Mike Ridaught
Chiefland head football coach John Palmer has resigned citing health concerns. Palmer told the Gainesville Sun that he has been coaching with Sick Sinus Syndrome, a condition that causes the heart to have trouble keeping a pace appropriate for the body’s need.
Palmer indicated his medication, his age, and even his not drinking enough water as factors that have made it difficult for him to do his job well.
Palmer is a two-time Class 1A state champion coach, winning state titles at Port St. Joe in 2005 and 2014 and making the final again in 2015. At Chiefland he was 9-13 with a 2-2 record in the state playoffs.
The Indians struggled in 2020 and managed just one win, but it was a young team. Quarterback Brett Nettles, and their top two running backs were all freshman or sophomores. The cupboard is not bear for whoever replaces Palmer as a projected 18 starters are expected to return in 2021.
Trenton girls blast Lafayette 71-11
Last night the Trenton girls basketball team improved to 5-0 with a dominating 71-11 win against Lafayette (Mayo). The visiting Hornets were without their head coach, Jimmy Blankenship, who was exposed to Covid and was quarantining.
“The girls had circled this game on the schedule since last season,” said Trenton head coach Bryant Frye. “That Regional semi loss really stuck with them and they wanted to come out and play hard against Lafayette. We are playing better defense and trying to execute our game plan each game. Lafayette was down some key players and Coach Blankenship was not present and I expect to have a better match up the next time in Mayo. All in all I think the girls were self motivated.”
The Tigers were led in scoring by senior Kinsey Akins, who scored all her game-high 14 points in the first half as Trenton built a 45-9 lead at the break.
It was a balanced attack for the Tigers with junior Shaylyn Parrish and junior Alexis Hill adding nine points apiece and seniors Samarie McHenry and Janiyah King scoring eight points apiece.
Junior Nadia Scott led the team with 11 rebounds. The Trenton girls will travel to Oak Hall (Gainesville) on Thursday night.
The Trenton boys competed the double-header sweep with a 67-63 win against Lafayette in overtime. Sophomore Xavier Jones had a monster game with 31 points. Sophomore Mason Smith added 10 for the Tigers, who improved to 2-4. The Trenton boys will travel to Oak Hall as well, with the boys game tipping at 8 p.m.