Preps

North Suncoast: News and Notes

By Times staff
Published October 7, 2007

Ex-Pirates quarterback arrested

Tony Smith, who was a starting quarterback at Pasco High with Division I potential, is in trouble with the law again. Smith, 18, was arrested at his home in Dade City in the wee hours Friday for hitting a family member in the face. According to a report from the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, Smith and an unidentified male were arguing.

Smith said if the person threw his shoe out the front door, he would "pop him in his mouth." The person did. And Smith hit him. He told the cops he pushed him in the face with an open hand. The victim, whose lip was cut and swollen, told police Smith hit him with a closed fist. Smith was arrested in August for possession of cocaine. He is being held in the Land O'Lakes jail in lieu of bond. 

Chasing history I

With 20 rushing touchdowns at midseason, Ridgewood running back Byronell Arline is on pace to finish within striking distance of the single-season state record. According to FloridaPrepRecords.com, the record for touchdowns in a 10-game season is 43, set by Fort Pierce John Carroll's Iverson Williams in 1967. Including postseason games, the record is 44, held by Antone Smith Pahokee, 2004 and Sean Taylor (Miami Gulliver Prep, 2000).

Arline, who scored five times in a 49-14 win over River Ridge on Friday, is on pace to finish the regular season with 40 touchdowns. He has 18 touchdowns in his past three games. He needs one touchdown to match his total from last season (21).

Chasing history II

Gulf running back David Williams is just 254 yards from breaking the single-season rushing record in Pasco County, set by Wesley Chapel's Tyrone Tomlin in 2001 (1,753 yards). At the rate Williams is going, it could happen when the Bucs take the field against Hudson after their bye week. Through six games, Williams has 1,499 yards on 128 carries. That's an average of 250 yards per game.

Chasing history III

Not far behind Williams is Arline, who has played in one less game, yet is 533 yards shy of the single-season record. Arline, who is averaging 224 yards per game, plays Mitchell this week, while Gulf has a bye. That means they'll likely be dueling for the record the rest of the season.

Bucs bits

Gulf quarterback Madison Burr was bothered by a hip pointer at the end of the first half Friday against Sunlake. But Burr played the entire second half and coach Jay Fulmer said the sophomore was feeling fine.

- Gulf kicker Courtney Cohen missed a 43-yard field goal in the first quarter against Sunlake, plus two extra-point attempts. But she nailed four other PATs, including one from an extra 15 yards out after a Bucs penalty.

[Last modified October 6, 2007, 20:45:59]