Top Area Receiver Tello Could Miss Playoffs

Posted Nov 7, 2009 by Bart O'Connell

Updated Nov 7, 2009 at 08:45 AM

WESLEY CHAPEL – Amid all the excitement surrounding Hudson’s 20-18 playoff-clinching win against Wiregrass Ranch, Coach Mark Nash delivered a dose of reality in the name of Pasco County’s leading receiver, James Tello.

Tello suffered a re-aggravation of a right shoulder injury suffered early in the season in Friday’s second half. The original injury didn’t cause any tearing of ligaments, but Tello was seen heavily wrapped up and was unable to play during the critical final minutes of Friday’s game.

“Tello might not be able to go,” Nash said of the first-round playoff game in Gainesville in two weeks. “This [injury] might be worse.”

Tello will have an MRI on Monday, and Nash should know soon afterward if he can play. It seems highly doubtful Tello would face his former team – Land O’ Lakes – next week for Hudson’s homecoming regardless of the test results.

Tello leads all Tampa Bay area receivers with 70 catches, his 922 yards are second only to Hillsborough’s Charles Lovett, and he also has seven touchdowns.

Hudson (5-4) has a history of key injuries right before, or during, their playoff games of the past three years. Quarterback Zack Wynn tore an anterior cruciate ligament during the Cobras’ playoff-clinching win at Zephyrhills in 2007. Though he played through it to throw the game-winning touchdown pass, he was ruled out of the postseason and underwent surgery.

Sean Scott, the leading rusher from that 2007 team, was injured two plays into the Cobras’ first-round game at Harmony and did not return in the loss.

Nash lamented Hudson’s recent bad luck in those games.

“For once I would just like to have my complete team for the playoffs,” he said.

Because of that history, it seems possible that Wynn may not play the entire game against the Gators, though he said he is “definitely” playing. Nash did not say what he plan was for Wynn in a game that has no bearing on the playoffs.

“You can print this—Zack’s going to do what I tell him to do,” Nash said.