TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Hernando Today

Two Sharks Charged In String Of Home Burglaries

ADVERTISEMENT

By TONY CASTRO

SPORTS EDITOR Hernando Today

Published: July 11, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - Of the five teenagers arrested Tuesday in a string of recent area burglaries, two have been identified as Nature Coast Technical varsity football players.

Back-up running back and kick return specialist Johnny "Eric" Williams, 18, is charged with grand theft auto; while the other, a starting defensive back, was charged as a juvenile with burglary of a structure.

The news shook the NCT football office.

Shark Head Coach Jamie Joyner said Thursday afternoon he was disappointed with his players' involvement in the brush with the law enforcement.

"We've got to let the process run its course," said Joyner, who'll begin his fifth year at the helm next month. "It's an unfortunate situation. We've got to let the law do its job. Right now, there's no action I can take. Both the guys are members of the program.

"Obviously, the first concern is for the welfare of the kids. The law will sort out what went on and what actually happened."

According to Section 5 of the 2007-08 Hernando County Student Code of Conduct, "Students charged by the State Attorney's Office with a felony for an incident which occurred off school property but which will have an adverse impact on the educational program, school discipline or welfare of the school, may be suspended pending court determination of his/her guilt, innocence, or dismissal of the charges."

What options could be taken if the players are charged with a felony?

"This isn't something easy to deal with," Joyner said. "I'm surprised and shocked when any athlete is involved in something like this. We try to help the kids as best we can.

"If the kids are charged with a felony, or whatever, then there will be a course of action," he added. "As a coach can we correct the errors and try to help out these boys? Or we kick them off the team completely. People make mistakes. Kids make mistakes, but this is a pretty big one."

So what's the players' current status?

"The kids are part of the program," Joyner said. "When we get all the information in, you can either feed these kids to wolves over their mistake and their football careers are over. Or we can try to overcome it and help the kids."

Asked if Principal Tizzy Schoelles had been contacted Joyner replied, "She is aware of the situation. We did not want to catch her off guard."

As of late Thursday afternoon, Schoelles was still awaiting official word of her two student/athletes.

"I'm at a loss, I don't normally comment on this," explained Schoelles. "But the fact is I haven't received official notification about our students' involvement. I do have faith in Jamie (Joyner) to make whatever discipline matters he sees fit."

Schoelles added that the state guidelines for higher crimes, like against a person, or for drugs or armed robbery, are specific. They call for the removal from school for those types of crimes.

"Burglary, however, is not necessarily grounds for removal from a school," said Schoelles.

Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at (352) 544-5278 or online at acastro@hernandotoday.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT