• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
    • Featured Video
    • Foodie Friday
    • Monthly ReCap
  • Online E-Editions
    • This Week’s E-Editions
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

       

Click to join our weekly e-newsletter

  • Home
  • News
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills/East Pasco
    • Business Digest
    • Senior Parks
    • Nature Notes
    • Featured Stories
    • Photos of the Week
    • Reasons To Smile
  • Sports
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills and East Pasco
    • Check This Out
  • Education
  • Pets/Wildlife
  • Health
    • Health Events
    • Health News
  • What’s Happening
  • Sponsored Content
    • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits
  • Public Notices
    • Browse Notices
    • Place Notices

Warriors poised to leave their mark on District 12

March 30, 2011 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Kyle LoJacono

The Steinbrenner flag football team is taking inspiration from the girls soccer squad that won the Class 4A state championship only a few weeks ago.

“Our goal is to get to the state championship game and win just like girls soccer did,” said sophomore running back and middle linebacker Alyssa Dawson.

Alexandra Fernandez

Warriors quarterback Alexandra Fernandez, a sophomore, has the same goal in mind.

“My standards are high, so my goal is to go to states this year,” Fernandez said.

Steinbrenner (2-2) went 1-7 last year, but added several new components, including coach Jen Graham. She is married to Steinbrenner football coach Floyd Graham.

“I had the opportunity to coach, and I knew I could get my husband to help out,” Jen said. “I was on the sidelines for all his football games and am at his practices, so I thought it would be fun to do a little role reversal. I love football and I didn’t get the chance to play growing up. If they offered it when I was in school, I definitely would have.”

The football squad had a tough first year as well, going winless in varsity contests. The Warriors redoubled their work ethic in the school’s second year, and were rewarded with a 5-5 record.

“We’ve modeled our program after what the boys do,” Jen said. “We had seven weeks of morning conditioning at 6 in the morning before the season, which is what the guys do. We couldn’t use footballs, but we were getting ready for the year. They figured it’s what the guys do to get ready for the year and they thought it was cool that they were too.”

Jen also helped attract junior corner back Cary Anne Bame to the team. Bame is the Warriors libero on the volleyball team, which Graham is an assistant with.

“I played libero and defense for flag football, and I’ve noticed a lot of similarities,” Bame said. “In flag football, it’s all about covering your area. In volleyball, it’s the same thing. That’s how the coaches have broken it down for me. Also, in volleyball you have to back your teammates up, and we have to do the same thing as defensive backs.”

Bame, who made the All-Laker/All-Lutz News volleyball first team this season, said she was not expecting flag football to be as extreme as it has been.

Steinbrenner cornerback Cary Anne Bame covers Elaini Haning in practice.

“They’re telling me it’s a lot more intense than last year,” Bame said. “So I came out the first day and I wasn’t expecting it to be that intense. So I wasn’t expecting to be doing 100-yards sprints the first day.”

Dawson is another new addition, transferring in from Land O’ Lakes. She feels the preseason workouts will serve them well this year.

“It’s more mental toughness to get here at 6 in the morning and then go to school,” Dawson said. “It gets you ready for the season.”

The Warriors are in one of the more competitive districts, which includes area schools like Freedom, Gaither, Sickles and Wharton.

The Patriots won two district titles in 2007 and 2008. The Cowboys won the title in 2009 and were the runner-up last season. Alonso won District 12 in 2010, making it all the way to the state title game. Jen says that shows how competitive the sport is becoming.

“Before it was just get together and throw a ball around,” Jen said. “It wasn’t really organized. Now it’s much different. Every year it’s getting better, and coaches are really getting into it. I mean, we had a seven-week preseason and now the season, so that’s 15 weeks dedicated to flag football. It’s become big time, and I think it’ll be interesting to see where it goes.”

The Warriors next play at home against Wharton on Thursday, March 31 at 7:30 p.m.

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Reddit
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Email
  • Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

Search

Sponsored Content

WAVE Wellness Center — Tampa Bay’s Most Advanced Upper Cervical Spinal Care

September 5, 2023 By Mary Rathman

Tampa Bay welcomes WAVE Wellness Center, a state-of-the-art spinal care clinic founded by Dr. Ryan LaChance. WAVE … [Read More...] about WAVE Wellness Center — Tampa Bay’s Most Advanced Upper Cervical Spinal Care

Only a Few Homes Remain — It’s Your Final Chance to Build Your Home in Del Webb Bexley

August 29, 2023 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Time is running out on your chance to live at Del Webb Bexley. We’ve built the ideal active adult community to suit your … [Read More...] about Only a Few Homes Remain — It’s Your Final Chance to Build Your Home in Del Webb Bexley

More Posts from this Category

What’s Happening

09/29/2023 – Teacup Fairy Garden

The Zephyrhills Public Library, 5347 Eighth St., will host a thrifty craft project for adults on Sept. 29 at 9:30 a.m. Participants can make a teacup fairy garden. Registration is required. Call 813-780-0064 for more information. … [Read More...] about 09/29/2023 – Teacup Fairy Garden

09/29/2023 – Worship Concert

The Cathedral of Worship and Praise Center will present “The Wonder of Worship Concert” on Sept. 29 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center, 8550 Hunters Village Road. Admission is free. For information, call 813-943-9773, or visit TheCathedralOfWP.com. … [Read More...] about 09/29/2023 – Worship Concert

09/30/2023 – Great Discoveries

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host Charles Zidar, executive director of MAPS, for a lunch adventure, on Sept. 30 at noon. Participants can hear a talk on ancient Greek and Roman cultures, while museum artifacts are brought to your table as you eat. There will be a second session on Oct. 7 at noon to discuss ancient Mayan culture. Tickets are $28 plus taxes and fees, which includes lunch and the presentation. Tickets can be purchased at bit.ly/45yx47C. … [Read More...] about 09/30/2023 – Great Discoveries

10/03/2023 – Drawing Workshop

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host a Drawing Workshop: Exquisite Corpse, on Oct. 3 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., as part of its Museum + Art Series. Participants can learn about the exquisite corpse drawing method and create a drawing inspired by surrealist artists. Registration is required; call 727-815-7126. To learn more, visit MOMA.org/collection/terms/exquisite-corpse. … [Read More...] about 10/03/2023 – Drawing Workshop

10/03/2023 – Halloween Games/Crafts

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host Teen Halloween Games and Crafts on Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m., for ages 13 to 17. Supplies will be provided. For information, call 813-929-1214. … [Read More...] about 10/03/2023 – Halloween Games/Crafts

10/03/2023 – Library Book Sale

The Friends of the Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host a porch book sale on Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to noon, featuring all genres of books including novels, nonfiction, biographies, sewing, cooking, self-help, and more. The porch sale takes place every Tuesday. Call 813-929-1214 for information. … [Read More...] about 10/03/2023 – Library Book Sale

More of What's Happening

Archives

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Copyright © 2023 Community News Publications Inc.

   
%d bloggers like this: