Hillsborough County: News and notes

By Times Staff
Published December 19, 2007

Riverview standout down to two schools

Riverview linebacker Tamaha Halaufia knows the state he's likely heading to for college and knows when he will begin playing. What he doesn't know is which school he will attend.

But he's close.

"It's probably going to be Utah State or BYU," Halaufia said.

Though neither has offered him a scholarship, Halaufia said both schools have shown great interest, especially Utah State, where his father played.

"I feel pretty good (about Utah State)," Halaufia said. "It's almost definite."

Wherever he lands, Halaufia (6 feet, 245) won't play right away. A devout Mormon, he plans to begin a two-year church mission in 2008.

"I'm just taking it easy right now and preparing to go on my mission," Halaufia said. "I have faith in my ability that I can play anywhere."

Murray to see BC

Plant junior quarterback Aaron Murray's family vacation to the East Coast this weekend will include a side trip: a stroll on Boston College's campus. He has extended family in the Boston area, and will check out the school that offered him a scholarship this fall. Murray (4.4 GPA), the Florida Dairy Farmers 4A Player of the Year, recently picked up offers from Harvard and North Carolina.e_SClBInterest strongfor Ottanelli

Blake coach Sean Washington admits he is a little biased, but in his opinion Yellow Jackets senior Vittorio Ottanelli is without question one of the city's top offensive linemen. And he thinks it's only a matter of time before Ottanelli (6-4, 275 pounds) lands his first Division I-A offer.

"He's far and away the most aggressive (offensive lineman) I've seen," Washington said.

Ottanelli has offers from Hofstra, Murray State and New Hampshire, all of which are successful programs at the I-AA level. Florida International, Miami and New Mexico are the I-A programs that have shown the most interest. Miami coach Randy Shannon stopped by Blake last week to get a closer look.

"They really like him," Washington said. "But since I ran the ball a lot, he has to work on his pass blocking."

Washington said he isn't sure if Miami will offer, but his gut says FIU will.

Check it out

Can't make it out to the Bright House Shootout at Clearwater High on Friday? Catch 47 has you covered, broadcasting two games live: Newsome vs. St. Petersburg, 6 p.m., and Ridgewood vs. Clearwater, 8 p.m.

Recruiting tidbits

King kicker Daniel Zychlinski received a home visit from Toledo and plans to visit the school Jan 3. Zychlinski likely will choose between Toledo and several Ivy League Schools that have recruited him (Harvard, Yale and Penn).

Berkeley Prep quarterback Archie Barnes has an offer from I-AA Furman and heavy interest from several Ivy League programs. Also, I-AA Campbell has offered Cambridge running back Taylor Cabral, who rushed for 1,568 yards. He plans to visit the school in February.

Coming soon

The wait is over: Look for the Times' all-Hillsborough County football team in Sunday's sports section. Our all-Suncoast team (Hernando, Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas) will run Christmas Day.

[Last modified December 18, 2007, 22:20:44]