LAKE GIBSON'S REMI WATSON AND ERRIN JOE MAKE COMMITMENTS

LAKELAND | Lake Gibson running back Remi Watson wasnt sure what he was going to think when he took an official visit to Marshall University.

Afterall, Huntington, W.Va., is far away from home. Plus, the temperature in the winter is a bit different from Lakeland.

But after arriving, Watson felt something he didnt expect to feel Watson felt like he was home. Because of that, the 2010 First-Team All-Polk County running back and former All-County Offensive Player of the Year verbally committed to the Conference USA school.

Watson wasnt the only Brave to commit.

Offensive lineman Errin Joe, a First-Team All-County offensive lineman, recently committed to Georgia Tech following a visit to the school. Both players can make their choices official on Feb. 2, which is national signing day.

Watson, who was The Ledgers 2009 Large School Offensive Player of the Year, had another banner season in 2010, finishing second in the county with 1,616 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also had nine catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns receiving. He had four games of rushing for more than 200 yards, including a season-high 289 yards against Orlando East River in the regional quarterfinals.

The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Watson said that although the winters are cold, he received a warm reception at Marshall.

After my visit, I saw that the city surrounds around Marshall football, Watson said on Tuesday. It made you feel like youre at home. Also, Ill get a chance to have an immediate impact on the field.

Joe played a part in Watsons success, paving the way for the running back. Joe also was the schools homecoming king and class president. Now hes going to get a chance to play at a school he dreamed about playing for. I had a dream that I was playing in a game for Georgia Tech and I pancaked a guy, said the 6-foot-4, 290-pound Joe on Tuesday. When I looked up, I saw the running back score a touchdown. All things pointed to Georgia Tech.

Lake Gibson coach Keith DeMyer said the players made good choices.

Hes a quality kid who has good grades, so hell fit in good there, DeMyer said of Joe. Its not that far from home and mom and dad. Plus, with his background in TV, what better place is there to be than Atlanta?

Remi was No. 1 on their board at that position, DeMyer said. They wanted him.

- The Ledger

January 18, 2011

BRAVES FALL JUST SHY OF REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

GAINESVILLE | Moments after Trey Congdons pass fell incomplete on the final play of Friday nights Class 4A regional final against Gainesville at Citizens Field, Lake Gibson offensive tackle Errin Joe stared blankly at the scoreboard. Then, the tears started to fall from his eyes.

I thought about all I put into this program, Joe said.

The final score Gainesville 10, Lake Gibson 9 was difficult for Joe, his teammates and the Braves coaching staff to stomach. Thats because Lake Gibson (9-4) had its chances. And also because the Braves couldnt help but think about what might have been had star tailback Remi Watson not been injured late in the third quarter.

That, Lake Gibson head coach Keith DeMyer lamented, made a difference.

With Lake Gibson trailing 10-9, Watson, who rushed for a game-high 130 yards, gained 18 yards on a run up the middle in which he carried a Purple Hurricanes (11-2) defender the final 10 yards. But after hitting the ground, Watson didnt get up, leaving the crowd silent.

For more than 20 minutes, trainers tended to him.Finally, medical personnel, after strapping Watson down, took him away on a stretcher. Thankfully, the injury to Watsons neck wasnt as serious as some initially feared. He later returned to the sideline to cheer on his teammates.

Im fine, he said after the game while fighting back tears.

As if losing Watson werent bad enough, Lake Gibson caught another tough break when the officials mistakenly marked it as second down after Watsons long run when it should have been first down. Midway through the fourth quarter, Lake Gibson threatened again. But after a third-down pass was incomplete, the Braves were forced to attempt a 47-yard field goal. The snap was a bit off, and so was the kick of Cody Seeley, which fell just short with 5:30 left. In the third quarter, Seeley had been just wide with a PAT that would have tied it.

It was that kind of game for the Braves.

It was just one of those nights, DeMyer said. But the kids have done a great job all year. Theres no doubt about it; it was a great effort. Gainesville has a very good team. They played well.

The Ledger

December 4, 2010

BRAVES TOPPLE KATHLEEN AGAIN

LAKELAND | Lake Gibsons rematch with Kathleen couldnt have gone any better for Braves head coach Keith DeMyer.

His team ran for 239 yards, allowed the Red Devils only 183 yards of offense and held them to a field goal in a 21-3 Class 4A regional semifinal win in front of about 2,500 fans at Virgil Ramage Stadium.

It was as good as you could ask for, DeMyer said.

Lake Gibson (9-3) will travel to face Gainesville, which beat Spring Hill Springstead, next week in the regional finals.

As it did in the Braves 21-14 regular-season win against Kathleen, the Lake Gibson defense held the Red Devils in check most of the night.

The defensive line knocked down four pass attempts at the line of scrimmage, and though it only had two sacks, the line put constant pressure on Kathleen quarterback Isaac ONeal.

Our defense has just played lights out, DeMyer said.

The defenses biggest moment came toward the end of the first half, as Kathleen earned a first-and-goal at the Braves 5-yard line. Kathleen ran four plays and got a first down on a pass interference, giving them first-and-goal again at the 2-yard line.

But the Red Devils were called for a false start and then failed on a fourth down attempt from the 1-yard line as the Braves defense held.

Lake Gibson was forced to punt from its own 10-yard line four plays later, and the punt was blocked to give Kathleen the ball again at the 1-yard line with 20 seconds left in the half.

Kathleen could only manage a field goal to go into the half trailing, 7-3.

It should have been a 7-7 ballgame, if not a 14-7 ballgame, Kathleen coach Irving Strickland said.

The Red Devils had poor field position the entire second half, never advancing past their own 21-yard line until there was 2:08 left in the game.

Remi Watsons 42-yard touchdown run with 9:18 to go put the game out of reach, as the Braves advanced to their first regional final since 2006 when they lost to Lakeland, 24-3.

That score that Remi popped was huge, DeMyer said.

Watson finished with 155 yards on 16 carries, while Shawndell Artis scored the Braves first touchdown in the second quarter and had 14 carries for 83 yards.

Trey Congdon was 6-of-7 for 66 yards and a touchdown to Willis Wade.

ONeal finished 14-of-24 for 148 yards for the Red Devils, who finished the season 7-5.

We didnt go as far as we wanted to, but for me this was one of the greatest teams I ever coached, Strickland said

- THE LEDGER

NOVEMBER 27, 2010

BRAVES GRIND OUT VICTORY OVER FALCONS

LAKELAND | Remi Watson ran for 116 yards and two touchdowns and Lake Gibsons lines dominated Orlando East River on Friday night in a 27-7 victory that set up another game against district rival Kathleen in the Class 4A playoffs.

The Braves (8-3) left their game expecting to travel to Orlando next week for a game Edgewater, which led Kathleen by 10 points when Lake Gibsons game ended. Instead the Braves will play at home again against Kathleen, a rematch of the game won by the Braves two weeks ago that earned them the district championship.

Lake Gibson wore down East River, whose only previous loss had been to Edgewater.

The Falcons (8-2) had an explosive passing attack, but the Braves defensive line stuffed the run all night before a crowd of about 1,500.

Were petty tough up front to run against, said Lake Gibson coach Keith DeMyer. Weve been pretty solid all year that way.

Offensively we wanted to control the football and move it downfield, and we did. We got first downs when we had to.

The defense got burned only once, on Josh Jones 70-yard touchdown pass to speedy Derick Bowen.

But Lake Gibson had a 14-0 lead by then. Watson finished a 59-yard drive with a 5-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, and Trey Congdon hooked up with tight end Joseph Reynolds on a 35-yard TD pass in the second quarter.

Shawndell Artis 6-yard run just before halftime put the Braves in control, 20-7.

T.J. Rivers intercepted two passes in the second half for Lake Gibson, which had a 4-0 turnover advantage.

- The Ledger

November 20, 2010

BRAVES READY FOR PLAYOFFS AFTER REGULAR SEASON COMES TO AN END

 WINTER HAVEN | Winter Haven junior quarterback Levi Borders had not played a full game in nearly six weeks after suffering a shoulder injury.

He showed on Friday, however, he is healthy and ready to go for the playoffs.

Borders completed 8-of-13 passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns, including an 81 yarder to Chris McGriff, in Winter Havens 21-6 victory over Lake Gibson. The game was played before an estimated crowd of 1,800 at Denison Stadium.

We got a lot of good reps out of Levi, said Winter Haven coach Charlie Tate, whose squad finished the regular season 9-1.

Mosely scored on a 3-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Winter Haven will play Braden River at home next Friday in the first round of the playoffs.

Lake Gibson (7-3), which sat a lot of its regulars, got field goals of 31 and 30 yards by Cody Seeley.

Lake Gibson will play Orlando East River at home in the first round of the playoffs.

- The Ledger

November 14, 2010

LAKE GIBSON TAKES DISTRICT TITLE WITH WIN OVER KATHLEEN

LAKELAND | Lake Gibson coach Keith DeMyer appreciated his Gatorade shower Friday night, but there was one catch.

That was cold, DeMyer said.

On a chilly night, Lake Gibson scored 14 quick points in the first quarter and held on for a 21-14 win over Kathleen that clinched the Class 4A-8 district title in front of about 3,500 fans at Virgil Ramage Stadium.

Lake Gibson (7-2, 5-0) will host 4A-7 runner-up East River in a regional quarterfinal game on Nov. 19, while Kathleen (6-3, 4-1) will travel to face 4A-7 champion Orlando Edgewater.

Paul Howard sealed the win for the Braves when he intercepted Terrick Colston at Lake Gibsons 20-yard line with 46 seconds left. Kathleen had taken over at its own 32 with 2:10 left and was driving for the tying score.

Turnovers killed us, said Kathleen coach Irving Strickland, whose team threw two other interceptions and lost a fumble.

Lake Gibsons defensive line led by Trent Taylor, Kennard Swanson and Devante Terrell was in Kathleens backfield all night, holding the Red Devils to 4 yards rushing and sacking Colston 10 times. The Braves also blitzed linebacker Patrick Pauleus at key moments to keep up the pressure.

They did a great job in the first half getting pressure on the quarterback, DeMyer said.

Remi Watson led the Braves running game with 128 yards on 15 carries, including touchdown runs of 17 and 67 yards in the first quarter. Shawndell Artis was questionable heading into the game with a knee injury but carried the ball 16 times for 62 yards.

Kathleen was without starting linebacker Gionni Paul, whom Strickland said was out for disciplinary reasons.

Quarterback Isaac ONeal saw his first action since the Bartow game in September but only made it in for one play before appearing to hurt himself while being run out of bounds.

Lake Gibson quarterback Trey Congdon, who threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Mervin Stewart in the second quarter, left on a cart early in the fourth quarter after a big hit on fourth down. DeMyer said the injury appeared to be a shin bruise but wasnt sure how serious it was.

Colston accounted for both of Kathleens touchdowns, connecting with Aaron Baysdon on a 15-yard pass in the second quarter and then running in from 9 yards in the third quarter to pull within 21-14.

But Colston lost a fumble on the Red Devils first fourth-quarter possession and threw an interception on their second as they couldnt score the equalizer. He finished 13-of-21 for 152 yards passing.

Were going to see them again, I promise you that, Strickland told his team after the game.

THE LEDGER

NOVEMBER 6, 2010

Late Miscues Costly To Braves In Defeat

LAKELAND | Despite six turnovers, Lake Gibson remained in position to knock off Madison County, ranked No. 2 in Class 2A, early in the fourth quarter.

The Cowboys, however, took advantage of a missed tackle then scored two touchdowns three minutes apart to defeat the Braves, 26-7, Friday night in a homecoming game at Virgil Ramage Stadium before 4,500 fans.

Our defense played so well tonight, Lake Gibson coach Keith DeMyer said. We put them in a hole so many daggum times, but they came back.

One play late spurred Madison (9-0) to victory. Faced with third-and-17 at the Lake Gibson 23 early in the fourth quarter, Madison tried an end around. Deonshay Wells slipped out of at least three tacklesand scampered to the 9 to set up fourth-and-3.

Dantonio Denson made the first down then scored from the 4 to put Madison up, 20-7 with 8:43 to play.

On the Lake Gibsons ensuing position, Remi Watson, who rushed for 138 yards on 18 carries, ran for 23 yards to midfield. The Braves (6-2 and ranked No. 8 in 4A), however, punted four plays later.

Mike Jones, who rushed for 144 yards, then ran five times for 80 yards, including a 55-yard gain, and scored from the 1 with 5:10 to play.

Watson had runs of 44 and 25 yards in the second quarter that set up the Braves only score, a 1-yard pass from Trey Congdon to Mervin Stewart.

Lake Gibson hosts Kathleen next Friday.

The Ledger

October 30, 2010

LAKE GIBSON SECURES PLAYOFF SPOT WITH WIN OVER LAKE REGION

EAGLE LAKE | Lake Gibson piled up 588 yards of total offense to tune up for a string of three games against ranked teams with a 54-16 victory over Lake Region on Friday night in a Class 4A, District 8 game at the Field of Thunder before about 800 fans.

Lake Gibson (6-1, 4-0) plays nationally-ranked Madison County and state-ranked Kathleen and Winter Haven in the next three weeks.

Remi Watson rushed for 205 yards and two touchdowns and the Braves finished with 349 rushing yards. Anthony Grant and Sam Burrough added 76 and 57 yards.

We didnt have a good week of practice, but they came out and played right from the beginning, Lake Gibson coach Keith DeMyer said.

Freshman Trey Congdon threw two touchdown passes, one to Deshae Edwards and one to Sam Burroughs, in the first quarter to give the Braves a 13-7 lead. Watson and Grant rushed for touchdowns in the second quarter to break the game open.

Tavaris Carr provided the Thunder (1-6, 0-4) with their only highlights. He returned a kickoff 85 yards in the first quarter turning a short pass reception from LT Thompsong into an 83-yard touchdown play with just over a minute to play in the fourth quarter for the games final points.

The Ledger

October 23, 2010

BRAVES POUR ON THE POINTS ON THE ROAD

AUBURNDALE | It wasnt pretty on the scoreboard or on the field.

Lake Gibsons running back duo of Remi Watson and Shawndell Artis each ran for more than 180 yards and the Braves held off a mulitude of penalties and turnovers to defeat Auburndale, 67-31, in a chippy game in front of about 800 fans at Bruce Canova Stadium.

Watson ran for 217 yards and scored three times to lead the Braves 518-yard rushing attack. Artis finished with 182 yards and four touchdowns.

Lake Gibson nearly had three backs with more than 100 yards. Anthony Grant ran for 82 yards and scored twice.

The teams combined for 37 penalties in the game, many of them personal fouls, totaling 356 yards.
Auburndale came out fast, connecting on a 69-yard touchdown pass from Collin ONeal to Lahran Price, but the Bloodhounds defense had no answer for the Braves running attack.

Artis scored all four of his touchdowns in the first half, while Watson scored on an 88-yard touchdown after the Braves held the Bloodhounds on four consecutive plays from their own 2 with the score 14-10 Lake Gibson.

Watson began the second half with an 80-yard kickoff return for a score and put another one in the end zone from 2 yards out as the Braves scored 25 in the third quarter to put the game away.

- THE LEDGER

October 16, 2010

Lake Gibson Keeps Rolling in District Win Over Bartow

LAKELAND | Lake Gibson coach Keith DeMyer was concerned before Friday nights game about how his team would respond following an off week.

The Braves put his worries to rest early by scoring 31 points in the first half of a 37-7 Class 4A, District 8 victory over Bartow before a crowd of about 2,000 at Virgil Ramage Stadium.

Lake Gibson (4-1) improved to 3-0 in the district and let its dynamic running back duo run wild in the process. Remi Watson rushed for 139 yards and three touchdowns, while Shawndell Artis had 197 yards and a score.

Much of that damage was done in the Wildcat formation where Watson takes the snaps alongside Artis.
You dont know which one is going to get (the ball), DeMyer said.

The Braves wasted little time getting on the scoreboard when Artis scored a 75-yard touchdown on the

second play from scrimmage.

After a 28-yard field goal by Cody Seeley capped the scoring in the first quarter, Watson found the end zone three times in the second quarter and his final scoring run was from 55 yards out after taking a direct snap.

Bartow (2-4) dropped to 0-3 in the district, largely because it didnt have the firepower to stay with Lake Gibson. With star running back Rod Smith out with a leg injury, the Yellow Jackets didnt get a first down until late in the second quarter.

Things picked up in the second half and Bartow avoided a shutout when Freddie Stevenson scored from 5 yards out with 6:36 remaining in the third quarter.

Lake Gibson also got production in the passing game from quarterback Trey Congdon, who completed 12 of 16 passes for 180 yards. He hooked up with wide receiver Joseph Reynolds for a 34-yard touchdown for the Braves lone score in the second half.

Lake Gibson travels to Auburndale next Friday, while Bartow hosts Okeechobee. Each game begins at 7 p.m.

- The Ledger

October 9, 2010

Lake Gibson Cruises Past Ridge Community

LAKELAND | Remi Watson and Shawndell Artis continue to be a devastating 1-2 punch in the backfield.

The Lake Gibson duo combined for 366 yards rushing to lead Lake Gibson to a 45-20 victory over Ridge Community Friday night in a Class 4A, District 8 game in front of about 900 fans.

Watson rushed for 206 yards on 14 carries. He also caught a 40-yard touchdown pass. Artis added 160 yards on 13 carries, and even Anthony Grant chipped in 97 yards as Lake Gibson finished with 526 yards of total offense, including 224 yards in the first half when both running backs passed the 100-yard mark.

Its nice to have them both sitting in the backfield, Lake Gibson coach Keith DeMyer said of Watson and Artis. And to be honest with you, they complemented each other tonight blocking wise. They did a pretty good job blocking.

Freshman quarterback Trey Congdon, making his first high school start, got into the act with two touchdown passes, one to Watson and the other to Mervin Stewart.

The game began as a shootout with each team matching the other, score for score, through two touchdowns apiece. But Lake Gibsons offense opened it up in the second quarter, while Ridge sputtered and stalled.

This was the first game all year that weve played four quarters, DeMyer said.

Quarterback Shykeem Pitts was a bright spot for Ridge with 112 yards rushing. He scored Ridges first touchdown on an 80-yard run. Phillip Loydd had 93 yards rushing, including a 57-yard romp in the fourth quarter.

Lake Gibson and Ridge are off next week. Lake Gibson plays Bartow at home Oct. 8, while Ridge plays Lake Region.

 The Ledger

September 25, 2010

Lake Wales Wins Showdown With Lake Gibson

LAKELAND | A showdown between two state title hopefuls turned into a statement game for one team and a letdown for the other Friday night.

The Lake Wales Highlanders totaled 404 yards of offense and held Lake Gibsons powerful rushing attack to 131 yards in a 42-14 victory in front of about 1,200 fans at Virgil Ramage Stadium.

Lake Wales (2-0) entered the game ranked No. 3 in Class 3A, while Lake Gibson (2-1) was No. 11 in Class 4A.

Lake Gibson struck first when Shawndell Artis returned a punt 66 yards for a touchdown after Lake Wales first possession. But Lake Wales struck back when Justin Shafer found Javess Blue for a 13-yard touchdown pass to cap a 10-play drive. The Braves then fumbled the ensuing kickoff, the Highlanders recovered at Lake Gibsons 24-yard line and scored again two plays later on a 9-yard run by Glenn Redding.

Lake Gibson lost another fumble on its next possession and the Highlanders needed only three plays to score on another pass from Shafer to Blue, this one from 8 yards out for a 21-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Lake Wales added another score before halftime, but the Braves snared momentum back on the second-half kickoff, which Remi Watson returned 73 yards to the Lake Wales 11-yard line. Artis scored one play later to pull the Braves back within 28-14.

But Lake Gibson failed to get any closer, the key misfire coming when the Braves turned it over on downs after they couldnt convert a fourth-and-1 from Lake Wales 6-yard line.

This game is going to make us a better football team, Lake Gibson coach Keith DeMyer said.

Justin Shafer led Lake Wales with 111 yards rushing and finished 14-of-28 for 159 yards passing. The Highlanders host Celebration next week.

Artis had 76 yards rushing and Watson 56 on the ground for Lake Gibson, which hosts Ridge Community next week.

The Ledger

September 18, 2010

BIG SECOND HALF LEADS BRAVES TO VICTORY

LAKELAND | Shawndell Artis and Remi Watson ran for 232 yards and scored three touchdowns Friday night to help Lake Gibson open district play with a 33-14 victory over Haines City.

The Braves (2-0, 1-0) recovered three Haines City fumbles in the third quarter, converting them into touchdowns and taking a commanding 24-6 lead before a crowd of about 600.

Artis ran for 146 yards on only 10 carries and scored the Braves final touchdown. Watson scored on a two-yard run and caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Tom Ortiz in the decisive third quarter.

Lake Gibson led only 3-0 at hafltime, but linebacker Patrick Pauleus fell on a Hornet fumble in the end zone just 20 seconds into the second half.

Forced to play a home game on the road for a second straight week because of the condition of their field, the Hornets (0-2, 0-1) found a weapon in junior receiver Quentin Dent. He caught seven passes in the second half, two of them for touchdowns.

Lake Gibson plays a home game against Lake Wales next week.

- The Ledger

September 11, 2010

BRAVES DEFENSESTOPS JENKINS LATE

LAKELAND | Itll go down as a loss in the record books, but for the George Jenkins football program, its hard not to count Friday night a success.

The Lake Gibson Braves can simply breathe a sigh of relief. Jaucady Rutledge was stopped short on a 2-point conversion attempt that would have given Jenkins a 36-35 lead with 2:52 left in the game, and the Braves held on for a 35-34 victory in front of about 2,000 fans at the Eagles Veterans Stadium.

Eagles coach Matt Thompson couldnt control how proud he was of his kids after the game, during which Jenkins converted three fourth downs on their final drive before Jadrian Clark found Michael Wheary in the back of the end zone to pull the Eagles within one point.

I love this football team, a choked-up Thompson said. That was a turning point for us (Whearys touchdown). When this place was so loud it was deafening, thats what we need is this community behind our kids. Win or lose our goal was to make sure we got some respect.

Wheary nearly scored earlier in the final drive when a sure touchdown on 1st-and-goal at the 10 slipped through his hands. The final score came on a deflected ball off the hands of Trent Rains on 4th-and-goal from the 12 to give the Eagles a chance to win.

Each of the Eagles touchdowns came at the hands of Clark. He threw for four touchdowns and ran for another. Wheary had two touchdown catches and 101 yards receiving.

If Lake Gibson came in not respecting Jenkins, which has always played in the shadows of the Braves as well as city rivals Kathleen and Lakeland, it was hard for them to leave without respect.
The Eagles jumped on top of the Braves for a 26-14 halftime lead thanks to big plays from Clark and a defense that forced two fumbles and recovered an onside kick.

But the Braves stormed back in the second half thanks to a 75-yard kickoff return by Remi Watson and two Shawndell Artis touchdown runs. The defense held the Eagles to just 2 yards of total offense before the final drive. Hes got them going, Lake Gibson coach Keith DeMyer said of Thompson. If they keep going the way they are theyre going to have a heck of a year.

Lake Gibson plays Haines City next week in the first district game of the year.

- THE LEDGER

 
STORM STOPS CHANCE FOR CLASSIC

LAKELAND | Friday nights kickoff classic between the Lakeland Dreadnaughts and the Lake Gibson Braves at Virgil Ramage Stadium was canceled because of weather.

The game was called with 7:59 remaining in the second quarter and Lakeland leading, 6-0, with about 3,000 fans in attendance. The Braves had the ball at Lakelands 8-yard line when officials ordered players off the field after a lightning strike nearby.

Javares McRoy provided the only points of the game, scoring on a reverse from 5 yards out to give Lakeland the lead with 9:57 remaining in the first half. McRoy, who also handled kickoffs for the Dreadnaughts, missed the extra-point attempt.

The Braves followed with an impressive drive that featured three rushes by Remi Watson for 47 yards, the last of which put Lake Gibson on the 8-yard line. But Watson appeared to injure his left ankle on the play, needing to be helped off the field.

When the players rushed off the field, Watson was able to walk off under his own power.

Watson finished with eight carries for 61 yards and one catch for 4 yards. Lake Gibson quarterback Tom Ortiz was 6-of-7 for 49 yards and also had a 40-yard run on an option.

McRoy had two catches for 46 yards and two rushes for 16 yards.

Lake Gibson travels to face George Jenkins next week.

- THE LEDGER

JOE SAYS SEMINOLES ARE No. 1

Errin Joe, a senior offensive lineman at Lake Gibson, has announced his five finalists in his recruitment on Friday.

Joe has Florida State at No. 1 on his list and Georgia Tech at No. 2, with Missouri, Florida and Miami rounding out the list in no particular order.

The Braves left tackle is ranked as the No. 16 offensive guard in the country and the No. 56 overall football player in Florida by rivals.com.

BRAVES BACKS RUN OVER 'HOUNDS 42-7

LAKELAND | Lake Gibson's two-headed backfield beast ran over, through and past the Auburndale defense Friday night.

Remi Watson and Shawndell Artis rushed for more than 100 yards apiece and produced all six Braves touchdowns in a 42-7 spring game victory before a crowd of about 400 at Virgil Ramage Stadium.

"They gave us a little bit of a seam and No. 8 (Artis) and No. 6 (Watson) can do some damage," Braves head coach Keith DeMyer said.

Lake Gibson wasted little time getting on the board when Watson ran 15 yards for a score on the third play of the game. The play before, Artis forced a fumble on Auburndale's first offensive play from scrimmage when he clobbered quarterback Collin O'Neal.

"(Artis is) going to be a two-way player for us," DeMyer said. "He's going to play linebacker and he's going to play running back. He's just got to get in shape."

Artis looked like he was in midseason form when he ran for a 36-yard touchdown to put the Braves ahead, 14-0, in the first quarter.

He didn't tire too much in the second half and rushed for two touchdowns in the third quarter before finishing with 124 yards.

Before those scores, Watson did the damage in the second quarter with a 33-yard touchdown run.

Watson, who racked up 146 rushing yards, also found the end zone on special teams when he returned a kick 87 yards in the fourth quarter.

Despite the success, DeMyer said his team has to improve up front, as it works in three new offensive linemen, aside from discovering a passing game.

Passing was the only glitch in the Braves' offense, as quarterback Tom Ortiz was intercepted twice by Auburndale's Scotty Palmer.

The Bloodhounds, also figuring out their offense, avoided the shutout when Devante London ran for a 6-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. The score was set up by Auburndale's top play of the night - a 27-yard leaping reception by Palmer on a pass from O'Neal.

Watson returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown.

- THE LEDGER

May 29, 2010

JOE NAMED TO 2011 FLORIDA TOP 100 LIST

Lake Gibson left tackle Errin Joe (6-4, 285) was named to Bill Buchalter's 2011 Florida Top 100 list February 11. Joe was one of six Polk County players named to the list, which was published by the Orlando Sentinel. Only nine of the 100 players selected were offensive lineman.

FLORIDA TOP 100

2009 ERRIN JOE HIGHLIGHT TAPE

WATSON NAMED POLKPLAYER OF THE YEAR

Going into the 2009 season, the Lake Gibson Braves knew they were going to have to get the ball in Remi Watsons hands.

They just didnt know they would need him this much.

Watson, a junior, led the county with 1,410 rushing yards on 180 carries and led the Braves to the playoffs as Class 4A-8 district champions. Watson is The Ledgers 2009 Large School Offensive Player of the Year, the first time The Ledger has selected players of the year from large and small schools in football.

Lake Gibson coach Keith DeMyer said Watson was pivotal to his teams 7-4 season and playoff run.

He was going to have to get so many touches a game for us to excel offensively, DeMyer said.

Watson was the teams second-leading rusher in 2008, with 307 yards. Shawndell Artis led the team with 1,020 and was slated to be the No. 1 running back this season.

But Artis missed the teams first five games, and Watson was ready to carry the load.

In addition to his rushing yards, Watson scored 16 rushing touchdowns, had 314 receiving yards with another six scores and also was 9-of-11 passing for 81 yards and two touchdowns in limited time filling in for quarterback Quinshon Odom.

Watson is versatile, but he prefers pounding the rock.

I like being the workhorse, because thats the number they call on when the teams in a tough position, he said.

Watson, who runs 40 yards in 4.5 seconds, said his vision is his best asset, helping him find the holes the Braves offensive line produced on their way to averaging about 250 yards per game on the ground.

With Odom graduating and Artis back in the fold, Watson could see more split time at receiver, running back and even quarterback next season.

I just want to make it to state next year, he said.

- THE LEDGER

  LAKELAND — Aaron Day kicked a 23-yard field goal in overtime as Edgewater beat Lake Gibson 17-14 in overtime in the Class 4A regional semifinals at Virgil Ramage Stadium Friday night.

  Lake Gibson drove the ball 45 yards in the final minutes to get inside the Edgewater 10-yard line. The game went into overtime when the Eagles defense blocked a 27-yard Braves field goal with six seconds left on the clock. In overtime, the Eagles defense blocked another Braves field goal, from 16 yards out, that allowed the Eagles to take the game on the next possession.

  Edgewater quarterback Kent Gainous rushed and threw for a touchdown leading the Eagles offense. Gainous threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Williams and rushed for a 28-yard score each in the third quarter. Gainous was 7-of-15 for 93 yards.

  Gainous led the team in rushing as he ran for 115 yards on 16 carries.

  The Eagles stopped the Braves passing game from getting off the ground allowing only three completions for the entire game. The Eagles secondary forced an interception with no time left at the end of the third quarter as senior C.J. Stevens picked off Braves quarterback Quinshon Odom in the back of the end zone.

  The Eagles (9-3) defense allowed only 23 yards passing.

  On the opening drive, Lake Gibson drove79 yards and scored when Remi Watson threw a 5-yard touchdown to Markus Harper putting the Braves on the board first.
 
  Watson finished the game with 127 yards on 17 carries including a 19-yard scamper touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Braves backs combined for 230 yards rushing.

  Lake Gibson ends its season with a record of 7-4.

  - ORLANDO SENTINEL

August 24, 2008

LAKELAND | Keith DeMyer was something of a coaching nomad.

After interning at Hudson High School Pasco County in 1976, it was up to Muscle Shoals, Ala., down to Lakeland, over to Santa Fe Catholic, across to Bartow, back to Santa Fe, down to George Jenkins, over to Lake Wales, back to George Jenkins and finally ...

DeMyer has found a home.

The longtime high school coach, who has led baseball and football teams during his 32-year career, is starting his 10th year at Lake Gibson, including his sixth as the head football coach. His days of bouncing to different schools appear to be over.

He was part of a coaching staff that built the Braves into a state power and has kept themthat way, being the only football coach in Lake Gibson history to take the team to the state championship game (in 2003 and 2004).

"You want to know a lot of it on why I'm still here?" DeMyer said. "It's Mr. G. (Ralph Gilchrest). He's the best principal I've ever worked under - supportive, will bend over backward to get what he can get for you. He's been real supportive of the football program, and he's real supportive of all athletics. He knows what it takes to build a football program, and he knows how important a football program can be to a school."

Coaching was in his blood from his early days. That early list of coaching jobs didn't include his first stint as a head coach when he and a high school teammate coached a youth league team when they were high school sophomores.

"We would go to football practice, then go home and eat, then go coach the youth team," DeMyer said. "I guess that's where it all started."

THE INSPIRATION

Adolph "Sonny" Santorine might not know it, but he's a major reason why DeMyer is coaching Lake Gibson today.

Keith Thomas DeMyer was born Nov. 28, 1951, in Patterson, N.J., and knew all about Santorine long before becoming a three-sport star for him at Midland Park High School. Santorine coached football, basketball and baseball, so DeMyer got to know him very well.

"I liked him growing up," DeMyer said. "It was a small town. He was the head coach there for like 100 years. I remember when I was in the fifth or sixth grade, we lived two blocks from the high school, I would go watch them practice, and I wouldn't miss a dadgum game. My dad would take me and my brother to every away game."

Santorine's impact on DeMyer as a coach wasn't the X's and O's, but rather how he communicated with players.

"A lot of times it was easier to go talk to him than it was to talk to my parents," he said.

When DeMyer went on college recruiting trips, he wanted to go by himself and enlisted his coach's help in convincing his father, who wanted to accompany him. DeMyer wanted to make the decision on his own.

DeMyer tries to be that kind of coach to his players today.

"He probably doesn't even know that I feel like I do about him," DeMyer said. "He was a big part of my life."

FROM SCHOOL TO SCHOOL

DeMyer played three years at Waynesburg College, an NAIA school in western Pennsylvania where he met his wife, Sandy. He finished college at the University of Tampa, where he earned his degree.

It was contacts he made while interning at Hudson that got him started on his coaching career. His first coaching job came when he followed Hudson assistant Paul Lombardo to Muscle Shoals. He was there a year before returning to Florida, where he joined the staff at Lakeland as the junior varsity coach. The connection was Sid Kimbrell, who was then an assistant under Bill Castle but was at Hudson when DeMyer was interning.

DeMyer got his first head coaching job at Santa Fe Catholic.

Five years later, he went to Bartow, where he coached with Richard Tate (now head coach at Ridge Community) under current Winter Haven coach Charlie Tate. One year later, it was back to Santa Fe.

DeMyer joined the George Jenkins staff in 1994 and later moved his family to Lake Wales so his son, Doug, a junior in high school, could play for Rod Shafer. DeMyer was an assistant football coach and head baseball coach at Lake Wales for two years.

DeMyer moved back to Lakeland after Doug graduated and eventually followed Dane Damron to Lake Gibson.

DeMyer's time at Lake Gibson was nearly short-lived. When Damron left following the 2001 season, DeMyer, who also teaches algebra, applied for the job. But it was given instead to Brian Armstrong, and DeMyer seriously considered moving on.

Gilchrest said he remembers walking down to the baseball field and talking to DeMyer and telling him he didn't want him to leave. As it turned out, a year later, Armstrong left for a college position, and this time, DeMyer got the job.

"He's such a quality man," Gilchrest said. "He exhibits the character you want in a head football coach. He's willing to roll up his sleeves and do whatever needs to be done. That's reflected in his record and how others look at him. I've never heard anyone say anything negative about him."

DeMyer was part of the staff that turned around the Lake Gibson program, and when he took over as head coach, he kept the Braves strong. In his first year as head coach with Matt Grothe as his quarterback, he took Lake Gibson to the state championship game for the first time in 2003. The Braves went back in 2004. They lost to Seffner Armwood both years.

Lake Gibson made the playoffs seven years in a row, reaching at least the regional finals each year, until that streak came to an end last year despite an 8-2 season. At one point in the season when the Braves were ranked No. 5, district rivals Lakeland and Osceola were ranked No. 1 and No. 3 respectively.

"A tradition was started here roughly about nine years ago, and I think being able to continue the tradition, that's the hardest thing to do," DeMyer said. "It's easier to come into a program that doesn't have squat and build it up. It's tougher to say I'm going to a great program and I've got to continue that because if I don't, it's a reflection on me on how I can handle kids, how I can handle a coaching staff and how I can coach. I think I feel prouder that I can continue what was started."

LOVE OF COACHING

While he enjoys the X's and O's, breaking down film and game planning, it's the camaraderie with the coaches and dealing with the players that DeMyer enjoys the most. He's said he's learned to adapt to how things have changed since he began coaching in the 1970s.

"Sometimes I think I've gotten a little softer in my old age, but it isn't that," he said. "The change in society, the change in morals, the change in what's going on with these kids' families - it's so different than it was 30 years ago that you've got to understand where the kids are coming from."

After all his coaching moves during his career, DeMyer now couldn't see himself coaching anywhere else.

"You know every Friday it's going to be competitive, at least you hope," he said. "There's some great football programs out there. Those are the type of things that get you going on Friday night. At any given time, if you're not playing well, any of those jokers are going to beat your butt. There are good football coaches at all those places.

"That's exciting. It makes you nervous. You're not sure how your kids are going to do. You don't know if you're going to control the great athletes that other teams might have. You don't know how your knuckleheads are going to play that night.

"That's part of high school football. It's really what it's all about."

 The Lakeland Ledger

Published: Sunday, August 24, 2008 at 10:10 p.m.

November 1, 2008

 LAKELAND | Lake Gibson rallied from a 20-point, first-half deficit to take a one-point, fourth-quarter lead, but it wasn't enough.

 Gainesville drove 69 yards in the fourth to set up Dallas Stubbs' 27-yard field goal with 6:19 to play that gave the Hurricanes their winning points in a 23-21 victory over Lakeland Lake Gibson Friday night before a homecoming crowd of 1,000 at Virgil Ramage Stadium.

 Lake Gibson (3-5) had two chances to score following Stubbs' field goal, but Gainesville's defense held.

 The first time, the Hurricanes stopped Shawndell Artis for no gain on a fourth-down screen pass. Then after Lake Gibson came up with a fumble with 2:22 to play near midfield, the Hurricanes held the Braves to minus-3 yards.

 "It takes time to build it back up,'' Lake Gibson coach Keith DeMyer said. "These kids have never been through tough times."

 Gainesville (4-4) used three plays to jump out to a 20-point lead. On the Hurricanes' first play, Trevor Wooten hooked up with Otis Brown for a 58-yard touchdown pass.

 On the first play of Lake Gibson's next possession, Michael Duggans picked off a bubble pass behind the line of scrimmage and ran in for the score from 23 yards out.

 On the last play of the first quarter, the Braves had a high snap on a punt attempt and Gainesville recovered at the 3.

 Corey Hodges scored for the 20-0 lead.

 Lake Gibson began its comeback late in the half, driving 51 yards on 11 plays and scoring on Quinshon Odom's 2-yard pass to Jesse Fernandez.

Odom finished with 179 yards on 16 of 29 passing.

 Lake Gibson then scored on its first two possessions of the second half.

 In the third quarter, the Braves drove 92 yards on five plays. Artis, who rushed for 100 yards on 11 carries, had a 48-yard run to set up Odom's 31-yard scoring pass to Leon Woods.

 Lake Gibson then drove 72 yards in the fourth quarter on six plays, scoring on Artis's 28-yard run.

 Lake Gibson plays at George Jenkins next week.

 THE LEDGER

October 25, 2008

LAKELAND | Kissimmee Osceola earned a return trip to the Class 5A state playoffs with a 28-14 victory over District 8 rival Lake Gibson on Friday night before about 500 fans at Virgil Ramage Stadium.

 With the loss, the Braves fail to make the playoffs for the second straight season.

 The Braves (3-4, 0-2) scored the game's first two touchdowns on a quarterback keeper by Quinshon Odom and a reverse from Anthony Woods from 16 yards out late in the first quarter.

 "We played well the first 12 minutes," coach Keith DeMyer said. "Our tackling was ugly tonight."

 The Kowboys (6-2, 2-0) put on their running shoes after the second Brave touchdown and rushed for 264 yards and four unanswered touchdowns in a little bit more than three quarters.

 "Running the ball is what we do," Kowboy coach Jeff Rolson said. "We got the breaks tonight."

 Down 21-14 late in the third quarter, the Braves got the ball to the Osceola one-yard line but a bad quarterback exchange resulted in a lost fumble.

 The Braves host Gainesville High School for homecoming next week, while Osceola has a off week before hosting Lakeland for the district championship.

THE LEDGER

October 18, 2008

AUBURNDALE | Lake Gibson may have had some frustration to get out.

A week after taking a narrow loss to No. 2 Lakeland, the Braves beat Auburndale, 42-7, in the Bloodhounds' homecoming game.

 "It was hard for our kids to come back for a game like this," Braves coach Keith DeMyer said. "It's hard after the struggle. Our kids played great and it's hard to get them up. It took us a while to get it going."

 Lake Gibson (3-3) was clicking on both sides of the ball, racking up 350 yards of offense and holding Auburndale to 137 yards.

 On their first possession, the Braves held the ball for almost five minutes and drove 87 yards for a touchdown.

 With the ball just outside the 20-yard line, quarterback Quinshon Odom had to fall on the ball after a bad snap.

 The play lost 13 yards and forced a fourth-and-22 from the 34-yard line.

 Odom connected with Shawndell Artis for a 34-yard touchdown on a screen play.

 A minute later, the Lake Gibson defense forced Bloodhound (2-4) quarterback Sean O'Neal to fumble and Adarius Glanton recovered the ball in the end zone.

 Auburndale responded on its next possession with a 77-yard drive capped by a 26-yard touchdown pass from O'Neal to Jeamiah Crawford.

 Odom connected with Anthony Woods on a 15-yard touchdown pass and Remi Watson ended the first half scoring with a 5-yard touchdown run.

 Odom finished the day with 184 passing yards, three touchdown passes and a touchdown run.

 Artis led the ground attack for Lake Gibson with 118 yards on 16 carries.

 Woods was the top receiver for the Braves with seven catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns.

 Devonta London was the top player for the Auburndale offense. He ran for 47 yards on nine carries.

 The Braves return to district action next Friday when they host Osceola High School.

THE LEDGER

October 11, 2008

LAKELAND -  With his team trailing, 14-13, with 2:33 left in the game against Class 5A-8 district rival Lake Gibson, Lakeland's head coach Bill Castle sent his offense out for a two-point conversion attempt.

 Aaron Truedell proved his coach right, barreling through the line for the conversion and Lakeland's first lead of the game at 15-14.

 The No. 2 Dreadnaughts' defense made the lead stand over the final two minutes, holding off the Braves' desperation drive for the victory in front of about 9,000 fans Friday night at Virgil Ramage Stadium.

 Castle said he didn't second-guess the call, which came after an offsides penalty on the Braves on the point-after attempt.

 "If the game's on the line, and you can't punch it in right there with a yard and a half …" Castle said. "You don't get much better odds than that."

 Lake Gibson (2-3, 0-1) had the Dreadnaughts on the ropes from the opening drive, when the Braves went 86 yards in eight minutes, 17 seconds to take a 7-0 lead on Quinshon Odom's 37-yard pass to Anthony Woods.

 The score remained 7-0 at the half, when Lake Gibson left the field celebrating a dominant opening 24 minutes.

 Lake Gibson coach Keith DeMyer said his players' youth may have led them to get ahead of themselves.

 "Our kids have to act like they've been there before," DeMyer said.

 Lakeland opened the second half with a 31-yard run by Steward Butler to the Braves' 43-yard line. But two penalties and two incompletions forced Lakeland to punt and took away its momentum.

 After a Lake Gibson three-and-out, Truedell, who played for the Braves last season, scored his first touchdown of the game, running 27 yards to tie the score at 7.

 Lake Gibson took the lead again on an Odom shovel pass to David Richardson from 45 yards out, but the defense couldn't hold the lead.

 DeMyer said his team can build on the close game.

 "Our kids I think believe in themselves now," he said.

 Lakeland's mental errors, including 17 penalties, nearly cost it the game.

 "We can play a lot better than we did," Castle said.

 Lakeland held the Braves to 74 yards rushing, while running for over 200 yards itself. Truedell had 66 yards on 13 carries.

 Odom was 10-of-15 for 152 yards and two touchdowns for Lake Gibson.

 Lake Gibson travels to Auburndale next week.

THE LEDGER

October 4, 2008

 HAINES CITY | Lake Gibson's offense had a steady day and its defense held Haines City High School scoreless to claim a 35-0 victory at Joe Stangry Stadium on Friday night.

 The Braves (2-2) scored a touchdown in each quarter and two touchdowns in the fourth to pull away from the Hornets.

 "It was a big win for these young kids that we got," Lake Gibson coach Keith DeMyer said. "We needed it to get rolling going into district play with Lakeland and then Kissimmee."

 Shawndell Artis started the scoring for Lake Gibson with a 25-yard run two minutes into the game.

 Haines City's (3-2) best opportunity of the first half came when quarterback Greg Burden completed a 48-yard pass to T.C. Robinson down to the 26-yard line. But the drive came to a close with four incomplete passes.

 Lake Gibson added a score before halftime with a 52-yard punt return for a touchdown by James Fullwood. On the extra point attempt, the snap was bobbled by Fullwood, but he ran around the left side and scored two points.

 The Braves opened the second half with another quick score when Artis broke a few tackles and got in the end zone for a 24-yard score. Artis had 148 rushing yards on 15 carries.

 Haines City drove deep again in the third quarter but fumbled inside the Braves' 20. Lake Gibson took possession and marched 74 yards for a touchdown, capped by a 15-yard run by Remi Watson.

 The Braves finished the scoring with a 55-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Woods from Remi Watson.

NEWS CHIEF

September 26, 2008

GAINESVILLE | The Buchholz football team has played only four games this year, but the team feels like it's already seen it all.

 After two heart-breaking losses to start the season, the Bobcats battled back to beat Ocala North Marion last week and made it back-to-back revenge victories with a 37-20 homecoming win over Lake Gibson Thursday at Citizen's Field.

 "We've already been through four wars," Buchholz coach Jay Godwin said. "At least we aren't tucking our tails between our legs too badly."

 The Bobcats (2-2) used a heavy dose of defense in the first half and a barrage of offense in the second to seal the victory.

 The Braves (1-2) were on a roll early, driving to the Bobcat 10-yard-line on their opening possession, until quarterback Remi Watson made a costly mistake. An errant pass, while Watson was getting hit, bounced off of linebacker Kyle Oehlbeck and into the arms of fellow linebacker Antwan Hughes, who returned it 92 yards for the opening score.

 Lake Gibson rushed for nearly 250 yards, but couldn't finish a pair of drives that ended inside the Buccholtz 10 yardline.

 Buchholz quarterbacks Kevin Prindle and Aaron Grant each completed only one pass in the first half, but both went for touchdowns, to give the Bobcats a 20-13 halftime lead.

 Watson sat out the second half after complaining of chest pains during the break.

 With backup Albert Monroe at quarterback, Lake Gibson drove into Buchholz territory only twice in the half, resulting in one score.

 Buchholz running back Jordan Labby, who was held to 37 yards in the first half, exploded for 131 in the second.

 He finished with 168 yards and two touchdowns .

NYT Regional Newspapers

September 20, 2008

September 6, 2008

August August 27, 2008

May 31, 2008

Lake Gibson 21, Edgewater 10


Lake Gibson coach Keith DeMyer has something of a major overhaul to do with his team, especially on offense where the Braves are replacing the entire offensive line, their top two rushers and second-leading receiver.

Still, the Braves will head into the summer on a positive note after defeating Orlando Edgewater, 21-10, in Orlando.

The Braves' Anthony Woods, who was one of the top receivers in the county last year with 37 receptions for 698 yards, caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Quinshon Odom, who is one of the candidates for starting quarterback. Woods also had kickoff returns of 80 yards and 65 yards.

R.J. Watson, another quarterback candidate, ran for 67 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown run.

Shawndell Artis, who could emerge as the top running back to replace Aaron Truedell and Deadrian Moore, ran for 112 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown run. He ran behind a brand new offensive line led by Robert Wallace.

Defensively, middle linebacker Adarious Glanton led the Braves with 12 solo tackles, and defensive back J.J. Fullwood had eight solo tackles and an interception.

Champ Lee shut down Edgewater's star receiver Quincy McDuffy, who is a D-I prospect.

--ROY FUOCO | THE LEDGER

February 7, 2008

LAKELAND | Florida lost one of its top recruits, Lake Gibson offensive lineman Ricky Barnum, to Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez.

Barnum didn't make his final decision until late Tuesday night, and he didn't let anyone know about the decision until Wednesday morning. Sitting at a table with his parents in the Lake Gibson auditorium, he set three caps in front of him, one from Florida International, one from Florida and one from Michigan. After picking up the first two and making a brief state, Barnum put on the last cap. He's headed to Michigan.

Barnum (6-2, 265), who had committed to Florida, was one of three Lake Gibson football players to sign letters of intent Wednesday with Division I programs and the second one to switch schools.

Defensive end James Jones, who verbally committed to South Florida last summer, signed with FIU, while offensive guard Josh Garvin signed with USF. All three expressed relief that the process was finally over.

"I'm glad it's over," Barnum said. "When I got here this morning, the phones were just ringing off the hook - nonstop. They were just ringing, ringing, ringing. They had to hide me out for a little bit. Now that it's over, I can sleep at night."

Barnum began having doubts about going to Florida shortly after he committed. He was getting different opinions. His mother wanted him to go to FIU, his father Florida, and his brothers and uncle Michigan.

Rodriguez, who visited Lake Gibson after Barnum committed to Florida, was a major factor in his decision. Barnum noted that he likely would have gone to West Virginia had Rodriguez stayed there. His visit to Michigan also played a part.

"When I went up to Michigan, everything was nice," he said. "They run the same offense we ran, the spread offense. They graduated three starting offensive lineman and four backups. Where could you go possibly wrong with that one?"

Barnum called the Florida coaches Tuesday night to tell them of his decision and noted that they were a bit upset.

"You've got to go with that gut feeling, and wherever you feel happy," he said.

That ultimately played a factor in Jones' decision to go to FIU.

Jones said he didn't hear from the USF coaches for four months after he committed and then had trouble reaching them when he called them. He said he called three times and left two messages.

"I felt if I went over there, I wouldn't have gotten treated right," said Jones, who was The Ledger's defensive player of the year.

He later made his visit to FIU. His experience with the coaches and players made a big enough impact for him to change his mind.

Jones also said he feels that he'll have a better chance of playing early at FIU. Not bad for a player who didn't exactly have dreams of playing big-time college football when he was growing up.

"I never pictured myself signing to play college football," Jones said. "I always wanted to play baseball. I wanted to be like Barry Bonds or somebody like that. This day means a lot to me because it means a lot to my mom, my family, my friends. I think it's like the best decision for me."

Jones will join former Kathleen and Lakeland linebacker Scott Bryant at FIU.

Garvin, a 6-4, 280-pound offensive tackle, had the least stressful experience in the recruiting process. He also was being recruited by Alabama, FSU, Florida and Auburn.

"It took me a couple of months to look at other schools. But in the end, that is where I wanted to go," said Garvin, who committed in July.

"I'll be the first one to ever go to college for sports in my family," said Garvin, who is a two-year starter at Lake Gibson.

Garvin, who grew up in Ohio, will play either guard or tackle in college

By Roy Fuoco
The Ledger, Lakeland, FL

Published: Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 3:05 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 7:20 a.m