TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Guy Toph Winner Winter Leaves Lasting Impression

ADVERTISEMENT

By ADAM ADKINS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 18, 2008

TAMPA - Robert Weiner couldn't help but chuckle. The memory of a freshman named Derek Winter walking onto the field at Dad's Stadium for the first time still brings a smile to the Plant football coach's face. It's safe to say Winter's first impression on the coach wasn't a strong one.

Four years ago, Weiner never would have imagined he'd be standing where he was Thursday morning - on the steps in front of the Hillsborough County School District building in downtown, watching Winter being photographed moments after the Panthers senior received the 69th Guy Toph Award, given annually to the county's top football player.

But Thursday, Weiner couldn't think of a player more fitting for the honor than his standout senior, one who, in his time at Plant, turned the wide receiver position "into an art form, and became the Picasso of the football canvass," according to the coach.

"Really, to be honest, Derek is not a first-appearance guy," Weiner said. "You have to watch the volume of work. And the volume of work is pretty impressive."

Winter totaled 192 receptions, 3,717 yards and 44 touchdowns in his high school career. He set a county record with 90 receptions as a junior and led the county in receiving each of the past two seasons, including 75 receptions for 1,668 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior.

Winter is receiving interest from some top colleges and is scheduled to visit Auburn this weekend. Weiner also said Florida coach Urban Meyer was on the Plant campus Thursday and that the Gators are showing a lot of interest.

Winter also has the biggest catch in program history: He caught the game-winning touchdown pass for Plant in the 2006 Class 4A state-title game victory against Ponte Vedra Beach Nease, as the Panthers won their first state football title. But that was one of many, according to Weiner.

"There's about 10 times on film, I think, over the past few years that I've said, 'That's the greatest high school catch I've ever seen,'" the coach said.

Winter said receiving accolades was never a goal, but added he has been humbled by the football honors that have been bestowed upon him during his time at Plant. He has twice been named a Tribune first-team all-county selection and twice named a Florida Sports Writers Association first-team all-state selection, the latter of which came for the second time Thursday.

"I don't think I ever went into football expecting anything," Winter said. "When I was younger I knew I could play. When I got going a little bit and got older, I knew that I had some ability and I could play pretty well, and it's just paid off.

"It feels good. Right after 2006 recipient and former Plant quarterback Robert Marve, and not to mention all the guys before; I see all those names from way back when that are in the community still today like former Plant recipients Mark Ely and Doug Shields. It's kind of cool to know them and know they won that same award."

Reporter Katherine Smith contributed to this report.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT