TC loses top two rushers, linebacker to transfers

Posted Jan 5, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated Jan 5, 2012 at 09:28 PM

Tampa Catholic’s top two rushers last season, juniors Trevor Register and Jordan Rich-Rogers, along with sophomore linebacker Kimo Vareen, have withdrawn from the school and will transfer to public schools within Hillsborough County, Crusaders coach Bob Henriquez said Thursday.

“It’s unfortunate to lose kids of that caliber and it’s going to affect or depth at the running back position,” Henriquez said. “But the (offensive) line we have will open holes no matter who’s back there and the running back spot was one of our deepest spots this year.”

Together, Register and Rich-Rogers rushed for 1,281 yards and 14 touchdowns while the 6-foot-1, 210-pound Vareen had worked his way into the starting lineup. Henriquez believed Register and Vareer were headed back to the school they started at, Riverview High. He was unsure of which school Rich-Rogers would attend. All three, however, have officially withdrawn from TC.

“We’ll be fine,” Henriquez said. “If I was losing an offensive lineman like Corey Martinez, I’d probably be much more upset. But we have capable backs with a lot of promise.”

Among them, Henriquez said, are freshman running back Corey Bennett, who gained nearly 300 yards rushing last season, and sophomore Dakari Highsmith, who saw most of his action at receiver but is a natural running back.