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6 Youths Go The Distance

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By DAREK SHARP

dsharp@tampatrib.com

Published: October 8, 2008

PLANT CITY - Six Plant City youths earned the right to compete in the sectional level of the Pepsi Punt, Pass & Kick competition, with a chance to perform at Raymond James Stadium after that.

Forty-eight youngsters in six age groups competed Sept. 27 at Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex in the local round of the contest.

The first-place finishers in each group will compete in the sectional competition Oct. 26 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers training facility.

The sectional winners will advance to state title competition at a Bucs game.

Zachary Drury had the overall top score, the top total distance of his punt, pass and kick, with 232 feet, 3 inches. Drury won the 12- and 13-year-old boys age group, where Cade Kelley was second at 215 feet, 5 inches and Hunter Shuff third with 203 feet, 4 inches.

Accuracy counted, as distance away from a tape indicating a straight line was deducted.

Jared Smith had the only other combined 200-foot effort, and that was good for winning the 14- and 15-year-old group. Smith's score was 200 feet, 10 inches. Cleyton Morris was second with 193 feet, 2 inches and Michael Bennett third at 183 feet.

Matthew Byars, with 150 feet, 1 inch, was the 8- and 9-year-old boys winner followed by Tyler Salvato, 112 feet, 10 inches and Thomas Steed, 109 feet, 4 inches.

The 10- and 11-year-old boys winner was Reid Adams with 191 feet, 5 inches. Austin Drury, 190 feet, and Tyler Blaisdell, 170 feet, 5 inches were second and third, respectively.

Kira Paskins won the 8- and 9-year-old girls competition with 79 feet, 4 inches. Lindsey Smith was second with 72 feet, 8 inches. There was no third-place winner in that age group.

Taylor Edgemon, 176 feet, 9 inches won first place in the 10- and 11-year-old girls category. Kellen Morris was second with 82 feet, 11 inches and Krislyn Welch placed third with 82 feet, 4 inches.

Ribbons were given away for first, second and third place.

The local punt, pass and kick competition was sponsored by the Plant City Recreation and Parks Department and the Optimist Club of Plant City.

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