Chief gets lots of attention

By KEITH NIEBUHR and JIM REESE
Published December 13, 2005

When the 2005 football season began, Kylan Robinson was a little-known defensive end/tight end who had transferred to Chamberlain from Alaska.

Today, he's a national recruit.

Out of necessity, Chamberlain coaches moved Robinson to running back early in the season, and he quickly took to the position. The rest is history. In 10 games, he rushed for 1,606 yards, 402 against Alonso on Oct.14.

College coaches quickly took notice.

"We knew he was a special player, but we didn't know if college coaches would think so," Chamberlain assistant Brian Turner said. "But as soon as they see his tape, they immediately like him."

Apparently so.

At last check, Robinson (6 feet 1, 215 pounds) had scholarship offers from more than a dozen schools, including powerhouses Miami and Ohio State. Florida coaches called Monday and have asked Robinson to take an official visit, Turner said.

More football

Coaches from the National and American Divisions of the Western Conference, the association of public high schools in Hillsborough County, chose Dan O'Regan of Riverview and Robert Weiner of Plant, respectively, as coaches of the year.

O'Regan led the Sharks to a 10-2 record, the only regular-season defeat a 15-14 loss to Brandon, and the Class 6A, District 6 title. Riverview advanced to the region semifinal before losing to Palm Beach Lakes 28-7.

Weiner has turned the program around at Plant, taking it from 3-7 in 2004 to 9-3 this year, capturing the 4A-10 crown and advancing to the region semifinal before losing to state finalist Armwood 24-6.

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Durant quarterback Chip Bowden , the East squad's MVP at Saturday's Hillsborough County All-Star game at Raymond James Stadium, will be visiting the University of New Mexico as well as the United States Military Academy next month.

An option quarterback, Bowden showed strong passing skills in rallying his team to a fourth-quarter comeback in the 16-13 win.

His 16-yard touchdown to Tampa Bay Tech's Andre Patrick sealed the win for East coach Bob Henriquez (Tampa Catholic).

"Everybody thinks the only school out East playing good football is Armwood," Henriquez said.

"Not so. These kids played their hearts out, and I am so proud of them. We knew Bowden was tough, and he sure proved it."

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Edner Alcin , a Chamberlain receiver, has offers from, among others, USF, Bowling Green, Iowa State, Rutgers and West Virginia. Another Chiefs star, outside linebacker Roderick Jenrette , has offers from Cincinnati, Connecticut, Indiana, Rutgers and West Virginia.

Volleyball

Durant senior Samantha Sarff , featured as player of the month in the December edition of Volleyball Magazine , is described as a "definite top college prospect" by Gary Larkin , her club coach with the Tampa Sandspurs.

Sarff, named to the Class 6A all-state third team, had 330 kills for the Cougars this season. The 6-foot outside hitter has a weighted grade point average of 4.4 and remains undecided about college.

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Former Plant standout Lauren Taylor was part of the North Carolina squad that won the ACC title.

Taylor, a 5-11 freshman middle hitter, was part of three state title squads at Plant.

[Last modified December 13, 2005, 04:10:03]