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University hoping case against FHSAA is heard Thursday

By By Brian Linder, news-journalonline.com, 11/10/15, 4:45PM EST

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Joe Rago said Tuesday evening he hopes an injunction that he filed in an attempt to prevent the University Titans football team from being barred from the Class 8A playoffs by the Florida High School Athletic Association will be heard in a Volusia County courtroom Thursday morning.

Rago, who filed the injunction on behalf of his son, University center Joey Rago, said he has not been given a specific time or date for the case to be heard, but pointed out that with Friday looming, the case is in a "time crunch."

University went 8-2 and was slated to make the first playoff appearance in the school’s five-year history Friday at Jacksonville Mandarin.

However, after it self-reported an ineligible player last week, University was expelled from the playoffs by the FHSAA, forced to forfeit all 10 of its regular-season games and faces a fine that could total as much as $1,100.

With the current FHSAA sanctions in place, University coach Brian Kells said his team has not gained clearance to practice this week.

That creates a scenario in which University could win its injunction Thursday, and have to play Friday with little guided practice.

“As far as the kids go, I know they’re disappointed and frustrated,” Rago said.

But University senior linebacker Matt Zook said he and fellow seniors have taken matters into their own hands and organized practices without the coaches on hand.

“They can’t stop the players from running,” he said. “And we know the defensive plays and the offense so we are doing what we can.

“We just see this as a chance for our seniors to step up and show more leadership.”

Oviedo, which finished third in District 2-8A behind Lake Brantley and University, was picked by the FHSAA to replace the Titans in the playoffs.

And, Rago pointed out, that means that it’s not just the Titans who are in a wait-and-see mode.

“I’m frustrated with the FHSAA,” he said. “If we win this thing, you have to think about Oviedo and Mandarin.

“They’ve been preparing all week, and how about Mandarin? Are they preparing for two teams?”

Despite the odd week, Zook said he is confident his team will be ready if the ruling comes out in its favor.

“We don’t know if we should get our hopes up,” he said. “But, in our minds, we are focused on, ‘We have a game Friday.’ Now, if it happens, it happens and we will be ready. If not, it doesn’t. But we are getting prepared.”