Carter's Rattlers to have a Florida Flavor

Emphasis on prospects from Florida
The Tallahassee Democrat today reported: "In an effort to strengthen FAMU's recruiting presence in Florida, Rattlers coach Rubin Carter and his staff have blanketed the state this winter, leaving no county or high school unvisited. With National Signing Day coming on Wednesday, FAMU's is banking on a large haul of in-state recruits."

From Lakeland to Ft. Pierce, Miami to Mims, and Pensacola to Jacksonville, FAMU coaches have fanned out across the state to meet coaches and evaulate talent.

Fort Pierce Central High School football coach Chris Hutchings said FAMU defensive coordinator Charles Huff has made more than one visit to his school. While Lakeland H.S. assistant coach Dan Tabolt noted for the first time in three years at the school he has talked to a FAMU coach.

''We'll go north maybe one to two hours into Georgia and maybe Alabama, but it has to be a great player because of the cost of out-of-state tuition,'' Carter told the Democrat. ''Our base philosophy is to recruit within our core area."

Carter wants to stop the exodus of Florida athletes to our out-of-state competition. He noted last year there were 17 players from Florida selected to the All-MEAC first and second team (in football). Of those players, five came from out-of-state schools. One of those players, that got away was Hampton offensive lineman Nevin McCaskill, is a (Tallahassee) Godby High graduate.

''We have to stop the madness,'' Carter said. With National Signing Day coming up Feburary 1, Carter will find out if the strategy pays off.

FAMU men and women fall to Del. State
The Rattlers brought the league's top-scoring offense (67.7 ppg) into Dover, DE Saturday afterron and dropped 61-50 decision to Delaware State before 1,333 at DSU's Memorial Hall. DSU extended its win streak to eight games, and remained unbeaten in the MEAC.

The Rattlers were held to their fewest points in a game (47) since a December loss at the University of Florida.

The Rattlers fell to 10-10 overall(6-3 MEAC). DSU improved to 10-10 overal (8-0 MEAC).

Del State holds off Lady Rattlers
The Lady Rattlers lost to Delaware State 55-48 Saturday. The Hornets had led by as much as 17 points but survived late rally by the Lady Rattlers who cut the lead to three in the final minutes.

The loss dropped the Lady Rattlers to 8-10 (4-5 MEAC). The win moved DSU into second place in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference at 5-3 (11-6 overall).

Entering the game, only one game separated the second through eighth spots in the MEAC standings. Undefeated Coppin State leads the conference.