Decalon Brooks

Hometown kids shine in 2019 college football season

January 15, 2020 By Kevin Weiss

The college football season has come to a close, and it was one in which many players with ties to The Laker/Lutz News coverage area showcased their skills. Dozens of area athletes are a part of programs at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Football Championship Series (FCS) levels, as well as Division II, Division III, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Local Sports Tagged With: Antwione Sims, Cartrell Strong, Chris Faddoul, Colorado State University, Decalon Brooks, Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, Donovan Jennings, Florida A&M University, Florida State University, Football Championship Series, Freedom High School, Gaither High School, IMG Academy, Indiana University, Isaiah Bolden, Ja’quan Sheppard, Jacksonville Bartram Trail, Michael Penix Jr., Morehouse College, Nate Craig-Myers, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, Noah Ruggles, Pasco High School, Samford University, Scott Patchan, Steinbrenner High School, Tampa Bay Tech, Tampa Catholic, Tre McKitty, University of Cincinnati, University of Miami, University of North Carolina, University of South Florida, USF, Wesley Chapel High School, Wiregrass Ranch High School, Zephyrhills High School

Locals make impact in college football ranks

December 5, 2018 By Kevin Weiss

The college football regular season has come to a close, and dozens of players with ties to The Laker/Lutz News coverage area showcased their skills on Saturdays in the fall. More than 100 players from the area are a part of various programs at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Football Championship Series (FCS) levels, as well as Division II, Division III and the National … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Local Sports Tagged With: Amani Oruwariye, Antwione Sims, Auburn University, Chris Faddoul, Daniel Biglow, Decalon Brooks, Eastern Michigan University, Florida A&M University, Florida Atlantic University, Florida State University, Freedom High School, Gaither High School, IMG Academy, Indiana University, Isaiah Bolden, Jaylen Pickett, Jayvaughn Myers, Jordan Miner, Mike Penix Jr., Nate Craig-Myers, Penn State University, Samford University, Scott Patchen, Tre McKitty, University of Miami, Wiregrass Ranch High School, Zephyrhills High School

Local football players sign with colleges during early period

January 3, 2018 By Kevin Weiss

Several of the area’s top football players took advantage of a new NCAA rule allowing prospective student-athletes to sign their National Letters of Intent (NLI) in December, rather than waiting until February to put pen to paper. Approved in May, the college football early signing period created a 72-hour window for signings from Dec. 20 to Dec. 22. The next opportunity to sign an NLI will … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Local Sports Tagged With: Alex McGough, Amani Oruwariye, Armwood High School, Decalon Brooks, Donovan Jennings, Ernest Suttles, Estafano Feliciano, Florida A&M University, Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, Florida State University, Freedom High School, Gaither High School, Holy Cross University, Indiana University, Isaiah Bolden, Jimbo Fisher, Jordan Miner, Lavel Dumont, Marquel Blackwell, Matthew Wood, Michael Penix Jr., National Letters of Intent, Nick Sheridan, Old Dominion University, Pasco High School, Penn State University, Shane McGough, Shug Oyegunle, Sunshine Athletic Conference East, Tampa Bay Tech, Temple Heights Christian School, Tennessee Tech University, Tom Allen, University of Oregon, University of South Florida, University of Tennessee, University of Toledo, Wesley Chapel High School, Wharton High School, Willie Taggart, Wiregrass Ranch High School

Prep football mid-season review

October 18, 2017 By Kevin Weiss

With the midway point of the 2017 prep football season recently passing by, here’s a look at some noteworthy teams and players in The Laker/Lutz News coverage. Best team: Zephyrhills High Bulldogs (6-1 overall, 5-0 district) Aside from an early season hiccup to Wiregrass Ranch (31-to-29 loss), the Bulldogs have planted themselves as one of the top — and most electrifying— teams in the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Local Sports, Sports Tagged With: Academy at the Lakes, Alonso High School, Austen Wittish, Bill Browning, Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, Bryant Beacham, Carrollwood Day School, Charles Harrison III, Cypress Creek Middle High, Darrion Robinson, Decalon Brooks, District 8-5A, Division I, Estefano Feliciano, Freedom High School, Gaither High School, Gavin Denboer, Isaiah Bolden, Jeromy Reid, Jordan Miner, Kirk Karsen, Land O' Lakes High School, Mitchell High School, Nathan Johnson, Nick Carroll, Pasco High School, River Ridge High School, Steinbrenner High School, Sunlake High School, Tampa Bay, TJ Williams, Wesley Chapel High School, Wharton High School, Wiregrass Ranch High School, Zephyrhills Christian Academy, Zephyrhills High School

Local athletes sign with colleges

February 8, 2017 By Kevin Weiss

The athletic talent pool continues to flourish throughout north Hillsborough, and east and central Pasco. Dozens of local high school athletes signed their letters of intent (LOI) on Feb. 1 to various colleges and universities as part of National Signing Day, held annually on the first Wednesday in February. Once again, schools in our coverage area were well-represented. Wiregrass … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Local Sports Tagged With: Alexandria Schneider, Alexis Ridolph, Andrew College, Antwione Sims, Ave Maria University, Bailey Hern, Ben Hickson, Broward College, Casey Gottschall, Chris Faddoul, Claire Morrison, Connor Nixon, David Garzon, Decalon Brooks, Devon Connors, Devyn Cabral, Dustin Harris, Edward Waters College, Ellrie Allen, Emmalee Jansen, Erin Brenner, Erskine College, Estefano Feliciano, Flagler College, Florida A&M Universitry, Florida College, Florida Southern College, Florida State University, Gaither High School, Haley Eckel, Haley Kirinsky, Hillsborough Community College, Huntingdon College, Jacksonville University, Jacob Thomas, Jaime Valenta, Jason Winston, John Pease, Kalijahe Spann, Kasey Heslin, Kathryn Attar, Ken Niumatalolo, King University, Land O' Lakes High School, Lauren Campoe, Lyon College, Mackenzie Allen, Maddie Moore, Mars Hill University, Mary Katherine Miller, Maryville College, Max Law, McCabe Sargent, Megan Clark, Morgan Power, National Signing Day, Noah Makarome, Noah Ruggles, Old Dominion University, Palm Beach Atlantic University, Pasco-Hernando State College, Presbyterian College, Saint Leo University, Samantha Hiley, Serion Bellamy, Shaw University, Shelby Lansing, Shorter University, Skylen Acuna, Southeastern University, Spencer Childress, St. John River State College, St. Petersburg College, Steinbrenner High School, Stetson University, Sydney Chase, Tennessee Tech University, Troy Klemm, Tyler Bray, Tyler Peretti, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, University of North Carolina, University of North Florida, University of Pennsylvania, University of Tampa, Warner University, Wiregrass Ranch High School, Yale University, Ysabelle Borgstadt, Zephyrhills High School

Week 1 prep football roundup

August 31, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

The first week of the regular season for high school football kicked off on Aug. 26. Here’s a look at how teams in our coverage area fared under the lights on Friday night. Pasco County results: Wesley Chapel 13, Land O’ Lakes 3 The skinny: New Wildcats coach Anthony Egan notched his first career win in a close road game against Land O’ Lakes High School. Up-and-coming quarterback … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Local Sports Tagged With: Adam Jarvis, Alonso High School, Anthony Egan, Avant Garde Academy, Baker Mabry, Bloomingdale HIgh School, Carrollwood Day School, Cris Galdos, Dane Coleman, Decalon Brooks, East Bay High School, Floyd Graham, Freedom High School, Gaither High School, Gavin Denboer, Grapevine Christian Aademy, Gulf High school, Ian Leverett, Jacob Thomas, Jude May, Justin Metzger, King High School, Land O' Lakes High School, Lane McLaughlin, Mark Jones, Nickk Carroll, Pasco High School, Randy Haynes Jr., River Ridge High Schjool, Robinson High School, Shannon King, Steinbrenner High School, Sunlake High School, Trentyn Jackson, Victory Christian Academy, Wesley Chapel High School, Wiregrass Ranch High School, Zephyrhills High School

Area fall football preview: Hillsborough County

August 17, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

The 2016 high school football season is just around the corner, and several teams in The Laker/Lutz News’ Hillsborough County coverage area enter the year with intriguing storylines, standout players and must-see matchups. Carrollwood Patriots Coach: Lane McLaughlin (10th year) 2015 record: 7-4 Spring Game result: 14-7 loss to Victory Christian Freedom Patriots Coach: Floyd Graham (1st … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Local Sports, Lutz Sports, Wesley Chapel/New Tampa Sports Tagged With: Alex Rodriguez, Andres Perez-Reinaldo, Brett Bitter, Cambridge Christian School, Carrollwood Day School, Carson Kaelo, Colin Wray, Corey Shamley, David Mitchell, Decalon Brooks, Devon Connors, Estefano Feliciano, Floyd Graham, Freedom High School, Gaither High School, Jason Stokes, Jay Dantley, Justin Moffatt, Lane McLaughlin, Lutz, Markeis Colvin, Nazir Achecar, New Tampa, Raymond Woodie III, Sickles High School, Steinbrenner High School, Tampa Catholic High School, TJ Williams, Wharton High School, Yahsin Wooten, Zac Watson-Parcels

Area spring football preview: Hillsborough County

May 4, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

Spring football practices are underway for Hillsborough County schools in our coverage area. Programs such as Gaither High and Freedom High are hoping for turnarounds, while Steinbrenner and Wharton high schools are trying to build off last season’s successes. Carrollwood Day School fits the bill as a possible team on the rise for 2016. Carrollwood Day School Coach: Lane McLaughlin … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Local Sports, Lutz Sports Tagged With: Alex Rodriguez, Andres Perez-Reinaldo, Brett Bitter, Bryce Martin, Carrollwood Day School, Carson Kaleo, Collin Wray, Corey Shamley, Decalon Brooks, Derrick Brooks, Devontres Dukes, Dr. Phillips High, Florida International University, Florida State University, Floyd Grahm, Freedom High, Gaither High, Gavin Denboer, Godey Coleu, Hayden Parks, Hillsborough County Schools, Jason Stokes, Jayquese Dantley, King High, Lane McLaughlin, Leto High, Manatee High, Markeis Colvin, Miles Williams, Nasir Core, Patrick Lukert, Raymond Woodie Jr., Ryan Verscharen, Shannon King, Steinbrenner High, Stephen Walters, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tyler Mirabella, University of South Florida, Wharton High, Wiregrass Ranch High, Yashin Wooten, Zac Watson-Parcells, Zack Deitz

07/06/2020 – Make a felt cactus

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will offer a curbside pickup craft from July 6 at 10 a.m. to July 11 at 5 p.m., for ages 18 and older. The take-home kit will include the supplies needed to make a cuddly felt cactus, and includes instructions, felt squares, a paper template, stuffing and a ceramic pot. Registration is required to reserve a kit. Register online at PascoLibraries.evanced.info/signup/calendar. … [Read More...]

07/06/2020 – Mystery mission

The Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City, will offer Mystery Maker Monday on July 6 at 10 a.m. Stop by and pick up a kit of random supplies and a mission, to use your creativity to build something. Kits will include everything needed, and a mission prompt. For information, call (352) 567-3576. … [Read More...]

07/06/2020 – Vacation Bible School

Atonement Lutheran Church, 29617 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, will host a vacation Bible school, “Heavenly Sprouts Farm: Growing Fruits of the Spirit,” July 6 to July 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., for ages 5 to 12. Admission is free. For information and to sign up, call (813) 973-2211, or email . … [Read More...]

07/07/2020 – Divorce support

Note: This appeared in print with a starting date of July 11. The wrong information was provided, and this post has since been updated. Emerge Strong Divorce Coaching will resume its free Separation & Divorce Support Group through Zoom meetings, starting July 7. Weekday meetings will take place every Tuesday at 7 p.m. To register, email , or call (561) 339-3711. … [Read More...]

07/07/2020 – Make a pillow

The Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City, will offer three pillow-making kits. On July 7 at 2 p.m., adults can join in a live virtual event to make a unicorn-decorated pillow. On July 8 at 3 p.m., teens can join in to create a pop-tart design pillow without any sewing. And, on July 9 at 3 p.m., tweens (grades four to seven) can learn to make a pop-tart pillow, too. Kits for all events will be made available. Register online at PascoLibraries.evanced.info/signup/calendar. … [Read More...]

07/07/2020 – Tinkering Tuesday

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will offer a curbside pickup Tinkering Tuesday kit called “Measuring Up!” from July 7 at 10 a.m. to July 11 at 5 p.m. Kits must be reserved ahead of time and will include a book bundle (if desired). Kids can learn about measurement through hands-on activities, crafts, recipes and online components. The library’s Facebook page Notes section will offer links for the experiments and activities, as well as online resources. The kits are limited to 30 participants. To register, visit PascoLibraries.evanced.info/signup/calendar. … [Read More...]

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