Week 5 Football News: Booker T.’s McDonald Goes Down
September 26th, 2007 Posted in Florida, Florida Sports, Florida Football, football, High School FootballLeading off today’s news is a story that actually appeared on Tuesday. The Miami Herald reported Tuesday that Booker T. lost its quarterback, talented senior Sancho McDonald. Apparently, McDonald suffered an Achilles’ tendon injury in the team’s 47-0 victory against Fort Lauderdale. If it’s serious, McDonald is expected to miss most—if not all—of the remainder of the 2007 season. The Florida Gators are among the many high-level Division I schools that have shown interest in McDonald.
While McDonald is out, several football teams are back in. There are reports rolling in that all of the teams that were suspended by the FHSAA on Monday have been re-instated. The FHSAA placed suspensions on a few dozen teams that failed to submit a necessary roster, which was to be used for FHSAA’s new random steroid-testing policy. Tampa Tribune writer Nick Williams reported that Tampa Blake wasn’t even aware of its suspension until the athletic director opened his newspaper on Tuesday morning. As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, the only team that still hadn’t been cleared was Hialeah Gardens Mater Academy, and the team’s coach told the Miami Herald on Tuesday that he’d already submitted the rosters. Expect all teams that were affected to be on the field this week.
Here are some of the early-week stories from the Florida prep football realm. Included are a few stories on the outcome of Monday games, which were plentiful in the state after bad weather forced some postponements and even a few cancellations.
It’s no secret that Citra North Marion has a good team, but even the players weren’t aware of what the Ocala Star-Banner uncovered this week. According to the newspaper, North Marion set a school record by allowing—if that’s even apt in this case—opponent West Port minus-18 yards of offense. North Marion won the game 12-0. The Colts are 3-1.
Bradenton Herald sportswriter John Lembo chimes in with some perspective on Manatee’s 63-17 victory against fellow 5A-11 foe Port Charlotte. Meanwhile, Lembo’s co-worker, Douglas A. Kaid, provides insight into Lakewood Ranch, which has started 1-3 and lost last Friday to Venice. Kaid also had this story on Bradenton Prep, which faces back-to-back bye weeks. Might as well check out staff writer Mike Henry’s take on Bradenton Christian as well. The Panthers are 2-2 after losing 27-12 Saturday to Hollywood Sheridan Hills Christian. Henry also has this Monday story on 2-2 Bayshore High, which is battling some teams as St. Petersbug Northeast and Gulfport Boca Ciega for the District 4A-9 crown.
Orlando Sentinel sportswriter Tania Ganguli reported today that Dr. Phillips running back Thomas Shuler is at full speed after being limited during the team’s 0-3 start. Dr. Phillips was expected to be one of the state’s top teams, but they’ve lost three close ones to other top teams. Ganguli also has reported that Kissimmee Osceola quarterback T’Sharvan Bell missed time in the 3-0 team’s 42-24 win last Friday. Ganguli said Osceola Coach Jeff Rolson has cited a shoulder injury as the reason that sophomore Marc Deas started behind center. Bell could be on the sidelines again this Friday, when the Kowboys face Poinciana.
For something a little outside of the action, check out this story on New Smyrna Beach football player Josh Ciccone, who happens to be the Florida’s reigning 238-pound state weightlifting champion. As the story points out, he’s also a dad. That means that, when the neighbor kid picks on little Briana in 10 years, he’ll have to deal with a man who can bench press a small Buick.
Lakeland Ledger sportswriter Roy Fuoco has some great news about the area’s crop of quarterbacks. Among that group is Winter Haven sensation D.C. Jefferson, the 6-5 senior who has already thrown eight touchdown passes.
Of course, we hope that you prefer our weekly football rankings, but we’re obviously not the only show in town. So, for your enjoyment, check out this week’s All-Class Top 25 Football Rankings. They’re brought to you by the FHSAA and the good folks at Beef O’Brady’s. Speaking of the Irish, have you any advice for Notre Dame fans?
ACKSONVILLE — Miami Northwestern remains the #1 team in the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Top 25, but the two-time overall champion Lakeland Dreadnaughts are gaining momentum. Lakeland, fresh off a 30-6 win over then-#11 Boyd Anderson (Lauderdale Lakes, 6A) moved from fifth to fourth in the overall balloting of sports writers and broadcasters that cover high school football.
Miami Washington remained second, followed by Pahokee, Lakeland and Armwood (Seffner) at fifth.
The second five remained consistent, led by 5A St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale), Glades Central (Belle Glade) and Lake Gibson (Lakeland). Bolles (Jacksonville) moved up to ninth after Lincoln (Tallahassee) lost to Georgia power Valdosta and fell to 18th. St. Augustine moved to #10.
Boyd Anderson fell to 25th after its loss to Lakeland. Godby (Tallahassee) moved into the Top 25, coming in at 24.
Rnk Team (FPV) Class w-l lw pts
1 Miami Northwestern (13) 6A 3-0 1 325
2 Miami Washington 4A 2-0 2 307
3 Pahokee 2B 4-0 3 288
4 Lakeland 5A 4-0 5 288
5 Armwood (Seffner) 4A 4-0 4 284
6 St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Laud.)5A 3-0 6 255
7 Glades Central (Belle Glade) 3A 4-0 7 245
8 Lake Gibson (Lakeland) 5A 3-0 8 236
9 Bolles (Jacksonville) 2A 3-0 10 213
10 St. Augustine 3A 3-0 12 206
11 Manatee (Bradenton) 5A 4-0 14 179
12 Miami Central 6A 3-0 13 176
13 Deerfield Beach 6A 2-0 15 163
14 Apopka 6A 4-0 16 141
15 Madison Co. 2A 2-1 18 121
16 Naples 3A 4-0 19 115
17 Hillsborough (Tampa) 4A 4-0 17 99
18 Lincoln (Tallahassee) 4A 3-1 9 93
19 North Miami Beach 6A 3-0 21 73
20 Seabreeze (Daytona Beach) 4A 4-0 23 66
21 Nease (Ponte Vedra Beach) 4A 3-1 20 60
22 Osceola (Kissimmee) 5A 4-0 25 49
23 Mainland (Daytona Beach) 5A 3-1 22 48
24 Godby (Tallahassee) 3A 4-0 NR 40
25 Boyd Anderson (Laud. Lakes) 6A 2-1 11 38
Also receiving votes
Edgewater (Orlando) - 6A, 3-1, 35; Pace - 4A, 4-0, 17; Fort Myers -5A, 4-0, 16; Milton - 4A, 3-0, 16; Miramar - 6A, 3-0, 11; Bartram Trail (Jacksonville) - 5A, 3-1, 5; Rockledge - 4A, 2-1, 4; Plant (Tampa) - 4A, 3-1, 4; Vero Beach - 6A, 4-0, 4; North Marion (Citra) - 3A, 3-1, 2; Oviedo - 6A, 4-0, 2; Eastside (Gainesville) - 4A, 2-1, 1
