(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

Not done yet...

Royal Knight 7:00 - Dude you won 3 games this year get over yourself. what are you guys 4-36 over your last 40 shut it! Besides from what i read in the newspaper the kids involved had nothing to do with athletics. You better be on the look out anyways for NCT stealing your kids too.

Take it for what its worth 7:07 and 7:16 - This guy is perhaps the most ignorant blogger on here. NCT 9-1, co-county champs, 0-1 in the playoffs, 0-6 vs. CHS. And please do not refer to your self as the big dogs, the real big dog sare just laughin at you. I would pay big big big money to see NCT play the real big dogs (armwood, pahokee, galdes central, mad co., plant, mainland, lakeland, st. thomas,) Thye cant even sniff their collective jock straps. You wanna know why NCT has a bad name, its because of idiots like you!

[Sports fan]

I am a high school sports fan both girls and boys. I have been reading the articles, comments etc. I have also googled NCt football and it has showed that NCT footbal and athletic programs have been in trouble and on probation before. I think the rulings from the FHSAA are very reasonable for both teams. Yes, you say it was the other team that came across the field, but what triggered them to clear their bench??? Something happened. Although I do feel for the innocent boys especially the seniors on that thier season has come to a complete hault, but they became part of a team that is well know for their brawls, name calling, spitting in faces, just to name a few. Our high school has played against NCT in the playoffs and they said it was one of the dirtiest playin teams they have ever went up against and which made it a very sweet victory. So suck it up NCT, you got what you deserved.

5:41 and anyone else saying central was instigating a fight during the 2007 season finale that is not the case youtube the video and you will see them dancing and jumping like a bunch of morons and not looking to fight but trying more to humiliate the sharks. the thuggery starts when nct coaches aggressively take the field followed by the shark players who were angry because they lost to central again. that is what the fhsaa saw and that is why nct received the heavier fine-- c-ya.longtime hernando fball fan

Wow! where do I start...

NCT 5:03 - u owned hernando and lake co. teams really - well you didint play chs(whom you have never beaten) and I noticed you left east ridge off of your schedule. I am sure thye would have something to say about "owning Lake Co."

Proud of my son 5:10 - Once again son sounds great, but nature coast was created to allow our less fortunate struggling high schoolers, whoes college futures were dim learn a trade of some skill set to take into the community workforce to improve the community. Sounds like your son does not fall into that category. Also he has been there for 4 years, great, I noticed you mentioned that there were no problems when he 1st started attending. Hmmm i wonder why, perhaps NCT hadnt gotten their filthy hands dug in enough in the county's talent pool and the thugs hadnt started accumulating in the schools athletic programs.

Bob s. 5:23 - tehy robbed you again, wow when did they rob you the 1st time... are you sure it wasnt d. williams who robbed you? Once again how sad, adults placing the blame on others... no wonder where your kids get it from.

6:08- just a reminder it was not too long ago when each of the county's real high schools each had their moment in the sun. But oddly enough there was never the ahtred for them as there is for NCT, and they have not accomplished any more then those county teams of past. It is was NCT does and stands for that makes the rest of the county boil over in hatred.

NCT for life 6:12 - Dude you are proving all of the "haters" points. You are a self absorbed, pompous, ignorant, horses petute. Get a vocabulary!

6:34 - Lohrey may not be tall enough to ride on rides, but at least he is man enough not to hit a kid. At least he is still allowed at FHSAA sproting events, at least he is not being investigated for child abuse, at least he has never lost to your "beloved" coward of a coach.

[karma lover]

Why doesn't Alexander do something about this? He has restructered several school, but left the worst untouched? Tizzy has created this monster by allowing Joyner to rule the roost. Is justice finally going to prevail? Is Tizzy finally going to can Joyner? Why would she want him to bring down her school. He has had endless issues coaching and with his temper. There has to be a time to finally cut him lose and start fresh without the trouble. Some parents and students are backing him, because he is their hero. He fought for their children. What a sad society when an adult becomes a hero for beating on children. People are throwing stones at the Ref. He had nothing to gain by telling what he saw. It is what it is. If Tizzy doesn't can Joyner, she needs to be let go with him.

Prejudiced: a preformed opinion, usually an unfavorable one, based on insufficient knowledge, irrational feelings, or inaccurate stereotypes. Yep, that pretty much sums up all you haters! And Robert, don’t be a duffus! This is just one aspect of our children’s education. We would be just as mad if we were invited to South Lake for a Scholastic Triathlon and the lights went out and their students jumped ours. All of you really have to ask yourselves what you would do if someone was coming after you in the dark intent on harming you. That is the bottom line. I say NCT should storm the FHSAA office one night, turn their lights out and jump ‘em! Let’s see how they would react. Oh, for educational and scientific purposes of course.

[MyfootballplayerisgoingtoatoprankedengineeringanddamnamIproud]

hey everybody NCTHS stands for Nature Coast Technical High School. it has an engineering department to help kids get into universities like Florida Tech and also Georgia Tech just to name 2 that NCT students now attend and will be attending in the fall. It also has a Law department that gets young people ready for pre law in college and was considered good enough to get a couple of their students excepted to Stetson Law School so they are not just trying to give these kids a trade for after high school, but preparing them for college. NCT students also have the highest SAT scores in the county even after Dr Alexander refused the SAT prep class that they asked for. The teachers however did get together to offer an ACT prep class after school,for students who wanted to attend, on their own without pay. There also has been at least 15 young men who got an opportunity to attend college, thru the football progam, because of the hard work their head coach puts in taking these young men to college fairs columbines. there have been others to attend in baseball, girls basketball, girls volleyball, and cheerleading as well.I bet if you looked up the stat that nature coast has smaller drop out rate then any other school in the county.

[I'm Offended!]

I am very offended! I am really really offended!

I thought I would try the offended approach since "feelings" matter more than facts.

Jail the Guilty on BOTH teams
Identify the Innocent on BOTH teams.

Do not reward criminal behavior! Don't let anyone get away with lame excuses. There are no excuses that can explain any of this away!

To Grace why not read the whole damn article before you post south lakes penalties are posted oh thats right you most likey got your education at south lake and were more interested in speed reading than proof reading , South lake fined 8,500 and cant play in the bowl games

[God Called, Said All is Forgiven! Woo Woo!]

God called and said that all is forgiven! Woo Woo!

He also wants you to stop using His name in vain stop praying for Him to make unrepentant criminals benefit from their horrible acts.

He also want you to remember the following commandments:
3)"You shall not make wrongful use of the name of your God"
9)"Do not bear false witness against your neighbor"

So stop praying for Him to ignore the truth about what happened and stop lying about what happened to cover up little Billy and Bubbah's thuggery.

[Al]

The school needs to investigate their kids and make those involved pay the fines. Not one cent needs to come from school money

[Robert]

this is why they should discontinue sports for high schoolers they are more interested in the games they play than getting an education its a shame that they all eneded thier football season but it is thier own fault and maybe 1 out of all the players might qaulify for the pros so i say who gives a rats butt lmao

[HollyD]

Not everyone that goes to NCT is bad. My son has come along way at NCT. I guess no one that goes to any other school in Hernando has done wrong. Well guess again read the papers, take a trip to the court house or maybe goes to juvenile court. Oh also take a look at yourself in the mirror. The comments that has been made on this site tonight by some of you are crazy!! I don't know why I am wasting my time replying to you that couldn't even put your name to the site!.
When I go to bed tonight I will say a prayer for all of you!

[Jump the Sharks]

Shark Observer said, "Next years Football Team will be as good or better than this one."

I am willing to bet that NCT will not be playing any football next year.

Sorry Playah. Might want to keep those towels for your bad self to cry into and to wipe up after you cr@p your pantz when da' Po'lize come a knock on your door.

So...? Who is going to want to schedule a game with South Lake next year? Who can afford it ?

[Mrs B.]

Just released NCT will file an appeal for the decision handed down on Wednesday afternoon. We will keep you in our prayers, We know you and we believe in all of you! Players, coaches, teachers, and parents.

did the players hold hands in a group hug before they were told? Where they naked?

Grow up you jerks! Thug Life Baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

we're not afraid of chambo. we're planning on playing polk teams next year. i don't think hillsborough can play outside the county.

How were the NCT football players informed of not playing Williston. We're they called in together right away to be told, or did they all find out on their own before a team meeting?

[Hernando County Dad]

Please see a previous posters comment above.

This is the problem at NCT and this is the reason other schools in the district don't get along with them.

Some staff, certain parents and students simply believe that the rules shouldn't or don't apply to them because they have successful sports programs. This attitude starts at the top (Principle) and flows down to the entire school.

Nature Coast Tech is supposed to be a VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, not a magnet school for sports where the principle, coaches and staff recruit out of zone athletes to improve their programs!

I feel sorry for good students and parents at NCT that do not condone this kind of behavior and while FHSAA is far from perfect, for them to levy these kinds of penalties against a school is almost unheard of and should warrant further investigation by the HCSB into all the programs at NCT.

[Shark Observer]

Cudo's to all you NCT haters... enjoy it while you can. Time moves on, and Football season will start again. I recommend you visit the "white sales" this coming Jan., that way you can stock-up on some new crying towels. Next years Football Team will be as good or better than this one. Oh yea, by the way HHS,CHS, & SHS, hasn't basketball season began? Maybe you shouldn't wait till next years sales for those towels.

[still...]

Still worth nothing? Get it right if your gonna respond. First of all, I was not commenting on the South Lake game you nitwit, I was commenting on how physical the team plays compared to the rest of it's opponents - and 2nd of all, you can't read, I did not and would not use a lame "quote" like "let the children play!" And you, Reality. . . why do attack the concept of VO-Tech, isn't your blue collar job paying enough, didn't get good enough skill training when you were young? Don't worry Hank either they are already on your street, or their higher education will put them in a much better neighborhood.

[Still Worth Nothing]

Hey "Take it for What it's Worth", that was yet another a seriously lame speech. Those are not little kids. Those are the Future Felons of America!

You are lame beyond hope. So your first excuse was that they were only playing "smash mouth" football. Now you next excuse is "let the children play"

You are the perfect example of the real problem. "Adults" making excuses for criminal acts. Some example you are.

[KARMA]

Ahhh, you have lied, cheated, recruited, let criminals take the field, and now your time has come!

KARMA IS A ________ (What Cotey is)

holly d they did plenty wrong and the chickens have come home to roost--illegal recruiting, fights, taunting, fights, probation violations, fights, cheating, fights and also fights and probation violations. what a great day!

[stan]

I dont know if joyner was hit with a helmet or not because i was not at the game, but what I do know is if the man was hit with a weapon (helmet) he has every right in the world to defend himself no matter how old the punk is.....

[hank]

Is this just "roid rage", do they test for steroids? Sets such a fine example, cant wait till these kids hit the streets.

The four years my son spent playing football under the guidance of Coach Joyner has by far been the most meaningful experience he will ever have, Coach Joyner has taught so many positive life lessons on and off the feild, there have been so many great memories Coach Joyner has given to all of his players,that you can never take from them,I am sad it ended so unfairly and twisted, especially for the seniors, their last game was when those lights went out, literally. How very sad. Coach Joyner we thank you for the great Coach you have been and will continue to be, Boys, Stay Strong and Focused.Ignore all the Hate.

[Reality]

If NCT is the crown jewel of academics in your county, then I am glad I am not in Hernando.

Vo-Tech schools by their nature should not be housing the most kids going to college.

Hernando County School board, you should all be FIRED!

[HollyD]

Well I can't believe all the bashing I am reading on this site. I would probably guess that most of you were not at the game. I was and let me tell you as a parent I was scared!! I could not see my son or any other player because of the darkness when the lights went out. Our team did go to the fence and remained there until Coach Joyner ask them to come together so he could talk to them. At this time South Lake was still trying to get their team off the field and into the locker room while their boys were wanting to fight!!! I can not believe that we were the visitors and did not start this situation and we received the worst punishment. South Lake should be paying for gate fee to Central High School or maybe Mr. Alexander should be paying them with his pay raise that he has received since he made the decision not to have the Central game. I was very disappointed with his actions last night while concerned parents were addressing him and the board and he choose to look off into space chewing on his glasses. Our team worked very hard just like any other team would if they wanted to make it to the play offs. South Lake and other schools that don't like NCT got what they wanted for us not to make play offs.I am very proud of my son and I will continue to support him during this tough time in his life. This is only one more disappointment that he will have to deal with during his ADULT life. NCT Football players and coaches thank you for all the fun I had at your games. I cheered alot and it brought back alot of memories from my high school years. I also gained a very good friend that went to every game with me and my family! Parents of the football players thank you for your friendship. To the coaches THANK YOU for everything that you have taught my son.You are truly his 2nd family. Hold your head up you did nothing wrong!!

GO SHARKS!!!!

Hey what are ya talking about you didnt go to the playoff either Your sorry @ss will be sittin home with your
loser coach

[Big time]

Every kid who plays any high school spoprt has to sign the sportsmanship form and turn it with his physical and other paperwork. If you throw a punch (even in defense) you can be suspended. It's the coaches job to control his team. I feel for the players at NCT because it sounds like not all of them were involved.

[hey 43-0]

Hey 43-0! Back to the present DAY! Wake up - we're talking about NOW, not yester' year. NCT is 3-1 against your ducklings!

Wow! CHS, SHS, HHS don't you wish you could at least say your playoff was taken away? Must really hurt to be out of the loop!

[nature coast is terrible]

Since when did they get good? Last time I played them in high school we whooped them 43-0. They're garbage on and off the field, so is their meathead coach.

Central, Springstead, Hernando - even if NCT was independent they would still play you, and they don't have to play Tampa teams to get beat like you do - just have to keep beating you every year - sorry Central, you didn't win anything this year except a losing season.

[Take it for what it's worth]

It's not even sad anymore, it's down right wrong that one of the states undefeated 3A programs and possibly a true State Championship contender is out because in absence of video evidence and anything other than hear say evidence that states just decides to pretend that every NCT player was on the field. I don't care who you are, if your kid wasn't on the field you should be *%$#*@! I know weak hearted, weak minded, spineless idiots don't care about the kids, but NCT had 26 Seniors. The state also teased them into practicing all week before they dropped the hammer. Non of this will change a thing - nor does NCT need playoff games to go undefeated or to beat in county teams. So have fun with all of this folks, you will still be the doormat to NCT. Maybe, the school should put door mats out fron that read SHS CHS HHS FHSAA

[Mrs. B]

I'am a parent of a Out-Standing NCT student of Four Years - High-Honor's all four years. Four year football player who also graduated with a Bright Futures scholarship,additional scholarships as well,all while playing football, working 2 part-time jobs and enrolled in college classes. Please stop bashing these students, teachers and coaches. We are one county that needs to work together as a team. NCT- we are sadden that this has occured as you all have worked so hard for this opportunity. Were all feeling the hurt with you.

[It's Worth - Nothing]

Hey "Take it for What it's Worth", that was a seriously lame speech. Those are not smash mouth football plays. When the action happens after the whistle blows they become felony assaults.

I know that concepts like this might be a little tough for you "smash mouth" excuse makers to understand so I typed this post really slow for you!

[chs]

2ND OR 3RD, NCT PLAYS IN THE WORST DISTRICT IN THE AREA, IF YOUR THAT GOOD PLAY THE TAMPA TEAMS, JUST REMBER SUCCESS BREEDS CONTEMPT, NOT CASH.

[FHSAA Love it or Leave it!]

IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO THE CRY BABY NCT EXCUSE MAKERS:

If you don't like the FHSAA rules and procedures which ALL programs MUST agree to when they join the FHSAA, then don't play in the FHSAA sanctioned events. Seriously, this is easy to fix.

If you want to play the other programs in the FHSAA schedule then shut your big fat, excuse making pie hole and play by the rules.

Otherwise leave the FHSAA and play non-sanctioned events against other outlier programs like ABC Christian or Thugz-r-us Prep!

HAHAHAHA!

[Take it for what it's worth]

WAKE UP PEOPLE! Last time I checked it was called football and players wear helmets, shoulder pads and other padding for a reason! It is a physical gladiator sport where aggression and intensity is paramount for success. Anyone that has watched Hernando County football, anyone that has played NCT knows that Nature Coast is gonna smack you in the mouth, do it again and again. This is not Flag or two hand touch, this is AMERICAN FOOTBALL - you all watch it and you all love it when you team is physically dominating! SHS, HHS, CHS and every one else that has played NCT - stop crying about unsportsmanlike behavior and stop rolling the after glow of the AASHF's ruling, because you know that on the football field NCT is more physical, physical, physical and better prepared than any of you and your ctrying because because you can't stand the heat! Just because you can't run with big dogs don't mean that you've accomplished something thanks to the cowards in Gainsville.

6:30 Parent

This is 100% on the money. What's the difference in moving to a neighborhood with a "better school" academically or moving to a school boundary for the best opportunity for your kid's talent? None. Good for you!

Although I would not put my kid in a "bad school" no matter how good the x program was. Football is great but academics will last.

What, the experience of driving an hour and a half to get beat. Williston didn't have a chance. Come on, Nature coast would have beat that mighty River Ridge team.

If you wern't at the game you don't know what your talking about so don't even try to speculate!
I know my son isn't a thug and didn't fight in either of the games in question. I just don't know where they come up with the 48 counts???? My son and many of his friends were backed up to the fence where they were suppose to be. Others were on the field when the lights went out and were forced to defend themselves. Now their senior year football season is pulled out from under them like a table cloth in a magic trick by the FHSAA. Who do they think they are? Are they a dictatorship? You don't even get a chance to prove yourself?
I just don't know why we got the bigger of the fines when they were the agressors and they were the ones with the faulty lighting. This would have never been an issue if the lights didn't go out. It wasn't a heated game. Would everyone be happier if the boys layed down and let South Lake maul
them? Maybe it's worth it for them to have to give up their playoff to have stayed safe that night. They say, everything happens for a reason. I'm not sure what the reason for all this is, except our boys had to learn that everything isn't always fair in life but you just have to be strong and overcome. That's exactly what NCT will do. Go Sharks!!!!

[Take it for what it's worth?]

Stooooooooppppp!!!! FACTS! Nature Coast is the Top academic school in the county and the Top athletic school!! Success breeds success and a champion is a champion! Anyone that can not see why others in this pathetic county hate NCT, you're blind and there is no reason to really respond to them. We are better at what you are not! Nature Coast is truly the SPIDER of the county, heck, the area because everyone wants it smashed. You are scared of it's success and jealous, heck even the AASHF smash the Spider today!!! Spit out your hate, show your spiteful love the attacks on NCT - roll in it, because you will still be a lesser school and you will still get beat in sports. NCT Football was undefeated - District Champs and County Champs - you did not and can not beat NCT!

this decision should have came earlier so that 2nd and 3rd place in the district could have played now williston gets cheated of a playoff play game that they could have benafit from with experience. nature coast should not play til the 2010-2011 no practice no meeting and no games for a year

[Royal Knight]

what happen in the cafeteria at central today. I know, Thugs being thugs. Go River Ridge!!!

[Truth Will Set Us Free!]

NCT Excuse Makers:

The truth hurts sometimes doesn't it? Get used to it. The Truth will set you free. The best part is that it will also free the rest of our community from criminals!

[MAD AS HELL AND NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE!]

Jail the Guilty and Exonerate the Innocent!

Put the Thugz from South Lake AND NCT in jail where they belong. They can walk around talking cr@p at each other all day while holding up their pants and making license plates. They'll continue their vo-tech education in the culinary arts tossing each other's salads!

Take That Hardcore Playaz!