Football: Weatherford returns to Land O'Lakes

Roughly four months after transferring to Tampa Catholic, junior quarterback Stevie "B.B." Weatherford has re-enrolled at Land O'Lakes and participated in the Gators' spring practice Tuesday afternoon.

Earlier Tuesday, Gators athletic director Chuck Moehle confirmed Weatherford had been cleared to practice with Land O'Lakes this spring. The third Weatherford sibling to play quarterback for the Gators, B.B. led the team on its jog to the practice field Tuesday.

"We're delighted to have Steven back because he's a wonderful kid, he's a Land O'Laker and he's where he belongs," said veteran LOL defensive coordinator Al Claggett, who is helping run the Gators' spring drills as the administration searches for a new coach. 

Earlier in the day, Tampa Catholic coach Bob Henriquez  said Weatherford had missed both spring practice sessions, and had not been at school. Claggett said he didn't learn Weatherford had re-enrolled until Tuesday morning.

""I got a message (Monday) from his mother saying she wanted to talk to me and apologized for not handling it better," Henriquez said. "It's probably done. It's a private family situation they're going through. I think they're trying to sort it out.

"It's been a very strange situation from the beginning. All I can do is wish the best for the young man."

A message left for Weatherford's brother, state representative Will Weatherford, was not immediately returned.

Weatherford transferred to Tampa Catholic in January, which marked the start of a series of blows to the Gators football program. Second-string quarterback Tanner Stocker transferred to Wharton.

Longtime coach John Benedetto soon learned his teaching contract would not be renewed for a 39th year, and was informed he could reapply for the coaching position. He declined and left Land O'Lakes four wins shy of 200 for his career.

Moehle said a search for Benedetto's replacement is ongoing. The school has received 50 applicants from an advertisement posted on the FHSAA Web site. The school also will post an ad locally.

As a sophomore, Stevie Weatherford threw for 1,254 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions before breaking his (left) collarbone in a Nov. 7 win against Ridgewood, which ended his season last year.

Benedetto had guided five Weatherfords through his program, including Pasco County's all-time leading passer, former Florida State quarterback Drew Weatherford.

-- IZZY GOULD AND JOEY KNIGHT
izzygould@gmail.com jknight@sptimes.com

Comments

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The old coach left so he did not mind returning. He was not going to play much at Tampa Catholic. Green now wants to be the QB so he left. It would have really made TC tough if Bob could have gotten Green to move to RB and WR with B.B. at QB. Wonder what happened between him coming thinking he would play and now?