Crest’s Kelly honored by Bucs

Posted Sep 21, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated Sep 24, 2012 at 04:06 PM

He’s got a tall order tonight when his squad takes on county powerhouse Hillsborough, but first-year Strawberry Crest coach John Kelly has not gone unnoticed for the progress he has made with the Chargers’ football program.

This past week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have named Kelly their Coach of the Week for Week 3. Last fall, the Chargers produced a 2-9 record. Three games into the 2012 campaign, Kelly’s team has already matched their 2011 win total and has lost just once. Following the Crest’s 21-14 victory over Steinbrenner, Kelly earned the Bucs’ Coach of the Week honor.

Kelly and Chargers linebacker Mikey Mitchell were invited to attend the Bucs’ practice Thursday at One Buccaneer Place, where they were congratulated by head Coach Greg Schiano. In addition, Kelly was presented a 1,000 donation from the Bucs that will support Strawberry Crest’s football program.

This fall, the Bucs will honor 10 prep football coaches from Central Florida with the same awards. In addition, a Coach of the Year will be awarded from the 10 weekly winners. The Coach of the Year will receive an additional $1,000 for their program.