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Spoto Must Forfeit Its First 3 Games

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 25, 2008

NEWS & NOTES

Spoto Must Forfeit Its First 3 Games

So much for the best start in program history.

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

On Monday, it was reported Spoto had to forfeit its win against Lennard for using an academically ineligible player. First-year 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 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.

TERRIER SUSPENDED: The Florida High School Athletics Association has hit Hillsborough senior lineman Chris Platts with a three-game suspension for his ejection from Friday's game against Chamberlain, 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 for a punch and kick he landed on Chamberlain DL Dontavious Pyron. Platts appeared to be retaliating for Pyron holding RB Lindsey Lamar on the ground after Pyron had tackled Lamar carrying the ball.

After a brief scuffle on the field between players on both teams, Lamar was prone on the ground for several minutes but returned to action later in the game. Chamberlain won 48-21 to end a five-game losing streak against the Terriers.

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

GILES PLANS TO PLAY: Gaither senior TB Jarvis Giles estimates he's at about 85 percent.

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.

"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."

RECRUITING: Wharton senior S 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.

VOLLEYBALL: Plant junior outside hitter Maddie Martin, who has 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.

BASEBALL: Freedom hired Jonathan Reinebold as its new coach, Athletic Director Elijah Thomas said.

Adam Adkins,

Katherine Smith,

Bill Ward, Nick Williams

NEWS & NOTES

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