Several Hawks Could Miss Plant Game

More than a half-dozen Armwood football players -- including starting quarterback Mywan Jackson -- are expected to miss Friday night's season-opening showdown against Plant for violating team rules.

Three Hawks players told The Times this evening Coach Sean Callahan announced at a team meeting eight players would be suspended for the game for skipping a first-period class and going out to breakfast.

Reached at school tonight, however, Callahan said the players are playing as of right now, but a definite announcement on their status wouldn't come until Friday afternoon. Callahan said Jackson, along with seven other varsity players, will receive a two-day, in-school suspension. As far as football-related punishment, Callahan said he "didn't know yet," but added he'd be "significant" about it.

Hawks starting offensive lineman Eric August said Callahan told the team in a meeting that the players that skipped "aren't going to play."

Approximately 6,000 are expected at Lyle Flagg Field for Friday's game. Armwood is ranked second in the initial Florida Sports Writers Association 4A poll -- one spot ahead of Plant

"I guess coach wanted to send a message," August said. "It's a (heck) of a message -- it's Plant vs. Armwood, a huge game. We're still going to be OK. I have all the confidence in (backup quarterback) Robert Jones."

Among those not suspended: Armwood senior left tackle Matt Patchan, tailback Eric Smith and middle linebacker Petey Smith. Patchan confirmed he's playing, but declined further comment. Petey Smith said he and his brother also would play.

The players "were skipping, they skipped first period," senior defensive tackle Leon Johnson said tonight. "That was what (Callahan) told us. He told us they were skipping and he ain't going to tolerate that."

With Jackson sidelined, the Hawks likely will turn to Jones, Jackson's backup, and lean even more heavily on Eric Smith.

"They skipped class - there were no drugs or alcohol," Callahan said. "Some people may dismiss it, and make them run a little bit after practice. I’m gonna make sure they sweat this one."

Plant coach Bob Weiner said his players would be ready "regardless of what happens.

“It wouldn’t affect us at all. It doesn’t matter what happens with anybody else if we take care of ourselves. We prepare for our opponent, but more than anything else we prepare to execute what we need to do. We don’t ever want any bad incidents for anybody. We want to play teams when they’re at their best with their best people.”

Compiled by Joe Smith, Joey Knight and Keith Niebuhr

joesmith@sptimes.com

Comments

Good job coach

Yeah they sure are the hardest working team in the country. They show the amount of respect for education that you would expecpt from a Callahan team. Let's see if anyone actualy sits out a game. I think that they learn that respect for education from the top down.

I suspect that they all play and then sit out against the worst non conference team on the schedule (unless they get behind). Then even with all the scholar athelete a D school can muster lose big to a great Plant passing attack.

Wait and see, he will really teach them a lesson by making them think that they are sitting out for 18 hour!

I will make them sweat (Nod Nod Wink Wink)

Couldn't agree more. I looked through the archives to see if a coach actually sat anyone important in a big game(rival, or district) and one popped up for girls basketball.....

North Port (15-8) at Boca Ciega (22-5): The Pirates showed off their depth, staying even with rival Lakewood through the first half in last week's district title game while three starters were benched for disciplinary reasons.

[john]

Plant will dominate this game and this will simply be a good excuse when Armwood loses 49-14. Callahan is cocky and does not have the fire power to stay with Tampas best. Armwwod got a beat down last year and will get one this year!!

I seriously doubt that the players will sit for the whole game......who does the coach think he is kidding? It is about football, not integrity...come on..... there is no way a coach will risk losing a big game, no way a coach would choose doing the right thing....

[Joshua]

I guess this will show what kind of program is being run at Armwood. Coach has the entire county watching him on this one. I hope, for the sake of these young men's futures, he does the right thing. We'll see Friday night.