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Football coach resigns after 3 losing seasons
By ROD GIPSON Andy Martin won't have to worry about going 0-10 for a third time in four seasons. Martin, who went 4-26 the past three seasons has resigned as head football coach at Leto. Martin took over the Leto program in 1998 and had immediate success, guiding the Falcons to a district championship that year and a district runner-up finish and playoff victory the next. But after 15 wins in his first 23 games at Leto, the program fell on hard times. Leto went 0-10 in 2000, 4-6 in 2001 and 0-10 this past season, with lack of depth being the main culprit. Still, Martin sent 11 players to the college ranks, including Texas Tech cornerback Ricky Sailor and Ohio State wide receiver Michael Jenkins. A former assistant at Wharton, Martin still lives in the New Tampa area but teaches social studies at Leto. Martin said he will take some time off of coaching to be with his family but would one day like to return to coaching. FOOTBALL: Wharton and Jefferson led all teams with 11 players from each school named to the All-Western Conference teams. Jefferson coach Mike Simmonds was named American Division coach while Dragons' offensive linemen Jonathan Bailes and Donnie Woods, wide receiver Andre Caldwell, running back Rashaun Grant, tight end Jamesly Jean, defensive lineman Jermaine Lemons, linebacker Josh Balloon and defensive back Fred Williams were named to the First Team. Guard Collyn Williamson, defensive lineman Mike Ortiz, linebacker Ron Prelow and kicker Garrett Meyers were Dragons named to the Second Team. Wharton players named to the National Division First included offensive lineman Wilbur Joseph, wingback Michael Coonce, running back Larry Edwards, defensive lineman DeAngelo Davis, linebacker Joe Hall, defensive back Chris Wilson and punter Thomas Elliott. Wharton offensive lineman Jason Novisk, quarterback Ross Corcoran, defensive lineman Brannen Anderson and defensive back Jovan Mitchell were named to the second team. Other local players named to the American Division First Team included Chamberlain offensive linemen John Thomas and Garrett Gibbon, wingback Greg Lee and running back Mike Ross. Chamberlain linebacker Joe Clermond and defensive back Sean Dixon also were named first team, as were Sickles linebacker Jason Henika and defensive lineman Steve Brockman. Gaither running back Craig Bullara, Sickles running back Marquis Peace and Leto quarterback J.B. Bailey were named to the second team. BASKETBALL: The prep basketball season tipped off last week with solid performances in boys' and girls' action. In boys' competition, Glenroy Braithwaite had eight points and 12 rebounds as Wharton defeated Tampa Bay Tech 52-47. The Wildcats held the Titans to three field goals in the fourth period to improve to 1-1 on the season. Also, Sickles dropped to 1-1 on the season after a 66-59 loss to Jesuit. In girls' action, Sickles freshman guard Carly Castora started off her prep career impressively. Castora scored 17 points in the Gryphons' 64-47 loss to Brandon and scored 27 as Sickles defeated Alonso 57-48. Castora scored 14 points in the opening period against the Ravens. The win improved Sickles to 1-3 on the year. Also, Jefferson is 1-1 after defeating Plant 38-33, Leto received 18 points from Rose Blanco in a 55-23 victory against Alonso, and Chamberlain fell 45-33 to first-year Middleton.
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