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Thursday's Prep News And Notes

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 24, 2008

FHSAA Hands Hillsborough's Platts Three-Game Suspension

The FHSAA has hit Hillsborough senior lineman Chris Platts with a three-game suspension for his ejection from Friday's game against Jefferson, Terriers coach Earl Garcia said Wednesday. Garcia said he will be appealing the length of the suspension. He says the suspension is the first in his 23-year coaching career.

The 6-foot-2, 275-pound Platts, who transferred from Jefferson to Hillsborough for his senior season, was ejected in the second quarter of the game for a punch and kick he landed on Chamberlain defensive lineman Dontavious Pyron. Platts appeared to be retaliating for Pyron's tackle of Hillsborough running back Lindsey Lamar, who was being held on the ground by Pyron. After a brief scuffle on the field between players on both teams, Lamar laid prone on the ground for several minutes but returned to action later in the game. Chamberlain won the game 48-21 to end a five-game losing streak against the Terriers.

According to Hillsborough County rules, Platts must also pay a $250 for his ejection, regardless of the duration of the FHSAA suspension.

Spoto Forfeiting More Wins

So much for the best start in program history.

Spoto will have to forfeit its wins over Newsome and Bloomingdale, according to Florida High School Athletic Association spokesperson Cristina Alvarez, for use of an ineligible player.

On Monday, it was reported Spoto had to forfeit its win over Lennard for using an academically ineligible player. First-year head coach Dale Caparaso said he believed the player, who started on defense in place of a suspended teammate, did not play in the two previous games. Alvarez said the violations are self-reported.

The Spartans, who now must go from 3-0 to 0-3, defeated Newsome in the season opener, 6-0, and beat Bloomingdale, 26-12, in Week 2. Newsome and Bloomingdale improve to 2-1 on the season as a result of the forfeit.

"We have to focus on the future and not the past," Caparaso said Wednesday. "We have to focus on Palmetto. If you want to ask me about Palmetto, I can talk all day long. I've been given very specific instructions to leave it up to administration."
Spoto finished 3-7 in 2007.

RECRUITING: Wharton senior safety Jairus Jones will visit Michigan State on Oct. 18, his coach David Mitchell said.

Michigan State is one of nearly 10 schools to offer the 6-foot-2, 210 defensive back. LSU, Nebraska and Iowa have also offered.

GILES PLANS TO PLAY: Gaither senior tailback Jarvis Giles guesstimates he's at about 85% right now.

Considering three weeks ago he was walking with a limp, that's great progress. Giles will play Friday night for the first time this regular season when the Cowboys (1-2) travel to Jefferson (1-1). A strained abductor muscle has kept Giles sidelined since the Aug. 29 Kickoff Classic game against Durant when he sustained the injury.

Giles has been participating in drills, though not full participation in practice, for the past week and a half. He wears special braces on his ankles and a sleeve on his leg to help keep the muscle warm.

"I know Jefferson is a big game and I can't let my team do this alone," Giles said. "I probably won't be able to play all four quarters, but we'll just see. I'm just going to see what happens."

It's been hard for Giles watching his team from the sideline. It's also been hard reading and hearing detractors question his toughness.

"Not matter what level you're at, they're always going to questions people toughness," Giles said. "I know what I can do and I don't worry what people say about me."

VOLLEYBALL: Plant junior outside hitter Maddie Martin, who has already committed to Penn State, should be ready to play at this weekend's Berkeley Premier tournament at Berkeley Prep, coach Leanna Taylor said.

Martin has missed the first three weeks of the season with an ankle sprain. Plant (5-0) is ranked No. 2 in the nation by ESPN Fab 50 and No. 4 in the Century Club National Top 100 poll.

Bill Ward, Nick Williams, Katherine Smith

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