Preps

Hillsborough: News and Notes

By JOE SMITH
Published November 2, 2007

Numbers game

1980The last time the Plant football team won its third straight district championship. The Panthers will go for a three-peat tonight against Jefferson.

Rice to make return

Durant tailback Ryan Rice, the team's leading rusher, has been cleared by doctors to participate tonight against Riverview. Rice separated his shoulder in the first quarter against Freedom on Oct. 12 and hasn't played since.

"It's huge having him back," Cougars coach Mike Gottman said. "He's one of our leaders on the field." Rice has rushed for 880 yards, nine TDs. Junior Marshon Shoemake filled in nicely for Rice, averaging 5 yards per carry.

P. Smith cleared for playoffs

Armwood junior Petey Smith, one of the nation's top linebackers, will return to practice next week and be available for the region quarterfinal Nov. 16, assistant coach Chris Taylor said. Smith suffered a bladder infection in September and had two abdominal surgeries, forcing him to sit out since the Hawks beat Jefferson Sept. 28. But Taylor said doctors recently cleared Smith for contact.

"I wouldn't want to be the first guy he hits," Taylor joked. "Because he's got all this energy pent up."

Dragons coach in limbo

Jefferson football coach Mike Fenton's status for tonight's showdown with Plant is uncertain as he awaits a decision on an appeal he filed Thursday with the Florida High School Athletic Association. Fenton was ejected from last Friday's 38-2 win over Alonso for unsporting conduct, which draws an automatic one-week suspension and $250 fine.

FHSAA spokesman Robert Hernberger said there should be a decision this afternoon. In Fenton's absence, assistant head coach/defensive line coach Dan Lea will assume head coaching duties.

Bayshore might play football

Bayshore Christian athletic director Chad Clark said Thursday the school is considering adding football, and if it happens the Faith Warriors might field a six-man team as early as next fall.

"I'd love to do it," Clark said.

Board members will meet Tuesday to discus the issue. Clark, who estimated the startup costs based on a 15-man roster to be in the $10,000 range, will speak at the meeting and present his financial outlook.

"From what I can tell, we've got the backing of the head master and some of the board members," Clark said. "We just need to figure out if we can do it financially. "

Bayshore, which opened in 1971, has never had a football team, Clark said. If started, the ultimate goal would be to play 11-man football.

Compiled by Times staff writers Joe Smith and Keith Niebuhr.

[Last modified November 2, 2007, 00:23:30]