Eddie General, Ocala Trinity Catholic, 5-10/195, Sr.
LB Jamaal Wallace, West Palm Beach King's Academy, 6-1/220, Jr.
LB Carlos Lammons, Pahokee, 5-10/185, Sr.
LB Paul Myers, Panama City Bozeman, 6-2/225, Sr.
DB Dionte Ponder, Ocala Trinity Catholic, 6-0/180, Jr.
DB De`Andre Mitchell, Wildwood, 6-2/180, Sr.
DB Jarvis Byrd, Pahokee, 6-0/175, Sr.
P Chase Varnadore, Tallahassee Florida High, 5-10/160, Jr.
UT Tyree Glover, Crescent City, 6-2/230, Sr.

2ND TEAM
Offense
QB Kyle Stewart, Tallahassee Florida High, 6-3/215, Sr.
RB Kedrick Rhodes, Ocala Trinity Catholic, 5-10/180, Jr.
RB Jeremy Brown, Tallahassee Florida High, 5-7/180, Sr.
RB Marcus Chaney, Frostproof, 5-8/175, Sr.
OL Luke Gibson, Ocala Trinity Catholic, 5-10/200, Soph.
OL Chadd Buchholz, Newberry, 6-0/220, Jr.
OL Mark Smith, Sarasota Cardinal Mooney, 6-3/260, Jr.
OL Joe Perno, Melbourne Central Catholic, 6-5/295, Sr.
OL Akeem Marsh, Wildwood, 6-7/295, Sr.
TE Paul Freedman, Clearwater Central Catholic, 6-7/215, Sr.
WR Colt Linster, Jacksonville Episcopal, 5-11/175, Sr.
WR Khiry McDonald, Ocala Trinity Catholic, 6-0/170, Sr.
UT Austin Barton, Winter Park Trinity Prep, 5-11/195, Sr.

Defense
DL Shawn Raymond, Wildwood, 6-2/230, Sr.
DL Jordan Mulbarger, Ocala Trinity Catholic, 6-2/215, Sr.
DL D.A. Hinton, Gainesville P.K. Yonge, 6-3/220, Sr.
DL Doral Willis, Pahokee, 6-1/300, Jr.
DL Roger Khouri, Miami Ransom Everglades, 6-1/235, Sr.
LB Donald Brown, Frostproof, 6-0/175, Sr.
LB Tyler Toulson, West Palm Beach King's Academy, 6-1/225, Sr.
LB Reshard Wilson, Miramar Parkway Academy, 5-10/180, Sr.
LB Dan Halperin, Winter Park Trinity Prep, 6-1/215, Sr.
DB-Stephen Davis, Chiefland, 5-9/175, Sr.
DB Jeremy Mathis, Fort Lauderdale University School, 5-10/165, Sr.
UT Julian Crockett, Tampa Berkeley Prep, 5-8/165, Sr.
UT Gideon Ajagbe, Miami Ransom Everglades, 6-2/200, Jr.

HONORABLE MENTION
RB Rashad Knight, Jacksonville Trinity Christian, 5-11/184, Jr.
RB Tyler Grier, Panama City Bozeman, 6-0/180, Sr.
RB Micah Poole, Clearwater Central Catholic, 5-9/165, Sr.
RB Christopher Williams, Miramar Parkway Academy, 6-0/170, Sr.
RB Lee Bussey, West Palm Beach King's Academy, 6-1/205, Sr.
WR Autis Gibson, Gainesville P.K. Yonge, 6-1/190, Sr.
WR Derrick Demps, Tallahassee Florida High, 6-0/175, Sr.
WR Demetrice McCray, Wildwood, 6-0/180, Sr.
WR Dexter Holmes, Pahokee, 6-3/180, Sr.
OL Josh Mickell, Frostproof, 5-11/220, Sr.
OL Chance Hall, Chiefland, 6-4/260, Sr.
OL Travis Whitley, Newberry, 6-3/220, Sr.
DL Thomas Ryan, Marathon, 6-4/235, Jr.
DL Alex Hardrick, West Palm Beach King's Academy, 5-11/200, Sr.
LB Thomas Steele, Fort Lauderdale University School, Sr.
LB Reginald Richardson, Jacksonville Trinity Christian, Sr.
LB Chris Johnson, Ocala Trinity Catholic, 5-10/185, Soph.
UT Brodie Ellis, Lake Butler Union County, 6-0/190, Sr.
P Charlie Hurst, Frostproof, 6-0/165, Sr.

Florida All-State Football teams -- Class 2A

The All-State teams keep rolling off the assembly line. Here's a look at Class 2A.

A lot of Dade and Broward kids highlight this group, and deservedly so. South Florida had a big year in this classification led by state runner-up Gulliver Prep, North Broward Prep, Archbishop Carroll and American Heritage.

NOTE: Dade, Broward and Palm Beach players in bold.

CLASS 2A ALL STATE TEAMS

1ST TEAM
Offense
QB Michael Strauss, Miami Gulliver, 6-2/195, Jr.
RB Darris Hughes, Clewiston, 5-8/175, Sr.
RB Darian Mallary, Miami Gulliver, 5-8/170, Sr.
RB Stephen Barnett, Jacksonville Bolles, 6-0/195 Sr.
OL Brent Benedict, Jacksonville Bolles, 6-5/285, Jr.
OL Jon Halapio, St. Petersburg Catholic, 6-4/290, Sr.
OL Jared Wheeler, Plantation American Heritage, 6-6/205, Sr.
OL Michael Bellamy II, Bushnell South Sumter, 6-0/285, Sr.
OL Chad Mitchell, Madison County, 6-2/230, Sr.
WR Connor Vernon, Miami Gulliver, 6-2/185, Sr.
WR Javon Bell, Jacksonville Ribault, 5-11/170, Jr.
PK Brendan Gibbons, West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman, 6-0/215, Sr.
UT Rodney Scott, Cross City Dixie County, 5-9/190, Sr.
UT Corey Akins, Madison County, 6-0/210, Sr.

Defense
DL Jacobbi McDaniel, Madison County, 6-2/285, Sr.
DL Aaron Riley, Jacksonville Bolles, 6-5/205, Sr.
DL Adam Trevino, Clewiston, 6-2/235, Sr.
DL Leroy Kelson, Riviera Beach Inlet Grove, 6-0/200, Soph.
LB Frankie Telfort, Miami Gulliver, 5-11/208, Sr.
LB Quanta Barfield, Madison County, 5-10/185, Sr.
LB Bradley Terry, Jacksonville Bolles, 6-2/210, Sr.
LB Vincent Schifino, Coconut Creek North Broward Prep, 5-11/213, Sr.
DB Josh Arnold, Madison County, 5-8/170, Sr.
DB Bradley Battles, Marianna, 6-0/200, Sr.
DB Jordan Dewhirst, Fort White, 6-2/190, Sr.
DB Charles Jones, Starke Bradford, 6-0/170, Sr.
P David Lopez, Plantation American Heritage, 6-0/180, Sr.
UT Christian Green, Tampa Catholic, 6-2/195, Jr.

2ND TEAM
Offense
QB Brandon Doughty, Coconut Creek North Broward Prep, 6-4/189, Jr.
RB Xavier Blake, Fort White, 5-9/180, Sr.
RB Jeff Scott, Miami Archbishop Carroll, 5-9/170, Jr.
OL Chaz Green, Tampa Catholic, 6-6/268, Jr.
OL Justin Hood, Madison County, 6-3/275, Sr.
OL Alejandro Alvarez, Plantation American Heritage, 6-2/280, Sr.
OL Daniel Vera, Coral Springs Charter, 6-2/281, Jr.
OL Daniel Palacio, Miami Archbishop Carroll, 6-3/307, Sr.
WR Rodney Smith, Miami Archbishop Carroll, 6-6/205, Sr.
WR Jordan Batts, Coconut Creek North Broward Prep, 5-11/170, Sr.
PK Joseph Johnson, Fort White, 6-2/180, Sr.
UT Marquis Sumler, Pensacola Catholic, 5-8/160, Soph.
UT Terry Bradden, Riviera Beach Inlet Grove, 6-2/235, Sr.

Defense
DL Ralph Williams, Miami Gulliver, 6-1/215, Jr.
DL Willie Scott, Orlando Jones, 6-3/215, Sr.
DL Michael Hermes, Coconut Creek North Broward Prep, 5-11/205, Sr.
DL Phillip Sutton, Mulberry, 6-0/185, Jr.
LB Antwon Higgs, Pompano Beach, 6-3/240, Sr.
LB David Ribero, Miami Archbishop Carroll, 5-11/185, Sr.
LB Brent Singleton, Plantation American Heritage, 6-1/205, Sr.
LB Troy Clemmons, Marianna, 6-0/175, Sr.
DB Matt Barnes, Jacksonville Bolles, 6-2/185, Sr.
DB Garrett Hammett, Callahan West Nassau, 6-3/188, Jr.
DB Micha Howard, Mount Dora, 5-10/170, Sr.
P Matt McLaughlin, Tampa Catholic, 5-10/185, Sr.
UT Chris Thompson, Madison County, 5-10/185, Sr.

HONORABLE MENTION
QB Alex Gilmer, Fort White, 6-2/185, Jr
QB Shaun White, Pensacola Catholic, 5-10/165, Soph.
QB Denzel Smith, Bushnell South Sumter, 6-2/200, Sr.
RB Jawan Jamison, Jacksonville Bolles, 5-8/185, Jr.
OL Jonathan Stanley, Keystone Heights, 6-2/240, Jr.
OL John Tyson, Starke Bradford, 6-0/265, Sr.
OL Chris Chappell, Callahan West Nassau, 6-9/290, Sr.
WR Jared Greenaway, Coral Springs Charter, 6-3/180. Sr.
WR Mike Ruiz, Riviera Beach Inlet Grove, 5-9/160, Jr.
WR Daniel Rodriguez, Miami Gulliver, 5-11/190, Sr.
DL Montana Barnes, Bushnell South Sumter, 6-0/200, Sr.
DL Terrance Slocum, Starke Bradford, 6-1/252, Sr.
LB Roy Blake, Fort White, 6-2/180, Jr.
LB Brent Skipper, Mount Dora, 5-8/150, Jr.
DB Justin Hampton, Madison County, 5-10/180, Jr.
DB Colton Woodall, Coconut Creek North Broward Prep, 6-3/180, Sr.
DB Terrance Taylor, Miami Archbishop Carroll, 6-0/183, Sr.
UT Bobby Borcky, Orlando Lake Highland Prep, 6-2/180, Jr.
UT Quell Brown, Interlachen, 5-10/160, Sr.
UT Stephen Godbolt, Cross City Dixie County, 6-0/195, Soph.
PK/P Guido Barbagallo, Miami LaSalle, 6-1/180, Sr.

Gulliver athlete Darian Mallary commits to FIU

Gulliver's offensive focal point has decided to stay home and wear a different shade of blue in college.
Raiders' senior running back Darian Mallary committed to FIU Tuesday, choosing the Golden Panthers over schools such as Iowa, Indiana, Colorado State, Troy and Georgia Southern.

Mallary (5-8, 175 pounds) leads all Dade County small school rushers with 1,684 yards and 14 touchdowns. He is preparing to lead Gulliver to the state Class 2A championship game this Saturday against Jacksonville Bolles. It is the Raiders' first state championship appearance since 2000.

Nike promotion at Booker T.-Northwestern football game Friday

Hey guys,

For those of you heading down to Traz tonight, I wanted to fill you on some promotions Nike has planned to give out.

Nike fan packs will be handed out at Friday's game to the first 100 fans, and attendees will also have the opportunity to receive coupons, gift cards and noisemakers to show their spirit.

Niketown of Miami has been doing a great job hyping up the game all week. Tonight, it may pay to get there early.

The Miami Herald High School football predictions are hitting the airwaves

Hey guys,

Just wanted to give you the heads-up to check out, TiVo or even tape (don't be embarrassed I still VHS record, too) the Miami Herald's High School Football Show, which is produced by Recruitflix, when it debuts this Saturday at 10:30 p.m. on CBS-4.

As part of the show, Manny Navarro and I will be on and talking about the big games for week 1 of the regular season of high school football in Dade and Broward.

The show will also feature high school football profiles and will air weekly at that time.

The Miami Herald's football preview publishes Thursday, Aug. 28

For those of you that have been anxiously awaiting, and those that haven't heard, a reminder that Thursday, Aug. 28, The Herald will release its High school football preview sections.

The 10-page sections bring you in-depth coverage of all the teams in Dade and Broward Counties and insights from our staff writers as to who will be the best teams and top players. It will be packaged with the Herald's pro and college sections.

And remember, you can check out our district-by-district breakdown series of podcasts at www.miamiherald.com/hssports.

Look for the 4 goofy guys in the football outfits. Great, now I'm going to get an angry email from Larry because I called him goofy.

North Miami Beach football headed to the Big Easy

Hey everyone,

Jordan Wilcox and I visited NMB Tuesday and caught up with coach Jeff Bertani to talk about the upcoming season, which is looking promising for the Chargers.

In addition to its state championship contender status, Bertani informed me that NMB will have another new experience this season as it joins the recent wave of South Florida teams playing games outside of Florida.

The Chargers will head to New Orleans on October 4th to take on Louisiana powerhouse John Curtis in a Saturday afternoon contest at noon. The game will pit NMB against a team that has won 22 state titles in its history and figures to be nationally ranked going into the season. John Curtis has produced some talented players over the years, most recently, USC running back Joe McKnight.

NMB, which is chasing its first state title, is the fourth team that is set to travel this season from South Florida.

Booker T. will be going outside of Florida for the 2nd straight year as it takes on Northside Warner Robbins of Georgia on Sept. 6. Last season, the Tornadoes kicked off their state title run with a 36-3 rout of Summerville in South Carolina before a national audience on ESPN.

St. Thomas Aquinas will play Elder High of Cincinnati in the Kirk Herbstreit Challenge in Ohio Aug. 30th. And Cypress Bay will face Katy of Texas on that same Oct. 4 weekend.