Preps

Hillsborough: News and Notes

By Joe Smith
Published October 7, 2007

Who's Hot

Tampa Catholic D: Crusaders (4-1) held their second straight opponent to fewer than 100 yards of total offense; they've given up nine points in five games.

Jesuit QB Mitch Pfeiffer: The first-year starter shredded Sarasota Booker's defense for 289 passing yards Friday.

Gaither: After starting 0-2, the Cowboys have won four straight, averaging 33.5 ppg.

Who's Not

Riverview: Sharks can't catch a break. Up 14-0 vs. Sarasota Riverview one minute, 1-4 the next.

Blake: Yellow Jackets (0-6) are in a free fall; gave up 34 points in first quarter to Plant Friday, amassing 11 penalties (seven personal fouls) and one player ejection in the first half.

Sickles special teams: Their secret weapon was used against them Friday, with punts blocked and one missed field goal against Chamblerlain.

True to his school

Don't expect Mike Heldt to shed his trademark Notre Dame cap anytime soon. The Alonso football coach, who played center for the Irish, said he's not "jumping off the bandwagon" despite the fact Notre Dame (1-5) is off to its worst start in the program's rich history. Before Saturday, the Irish had been outscored 251-84 in its past seven games.

"They're awfully tough to watch," Heldt said. "But I'm their biggest fan. I'll support them even if they're 0-10."

Budding volleyball star?

Academy of the Holy Names volleyball coach Doug Chinchar, a former Ohio State standout, remembers a special gift he received when his daughter, Naomi (2), was born - her first recruiting letter. Chinchar's former coach at OSU, Jim Stone, had playfully sent the newborn a letter of interest. It's now hanging on Naomi's bedroom wall.

"No scholarship yet," Chinchar joked. "Jim was just being nice."

Game Monday

Plant City will resume its game with East Bay on Monday at 6:30 p.m. at East Bay. The Raiders led 21-10.

Numbers game

110 Yards rushing for Gaither freshman Toney Salter on Friday night, giving star tailback Jarvis Giles' sore ankle much-needed rest.

Sound byte

"I kept getting my kicks blocked - and when I got one off, I was kicking into 40-mph wind."

- Sickles senior punter Corey Page, whose 44-yards-per-punt average took a dip due to Chamberlain's two big blocks (and another one tipped).

Sound byte No. 2

"The team that wins (the FSPA meet) is the true state champion."

- Sickles boys swim coach Scott Partlett on Saturday's loaded meet, featuring the top teams from Class A-3A.

[Last modified October 7, 2007, 00:18:08]