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Pull of home too strong for Plant City's T.J. Chase to ignore

 
T.J. Chase, who spent one year at IMG, on his Plant City community: “They keep me going. They keep me digging deep.”
T.J. Chase, who spent one year at IMG, on his Plant City community: “They keep me going. They keep me digging deep.”
Published Nov. 20, 2015

PLANT CITY — As any football coach would be, Greg Meyer was ecstatic when he got a call in August telling him that four-star receiver T.J. Chase would be returning to his hometown team after a year away at IMG Academy.

But immediately after, the first-year Plant City High School coach wondered which version of Chase he would be getting.

The 6-foot-2, 165-pound Clemson commit had a breakout year as a sophomore, totalling 562 yards and four touchdowns on 28 receptions in just eight games. But along with that early success, Meyer said, came a little bit of selfishness.

It didn't take Meyer long after Chase's return, though, to realize what a difference a year made.

"TJ, when he left, was still growing up and maturing and a lot of those things," Meyer said. "It has been a pleasant surprise, the maturity, the focus on the process, as opposed to just himself."

Chase said he is taking the things he learned at IMG, one of the best high school football programs in the nation, and spreading the wealth among the Raiders (10-1).

Even beyond the 486 receiving yards and seven touchdowns he has for Plant City this season, Chase has given so much more to the Raiders, who will look for the program's first second-round playoff win tonight against Tampa Bay Tech. Under Chase's tutelage, Meyer said, junior Antoine Thompson has become Plant City's leading receiver and quarterback Corey King's confidence has soared.

"They taught me about brotherhood. I just brought that here," Chase said of his experience at IMG. "If I can do it there with people all around the area, I can come back here and just do it with people that's been through the same situation I've been through, living in Plant City."

• • •

Plant City is in his blood. Still, Chase said he couldn't pass up an opportunity to leave it behind.

Chase's father, Tavares Chase, and uncle, George Chase, were both defensive backs for the Raiders in the '90s. Even before that, Chase's grandfather, also George Chase, attended and played football at Plant City's Turkey Creek High School, which shut its doors in 1972.

But during the summer after his sophomore season, Chase drew attention during a summer 7-on-7 tournament at IMG. And when the Ascenders came calling two weeks later, Chase jumped at the chance to join the nationally ranked squad.

Chase said he doesn't regret the time he spent at IMG, where he lived on the Bradenton campus, driving home to Plant City on some weekends. His success at Plant City carried over, and he led IMG in receiving with 521 yards and five touchdowns.

The biggest thing he learned, though, was how to conduct himself off the field.

"They taught me a lot of responsibilities, being on time for classroom, locker room, meetings, all that. They just kept me responsible for all my actions," Chase said "It gave me a bigger picture of things."

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Even while he was gone, Chase kept his ties to Plant City close. When Meyer was promoted from assistant coach to head coach in March, Meyer said Chase was one of the first to congratulate him.

Ultimately, his ties to Plant City wouldn't allow him to stay away.

Missing home and longing for an opportunity to be a part of something special with the Raiders, Chase said, he transferred back. And his prediction about Plant City's success has been spot on. Last week, the Raiders won their first playoff game since 1999.

Some of that, Meyer said, has to do with Chase himself.

"It makes me feel really confident, because when he's on the field, he has other receivers feeling confident at the same time," said quarterback King, who has averaged 192 yards passing during the past four games.

"So it's like, if TJ isn't open, I can throw to somebody else because they're feeling the same way."

During Chase's triumphant return, Meyer said the work ethic he always possessed is as strong as ever. Now that he's helping his team accomplish a collective goal, Chase's stock is even higher. And like a father welcoming his prodigal son, Meyer couldn't be prouder of the new and improved Raider.

"To be a high school player, it's a unique experience. And I think guys who do the IMG thing kind of lose it," Meyer said. "Plant City never stopped loving TJ when he was at IMG. They supported him. … I think it's a big reason why he came back."

• • •

Tonight against the Titans, Chase and the rest of the Raiders have a chance to accomplish something no other Plant City team has. As he walked off the practice field Tuesday night, Chase pondered the potential milestone game — and what it would mean to his city — and let out a groan of anticipation.

"They keep me going. They keep me digging deep," Chase said of the community. "Because ain't nobody going to give us nothing. We've got to take it."

The stands at Plant City High School will likely be packed with fans tonight, as the Raiders look to extend their win streak to 10 games. Among them will be Chase's family, a group that's been especially grateful for his return.

"(It's nice because) his family can come enjoy the games," said his father, Tavares Chase. "He's home now."

And as far as TJ Chase is concerned, that's exactly where he belongs.

Contact Kelly Parsons at kaparsons@tampabay.com. Follow @_kellyparsons.