Prime Time Preps

Clearwater Central Catholic coach Chris Harvey became the fastest coach in Pinellas County history to reach 100 career victories Friday night, as the Marauders dominated Boca Ciega 49-7 in their regular season finale. Harvey, in just his 10th season at the helm, reached the century mark at a record pace, averaging an impressive 10 wins per season since taking over the program in 2016.

Jesuit’s Will Griffin has already established himself as an elite quarterback prospect. The senior also has solidified his status in local lore as the Tampa Bay area’s all-time career passing leader. Griffin currently has 10,677 yards, surpassing former Jefferson quarterback Quentin Williams (10,384) as the leader in the Tampa Bay area, which spans Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties.

Plant City’s quick coaching fix is paying dividends at 2-0. Armwood and Tampa Bay Tech collide Friday in another chapter of their dead-even rivalry. And former Armwood star Aamaris Brown is making noise at UNLV with a pick-six performance. It’s all here in the Hillsborough County football buzz. Plant City High’s football season started with chaos. Coach Terrence Hicks was out. Will Blankenbaker had 24 hours to decide if he wanted the job. The offensive coordinator took it.

Calvary Christian’s volleyball team continued its dominant early-season run with a third-place finish in the national platinum bracket at the Nike Tournament of Champions in Gainesville over the weekend. The Warriors went 5-1 at the tournament, defeating defending Class 7A state champion Winter Park and defending 6A state champion Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. They also knocked off No. 6 nationally-ranked Pace (Ga.) to highlight their impressive performance against elite competition.

Week 1 of the regular season delivered with upsets and breakout performances. From shutouts to high-scoring shootouts under the Friday night lights, Hillsborough County teams made their mark in their openers. Let’s dive into the top games and standout moments. Tampa Bay Tech dismantled defending Class 7A state champion Venice 29-7, delivering a statement victory that erased memories of last season’s humbling opener.

WIMAUMA — Mario Hollingshed has about 50 junior varsity players for his inaugural team at Aquilla J. Morgan High, Hillsborough County’s newest and largest campus. He doesn’t want that number to surge. Not yet. “I only have 80 helmets right now,” said Hollingshed, the first football coach at the $178 million school that opens in August. That restraint might be unrealistic given the explosive population growth in Wimauma.

Earl Garcia stands on the Hillsborough High School sideline Friday nights the same way he has for 32 years — all 5 feet, 5 inches of him, barking instructions and making sure nobody gets ahead of themselves. But these days, the longtime coach is chasing something that has eluded all but six coaches in Florida history.

Michael Penix Jr. stood with his fiancee Saturday as his hometown unveiled a street sign bearing his name, a rare honor for an NFL player with just five games under his belt. The small Pasco County town unveiled the new street sign near Main Street, with friends, family and community leaders gathering in the heart of town for the event. The street is now called Michael Penix Jr. Boulevard.

The moment Johni Broome had been waiting his entire life for finally arrived Thursday night. With the 35th pick in the NBA draft, the Philadelphia 76ers selected the Auburn forward, capping one of basketball’s most improbable journeys from overlooked recruit to professional player. Standing on the stage at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the 22-year-old Tampa native had traveled further than anyone could have imagined when he was ranked 490th nationally in his high school class.

ST. PETERSBURG — Dante Fowler Sr. has been named the new head football coach at Lakewood High School, the school announced June 9. Fowler Sr. was hired after serving five years as an assistant coach under Cory Moore, who left to become an area scout for the Los Angeles Rams. Prior to Lakewood, Fowler Sr. served as an assistant at Northside Christian under former Tampa Bay Buccaneers fullback Mike Alstott and at St. Petersburg Catholic.