Tampa Bay Tech 19, Freedom 0

By MARTIN BATER, Times Correspondent
Published September 22, 2007

TAMPA - With 9:27 to go in the first quarter, Tampa Bay Tech defensive end Jevario Buie was the happiest man on the field after recovering a botched punt snap in the end zone, the first points in what would become a 19-0 Titans victory over Freedom.

But with 27 seconds left in that same quarter, all that happiness faded away as Buie was escorted off the field for being part of a brawl between the Patriots (0-4) and Tampa Bay Tech (4-0).

The altercation started after Patriots' linebacker Justin Raymond tackled Titans' running back Darius Anderson and then hit him out of bounds in front of Tampa Tech's bench.

Raymond couldn't control his momentum and went into the Titans' bench. Titans players pushed Raymond, and before the officials could separate them, the incident escalated and resulted in the ejection of eight Freedom players and two Tampa Bay Tech players, as well as assistant coach Rico Choi. No one was injured.

"I blame myself. I am in control of this team and if anyone should be blamed for what happened it's (me)," said Titans' head coach C.C Culpepper.

Director of Hillsborough athletics Lanness Robinson gave a stern lecture to both coaching staffs after the brawl. Robinson warned that he didn't want any more trouble and that "(the coaches) are here for the kids, and it is our responsibility to teach them the difference between right and wrong."

Neither Patriots' coach Marquel Blackwell or the game officials were available for comment after the game.

As for the action on the field, Tampa Bay Tech's defense dominated, shutting down the Freedom's offense for a win that set up a potential battle of undefeated teams in District 2A against Armwood on October 5.

Culpepper praised fullback Maurice Hagans, who carried the ball 27 times for 120 yards, and the defense. "They were the key to winning the game," said Culpepper.

[Last modified September 22, 2007, 00:54:06]