Coppet one to watch in 2013

Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas defeated Tampa (Fla.) Plant 29-7 for the Class 5A State Championship on Friday evening. In a game loaded with stars, the show was stolen by Aquinas sophomore running back Fred Coppet. The 5-foot-9, 175-pound back rushed for 168 yards on 10 carries, including a 93-yard touchdown run, and also had two receptions for 28 yards.

"It feels good to be a champion," Coppet said. "We worked hard for this all year. We came out strong."

Coppet was quick to compliment the offensive squad surrounding him on his big night in the Citrus Bowl.

"It wouldn't happen if I didn't have my offensive line, quarterback, and wide receivers," Coppet said. "I am very proud."

With his sophomore season over on the field, the speedster will turn his attention to his other love.

"I am running track," Coppet said. "I do the 4X1, 100 (meters), and 200 (meters)."

When Coppet moves on to the next level in 2013, he hopes that he will be able to contribute both on the track and the field.

Speaking of the next level, Coppet is limited in the contact that he is able to have with colleges but said a few schools are already in the picture.

"FSU, Miami, and Florida," Coppet said. "In the eighth grade I got a letter from UCLA for track and field. It just told me about how they were interested but that they couldn't do anything until I am a junior."