TBT’s Culpepper, area players named to FACA all-star team

Posted Dec 17, 2009 by Bill Ward

Updated Dec 17, 2009 at 10:28 AM

Tampa Bay Tech head football coach C.C. Culpepper has been named to the coaching staff of the South squad of the Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-Star Game, slated for Dec. 22 at 6:30 p.m. in Sebring.

Culpepper says he will be coaching defensive backs on the South team, which should be represented well by Tampa Bay area players. Among the invitees to the South squad are two of Culpepper’s players, defensive back Jerome Speights and linebacker Greg “Buster” Hickman.

Other local players invited to the South roster are Plant’s Jon Vega, an offensive lineman, and Mike Mirabella, a linebacker, Armwood defensive lineman Theodore “Man-Man” Jackson, and Gibbs wide receiver Jarvis West.

TBT fullback Maurice Hagens was also invited but turned down the offer due to another commitment, Culpepper said.

In other news from TBT, Culpepper says Hickman and defensive tackle Mark Grant have made verbal commitments to Florida International University. Both were starters and key members of a Titans defense that helped the school post a 9-2 record this fall.