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Zook Attends Raider Banquet

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By DAREK SHARP, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 8, 2007

PLANT CITY - The Plant City High football awards banquet drew a big crowd and really big laughs, too.

The audience included coaches from one of the teams playing in the Rose Bowl.

Illinois, coached by former Gator coach Ron Zook, is interested in Raider offensive tackle Mark Popek. He is one of three Plant City High players competing in tonight's Hillsborough County All-Star game at Raymond James Stadium.

Joining him on the East All-Star squad will be fellow Raiders Keith Dawson and defensive end Arsenio Durant, who was added to the roster last week.

The Illinois' coaches presence was just part of a wild Monday night at the school. After the fall sports banquet concluded, the football team had its special time, highlighted by a humorous video produced by some of the players.

In it, several Raiders mimicked their coaches and apparently nailed the mannerisms.

"We were rolling on the floor," Raider head coach Kevin Kelley said. "Arsenio did an impression of defensive coordinator Laykeye Cooper, Chase Thompson played me, Keith Dawson played our running backs coach Wayne Ward. ... They spoofed us pretty good."

Kelley said those coaches asked for a copy of the video.

Durant will have the chance to put together a different sort of video - highlights for college scouts - thanks to his addition to the all-star roster. He was "right on the border" of inclusion in the game, but Kelley did some lobbying to get Durant involved.

"I told the coaches that if nothing else, Arsenio will have them in stitches. He's a riot," Kelley said.

Popek - who stands 6 feet, 6 1/2 inches tall and weighs 312 pounds - has drawn interest from not only Illinois, but also the University of Florida.

At Monday's banquet, Denzel Drone and Duran Lowe, both tremendous juniors for Plant City, were named Co-Outstanding Defensive Player. Lowe's younger brother, Durrell, was named Most Improved.

Popek was named Outstanding Offensive Player, Dawson was recognized with the Team Captain Award, Brent Butler was named Ironman and kicker Johnathan Dupree won for Special Teams excellence.

Tonight's game will kick off at 7 p.m. at Raymond James. Admission is $5; parking is $2.

Reporter Darek Sharp can be reached at dsharp@tampa trib.com.

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