The Bulls (16-1-1) were impressive in winning the nationally recognized Student Sports Invitational in Tampa during the holidays.

Bloomingdale opened the season ranked No. 5 and is one of three Florida teams ranked in the Top 10. In the regional rankings, Jesuit tied for 10th in Region I. Crum, Peyton Earn All-State Recognition

Tampa Bay Tech linebacker Maurice Crum and Pasco wide receiver Johnny Peyton were named first-team Class 3A all- state by Florida's prep sports writers.

Crum, a four-year starter, has offers from Michigan State, Notre Dame and Tennessee, and has been described by many coaches as Hillsborough County's best linebacker.

Peyton, who had 1,002 yards and 12 touchdowns on 40 receptions, has offers from Louisiana State, South Florida and Pittsburgh.

Complete Class 3A team, Page 9

Gaither Baseball Team Loses Starting Pitcher

Gaither High pitcher Daniel Thomas, expected to be a mainstay on the Cowboys' starting staff, will undergo Tommy John surgery this month and will be sidelined for at least a year.

Thomas, a senior, was an early signee with USF and likely will take a redshirt season.

He was 5-4 with a 2.78 ERA last season for the Cowboys. He and teammate Caleb Graham were expected to give Gaither one of the best one-two starting combinations in Hillsborough County.

``He started feeling a twinge during our fall program,'' Coach Frank Permuy said. ``We shut him down immediately, but when he started long-tossing the pain came back.''

After consulting with doctors, Thomas opted to have surgery Jan. 20.

``It'll take him a year of rehab work,'' Permuy said, ``but the good thing is that with this type of surgery, you can come back stronger than ever. It's like getting a brand new arm.''

This is the second consecutive year Gaither has lost a starting pitcher before the season. Steve Otterness missed 2003 with a tear in his elbow.

Joe Henderson, Rozel A. Lee