Riley Cooper (three games) and Colin McCarthy (one) are punished for actions in Friday's opener. CCC plans to appeal Cooper's ban.
By BOB PUTNAM, Times Staff Writer
Published August 30, 2005
Riley Cooper will miss three games and Colin McCarthy will miss one after both were ejected from Clearwater Central Catholic's game Friday at Jesuit, which the Marauders lost 27-0.
The Florida High School Athletic Association made the ruling based on the severity of the infractions after reviewing the officials' report, CCC coach Mike Jalazo said. An ejected player can be suspended from one to six weeks.
In most unsportsmanlike situations, suspensions last one week and one game. But a penalty can be longer if an altercation involves other circumstances - punches or helmets thrown, hands to the face, using a balled-up fist or pushing an official.
McCarthy and Cooper were tossed on the same play in the fourth quarter. After an incompletion, the seniors were disqualified when CCC was penalized 45 yards for three unsportsmanlike conduct calls.
Jalazo said Cooper was ejected for using profanity; McCarthy for being disrespectful to an official.
"We needed to have our composure much more than we did in the second half," Jalazo said. "Things got a little crazy. One of the officials told me he was trying to get the game back under control when our guys were ejected.
"But we think the length of the suspension is a little too much in Riley's case."
When a player is ejected, officials fax or e-mail a report to the FHSAA office. The association makes a decision and notifies the school, which has the right to appeal.
If an appeal is filed, the FHSAA contacts the official for an explanation and reviews any videotape provided by the school.
Jalazo said he will appeal Cooper's suspension because of the significant loss of playing time. Both players will miss Friday's home game against Tampa Catholic. If Cooper's suspension stands, he also would be out for games against Orlando Lake Highland Prep and Auburndale. They are not district games.
"Those are two players who are valuable to our team," Jalazo said.
Cooper, a receiver/defensive back, was named the sixth-best athlete in the nation by rivals.com. He had 32 catches for 987 yards in 2004 and has 15 interceptions the past two seasons. But Cooper (6 feet 4, 205 pounds) might be most dangerous as a returner. He led the state with an average of 37 yards per punt return and 34 yards per kickoff return.
McCarthy (6-1, 210) emerged last year as a receiver/linebacker. He led the county in tackles (163) as a junior. He also was tops among county tight ends in receptions (32), yards (595) and TDs (seven).
"Hopefully, both guys are back on the field right away," Jalazo said. "We just want to get this over with and move on with our season."
