(UPDATE: 11 p.m.) Nature Coast suspended from postseason; fined

Thursday's storie

Nature Coast's season over

What they're saying about Nature Coast

Cotey: Time for Nature Coast to just move on

Nature Coast has been forced to forfeit its Class 3A region quarterfinal Friday against Williston and was fined $10,400 by the Florida High School Athletic Association on Wednesday. 

The FHSAA notified Nature Coast and Groveland South Lake of its final ruling in its investigation into a Nov. 7 brawl between the schools. The schools can appeal the ruling, but such an appeal would not be held until late this month, after the playoff game. South Lake was fined $8,500 and will not be allowed to play in a bowl game this season.

In a letter to Nature Coast principal Tizzy Schoelles:

* The Nature Coast football program is placed on restrictive probation for the remainder of the 2008 season, meaning it will be forced to forfeit its Class 3A region quarterfinal playoff game Friday against Williston. Williston automatically advances to the region semifinal.

* Nature Coast is levied fines totaling $10,400 for violating several rules, including 48 counts of unsportsmanlike conduct at $100 each.

* The Nature Coast football program is placed on administrative probation effective immediately through June 30, 2010.

* The Nature Coast athletic program is reprimanded.

Continue checking back from more details, and read Thursday's edition of the St. Petersburg Times for a full report.

For coverage leading up to the FHSAA's decision, check out:

Nature Coast feels support from parents, community

Natue Coast/Central game canceled

FHSAA penalizes Nature Coast, South Lake

Sharks players expected to face criminal charges

To see video from last year's Nature Coast-Central scuffle, the fight that first put Nature Coast on thin ice with the FHSAA and resulted in Nature Coast not being able to play in a fall preseason classic, go here and here

-- IZZY GOULD
izzygould@me.com

Comments

[Jedi_mind_trick]

What your crazy?!?! Dunedin obviously has the best passing game

[NCT9-0n08]

But now look at what people around the state think..
"Admit it ya'll have the easiest Road to the semi's with NCT Out. Region 1 I believe is the toughy with St Aug, Jackson, Arnold and Godby all have been or still in the Top 10.."

Noone is worried about any other teams around here.. I'd like to see Pasco do their thing personally. And North Marion will be coming to Dade City next Friday.. Williston is terrible and Gulf just lost their 2nd best player.. I'll take Pasco big and NM big to set up a pretty good game next week.

[Tampa Bay Football]

The only thing we know fo' sho' is that you guys are OUT. Like last week's news paper. I guess we'll read more about your fine family in jail. Oh yeah my team is still in the playoffs. talk 'bout that playa!

Oh yeah not only do you guys stink on the field you obviously stink in the class room too.

[yc73354]

this is all b.s people need to stop talking stuff bout NCT . Family everyone knows thats how are football team is . y would we WANT to fight when we are bout to win a game . & oh yea 2nd time its happened in that school . lights just go off out of no where yea ok . & to that official you couldnt see who hit joyner but you can see him hit some kid ok whatever . back to the FAMILY if the other team wouldn't have jumped one of our players that wouldnt have happened

[jazmin]

Forget class, who started what first, how much should the fines be and who gets the money from the fines (because you know it's not Hernando County),etc.....since that night is over...lets move on with the facts...it is easy to attack someone who is not able to legally rebuttle for himself...I will tell you one thing..Coach Joyner is a great man who gives up a lot of his own time/life for the love of the boys on the team...it seems that most of the ignorance on this blog comes from uneducated people who just "don't get it"....stop blaming the unknown facts of he said/she said and start opening your eyes...the lights went out and the "other" team approached NCT...did everyone forget that???

[Did You Know]

South Lake's Walter Banks was suspended for one game by the FHSAA at the beginning of this season. He engaged in a brief shoving match with the other coach. As the schools girls basketball he was suspended for conducting an illegal practice

[joe]

http://www.varsitygridiron.com/index.php/Back-End/Lake-/-Sumter/east-ridge-south-lake-game-ends-in-shoving-match.html

[hernando County Dad]

Response to 9:35 AM

Well said. This was the attitude and behavior I was referring to in my post above.

I blame the HCSB as well as the administration at NCT for this problem.

They have ignored recruiting violations and behavior issues involving NCTs sports and cheer teams which have created resentment among the other schools in the area.

This is evidenced by the fact that (by and large) the rest of the schools in the district compete with each other with little or no problem.

This is in stark contrast to NCT which has had problems with all of the other schools in the district.

On an economic note, HCSB should seriously consider mothballing the new HS and K-8 scheduled for Hexam Rd and US 19!

I Keep Hearing from the NCT People watch its not going to happen there so confident that FHSAA was going to let this one slide 2 But Guess not. Even
Mr.Dodson tried treating with a lawyer
and was going to Sue if they took the playoff game from them now he's saying its to late Tuesday he said they'll sue for an injunction Yesterday it to late Why arent the Courts in Gainsville open today? they tried everything "as they say" They will "appeal it Friday" when they all Know its to late now
You guys were man enough to fight Friday Take your punishment like men and stop the crying.
I was 17 & 18 years old once too and I know noway if a fight broke out and my Teammates were invold I would be running to the fence line because last year we had a fight and they told me next time we retreat and go to the Fence Mr. Dodson,Tizzy and Former Coach Joyner you think everybody out side NCT are idiots You can tell evrybody that little story and think
thats what really happened but we all Know it didnt happen that way and the FHSAA Didnt Belive it I didnt belive
as a matter of fact the only people that belive your little fairy tale are
use Maybe you can sell your fairy tale to an author but I aint buying it NO WAY NO HOW

NCT has little choice but to dismiss Joyner as football coach. If NCT has another incident with its teams, FHSAA would levy at least another $25,000 fine and probably kick NCT out of FHSAA membership.

[nct player]

@chs, Weak district? you lost to river ridge, the worst team in this area.

Appearently he wasnt hit with a helmet
the ref seen him swinging at players
what does the ref have to win by saying that?

[stanley]

I was not at the game in question, but if the coach was hit with a weapon (helmet) he has every right to protect himself...no matter how old the person is. if he was assulted then i don't blame him for drilling the punk.....if he punched the player first then he should be fired. also they are not suspended from the playoffs next year...

No Your Mistakin they cant play a playoff game until 2011 No spring Game Next year (this spring comming) and
if FSHAA finds out Joyner was with the
team yesterday even Bigger Trouble He's
not suppose to be around the team thats wahat they mean by Suspenended

[NCT Parent]

The actions of his players are a direct reflection on the principles he instills in his players. They act like wild animals and on and off the football field. NCT should have there athletics taken away..... My son will not be attending that horrible school any more

The restrictive probation runs through the end of this football season per the update/story up at the top here. The administrative probation runs through 2010. Somebody please post the whole letter to NCT on here if they have it.

Nope Check this out they were already
on probation for the recruting thing then last years fight with Central Now this 3 strikes baby!!! Read it and weap

oops--"throw" down the hammer, like in FHSAA doesn't want NCT to "throw" a game.

I don't think administrative probation would prevent NCT from participating in playoffs next year. Administrative probation I think means FHSAA will flag NCT's file and check it once in awhile to make sure they are complying with fine payments and stuff like that and if something fishy surfaces during the administrative probation period FHSAA will be ready to jump on them and really through down the hammer.

Hey I Love Hernando County The Sharks
Cannt be State Champs Next Year Ya Big Dummy Your on probation Means No Playoffs If your not in the playoffs how the hell is your stupid @ss Going to win States Get it No Spring Games No Playoff if you and your buddys want to go to the playoffs Best bet go back to the School you were recrutied from!!!

[Sports Fan]

Wow...it seems like NCTHS supporters have short memories. Not being associated with any of the schools in Hernando County, I can be very objective. It seems to me that NC had an incident 3 years ago with Hernando (football game at NC), caught on HITV, where the "rushed the field...including coaches" after a game ending stop...and HITV caught NC players hitting (blind siding) HHS players...NC players taunting HHS fans and the NC Principal pushing people off the field (incident # 1). Then I recall 2 soccer incidents where NC players were red carded for fighting (one at Central and one at Springstead) (incident #'s 2 and 3). Then the NC cheerleaders got into it with Springstead at a Basketball game (at NC) (incident #4). Then the Central "brawal" last year (football) - agree Central has done some taunting by "jumping" on the NC Logo after the game..that's got to hurt. (incident #5). Then the South Lake brawal...incident #6. And all the time NC has been on probation for illegal recruiting! And NEVER a word of any thing but "it is NOT our fault" from the School Principal. Seems to me the problem starts at the top...

Having watched many of the NC and other Hernando County school kids grow up...I do feel for them. But there are behavior expectiations in the "real world"..and it seems that this time those expectations have been applied to NC and South Lake.

Again, as adults we MUST set the example for our kids...and some on this site need to look in the mirror before throwing out barbs at others...

Time to move on....

NCT should add middle school grades (6,7,8) like Cedar Key High or some of the private high schools, so NCT can develop players earlier. The younger athletes would be able to compete in state high school series while in 6,7,8th grades and could be used as a recruiting tool by NCT and this would allow NCT to strengthen its athletic program.

[oh yeah]

"Embrace the Hate" great motto, perfect for NCT.

[I LOVE HERNADO COUNTY!!!!!!!]

MARK MY WORDS:

Nature Coast Tech will WIN the state CHAMPIONSHIP next year!!!!

All this has done is fuel the fire for a talented team who was 9-0 on the feild this year. Anyone that knows anything about high school football knows that this year NCT could have easily made it to the final four. Dont you people understand these kids imbrace the hate and they feed off it. What happened yesterday was very unfourtunate and I am sure there are alot of saddened players. But the reality off it is this: Nature Coast has a ton of talent coming back and you better belive that they will be ready every game next year. Another undefeated season is definatly in the picture next year. Not only will next years team be playing for all of this years seniors, they will still be playing for #10 (scoot Avrey). There is nothing more dangerous in sports than a team who plays for something bigger than themselves.
NATURE COAST 2009 3A State CHAMPS!!!!

One more thing All these post that are full of hate are all from the same three schools. And most of them are about recruiting. Isnt this whole issue about a fight. Get over it Hernando County! Dont you people think that people try and turn in NCT for recruiting all the time? There has been no factual information of recruiting since NCT had there infamous middle school night in 2006 (girls basketball). So keep the issue what it is, an issue about a team who is gonna take thier punisment and go and win states next year!!!

Hey Central fans, why did your offensive line coach quit last year after the season? Because he didn't like what central did at the nct game. He knows.

[Royal Knight]

River Ridge is the best school in football in Hernando county!!!!!!!!!!!

[oh yeah]

Their record this year is 9-1.

[SK]

In the past even the soccer programs at Nature Coast were always fighting. They need to hire a new football coach and start from scratch. He has had plenty of chances. 9-0 is great but not the way Nature Coast seems to do things. I do feek bad for the players and think they deserve to play in the playoffs. Time for the Coach to go!!

http://search.live.com/images/results.aspx?q=nature+coast+high+school#focal=b6868fe4e4ac0383c5dfa44a82e3c11c&furl=http://media.tbo.com/her/images/photos/NatureCoastSharks.jpg

9:15 Tell it like it is!!!!

Black and Blue baby!!!

NCT FOR LIFE!!!

Don't hate people! NCT is the best all around school in Hernando Co.

[Lee]

Don't worry, don't worry. Barrack Obama will pay the fine. I heard him talk about it in the 60 minutes interview.

[Shark]

Anybody who finds this ruling fair has no idea what events took place that night in Groveland. I am a player for NCT and they cleary started this. I love Coach Joyner like a father and I know he'd never hit anyone for that matter. And what right does the FHSAA have to take away the past four years of someone's life. These seniors were like brothers to me. And now what they worked for has turned to ashes becuase some punks from Groveland were angry becuase they got man-handled. They had nothing to lose. We had a playoff run going on dedicated a certain person who is no longer with us (Scott). These Seniors put their hearts in this. But don't worry NCT will be back next year.

to those saying you 'deserve' to play in the playoffs... i think you need to remember that 'HS Football' is more about guiding boys to become men than winning ... and as a long time HS football coach, i have a right to say that.

second, any team that recruits to take talent away from other local programs, that is public school, does not have any 'right' to the playoffs... every other team in the region and district and forbidden from recruiting... but NCT is on record with the FHSAA for doing it.... tell everyone how a team who recruits other teams talent, under a 'magnet school' loop hole, thereby stacking the deck unfairly with rival talent... please tell us how that team 'fairly earned' a playoff spot... i am sorry, but NCT did not deserve that spot...

third... a brawl of this nature is not to be condoned... and any team that can not control their anger and passion, does not have the right to the privilege of the playoffs... people have seem to have forgotten that the playoffs are a privilege... a privilege for teams who have earned it thru hard work and playing the game honorably... when a team decides to act like a collection of children... then they have by own decision forfeited they're privilege of representing their 'town' in the playoffs...

I promise you if this had been my team... out of honor to my community, i would have pulled my team from the playoffs... as a statement that this kind of behavior is not acceptable. And it is not fitting for boys learning how to be men to be allowed to think they can act like immature children and still have privileges...

Maybe we all should use this as an example to remember why we coach sports... and why we play it...

I truly wish this event never happened... but objectively, we must all acknowledge what happened here...

[oh yeah]

Why would referees "have it in" for NCT? Stop looking for excuses--just like you all keep bringing up the "who turned out the lights" conspiracy theory.

But, yeah, I agree about SHS wrestling--and their girls soccer team has done this as well.

[Simple Plan]

HCSB and Dr. Alexander: Please zone all four high schools for sports. Any students that go to NCT for "vocational" reasons can be bused back to their zoned school for "extracurricular activities" such as football. Many students can not attend NCT because they are not athletes. Do something now or we will at the polls. Please help our students!

you wanna play you gotta pay

[tampaace2000]

Could it be possible that the referees had it in for NCT and when an opportunity arises, put the screws in the wood? Does anybody know the referees name?

[Momma's Boyz]

Yo' Mama. Don't give that line about NCT is the best school or the best choice. If that's true you are either an idiot or you need to move and don't know it. Either way you are the problem.

[Sargent Schultz, I See Nothing! I hear Nothing!]

Yeah Sargent Schultz over here saying, I see nothing. I hear nothing. Little Billy would never do this. Little Bobby would never do that.

What a pile of cr@p.
Eat it. Enjoy it. Feel how nice and steamy it is... Mmmmmmmm Mmmmmmmm Mmmmmmmm Feels just like home!

Little Billy, Bobby, Bubba and the coaches are going to jail. Lock 'em up!

10:20 i totally agree my son attends NCT and you never hear of fights going on I have never seen anything but kids doing what they are supposed to be doing, during the school day and i'm a sub so i have seen many things in many schools in this county and not just at the high school level.you can not have a conversation with the lady in the front office at central for 5 minutes that she has not had 5 calls that an administration is not needed in one class or another. i am also no wuss, and rarely do the kids give me trouble, but twice at hernando i have really feared for my safety and that of my students. once because of a knife in the class the other with a fight between students. so i know no one or no one school is perfect but trust me i had 3 that went central and if mine didn't get into NCT he would have been home schooled it was the safest choice

9:38 if that were true why did my son have to put together a portfolio of his academic acomplishment, GPA,and awards he received plus recemendations for the work he had done in the community and then go through an interview process to be excepted

[chris g]

this just like the bears game from central high! but i think the penalty was a little harsh. c'mon. i mean football is a rough sport, its pretty much "brawling" or whatever you want to call it but during the game. so if they're "brawling" after, whats the difference. rivalry is part of the game.

[Sports Nut]

One thing I've noticed here is I don' hear any complaints from people who attend NCT... Everyone who goes there or has kids there is in support of the school... everyone that is not hates it. If NCT is such a bad A school like everyone is talking where is the negativity from people within the school system.

[Tom]

I sending recruiters now! These boys know how to play football!!

Bobby Bowden

NCT was never promoted to be a Tech school for kids that couldn't go to college. I went to the meetings that were given at the different schools in the county before it opened as my oldest son was a struggling student and I thought it would meet his needs. It was alsways promoted as being a school that had everything for every student.My son got in and graduated from NCT. My youngest who is now a senior football player is a good student with asperations of going to college next year and it has worked well for him too. So maybe you all need to get your facts straight before you go on about what NCT is or isn't. I know it's a great school and I'm proud that my boys had the opertunity to attend NCTHS.

lolol

Sports Fan, so are you saying that it's ok to attack another team becuase they "talked trash" and played "dirty"? So, I guess it was ok that NCT ran after Central last year. You are obviously not to involved in Football, because every team say's the same thing about every other team! It's FOOTBALL...it's not tennis! For the love of the pigskin,

[Sports Nut]

Maybe all Hernando County Football games should be played in daylight on Saturday afternoons LOL

9:38... actually South Sumter beat East Ridge. Then East Ridge beat Apopka. Wow. Thanks moron.