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By FRANK PASTOR
© St. Petersburg Times, published August 14, 2001
TAMPA -- Jefferson cleared its biggest obstacle to the postseason before even playing a game.
Five days after a mistake in projected enrollment threatened its playoff eligibility, Jefferson found itself back in the hunt thanks to a new classification and revamped district schedule.
County athletic director Vernon Korhn, working with Jefferson principal Dan Riveiro and athletic director Ron Cugno -- and with the cooperation of 15 schools in two counties -- completed the Dragons' Class 4A, District 8 schedule Monday.
The new schedule features eight regular-season games and a preseason classic. Two dates remain open.
"The main thing now is Jefferson will have a district schedule and will be able to compete in the district playoffs if they get that far," Korhn said.
New district opponents Sickles, Tampa Bay Tech and Brandon were added to Jefferson's regular-season schedule. Robinson, Berkeley Prep, Blake and Tampa Catholic were dropped.
Plant City replaces Brandon in the preseason classic.
Previously scheduled games against Armwood and Plant became district games.
The changes were necessitated after a filing error by the district's pupil assignment office led to Jefferson's enrollment being nearly twice as high as projected.
Jefferson was placed in 2A-7 after figures submitted in the fall projected the school to have 790 students this year. When 1,340 were counted on the first day of school, the Dragons requested a move to Class 4A.
Three of the 2A opponents on Jefferson's original schedule -- St. Petersburg Catholic, Berkeley Prep and Tampa Catholic -- dropped the Dragons. Clearwater Central Catholic remains, though now as a non-district opponent.
St. Petersburg Catholic replaced Jefferson with Leto. Korhn said he is working to find Berkeley Prep and Tampa Catholic another opponent. Wharton, Durant and Riverview also agreed to schedule changes to accommodate Jefferson's move.
Korhn said he hopes to find Jefferson two more games against teams from outside the county. He said he will look as far as Naples and Jacksonville.
"The worst thing that could happen to Jefferson is that they would have eight regular-season games and a classic," Korhn said. "Given the situation we were in a couple of days ago, that's not bad."