King High School - Clarion Yearbook (Tampa, FL)

Page 87 text:

AIN’T NO STOPPING US NOW . . . The Lions exploded from their den eagerly anti- cipating the start of the 1981-82 football season. At midseason, a 5-0 record proved that the Lions could be a state contender. The Lions defeated Chamberlain, Robinson, Riverview, Leto and Jefferson with each game more impressive than the last. The Chiefs were defeated first, a first quar- ter offensive barrage and three quarters of strong defense ended in a 17-13 King vicotry. The power- ful Knights were defeated as the Lions dominated in a 34-17 victory. But critics still considered the Lions a darkhorse. However, after King traveled to Sarasota and defeated the 20th ranked River- view Rams 14-10, King became a recognized lead- er. The Leto Falcons and the Jefferson Dragons followed in defeat to the KHS Lions. 35-0 and 21-10 respectively. By the end of the first half of the season. King was ranked seventh in the state.

Page 89 text:

SENIORS GRADUATE DISTRICT CHAMPS This year’s varsity football team consisted of twenty-seven seniors who comprised more than half the team’s roster. They were stalwart mem- bers of the first King varsity football team to ever complete an undefeated season. Commencing the 1981 season as unranked underdogs, the King High Lions soon burst into the top ten state ranking. By mid-season. King had placed fifth in the state while leading the district. At the end of a perfect 10-0 season, the Lions ranked third. College scouts were attracted to King's games to recruit the senior team mem- bers who displayed true championship form. Each part of the team was scrutinized to find out why King was undefeated. One reason was the offensive line and backficld, which was extremely lethal. Another was that the defense only allowed eighty points, indicating a strong defensive line and secondary. The 1981-82 varsity football team is the best one King had had in its twenty-one year history and is a highlight of the 1981-82 athletic year.