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Wake-Up Call: Robinson's Woods makes most of homecoming
Staff photo by BILL WARD
D.J. Woods moved back to Tampa to be at the side of his bedridden father, a police officer.
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Published: October 9, 2009
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The Wake-Up Call greets you each weekday with news, views and a few Tampa Bay area sports offerings to anticipate for the day and night. We encourage suggestions and contributions.
Good morning!
The football field has become a refuge for Robinson High School defensive end D.J. Woods, a leader for the Class 2A Knights, who are 4-0 for the first time since the 2000 season. In tonight's homecoming game, the Knights face the Class 5A Newsome Wolves (1-2).
Considering the Knights' recent fortunes - they are coming off seasons of 2-8 and 1-9 - the recent success is quite a change.
Woods can relate to that.
"My life is different now," Woods said. "I pride myself on being able to adjust to that. Sometimes, it's difficult. When I'm on the field, I feel like I'm in control. I want to play hard every play. I know once the game is over, there's some real-life stuff out there for me. I've got a lot to play for."
Sixteen months ago, Woods' father, DeAndre, an auxiliary officer with the Tampa Police Department, suffered a brain aneurysm. Woods, who had been living in Jonesboro, Ga., since his parents' divorce nine years ago, knew what he had to do.
He moved back to Tampa, staying with family, so he could be by his father's side. His father remains in a rehabilitation facility, unable to talk or move from his bed without some help.
"Every day, I dream about walking in that room and seeing my father walking around, talking to me," Woods said. "I don't know how realistic that is. When I look into his eyes, I can tell he wants to get up and get back to his old life. I mean, he's only 47.
"I know my father's condition is only pushing me harder. I want him to know I'm fighting for him right now. I'm trying to make him proud."
So he plays on for a Knight team that continues to inspire school pride.
"The feeling at the school this week, it has been amazing," Knights senior defensive lineman Quinton Preston said.
The Knights defeated the Jesuit Tigers 50-10 last Friday, scoring 50 unanswered points to remain at the top of Class 2A-District 5 with St. Petersburg Catholic. Robinson's defensive front was particularly effective, getting 11 sacks, including 5.5 from junior Tevin Newman.
"That's how we want to be," Woods said. "We want to dictate to people. We want them to fear playing Robinson. I think we've turned a corner now."
Robinson is seeking the program's first 5-0 start since 1967, when the John Reaves-led Knights broke out 7-0 before losing at Winter Haven 48-28 (that Robinson team reached the state semifinals before losing against Coral Gables 55-0 in a rainstorm at newly christened Tampa Stadium).
The 1971 Knights began 5-0-2 - back when ties were allowed - and that team reached the state-championship game.
Recently, Robinson held the school's 50-year anniversary celebration. Woods and Preston, members of Robinson's travel and tourism academy, helped with the event. One of the returning alumni was Reaves, who enlightened them with tales from the Knights' glory days in the 1960s, when Robinson was a state power.
"Why not us?" Preston said. "Why can't we be that again? It was tough the last few years, real tough. And, of course, in this part of town, everybody is always comparing us to Plant. I think it's our time now. We've got a lot of great players in this program."
Preston said he realized Robinson had added another great player last season when Woods moved back from Georgia.
"I knew he (Woods) was going to be a help," Preston said. "I was excited because he was a big kid, a leader and he could really hit."
In time, Preston learned more about Woods - and the circumstances of his return to Tampa.
"He works hard in practice and he's just like a brother to me now," Preston said. "I know when something is wrong with him and when everything is all right. I know he's dealing with a lot."
"There are a million stories out there, plenty of drama with these kids," Robinson coach Mike DePue said. "What D.J. has been coping with, it can be very difficult on a kid. I know he wants his father to be well. But there are some things you just can't control in your life. He had to learn that lesson the hard way. We just want what's best for him. We want to get him playing some college ball."
Woods and Preston already have received recruiting attention. That's what happens when your defense surrenders only three touchdowns in four games, including two shutouts.
"I'm trying to make a name for myself," Woods said.
The given name is DeJazz Leaire Woods. The middle name was inspired by his father and grandmother, who are of French descent. And the first name?
"My mother wanted that one, and I think I might be the only 'DeJazz' in the world," Woods said. "I'd say, 'My name is DeJazz.' And people would say, 'What? You mean D.J.?' D.J. was just easier. That's how everyone knows me."
With each passing week, they are getting to know Woods even better as he crashes into opposing backfields and makes life miserable for the quarterback. That's what everyone - from coaches to teammates to fans - witnesses on a given Friday night.
Few people have seen what happens next, when the practices and games are over.
"It's hard on a daily basis, I'm not going to lie," Woods said. "I think about my father all the time. At the same time, he's my inspiration. I want to play well for him."
Senior Bowl staying put
The Senior Bowl, a college football all-star game that serves as the backdrop for a de facto NFL convention each January, is staying in Mobile, Ala.
Even after pressure from the game's presenting sponsor, Under Armour, which wanted an upgrade to an NFL city, the Mobile Arts and Sports Association, which owns the game, voted Thursday to keep the game in Mobile, its home for the past 58 years.
It's a three-year deal with two three-year options.
Tampa officials, led by the Tampa Sports Authority, Tampa Bay Sports Commission and the Bucs, held discussions about moving the game to Raymond James Stadium as early as last January. In the last few months, Jacksonville also emerged as a contender to attract the game before the new deal was reached.
Michael Bouda, director of sports and entertainment for the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, told the Florida Times-Union that the Senior Bowl can buy its way out of the deal after one year.
"I'm still not convinced that the Senior Bowl is there for the long haul," Bouda said.
Jackson: Good on limited opportunities
Wake Forest redshirt freshman Lovell Jackson (Plant) has touched the ball just four times in five games, but he's averaging 37.5 yards per touch. He had an 80-yard kickoff return in Saturday's 30-24 victory against Wake Forest. Earlier this season, Jackson's 44-yard reception set up the winning touchdown in a 24-17 triumph against Stanford.
Mitchell moves inside
Former University of South Florida player Kawika Mitchell, now with the Buffalo Bills, has moved from outside linebacker to the middle, clearing a spot for rookie Ashlee Palmer on the weak side. The Bills, who have surrendered 472 rushing yards in the past two games, are without middle linebacker Paul Posluszny, who has a broken arm.
Mitchell (6-foot-1, 253 pounds) replaces Marcus Buggs (5-10, 225) in the middle.
Tampa-St. Petersburg ranks 15th
In the annual "Best Sports Cities" poll by The Sporting News, Tampa-St. Petersburg ranks 15th among nearly 400 cities and towns from the U.S. and Canada.
"The Rays' World Series run in 2008 is part of Tampa-St. Pete's story in our 12-month city snapshot," said Bob Hille, Sporting News chief of correspondents, who has coordinated the rankings since their expansion 13 years ago. "But remember that on any given day fans can see big-time sports - the Rays, Bucs and Lightning - and then throw in South Florida's strong football program and spring training baseball, and you've got some great ingredients for a fun sports atmosphere."
Some of the rankings data includes a city's number of teams, their regular-season won-loss records, playoff berths, bowl appearances and tournament bids, championships, applicable power ratings, fan fervor and attendance.
Here's the top 20:
1. Pittsburgh.
2. Philadelphia.
3. Boston.
4. Chicago-Evanston.
5. Los Angeles.
6. New York.
7. Phoenix-Tempe.
8. Miami.
9. Dallas-Fort Worth.
10. Detroit-Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti.
11. Houston.
12. Nashville.
13. Atlanta.
14. Washington.
15. Tampa-St. Petersburg.
16. Minneapolis-St. Paul.
17. Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill.
18. Denver-Boulder.
19. Salt Lake City-Provo.
20. Indianapolis.
Meanwhile, Orlando was 27th, Gainesville was 41st and Tallahassee was 74th.
Former Rays in postseason
Last year at this time, the Rays were preparing for Game 1 of their American League playoff series against the Chicago White Sox.
This year, we can still watch Rays in the postseason - a flock of former Rays, that is.
In fact, here's our starting lineup of former Rays in the postseason:
First base - Eric Hinske, Yankees. Versatile player who began the season with the Pirates, bound for their 17th consecutive losing season. Got a lifeline to the Yankees and is trying to reach his third consecutive World Series with his third different AL East team (2007 Red Sox, 2008 Rays). Batted .226 with seven home runs and 14 RBIs.
Second base - Julio Lugo, Cardinals. He once added shortstop stability for the Rays, but has since bounced from the Dodgers to the Red Sox to the Cardinals. Batted .277 for the Cardinals, who have given him a home at second base.
Shortstop - Brendan Harris, Twins. Multipurpose infielder who was traded to Minnesota last season. Batted .261 with six homers and 37 RBIs.
Third base - Nick Green, Red Sox. Green, a multipurpose infielder who played with the Rays in 2005-06, batted .236 with six homers and 36 RBIs for Boston.
Outfield - Delmon Young, Twins. He was once the draft's No. 1 overall selection. Centerpiece of last season's trade to Minnesota that brought Jason Bartlett and Matt Garza to the Rays. Batted .284 with 12 homers and 60 RBIs.
Outfield - Joey Gathright, Red Sox. Electrifying speed makes him an excellent pinch-running candidate, a valuable commodity in a short series.
Outfield - Rocco Baldelli, Red Sox. The former first-round pick and sentimental favorite of last season's postseason run with the Rays now gets another shot at reaching the World Series. For Boston, he batted .253 with seven homers and 23 RBIs in 62 games.
Catcher - No ex-Rays at this position.
Starting pitcher - Scott Kazmir, Angels. Traded from the Rays in August (coincidentally or not, Tampa Bay never recovered). He's 2-2 with a 1.73 ERA in six starts with the Angels. His successful track record against the Red Sox and Yankees could be a big factor in a potential playoff run.
Starting pitcher - Jason Hammel, Rockies. Remember spring training, when the Rays were deciding between Jeff Niemann and Hammel for the starting staff's No. 5 spot? Hammel was shipped to the Rockies, where he's 10-8 with a 4.33 ERA.
Relief pitcher - Trever Miller, Cardinals. Valuable left-handed member of the Rays' bullpen last season. With St. Louis, he's 4-1 with a 2.06 ERA in 70 games.
Manager - Hal McRae, Cardinals. No, McRae isn't the Cardinals' manager (that would be Tony La Russa). But McRae is the batting coach and he's well-suited to manage this group of postseason ex-Rays.
Birthday wishes
Happy belated birthday to Green Bay Packers nose tackle Ryan Pickett, the former player at Zephyrhills High School and Ohio State University. Thursday, Pickett turned 30.
The Answer Man
Here's the answer to Thursday's trivia question:
Orlando's World Football League franchise during the league's inaugural 1974 season was named the Florida Blazers. The Blazers lost 22-21 to the Birmingham Americans in the "World Bowl," the league's championship game.
Friday trivia
Here's our daily sports trivia question, featuring a Tampa Bay/Florida spin. Try your luck by commenting below.
Robinson High School's football team last hosted a state playoff game in 1977. Who was the opponent?
Check for the answer in Monday's Wake-Up Call.
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