Hillsborough: News and Notes

By the Times staff
Published September 5, 2007

FHSAA: Patchan won't play Friday

The Armwood football team faces Wharton this week without arguably its top player. Heralded two-way lineman Matt Patchan, whom many recruiting experts rank among the top 100 seniors in the country, is ineligible to play Friday as a result of his ejection from last week's game against Plant, Florida High School Athletic Association official Robert Hernberger said Tuesday morning.

Patchan had two 15-yard penalties against the Panthers. He was flagged once for a block in the back and another for a late hit. The game officials filed a report with the FSHAA saying Patchan was ejected for "unsporting conduct," Hernberger said. FHSAA rules state Patchan must sit one game.

This came as news to Armwood coach Sean Callahan.

On Monday, Callahan said it was his understanding Patchan would not be out for a game because only one of his penalties was a personal foul. When informed of the FHSAA's decision by the Times Tuesday morning, the coach said he would call the association for more information.

First time for everything

The Tampa Catholic football program made history in Friday's 10-0 win over Ocala Trinity Catholic by becoming the first team to shut out the Celtics - ever. Ocala Trinity Catholic was playing its 61st game. The Celtics were the Class 2B state runnersup last year and 2B champs in 2005.

"Our guys really came up big," TC coach Bob Henriquez said. "We're very proud of that."

Raider bait

Don't look now but Plant City has won six of seven football games dating to last season. Not bad considering coach Kevin Kelly started 2006 (and his tenure at the school) 0-5. Friday night, Plant City rallied from a 13-0 second-half hole to win 14-13 over its biggest rival - Durant.

"We only had 16 (offensive plays) in the first half," Kelly said. "Their offense kept us off the field. They ran a lot of clock. But we told the kids at the half to hang in there."

Win-win situation

Hillsborough coach Earl Garcia II isn't exaggerating when he says Friday was "a good night for the family." Not only did his team beat Jefferson, but his son, Earl Garcia III, led King past Lennard in his coaching debut.

The elder Garcia received regular updates on the King game from his wife, Gilda.

"In the third quarter, she came down to the coaches' box to give me the score," he said. "She said, 'Earl's up 21-7' so I was excited. We were winning big and he was winning big."

Numbers game

1 Times last season a winless Sickles football team scored more than 20 points in a game. The Gryphons defeated Leto 28-6 last week.

Statitude

With 210 career wins, Plant City grad Kenny Rogers (Detroit Tigers) ranks 22nd all-time for career victories among left-handers. Here are some of the players in front of him on the list of the winningest southpaws:

1. Warren Spahn (363 wins)

2. Steve Carlton (329)

6. Tommy John (288)

10. Carl Hubbell (253)

13. Whitey Ford (236)

Compiled by Times staff writer Keith Niebuhr.

[Last modified September 5, 2007, 01:46:36]