Chamberlain 28, Blake 0

By JOE SMITH and ROD GIPSON, Times Staff Writers
Published September 22, 2007

TAMPA - Legendary Chamberlain coach Billy Turner checked into a local hospital Friday with respiratory problems and missed the first game in his 37 years as a head coach.

Turner, 69, has been receiving tests at Pepin Heart Center. He is expected to remain there over the weekend and undergo a heart catheterization on Monday, said his son Brian Turner, who handled head coaching duties Friday night.

The Chiefs (2-2) played for their coach, mentor and father figure Friday night, trouncing Blake 28-0.

But Turner wasn't too far away; Turner got updates from a Chiefs assistant coach via cell phone. Turner tried to address the team over speakerphone during their pre-game meal, but had trouble holding it together.

"He had to be pretty scared for him to go in," Brian Turner said. "He wouldn't miss a game for anything in the world."

The Chiefs limited Blake (0-4) to 130 yards of offense on Friday. Meanwhile, Chiefs quarterback Dontae Aycock led all rushers with 95 yards. But it was his arm that started the scoring with a 9-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Francisco Llanos in the second quarter.

Ahead just 7-0 at the half, Aycock led Chamberlain's second-half surge as running backs Kenny Allen and Justin Bell had touchdown runs to go with Aycock's 3-yard touchdown run that completed the game's scoring.

"Everybody was ready to go out there and play at 100 percent," said Brian Turner. "The mood of the team was the most serious it's been all season.

"It's been emotional. I'm having a hard time keeping it together."

Brian Turner said doctors told his father Thursday that he had fluid on his lungs, which could be caused by a heart condition.

Billy Turner said Wednesday he wasn't feeling any pain, but he battled fatigue and a near constant cough every time he spoke, making his trademark yell far from possible.

"I've had no energy," he said. "And you can't coach football with no energy."

Turner hasn't let his hospitalization dampen his spirits.

"He wants everyone to know he's not dying," Brian Turner said. "He's just trying to get better. He's pretty positive about it, and hopes he can be back at practice Monday or Tuesday."

Chamberlain

28Blake0

[Last modified September 22, 2007, 03:11:53]