By Tamas Mondovics
Scores: Bloomingdale 13, Brandon 13; Tampa Cath. 12, Newsome 0.
As a continuation of the regular season, teams across Florida came together last month to measure up their strength during the 2013 spring football jamboree.
Local teams were divided up into groups of four, or in some cases two, to participate in two quarters along with some additional adjustments to the officials’ regular season rules.
As jamboree host Newsome played Tampa Catholic, for the first time in two years, Bloomingdale got a chance to measure up its program against Brandon.
The Eagles claimed the night’s opening score after Lineman Darren Lester picked off a pass by Bulls quarterback, Tommy McLaughlin, returning it 51 yards to give Brandon a 6-0 lead, which was quickly followed by another Brandon TD widening the gap to 13-0.
Ending the game at 13-13, Bloomingdale was able to overcome its 13-point deficit led by McLaughlin, who completed 11 of 16 for 160 yards, scoring his team’s first touchdown on a 10-yard run.
The Wolves were less fortunate as they took on the Crusaders, led by quarterback Kyle Ploucher, who although felt the pressure of the Newsome defensive line, completed a 51-yard pass to Tre Watson which gave the Crusaders the lead, followed by Kenny Bryant’s 55-yard touchdown in the game’s final seconds.
Bloomingdale head coach, John Booth, summed up the event by commenting on what the Jamboree means for the program.
“This event is a great way to measure up our skills against teams we haven’t played in a while,” Booth said. The night also saw a performance by Armwood who welcomed Strawberry Crest, Durant and Plant City. Scores: Plant City 23, Durant 0; Armwood 34, Strawberry Crest 0.
Lennard High School also served as jamboree host, welcoming Riverview, Spoto and East Bay to the Longhorn Stadium. Scores: East Bay 20, Spoto 0; Lennard 16, Riverview 7.
For more information please visit www.c2cschools.com.
