Northeast High School - Viking Log Yearbook (St Petersburg, FL)

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Better team than record Twenty returning seniors gave the varsity football team the experience needed to produce a winning season. We had the traditional hard-hitting defense complemented by a well- balanced offense, commented receiver Chris Bolden, On a sour note, the season began with a loss to Pinellas Park. The team then reeled off two straight victories over Hudson and Countryside but ended the first half of the season 2-3. Against the sixth-ranked and undefeated Dunedin Falcons, the team showed some promise for the second half of the season, despite their disappointing 24-28 loss to the Falcons. The Vikes appeared to have the game wrapped up with leads of 14-0, 21-8, and 24-8, but their scoring drives didn't take up much time, allowing Dunedin to come from behind to gain the victory. The near upset had such an impact that teams still to be played praised the Vikings, saying that they were a lot better than their record showed them to be. In the next game against the also undefeated Largo Packers, the Vikes again led the entire game until 58 seconds were left, only to have vic- tory elude them. Again, the comment was made that the Vikes had a better team than their record, this time made in several local newspaper articles. 'tWe had them both lDunedin and Largojg that was .the first time that they had really been in trouble, ex- claimed backup quarterback jerry DeVore. Melvin Ethridge summed up the season, Yes, the season was a disap- pointmentg we were a lot better than our record, but we still kept our heads up to play the next game. Front row - Ray Mabry, Andy Ragan, Craig Swain, Kent Stubbs, Iunior lones, Kevin Singletary, Larry Davies, Rhett Stevens, Mike Graham, Tommy Williams, Znd row - Coach Dennis Crider, Manager Craig Smith, Dale Ramsey, Donnell Moultrie, Charles Henry, Tori Eva, Richard Simmons, Iuan DaCosta, Monte Butler, Andrew Curl, Mike Knorowski, Coach Iim Cornillaud, Coach Ierry Austin: 3rd row - Coach Ty McCraw, Coach Fred Ulrich, Scott Rismiller, Mike Croft, David Smith, Reggie Flowers, Ierry DeVore, Michael Diaz, Curt Steinbach, Mike Coad, Tom Gregory, Melvin Ethridge, Chris Bolden, Bob Ball, Iohn Parker, Mike Howard, Robert Crottsg Back row - Selwyn Brown, Deene Patterson, Danny Shaw, Iohn Donelan, Ken Ballenger, Richard Webber, Dan Hohenstern, George Lovett, Bobby Whaley, Gregory Ross. Closer than close, the varsity defense prepares for Dunedin's next offensive play by getting close with the 6-1 defense. The Vikes almost upset the state-ranked Falcons. 112 VARSITY FooTBALL Want to dance? Not really! Tom Gregory does his job of blocking as he holds this Dunedin defender back while clearing the path for the Viking ball carrier right behind him. Dunedin was a difficult loss to swallow, for the Vikes led throughout. 'fd'

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SPORTS Coming together as both participants and spectators at Viking sporting events was one way students showed enthusiasm. Long bombs, short putts, and quick bursts of speed characterized athletic efforts. The big Homecoming football game found Nor- theast beating the rival St. Pete Green Devils. Swimmers had a successful season, Bill Grim- mke, Rick Stecher, and Kelly Holmes per- formed impressively at state and placed on the All-Pinellas County Swim Team. Golfer Joe Charles earned the distinction of lowest competitive average in the Pinellas County Conference. Girls' soccer was in its second seasong Coach Ed Eloshway was pleased with the greater interest and larger number of par- ticipants. Transfer student Mary Beth Wright made important contributions to the girls' var- sity basketball team. Whether the students were on the sidelines cheering or actually competing in the sport, they bonded together in Viking spirit and unity. Behind the scenes is varsity football manager Craig Smith. A manager's job included repairing equipment, washing uniforms, and completing other vital tasksg all were crucial to the perfor- mance and success of the teams. SPORTS DIVIDER 111

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lust passing through! Senior tailback Larry Davies squeezes through the Largo defense behind the blocking of Iohn Donelan. Although a tough battle was fought by both sides, the Packers took the game. Gotcha! Senior cornerback Monte Butler makes a one-on-one tackle against Dunedin's Mike Clemons. The Dunedin Falcons were considered the team to beat by many of the county coaches, and the Vikings almost did just that, losing in a closely-contested effort by four points. VARSITY FOOTBALL 113