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Spoto Must Forfeit Win Against Lennard

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 23, 2008

NEWS AND NOTES

Spoto Must Forfeit Win Against Lennard

The Spoto High varsity football team must forfeit its 46-16 win against Lennard on Friday for its use of an academically ineligible player.

FHSAA spokeswoman Cristina Alvarez said Spoto self-reported the incident.

Spoto coach Dale Caparaso said the player, who started on defense, did not play in the team's previous games.

"He was a backup," he said. "We suspended a starter and moved this young man up. Unfortunately, it was a young man we missed out on."

With the win, Spoto improved to 3-0, its best start in program history. Lennard now goes to 2-1, its first-ever winning record.

Spoto (2-1) plays at Palmetto this Friday in its first district game. Lennard was a non-district opponent.

"This doesn't take away what the kids have accomplished," Caparaso said. "We were in violation and we have to pay for it."

Because Spoto self-reported the violation, Alvarez said she was unsure whether Spoto will be fined.

JONES AWAITS WORD: Tampa Bay Tech's defense took a hit last Friday night with an injury to junior LB Sam Jones.

Jones suffered a knee injury in the Titans' victory against Sickles and is expected to miss Friday's district game against Freedom. While making a tackle, Jones said he felt pain in his left knee and heard a pop. He's awaiting results of an MRI, but an orthopedic surgeon's initial exam indicated Jones may have torn his ACL.

This is not new territory to Jones. Last year, in Tampa Bay Tech's game against Armwood, Jones injured the same knee. He missed the remainder of the season and spent six months rehabilitating an MCL tear.

PLATTS SUBJECT TO SUSPENSION: Hillsborough could be without OL Chris Platts when it takes on neighborhood rival Middleton on Friday night.

Platts was ejected in the second quarter of the Terriers' game against Chamberlain. Per FHSAA rules, Platts is subject to at least a one-game suspension. Platts could appeal any suspension.

The incident occurred late in the second quarter when Hillsborough was driving the ball deep into Chamberlain's territory. Following a play in which Terriers RB Lindsey Lamar carried the ball, there was some extracurricular hitting. Lamar was shaken up on the play and remained on the ground for a couple of minutes. He later got up and was able to play.

Platts was ejected for his involvement and stormed to the sideline, where he watched for the remainder of the game.

ARMY ACCOLADE: Plant senior QB Aaron Murray was selected as the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Player of the Week following his performance in the Panthers' 56-14 victory over Middleton. In that game, Murray threw for 392 yards and seven touchdowns in the first half.

VOLLEYBALL: Academy of the Holy Names went 5-0 and defeated Lakewood in the championship match to win the Hillsborough Community College Tournament over the weekend.

Senior libero Jessica Gordon and senior outside hitter Erica Almerico were named to the all-tournament team. The Jaguars (7-1) host an invitational tournament this weekend

Katherine Smith, Nick Williams

NEWS AND NOTES

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