Ex-area players are Tulane teammates

Jovon Jackson (Gibbs) and Brandon Rottmayer (Countryside) knew each other only casually during their high school football days.

This year, they are teammates at Tulane University. An even closer relationship may develop since the Green Wave (8-5) received a Hawaii Bowl berth. Despite being a double-digit underdog to Hawaii (10-4), Tulane won 36-28.

"I always wanted to go to Hawaii, and our trip was a great experience," said Jackson, a freshman running back. "We were there five days and did a lot of things leading up to the game.

"In the game, I didn't get my hands too much on the ball but was used more as a blocker," he said.

Rottmayer's role changed, too. The sophomore began the season as a starting defensive tackle but suffered a serious neck fracture four weeks into the schedule.

"I had played four games, and at practice before we played Texas in the fifth week, I had a freak accident," Rottmayer said. "It was actually life-threatening, and I was paralyzed about two hours.

"I'm okay, but I've talked with the coaches and I'm not going to play again. It's too great a risk."

Rottmayer was placed in a player-coach position, similar to what a graduate assistant usually is given, and helped the staff with the defensive line.

"In Hawaii, I became the guys' cheerleader and was all over the place," Rottmayer said. "I'm so proud of how the team did and what we accomplished."

Rottmayer's freshman season included three starts and action in nine games at defensive end. He tallied 16 tackles.

"When we get back to school after the holidays, I'm going to talk to the coaches and hope I can continue in the same player-coach role," Rottmayer said.

"I think I can make a contribution to the team even if I can't be on the playing field," he said.

Jackson's first year with the Green Wave was impressive, as he elevated his status from fourth team to second. Behind starter Mewelde Moore, Jackson rushed for 168 yards on 38 carries.

"I had a pretty good season, although it was rough at first," Jackson said.

"Chino Fontenette was a mentor to me and taught me a lot. He came to school as a quarterback and was switched to a running back. So, he knew a lot about the offense and helped me."

Jackson was pleased with the squad's season, too. After losing its first four games, Tulane won four in a row and got back on track for a winning record.

"The biggest difference I see between high school and college football is the amount of dedication -- it's so much higher in college," Jackson said.

"In high school, you pretty much know when you get your spot on the team it's yours. In college, one week it's your position, and the next, someone else could have it, so you need to be dedicated to getting better all the time."

Tulane is on break until Wednesday. Then, Jackson and Rottmayer will prepare for spring ball.

Both are confident the momentum from the Hawaii Bowl will carry into next season.

MORE FOOTBALL BOWLS: Joining Tulane's Rottmayer and Jackson as winners over the holidays were University of Pittsburgh backup free safety Darren McCray (Lakewood), in the Insight Bowl; Virginia offensive lineman Joe Holt (Clearwater), Continental Tire; Wake Forest's Chris Davis (Gibbs), Seattle Bowl; Maryland freshman linebacker D'Qwell Jackson (Seminole), Peach; North Carolina State's Jay Davis (Clearwater Central Catholic) and Jon Holt (Clearwater), Gator; and Southern California safety Mike Ross (St. Petersburg Catholic), Orange. Clint Mitchell (Countryside) collected three tackles in Florida's losing effort in the Outback Bowl.

Others who lost in bowl games were Clemson's Bobby Williamson (East Lake), in the Tangerine; Georgia Tech senior Casey Loesch (St. Petersburg/South Florida), Silicon Valley; Iowa State senior defensive back Atif Austin (Tarpon Springs), Humanitarian; Florida State senior rover Patrick Newton (Shorecrest), freshman receiver Chris Davis (St. Petersburg Catholic), sophomore linebacker Marcello Church (Lakewood) and redshirt freshman offensive lineman Matt Meinrod (East Lake); and Iowa's Marcus Pascal (Largo), Orange Bowl.

On Friday, Miami freshman kicker Jon Peattie (Countryside) and freshman reserve quarterback Jeff Malley (Shorecrest) were to join their fellow Hurricanes in the Fiesta Bowl with Ohio State.

NFL: After stints with the St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs, Aveion Cason (Lakewood/Illinois State) apparently has found a spot with the Detroit Lions.

He was second on the running backs depth chart and third on special teams.

In 10 games, Cason rushed for 107 yards (third highest on the squad) and had 19 receptions for two touchdowns and 288 yards (sixth best). Ryan Watson (Largo/Appalachian State) was picked up by the Atlanta Falcons last week.

The 291-pound defensive tackle was first signed by Tennessee as a rookie free agent after his 2002 graduation.

VOLLEYBALL: Erin Gornes (Northside Christian) recently graduated from Georgia, leaving a school record for match-high hitting percentage (.750) that she established in 2000.

BASKETBALL: Andrew DeClercq (Countryside/Florida) assisted in the Orlando Magic's third straight victory over the Boston Celtics when the center/power forward recorded a double-double.

In a 101-95 win, DeClercq posted 13 points and 12 rebounds.

Ruth Hammond (Clearwater) has played in all nine of Gardner-Webb University's games. She's averaging 3.6 points and is tied for the team lead in free-throw percentage.

University of New Orleans freshman forward Billy McDade (Largo) is averaging 7.5 points. Taylor Yanchar (Countryside) is a reserve center for Western Carolina.

ICE HOCKEY: Oldsmar's Lindsey Bazzone (Berkeley Prep/Deerfield Academy, Mass.), a Boston College sophomore, was a Women's Hockey East Association co-player of the week in November.

The forward scored two goals in each of two Eagles wins. Bazzone's production continued in December when she compiled her sixth goal in a 4-1 victory over Cornell before the holiday break.

SWIMMING/DIVING: Notre Dame's Patrick Davis (Tampa Jesuit/Clearwater Aquatic Team) won the 500- and 1,000-yard freestyle in a meet against the Air Force Academy.

Davis finished second in the mile against Purdue and Texas Christian and was the runner-up in the 1,000 versus Michigan State.

Freshman Jordan Raynovich (Northeast) helped Clemson win the Florida Atlantic Invitational with a runner-up performance in the 200-yard individual medley.

The former prep state champion in the event was third in the 200 of the Indiana Invitational and fourth in the 200-yard breaststroke.

Auburn sophomore Rachel Korth scored a personal best in platform diving (373.10) to finish third in a meet with Florida State and Louisiana State.

News for this column may be faxed to Nancy Morgan, 445-4119; e-mailed to namgamma@gte.net, or sent to 710 Court St., Clearwater, Fla. 33756. Please include your phone number.

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