It was a loss that hurt the Miami (Fla.) Central High School football team far more than any defeat on the football field.

Central alumnus and University of Miami senior defensive lineman Bryan Pata was shot and killed on Nov. 7 outside the off-campus apartment complex where he lived. Central quarterback Travaris Cadet said the news of Pata's death left him and his teammates shaken.

"We took it hard but we had to get through it," the Tennessee prospect said. "He's in a better place now. We didn't expect it to happen the way it did. I was shocked when I heard he got killed."

Cadet said Pata's death was tough to take because of the person he was off the field, not on it.

"He was a good person," Cadet said. "It really hurt the (Miami Central) family. We're just praying he's in a better place. It was hard, and it still is."

Pata was a frequent visitor to Central after his graduation. Cadet said Pata, who was expected to be selected in the 2007 NFL draft, had hopes of one day giving back to his former high school.

"Bryan said he wanted to give Central money to be a better school and make the children happier and the environment better," he said. "It hurt to see he couldn't reach his goal because his life was taken away from him. It's hard to see it and visualize it."

While dealing with Pata's death has been difficult, Central still has a football season to play. Central advanced to the 6A finals after beating Southridge 26-19 on Friday night. The Rockets won 27-20 over Coral Gables in the Region 4-6A quarterfinals of the state playoffs on Nov. 10, just three days after Pata's death.

The Central players honored Pata by writing his name and number on their wrist bands and shoes, and the team hung his jersey on the sideline.

Cadet said Central coach Anthony Saunders, who coached Pata, was especially hurt by the player's death.

"In practice he was always really rowdy," Cadet said of Saunders. "He wasn't even rowdy after he died. He got quiet. He just wasn't his self those past days."

While the past two weeks have been difficult for Cadet, he still has to deal with his college recruitment. He said Tennessee leads Florida, Virginia Tech and South Florida.

Cadet, who has favored the Vols since the summer, said he plans to take an official visit to UT on Dec. 10. He said he hasn't set a date for any other visits.

Cadet said he's watched UT on television this year and has seen the Vols become a stronger team after last year's disappointing 5-6 season.

"They've got a good team and they're working to be good," he said. "Hard work does pay off. (Quarterback) Erik Ainge has the ankle injury and they haven't won their last two games, but they still show character the way they've come together. They've come together as one."

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Cadet said he sees a family atmosphere at UT, which should help him adjust when he moves away from home.

"I'm probably going to be homesick, but that's life," he said. "You've got to grow up some day. I'm not worried about that."

For now, Cadet will focus on finishing his high school season and coping with the loss of Pata. He said he's learned to not take anything for granted.

"It shows you anything can happen in this world," he said. "I want to go to the next level and play, but anything can happen."