Good news for Phillip Ely: Plant QB still might play in opener

Following an appointment with a back specialist Wednesday morning, Plant starting quarterback Phillip Ely is day-to-day and could play in Friday's regular season opener against Tampa Bay Tech, Plant coach Robert Weiner said.

Ely's injury was diagnosed as a stress fracture in his back by highly regarded orthopedic surgeon Dr. John Small. Weiner said the junior quarterback is "day-to-day."

"The news is very good," Weiner said. "We feared the worst. Some doctors said it was to the point where he wouldn't be able to stand at practice."

Weiner said Ely has hab about 10 days off from taking practice reps. Still, he's calling plays and directing his lineman at the line of scrimmage, while backup James Few takes snaps.

Ely, who thrw for 1,767 yards and 19 touchdowns last season in relief of injured All-American Aaron Murray, will begin physical therapy sessions twice a week starting Thursday. Because of that, he might be held out of Wednesday's practice, Weiner said.

"We'll have to see how he feels," Weiner said. "He's doing well. His spirits are good and he's happy with the doctor's report."

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

It's Fabulous! And it's back: The Friday Night Rewind Fab 50.

Fabulous One, oh how I have missed thee. The rankings, the debate, the hate mail, the scathing comments from Largo fans. Sigh. It's been too long.

So here we go: the 2009 Friday Night Rewind Fabulous 50, put together every week by your favorite video hosts John C. Cotey and Joey Knight. We're rolling the dice in Week 1, and of course there's the coveted "Fabulous Battle For No. 50", which features mighty Pinellas Park against mighty Osceola. The winner stays in at least for another week. The loser? Banished to the Not-Fabulous-At-All 51-And-Beyond.

Can you feel it? I'm giddy. Let's get to it.

1. Plant
   This week: hosts No. 5 TBT.
   Joey says: Withholding judgement on the Panthers until they play with a full squad.
   Cotey says: I need a new catchphrase this year. Think I'm going with "What tha...???!!!" As in, Phillip Ely, above, might miss the season with a back injury? What tha....???!!!
2. Armwood
   This week: at Newsome
   Joey says: I'm starting to sip on the Armwood-as-state-contender Kool-Aid.
   Cotey says: Matt Jones and Josh Grady made me a glass. It's quite tasty.
3. Largo
   This week: hosts Dunedin, Thursday
   Joey says: Myrick Gwyn scores (via punt return) on his first play of 2009. I'll take that as a nice omen for the Pack.
   Cotey says: I think the Packers put it on Dunedin in a big way this week.

Preseason video series: Top athletes

Our preseason football video series wraps up with our look at the bay area's top athletes.

Previous videos (including our elite 8 teams):
Top running backs
Top defenders
Top quarterbacks
No. 1 Plant
No. 2 Armwood
No. 3 Largo
No. 4 Hillsborough
No. 5 Tampa Bay Tech
No. 6 Tampa Catholic
No. 7 Countryside
No. 8 Nature Coast
Highlights from the first day of practice

Land O'Lakes lineman Gary Myrick gets first official offer

The offer came via fax today to Land O'Lakes first-year coach Matt Kitchie.

Talented junior lineman got his first official scholarship offer from Florida International, signed by coach Mario Cristobal.

"He's a special player," Kitchie said. "Hopefully we can keep him healthy and use his abilities. The thing that's great about a kid getting offered like that is it brings attention to other kids."

Land O'Lakes has several potential college players including quarterback Stevie Weatherford, lineman Patrick Kronk,  receivers Alex Robinson and Chad Williamson, and tight end Spencer Michelson.

Myrick registered a sack on the third play of the preseason game against East Lake last Thursday. In just one quarter of play, Myrick registered two sacks and tackled the quarterback once more at the line of scrimmage.

The Gators open Friday against Ridgewood.

-- IZZY GOULD, Times staff writer

Nature Coast announces new coaches

Sharks first-year athletic director Kristen Peeples announced several new coaching hires at Nature Coast.

Among them, Pete Ruiz has been promoted to varsity head baseball coach. He replaces John Frascatore, who was not retained despite leading the Sharks to the Class 4A playoffs in his only season.

Ruiz becomes the fifth head coach in four seasons.

Peeples also announced Mary Jo Artura will coach boys and girls swimming, and Vivien Tolley will coach varsity cheerleading.

Also of note, Nature Coast has added a varsity bowling team, which will be coached on a voluntary basis by Carrie Piechowicz.

"They wanted to have a bowling team," Peeples said of the players. "It was pushed by parents and students. Carrie took on the responsibility of it as a volunteer. She said she would make it run, fund raise and all those things."

In the face of budget woes, Peeples said the bowling program will essential run itself leaving the school with minimal or no cost. 

Nature Coast already had a successful bowling program with the boys and girls teams reaching the 2007 state final (the boys team won state. But the program ended in Sept. 2008 due to lack of funding.

-- IZZY GOULD
izzygould@gmail.com

It’s official: Offers from six for Countryside OT Tyler Moore

Sept. 1 is the first day junior football players can receive official scholarship offers.

And for Tyler Moore, it was an eventful occasion.

The 6-foot-6, 290-pound Countryside offensive tackle received written offers Tuesday from Florida, Florida International, Michigan, Nebraska, Tennessee and West Virginia, Cougars coach John Davis said.

Moore’s father, Brian, told the Times over the weekend Tyler’s four leaders are Nebraska, Florida, Ohio State and Penn State.

Moore is expected to pick his college sometime this fall.

His father and several other relatives played at Nebraska, and the Cornhuskers are the team to beat.

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Preseason football poll

The Associated Press Top 10 Florida high school preseason football poll, with first-place votes in parentheses and rating points. Area teams in bold:
Class 6A 1. Miami Northwestern (7)   70   
2. Miami Central   49   
3. Dr. Phillips   41   
4. Mainland   39   
5. Atlantic Community   34   
6. Apopka   33   
7. Christopher Columbus Catholic   31   
8. Boone   26   
9. Sanford Seminole   24   
10. Miami Carol City     8   

Others receiving votes: Treasure Coast 7, Miami Southridge 5, Orange Park 4, Olympia 3, Vero Beach 3, Miami Killian 2, Miramar 2, Boca Raton Community 2, DeLand 1, Plantation 1.

Class 5A
1. St. Thomas Aquinas (8)   80   
2. Lakeland   70   
3. Plant   63   
4. Kissimmee Osceola   48   
5. Venice   44   
6. Tampa Bay Tech   36   
7. Boyd Anderson   30   
8. Manatee   28   
9. Countryside   12   
10. Seabreeze     9   
 
Others receiving votes: Dillard 5, Chamberlain 5, Brandon 4, Fletcher 4, Royal Palm Beach 1, Buchholz 1.

Football: Land O'Lakes quarterback Stevie Weatherford "really starting to own it"

Land O'Lakes junior Stevie Weatherford's return last Thursday was preceeded by uncertainty.

How would he respond to playing in his old stadium after the brief defection to Tampa Catholic? And how would he mesh with first-year coach Matt Kitchie?

The answer proved to be just fine.

Kitchie has entrusted Weatherford to command the offense on the field and said he's "really starting to own it."

"He goes through a check list of three rules before evey play," Kitchie said. "If he sees certain things he automatically checks to other plays. I think the first three plays (Thursday) he audibled out of everything we called and did his own thing within the system. For a 17-year-old kid to be doing that is pretty special."

Weatherford was 3-of-6 for 36 yards and a touchdown after one quarter of play. The game second half was canceled due to weather.

-- IZZY GOULD, Times staff writer

Sunlake searching for new athletic director

Matt McDermott helped open Sunlake High two years ago as the school's first athletic director.

After completing his master's degree at Saint Leo University in educational leadership, McDermott has accepted an offer to become an assistant principal at Wesley Chapel. He officially begins his new post Sept. 15. 

In doing so, McDermott must step aside as athletic director and the varsity wrestling coach.

"It's a great step in my career," McDermott said. "Unfortunately, I have to give up the AD and coaching aspect of my job."

McDermott spent the past two years at Sunlake working in graduation enhancement. Prior to his arrival, he spent 11 years at Zephyrhills where he coach wrestling and football and taught honors biology and AP environmental science.

McDermott said he expects his vacancy to draw a lot of interest and expects at least three internal candidates. Also available is former Land O'Lakes athletic director Chuck Moehle, now teaching at Anclote.

"I feel bad, I love my kids at Sunlake and Zephyrhills," McDermott said. "I will definitely miss it."

-- IZZY GOULD, Times staff writer

Word on Plant QB Phillip Ely coming Wednesday

Plant will find out Wednesday whether ailing starting quarterback Phillip Ely will be able to play in Friday's regular season opener against Tampa Bay Tech.

Ely, who missed Friday's kickoff classic against Manatee with lingering lower back pain, will see a specialist Wednesday and will go over the MRI taken last week.

"He's been bothers by it all summer, but it's been a muscular thing," Plant coach Robert Weiner said. "We didn't it was anything more than that. The first week, unfortunately, was the first week it really really started to bother him so that's when we went to get it checked out."

If he can't go, sophomore James Few will start in his place. Few threw for 188 yards, ran for one touchdown and threw for another in Plant's 49-33 preseason loss to Manatee.

"Injuries don't wait for us," Weiner said. "(Ely) came in and prepared like he does every week, and on the field he’s not taking the snap but he’s doing everything else. He directs every lineman. He directs every play. That’s the way we’ve tried to prepare so far."

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Football: Pasco's running back battle

One concern at Pasco was how it would replace 1,000-yard running back Jamall Haynes, who was a huge part of Pasco's run to the Class 3A state semifinals.

Based on Friday's performances, the Pirates have a pair of tailbacks capable of filling the void. In fact, coach Tom McHugh said the race is even and the duo could end up sharing the load with equal playing time. 

Pirates sophomore Jacolby O'Neal (5-6, 135 pounds) and freshman Janarion Grant (5-10, 170) got the bulk of the carries each showing they are worthy of first-team consideration. As they battle for the starting job, it has become clear both will see significant playing time.

"They're different kinds of kids," McHugh said. "Jamal would bang you. These kids just run away from you. ...We're pretty fortunate."

Pirates fullback Clifford Phillips (5-10, 175) had two huge second-half runs showing he could be a third option. And don't forget junior Willie Jackson (5-9, 175), who once was a projected starter, has not touched the field while recovering from a broken leg in the spring.

Jackson had the most experience returning with 19 carries for 57 yards. Phillips and O'Neal combined for 11 carries for 20 yards in 2008.

"We have very good athletes," McHugh said. "We're working on isolating them in different situations. ...The defenses are going to have to do something."

-- IZZY GOULD, Times staff writer

Okaro White gets some pub from Flavarsity.com

CLEARWATER -- Flavarsity.com has named standout Clearwater power forward Okaro White as one of the best senior performers of the summer basketball circuit.

The site's basketball analyst, Rick Staudt, had this to say about the 6-foot-7 White, a Florida State recruit who helped lead Clearwater to the state finals last year:

“He was the leader for Nike Team Florida's tremendous summer run. He's become adept at playing facing the basket and his combination of wing span and athleticism make him a very good defender anywhere on the court.”

Point guard Brandon Knight of Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest, arguably the top senior in the country, highlights the list.

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Gulf coach: Hudson offense awfully tough to defend

NEW PORT RICHEY -- Even though Hudson is one of his program’s fiercest rivals, Gulf coach Jay Fulmer can’t help but admire the Cobras’ offense.

“They’re very good at what they,” Fulmer said.

What Hudson, which plays Gulf on Friday, does, is pass. A lot.

A year ago, Cobras QB Zack Wynnthrew for 2,035 yards on 280 attempts. In last week’s preseason win over Mitchell, he completed 22 of 34 passes for 284 yards and three touchdowns, including a 38-yarder to standout WR Jamie Tello. Wynn also runs well, which gives defenses something else to think about.

“Zack gets rid of the ball in 2.5 seconds or less every time,” Fulmer said. “And he puts it on the money every single time.”

Fulmer also praised Wynn’s blockers.

“Their offensive line is very good at pass blocking,” he said. “It’s hard to get to (Wynn). Putting pressure on him is not an option.”
 
--KEITH NIEBUHR

Gulf star Leon Orr still bothered by injury

NEW PORT RICHEY -- The left hamstring injury that kept heralded Gulf defensive tackle/tight end Leon Orr from playing last week against Tarpon Springs is still giving the talented senior trouble.

But it shouldn’t keep him from playing Friday against Hudson.

“He’s probable,” Bucs coach Jay Fulmer said Tuesday.

The 6-foot-4, 300-pound Orr, a Florida Gators commit, missed a decent bit of practice last week and watched his team's preseason game from the sideline.

“It’s still bothering him,” Fulmer said.

Orr is ranked as the country’s 95th best senior prospect by Rivals.com.

When healthy, “there’s nobody who can play like he can play,” Fulmer said.

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Look for lots of Jarvis Giles Thursday night

In his weekly press conference Tuesday, South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier essentially confirmed what many have suspected all along: Tailback Jarvis Giles, an ex-Gaither standout, will play right away for the Gamecocks.

USC opens the college football season Thursday night at North Carolina State in a game to be televised live by ESPN.

"We want to give everyone a chance in the real games as much as we can, and after that we want to find out which one the best is," Spurrier said. "Brian Maddox is scheduled to start (at running back), and after that Jarvis and Kenny Miles will get some shots also."

Giles is the only true freshman of the aforementioned trio.

JOEY KNIGHT

Hillsborough County's top recruits planning visits

The top three recruits in Hillborough County are all beginning to plan their official visits for this fall.

• Tampa Catholic offensive tackle Chaz Green (right), whose finalists include Florida, Ohio State and USC, said he's going to make an official visit to Ohio State Sept. 12 for the Buckeyes' game against USC. Green, who maintains the Gators are still his favorite, said he still plans to make an official visit to USC.
• Tampa Catholic quarterback Christian Green, who has narrowed his list down to Florida State, Florida, Georgia and USF, said he is planning a visit to Georgia but he's not sure which week. Green had been to his other finalists several times for unofficials and camps.
• Hillsborough defensive back Terrence Mitchell told Rivals.com he plans to make a visit to Georgia on Oct. 2 for the Bulldogs' game against LSU. He also said he plans to set a visit to Florida State soon. His favorites include Tennesee, Florida, Alabama and Ole Miss.

All three players are among the top 100 prospects in the nation, according to the most recent Rivals.com Rivals 100, which was released Tuesday. Chaz Green made the biggest jump, going from No. 63 to No. 43. He's also moved up to the ninth best offensive tackle prospect in the nation, up from No. 21. Green is also the ninth best overall prospect in the state of Florida, according to Rivals.com

Christian Green, ranked the fourth best athlete prospect and the nation's 59th overall and the Mitchell is the eighth best cornerback prospect in the nation and No. 100 overall.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Study takes deeper look into severe high school sports injuries

Plenty of medical studies have been done to show which high school sports produce the most injuries, but a new study in this month's American Journal of Sports Medicine takes a look at severe high school injuries based on sport, gender and injury type.

Defining a severe injury as one that keeps an athlete out of action for at least three weeks, the study took a look at high school injury data from 2005-'07 and found that 14.9 percent of all high school injuries are "severe."

Among the findings:

• As one would expect, football accounted for the most severe injuries. After that, wrestling, girls basketball and girls soccer had the highest number of severe injuries.
• In the sports in which both boys and girls compete in (soccer, basketball, baseball/softball), girls had a higher injury rate than boys.
• Severe knee injuries were the most prevalent (30 percent), following by ankle (12.3) and shoulder (10.9) injuries.
• Another item of note, five percent of all severe injuries were a result of "illegal player activity," like tripping or spear tackling.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Tarpon Springs QB Wyatt Wikle off to strong start

TARPON SPRINGS – Because Tarpon Springs ran the ball so effectively at times in last week’s 27-2 preseason win over Gulf, it was easy to overlook the efforts of starting QB Wyatt Wikle.

But make no mistake, he performed well.

“He ran the team very efficiently,” Spongers coach George Kotis said. “We’re very happy with his progression.”

A first-year starter who succeeds standout Danny Reyes(now at Grambling), Wikle made only one mistake against Gulf, Kostis said. He was intercepted on a deep ball over the middle, a pass the coach said never should have been thrown.

“We had two guys open on the play,” Kotis lamented. “We had a tight end open over the middle and I would have liked to have seen what he could have done with the ball.”

Snap count: A look at some Hillsborough County QB situations

Three days before the local prep football season formally kicks off, several area quarterback battles remain unresolved, and probably will stay that way.

While at least one competition -- at Sickles -- was decided during Friday's preseason action, other schools have at least two players taking snaps at practice this week. The well-documented Wharton QB derby -- where three players are alternating --remains the most intriguing, but others are pretty intense, too. 

Here's a look at a few area competitions:

Sickles
Coach Pat O'Brien confirmed Tuesday 6-foot senior John Melvin Hendrick, (pictured, above left) who threw a touchdown pass in both halves of Friday's jamboree at Freedom, has earned the job outright for now.

The consolation for Scott O'Donoghue and Jeff Wilton: Both will play elsewhere. O'Donoghue, a senior 198-pounder, will start at fullback in offensive coordinator Brian Turner's triple-option attack and play middle linebacker. Wilton will log time at receiver.

"It's kind of a nice little conundrum to have," O'Brien said. "With our numbers low like we are with Steinbrenner (High) taking a lot of kids from our JV team, it kind of opens things up for us."

High school football chat

Regular-season football games kick off this week, and we're ready to field any questions you have about Friday's matchups -- or Thursday's Dunedin-Largo game. But we're not talking exclusively football. Chime in with any swimming, golf, volleyball or cross country questions as well. If you can't tune in at 6 on Wednesday, you can always submit questions below and catch us on a replay.