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Charleston Southern University

Locals shine during 2017-2018 college football season

January 17, 2018 By Kevin Weiss

Another exciting and memorable college football season is in the books. In addition to the University of Alabama capturing its sixth national title under head coach Nick Saban and the University of Central Florida finishing with an unblemished 13-0 record, several locals had noteworthy individual campaigns in 2017.

Here’s a look back at some of the top performers from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area, including both Pasco and Hillsborough counties, that shined in the Division I FBS and FCS ranks in 2017:

Auden Tate, wide receiver, Florida State University
High School: Wharton High School; graduated in 2015
Tate offered one of the few bright spots for a Florida State team that took a step back in 2017, finishing an uncharacteristic 7-6.

Auden Tate

A viable red-zone threat, the 6-foot-5, 225-pound junior tallied 40 receptions for 548 yards and a team-leading 10 touchdown receptions.

And, his last game was his best.

In the Seminole’s 42-12 win over Southern Mississippi in the Dec. 27 Independence Bowl, Tate tallied three touchdown passes as part of a five catch, 84-yard performance.

Tate has since announced he will forego his senior season to enter the 2018 NFL draft. Many outlets project the wide-out to be one of the top receivers selected, possibly between the first and fourth rounds.

A native of South Carolina, Tate moved to Tampa after his freshman year of high school. At Wharton, he developed into one of the nation’s most sought-after recruits, with his rare combination of size and athleticism.

Chase Litton, quarterback, Marshall University (Huntington, West Virginia)
High School: Wharton High School; graduated in 2014
Litton capped off his junior season —and third year as Marshall’s starter— in impressive fashion.

Chase LItton

He threw for 3,115 yards and 25 touchdowns, leading the Thundering Herd to an 8-5 record that was capped by a 31-28 win over Colorado State University in the Dec. 16 New Mexico Bowl.

The 6-foot-6, 232-pount Litton became just the second quarterback in school history to complete at least 60 percent of his passes in three consecutive seasons. The other was Byron Leftwich, who spent a decade in the NFL from 2003 to 2012.

Litton, who recently declared for the NFL Draft, cemented himself as one of the Marshall’s all-time great passers. He ranks fourth in program history in career touchdown passes (72); fourth in most pass completions (772); and fifth in career passing yards (8,832).

In four years at Wharton, Litton amassed more than 7,600 passing yards and 54 touchdowns. He was also a standout basketball player with more than 1,000 career points.

Alex McGough, quarterback, Florida International University
High School: Gaither High School; graduated in 2014
The four-year starter guided Florida International to an 8-5 record — tying the best mark in the program’s 16-year history. (FIU also went 8-5 in 2011).

McGough’s senior season was also his best season numbers-wise. Completing 65 percent of his passes, the 6-foot-3, 218-pound pocket passer tallied 2,798 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and eight interceptions. A capable runner, he added 231 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.

Alex McGough

McGough exits the FIU program with numerous passing records, including most career touchdown passes (65).

His accomplished career came to a bittersweet end in the Gasparilla Bowl on Dec. 21, when he fractured his left collarbone on the team’s first offensive drive. FIU ended up losing to Temple 28-3.

McGough was rather lightly recruited out of Gaither (FIU was his only Division I scholarship offer) despite being one of Tampa Bay’s most decorated passers — amassing more than 5,100 career passing yards and 52 touchdown passes in four varsity seasons. He also played baseball and soccer.

McGough’s younger brother, Shane, also plays for FIU and graduated from Gaither.

Shaheed Salmon, linebacker, Samford University (Homewood, Alabama)
High School: Land O’ Lakes High School; graduated in 2014
The 6-foot-2, 233-pound senior outside linebacker followed up last year’s All-Southern Conference campaign with an even better showing, posting a team-leading 109 total tackles, along with 15.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and an interception. He again received First Team All-Southern Conference honors and was named Third Team Stats FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) All-American.

Shaheed Salmon

Salmon had four games with 10 or more tackles, including a career-high 18 in the team’s NCAA Playoff game at Kennesaw State.

He also was named Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Month in November.

The defensive stalwart and sure tackler was also one of the key reasons Samford posted an 8-4 overall record (6-2 conference play) and reached the FCS Playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1992.

At Land O’ Lakes High, Salmon was a three-sport standout, competing in football, basketball and track. In his senior year, he led the Gators in tackles (117), tackles for loss (21.5) and sacks (8.5).

Amani Oruwariye, cornerback, Penn State University (State College, Pennsylvania)
High School: Gaither High School; graduated in 2014

Amani Oruwariye

Despite missing two games to injury, the 6-foot-1, 209-pound redshirt junior firmly established himself as one of the Big Ten Conference’s top cornerbacks — posting a team-high four interceptions, along with 12 passes defended and 28 total tackles — helping the Nittany Lions to an 11-2 record and Fiesta Bowl win.

The on-field performance proved good enough for second team All-Big Ten honors — Penn State’s first cornerback to do so since 2008.

Expected to return for his senior season, Oruwariye is regarded for his size, length and athleticism at the defensive back position.

Prior to college football, Oruwariye was a three-year letterman at Gaither High and earned team MVP honors his senior year. He also earned first-team all-district honors and was selected to play in the Hillsborough County All-Star Game.

Other Notables:

Janarion Grant, wide receiver, Rutgers University (Piscataway, New Jersey)
High School: Pasco High School; graduated in 2013
Battled injuries all season long, but still managed to finish with 600 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns in seven games. Exits Rutgers as its all-time kickoff return yardage leader (2,857 yards) and tied for the NCAA record for combined kick return touchdowns (8).

Nate Craig-Myers, wide receiver, Auburn University (Auburn, Alabama)
High School(s): Pasco High School; Tampa Catholic High School; graduated in 2016
Dade City native displayed a solid sophomore campaign, tallying 16 receptions for 285 yards and three touchdowns. Will be expected to make a bigger impact in 2018.

Chris Faddoul, punter, Florida A&M University
High School: Wiregrass Ranch High School; graduated in 2017
Freshman averaged 39.4 yards per punt, including eight of 50 or more yards. Also, pinned 16 punts inside the 20-yard line.

Shane Bucenell, quarterback, Charleston Southern University (Charleston, South Carolina)
High School: Wiregrass Ranch High School; graduated in 2015
Sophomore passed for 737 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions. Also, rushed 164 yards. Last month announced plans to transfer to another school.

Published January 17, 2018

Filed Under: Local Sports Tagged With: Alex McGough, Amani Oruwariye, Auburn University, Auden Tate, Charleston Southern University, Chase Litton, Chris Faddoul, Florida A&M University, Florida International University, Florida State University, Gaither High School, Janarion Grant, Land O' Lakes High School, Marshall University, Nate Craig-Myers, Nick Saban, Pasco High School, Penn State University, Rutgers University, Samford University, Shaheed Salmon, Shane Bucenell, Tampa Catholic High School, University of Alabama, University of Central Florida, Wharton High School, Wiregrass Ranch High School

Locals shining in college football

September 27, 2017 By Kevin Weiss

With the college football season in full swing, dozens of players from Pasco County can be seen showcasing their skills on Saturdays throughout the fall. Nearly 50 players from east Pasco are a part of various programs at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Football Championship Series (FCS) levels, Division II, Division III National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and Junior College.

Three to watch:

(Courtesy of Rutgers University)

Janarion Grant; Rutgers University; senior wide receiver
The former Pasco High School star has proved himself a dynamic all-purpose playmaker at the Division I level ever since stepping foot on the Rutgers campus. Besides one of the program’s receiving leaders this season (12 receptions, 113 yards through three games), the fifth-year senior is tied for the NCAA all-time record for kick/punt return touchdowns with eight. At 5-10, 178 pounds, Grant is often praised for his elusiveness and straight-line speed — qualities that may make him a highly sought special teamer priority in the NFL.

The speedster was granted a medical redshirt for this season after he underwent broken ankle surgery last September and missed the final eight games of the 2016 season.

Grant had an illustrious career at Pasco High School, where he set the county record with 77 career touchdowns. In his final two prep seasons, Grant was part of Pirates squads that reached the Class 5A state final four in 2011 and made a regional final appearance in 2012.

(Courtesy of Samford University)

Shaheed Salmon; Samford University; senior linebacker
Salmon was one of 97 players selected in July to the STATS FCS Preseason All-America Team. Thus far, the sturdy 6-foot-2, 232-pound Land O’ Lakes High School product has lived up to the hype, ranking among the nation’s leaders in tackles per game (10.3).

That production has some outlets coining him a legitimate NFL prospect.

He had his breakout campaign last season, where he started 11 games at linebacker and finished second on the team with 93 tackles, including 50 solo stops.

Salmon graduated from Land O’ Lakes High in 2014. He led the Gators in tackles (117), tackles for loss (21.5) and sacks (8.5) as a senior, and earned third team All-State, and first team All-County and All-Conference honors.

(Courtesy of Charleston Southern University)

Shane Bucenell; Charleston Southern University; sophomore quarterback
Bucenell earned Charleston Southern’s starting quarterback out of camp after he went 6-2 as a starter last season, passing for 1,100 yards and a Big South Conference-leading 15 touchdowns. Besides arm talent, the 5-foot-11, 190-pounder redshirt sophomore also is a viable threat with his legs — he rushed for 325 yards and four touchdowns in 2016.

In three games this season, Bucenell has passed for 396 yards and three touchdowns, with a 52 percent completion rate.

Bucenell graduated from Wiregrass Ranch High School in 2015. He became the school’s career touchdown passing leader, and set school records for passing yards and completions in a single game. He also was a standout in baseball and track throughout his high school career.

Here’s a running tally of known Pasco County players from The Laker/Lutz News coverage currently competing at the next level:

Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School

  • Patrick Beatty (defensive back) — Luther College (Decorah, Iowa)
  • Scott Edwards (defensive back) – Luther College
  • Marc Herrera (linebacker) — Malone University (Canton, Ohio)
  • Joe Mastrino (wide receiver) – Lyon College (Batesville, Arkansas)
  • RJ Perciavalle (defensive back) — Washington and Lee (Lexington, Virginia)
  • William Potosky (tight end) — University of Southern Mississippi
  • Luis Valentin (wide receiver) – Ave Maria University

Land O’ Lakes High School

  • Joshua Brown (cornerback) – Warner University (Lake Wales)
  • Spencer Childress (quarterback) – Lyon College
  • Andy Dowler (punter/kicker)— Geneva College (Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania)
  • Jordan Ferrante (linebacker/defensive lineman) – William Jewell College (Liberty, Missouri)
  • Liam Heaney (tight end)— Black Hills State University (Spearfish, South Dakota)
  • Dylan Hothenthaner (kicker) – Indiana State University
  • Cedric Lowe (linebacker) – Huntingdon College (Montgomery, Alabama)
  • Shaheed Salmon (linebacker) — Samford University (Homewood, Alabama)
  • Larenz Scroggins (running back) – Jacksonville University
  • Quentin Smith (wide receiver/running back) – Malone University
  • Ethan Weilant (wide receiver) — William Jewell College

Pasco High School

  • Janarion Grant (wide receiver)— Rutgers University (Piscataway, New Jersey)
  • Jayvaughn Myers (defensive back) – Auburn University (Alabama)

Sunlake High School

  • Tommy Berrios (defensive back)—Southern Virginia University
  • Joseph Jean-Baptiste (defensive back) – University of West Florida
  • Tyler Peretti (wide receiver)—Southeastern University (Lakeland)
  • Chris Williams (defensive back)— Ohio Wesleyan University
  • Austin Yeloushan (linebacker)— Jacksonville University

Wesley Chapel High School

  • Ellrie Allen (safety)— Florida A&M University
  • Kyle Brown (defensive back) — Beloit College (Wisconsin)
  • Davon Henry (wide receiver) — Missouri Valley College
  • Angel Ramos (linebacker) – Missouri Valley College
  • Na’im Smith (offensive lineman) — North Park University (Chicago, Illinois)
  • Jacob Thomas (quarterback) — Mars Hill University (North Carolina)

Wiregrass Ranch High School

  • Taylor Bleistein (wide receiver) — Hanover College (Indiana)
  • Elijah Brooks-Davis (defensive lineman)—Sewanee University (Tennessee)
  • Dylan Bryan (wide receiver/linebacker) — Ave Maria University
  • Shane Bucenell (quarterback) — Charleston Southern University (South Carolina)
  • Chris Faddoul (punter) — Florida A&M University
  • Vinnie Haider (offensive lineman/defensive lineman)— Sterling College (Kansas)
  • John Harris-Scott (safety) — Trine University (Angola, Indiana)
  • Evan Hogan (offensive lineman)—Keiser University (Fort Lauderdale)
  • Mark Hutchinson (wide receiver) — Florida International University
  • Brandon Mosley (defensive back) — Feather River Community College (Quincy, California)
  • Jason Winston (defensive lineman) — Stetson University (Deland)

Zephyrhills High School

  • Jaylen Pickett (linebacker) — Eastern Michigan University
  • Antwione Sims (running back/safety)— United States Naval Academy (Annapolis, Maryland)

Zephyrhills Christian Academy

  • Serion Bellamy (running back) — Shorter University (Rome, Georgia)
  • Mykh’ael Chavis (running back) — Minnesota State College
  • Matt Iovine (quarterback) — Minnesota State College

Published September 27, 2017

Filed Under: Local Sports Tagged With: Bishop McLaughlin High School, Charleston Southern University, Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Series, Janarion Grant, Junior College, Land O' Lakes, Land O' Lakes High School, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, Pasco High School, Rutgers University, Samford University, Shaheed Salmon, Shane Bucenell, Sunlake High School, Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel High School, Wiregrass Ranch High School, Zephyrhills, Zephyrhills Christian Academy, Zephyrhills High School

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01/26/2021 – Crystal snowflakes

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will present Virtual STEM Studio: Crystal Snowflakes on Jan. 26 at 4:30 p.m., for grades four to seven. Learn how to create your own crystals with just saltwater. Follow along with the video on the Regency Park Library’s Facebook page. No library card is needed. … [Read More...] about 01/26/2021 – Crystal snowflakes

01/27/2021 – Into the Interstellar

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will present “Into the Interstellar Unknown” on Jan. 27 at 6:30 p.m. Natalia Guerreo will present the latest news from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). Guerrero works at the MIT Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research on the MIT-led NASA TESS Mission. The program is for teens and adults. Registration is through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org. … [Read More...] about 01/27/2021 – Into the Interstellar

01/27/2021 – Zentangles

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will host “Stroke of Genius” on Jan. 27. This virtual craft includes an instructional slide show on how to draw Zentangles. View the post, available all day, on the South Holiday Library’s Facebook page. … [Read More...] about 01/27/2021 – Zentangles

01/29/2021 – One Book, One Night

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will host “One Book, One Night” on Jan. 29 at 6:30 p.m., for teens and adults. Participants can start online as the beginning excerpt of the book “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant, is read in English, Spanish and French. For information and to register, visit the calendar feature at HCPLC.org. … [Read More...] about 01/29/2021 – One Book, One Night

01/31/2021 – Nova Era performs

The Pioneer Florida Museum and Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City, will host a live performance by the classical music group Nova Era on Jan. 31 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The ensemble performs in handcrafted 18th-century costumes and ornate, powdered wigs. Gates open at 2 p.m. There will be heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. This is an outdoor event. Guests should bring lawn chairs. No cooler or pets. Masks are required inside the buildings. Social distancing will be in place. Advance tickets are $25, or $30 at the door (if available). For information and tickets, visit PioneerFloridaMuseum.org. … [Read More...] about 01/31/2021 – Nova Era performs

02/06/2021 – Blues festival

The fifth annual Pasco Blues Festival will take place on Feb. 6 from noon to 6 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. The event will include performances by Memphis Lightning (12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.), Sean Chambers (2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.), and Damon Fowler (4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.). There also will be food trucks, shopping vendors, T-shirts and Blues swag. This is a family friendly, pet-friendly event. Signage will be in place to enforce proper social distancing and mask usage. Hand sanitizing stations will be available. Guests should wear a mask when in line for entry, food and beer. Vendors will be spaced at least 10 feet apart to prevent overcrowding. Chairs also will be provided for guests to set up, and should be brought back to the front when done, for another guest to use. There is a limit of chairs to the first few hundred people. Guests can bring their own lawn chairs and blankets. Other than VIP spaces, no tents, coolers, food and drink will be … [Read More...] about 02/06/2021 – Blues festival

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