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SEFFNER Eight Armwood High varsity football players could be suspended for tonight’s regular-season opener against Plant after being caught Thursday skipping a morning class for the second time in two days.
Armwood coach Sean Callahan said he will decide today whether to sit the eight varsity players, including starting quarterback Mywan Jackson, for the home game against the defending Class 4A state champion Panthers. One junior varsity player also is among the group being disciplined.
All of the players were held out of Thursday’s practice and will receive two days of in school suspension, Callahan said. However, there will be more punishment for each player, Callahan said, and that could include being benched for tonight’s game.
“I’m very disciplined, I’m very on the ball with all my players, and for them to challenge me, for nine kids to do this after I told them the day before I was going to check on them, it was a complete slap in my face,” Callahan said, adding the punishment will be the same for all the players in question. “I’ve never been one to mince words with stuff like this. I’m trying to be open about playing them. I’ve got to see them [today] and see how much they’re hurting.
At practice Thursday, Callahan said he would meet with each player, the player’s parents, school administrators and the captains to decide on the penalties.
Callahan reiterated late Thursday night that no decision had been made on whether to bench the players in question for tonight’s game, and added he still had to meet with some of parents of the players in question.
Jackson, who was scheduled to make his first varsity start at quarterback, was the only player who could be confirmed as one of the eight varsity players in question. None of the Hawks’ most notable players – tailback Eric Smith, linebacker Petey Smith, offensive lineman Matt Patchan and defensive linemen Sergio Joyner and Ryne Giddins – were among those in question, as all were at practice Thursday. Callahan said there were “5 1/2 starters” among the group; three on defense, two on offense and one who gets significant playing time.
In Jackson’s absence at Thursday’s practice, junior Rob Jones worked with the first-team offense and will get the start if Jackson does not suit up, Callahan said.
“The timing [of this incident] was bad, but I’ll turn it into a positive somehow,” Callahan said. “I’m torn because the kids have worked so hard and they are all good kids that just made a bad mistake.
“I told the guys [Wednesday] in a team meeting that we we’re going to face some adversity this season. I just didn’t expect it to come 12 hours later.”
Posted by Mike Bowers, Valrico FL on 09/01 at 05:20 AM
Hey Mr Meyer…PHS 0-1, in case you forgot…
Posted by Phil, Riverview on 08/31 at 02:19 PM
The comments, so far, adequately reflect the lack of importance many people in this area put on education.
Is there really any debate which takes precedence, i.e., Sports versus education? I am sure it makes alumni and students feel great when any school sports team wins. However, how many of the ‘gifted’ high school atheletes end up going to college? Not enough.
Posted by J Miracle AHS 88, Riverview on 08/31 at 01:33 PM
Welcome to life folks. People make mistakes all the time. Most recently David Boston, Lance Briggs & Senator Craig (LOL). This just happens to be a big game and I believe Coach should suspend them after they tale care of Plant. IE Bobby Bowden Style. Just my thoughts. Go Hawks…..Does’nt this feel a lot like the BSC Game last year when OSuckO thought they would walk all over Florida. Plant is in for a rude awakening. Speaking of Class, how is your QB doing in College? Great Job their Plant. Money does not equate to class.
Posted by Mike Bowers, Valrico FL on 08/31 at 01:03 PM
My apolgies, the last comment should have been directed to Mr Virginia.
Posted by Mike Bowers, Valrico FL on 08/31 at 01:01 PM
Mr Meyer, I commend your passion for academics, but the last time I checked your reference to whether or not we had forgotten was about last year’s Plant football team, not their “A” status as a school. And since you are in the mood to reminisce, I thought it best to make sure your one-hit wonders don’t get too full of themselves. Back-to-back, my friend, back-to-back.
Posted by kevin linn, tampa on 08/31 at 01:01 PM
If the coach doesn’t bench them for the game after he threatened to do so he’ll look like he was pressured to back down. He’ll look like a sellout and will lose respect from those who heard him make the threat. No lesson will be learned.
Posted by Michael Crouch, Seffner, Fl on 08/31 at 12:45 PM
I believe that Sean Callahan is in an untenable situation. He will be criticized no matter what his decision is. Coach Callahan is also probably too close to the situation not to let his personal feelings influence the decision making process. I would suggest that a man of unquestioned integrity, Athletic Director Don Hill, make this call. Either way this goes down (and I am in favor of game or longer suspensions), GO HAWKS!
Posted by alan fox, Seffner on 08/31 at 11:53 AM
You folks from Plant should really be careful with your assumptions that Coach Callahan is arrogant or lacks in the discipline dept. S.Tampa is full of arrogance, for what? A lucky state title. Bring your team to Seffner tonight and we will help you with your own temporary arrogance problem. Our 2’s are as good as any 1’s in the county.
Posted by AN, Seffner on 08/31 at 11:40 AM
There’s no reason to down the schools…the ultimate goal here is that these young men learn from their actions.
Remember that both of these schools have good football players and have/had state championships…that in itself is a great accomplishment.
Posted by Sam C, Virginia on 08/31 at 10:52 AM
Anyone who calls Plant “second-class citizens” to Armwood proves what a great education they recieved at their high school. Plant has been an A school for as long as I can remember while Armwood has been great at recieving D’s. Also Coach Callahan might be one of the most arrogant men with a thriving Napoleanic complex that I have ever met in my life. While I know Plant is far from sinless, Armwood is full of blatant recruiting and horrible sportsmanship and this event is just another piece of evidence backing up that claim.
Posted by John H Marshall, Tampa, Florida on 08/31 at 10:10 AM
After all the preparation to play football for Armwood, my question is, what bacame so important to these kids to make them violate rules shortly before playing one of the most important football games in their school’s history?? Is there “something afoot”. In one comment, this section, the following was said.
“They were also smokin pot.
Just thought everyone should know.
They didnt want to print that…”
Is there some to this??
Posted by PAUL FOYT, RIVERVIEW on 08/31 at 09:44 AM
THE PRINCIPAL SHOULD STEP IN AND MAKE THIS DECISION TO HOLD PLAYERS OUT OF THE GAME AS THIS DECISION DIRECTLY AFFECTS THE COACH.
IF THE COACH IS LEFT WITH THE DECISION HE SHOULD SUSPEND THE PLAYERS FROM THE GAME OR HE WILL HAVE NO DISCIPLINE ON HIS TEAM.
HE WILL LOSE CONTROL OF HIS PLAYERS IF THEY PLAY AND THE PLAYERS WILL LEARN THAT IT IS OK TO BREAK RULES BECAUSE THEY ARE FOOTBALL PLAYERS.
Posted by Greg Meyer, Palmetto Beach on 08/31 at 09:29 AM
Mr. Bowers,
At Plant, Coach Weiner does his best to teach his young men to not treat or refer to anyone as “second class citizens” regardless of what side of the field they are on.
You may have one more state title than us but we have something that we take greater pride in.
Class!
Posted by Eliezer Rivero, Tampa on 08/31 at 08:52 AM
If they weren’t starters i’m sure they would allready been suspended.Whats more important football or academics?
Posted by Jim Gunderspan, Ruskin on 08/31 at 08:46 AM
By benching the offenders do you not also punish the innocent? The kids on the team who did the right things, practiced hard etc.. Tough call coach.
Posted by AN, Seffner on 08/31 at 08:33 AM
As an Armwood graduate and the parent of a current AHS student, Coach Callahan has to do what is necessary and sitting these students out for this game will be hard but fair. I think that all of the parents will support him in his decision. These players have let their team and school down, but I’m sure that they won’t do it again.
GO HAWKS!!
2-TIME STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPS!!!
Posted by Mary Thomas, Brandon on 08/31 at 08:31 AM
These boys need to be benched! The only reason they are allowed to play football at all is because they ARE students. I think they need to be reminded of that. I support you Coach.
Posted by Tyler Brewer, Tampa on 08/31 at 08:16 AM
They were also smokin pot.
Just thought everyone should know.
They didnt want to print that…
Posted by James Henry, Lakeland, FL on 08/31 at 08:11 AM
Let the coach do his job, which is foremost as an educator. Those kids need to fall in line and grow up. Sounds like he gave them a break with a warning after their first exploit, their choice to have to learn the hard way. If they rest on their laurels and feen entitled because they are “jocks”, they will soon be enlightened in real life. Go Coach!
Posted by Jay Roberto, Lutz on 08/31 at 08:07 AM
It sounds like these kids are ready for college
Posted by steve eckstein, tampa on 08/31 at 08:07 AM
If 8 players openly defy the coach and schools attendance policies for a second consecutive day, why does one have to see “how bad they are hurting” before deciding on the disciplinary action? For crying out loud, they are FOOTBALL players…they can’t be “hurting” that bad. If you want to teach them they are above the laws that everyone else is required to observe, then by all means, go ahead and let them play.
Posted by Mike Bowers, Valrico FL on 08/31 at 07:16 AM
Mr Meyer, when (if) Plant goes back-to-back, please let us know. Otherwise they are still a second class citizen to Armwood…in case you forgot.
Posted by Kevin McLean Jr., Tampa, FL on 08/31 at 07:05 AM
I played for coach Cal at Armwood from , he had always disiplined his players when they make bad decisions. I know Callahan will make the right decision and bench these guys.
Posted by Eliezer Rivero, Tampa on 08/31 at 06:03 AM
Please Coach don’t ride the boat. Make them face the consequenses. Either way i’m sure they’ll learn from it.
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Posted by J Miracle, Riverview on 09/04 at 06:53 PM
Hey Plant,
Coach did the right thing and you still were spanked by the backups. Solid performance. Atleast the volleyball team is good!