Last week I was told the only way to get to the State Championship was to go through Spuce Creek.  Sanford Seminole took that advice to heart, stealing home field advantage from the Hawks for a 30-13 win.

The 'Noles put up the first score and never gave up the lead.  Spruce Creek fought an uphill battle all night.  Shane Peludat found Andrew Coates who kept his balance and finished up a 35 yard touchdown to tie up the game.

Then late in the 2nd quarter the momentum took a wild turn.  Peludat was seeking to get the handoff to Latharius Giles when the 'Noles Defense literally stepped in the way.  Dyron Dye walked into the play and busted down the field for a touchdown.  Although the PAT was no good, an added field goal right before the half gave the Seminoles a 9 point cushion.

The Hawks rallied in the third, but the second half belonged to Andre Debose.  Seminole QB Aravious Armstrong made a play action fake to the left, then quick tossed to Debose who ran to the right, untouched into the endzone.  The Senior broke free for another score late in the 4th to seal victory for the 'Noles.

Now, home field will switch to Sanford... Apopka will be the next opponent for the Class 6A Region 1 Final.

The high school football season begins with more than 100 local teams fighting for state championships. November has drawn to a close, and only 8 area teams still have those state title dreams alive.

The most intense Fox Hilites of the season lived up to its billing and then some, as 12 area football teams had their seasons ended, some with incredibly close and heartbreaking defeats. We called this round of games 'Revenge Week' because several teams had a chance to avenge regular season losses with playoff rematches. And that's exactly what happened for a couple of Orlando area squads.

Boone High was still smarting (and a bit embarrassed) after giving up 42 points to Dr. Phillips three weeks ago, losing the district title. Tonight, the Braves got revenge in the sweetest way, knocking those same Dr. Phillips Panthers out of the playoff hunt with a 17-7 win that was vintage Boone. Defense, defense, defense - that's what we're used to seeing from Phil Ziglar's teams, and the dominant defense was back again tonight. Boone travels to Royal Palm Beach for the regional finals next Friday.

Apopka exacted some revenge of their own tonight at East Ridge. Apopka's Blue Darters lost the district championship with a loss at East Ridge four weeks ago, but on that same field in Clermont, the Blue Darters came back and knocked the Knights out of the playoffs, 41-34. You'll be hard pressed to find a football game anywhere with more talent - Jeremy Gallon, Jeremy Wright, on and on - and the offenses were clearly ruling the day, but in the end, the APK had just enough to hang on for the victory. Apopka is at Seminole next Friday in another matchup loaded with college-bound talent. It will be one of the games of the year and a must-see for local fans.

Seabreeze's Sandcrabs have the formula for postseason success - get hot at the right time. Seabreeze didn't turn as many heads as they did during 2007's perfect regular season, but the 'Crabs are hotter than ever after a 16-0 whitewashing of Merritt Island, a team that hadn't been held under 13 points in any game this season. If that kind of defense shows up next week at Ridgeview, Seabreeze could find themselves in the 4A state semifinals.

North Marion put up 49 points on Williston. Trinity Catholic fought their way to another playoff win and a berth in the 2B state semifinals. Cocoa just keeps on rolling, and now they come home for the regional finals. And Warner Christian outlasted Orangewood Christian to put themselves just one win from the 1B title game.

Those are the good stories, but on a playoff night like this, there's always bad news. And this night will sting the worst for Mainland's Buccaneers, the last undefeated team left in the Fox 35 viewing area. Mainland lost 21-20 to Orange Park after building an early 14-0 lead. There's no question Mainland had the talent to compete for a state championship, but the playoffs prove time and time again that one bad bounce can mean the difference between a title and an early exit from the postseason. 11-1 is nothing to be ashamed about, though, and the Bucs will remember this season fondly after the sting of tonight's loss goes away.

East Ridge's phenomenal season and 10 game winning streak are both over, at the hands of Apopka. This will go down as one of the great seasons in Knights football history, but sadly, the road ended Friday night on their home field. The same is true for Spruce Creek, the greatest supporters in the history of our Fox Hilites home page - the Hawks' fans cast 2,000 votes in this week's Game of the Week poll, but couldn't pull off the win over Seminole. Osceola's state title dreams ended with a tough, tight loss to Lakeland. 2007 2A state semifinalist South Sumter's done too, thanks to Bolles. And First Academy and Pine Castle Christian, two of Orlando's private school powerhouses, will be watching from the sidelines after Friday night losses.

We have just 8 teams left. The smaller schools play their state semifinals next Friday, while the bigger schools play in regional finals. But regardless of what the games are called, every game is colossally huge from this point on, and Fox Hilites will be there every step of the way.

See you next week! Here are next week's playoff matchups involving local teams:

Apopka at Seminole

Boone at Royal Palm Beach

Seabreeze at Ridgeview

North Marion at Pasco

Desoto County at Cocoa

Trinity Catholic at Florida High

FAMU High at Warner Christian

Ok, lets have it! Who do you think will make it to the Big Game, and who do you think will win it?

The season is coming to a close, and many teams are out of the running.

There are a few that still have a shot. Will miracles happen?

Make your prediction here!

What two teams will face each other in the biggest sports event in the world?

Which team will win?

What is your prediction?

This game was a rematch of last season's first rounder at Lake Brantley, and for Spruce Creek, it didn't matter where the game was held.  The Hawks take out the Patriots for the 2nd time in a row, with a 28-14 win.

Lake Brantley took control early with an 11 yard score from Tyler Krider, and that was all the team could muster until the end of the game.

Spruce Creek made them pay for turnovers. The first one in the second quarter ended up with QB Shane Peludat handing off to Latherius Giles for a 5 yard scamper to tie the game.

Another Brantley turnover resulted in Jordan Bots heading off to the left side for a 10 yard score.  14-7 Hawks.  The third turnover led to Peludat faking the handoff and throwing a perfect strike to Devonte Mack, who strode into the endzone nearly untouched, to put the Hawks up for good 21-7.

In the second half, Spruce Creek slipped and allowed Lake Brantley to score late in the 4th.  But the rally came a little too late and the clock was the enemy for the Pats.

Adam Lampert led Spruce Creek with 116 yards on the field and a touchdown.  Krider led Lake Brantley with 134 yards rushing and the only two touchdown for the team.

So, the Hawks have home field advantage for the rest of the playoffs if they keep winning, and will host Seminole for the Regional Semifinals.

High school football's version of Survivor knocked a whole bunch of area teams off the island Friday night. For others, that all-important run to the state championship game is well underway.

Welcome to Fox Hilites, playoff style! It was clearly our most intense week of Fox Hilites yet, but that's kind of a no-brainer - in the playoffs, every game is 'winner goes on, loser goes home'. And we did see some seasons come to a sad end tonight.

But let's start with the most impressive showings in the playoff openers. And since the saying goes 'defense wins championships', you've got to give the biggest props to two area defenses who sent huge statements Friday night. The Mainland Bucs (the area's lone remaining undefeated team) blanked Buchholz 44-0 in Daytona Beach to serve notice to the rest of class 5A. We knew Mainland had offensive firepower and pure talent, but the defensive dominance shows Mainland is at the top of its game right now. The Bucs host Orange Park next week.

The other dominant "D" was that of Boone High. The Braves put the nightmarish two-week stretch behind them in a 38-0 whitewashing of Sarasota Riverview... ON THE ROAD! Boone started the year 8-0 but came crashing to earth with losses the last two weeks to Dr. Phillips and Edgewater. Phil Ziglar and the Braves reached deep down and responded to this gut check with the kind of play we're used to seeing from Boone High. And the win sets up one of the great games of the entire season - a rematch with Dr. Phililps next Friday night! I know I say this a lot, but this could very well be the game of the year in Central Florida - Dr. Phillips is 10-1 (after outlasting Durant 14-7 Friday night) and Boone has their eyes on revenge after giving up 42 points to the Panthers.

Enough about defense... let's talk about offensive outpourings, and we had several Friday night. Seminole (7 game win streak) rolled up 38 on DeLand. First Academy posted 49 on University Christian. Poor Jones ran into a buzzsaw in Jacksonville, as Bolles put 70 on the scoreboard. And two Marion County powerhouses ran up and down the field, as Trinity Catholic notched 63 and North Marion poured out 42. And of course, the Blue Darters of Apopka are rounding into playoff form, scoring 41 in a road win over Timber Creek.

Week 2 of the playoffs looks like Revenge Week, as we'll see rematches of several key regular season games. Boone is at Dr. Phillips, Apopka at East Ridge (the knights won the district title by knocking off the Blue Darters), Seabreeze at Merritt Island (the Sandcrabs seek revenge for their regular season loss to the Mustangs), Osceola at Lakeland (it's torture to have to play Lakeland twice in the same season, but Osceola beat mighty Lakeland twice last year), Newberry at Trinity Catholic, and Williston at North Marion. I wish we could forward time to next Friday and play the second round right now, but the players might want a little time to rest.

Thanks for watching... see you next Friday night! The second round playoff schedule follows...

6A:

Seminole at Spruce Creek

Apopka at East Ridge

Boone at Dr. Phillips

5A:

Orange Park at Mainland

Osceola at Lakeland

4A:

Seabreeze at Merritt Island

3A:

Williston at North Marion

Cocoa at Ridge Community

2A:

South Sumter at Bolles

2B:

Newberry at Trinity Catholic

Frostproof at Wildwood

1A:

First Academy at North Florida Christian

1B:

Warner Christian at Orangewood Christian

Pine Castle Christian at Victory Christian

I was talking with Bishop Moore Athletic Director Mike Malatesta after tonight's game, and he  told me everytime they play Lake Highland Prep, it's always close. 

Tonight is no exception as the Hornets squeek by with a 10-7 win.

In the first, kicker Robbie Anthony nailed a 30-yd field goal. The game seemed to stall from there, except for watching the shuttle Endeavor take off and light up the night sky.

In the 4th, Lake highland Prep's Bobby Borcky took advantage of a Bishop Moore turnover on downs, and outraced the entire team for a 45-yd touchdown to take his team up 7-3.

With about 11 minutes to go in the game, the Hornets engineered probably one of the most methodical and longest drives of the game.  Quarterback Eric Connolly kept handing off the ball to his sturdy running backs, and 80 yards later pushed through a one yard keeper to regain the lead, 10-7.

But the game wasn't over yet.  About 1:50 to go, and Borcky slipped through the Hornet defense and tossed a pass to get the Highlanders inside the 20.

And with the clock winding down to :40 seconds, the senior QB scrambled and the ball popped out... Hornet's defense falls on the ball with :07 seconds left, to seal the deal.

Next, Bishop Moore travels to Pasco County for the first round of the playoffs.  Lake Highland finishes 5-5 on the season.

Hard to believe it, but the regular season is in the books. And Fox Hilites was there, every step of the way... an amazing 11 weeks!

Even though the last week of the season has no playoff implications, it's still huge for many area teams. Rivalry Week is circled on the calendar all season long for the teams facing off in battles with neighboring schools. And this Rivalry Week did not disappoint.

The Barrel is back in Edgewater's trophy case after a 21-14 win over Boone. It's a great end to what's been a down season for the Eagles - they won't be making the playoffs, but the Edgewater seniors went out with a bang, giving Boone its second loss of the season.

Mainland flexed its collective muscle in the Battle of the Beach, jumping out to a 17-0 lead and blasting Seabreeze 34-7. Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium was jam-packed for this neighborhood rivalry, and the Mainland Bucs get more than bragging rights; they're the only team in the viewing area that finished its regular season undefeated.

We had not one, but TWO, Games of the Week thanks to a tie in the voting. And both games turned out to be terrific battles. Bishop Moore edged out Lake Highland Prep 10-7 in a game covered admirably by Eric Clinkscales (check out his blog for more on that game). And the Pine Ridge Panthers made history with their 31-21 win over Deltona in the Battle of the Boulevard. Pine Ridge is the first 3-time Game of the Week winner in Fox Hilites history! Pine Ridge is rolling into the playoffs and looking for a run to the 5A title game.

Other area tidbits... Seminole won its 6th straight game, blasting Lyman 45-0. The 'Noles host DeLand in the first round (DeLand made the playoffs after going 0-10 last season)... Eastside scored with 4 seconds left for a thrilling 30-27 win over Gainesville... Cocoa continued its great regular season run with a 31-10 win over rival Rockledge, but Rockledge senior Kory Kowalski stole the show with a 58 yard field goal. Are you listening, D-1 colleges?... Winter Springs is experiencing a case of deja vu, finishing 7-3 for the second straight season yet missing the playoffs... Dr. Phillips bested West Orange 49-21 to notch their 8th straight win. The district champion Panthers host Durant in the first round of playoffs next week... Eustis finished off its season with a 29-14 rivlary win over Mount Dora... district champ First Academy ended its regular season with 9 wins thanks to an impressive 28-14 victory over Pine Castle Christian.

Bring on the playoffs! See you next week on Fox Hilites at 11:15!

Monday night's tiebreaking mini-games are in the books. Note: boiling a season down to a 12 minute mini-game is like trying to sum up an episode of House in 7 words - it doesn't do it justice!

Anyway, all the local playoff matchups are now set. Remember, playoffs don't start unti November 21st - there's still another week of regular season play this Friday (with some fantastic rivalry games!)

Here's the list of all 31 playoff games (teams from the Fox 35/Fox 51 viewing area in ALL CAPS):

6A:

LAKE BRANTLEY at SPRUCE CREEK

DELAND at SEMINOLE

APOPKA at TIMBER CREEK

WINTER PARK at EAST RIDGE

Durant at DR. PHILLIPS

BOONE at Riverview (Sarasota)

5A:

PINE RIDGE at Orange Park

BUCHHOLZ at MAINLAND

South Fork (Stuart) at PALM BAY

BAYSIDE at Atlantic (Delray Beach)

OSCEOLA at Newsome

4A:

Nease at EASTSIDE

LAKE WEIR at Ridgeview (Orange Park)

Tarpon Springs at MERRITT ISLAND

SEABREEZE at Land O' Lakes

3A:

Crystal River at NORTH MARION

Gulf at ST. CLOUD

BISHOP MOORE at Pasco

Lake Wales at COCOA

SPACE COAST at Ridge Community

2A:

Ribault at SOUTH SUMTER

JONES at Bolles (Jacksonville)

2B:

Episcopal at TRINITY CATHOLIC

NEWBERRY at Trinity Christian (Jacksonville)

Cardinal Mooney at WILDWOOD

TRINITY PREP at Frostproof

1A:

University Christian at FIRST ACADEMY (Orlando)

HOLY TRINITY EPISCOPAL at North Florida Christian

1B:

MERRITT ISLAND CHRISTIAN at WARNER CHRISTIAN

TRINITY CHRISTIAN (Deltona) at ORANGEWOOD CHRISTIAN

PINE CASTLE CHRISTIAN at Keswick Christian

OK fans... who's going to the state championships this year? Blog away!

It didn't take long for the players from Dr. Phillips to see how special Head Coach Dale Salapa is to the team.  The dramatic turnaround to see itself leading the district, and facing number one Boone was a tall challenge the Panthers handled, with a 42-27 win.

Dr. Phillips took a quick 14-0 lead in the first, only to have Boone tie up the game in the 2nd quarter.  From there the Cats never looked back.  Nico Ranieri put on an air show that would make the Blue Angles proud.  372 yards passing and a handful of touchdowns.

Wideout Kenneth Shaw pulled in six catches for 106 yards, including an 81 yard score in the second quarter.

Boone had not allowed more than 9 points per game and 43 points total all season until Friday night, when it allowed 42.

The score was also the highest output for Dr. Phillips all season. 

So, the playoff scenario is nearly set.  Boone will now go on the road to meet Sarasota Riverview in the first round.  Dr. Phillips will host one of a trio of schools playing a tiebreaker on Monday in Sarasota.

District champions crowned... playoff spots decided (and some still to be decided)... that was the story of a WILD week 10 in high school football... and we had it all on Fox Hilites!!

District play wrapped up tonight, and some of the season's most heroic performances happened on the football fields of Central Florida Friday night. And any discussion of heroes has to start at Dr. Phillips High School, where the Panthers gave Boone their first loss of the season, 42-27. With the win, the Panthers take home the District 6A-5 title. Eric Clinkscales (golfer extraordinaire) has more on that game on his blog, but I'll just say this... Dale Salapa has done an unbelievable job in his first year at DP. He deserves that District Coach of the Year title he got earlier this week.

A couple of other notes, and then I'll break down the playoff scenarios - how about the turnaround Jones has made in their first year under Kenard Lang? Jones beat Mount Dora 12-3 to clinch a playoff berth, an amazing turnaround from a 1-9 season last year. Congrats to Coach Lang!

Speaking of new coaches making headlines, Tim Shifflet's second year at Winter Park has yielded some big results. The Wildcats' 14-11 win over Edgewater has put Winter Park into the postseason. Could this be the beginning of a return to late 80s/early 90s championship form at WPHS?

Several other schools, like Wildwood, Warner Christian, and St. Cloud, clinched district titles tonight. Let's break down the playoff picture as it stands right now:

6A-1: DeLand, Mandarin, and Spruce Creek finished in a three-way tie for the top spot. They'll play tie-breaking mini-games Monday night, with Spruce Creek hosting. No pressure, right?

6A-2: Seminole is district champion; Lake Brantley is runner-up.

6A-3: Timber Creek wins the district after going 5-0 in district play for the first time in school history. Winter Park gets the second spot with their win over Edgewater.

6A-4: East Ridge has the district title; Apopka is runner-up and will travel to Timber Creek for an enticing first round matchup.

6A-5: Dr. Phillips has the top spot (and a home game to start the playoffs) after beating Boone. The Boone Braves are runners-up.

5A-3: Gainesville Buchholz clinched a playoff spot Friday night with a win over Fleming Isalnd.

5A-4: Mainland (still undefeated) has the district title. Pine Ridge gets the second spot thanks to their 28-21 win over Hagerty Friday night.

5A-13: Palm Bay is the #1 seed; Bayside gets the #2 spot because of their clutch win over Melbourne Friday night.

4A-6: Eastside (Gainesville) is district champs; Lake Weir gets the second spot.

4A-7: Merritt Island wins the district title; Seabreeze comes in second and makes the playoffs.

3A-5: North Marion clinched the title with Friday's win at Dunnellon.

3A-7: St. Cloud (another amazing turnaround story) wins the district title thanks to Friday's win; Bishop Moore makes the playoffs with Friday's win over Eustis.

3A-9: Cocoa takes the top spot; Space Coast is runner-up.

2A-4: South Sumter is district champs (no surprise there). Jones sneaks up and takes the other playoff spot (more of a surprise, and one of the great stories of the year in Central Florida).

2B-4: Trinity Catholic has the #1 seed; Newberry has the other playoff spot.

2B-5: Wildwood clinches the district title. The Villages, Trinity Prep, and Crescent City finish in a three-way tie for the second spot; they'll decide that spot with tie-breaking mini games Monday night (at Trinity Prep, we believe).

1A-4: Three-way tie for the top spot; Florida Air Academy, First Academy (Orlando) and Holy Trinity Episcopal play tie-breaking mini-games Monday night at First Academy.

1B-3: Warner Christian beats Trinity Christian to take the district title; Trinity Christian still makes the playoffs as the #2 seed.

1B-4: Orangewood Christian has clinched the district title; Merritt Island Christian is the #2 seed.

1B-5: Pine Castle Christian has clinched the runner-up spot (they'll go on the road for the playoffs' first round).

5A-8: Osceola lost Friday, but still make the playoffs as district runner-up.

Whew! That's a lot of research. Playoffs start November 21st... next week is Rivalry Week! Thanks for watching Fox Hilites!

WHile I am a GATOR HATER , FL seems to have the inside track to the BCS game.   But I really hope PENN STATE has some calculation on their schedule.   THE BIG 10 never play anyone and some at ESPN say it is a glorified WAC.   SEC teams constantly play 4-5 tough games and now the BIG 12 teams have a tough schedule (usually not the case).  If Florida beats Bama in the Championship game they should to the BCS game.  Penn State who doesnt also have a Champ game like SEC and BIG 12 should be ranked #5 at best.

I finally will crank up my FireCoachTuberville.com site this week for Auburn fans.  While giving Florida a NEW one 2 years in a row , that Coach will remain mediocre forever... with this year being torture.

My Top 7:

Alabama

Texas Tech

Florida

Oklahoma

USC

Penn State

Texas

Spruce Creek was looking solidify it's district hopes ct tonight at rival Deltona.  After a scoreless first quarter, Creek's Shane Peludat tossed a 45-yd pass to Andrew Coates for the touchdown and a 9-0 lead. 
Peludat threw for 207 yards, completing 15 of 20 passes.  Add to that number, throwing two touchdowns and running in one from 15 yards out in the 2nd quarter.  Spruce Creek's Adrew Coates pulled in 128 yards in catches, and Running Back Adam Lampert saw the end zone a couple of times.

Creek wins, 39-0, improves to 3-1 in Class 6A, District 1.  The team will have a showdown against winless Jacksonville Sandalwood next week.  If Spruce Creek wins, along with Mandarin and DeLand... there could be a three-way tie!

A spooky Halloween edition of Fox Hilites! Week 9 was, by far, the most intense week of high school football yet. Several district champions were crowned tonight, and many other teams clinched playoff berths. The playoff picture is already shaping up - didn't we just start the season?

We got to start with the winner-take-district-title matchups, and there were several of them. East Ridge posted one of the most impressive wins of the season, beating Apopka 21-13 and taking home the district 6A-4 title. Apopka is still possibly the area's most talented team, but now they've got two losses and will be travelling in the first round of the playoffs. The celebration is on in Clermont!

Speaking of ultra-talented, Seminole went perfect in October, culminating with a 35-14 district-title-clinching win over Lake Brantley. The 'Noles high-octane offense has found its rhythm with two weeks left in the regular season. Winter Springs may have an upset on their minds next week, but it'll be tough for anyone to stop the 'Noles right now.

Palm Bay, Trinity Catholic, and South Sumter all clinched district titles this week with key wins. That's a huge advantage because they can rest their players for two weeks before the postseason starts. Look for teams like Mainland, Seminole, and East Ridge to be rested and ready when November 21st comes.

Other area tidbits... North Marion clinched at least a share of the district championship with a 21-19 win over Williston. Watch for the Colts to make some noise come playoff time... Mount Dora kept its playoff hopes alive with a win at Lake Highland Prep. It's Mount Dora vs. Jones next week, winner's in the playoffs, loser's out... We've been talking about it for weeks, but here come the DeLand Bulldogs. Kevin Pettis's bunch beat Mandarin Friday night, giving Mandarin its first district loss and DeLand an inside shot at a playoff spot... Spruce Creek may have something to say about that though. The Hawks blasted Deltona 39-0 in our Game of the Week (which received almost 900 votes in the poll)... Boone High shut down Freedom 35-7 to clinch a playoff spot. The Braves play Dr. Phillips next week for the district championship... Boone's one of the two area undefeateds. Mainland's the other, and still unblemised after a 28-7 win over Hagerty... Cocoa captured their district title, 36-22 over Space Coast. Cocoa gets a tough Astronaut squad next week... We loved the World Series here at Fox 35, but it's a concensus opinion that we're ready to focus on football.

Last week of district play next week, then tiebreaker mini-games if needed on Monday the 10th! Thanks for watching!

Kevin Holden, Fox 35 Sports

Go DAWGS! 

Beat the Gators... or at least make a game of it!!!

Well, it's done. This Series of bizarre twists and turns, of improbable heroes, newly impassioned fans and hardened supporters, of snow and freezing temps, has come to a conclusion that was everything the rest of the series wasn't - a conclusion that was about baseball.

It was about battling back in Wednesday's mini-game. About Rocco Baldelli's homer minutes after the Phillies had taken a 3-2 lead. About Brad Lidge, picture perfect closer, pitching a picture perfect ninth and sending the City of Brotherly Love into its own unique euphoria.

Of course, that euphoria includes setting things on fire, but that's beside the point. For every riotous Philly fan, there were two with tears in their eyes Wednesday night, a 130-year-old tradition of failure eased for one night with the team's second championship.

Folks, I don't hold it against the Phillies for celebrating the title. Even those obnoxious fans that booed us when we left the parking lot in Game 3. The celebration literally extends 20 miles out from the stadium, a massive city of sorted souls united for one night behind the joy of that city's first title in 25 years.

But enough about Philly. Everyone else will talk plenty about them.

Rays fans, I know it stings tonight. Joe Maddon's team took its fans on an unbelievable ride, proving the doubters wrong every step of the way. Every day, every week, every month, baseball 'experts' waited for midnight to strike on baseball's Cinderella - and it never happened.

Yes, your Rays go home empty-handed from baseball's biggest dance. Yes, they went winless in Philly. Yes, Pena and Longoria waited almost a week for their first World Series hits. Yes, it hurts right now, Rays fans.

But as time goes on, you should realize and appreciate just what this Rays team gave you.

The Texas Rangers have been around since 1961, and are still looking for their first World Series berth. The Seattle Mariners just finished their 32nd season, and still have yet to taste October's sweet nectar. The Washington Nationals? 40 years, dating back to Montreal, and not a single World Series game.

Your Rays, so young as a team, are also very young as a baseball franchise. But in just their 11th season, Tampa Bay got to feel the magic that 28 other teams would die for right now.

Embrace this team, Tampa Bay and Central Florida. Embrace them the way these Philly fans have thrown their arms around their baseball heroes, 10,000 losses and all. Keep sporting the Rayhawks and ringing the cowbells. Sell out games next season. Bleed Tampa Bay Rays blue, even when they're 76-86.

If you do that, you'll build a lasting baseball tradition, a franchise that's respected nationwide. And then when the title comes, you'll be riding on the hoods of cars and hugging complete strangers in the streets, the same way these passionate Philly fans are doing right outside our hotel window.

Soak up every moment and remember it, Rays fans. This team doesn't have to be a one-year wonder.

THE PHILLIES JUST WON THE WORLD  SERIES 4 TO 3 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Folks, our baseball barnburner has turned into a baseball bizarro world.

Game 5 of the World Series has been postponed... again. This is not Monday night's postponement. This is an entirely new meeting, a completely new agreement that, as the city of Philadelphia braces for more seasonal (read: rough) conditions, the boys of summer will not be taking the field tonight.

 By the way, it's snowing.

That's right. Outside our hotel room in Northeast Philadelphia, white flakes are falling from the sky. I'm on the top floor, so there's no one above me with a bad case of dandruff. And I didn't accidentally sleep until Christmas morning. Yup, that's good ol' fashioned American snow. I can package some up and send it back to Florida in case anyone wants to know what it looks like.

So let's assume the Rays can beat the Phillies in this mini-game once it resumes. Then we go back to Saint Pete for Games 6 and 7, which will also be pushed back because of the delays here. If the Rays can force a Game 7, it would fall... get this... on Halloween night! Anything longer than a three and a half hour game that night, and we would have baseball in November for only the second time in history.

The first time, it was because baseball had a 2-week hiatus after September 11th, 2001.

Folks, I gotta be honest... there's a part of me that's getting a little worried about the game I've loved my whole life.

Revenue makes the world go round, but in this case, revenue has made baseball come to a violent halt, right before the crescendo of its final act. Extra off days during the League Championship Series and Division Series were nice because you didn't have to choose between the Dodgers and the Angels on TV this fall, but the extra time has turned baseball's postseason into basketball's postseason. And by the way, I think the 2006 NBA postseason just wrapped up this afternoon.

I'm not sure what the solution is, but the snow falling outside my window tells me we shouldn't be playing baseball anymore. And whether it's shortening the season, getting rid of extra long layoffs between playoff series, or starting it all a little sooner in March, baseball should find an answer.

Because the thought of watching a World Series game after the ribbon comes off the last Christmas present, just doesn't sound American to me.

I got a email this morning from (raysbaseball.com [feedback@mail.mlblists.com] ) about tickets, here is what it said:

Limited Number of Tickets Available for Game 6 of the World Series The Tampa Bay Rays will have a limited number of tickets available today at 9 a.m. to Game 6 of the World Series which is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 29, at Tropicana Field. The tickets are available on raysbaseball.com, with a limit of four tickets per person.

Buy Tickets Now »

**Schedule subject to change.**

in @ Tue 10/28/2008 6:08 AM

I went to the site at 9:01 am and all the tickets were sold out my only option was to bid on tickets on StubHub for standing room tickets were $600 each and going up !!!

 I believe that for big sporting events the general public should have a fighting chance at tring to purchace tickets outright instead of having to resort to ticket scalping companies, whats the difference i could go to St. Pete and but a ticket on the street, this is just another form of a monopoly between MLB and ticket companies. I don't mind watching them on TV, but to at leist have to opportunity to go to an World Series once in my life would be good. Its easer to get tickets to 1. NBA Finals, 2. Daytona 500, 3. just about any concert, I do understand there needs to be the online auctions for tickets to fill the seats, but there would be no shortage of takers to fill the seats if they would allacate a bigger so-called "public ticket block" so there is a better chance for local people to get tickets.

It would be nice if Fox would do a story on this subject to help Joe Public (Not "Joe the Plumber" LOL) better understand this process, so we can explain to our kids why they can't go the the World Series even though its just in tampa, where they have gone to watch the rays before.

Thats my take, sound off on this if your as fustrated as i am !!!

DJDollar

More than 100 years, more than 600 games. The World Series is as steeped in tradition as any sporting event in America. But we saw something Monday night that has never happened - ever - in the history of the Series.

A World Series game is on hold. Literally.

Game 5 was suspended in the middle of the 6th inning, with the score tied 2-2. Rain, winds, and near freezing temperatures rendered the playing surface unplayable, causing Commissioner Bud Selig to suspend the game.

Now, an entire baseball universe - from the fans to the players, coaches, and even media - are in a holding pattern thanks to mother nature. The Rays were forced to find a new hotel for the night, as they had planned to fly to St. Pete directly from Monday night's game. Fans are scrambling to free up their Tuesday night, and Philly fans put their party on hold.

And no, I don't think Brian and I are going to catch our Tuesday evening flight home to Orlando. I think we'll be busy watching another piece of history - the first World Series game that doesn't start with the first inning.

This might be just what the Rays needed to get momentum back in their favor. Evan Longoria and Carlos Pena were starting to hit again before the rains came (and imagine baseball's mess if Pena hadn't singled in a run to tie the game in the top of the 6th). Cole Hamels isn't a factor now, and this game is still tied.

But before Rays fans start celebrating, remember this - now Tampa Bay has to play the equivalent of a mini-game. The Phillies get to bat first (they resume play in the bottom of the 6th), and they'll get to bat last if necessary. Plus, the best bullpen in the game today wears Phillies uniforms. So this uphill battle is still just that - it's just a little more like sudden death than a 9 inning stroll.

Gotta sleep sometime! See everyone tomorow at the park!

It's 10PM on a Monday night, and we're sitting in a rental car in the parking lot outside Citizens Bank Park, the heat running and keeping us warm-blooded Floridians as warm as possible on a chilly, damp October night.

It's cold, and the rain is falling, and my poetic side can't help but draw a connection from the weather to the Rays fortunes in this series. Tampa Bay's sizzling season, their title hopes, the worst-to-first dreams, have cooled north of the Mason-Dixon line, and the biting wind and rain are a stark reminder that the Boys of Summer are about to be gone.

I'm not calling this thing totally over yet. It's the 5th inning right now (an official game), the Phillies lead 2-1, and puddles are starting to form on the field. We could be in for a long night. But there hasn't been much to cheer about if you're a Rays fan. Scott Kazmir just issued his 5th walk, Cole Hamels has been masterful for Philly, and luck isn't even going the Rays way right now.

It's anything but done, but there's a chilling reality settling in that this wild ride could end tonight at the ballpark in front of us.

Pena and Longoria have finally gotten their first hits of the series, and that's absolutely essential to getting this Series back to St. Petersburg. And remember, if this thing somehow does get south, the Rays have much more favorable matchups in Games 6 and 7. Not to mention no rain and 72 degree temps at the Trop.

But before anyone can think about the future, the Rays have to survive tonight. And it's not just surviving four innings of baseball. It's surviving Cole Hamels, the freezing rain and wind, and those screaming Philly fans.

I know your scorecards read Game 5, but in reality, the Rays are facing their Game 7, their do-or-die, right now.

Curt Schilling of the Boston Red Sox is campaigning for McCain.... He got mad when the Boston Red Sox management told him not to do that and at the same time started Flying Obama and Biden supporters in their private jet.  

See more at his site... www.38pitches.com

I am a New Jersey Native, and current Florida resident.  I have been a Phillies Fan my whole life.

I was at Game Two in Saint Petersburg, and the Rays fans greeted me by ringing a cow bell DIRECTLY in my ear, banging on my seat, oh and lets not forget throwing a beer on me.   I am a tough Jersey Girl, so I didn't make a big deal about it...but now I am mad.

How DARE a broadcaster, refer to Phillies Phans cherring behind him as "Idiots".

Seriously...could you choose a better word?   At least they didn't throw a beer at YOU.  They were just showing some team spirit.

Have you noticed the people around you seem  tired and lethargic lately? It's most likely because they're Rays fans, who have been staying up late watching the games. It's almost addicting. I can't help but watch.  And this is from a girl who usually prefers shopping over sports.

I went to the World Series on Thursday night. Took my brother Chris there for his birthday.  The crowd was tremendous. A sea of blue. Chris and I even bought new Rays shirts for ourselves. We proudly wore them in the crowd.  Yes, sitting there watching the Rays win, while we munched on peanuts and ice cream was a blast. But it was much more than a baseball game. 

I remember the days when the stadium would be empty during the games. But that night, the stands were filled to the top. Even the cheap seats were taken, that's where we were sitting.  Although, the cheap seats weren't so cheap... $300 a piece.  But it was worth every penny. To see this team, go from nothing to the top has been extraordinary.  I'm proud that the Rays have come such a long way. It makes me believe that hard work truly pays off.

So about tonight's game...of course we want them to win. But I believe the Rays are already winners. And if you see people coming into work with dark circles under their eyes, just remember it's because they too have come down with Rays fever. So be patient.

Fyi, Phillys fans need not comment on this blog. ha ha ha.

Photographer Brian Bachman and I were on Interstate 95 winding our way toward downtown Philadelphia when it finally happened. The dreaded moment, the moment I knew would turn the Series around, the moment Rays fans had hoped and prayed would not come.

I'm not talking about tonight's Game 4 loss... this moment happened Saturday night in Game 3, and it came with one swing off the Bunyan-esque bat of Ryan Howard, the Phillies' cleanup hitter and top slugger.

Howard launched a ball deep into the cool, damp Pennsylvania night, and at the same time, sent a major statement - the struggling slugger was done struggling.

And that's awful, awful news for Rays fans.

This entire Series, I've kept wondering what the games would look like if Howard found his misplaced stroke. And the second he did, the momentum of this Series changed. The Phillies won that night 5-4, and then pulverized the pitchers from Tampa Bay in a 10-2 rout on Sunday, leaving the Rays season on the verge of being snuffed out.

Howard new hitting bug is contagious. So much so that Phillies pitcher Joe Blanton, who spent more than half the year in a league where PITCHERS DON'T BAT, uncorked a solo home run Sunday night. Howard added two long balls.

Folks, the Rays' backs are against the wall. And there's only one way to turn the tide of this Series, which by the way needs to be done right now - the Rays best hitters need two of whatever Howard's having for lunch.

Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay's most dependable hitters, are 0-29 with 15 strikeouts in this series. And if that trend continues in Game 5 Monday, there will be a near riot in this blue-collar town that's more anxious by the minute for a Series title.

And by the way, Brian and I got booed as we left the parking lot today. Yes, we actually got heckled by Philly fans who had been indulging in too many beverages and too much winning.

Wait, scrap that last part - there's not such a thing as too much winning. The almighty win is what keeps the Yankees looking for their 27th title, and the Rays looking just as hard for their 1st.

And if things on the field don't change in a hurry, the chance for that elusive win will be gone in Rays camp.

When Tampa Bay Ray fans started ringing their cowbells in Philly,  Philly fans got upset, and threatened physical violence agains Ray fans.

Had it been me, I would have rung the bell all the louder and more obnoxiously.

Nope, I'm not a Philly Fan or a Ray Fan.  I'm a hockey fan.  But one thing is for sure, no mob mentality fans from an opposing are going to keep me from ringing my bell.

But given last night's exercise in insecurity by Philly fans,  I'm going to root for the Rays.

I'm blogging as World Series Game 3 is in its final innings, and the Rays and Phillies are engaged in one of those classic battles that should make this Series memorable for decades to come.

We've been in Philadelphia for about 10 hours, and the one aspect of the World Series atmosphere that strikes me most is the passion and desire of the Philly fans here. This franchise has only one World Championship in more than a century of baseball seasons, so needless to say, this city is hungry for a title.

And it shows at the gates, where fans showed up five hours before first pitch just to soak up the atmosphere, tailgate, and show their team spirit.

Don't get me wrong... we ran into a handful of Rays fans too, and they were just as passionate. But the sea of red and white sent the clear statement that this is Philly's turf, and they intend on defending it.

We did talk to one Rays fan who actually lives here in Philadelphia - wonder how much grief he's getting from the rest of the baseball nuts in this city right now?

There are other ties between these two teams - Phillies director of player personnel Chuck Lamar was the architect of the Rays franchise for years, drafting several players on the current Rays roster. And Joe Maddon has ties to northeastern Pennsylvania, where his relatives own and operate Third Base Luncheonette in Hazelton. That restaurant is all Rays, all the time... a blue and white beacon in a sea of Phillies red.

I think these cities deserve this Series. It's nice to see it somewhere other than New York or Boston.

And the journey begins!

It's a baseball fan's dream to do what we're doing this week... travelling with the World Series from St. Pete to the city of brotherly love... Philadelphia, PA!

Brian Bachman and I arrived Saturday afternoon around 2:30, and the incoming flight from Atlanta was loaded with Phillies fans! There wasn't a single Tampa Bay Rays fan on the flight! I have a hard time believing the Rays fans won't make the trip at all... they just apparently decided to skip this flight.

The history of this town always amazes me, from the Liberty Bell to Independence Hall to the famed statue of William Penn. By the way, the city has been premature in the past about putting a jersey on Billy Penn (in other words, they put on the jersey before a Philly sports team wins a championship; then the team collapses in the playoffs, and you know the rest).

This year, I'm being told they haven't put the jersey on Billy Penn just yet.

Game three is tonight, weather permitting (by the way, Florida faithful, it's 55 and raining sideways right now) only on Fox 35. Blog away fans... and I'll have some photos from our Philly road trip later tonight!