Armwood QB among eight expected to miss game

Suspended players are out of tonight's game, teammates say; coach says he'll decide today.

By JOE SMITH
Published August 31, 2007

SEFFNER - Eight Armwood varsity football players, including starting quarterback Mywan Jackson, are expected to miss tonight's season-opening showdown against defending state champion Plant after violating team rules.

Three Hawks players told the Times on Thursday that coach Sean Callahan said at a team meeting eight players will be suspended for the game for skipping a first-period class and going out to breakfast.

Reached at school Thursday, Callahan confirmed the students will serve a two-day, in-school suspension for skipping, but a definite announcement on their playing status will not come until this afternoon, hours before the Hawks host the defending Class 4A champion in a matchup expected to draw nearly 6,000.

Armwood is ranked second in the Florida Sports Writers Association's Class 4A poll - one spot ahead of Plant

"I don't know what I'm going to do yet," Callahan said. "But I'll be significant with it."

Hawks senior offensive lineman Eric August said Callahan told the team the players who skipped "aren't going to play."

"I guess Coach wanted to send a message," August said. "It's a hell of a message - it's Plant vs. Armwood, a huge game. But we'll be okay. I'm fully confident in (backup quarterback) Robert Jones."

Jackson, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound junior, is in his first year as starter, but Callahan said in the preseason that the converted receiver has the potential to be the Hawks' best quarterback ever. Callahan said Jackson runs like former Hawks quarterback Jameel Williams and throws like Justin Hickman, who started the past two seasons.

Jackson's mother, Terrie Green, said she and her son both were upset over Thursday's incident.

"(Mywan's) really shook up about it," said Green, who met with Callahan. "It's been a long day. It's funny how one day he can be on top of the world, and the next day be knocked back down for something so simple. ...He knows he disappointed me."

Other than Jackson, Callahan would not discuss the other suspended players. Among those who will play tonight: Armwood senior left tackle Matt Patchan, tailback Eric Smith and middle linebacker Petey Smith. August said of the players who skipped, "there were a couple starters and a couple backups."

"(Callahan) told us (the suspended players) were skipping and he ain't going to tolerate that," senior defensive tackle Leon Johnson said.

If Jackson is sidelined, the Hawks likely will turn to Jones and lean even more heavily on their running attack with Eric Smith, one of the state's top tailbacks, and Sherman Jessie, who scored three touchdowns in the spring jamboree.

Callahan met with several of the players' parents Thursday night and will meet with a few more today before making his decision public.

"They skipped class - there were no drugs or alcohol," Callahan said. "Some people may dismiss it and make them run a little bit after practice. I'm going to make sure they sweat this one."

Times staff writer Joey Knight contributed to this report. Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com or at (813) 310-9024.

[Last modified August 31, 2007, 00:31:54]