Orlando Touchdown Club

Come and join the Orlando Touchdown Club as we welcome CBS Sports Networks Tony Barnhart as our Spring Kickoff Speaker.

Here is some of Tony’s background:

From: http://tonybarnhart.com/content/view/4/6/

The 2013 college football season will be Tony Barnhart’s 37th as a reporter for newspapers, television and radio. A native of Union Point, Ga., in 2008 Barnhart completed his 24th  and final year as the national college football writer  with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Tony now writes a regular college football column for CBSSports.com: http://www.CBSSports.com/tonybarnhart .

Today Tony does significant work on television and radio. He has his own show, “The Tony Barnhart Show,” on the CBS Sports Network. The fourth season of “The Tony Barnhart Show” will debut on Aug. 28 at 9 p.m.

http://cstv.collegesports.com/cbscs/shows/index.php?as=The%20Tony%20Barnhart%20Show

If you do not have the CBS Sports Network, call your local cable provider.

Tony is a regular contributor to the “College Football Today” Show on CBS with Tim Brando and Spencer Tillman. He is a weekly panelist on “Talkin’ Football,” which is shown at 7 p.m. on Thursdays and 8 p.m. on Sundays during the college football season.  Each Thursday during football season he is joined by Wes Durham, the voice of Georgia Tech and the Atlanta Falcons, for “The Southern Football Kickoff Show” on  WQXI, 790 The Zone.

Tony has won numerous awards during his career as a sportswriter and broadcaster. In 1999 he was named the Georgia Sportswriter of the Year.  Twice (1996, 2007) his television work was nominated for a Southern Regional Emmy Award.  He is a past president of the Football Writers Association of America and the United States Basketball Writers Association. On Jan. 8, 2009, Tony received the Bert McGrane Award from the Football Writers Association of America. The McGrane Award is considered to the Hall of Fame for college football writers and broadcasters and recognizes a lifetime contribution to the sport. The winners are recognized with a display at the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind.

In July of 2009 Tony was honored during ceremonies at the College Football Hall of Fame.

He is the author of five books on college football:

“Always a Bulldog,”

“Southern Fried Football: The History, Passion, and Glory of the Great Southern Game,”

“What It Means to Be a Bulldog,”

“Dooley: My 40 Years at Georgia.”

“From Herschel to a Hobnail Boot. The Life and Times of Larry Munson.”

Go to the book portion of this website to preview and purchase these books.

Tony lives in Atlanta with his wife, Maria. Their daughter, Sara Barnhart Fletcher, is a 2008 graduate of the University of Georgia School of Law. She is an in-house attorney at NCR Corporation.  Her husband, Jim Fletcher, is an attorney with the Geheren Firm in Dunwood, GA.

The event will be held on April 22, 2013 at the Florida Citrus Bowl — Varsity Club Room.  Cocktails from 5:30 to 6:30.  Dinner and guest speaker to follow.

Come on down and get a sampling of what Tony thinks the upcoming College Football season has for us.

2012 Defensive Player of the Year

The 2012 Defensive Player of the Year was Kenderson Obas of Dr. Phillips High School.   Kenderson, a lineman/nose guard, had 100 total tackles on the season.  He caused five fumbles, recovering two of them, thirteen sacks and had 28 tackles for loss.  What a an awesome year for a great young man

Offensive Player of the Year — Ronnie Moore

The 2012 Offensive Player of the Year was Ronnie Moore of Seminole High School.  Ronnie played both Offense and Defense for Seminole and his stats show why he won this honor.  Ronnie had 101 rushing carries for 618 yards and 9 touchdowns.  He had 28 receptions for 484 yards and 4 touchdowns.  On defense, he had 28 tackles with 6 interceptions and 1 fumble recovery for a touchdown.  And we aren’t done yet!!  He also had 3 punt returns for 142 yards and 1 touchdown and also had 7 kickoff returns for 216 yards and one touchdown.  This gives Ronnie a total of 1460 yards, 16 TD’s, 28 tackles, 6 INT’s, 1 fumble recovery in 9 games.

He has been named All District and All Conference Player of the Year.  He has a 3.0 GPA and is probably going to commit to the University of Cincinnati.

Congratulations to our 2012 Players of the year.

ORLANDO TOUCHDOWN CLUB

2012 WEEKLY WINNERS

The 2011 Defensive Player of the Year was Daquell Lloyd of Evans High School.  Daquell is pictured with Lee Corso and Coach Hildrick Garrison.  Daquell, a middle linebacker, helped lead Evans to a remarkable 2011 season record of 10-2, including a 22-15 playoff win over Edgewater. Daquell had 139 total tackles on the season, with 87 solo tackles.  He caused eight fumbles, intercepted two passes, blocked a kick, and had 24 tackles for loss.  In many games Evans had big leads in the 4th quarter and Daquell watched from the sidelines yet he still averaged almost 12 tackles per game.

The 2011 Offensive Player of the Year was Nick Patti of Dr. Phillips High School.  Nick is pictured with Lee Corso and Head Coach Rodney Wells.  Nick was the starting quarterback at Dr. Phillips for three years and had a 35-4 record in games played.  He led Dr. Phillips to a 10-2 record his senior year in 2011 with the team’s final loss coming to eventual Class 8A state champion Tampa Plant.  Nick had 2319 passing yards in 2011 and 661 rushing yards.  He threw for 24 touchdowns and ran for six touchdowns.  His 30 total touchdowns in 2011 gave him 83 total career touchdown — 66 passing touchdowns and 17 rushing scores. He completed 62% of his career passes.  He had 5701 career passing yards and 1557 career rushing yards.  Nick has committed to attend Boise State in the spring 2012.

Week 8 Offensive Player of the Week

Marvin Bracy of Boone High School pictured with Shane Matthews, former Gator and NFL quarterback.  Marvin has committed to attend FSU.

Marvin gained 200 yards and scored the game-winning touchdown on a 35-yard sweep to lead Boone High School over Freedom High School 38-35.  Marvin is also the state and national track champion for the 100-meter dash and told the club his best time in the 40-yard dash is a 4.22, which arguably makes him the fastest player in the entire country.

Week 8 Defensive Player of the Week

Devon Dwyer of Oviedo High School, also with Shane Matthews.

Devon wins the award for leading Oviedo to a 24-14 victory over Edgewater.  Devon had 14 tackles in the game with 10 of them solo tackles.  He also had a pass deflection and helped hold the high-powered Edgewater offense to just 14 points a week after Edgewater defeated Dr. Phillips.  Devon entered the game on a tackle binge as he had recorded 28 tackles the week before (27 solo tackles) against East River High School.

Week 9 Offensive Player of the Week

Ti’on Green of Lake Brantley High School. Ti’on has committed to attend Cincinatti next year.

Ti’on helped lead Lake Brantley to the district and Seminole Athletic Conference championship by defeating Lake Mary 35-20.  In the game, Ti’on had 30 carries for 302 yards and four touchdowns as well as one reception for 39 yards.  Through nine games he had rushed for 1651 yards and had 19 touchdowns.  Lake Brantley won again in Week 10 for a perfect 10-0 record heading into the playoffs.

Week 9 Defensive Player of the Week

Adam VanValkenburg of Lake Brantley High School.  Adam will be attending Yale next year and playing Ivy League football.

Adam led the defensive effort in the 35-20 win over Lake Mary.

He had 13 solo tackles and two assisted tackles for a total of 15 tackles and also forced a fumble.  The middle linebacker also has three interceptions this season and is Lake Brantley’s defensive leader, helping the Patriots go undefeated during the regular season to win the district and Seminole Athletic Conference titles.

Week 4 Offensive Player of the Week–September 23, 2011

Blake Tiralosi is pictured with Bishop Moore Head Coach Matt Hedrick and Guest Speaker Andy Staples of Sports Illustrated magazine.

Blake Tiralosi, a senior at Bishop Moore Catholic High School, was selected player of the week for his performance on September 23, 2011 when the Hornets defeated Port Orange Atlantic 28-7.  The running back carried the ball only six times but gained 173 yards and scored two touchdowns on runs of 18 yards and 59 yards, both in the second half.

The pressure was on Blake and his teammates as Head Coach Matt Hedrick entered the game with 66 career wins at Bishop Moore, which placed him in a tie with the legend Harry “The Hornet” Nelson who coached the Hornets to their only football state championship and had the field named after him just two years ago.  Blake led the Hornets to Coach Hedrick’s 67th win at Bishop Moore.

Week 4 Defensive Player of the Week–September 23, 2011

Kyle King is pictured with defensive coach Raul Lopez and Andy Staples

Linebacker Kyle King of Olympia High School had a huge game for the Titans when they defeated Apopka 17-15.  The senior had 21 tackles, three for losses, and also had two pass break-ups in the big win against their rival.  Holding Apopka’s high-powered offense to only 15 points was keyed by Kyle’s strong play at the linebacker position.  Olympia had a 47-yard field goal with time running out to win the game.

Week 5 Offensive Player of the Week — Sept. 30, 2011

Omari Albert of Wekiva High School is pictured with running backs coach Keith Williams and Andy Staples.

Omari Albert of Wekiva High School was selected for his amazing game in Wekiva’s 22-21 win over Boone.  The running back carried the ball 39 times for 228 yards, an average of 5.85 yards a carry, and scored three touchdowns, the last score coming with less than a minute to go to win the game.  Wekiva trailed 21-10 in the 3rd quarter but the offense led by Omari Albert scored two times to gain the one-point victory.

Week 5 Defensive Player of the Week — Sept. 30, 2011

Riley Thomas of Foundation Academy is pictured with Head Coach Brad Lord and Andy Staples

Riley Thomas of Foundation Academy turned in a huge performance in helping lead Foundation  to a 27-22 win over Mt. Dora Bible.  Riley had 22 solo tackles and four assisted tackles for a total of 26 tackles from his linebacker position.  Riley also caused a fumble during the game. Going into the game, Riley had two interceptions and two other 20 plus tackles performances.  Riley has announced that he intends to join the United State Marine Corps next year and postpone playing college football until he first serves his country in the Marines.

Kyle Snead, Timber Creek HS Tailback

31-29 over Boone, Week 2, 9/9/11

33 carries, 232 yards, 2 TD

Coach Perry Balasis

Also Pictured Scott Moore and Vinny D’Assaro

Deyonte Henderson, Oak Ridge HS Middle Linebacker

12-6 over Lake Highland, Week 2, 9/9/11

16 tackles (4 tackles for loss, 3 sacks)

Coach Dustin Adkins

Also Pictured Scott Moore and Vinny D’Assaro

Tucker Israel, Lake Nona HS QB

34-14 over Cypress Creek, Week 3, 9/16/11

24-37 passing, 408 yds, 5 TD (school records – yds/TD)

Coaches: Head Coach Anthony Paradiso, George Arscott

Also Pictured Scott Moore

Zack Hitchens, Dr. Phillips HS Defensive End

48-13 over Wekiva, Week 3, 9/16/11

13 tackles (4 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles)

Coaches (left to right) – Ricky Santo, Edger Rodriquez

Also Pictured Scott Moore

Week 1 Offensive Player of the Week — Nick Patti, Senior QB, Dr. Phillips High School

Nick Patti was selected for his performance in the school’s big win 32-21 over Apopka.  Nick had three touchdown passes for 14, 24 and 29 yards as well as two touchdowns rushing, so he accounted for all five of his team’s touchdowns.  Apopka led 14-7 at halftime and then Nick took off on an 80-yard quarterback keeper to tie the score and followed that with two more TD passes and a one-yard keeper to complete the scoring for Dr. Phillips.  Nick has committed to sign with Boise State.  Also pictured are William Floyd and Coach Rodney Wells.

Week 1 Defensive Player of the Week — Diante Harrison, Senior Free Safety, Colonial High School

Diante Harrison was selected for his performance in Colonial’s 22-0 win over Cypress Creek.  Diante had 13 tackles with nine being solo tackles.  He had a fumble recovery that he returned 35 yards for a touchdown.  Diante also had three interceptions that he returned for 16, 45 and 58 yards.  He also had a quarterback sack for a 12-yard loss.  On offense, Diante had two pass receptions and scored touchdowns on both plays, one for 22 yards and the other for 36 yards.  He also had a punting average of 35 yards for the game.  Also pictured are William Floyd and Coach Steve Breitbeil

The first meeting of the season was held on August 29, 2011 with speaker Charles Davis, who told the club he will be doing college football telecasts this season covering the Pac-12 and the Big 12 for Fox Sports.  Charles gave another entertaining presentation that included his perspective about all of the different scandals going on in college football.  A great crowd was on hand for the first meeting so the club season has gotten off to a great start.

The next meeting will be on Monday, September 12 with William Floyd of Florida State University fame slated to speak.  The former running back and current television and radio commentator is one of the very few football players who can boast that he won a college national championship and a Super Bowl title as a player.  The guest fee for the meeting is $40 and all college football fans are invited, especially all FSU fans as they prepare for their big game against Oklahoma.

Monday, August 29th, 2011 Charles Davis will be speaking.  He is a TV commentator and former Tennessee football player. A repeat guest speaker, Mr. Davis is sure to give a great talk during out August meeting.