Welcome to The Daily Feed, your one-stop shop for everything high school sports in the Tampa Bay area. Whether you’re looking for the latest scores, highlights, interviews, or memes, we’ve got you covered. Every day, we’ll bring you a mix of social media posts, short stories, fun facts and links on what’s happening in the local scene. You’ll get to know the players, the coaches, the fans and the rivals. So, sit back, relax and enjoy The Daily Feed.
Classifieds
FHSAA seeks Student-Athlete Advisory Committee nominees
The Florida High School Athletic Association is looking for nominees for its Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. The nominations are due Aug. 24.
TBBCA Showcase set for Sept. 9
The Tampa Bay Basketball Coaches Association will hold its annual showcase on Sept. 9 at the All People’s Life Center and Gymnasium in Tampa. Registration information has already been sent to all high school coaches. The girls check in at 9 a.m. the day of the showcase and are on the court from 10 a.m.-noon. The boys check in at 1 p.m. and are on the court from 2-4. Last year, 13 girls and 26 boys who attended went on to play in college.
Pinellas Park to host alumni baseball game in November
Pinellas Park is planning its first-ever alumni game on Nov. 4. Those interested must have played and graduated from the school. For more information contact coach Ryan Griffith via the team’s Twitter account (PPark_BB).
Dick’s Sporting Goods has deal for athletes, coaches
Athletes, coaches and staff that belong to the Florida High School Athletic Association will receive 20 percent off their entire purchase at Dick’s Sporting Goods the next two weekends (Aug. 11-14 and 18-21). The coupon is vaild in-store only.
Clearwater Academy looking to fill football schedule
Clearwater Academy needs opponents for varsity football games on Sept. 15 or Oct. 6. The Knights can host or play on the road. If interested, send a direct message on Twitter to Matthew Fleming (@CoachFleming612).
Wiregrass Ranch still looking for boys basketball games
Wiregrass Ranch’s boys basketball team need a few games to fill out its schedule. They available dates are on Dec. 12, Dec. 19 or Jan. 23. To inquire, send a direct message via Twitter to head coach Jeremy Calzone (@calzone32) or assistant Ross Van De Griek (@CoachRossWRHS).
Cross Country
Sunlake sweeps boys, girls titles at The Claw Classic
Led by its talent — and depth — Sunlake had no trouble winning the boys and girls team titles at The Claw Preseason Classic in Tampa this past weekend.
The Seahawks’ boys, who had four of the top eight place-winners, finished with 32 points, 39 ahead of runnerup Geneva Classical Academy.
Cade Culpepper took third in 16 minutes, 47.70 seconds to lead Sunlake. Not far behind were teammates Oscar Brown, who was fourth in 16:56.20 and Joshua Hindman, who was fifth in 17:03. Cypress Creek’s Dylan Powell won individual honors (16:38.50), followed by teammate Skylar Manatt (16:42.10).
Sunlake was even more dominant on the girls side, fnishing with a perfect score (15 points) after taking the top five spots among individuals. Abigail Williams took first in 20:04.20, followed by Katelin Wilcox (20.35.80), Leah Foster (20.45.80), Kaitlyn Zabrocki (20.56.80) and Kailyn Ford (21:07.30).
Top returning juniors
As part of its preseason coverage, flrunners put together the top 1,000 junior boys and girls returnees based on their best 5K time from last season. Here are the top 10 boys and girls returners in the Tampa Bay area.
Boys
| Runner, school | Time |
| Liam Jordan, Berkeley Prep | 15:48.70 |
| Blake Young, IRC | 16:03.80 |
| Cooper Chesser, Sickles | 16:05.80 |
| Brandon Witherow, Bloomingdale | 16:09.70 |
| Cade Culpepper, Sunlake | 16.09.90 |
| Santiago Foster, Newsome | 16:13.51 |
| Zachary Glover, Sickles | 16:16.20 |
| Brady Peifer, Steinbrenner | 16:18.30 |
| Abdu Hardin, Palm Harbor University | 16:20.30 |
| Ben Goldberg, Plant | 16:24.62 |
Girls
| Runner, school | Time |
| Elizabeth Williamson, Academy of the Holy Names | 18:04.40 |
| Ava Schmitt, Wiregrass Ranch | 18:56.40 |
| Alexia Tine, Riverview | 19:18.40 |
| Amirah Johnson, Cambridge Christian | 19:30.94 |
| Rachel Harrar, Newsome | 19:40.00 |
| Reagan Chambless, Seffner Christian | 19:52.90 |
| Madeline O’ Grady, Newsome | 19:53.18 |
| Micah Friedman, Cambridge Christian | 19:59.30 |
| Katherine Fisher, Plant | 20.04.70 |
| Lillian Hund, Academy of the Holy Names | 20:10.80 |
Football
Sumner’s Williams has gift of one-handed grab
Tyler Williams is adept at making spectacular catches, especially when it comes to snagging them with one hand.
Two months ago, the Sumner junior went up for a one-handed touchdown catch at a USF camp, a highlight-worthy play that made people take notice.
That was without pads.
What about in a game?
Williams can do that, too.
In last week’s preseason game against East Bay, Williams came down with a one-hander along the sidelines.
Williams also can make the routine grab. Last season, he had 29 receptions for 587 yards and eight touchdowns.
Jer’Zhan Newton is on everyone’s watchlist
Illinois defensive tackle Zer’Zhan Newton, a former standout at Clearwater Central Catholic, has already been selected as a preseason All-American and named to the Bronko Nagurski, Outland Trophy, Lombardi and Walter Camp Award watchlists.
Now, add another accolade.
Last week, Newton was named to the watchlist for the Bednarik Award, given annually to the top lineman in college football.
Newton gained notoriety after a stellar performance as a sophomore last season in which he recorded 59 tackles and 5.5 sacks. He is regarded as a potential high NFL draft pick.
Friday’s schedule (week 1)
Hernando County
Hernando Christian at Calvary Christian Academy, 7
Hudson at Hernando, 7:30
Poinciana at Nature Coast, 7:30
Melbourne Eau Gallie at Springstead, 7:30
Crystal River at Weeki Wachee, 7:30
Hillsborough County
Oasis Christian at Foundation Christian, 4:30
Eagles View at Bell Creek Academy, 7
Young Kids in Motion at Tampa Catholic, 7
Clearwater Central Catholic at Berkeley Prep, 7
Seffner Christian at Windermere Prep, 7
Tampa SLAM at Sarasota Christian, 7
Armwood at Venice, 7:30
Bloomingdale at Sumner, 7:30
Brandon at Riverview, 7:30
Blake at Leto, 7:30
Carrollwood Day at Madison County, 7:30
Chamberlain at Durant, 7:30
Middleton at East Bay, 7:30
Steinbrenner at Gaither, 7:30
Lennard at Hillsborough, 7:30
Alonso at Freedom, 7:30
Newsome at Plant City, 7:30
Robinson at Spoto, 7:30
Plant at Tampa Bay Tech, 7:30
King at Strawberry Crest, 7:30
Sickles at Jefferson, 7:30
Wharton at Jesuit, 7:30
Pasco County
Legacy Charter at Bishop McLaughlin, 7
Bronson at Anclote, 7
Four Corners at Academy at the Lakes, 7
Tradition Prep at Zephyrhills Christian, 7
Bronson at Anclote, 7:30
Cypress Creek at Fivay, 7:30
Mitchell at Gulf, 7:30
Hudson at Hernando, 7:30
Lake Wales at Zephyrhills, 7:30
Land O’ Lakes at River Ridge, 7:30
East Ridge at Pasco, 7:30
Sunlake at Wesley Chapel, 7:30
Pinellas County
Miami Columbus at Clearwater Academy, 7
Keswick Christian at Bradenton Christian, 7
Shorecrest at Ocala Christian, 7
Northside Christian at Akelynn’s Angels Christian, 7
Clearwater Central Catholic at Berkeley Prep, 7
St. Petersburg Catholic at Bradenton Bayshore, 7
Boca Ciega at Seminole, 7:30
Countryside at Dunedin, 7:30
Palmetto at Gibbs, 7:30
Hollins at Indian Rocks Christian, 7:30
Tarpon Springs at St. Petersburg, 7:30
Largo at Pinellas Park, 7:30
Palm Harbor University at Osceola, 7:30
Lake Gibson at East Lake, 7:30
Lakewood at Northeast, 7:30
Soccer
Former TC standout records first collegiate goal
On Sunday, Florida freshman Lena Bailey had a memorable moment.
Locked in a scoreless struggle with Maryland, Bailey provided the spark the Gators needed by scoring the first goal of her collegiate career.
Better still, it turned out to be the game winner in a 1-0 victory that kept Florida perfect (2-0) to start the season.
Volleyball
Tonight’s opening schedule
The regular season starts on Monday (Aug. 21). Here is the county schedule for opening night.
Hernando County
Hernando at Hernando Christian, 6:30
Central at Wildwood, 6:30
Hillsborough County
Newsome at Hillsborough, 7
Pasco at Carrollwood Day, 7
Pasco County
Pasco at Carrollwood Day, 7
Pinellas County
Dunedin at Pinellas Park, 7:15
Gibbs at Boca Ciega, 7:30
