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Preps
Hillsborough: News and Notes
By JOE SMITH
Published November 16, 2007
Calvary transfer investigated Calvary Christian senior Valentin Rogatkin, a 6-foot-6, 225-pound guard from Kazakhstan expected to be one of the Warriors' top players, has been ruled temporarily ineligible pending an investigation by the Florida High School Athletic Association, FHSAA assistant commissioner Sonny Hester said Thursday.
Rogatkin was one of five transfers expected to help the Warriors, Class A state semifinalists last year, make the jump to 2A in a district with Tampa Prep, Indian Rocks Christian and Bishop McLaughlin. Calvary Christian coach Dave Bintz said Rogatkin moved from Russia in January, enrolled at Tampa Baptist now Tampa Bay Christian. But after the coach left, he enrolled at Calvary in the fall.
Bintz said the FHSAA told him three weeks ago that Rogatkin was approved. But after a Times inquiry Thursday, Hester informed Bintz of some missing paperwork. Bintz said the question appears to be if Rogatkin has exhausted his eligibility (in Kazakhstan, he said, high school only goes through 11th grade).
"It's frustrating, really frustrating," Bintz said. "We're trying to do things the right way and follow the rules. We were told we were in compliance, and now they say we're not."
Dreadnaughts bring 'parade'
Those planning to drive down McIntosh Road in Brandon during rush hour today better find another route: The Lakeland "parade" is coming through. When the three-time defending state champion Dreadnaughts travel to Brandon for a 5A quarterfinal tonight, they're bringing about 2,000 fans in a 75-car convoy, a "battleship" and their bell and cannon with them.
The Dreadnaughts might have lost their record 53-game win streak (two weeks ago) - but not their devoted fan base. They draw from 9,000 to 10,000 fans for most home games. "There's one guarantee: Every time we travel, we'll have more fans than the home team," Dreadnaughts booster board member Rob Myers said.
Lakeland beat Brandon 49-6 in last year's 5A quarterfinal, but the Eagles are psyched for the challenge. The last time Lakeland lost a first-round playoff matchup was to Hillsborough, 41-13, in 2003.
Poll results
Which of these sets of football-playing brothers has been most successful?
Caldwells (Jefferson)101 votes - 33 percent
Weatherfords (LOL)50 votes - 16 percent
Godseys (Jesuit)27 votes - 9 percent
Holts (Clearwater)27 votes - 9 percent
Carters (Lakewood)24 votes - 8 percent
Hambricks (Pasco)22 votes - 7 percent
Other19 votes - 6 percent
Mitchells (Countryside)17 votes - 6 percent
Kellys (Tampa Cath., Plant City): 9 votes - 3 percent
Picketts (Zephyrhills)7 votes - 2 percent
Garcias (Tampa Catholic, Jefferson): 6 votes -2 percent
Total: 309 votes
[Last modified November 15, 2007, 22:06:41]
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