Hillsborough: News and Notes

By Times staff
Published August 30, 2007

Today on Tampabay.com

Tampa Bay Christian, which canceled its football season last week due to low numbers, will get to play after all. The school will play in a six-on-six tackle football league called the Florida Sixman Football Association, which has schools from Kissimmee to Clearwater. TBC started practice this week and will play its first game at 7:30 Sept. 8 at Veritas Prep in Pinellas Park.

- High schools columnist John C. Cotey talks with new Pasco football coach Tom McHugh, who almost quit in the preseason after his daughter was seriously injured in a car accident.

- Listen in as our team of experts gives you the inside info on the week's most crucial matchups in our Friday Night Preview podcast.

Terriers welcome Thomas back

Hillsborough star linebacker Marc Thomas returned to practice Wednesday after missing several days to attend his father's funeral in Tennessee. Thomas' father, Earl, recently had heart surgery and had been hospitalized for several months. Thomas, who has dedicated the season to his late father, is expected to play Friday as the Terriers host Jefferson.

Oh, brother

Jefferson senior defensive end Max Holloway is no stranger to sacks; he racked up four in Friday's preseason win. But even he was wowed by his big brother, Cardinals linebacker David Holloway, whose torpedo-style sack of Chargers QB Billy Volek last weekend resembled Adam Sandler's performance in The Waterboy. Check it out at www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzYc3_Da0nw. Another fun family fact? Max Holloway received a scholarship offer from Stanford, where his father, Brian, was an All-American in 1981.

Wrestling corner

Former Robinson standout Ruddy Santiago has signed with Spartanburg Methodist College in South Carolina. Santiago was a two-time state qualifier and finished sixth at the 2007 state meet in the 152-weight class.

Correction

Plant quarterback Aaron Murray transferred from Jesuit before his sophomore year. Another time frame was given in Wednesday's section.

Quote of the day

"I sent a message to Jon Gruden to tell him I'm available. ... Haven't heard back yet." - Former Tampa Bay Christian football coach Dennis Duggan, who is taking the year off after the Rams recently canceled their 11-on-11 football season.

Numbers game

9 Consecutive years the Hillsborough football program has reached the playoffs.

Statitude

Top home run seasons for 1985 Jefferson grad Luis Gonzalez, left, a leftfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

57 (2001)

31 (2000)

28 (2002)

26 (1999, 2003)

24 (2005)

Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com or (813) 310-9024. Keith Niebuhr can be reached at kniebuhr@sptimes.com or at (813) 226-3353.

[Last modified August 30, 2007, 01:18:14]