Wesley Chapel suspends three

All-county quarterback and two two-way starters are dismissed from spring practice but are eligible to return in the fall.

By JAMAL THALJI

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 18, 2000

WESLEY CHAPEL -- Three of Wesley Chapel's top football players have been suspended from spring football practice for disciplinary reasons.

Quarterback Spencer Honeycutt, who was Pasco County's leading passer in the fall, and two-way starters Chris and Kenny "Junior" Roberts will be eligible to return to the team when fall practice begins in August.

None has attended any of the Wildcats' spring sessions this month. They could not be reached for comment Wedneday.

"We had some kids who made some poor choices," Wesley Chapel principal Andy Frelick said, "and they're not eligible for football until the fall."

Frelick declined to elaborate, citing student confidentiality rules.

Wildcat football coach John Castelamare also would not discuss the matter.

"All I can tell you is that they're not in spring football," he said. "But they'll be back in the fall."

All three have been multi-sport standouts for the first-year school.

Honeycutt, a sophomore, was named to the Times All-Pasco County first team after completing 64 of 115 passes for 858 yards and nine touchdowns. As a defensive back, he made 71 tackles and blocked two kicks. He also was an All-Sunshine Athletic Conference point guard for the basketball team.

Freshman Chris Roberts played linebacker and running back and lettered in football, basketball and baseball for Wesley Chapel this season. His brother Kenny, also a freshman, had his football season cut short by an eye injury, but he rejoined the team as a wideout and defensive back at the end of the season. He also lettered in football, basketball and soccer.

Without Honeycutt in camp, four others are vying for the quarterback slot: sophomore Chase Polston, freshmen Louis Ros and Ryan Hudson-Schmidt and junior Matt Harden. Polston will quarterback the white team and Ros the blue in today's intrasquad scrimmage.

Castelamare has had to dismiss about six players from spring practice this season for missing too many practices, but he said the loss of those three hurts the team the most.

"We miss them, that's for sure," he said. "When fall starts, we'll welcome them back. Right now, we're not worried about whether or not they're here. We're just working hard."

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