Matt Kitchie earns more than a playoff berth

Posted Nov 13, 2009 by Eddie Daniels

Updated Nov 13, 2009 at 04:27 PM

So what happens when you keep a historic playoff streak alive? Well, for Land O’ Lakes football coach Matt Kitchie, it’s being named the Tampa Bay Buccaneers High School Coach of the Week for Week 10.

The Gators’ 17-14 victory against Mitchell last week earned the program’s 13th consecutive playoff appearance.

Making the trip to One Buccaneer place with Kitchie was defensive coordinator Jason Hatcher, running back Tyler Peak and quarterback Stephen Weatherford.

“It was pretty sweet,” Kitchie said. “We went on a tour, did all tat and then got to meet (Bucs coach) Raheem (Morris).”

At one point during the tour, Peak, who stands at 5-foot-10, 185 pounds, stood next to Bucs running back Earnest Graham. Needless to say, Graham’s 5-foot-9, 225 pound NFL frame made an impression on Peak.

“Tyler Peak, he stood next to Earnest Graham and said, ‘I feel kind of small,’” Kitchie said laughing.

“I thought they had a great time,” Kitchie said of the group who attended the trip to One Buc Place with him. “They enjoyed every minute of it and got to be around some NFL players.”

Kitchie is the second Pasco County coach to be honored by the Bucs this season. Sunlake coach Bill Browning was named the Bucs’ Week 4 Coach of the Week after the Seahawks knocked off Gulf, 35-14.