Former Gulf star faces drug charges

Posted Jan 19, 2012 by Rick Harmon

Updated Jan 19, 2012 at 07:28 PM

Former Gulf High and current University of Florida sophomore defensive tackle Leon Orr was served with a notice to appear on two drug charges after campus police searched his Gainesville dorm room Jan. 10.

The report, obtained by the campus newspaper The Alligator, says Orr’s dorm room in building eight of Keys Complex was searched by campus police and a “baggy of a green leafy substance, a glass pipe and rolling papers” were on Orr’s desk and bedside table.

Orr is being charged with possession of marijuana under 20 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia. He will appear in court Feb. 8.

After the “green leafy substance” was confirmed as marijuana, Orr was read his rights and admitted the items found were his, the report said. The report doesn’t say what let to the search.

Since Will Muschamp replaced Urban Meyer as head coach, eight different Gators football players have been arrested.

At Gulf, Orr was a Pasco Tribune first-team selection in 2009. As a redshirt freshman for the Gators, he had 10 tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss.

Correspondent Andy Villamarzo contributed to this report.

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Pasco’s Birchfield signs softball scholarship

Posted Jan 18, 2012 by Mike Camunas

Updated Jan 19, 2012 at 06:32 AM

Pasco senior first baseman Sarah Birchfield signed a softball letter-of-intent with College of Central Florida in Ocala on Wednesday.

Birchfield hit .310 last season with 20 RBI and seven doubles for a Pirates team that went 25-7 and advanced to the Class 4A region final.

Correspondent Mike Camunas can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or follow him on Twitter @MIkeCamunasTrib.

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Football: Land O’ Lakes LB Williams offered by NC-Central

Posted Jan 17, 2012 by Bart O'Connell

Updated Jan 17, 2012 at 02:09 PM

Another scholarship offer has come in for a key member of the Land O’ Lakes defense. The latest is for Gators LB Shadow Williams.

The senior received his offer from Division I FCS North Carolina-Central, LOL coach Brian Wachtel said.

Williams has been one of the most feared and productive linebackers in Pasco County the past two seasons. Despite playing much of the 2011 season with a cast stemming from broken bone in his right hand, Williams had 62 tackles and three sacks. He had 133 tackles and 11 sacks in his healthy junior season.

Located in Durham, N.C., NC-Central is a historically black university that competes in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with the likes of Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M. Last year’s team went 2-9.

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Pasco’s Janarion Grant picks up offer from USF; John Baxter gets Wayne St. offer

Posted Jan 17, 2012 by Mike Camunas

Updated Jan 17, 2012 at 12:08 PM

In what is sure to be first of many, Pasco junior receiver Janarion Grant picked up a Division I scholarship offer Tuesday, this one coming locally from USF.

Pirates coach Tom McHugh added in a text message that senior lineman John Baxter received an offer from Wayne State, a Division II college in Detroit, MI.

Grant, arguably Pasco’s most talented athlete and state champ in the long jump, had 22 total touchdowns, including 14 receiving for the 13-1 Pirates. Grant, who also plays cornerback and added a 101-yard interception return against Jesuit in the region final, has also seen time at running back and quarterback during games.

Grant will more than likely take over at QB for Pasco next season, as McHugh and staff will probably install more of a spread-option, wildcat formation for Grant’s immense speed.

Baxter was part of an underrated offensive line that allowed senior quarterback Jacob Guy pass for 42 touchdowns and 2,672 yards, both county records. Baxter also notched 26 tackles and three sacks at defensive tackle.

These two players were part of one of the best football teams in Pasco County history, marching to a state semifinal, Pasco’s second in four seasons. However, Pasco lost heartbreakingly in triple overtime 41-38 to Crawfordville Wakulla on Dec. 9.

Correspondent Mike Camunas can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or follow him on Twitter @MikeCamunasTrib.

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Football: Land O’ Lakes’ Cannon, Patmon Receive D-II Scholarship Offers

Posted Jan 15, 2012 by Bart O'Connell

Updated Jan 15, 2012 at 09:10 PM

Land O’ Lakes LB Jackson Cannon and S Darin Patmon received scholarship offers this weekend from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, said Gators coach Brian Wachtel Sunday night.

Both players were on a recruiting visit to the Division II school when they were given the offers, and have yet to decide on them.

Cannon, a first-team All-Pasco County selection the past two seasons, had 89 tackles and 3.5 sacks in this past season. Patmon, who missed time in his senior year due to injury, finished with 55 tackles. Both had over 100 tackles during their junior seasons.

Nebraska-Kearney finished 10-2 this season, making the D-II playoffs but losing in the first round.

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Pasco’s Dudley-Giles visits Middle Tennessee

Posted Jan 12, 2012 by Mike Camunas

Updated Jan 12, 2012 at 01:22 PM

Pasco athlete Trey Dudley-Giles has made official visits, however, not made a decision on his collegiate plans.

In fact, Dudley-Giles made an official visit to Middle Tennessee on Friday and picked up his ninth offer.

“(There are) no (other) offers,” Pirates coach Tom McHugh added in a text message Wednesday evening.

Dudley-Giles, who was named to The Pasco Tribune’s all-county first team with a team-high 1,066 receiving yard and 14 touchdowns, also has offers from Eastern Michigan, East Carolina, Florida Atlantic, Rutgers, Ball State, UMass, South Alabama and Ohio.

McHugh says Dudley-Giles will make more official visits and probably make a decision closer to national signing day, Feb. 1.

Teammate, quarterback Jacob Guy, has three offers on the table: Western Michigan, UMass and Ohio.

The two helped lead Pasco to a 13-1 record and its second state semifinal trip in the past four seasons. The Pirates, unfortunately, lost to eventual state runner up, Crawfordville Wakulla 41-38 in triple overtime.

Correspondent Mike Camunas can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or follow him on Twitter @MikeCamunasTrib.

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Gulf has no plans to appeal FHSAA suspensions, fines handed out for role in Tuesday’s brawl

Posted Jan 11, 2012 by Mike Camunas

Updated Jan 11, 2012 at 10:26 PM

Gulf boys soccer coach Steve Emerson is still digesting it all.

Just 24 hours after playing Fivay to a scoreless draw that ended in a benches-clearing brawl, the Buccaneers were handed a six-game suspension to senior captain and leading goal scorer Travis Jehs and a game suspension to three other players. And with all that, Emerson is still sorting through the day-after wreckage.

“It’s been a whirlwind, for sure,” Emerson told the Tampa Tribune on Wednesday evening. “There isn’t really anything good that came from this, though. It’s just been a mess.”

Emerson says the school has no plans to appeal the suspension handed to Jehs and his fellow players, not the three $100 fines to the school for the players leaving the bench. In the ruckus, Fivay player Courtland Harrison was also given a six-game suspension, with the ruling to his and Jehs suspension was because of a “forceful push”, according to FHSAA.

“We don’t have any plans, and I have to look at the whole thing as I wonder why more Fivay players weren’t suspended as well, but we still have to look over just what happened,” Emerson said. “I don’t condone or approve what happend or of Travis’ actions. They’re not excused, and he’ll be the first person to not excuse them. It wasn’t the best decision, and he knows it.”

Emotions ran high before and during the game as the two teams were playing for the district tournament’s top seed in Class 3A, District 8. However, after the draw, Fivay is now 8-1-2 in district play, while the Buccaneers are 7-2-1. Both have one district game left — Anclote for Fivay and River Ridge for Gulf — and if both teams win, Fivay would lock up the No. 1 seed.

“This game had a lot of emotion from start to finish, obviously,” Emerson said. “We’re probably locked into the No. 2 seed now, which is OK, but as the players all played at the level they did, it showed on and off the field — the emotions. This isn’t us. This isn’t what I built this Gulf team to be or represent and it’s unlike both teams because many of them are friends. It’s just a situation where the emotions got the best of everyone, and you can’t let that happen during the game.”

Correspondent Mike Camunas can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or follow him on Twitter @MikeCamunasTrib.

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Gulf, Fivay receive fines, suspensions from FHSAA

Posted Jan 11, 2012 by Mike Camunas

Updated Jan 11, 2012 at 03:06 PM

The Florida High School Athletic Association has already handed down fines and suspensions for the Fivay and Gulf boys soccer teams for their involvement in a bench-clearing brawl on Tuesday night.

According to FHSAA spokesman Corey Sobers, Gulf senior Travis Jehs has been suspended for six weeks for the altercation with a “forceful push”, while three other Buccaneers players will receive a one-game suspension for leaving the team’s bench. Jehs has a team-high 14 goals, but will undoubtedly miss the Class 3A, District 8 tournament, which begins Jan. 23 at Mitchell. Forceful pushes by two players,

FHSAA also fined Gulf $100 per each player who left the bench, and Sobers said any additional six-week, or a Level 2, suspension will result in a $250 fine.

Fivay’s Courtland Harrison, who was the lone Falcon to receive a red card Tuesday, was also dealt a six-week suspension due to a “forceful push”, though no other Falcons players will face penalties.

Sobers added that he has not heard if there will be appeals by either Gulf or Fivay.

Falcons coach Eric Kruck and Buccaneers coach Steve Emerson could not immediately be reached for comment.

Fivay and Gulf battled out to a scoreless draw Tuesda with the district’s top seeding on the line. Following the game, the Falcons now have a 8-1-2 district record, while the Buccaneers are 7-2-1. Both have one district game left — Anclote for Fivay and River Ridge for Gulf — and if both teams win, Fivay would lock up the No. 1 seed.

Correspondent Mike Camunas can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or follow him on Twitter @MikeCamunasTrib.

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Fivay keeper Brandon Taylor status has improved

Posted Jan 11, 2012 by Mike Camunas

Updated Jan 11, 2012 at 12:48 PM

After a scary moment in Tuesday night’s game against Gulf, Fivay’s boys soccer team got some good news this afternoon.

Keeper Brandon Taylor, who suffered a spinal contusion after taking a shot to the face and head, has regained feeling and movement in all extremities and will be released from the hospital later today, Falcons coach Eric Kruck said.

“Brandon called me and is doing much better,” Kruck said in a text message. “He is able to move his left leg and will be released from the hospital later today.”

Taylor spent the night in the hospital after leaving Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Gulf early and was replaced by sophomore Tyler Phillips. After taking the shot, Taylor was knocked unconscious and when he awoke, told trainers he could not feel his left hand or leg. Throughout the night and morning he gradually regained feeling throughout his body, though is still suffering from lower back pain.

“I would say it would be nothing short of miraculous if he comes back this season,” Kruck said Wednesday morning.

Taylor’s injury added to a heated Class 3A-District 8 battle that also saw a benching-clearing brawl, punches thrown and five red cards, including four to Gulf players. The two teams were both aiming for the top seed at the district tournament which begins Jan. 23 at Mitchell. Fivay is now 8-1-2 and still faces Anclote, more than likely, giving the second-year Falcons the inside track past the Buccaneers, who are 7-2-1 and still face River Ridge.

Correspondent Mike Camunas can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or follow him on Twitter @MikeCamunasTrib.

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Hudson football coach Justin Fenton resigns

Posted Jan 11, 2012 by Andy Villamarzo

Updated Jan 11, 2012 at 12:46 PM

Hudson football coach Justin Fenton resigned his position Tuesday due to family reasons, Fenton said Wednesday morning. 

“Me and my wife just had our second son and it was basically a family decision to step down as coach,” Fenton said. “My teaching position is still at Hudson, so I’m still going to be doing that and paying bills. I told the kids yesterday and it was rough to tell the kids and tough on me too. There’s a lot of good, great kids here at Hudson. It hurts. I definitely know more about coaching now then when I walked into the door here at Hudson. I understand a lot more about being a head coach and making overall improvements to a program. Whoever (Hudson) hires will have plenty time to step in before spring ball starts up.”

A former defensive coordinator under Scott Schmitz at Mitchell, Fenton took over at Hudson in 2010 after former Cobras coach Mark Nash stepped down to take the same position at Brooksville Nature Coast. Low player numbers hindered Fenton’s time at the school, especially after Fivay opened in 2010. The Cobras went 0-20 during Fenton’s tenure. 

Hudson principal David LaRoche could not be reached for comment on the position posting and timeframe for hiring a new coach. 

Correspodnent Andy Villamarzo can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or follow him on Twitter at @andyvillamarzo.

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