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Long wait for college interest pays off for the Wildcats

By IZZY GOULD
Published March 31, 2006

WESLEY CHAPEL - John Castelamare walked into a sizeable Wesley Chapel conference room talking like a proud parent. It was time for another ceremonial send off for a trio of football players.

Chad Hatfield, Mark Revelia and Sean Kelly signed letters of intent Thursday before a group of 20 family members, friends and coaches. Rashad Cole is expected to sign with Jacksonville University or Urbana (Ohio) University after he academically qualifies.

"They all went on visits, saw the situations, got the acceptance and whatever scholarships they could get," Castelamare said. "It took a long time to get it confirmed."

The process began months ago with questionnaires filled out by his seniors indicating if and where they wanted to play football. Highlight tapes and applications were sent off to spark the start of an agonizing process.

"We've gone through probably 10 schools," Castelamare said. "When you get a "no" you go on to the next school. It's a lot of paperwork."

Hatfield will play strong safety at Huntingdon (Ala.) College where he joins former Wildcats teammate Jeff Reamer, a 2005 graduate. Hatfield, a 6-foot-1, 205-pounder had 125 total tackles as a linebacker and was a third-team Sunshine Athletic Conference selection.

Forced to decide between a traditional education at Florida State or playing football, Hatfield said there was no choice.

"I visited (Huntingdon) during my senior season and twice after that," Hatfield said. "I watched their games and I liked it."

Revelia will go the farthest to Urbana. The 6-foot-1, 235-pounder was a SAC first-team selection at nose guard with 81 total tackles.

His first impression of Ohio - "cold." During his visit earlier this month, he stepped off an airplane and into 19-degree weather. It wasn't cold enough to scare him off.

"We did the recruiting process and it was between Jacksonville University and Urbana," Revelia said. "I got to know the coaches and players at Urbana and it felt more like home. It's a small town just like Wesley Chapel."

Kelly, a 6-foot-1, 150-pound kicker, signed with Pikeville (Ky.) University. The SAC second-team selection was turned on to Pikeville by his cousin, Kyle Briscoe, who kicks on the team.

"I went up to one of his games," Kelly said. "The coach came up to me before the game and gave me an offer."

CHALECKI VISITS: Linebacker Vince Chalecki will visit four colleges in Ohio during spring break, Castelamare said. Stops include Miami of Ohio, Toledo, Ashland University and Urbana.

The junior running back/linebacker suffered a season-ending knee injury in October when he tore the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He led the county in tackles (89) before the injury.

Chalecki is a member of the Wildcats track team and earned first place Tuesday for a discus throw (124-5) at a tri-meet with Robinson and Hillsborough.

Castelamare expects Chalecki to be at full strength when spring football begins May 1.

Contact Izzy Gould at 813 909-4612 or sportsjournalist@gmail.com

[Last modified March 31, 2006, 01:09:18]