Panhandle football player dies after injury

Typically, our blog posts are about local athletes. But today, there is sad news out of the Panhandle that I figured you wouldn't mind reading about.

Taylor Haugen, a 15-year-old Niceville High football player, has died as a result of injuries sustained in a game Friday night. According to the Northwest Florida Daily News, "Haugen's injury was 'very unusual' - so severe and so instantaneous that no one could save his life, said Okaloosa County Public Safety Director Dino Villani." "He came off (the field) jogging and as he started to walk he got wobbly as he got to the sideline," Niceville coach John Hicks told the Daily News.

A wide receiver, Haugen was hurt in a collision with two Fort Walton Beach players during the second half of the game, the paper said. Haugen died Saturday morning at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.

You can find Haugen's obituary HERE.

His family and friends are certainly in my thoughts.

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Dagostino excited about season No. 24 with Bucs

Berkeley Prep volleyball coach Randy Dagostino, who begins his 24th season with the Bucs on Tuesday, owns 12 state titles and 711 wins (the most among active volleyball coaches in Florida). And at age 57, he is showing no signs of slowing down.

In fact, the coach enters the 2008 season as excited as ever.

"I'm really into it," Dagostino said.

Besides having what should be another excellent squad, Dagostino has this to look forward to: His daughter, Mackenzie, will enter the starting lineup as a setter/hitter for PrepVolleyball.com's 63rd ranked team. And she's only a freshman.

"This will be the first year that my daughter is actually going to be playing an integral role," Dagostino said. "She's been around a long time watching me coach, so that should be fun."

Even for a veteran with Dagostino's experience, coaching his daughter is a unique challenge.

"It gets a little tense at times, no doubt about it," Dagostino said. "I try not to coach her any differently than the other players, but I think I find myself biting my lip sometimes on the way home and at home. She needs to have a break from it just like the other kids. She needs to have her space. I'm not 100 percent good with that, but I try and I'm conscious of the fact she does need some time away (from volleyball). I think she handles it quite well.

--KEITH NIEBUHR

The Fab 50

I'm slaving over it as you read this. I'm just trying to figure out a few things before I put this thing in order and online Monday. Such as...

Armwood is No. 1, easy, all the way, without question, right?
Is Chamberlain going to better than Plant? Or vice versa?
How far will Largo fall without its stellar senior class of 2007?
Does the best backfield in Pinellas mean Dunedin should be top 5?
Can Bogie, in the top 10 all last year, recover from its key losses?
Are teams like Tampa Bay Tech and Gibbs for real, or just buzzworthy?
Who is the best on the North Suncoast: Nature Coast, Pasco or Land O'Lakes.
Is Tampa Catholic that good, or just that good for it's classification?
Countryside, or CCC?
Jefferson a top 10 team, or too young to consider?
Is Springstead for reals? St. Petersburg?
In what order would you rank Middleton, East Bay and Alonso?

Help me to help you love the Fab 50.

Berkeley volleyball star has Irish on top

Berkeley Prep libero Christina Theofilos isn't just one of the best players in the state at her position, she's one of the best in the country. Because of this, the talented senior is a big-time recruit, and apparently a top target for Notre Dame.

"I talked to coach (Debbie Brown) and she said (Theofilos) is by far their No. 1 choice," Berkeley Prep coach Randy Dagostino said. "They need a libero, and they love her attitude and court presence."

Before the Fighting Irish can offer a scholarship, it must first make sure Theofilos, a first-team all-county pick last season, can get accepted into the school.

*It's similar to being recruited to Stanford," Dagostino said. "What they've told her is that they have to wait until the first marking period (at Berkeley Prep) is over to make sure her grades are what they need to be. To get into a school like Notre Dame, you have to be very strong academically. I think (her grades) are great. I don't think there will be any problem."

Notre Dame is Theofilos' top choice, Dagostino said.

"She had other schools interested, but I think she has narrowed it down to Notre Dame," Dagostino said. "She's so in love with the campus and what the school can offer."

--KEITH NIEBUHR

So far, so good for Hawks' new 'O'

When the nationally ranked Armwood football team, which had great success in recent years with the triple option and spread option, decided this spring to put the quarterback almost exclusively in the shotgun, more than a few eyebrows were raised.

So far, though, the Hawks are happy with the switch.

Following Friday night's 31-14 win over Lakeland Lake Gibson, one of the state's better programs, longtime Armwood coach Sean Callahan said he was pleased with the offense's performance -- and thinks the unit has made tremendous progress.

"I thought they did good," Callahan said. "We dropped a couple big touchdown passes, but we caught a couple, too. (Quarterback) Mywan Jackson had plenty of time to throw. I liked our scheme, and the kids are excited about it. It was definitely a step in the right direction. I think we're right where we need to be."

One of the area's better signal callers, Jackson passed for 125 yards. On the ground, running back Sherman Jessie contributed a 69-yard touchdown run. The offensive line also was solid; Callahan, in fact, singled out the play of starting center Dillard Hurley.

"On film, after evaluating things, I thought he had a great game," Callahan said. "He's a guy that makes our calls and does a great job up front. He's a leader on our offensive line. He's an athletic, big guy, and he can get the ball back there real well."

Armwood plays at Plant on Friday. The game will be televised nationally on ESPNU.

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Jesuit loses Hagen for three to four weeks, makes decision on starting QB

Jesuit coach Joe Ross was pleased with his team's effort in the Tigers' 35-20 preseason loss to  5A heavyweight Chamberlain, but there was some bad news.

Senior starting free safety Will Hagen (top right), who was injured in the second quarter Friday, and will miss the next three to four weeks with a seperated shoulder, Ross said Sunday.

"Anytime you lose your starting free safety, it's a hit," Ross said Sunday.

After a 20-yard yard by Chamberlain quarterback Dontae Aycock, Hagan stayed on the turf for several minutes and was carted of the field.

Ross did make a decision on his quarterback competition, choosing senior Ryan James to start the  Tigers' season opener Friday against Blake.

James and junior Bobby Eveld played two quarters each Friday. James (bottom right), who was 12-for-20 for 78 yards, led touchdown drives of 75, 77 and 35 yards against Chamberlain. All three ended with touchdown passes to senior receiver Erick McGriff. 

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Hillsborough lineman gets offer from USF

The USF Bulls have become the first college to offer a scholarship to Darren Baker, the standout Hillsborough offensive lineman said Sunday. Baker (6-foot-4, 265 pounds) also has interest from Florida State, Memphis and Middle Tennessee State.

"I've got to give (USF) a strong look," Baker said. "I mean, that's my first offer."

A senior, Baker starts at left tackle for the Terriers and anchors an excellent line. He said he thinks he will also end up at tackle in college. "I just need to gain some weight," Baker said.

Baker admittedly has work to do in the classroom. Although he made a 21 on the ACT, he carries only a 2.2 grade-point average. Baker currently is taking two classes online (he says he is doing well in both), and that could boost his GPA.

"I was happy (to get the offer)," Baker said. "But now I need to get my grades situated. I've got to push even harder. I don't want to let anybody down."

Baker said he thinks FSU will eventually offer.

"They're waiting on me," he said. "They're still calling and contacting me, checking up on me and making sure I'm doing what I've got to do."

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Lattimore pumped for Chamberlain, Plant

As if playing area powers Chamberlain and Plant to open the season isn't enough to get a player excited, Gaither tight end/defensive end Justin Lattimore has this as extra incentive: Several college programs have told him they want video of him in action from those two games to evaluate.

So far, Lattimore (6-foot-3, 218 pounds) has scholarship offers from Ball State, Florida International, Middle Tennessee State, Miami of Ohio and Division I-AA Illinois State. Additionally, Georgia has shown interest for quite some time. Now Duke, Iowa, N.C. State and Northwestern have gotten involved, Lattimore's father said Sunday.

Lattimore had two catches, one for a touchdown, in Friday night's preseason win against Durant. Rivals.com lists him as a two-star prospect.

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Smith enjoying trip to Auburn

It has been an incredibly busy weekend for heralded Armwood linebacker Petey Smith.

• On Friday night, his team stuffed Lakeland Lake Gibson in a preseason game.
• A few hours later, he was making all-night drive with his parents to Auburn to watch his brother, former Hawks running back Eric Smith, play against Louisiana-Monroe.
• After arriving in Auburn at 8 a.m., he began checking the campus out.
• Later, he watched Eric rush for 66 yards in his college debut.

When reached by phone early Sunday afternoon, Smith was still in Auburn, but was preparing to get back on the road for the seven-hour trip home. "I've had a nice time," he said. Watching his brother play was the highlight.

"It was his first college game, and he did pretty good," Smith said. "He averaged somewhere around 8 yards a carry. In a way, it seemed sort of unreal. Just last year, he was playing in front of 3,000 people so it felt kind of funny. He was real excited. Everybody (in the stands) kept calling him little little Rudi Johnson (after the former Auburn star)."

Eric Smith signed with Auburn in February. He arrived there over the summer. "He always had a little baby fat," Petey Smith said. "But he has toned his body real good."

Auburn is one of Petey Smith's finalists (along with Alabama, Louisville, North Carolina and Tennessee.), so the trip also served as an unofficial visit. Smith said Sunday he plans to take an official visit to Auburn and it will likely be made the second week of November.

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Giles should be ready for Chamberlain

On Sunday morning, the right leg of standout Gaither running back Jarvis Giles, which was bruised Friday night against Durant, was still on ice. But, Giles said, the injury shouldn't keep him from playing this week against archrival Chamberlain.

"It's nothing serious," Giles said. "But I can't really walk on it right now. It's still sore."

Giles, a Tennessee Volunteers commit, took a helmet to the leg in the second quarter against Durant. At the time, he had 49 yards on seven carries.

"I felt the pain, and was like, 'Alright, let's hope it's nothing big, nothing serious,'" Giles said.

Moments later, a trainer told Giles the injury was pretty minor. He said he hopes to be back at practice Monday. In the meantime, Giles planned to relax on the couch Sunday and watch a recording of Washington State's game against Oklahoma State. His brother, Devin Giles, plays cornerback for the Cougars.

"I'm not walking around," Giles said. "I'm just chilling."

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Former Pinellas stars shine in college

It was a big college weekend for former Pinellas County stars. Leading was St. Petersburg Catholic graduate Jock Sanders, who caught eight passes for 62 and had two touchdowns to help West Virginia win its season opener. Former Largo standout Leonard Johnson had six tackles and returned a kickoff 26 yards in Iowa State's win over South Dakota State. And former Dunedin star Theo Wilson returned a blocked punt for a touchdown and had an interception return called back in USF's win over Tennessee-Martin.

Those were a few who did well. Any others come to mind?

-- BOB PUTNAM, Times Staff Writer

Bay Area talents shine in college debuts

The 2008 Bay Area class of football players was one of the best we've ever had, so it really comes as no surprise that several members of the group are off to quick starts in college. Here are updates on a few of them:

Eric Smith, RB, Auburn: A year ago he was playing for Armwood and preparing to play Plant. On Saturday, Smith rushed for 66 yards on nine carries (with a long of 19) in a win over Louisiana-Monroe. Smith has been working with the third team but might have earned himself a promotion.

Matt Patchan, DT, Florida: The Armwood grad played a significant amount for the Gators against Hawaii but did not register a tackle. Next week, he faces Miami -- the school his father once played for.

Fred Sykes, WR, Illinois: After a solid senior season at Chamberlain, Sykes enrolled last January at Illinois. In Saturday's loss to Missouri on ESPN, he caught two passes for 37 yards -- one of which was a sweet grab on the sideline that drew praise from the announcers.

Am I missing anyone? Let me know.

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Terrier to visit Wake

Hillsborough standout Lindsey Lamar, one of the state's top running back prospects, will take his first offical visit next weekend. He is headed to Wake Forest.

"I'm looking forward to them showing me the school and everything about it," Lamar said.

The 5-foot-9, 165-pound Lamar has not yet set up any other official visits. In addition to Wake, he has scholarship offers from USF, Michigan, Duke and Iowa State.

A track standout in the sprints, Lamar arguably is Hillsborough County's fastest player. SuperPrep Magazine ranks him among the 100 best seniors in Florida.

-KEITH NIEBUHR

We've got videos. Lots of videos.

Tuesday, we will unveil a special page with 72 football preview videos. That's one for every team in Hernando, Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas. That's just...sick. But it's the way we roll around here.

I can't say anymore. Sorry.

But here's a few, just to whet your appetite. We put them up on YouTube, but the final presentation will feature a better, bigger picture.

Here's Gulf, Jefferson and Countryside. Friday Night Rewind style. I know, for all you who have signed up at Twitter to follow the goings on of the show, this is old news (see, I look out for my Twitter homeys), but for those of you that haven't, what the heck are you waiting for? I'm not going to stop bugging you about it until (a) you sign up; (b) it stops driving Keith Niebuhr crazy.

Anyway, enjoy. And remember who loves ya.

Okay, I'll start!

I was at Gaither, where star RB Jarvis Giles ended his night on crutches but the Cowboys beat Durant 27-7. He and coach Mark Kantor say the injury is nothing serious (it's either a tweaked groin pull left over from the spring, or a muscle issue, depending on who you talk to), and he could certainly limp around without the crutches if he had to.

Still, the sight of the Tennessee commitment on crutches caused 11 fans to faint, keeping the medics quite busy.

I also saw:
1. Gaither's new 5-WR offense. It looked really good. Tons of dropped passes, but the Cowboys had one or two guys wide open on every passing play. Seriously.
2. I heard Gaither sophomore Anthony Chickillo's name alot over the P.A. system. He was in on a ton of tackles.
3. Gaither freshman Mitch McNall caught the longest pass of the night, running a perfect seam route for 45 yards.
4. Durant's offensive line dominated on the first drive, especially huge tackle Cole Gilliam (6-5, 325 pounds), but guys like Alex Cook, Jacob Johnson, Trae Bezares and Andrew Frazier did well making holes. Unfortunately, Gaither's defense was very quick to close them, and after that first drive for a touchdown Durant didn't do much.
5. Kamren Hawkins was 7-for-17 for 138 yards, though really, minus all the dropped passes, was probably more like 13-for-17.
6. I didn't see anything that makes me think Chamberlain is in any trouble next week. But it should be a heckuva game between the Cowboys and Chiefs.

So, anyway, what did you see?

Countryside's Davis names Chmelik starter

Countryside coach John Davis said he didn't need a preseason game to figure out who his starting quarterback will be.

Davis said incumbent Jimbo Chmelik beat out erstwhile understudy Ryan Daily as the starter.

"Jimbo has a real grasp of the offense," Davis said. "He's the guy. A preseason performance in a game will not change that. He'll get the majority of the snaps, and we'll move on from there."

Chmelik, a junior, split time with Ryan Eppes last year. Eppes has since transferred to Largo, but Chmelik still had competition in the offseason with three others. The numbers whittled down when Ryan Singer transferred to Dunedin and Blake Robles transferred back to East Lake.

Chmelik, who stood out in the spring and summer, will direct a no-huddle attack that Davis installed this season.  Davis said Daily will still get some reps in games.

-- BOB PUTNAM, Times Staff Writer

Dunedin assistant Lang arrested on drug charge

Dunedin assistant Frank Lang was removed from the staff for his arrest on a marijuana possession charge Wednesday.

Lang, 29, was released after posting $150 bond on a Class B misdemeanor charge of less than an ounce of marijuana.

A former star with the Falcons, Lang was the school's record-holder for most interceptions in a career and single season before Mike Towns broke both marks in the past two years. Lang went on to play for the University of Cincinnati (1998-2002).  He has coached defensive backs the past five seasons.

Dunedin coach Mark Everett said Lang would no longer be coaching.

-- BOB PUTNAM, Times Staff Writer

Get your Friday night football updates via the Web

Can't make it to a game tonight? No problem. Going to one game, but want to keep track of the others? We've got you covered. Thanks to the wonder that is the Web, whether you're sitting at home or have a cell phone with Internet access, we'll keep you informed. Tonight, and every Friday night during football season, the Times will provide scores via the Web from every game (we'll be updating each game after every score). To follow all the action, look for the section titled "Friday Night Scoreboard" at www.highschool.tampabay.com -- or just click HERE.

Pinellas Park's paperwork solved

Turns out, Pinellas Park will have all 38 players for tonight's game against Bradenton Manatee.

On Thursday, the Patriots were facing the possiblity of having 20 players ineligible because of misplaced physical forms.

"We had a changing of the guard with our athletic administrators," Pinellas Park coach Matt Lance said. "I think that was part of the confusion with the forms."

After a frenetic 24 hours, Lance said he was able to chase down the forms.

"It was challenging getting everything taken care of," Lance said. "I think that just took years off my life."

-- BOB PUTNAM, Times Staff Writer

I'm sorry

Former staff writer Dave Murphy was a big DuJuan Harris fan. The Central running back didn't have the numbers that Ridgewood's Byronell Arline did, but he was better. Much much much better, Dave argued.

He argued so vociferously, that at the conclusion of our end-of-the-season meeting in 2006 to pick the Times All-Suncoast team, he was red in the face (I'm pretty sure I saw tears) and didn't talk to me for two days after Arline got first-team honors over Harris.

It wasn't my vote that did him in -- we essentially nominate players, and the whole staff votes, but this particular debate was hot and heavy -- but I guess I had the better argument (Dave would often get distracted by his own image reflecting off a spoon or glass of iced tea and lose his train of thought) and he never forgave me.

If I had a dime for every time he has brought this up over the years, I'd have at least 3 bucks. Make that $3.10, as I got a Gchat message from him today that is largely unprintable, but funny nonetheless.

You see, Harris -- or Foxx as his friends and Murphy called him -- opened the 2008 season by running all over Middle Tennessee State Thursday night, gaining 148 yards and scoring three times in a 31-7 victory. I read the story (thanks, Dave), saw the video highlights (thanks, Dave) and changed my Gchat settings and blocked Dave (thanks, Dave).

Meanwhile, Arline is back home after a week in college mulling over his next move. I still think Arline had a better SEASON as a junior than Harris did, but I will now publicly confess that...well, Harris is the better running back.

Sorry, Dave.
Sorry, DuJuan.

AHN star well-rounded on and off court

Erica Almerico doesn't just play volleyball. She writes about it.

On the court, the 5-foot-10 senior outside hitter for the Academy of the Holy Names is one of the county's top returning players. She was second on the team in kills last season behind Maureen Colligan (who now plays for Colgate), and led the Jaguars with a 42.5 hitting percentage and 48 aces. Almerico, who also plays for the Tampa Bay Juniors 17-U team, is being recruited by Cornell, Holy Cross, Loyola of New Orleans, Washington & Lee and Catholic University.

Off the court, Almerico also is doing well. An aspiring journalist, she's a junior editor for Volleyball USA magazine and currently is working on a story about a high school player in Washington who is fighting cancer.

For good measure, Almerico is spearheading the effort to hold another Breast Cancer Awareness Night at a Holy Names match in October. Last season’s event, which coincides with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, raised more than $1,500 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

“It’s going to be exciting watching Erica in her senior year,’’ Jaguars coach Kevin Reynolds said. “I am confident she will be a dominant force on the outside and contribute to the team’s overall success.’’

--KEITH NIEBUHR

What to watch for in Hillsborough tonight

With a full slate of preseason games tonight involving Hillsborough County football teams, here are 10 things to watch:

• Plant's new additions: In QB Aaron Murray, we know Plant has a good one. But what about the team's other offensive players? Several talented skill players transferred in, but how will all the pieces come together on the field against Wharton?
• Will Freedom ring?: The Patriots went 1-9 in coach Marquel Blackwell's first season, but the coach is confident Freedom will show great improvement. Will the turnaround start tonight against Zephyrhills?
• Chamberlain's chemistry: Like Plant, Chamberlain, which plays Jesuit, has several newcomers via transfer. Even before these players arrived, the Chiefs had the talent to compete for a state championship. How much better are they now?
• The Wharton 'D': Against Plant, Wharton will have a chance to show what it's got. The Wildcats  defense, led by safety Jairus Jones, expects to be good, but will the group have any success against Murray and Co.?
• Jefferson's super sophs: Will the team's talented 10th-graders be as good as advertised? Led by quarterback Quentin Williams, the Dragons play always tough Titusville Astronaut, which will give them a great measuring stick.
• The new Armwood 'O': Because the Hawks are loaded at the skill positions, they implemented an offense during the offseason intended to get the ball into the hands of their playmakers. Will this system be as fruitful as the triple option was for the Hawks?
• The new guys: Several programs have first-year coaches. Some enter good situations. Some enter difficult ones. Keep an eye on Dale Caparaso at Spoto, a school many believe has the potential for big things.
• Offensive woes nevermore: Alonso's offense wasn't very good last fall. After a solid spring, expectations have risen. Will that success carry over into the fall?
• Back attack: The county is blessed to have several great running backs. Gaither's Jarvis Giles, a Tennessee commit, has gotten a lot of pub (and deservedly so), but another senior is worth watching -- Hillsborough's Lindsey Lamar, who is very talented -- and very fast.
• Emerging sleepers: Who will surprise this fall? Our suggestion: Watch out for Jesuit, which has at least two Division I-A prospects in its senior class and a favorable schedule. The Tigers have the unenviable task of facing Chamberlain tonight.

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Jenkins shines in juco debut

Former Wesley Chapel quarterback Greg Jenkins has vowed to spend the next two seasons disproving the four-year schools that bypassed him during the 2008 recruiting season.

Through one junior college game, he is making good on that pledge.

Jenkins threw for three touchdowns and ran for another Thursday night to lead defending juco national champ Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College to a 39-14 road victory at Northwest.

Jenkins, who arrived at MGCCC as a walk-on but has since earned a scholarship, finished 10-for-15 for 141 yards in three quarters.

The downside: A couple of interceptions, and a five-hour team bus ride back to the MGCCC campus in Perkinston. Jenkins said the team arrived home at roughly 2 a.m., allowing him about a five-hour nap before his 8 a.m. college algebra class.

"I think I did pretty good," Jenkins said after class this morning. "I had a couple of up-and-down (moments)...but other than that, I think I did pretty good."

JOEY KNIGHT, Times Staff Writer

Pinellas preseason notes

Here are some things to keep an eye on in Friday's preseason games.

* Countryside's offensive line is inexperienced (one returning starter) and is battling injuries. That's not good considering the Cougars are facing Alonso and defensive lineman Demonte McAllister, a four-star recruit who has committed to FSU.

* Keswick Christian running back/linebacker Jacobi Wheeler returns to play his former schhol when the Crusaders face St. Petersburg Catholic. Wheeler transferred from SPC to Keswick this summer.

* Because of paperwork problems, Pinellas Park is dressing roughly 20 players for its game against Bradenton Manatee.

* Several schools have to decide on quarterbacks. The biggest battles are at Boca Ciega, Clearwater Central Catholic, East Lake, Lakewood and Northeast.

Any other thoughts come to mind?

-- BOB PUTNAM, Times Staff Writer

How to approach a preseason game

After his team played its preseason game last year, Tampa Catholic coach Bob Henriquez was confronted by the parent of a Crusaders reserve. "They wanted to know why their son hadn't played more since it was a meaningless game," Henriquez said. "I told them there was no such thing as a meaningless game."

For coaches, preseason games can be a challenge - even though they don't count in the recordbook.

Should it be treated like a regular season game? How long should the starters play? Should a team keep it simple or open up the playbook? How do you get the athletes fired up? And how do you keep them focused?

Henriquez, whose team plays host to Naples Lely tonight, is of the opinion that preseason games should be treated as much like a regular season contest as possible to "set the tone for the year." Like most coaches, though, he keeps the play calls simple and doesn't push his starters too hard. "The main thing is trying to come out of it healthy," he said.

If you were coaching, what approach would you take? And would you schedule a creampuff to build confidence or a heavyweight and risk getting clobbered?

--KEITH NIEBUHR

DeHeart has his U.S. Open moment

Arthur Ashe Stadium is the place where fans fall in love with underdogs every summer at the U.S. Open.

And for three games Thursday night, Jesuit alum Ryler DeHeart won over New York and was better than the world's No. 1 tennis player.

DeHeart, a main draw qualifier playing under the bright lights of Flushing Meadows' main stadium on a primetime TV broadcast, lost to top-ranked Rafael Nadal in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4. But after dropping the first two sets to Nadal handily and falling behing 0-40 on serve in the first game of the third set, DeHeart rallied to take the first three games of the final set.

The stadium crowd suddenly got into a match that first appeared to be a cakewalk. The fans embraced him, and for a slice of time, Ryler DeHeart had his moment.

"I always try to have fun out there, and today was a little more fun than usual," DeHeart said immediately after the match. "Rafa is at a different level than me. Hopefully one day I can get there."

DeHeart, who came into the event ranked 261st in the world, had to win three qualifying matches just to make the main draw. He then beat Belguim's Olivier Rochus in a first-round, five-set win.

DeHeart, 24, won two state titles at Jesuit and was the top player in college tennis at Illinois.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Freedom golfer ready for Drive, Chip and Putt finals

For Matthew Camara, the big moment has arrived.

A sophomore golfer at Freedom, Camara will compete Saturday morning in the Golf Channel's Drive, Chip, and Putt national competition at Celebration Golf Club near Orlando. He is one of 14 golfers to qualify for the event from an original pool of 250 contestants. Camara got there by advancing through sectional and regional competitions.

He was third in a sectional event, then captured the regional competition. Both qualifiers were played on the same course (Falcon's Fire Golf Club in Central Florida). At regionals, he was first in driving with a 288-yard blast, second in putting and third in chipping.

Camara has played golf off and on for seven years. Two years ago, he quit baseball, football and basketball to focus solely on the links. He credits much of his success to instructor Rick Bradshaw.

For what it's worth, Matthew's sister, Alexis, is also a nice player. She recently carded a 3-over-par 39 in a match at Tampa Palms Country Club.

--KEITH NIEBUHR

QB situation good at TC

Tampa Catholic coach Bob Henriquez has had some very good signal callers play for his Crusader teams through the years. But, he said Thursday, "this is the best situation we’ve ever had at QB."

Here's why:

The starter, junior Christian Green, was a key performer on last season's Class 2A state finalist and is one of the most athletic players around. One backup, Jefferson transfer Doug Williams Jr., is a talented player with a lively arm and good feet. Another, Conner Louis, showed great promise in 2007 with the junior varsity.

All three are expected to play this fall.

Green and Williams, in fact, are likely to see time at multiple positions. In addition to playing QB, Green could see action at receiver, running back, defensive back and as a kick returner. Williams might line up at receiver from time to time.

"We're working on creative ways of getting them the ball," Henriquez said. "We're working on packages that utilize all the skills we have. We've had some very frank discussions about this. Ultimately, Christian and Doug and everyone understand what's going to give us the best opportunity to be successful. Christian has shown incredible leadership. I think he understands his role is to be our playmaker. At the same time, he is our starting quarterback."

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Football Eve

I'll be on a guest on the Florida Football Report tonight at 6:08 p.m. on 1010-AM.
It's a 10-minute segment, so make sure your tape recorders are running.

We'll be discussing:
1.) Football players transferring.
2.) Allen Carden
3.) Dunedin football being overrated.
4.) Clearwater football
5.) Why Cotey is dumb, and Cotey is stupid.
6.) What Bob Weiner and Aaron Murray had for breakfast.
7.) The area's most hated sports programs.
8.) Preview next summer's 7-on-7 season.

Sound good?
(Hey, it gets comments on the blog, let's see if it sets Arbitron records!...Okay, I'm totally kidding about all those thing except No. 1 and 6.)

(Fine!!! Kidding about No. 6 too).

The Florida Football Report, hosted by Bobby Fenton and Corey Long, airs every Thursday night on 1010 from 6-7 p.m.

-- JOHN C. COTEY/johncotey@gmail.com

Friday Night Rewind, The Second Season

Right around the corner.
Follow it via web or cell phone updates by signing up here for your own Twitter page and then following FriNightRewind.
I mean, if watching the video below doesn't send you scurrying to do so, then I just don't know you anymore. And if you go watch it on the actual YouTube site, you can watch in high quality.

Plant to be without Martin early

When the nationally ranked Plant volleyball team begins its defense of the 2007 Class 5A state championship next week, it is likely to do so without all-state outside hitter Maddie Martin. The Penn State commit, who injured her left ankle in June, said Wednesday night she probably won't be match ready until at least mid-September.

A junior, Martin was a key figure during last season's title run. She also played heavily for the Panthers' title team in 2006. Martin is considered one of the top players nationally in her class.

The injury, a sprain and bone bruise, occurred while Martin was participating in a camp at Penn State. She attempted to practice Tuesday, but was told by doctors later in the day she should not yet be on the court.

"I've ve been doing physical therapy at Plant, laser treatment, acupuncture and pool exercises," Martin said. "It was really bad before, but since I started doing laser treatment, it's gotten so much better."

PrepVolleyball.com has Plant No. 5 in its preseason national ranking.

"I'm extremely confident in my teammates," Martin said. "But I want to play so bad. It's frustrating watching the team practice."

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Terps hope to make final four run

At times last season, the Tampa Prep volleyball took its lumps. Yet by season's end, the Terrapins were right were they seemingly are every single year -- in the title hunt.

Tampa Prep fell one victory short of reaching the Class 2A final four, but because of its late-season play -- and the fact most of the top players return -- coach Mike Flynn thinks the Terps might have the right stuff on 2008.

"The second half of the season, we really played well," Flynn said. "We had some good wins against (Class) 4A, 5A and 6A teams. And we made it to the region finals. There definitely is a hunger these girls have to get to (the final four). Once you get to Lakeland, you never know."

Tampa Prep owns 15 state volleyball titles, second most all time in Florida. The last came in 2004, when the Terps had what arguably was the state's best team regardless of classification.

The current group is led by three seniors -- libero Anna Dalence, middle blocker Dana Malinowski and outside hitter Alena Ransom -- and junior outside hitter Megan Aschenbrenner. Malinowski and Ransom are returning all-county players.

"I think we match up well with teams," Flynn said.

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Wanted: one JV coach

With the 2008 season about to begin, first-year Bloomingdale football coach Jason Stokes still has a coaching vacancy to fill on the Bulls' junior varsity squad. While this may seem insignificant to most, finding a qualified person for the gig is crucial to Stokes.

"It's my first year, so the JV, that's my baby, that's my project," Stokes said. "These kids now, we're trying to bring them along. They're in a program that was unsuccessful and had a bad attitude for three years. The JV is only going to know the right way. Not the wrong way. A lot of people don't care about JV, but I'm very concerned. It's the future. Those kids grow up."

What type of coach is Stokes, who came to Bloomingdale after a stint as an assistant at Riverview, looking for? "Someone who realizes football is year round and puts the kids first," he said. He'd also like someone with a teaching certificate.

But finding a person who meets his criteria is a difficult chore.

"It's tough in Hillsborough County because they don't pay coaches," Stokes said. "It's tough to get a good coach. It's really volunteering. And on this side of the county, not a lot of people are available. I'm blessed to have the staff I have. I have a great staff on JV."

Bloomingdale has never had a winning varsity season. The Bulls went 2-8 last season.

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Local baseball standout commits to Miami

Reggie Williams Jr., a 6-foot-4, 190-pound switch-hitting centerfielder who hasn't played high school baseball for two years, has committed to play baseball at the University of Miami, his father told the Times.

Williams, who is the son of former major league outfielder Reggie Williams Sr., hasn't played high school baseball since he played as a ninth grader at Mitchell. Instead, he has played for his father's AAU team, the Dawg Pound, based out of Tampa.

College scouts took notice of Williams at the Perfect Game wood bat showcase in Marietta, Ga. last month, his father said. He has clocked a 6.3-second 60 time.

"They were impressed with his speed," Reggie Williams Sr. said. "He stole like 10 bases and ran down a lot of balls in centerfield. This is an amazing thing for him. (Miami) just doesn't mess with anybody."

Reggie Williams Sr. said his son is relatively new to the game, having played baseball seriously for just 4 1/2 years. He also received interest from Southern Cal, USF and Southern, but when an offer from Miami came, he quickly committed.

"He has a lot of potential and I think they noticed his size," he said. "I've always felt that a kid with his talent and ability and the willingness to learn, anything can happen for him."

Professional scouts have also taken notice, said Reggie Williams, Sr., who played for parts of four seasons with the Angels and Dodgers between 1992 and 1999.

Williams is a senior at Brooks-DeBartolo Charter School, a college preporatory school founded by Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Derrick Brooks and the DeBartolo Family. The school will start a baseball program there this season in its second year and Williams will play on that team.

To see an updated list of commitments, go HERE.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Former Guy Toph winner back at Middleton

Keith Newman, a former standout at Jefferson (he won the prestigious Guy Toph Award), the University of North Carolina and in the NFL, has re-joined the Middleton coaching staff after a short stint at Armwood. Newman, who coached linebackers at Middleton last season, was on the Armwood staff in the spring but has since returned to the Tigers.

One again, he will work with the team's linebackers.

"He didn't really give any reason (for leaving Armwood), but I was glad to have him back," Middleton coach Harry Hubbard said.

Newman (shown here in his high school days), a former linebacker, won the Guy Toph Award while at Jefferson in 1994. After a stellar college career, he played eight NFL seasons with Buffalo, Atlanta, Minnesota and Miami. In the NFL, he recorded 23 career sacks. Hubbard was an assistant at Jefferson when Newman played for the Dragons.

"He was a great player, an honor student -- all those good things," Hubbard said. "Those are great qualities you need around your athletes to inspire them."

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Zephyrhills reschedules game with Miami Gulliver Prep

Zephyrhills has agreed to reschedule its home game with Miami Gulliver Prep for Sept. 5 because of a scheduling conflict.

Bulldogs athletic director Craig Milburn received an email from Gulliver Prep athletic director Mark Schusterman asking to move the game after realizing the school already had a game scheduled the same week with first-year district opponent Doral Academy. 

Milburn made a few calls and after he got coach Tom Fisher's blessing and nailed down an officiating crew, he agreed to the switch. Zephyrhills had an open week, which now moves to Oct. 17.

The only thing that won't be ready for the home opener is the game programs.

"I'd rather have an open week somewhere later in the season," Milburn said. "This might be better for us in the long run."

-- IZZY GOULD
izzygould@me.com

Motion to honor Turner squashed

Chamberlain had hoped to honor longtime coach Billy Turner by naming its football field for him this year, but the proposal was killed by the school district, which said a coach can't be honored until he is retired, Chamberlain athletic director Richard Scionti told the Times.

Scionti had gathered about 400 signatures from students, faculty, alumni, parents and boosters, and presented it to the district. The school had hoped to honor Turner at a home game this season, likely the Blake game on Sept. 26.

"It was kind of the booster club's idea to thank him while he's still coaching," Scionti said. "This might be his last year. That's going to be up to him. But to honor him in one of his final years, that was the intent."

Turner, Hillsborough County's all-time wins leader with 243 wins, opens his 30th season at Chamberlain Sept 5. at Gaither. The Chiefs are ranked third in the state Class 5A preseason poll.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Top 25 loaded with area products

In today's Times, staff writer Brian Landman revealed his preseason top 25 for college football. The following ranked teams have local products ... (if we missed someone, let us know):

• No. 2 Ohio State: Orhian Johnson, DB, Boca Ciega
• No. 5 Florida: Jim Barrie, OL, Berkeley Prep; Riley Cooper, WR, CCC; A.J. Jones, LB, Middleton; Louis Murphy, WR, Lakewood; Kyle Newell, OL, Chamberlain; Matt Patchan, DL, Armwood; Bryan Thomas, DB, Zephyrhills
• No. 6 Missouri: Elvis Fisher, OL, St. Petersburg Catholic
• No. 9 Arizona State: Derrall Anderson, LB, Armwood.
• No. 10 West Virginia: Eddie Davis, DB, Freedom; Tito Gonzales, WR, Blake; Jock Sanders, RB, St. Petersburg Catholic
• No. 11 Kansas: Tertavian Ingram, WR, Jefferson
• No. 13 Auburn: Darrell Roseman, OL, Dunedin; Eric Smith, RB, Armwood; Derek Winter, WR, Plant
• No. 14 Illinois: Fred Sykes, WR, Chamberlain; Jarred Fayson, WR, Hillsborough (transfer; will redshirt this season)
• No. 15 Wake Forest: Chip Brinkman, WR, CCC; Lovell Jackson, RB, Plant
• No. 21 USF: Ed Alcin, WR, Chamberlain; Delbert Alvarado, K, Robinson; Jarriett Buie, DE, Armwood; Colby Erskin, WR, Seminole; Jake Griffin, OL, Armwood; Zach Hermann, OL, East Lake; Joe Herzhauser, OL, Lakewood; Chaz Hine, OL, Newsome; Matt Huners, OL, Palm Harbor University; Tyrone McKenzie, LB, Riverview; Carlton Mitchell, WR, Gaither; Ilia Petrov, P, Tampa Bay Tech; Mark Popek, OL, USF; Trent Pupello, TE, Jefferson; Armando Sanchez, LB, Northeast, Andreas Shields, TE, Wharton; Michael Walsh, LS, Plant; Theo Wilson, DB, Dunedin; Jerrell Young, DB, Gibbs

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Woolfenden to miss first three games; Jackson game-time decision

Canterbury starting defensive end and offensive guard Michael Woolfenden will miss at least the first three games of the season after undergoing a double hernia operation three weeks ago according to Crusaders coach Steve Dudley.

Dudley said he hopes to have Woolfenden, a 5-foot-9, 160 pound junior, back for the Crusaders fourth game on the road against Bishop McLaughlin.

"He's going to add a lot of toughness on both sides of the ball," Dudley said. "He's a great defensive end. He's got a little mean streak."

Jonathan Jackson, a 5-foot-10, 170 pound junior who is seeing time at offensive guard and nose guard, is questionable for Canterbury's opener Sept. 5 against Northwest Christian (Miami) after suffering a pulled groin.

"I think it was severe, it pulled from the bone a little bit," Dudley said. "He plays nose guard for us, and he's like a wild stallion...We just put him in the gap and tell him to go to the ball. He will run you down."

-- BRYAN BURNS, Times Staff Writer

Zaccario following in brother's footsteps

During the previous three seasons, Newsome was blessed to have Vinny Zaccario, one of the region's top placekickers, on its roster.

Today, it has his little brother, Tony.

Vinny is now kicking at Memphis. Tony, a 5-foot-9, 145-pound sophomore, has taken his brother's former spot at Newsome. And so far, the coaches like what they see.

"He's going to follow in his brother's footsteps," Wolves coach Kenneth Hiscock said. "His leg is not quite as strong right now, but he's only a sophomore. He's pretty consistent. Within 30 yards, he can put them in there. He has good range with his kickoffs ... and he can place the ball where we need it."

Tony has one advantage his older brother didn't have. He has him as a coach.

"(Vinny) always tells people he thinks his brother will end up being better than he is," said Tracy Zaccario, the brothers' mom. "Tony got training much earlier than he did."

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Answers to your questions

With football season just around the corner, and the majority of our area teams playing preseason games Friday, Times prep writers Joey Knight (North Suncoast), Bob Putnam (Pinellas) and Keith Niebuhr (Hillsborough)  took time out to answer your most pressing questions about the upcoming season.

Who is Pinellas County's best coach? How will Chamberlain fare? Which Pasco County team has the best chance of winning in the playoffs? And, what is Plant coach Bob Weiner wearing today?

Read on.

Q: What will be the top 2 teams in each district this season?
A: Class 6A, District 6
1.  Riverview
2.  Sarasota Riverview
Class 5A, District 5
1.  Gaither
2.  Wharton
Class 5A, District 6
1.  Chamberlain
2.  Alonso
Class 5A, District 7
1.  East Bay
2.  Brandon
Class 5A, District 9
1. Dunedin
2. Countryside
Class 5A, District 10
1. Largo
2. Gibbs
Class 4A, District 8
1. Tarpon Springs
2. Land O'Lakes
Class 4A, District 9
1. Northeast
2. Boca Ciega
Class 4A, District 10
1.  Plant
2.  Jefferson
Class 4A, District 11
1.  Armwood
2.  Hillsborough
Class 3A, District 6
1. Nature Coast
2. Crystal River
Class 3A, District 8
1. Pasco
2. Huson
Class 3A, District 11
1.  Booker
2.  Jesuit
Class 2A, District 5
1. Tampa Catholic
2. St. Petersburg Catholic
Class 2B, District 6
1. Frostproof
2. Clearwater Central Catholic
Class A, District 5
1. Fort Meade
2. Indian Rocks Christian
Class B, District 6
1. Keswick Christian
2. Calvary Chrstian

Q: Who is the best Pinellas County head coach?
PUTNAM: Rick Rodriguez, Largo (left): It's hard to argue with the results. The Packers are 27-3 in the regular season the past three years and have advanced to the region finals twice during that span. Rodriguez, a longtime assistant at Clearwater before coming to Largo, has a lot of experience. He also has a tremendous staff with three of his assistants -- offensive coordinator Dave Angelo, defensive coordinator Matt LePain and line coach Jeremy Frioud -- who were all candidates for previous head coaching jobs. Then there's the added benefit of having a prinicpal who used to be a football coach in the county. It's the perfect recipe for success.

Q: Who is the best Pinellas County assistant?
PUTNAM: Mike Anderson, Dunedin: He has been coaching with the Falcons since their watershed years in the late 1980s when they made back-to-back appearances in the state finals. His defensive units usually are undersized, but they are lightning fast. And good. That's a credit to him.

Q: What Pinellas team is flying under the radar this season?
PUTNAM: Nobody is talking about Tarpon Springs. They should. The Spongers have the most depth (123 players counting junior varsity) of any team in the county.  They also have the most experience with 22 seniors. Danny Reyes (pictured above) is a third-year starter and one of only two public school quarterbacks who took the majority of his team's snaps last year. Most of the receivers and linemen are back and the secondary returns five players who combined for 20 interceptions last year. If that's not enough, most of the teams in the district are rebuilding, and Tarpon's toughest district game against Land O'Lakes is at home.

Q: Any way Chamberlain can go deep into the playoffs?
NIEBUHR: Heck yes. The Chiefs return most of their key contributors from 2007 (when they lost to eventual Class 5A state runnerup Kissimmee Osceola by a touchdown in the third round) and added several quality transfers. This team has one of the top defenses around, and that unit is led by a defensive front that dominates more often than not. Offensively, Chamberlain, sparked by senior quarterback and four-star recruit Dontae Aycock (right), has the ability to score 30-plus points per game. This squad has athletes. And it has balance. Yes, it can go far. In fact, a state championship is possible.

Q: Will Jarvis Giles reach the 2,000-yard rushing mark?
NIEBUHR: No. Jarvis is a fantastic rusher -- there’s no doubt about that. He’s fast, he has great moves and he can get the tough yards inside. But this fall, Gaither has an experienced quarterback and one of the area’s best pass catches (tight end Justin Lattimore), so look for the Cowboys to throw a little more. If you’re a Gaither fan, this a good thing. By not relying too much on Giles, he should be fresher in the fourth quarter and not as banged up by season’s end. And it will make the team tougher to defend. While we don’t think he’ll get to 2,000 yards, we do think he’ll get more than 1,700 – and he should have an average per carry of 6.5 or more yards, which is excellent.

Q: Can you please tell us every day what Bob Weiner is wearing?
NIEBUHR: Right now Bob's wearing Khakis, a polo and a pair of white Nikes. Typically, Bob has a classic Long Island style, much like what you’d find a model wearing in a JCrew catalogue. He just doesn’t use as much hair gel and, to our knowledge, does not own a pair of white penny loafers.

Which Pasco County team has the best chance of not going one and done?
KNIGHT: Our guess is Hudson. Pasco appears more talented on paper, but that's been the case many times in the past, and for whatever reason, the potential hasn't been fulfilled. Hudson is very strong up front, has the area's best quarterback (Zack Wynn, left), and that "Hudson-tough" attitude that oozes blue-collar grittiness. Additionally, the district they would encounter in a playoff game (3A-7) isn't terribly strong.

Q: Will Gulf and Ridgewood rebound after losing their star players?
KNIGHT:  Even with 2,000-yard rusher David Williams, Gulf still finished only 4-6, so a "rebound" is very doable. It also doesn't hurt that tailback Adrian Golden transferred from Ridgewood. Athletically, Gulf appears to have a chance to be better than .500. ... When you lose 20 starters as Ridgewood did, a dropoff is inevitable, but the downward slide won't be as profound as people think. A lot of those Ridgewood kids who now are being thrust into starting roles got extensive playing time in the second half of blowout games last season. What's more, the Rams JV went 8-0 last season.

Check back throughout the school year for more opportunities to pose your questions, about a variety of sports, to Times prep reporters.

Exciting backfield gives Leto boost

Leto coach Hugh Dehnert hasn't seen every team in the county play, so he can't say for certain where his backfield ranks among the area's best. But he does know this: He likes what he has got.

"We're as good as we've been back there in terms of explosiveness for sure,"Dehnert said.

At running back, the Falcons will start junior Jeremy Deering (6-foot-1, 190 pounds), a junior, and Antwoun Howard (6-1, 170), a senior. Both players are standout hurdlers, both are extremely fast and both, Dehnert expects, will play in college. Deering, in fact, already has at least one major Division I-A program "very" interested." Each player excelled in the spring, and it is likely to two will get an equal amount of touches this season in Leto's two-back formation.

"Anytime they have the ball, there's a chance they can score," Dehnert said.

At quarterback, the Falcons have turned to junior Brandon Toombs (5-10, 170), another solid running threat. Toombs is "not quite as fast (as Deering or Howard), but he's getting there," Dehnert said.

Naturally, for these players to produce the offensive line will have to perform well, and that's where Leto has struggled in the past. Good news, however, came to that group at the start of fall practice when players the coaching staff didn't expect to play, joined the team. Of the line, Dehnert said: "That's where we've made some improvement."

--KEITH NIEBUHR

More on the matter of transfers ...

During the course of our reporting for Eduardo A. Encina's piece on transferring athletes, the Times interviewed various coaches from throughout the area. As if often the case, many good quotes didn't make the story because we simply didn't have the room. Here are some of the better ones ...

Tampa Catholic coach Bob Henriquez:

• “I’ve always been taught you’re innocent until proven guilty. If you make the assumption every student who transfers does it because they’re recruited, that’s an unfair generalization. It’s not fair to the students, to the parents and certainly not to the schools involved.”
• “I’m of the opinion, if you have an issue, if you hear something on the street, then I think the proper thing to do is to call the other coach.”

Jefferson coach Mike Fenton:

• "I think everybody is a little leery (of recruiting). But we are keeping a very close eye on our kids. We know where they live and what's going on."

Arwmood coach Sean Callahan:

• "I was 2-8 three times in my first five years ... Everybody wanted to hang out and buy me a beer. The moment things turned around, I wasn't on anybody's Christmas list after that."
• “People come here because they’re interested in two things: Winning football games and sending their kids to college. Armwood has been doing a very good job of that.”

Local standout front and center at U.S. Open

Former Jesuit standout tennis player Ryler DeHeart, who advanced into the U.S. Open's man draw as a qualifier, won his first tound match Monday. Now, the tough part.

The 24-year-old DeHeart will face the world's top-ranked player, Spain's Rafael Nadal, in the second round on Thursday.

DeHeart, who was a two-time state champion and two-time runner up at Jesuit and was No. 4 nationally in the boys 18-and-under division before becoming the NCAA's No. 1 player at Illinois, beat Olivier Rochus of Belgium in five sets, 7-6, 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in his first-round match Monday. He has to win three qualifying matches just to make the main draw.

Asked what it will take to beat Nadal, DeHeart didn't have many answers for The New York Observer.

"That's a very good question, I think," he told the Observer. "I mean, he's beatable. It's going to be a tall task, and I'm probably not, you know, the guy most people are expected to do that. I'm still going to go out there and do my best. I'm going to give it everything I have, and I think tactically there are some things I definitely can implement to try to give him trouble, and that's all you can do."

Related content:
Area star earns top ranking (March 1, 2005)

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA