• 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

Gaither clinches playoff berth against Freedom

October 26, 2011 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Eugenio Torrens

It’s been a while since Gaither football fans had much to smile about. The 2007 season marked the last time the Cowboys had a winning season.

But with first-year coach Jason Stokes, Gaither (5-2) is reverting back to its winning ways.

The Cowboys shut out Freedom 37-0 on Oct. 20 to nab their third Class 7A-District 7 win and remain unbeaten in district play. It’s also the squad’s fourth straight victory and first playoff-clinching win since 2008.

“I am happy,” Stokes said. “I know I’m gonna get the film and we’re going to see a lot of mistakes, but I tell them all the time if you’re going to make a mistake, do it 150 miles an hour.”

Even the Gaither coaches might have some trouble nitpicking after this win. Quarterback Alex McGough, a Wesley Chapel High transfer, was 13-of-18 passing, throwing three touchdowns and running for another — though he was picked off once. The team also had six rushers combine for 131 yards, including junior Vu Le’s eight carries for 82.

The Gaither defense harassed Patriot quarterback Taylor King, who was held to 45 yards passing and was intercepted once and sacked nine times. Cowboy linebacker Josh Scarberry had four of those sacks and recovered a blocked punt to set up a touchdown.

“I love our defense,” Scarberry said. “To get a win like this is awesome. To come out and play Freedom for our third district game and just 37-0, I couldn’t have asked for anything better than that.”

The Patriots ran into trouble early. On Freedom’s second play, Gaither’s Nick Sampson got to King and forced a fumble, which was recovered by defensive end Mikhail Reece. Although the Cowboys were held to a field goal, the pressure on King was a preview of things to come.

After a Freedom three and out, Gaither marched 69 yards and scored on a 20-yard run by Le.

The Patriots struggled to find any offensive rhythm, while the Cowboys ran like a finely tuned machine. Gaither scored 23 points before McGough was intercepted.

Freedom took over on its own 34-yard line and sputtered. A roughing-the-kicker penalty moved the Patriots to their 41, but they moved backward to the 32 thanks to Scarberry’s third sack of the night.

Gaither opened the second half with its first punt of the game. As if to prevent any sort of letdown, the Cowboys blocked Freedom’s ensuing punt and Scarberry recovered seven yards from the end zone.

McGough found Demarcus Sexil for a 7-yard strike to make it 30-0. McGough added a rushing score for the game’s final points.

For Gaither, the comfortable margin of victory was a relief after a 17-16 come-from-behind win at East Bay the week before.

“After getting that close victory, to win by that much is always good,” McGough said. “Just to connect with your players, it boosts confidence.”

But the Cowboys are feeling good because they have proven they can win close or big.

“We’re not used to winning here,” Scarberry said. “The past couple of years it’s been rough, but to come out 5-2 it’s totally different. All the boys are hyped, ready to take the district.”

Gaither plays at Chamberlain on Friday, Oct. 28, while Freedom hosts Tampa Bay Tech. Both games are 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: