The only Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt in Plant City can be found in the unlikeliest of places: the front of the Huff Muffler and Automotive Repair building. But, Sam Kimmel isn’t working on the cars. He founded his Brazilian jiu-jitsu school, Cross Guard Fitness, in a rented space in the front of the building, clearly […]
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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Ben Gude
What’s the most important position in football, outside of the quarterback? That falls on the offensive line — the guys responsible for keeping the quarterback on his feet. And no one on a line has a deeper role to play than the center. Ben Gude, described by his coaches as the “heart and soul” of […]
Continue ReadingWHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND: Take the challenge ‘ and do it right
If you have a pulse, then you probably know about the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge by now. It functions not only as a brief amyotrophic lateral sclerosis simulator, but also as America’s hottest social media craze. What celebrity or other famous person hasn’t done it yet? In case you haven’t heard of the challenge, it […]
Continue ReadingSidelines 08.22.14
Do you have a good sports scoop for us? Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com. HIGH SCHOOLS online pharmacy purchase topamax no prescription with best prices today in the USA + Teams ready for fall season online pharmacy purchase prednisone online generic With school back in session, high school sports are about to get rolling. Here’s what […]
Continue Reading2014 Gridiron Report: Preseason
The Plant City Times & Observer brings you the first installment of our 2014 weekly podcast, the Plant City Times & Observer Gridiron Report, breaking down high school football match-ups in the Plant City area for the entire 2014 season. Staff Writer Justin Kline is the host of the podcast, which features a weekly “Game […]
Continue ReadingPHOTO GALLERY: Strawberry Crest Football Scrimmage
Before Saturday’s weather got nasty, Strawberry Crest held a scrimmage in front of a slew of its faithful fans. Spectators got to see some of the team’s new offensive and defensive schemes in action, as well as several Tristan Hyde-to-Clay Cullins touchdown connections – something that looks to be an ongoing trend in 2014.
Continue ReadingFamily comes first for Plant City father-son duo
It’s a Monday evening at the Randy L. Larson Softball Four-Plex, and Josh McAlpine is manning right field, while the Hillsborough County Special Olympics Softball team practices. Running up on any hit that comes his way, McAlpine is working on his throws to the infield as his stepfather, Dan Kolopajlo, yells in encouragement from the […]
Continue ReadingFlorida Baseball Heaven a hotspot for local players
For some people, “Baseball Heaven” might be a local park or sandlot that holds a lot of memories. On the silver screen, it might be smack in the middle of Ray Kinsella’s corn field. But Baseball Heaven is a real place — located in a building that’s nearly nondescript from the outside, nestled in an […]
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Do you have a good sports scoop for us? Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com. TWIRLING + Patriots place at Notre Dame Last month, the Plant City-based Patrick’s Patriots Twirling Corps took its talents to South Bend, Ind., for the America’s Youth on Parade competition. Nine of the 10 girls recorded top 10 finishes in their events. […]
Continue ReadingWHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND? Girls in football: Why not?
I went out to the Antioch Redskins’ field on Saturday to catch some of the Turkey Creek Trojans’ home opener action — particularly, the Midgets’ game against the Wesley Chapel Cowboys. The score was 6-0, in favor of the Cowboys, at halftime, and the Trojan coaches were attempting to fire up the boys with a […]
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