• 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

  • 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 makes 9 Route final

July 20, 2012 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Andy Warrener

The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

Gaither football coach Jason Stokes knows success during the 7-on-7 summer season isn’t a guarantee of anything in the fall.

“But it doesn’t hurt either,” Stokes said.

His Cowboys showed the area their 9-4 season and regional finals appearance last year was no fluke, reaching the 7-on-7 Route 9 tournament final on July 15 in Fishhawk. Gaither went 7-2 at the two-day event, 5-1 in pool play, before falling to East Lake 43-6 in the title game.

“I was happy with the way the offensive guys looked working together,” Stokes said. “With 7-on-7 we don’t do the same things we’ll do in the fall, but I saw them with good timing and being where they should be. On defense, coach (Brian) DelValle had them ready to play a bunch of different offenses and looked sharp.”

Freedom senior defensive back Nate Godwin deflects a pass during the 9 Route tournament.

Gaither started the tournament with a 21-0 victory over Spoto. Quarterback Alex McGough hit almost every receiver in the contest.

The Cowboys’ secondary was also on point, with seniors Dom Neglio, Pat Fankama and Danny Bonham, along with junior Amani Oruwariye, disrupting the opposition’s passing game. DelValle, Gaither’s defensive coordinator, took particular notice in Oruwariye’s improvement.

“He’s a playmaker; he just keeps getting better,” DelValle said. “He won’t back down from anybody, and he can out-jump most anybody.”

The Cowboys defeated Anclote, Plant City, Spoto, Middleton and East Bay on Day 1, losing only to Lakewood. They followed up with wins over Boca Ciega and Lakewood the following afternoon.

Wharton also went 5-1 the first day, but lost to Newsome in its first elimination game.

Senior linebacker Rocky Enos, who is moving inside after playing the outside spot last year, led the Wildcats’ defense. As a physical player, Enos was a little frustrated by not being able to tackle in the 7-on-7 event.

“It would change the game if we had pads on,” Enos said.

Enos said the fast-paced nature of 7-on-7 is allowing him to get used to dropping into coverage from his new position.

“It helps me work on keeping my hips loose getting back into coverage,” Enos said.

Wharton junior quarterback Chase Litton was impressed with his receivers at the event.

“I feel pretty comfortable with them,” Litton said. “They had a couple of drops, but they came out and performed today.”

Whenever Wharton needed a big play, senior defensive back/wide receiver Vernon Hargreaves answered the bell.

Hargreaves, a top-five national recruit in every major ranking service, lines up wherever needed.

“I don’t play to impress people,” Hargreaves said. “I have my game I like to play, and I just like to go out there and have fun.”

The Wildcats beat Strawberry Crest, Newsome, Cambridge Christian, Tampa Catholic and the tournament champion East Lake 23-22. The Wildcats only loss the first day was to Tampa Bay Tech.

Freedom also participated in the tournament, losing all six games on the first day, but beat Bloomingdale on Day 2 before being eliminated by Alonso.

First-year Patriots coach Todd Donohoe said they wanted all of their quarterbacks to get reps at the event instead of worrying about wins. Those up for the spot include Wharton transfer DJ Grant, GaDerrius Kelley and Taylor King, who Donohoe said has the inside track.

Receiver Alonte Fleshman made several key touchdown grabs, including the game-winning score against Bloomingdale. Defensive back Nate Godwin looked strong versus some of the best receivers in the area.

“It gives us good experience playing coverage against guys like that,” said Godwin, a senior.

—Sports Editor Kyle LoJacono contributed to this report

 

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • 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

Avalon Applauds African American Club of Pasco

March 7, 2023 By Kelli Carmack

One of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel’s main missions is being a champion for culture. “Celebrating culture is a vital … [Read More...] about Avalon Applauds African American Club of Pasco

CMK Construction: Expertise Guaranteed

March 3, 2023 By Trevor Lloyd

When creativity strikes, it’s only natural to want to get the job done ourselves, and quickly, too. However, some … [Read More...] about CMK Construction: Expertise Guaranteed

More Posts from this Category

What’s Happening

03/18/2023 – Parents Night Out

The Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway, will host a Parents Night Out on March 18 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., for children ages 5 to 13. Parents can drop off kids, while they have a night out. The cost is $10 per child; pizza and a drink are included. Registration is required online at Secure.rec1.com/FL/pasco-county-fl/catalog. For questions, call 813-929-1220. … [Read More...] about 03/18/2023 – Parents Night Out

03/20/2023 – Democratic Club

The East Pasco Democratic Club will meet on March 20 at 6:30 p.m., at the Genesis Community Center, 38112 15th Ave., in Zephyrhills, via ZOOM. The topic will be voting. Refreshments will be served. For information, visit the club on Facebook, email , or call 813-383-8315. All friends of the Democratic Party can attend. … [Read More...] about 03/20/2023 – Democratic Club

03/20/2023 – Yarn Arts Circle

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host “Knit Happens,” a Yarn Arts Circle, on March 20 from 10 a.m. to noon, for ages 16 and older. All portable fabric arts are welcome. Guests can bring their own project and meet others to chat about their creations; prior experience is recommended. Basic supplies will be available to start projects. The group will meet bi-weekly. For information, call 727-815-7126. … [Read More...] about 03/20/2023 – Yarn Arts Circle

03/21/2023 – Chess Club

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host a Chess Club on March 21 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., for all ages and abilities, in Adult Multipurpose Room C. Participants can use the chess sets provided or bring their own. For information, call 813-929-1214. … [Read More...] about 03/21/2023 – Chess Club

03/21/2023 – Teen Advisory Board

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host the Teen Advisory Board on March 21 at 6 p.m., for teens who would like to discuss ideas and recommendations for programming at the library. Call 813-929-1214 for information. … [Read More...] about 03/21/2023 – Teen Advisory Board

03/22/2023 – Florida Landscaping

The New River Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, will host “Florida-Friendly Landscaping 101” on March 22 at 2 p.m. Participants can learn how to create a successful home landscape by following the nine Florida-Friendly program principles. Register online at PascoLibraries.org. … [Read More...] about 03/22/2023 – Florida Landscaping

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: