Wharton's Stout sets two more visits

Wharton senior Hunter Stout, one of the area's top offensive linemen, will take an official visit to FAU on Jan. 9 and Louisville the following weekend. He already has visited Western Kentucky.

Stout (6-foot-4, 265 pounds) holds scholarship offers from three Division I-A schools -- FAU, Middle Tennessee State and Western Kentucky. He also has an offer from Elon, which plays at the I-AA level. Louisville has not yet offered, but the Cardinals appear to be getting "close," Wharton offensive coordinator Craig Rainey said.

There also is promising news regarding Wharton QB Andrew Clifford. The senior, who has an offer from I-AA Liberty, is getting strong interest from Akron.

NOTE: Here are some of Mr. Stout's highlights ...

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Marve leaving Miami; Canes set tight transfer restrictions

Former Plant quarterback Robert Marve's days at the University of Miami are over, and if the Hurricanes have their way Marve won't be able to continue his career at any nearby Division-I school.

Ending weeks of speculation that he might transfer from Miami, the former Panthers' record-breaking quarterback said Tuesday is leaving the Hurricanes football program. "I can confirm he's been granted his release," Miami assistant sports information director Kerwin Lonzo told the Times.

Marve told the Associated Press earlier this afternoon that he asked Hurricanes coach Randy Shannon for his release and it was granted.

"I had to get out," Marve told the AP. "I just decided that I can't play for Coach Shannon."

Under NCAA rules, if Marve transfers to another Division I school he'd have to sit out a year. Shannon, however, has also placed tight restrictions on Marve's transfer. The school is not allowing him to go to a college in the ACC, SEC or any Division I school within Florida, Plant football coach Robert Weiner told the Times, a caveat that Weiner said Marve plans to appeal once his release is in hand within the next few days.

"I can see not allowing him to play in the same conference (the ACC), but to tell a kid of Robert's capabilities that he can't go to an SEC school that Miami never plays, it seems like a very petty and bitter act for a man who puts the name coach in front of his name," Weiner said. "Robert lives in the Southeastern United States and this is the Southeastern Conference. If he can't go to a school in the ACC, SEC or in the state, it shows he is being penalized for no reason."

Marve can not contact another school until his release is official. Still, Weiner said he received calls from several college coaches throughout the day inquiring about Marve, but wouldn't talk specifics. The Miami Herald reported Tuesday afternoon that Marve is interested in tranferring to Florida, LSU or Tennessee.

"Robert will have a lot of good opportunities out there regardless of what happens," Weiner said.

Marve had been suspended for the team's Emerald Bowl loss to California in San Francisco for a team rules violation that reportedly was rooted from missing class. He was also suspended for the season's first game as punishment for his involvement in an incident on Halloween of 2007. He started the rest of the Hurricanes games as a redshirt freshman, but the emergence of true freshman Jacory Harris became evident as the season went along.

The final straw was likely when Miami fired offensive coordinator Patrick Nix, an assistant Marve reportedly had a close relationship with, Monday evening. Shannon also told South Florida radio station WQAM Tuesday morning that Harris would enter the spring as the team's starter, according to the (Fort Lauderdale) Sun-Sentinel.

Marve led Plant to the FHSAA Class 4A state championship in 2006. He was an early oral committment to the University of Alabama, but he decommitted once head coach Mike Shula was fired and ended up signing with Miami.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Tampa Hoops Classic update

McDonald’s Tampa Hoops Classic
Monday’s results

Semifinals
Chicago North Lawndale 53, Cincinnati Princeton 47      
Orlando Olympia 73, Gainesville 63
Other games
Winter Springs 60, Bartow 54
Clearwater 66, Brooklyn (N.Y.) Thomas Jefferson 60
Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer 66, Sickles 48
Berkeley Prep 73, Oak Ridge (Tenn.) 71
Leonardtown (Md.) St. Mary’s Ryken 58, North Port 51
King 48, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas 46

Tuesday’s schedule
(all Games at USF Sun Dome)
Final: Chicago North Lawndale vs. Orlando Olympia, 8:30 p.m.
3rd place: Cincinnati Princeton vs. Gainesville, 6:45 p.m.
5th place: Clearwater vs. Winter Springs, 5 p.m.
Other games
Berkeley Prep vs. Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer, 3:15 p.m.
Bartow vs. Brooklyn (N.Y.) Thomas Jefferson, 1:30 p.m.
Sickles vs. Oak Ridge (Tenn.), noon
King vs. Leonardtown (Md.) St. Mary’s Ryken, 10:30 a.m.
North Port vs. Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, 9 a.m.

--KEITH NIEBUHR

It's official: Giddins out of all-star game

As expected, standout Armwood DE Ryne Giddins, who sustained a serious foot injury Saturday, will not be able to participate in the Jan. 3 U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio. According to Rivals.com, Giddins has been replaced on the roster by Josh Boyd, a defensive tackle from Mississippi.

As the Times reported Sunday, Giddins hurt his foot the previous day.

A member of the Rivals.com staff told the Times the event's organizers are still trying to get Giddins to San Antonio on Jan. 2.

All along, Giddins has said he will make his commitment at the game, which is televised on live TV. The heralded four-star recruit is expected to choose between Florida and USF.

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Giddins' likely out of U.S. Army All-American Bowl

According to Rivals.com, heralded Armwood DE Ryne Giddins sustained a serious foot injury Saturday and has not yet made the trip to San Antonio for the upcoming U.S. Army All-American Bowl (today is arrival day for players).

Armwood coach Sean Callahan, an assistant coach in the prestigious game, said this afternoon he heard from a Rivals.com representative that Giddins has a broken foot. Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Jamie Newberg told the Times it is his understanding that event organizers are still trying to get Giddins to the game; he may, in fact, fly to San Antonio on Jan. 2 -- the day before the game.

Callahan, who already is in Texas, said he has been unable to reach Giddins, the Times' Defensive Player of the Year. Giddins has not yet responded to a text message sent to him by the Times.

Giddins has said for quite some time that he would make his college commitment at the game. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound standout is expected to choose between Florida and USF.

As the Times learns more, we'll keep you posted.

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Bloomingdale's Stokes names Bucs Coach of the Year

Jason Stokes, who led the long-suffering Bloomingdale football program to its first winning season and playoff berth in the school's 21 years of existence in his first year as head coach, was named the Buccaneers High School Coach of the Year.

Stokes, a former Wall Street trader and assistant coach at Riverview before leading the Bulls to a 6-5 season, will receive a trophy from Bucs general manager Bruce Allen before today's game against the Raiders at Raymond James. He will also receive $1,000 for the Bloomingdale football program.

He was a floor trader for Goldman Sachs before coming to Riverview, where he was an assistant coach for five years.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Related Content:
Bloomingdale coach happier molding players' futures (9/30/08; Feature story)
Bloomingdale turns corner on winning (11/7/08; Feature story)

Mr. Murray goes to San Antonio, then to Athens

After leading Plant to its second Class 4A title in the past three years eight days ago, Panthers quarterback Aaron Murray is leaving town today.

Murray, who graduated this month so that he could enroll early at Georgia, will fly to San Antonio today to begin preparations for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, the most prestigious high school showcase football game in the nation. 

The U.S. Army All-American Bowl will be played at the Alamodome on Jan. 3 and be broadcast live on NBC. Plant teammate Orson Charles, as well as Armwood defensive end Ryne Giddins will also be participating in the game (The trio was honored earlier this week as the Times All-Suncoast Players of the Year)

And from there, Murray will fly straight to Athens to get ready for the spring semester at Georgia.

"My parents are going to meet me there with all my stuff," Murray said.

Believed to be out for the season after suffering a broken left fibula and dislocated ankle Oct. 16, Murray returned to lead the Panthers to wins in the Class 4A state semifinal and championship game, along the way becoming Hillsborough County's most prolific touchdown passer.

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA

Related content:
U.S. Army All-American Game Aaron Murray profile page
U.S. Army All-American Game Orson Charles profile page
U.S. Army All-American Game Ryne Giddins profile page
Panthers bring home state title (12/21/08; Game story)
Murray returns, leads Plant over Dwyer (12/5/08; Game story)
The importance of being Orson (12/5/08; Feature story)
Plant's Murray chooses Georgia (4/24/08; blog post)

McDonald’s Tampa Hoops Classic update

McDonald’s Tampa Hoops Classic
Day 1 scores

Brooklyn (N.Y.) Thomas Jefferson 67, North Port 61
Bartow 74, Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer 63
Orlando Olympia 69, Berkeley Prep 64
Winter Springs 78, Sickles 73
Gainesville 68, Oak Ridge (Tenn.), 49
Chicago North Lawndale 59, King 55 (OT)
Clearwater 74, Leonardtown (Md.) St. Mary’s Ryken 65
Cincinnati Princeton 64, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas 53

Day 2 Schedule
At Plant
Dwyer vs. King, 2 p.m.
Gainesville vs. Thomas Jefferson, 3:45 p.m.
Bartow vs. N. Lawndale, 5:30
Olympia vs. Clearwater, 7:15
Cincinnati Princeton vs. Winter Springs, 9

At Jefferson
Oak Ridge vs. North Port, 12:30
Berkeley Prep vs. St. Mary’s Ryken, 2:15
Sickles vs. St. Thomas Aquinas, 4

The Times incorrectly reported today in a chart with Friday's results that  St. Thomas Aquinas defeated Cincinnati Princeton. In fact, it was Cincinnati Princeton that won the game. We apologize for -- and regret making -- the error.

--KEITH NIEBUHR 

Murray captures biggest honor to date

Record-setting Plant QB Aaron Murray has been named Florida Player of the Year on the 90th Orlando Sentinel All-Southern football team, which was released today. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound senior, who will enroll at Georgia in January, passed for 2,163 yards with 33 touchdowns in only eight total games as a senior. Armwood DE Ryne Giddins was also named to the squad, which can be found here.

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Plant's Marvel-ous play recognized

In a recap of the state football finals, Flavarsity.com picked Plant WR Nathan Marvel's 72-yard first-half touchdown reception in the 4A championship against Tallahassee Lincoln as the top "game-changing moment" of the weekend. Of the play, Flavarsity.com publisher Michael Langston said: "It turned out that play would become quite enormous."

It sure was.

With Plant leading Lincoln 21-0 and time winding down in the second quarter, most inside the Florida Citrus Bowl expected Plant to take a knee. Instead, Panthers QB Aaron Murray heaved a pass down the left sideline to Marvel, who grabbed it, spun out of a Trojans tackle and sprinted to the end zone, giving Plant a 28-0 lead.

Lincoln later rallied, but the Panthers won 34-14.

To see Marvel's play, hit the "play button." ... you'll find it at the 39-second mark.

--KEITH NIEBUHR