Signings are package deals

Lakewood's Kevin Hartzog, Jeff Ardis and Cedric Sutton will all be Spartans next season.

University of Dubuque Spartans, that is.

The Lakewood trio have signed with the Division-III program in Iowa which plays in the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Hartzog, a 5-11, 205 senior, will play quarterback for the Spartans. He filled in last season when starter Corey Henderson went down, leading Lakewood in a great rally against St. Petersburg. Lakewood coach Otis Dixon said Hartzog has a "chance to start by his sophomore year."

"The coach fell in love with him - said he reminded him of their current QB," Dixon said. "And he's graduating after next year."

Sutton will play safety for Dubuque, and Ardis will play receiver. They make five Lakewood players to sign in the offseason, with receivers Ronnie Lane and running back Jonte Green going to Benedict (SC).

Another county school with a bevy of signings is Clearwater Central Catholic. Kevin Denison will play outside linebacker for Quincy University, Jay Campara will play either center or guard for John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio, and Joe Strickland committed to St. Vincent's College in Latrobe, PA.

Strickland started as tight end for the Marauders last season, but will play H back or linebacker at St. Vincent's.

Then there's the Marauder going furthest north, kicker Anthony Leandri, who signed with Northern Michigan in Marquette, MI. Leandri graduated from CCC in 2006 and spent the last season as preferred walkon at USF.

......In a combo-deal for girls basketball signings, Dunedin point guard Chelsea Turgeon signed with West Florida, joining teammate, forward Kimarie Bock.

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Largo full back Antonio Patterson, #21, is tackled by Lakewood line backers Alphonso Turner, #34, and Kevin Hartzog, #7. Times photo by Thomas Whisenand.

Comments

Northeast has alot too