Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Kyle LoJacono

Two years ago, the Wharton girls soccer team captured the program’s first postseason berth and district championship.

“That was probably the best experience of my life,” said senior defender Sam Lawrence. “It was crazy. We were just unstoppable at that point I feel like. We were on a high. We want to repeat it.”

The Wildcats (4-0-1) were agonizingly close to making it back-to-back playoff appearances last season. They lost 3-2 in penalty kicks to Newsome in the Class 5A-District 7 semifinals.

“When I think about the game, it brings back all the feelings of how we just put everything we had out there,” said senior forward Ashni Deschenes, a Stetson University commit. “Sometimes it’s just not enough. For me, it drives me to work harder this year and encourage my teammates to work harder so that maybe if we’re put in the same situation it’ll be another outcome.”

That determination to get back shows how far the program has developed since Denis Vukorep became the coach seven years ago.

“As the years have gone by, we’ve slowly gained confidence each season,” Vukorep said. “I think the girls believe that they can win, and I think that across the county and state we’re a lot more respected. The girls feel that, and the confidence has helped us get better.”

Wharton lost seven seniors from the 2011-12 squad, six of whom were starters. Deschenes (14 goals, six assists) said she looked up to those players.

“Our captains last year (Emily Belanger and Baylee Dozark) were kind of like the moms of the team,” Deschenes said. “You could go to them for anything. Now that Sam and I are captains this year, I can only speak for myself, and I hope to be in that same mom role and be a great leader for my teammates.”

Vukorep said the loss of those seniors will hurt the squad, but is confident in the players still wearing Wildcats blue.

“It sounds weird to say when you lose six seniors who were starters, but I feel like with the kids who have gotten better and the new players we can potentially and should be even better than last year,” Vukorep said. “I guess it’s odd, but I think we will be better. You look at girls like Ashni, Leah Chisolm, Laura Johnson, Lexie Oeth, they’re going to be a formidable attack. We’ve got good senior leadership with Sam Lawrence in the middle of the field, and she’s going to be able to calm down the freshmen.”

One of the places that was hit most by graduation was goalkeeper.

The Wildcats lose three-year starter Heather Montgomery, who allowed 21 goals in as many games with 107 saves and six shutouts last season.

Stepping into the net is senior Courtney Bodamer, who was on the squad two years ago and said she learned a lot from watching Montgomery.

“She helped me with everything,” Bodamer said. “Confidence is a big thing, and then with skill and (she) taught me more about the game in high school. I was really thankful to have her. … I’m a little nervous, but I think we’ll have a good team. I just have to bring my game.”

Vukorep has a plan to help ease Bodamer into the mix.

“From what we’ve seen, Courtney will be able to make the saves that we need,” Vukorep said. “We’re hoping that the other 10 girls on the field limit her exposure to some of those shots. Try to force them to take shots that are savable and not giving up breakaways and set pieces.”

Vukorep said playing in 5A-7 with teams like Newsome, Plant and Bloomingdale will force them to get better quickly. He added, that, mixed with their new winning mentality will benefit them this season.

“Everyone in our district understands if you get out of our district, then you have a chance at a state championship,” Vukorep said. “I think that within our group we don’t look at it as we almost beat someone. There’s an expectation that we are going to go to regionals. Four years ago we didn’t have that expectation, and I think now it’s not a matter of if we make regionals. It’s, OK, we are going on to regionals. I think that expectation is one of the biggest difference.”

The 5A-7 tournament is at Plant Jan. 15 to 19, with the final Jan. 19 at 6 p.m.

Wharton hosts district rival Durant Nov. 13 at 8 p.m.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

By Kyle LoJacono

A 16-4-2 record, a district championship and a second-round playoff appearance.

It would be one of the most memorable seasons for most girls soccer programs.

Steinbrenner is not most girls soccer programs.

The Warriors (2-3) won the 2011 Class 4A state title in the program’s second season and graduated only three players from that championship squad. Losing 2-0 at Lakeland George Jenkins in the regional semifinals felt like a disappointment.

“We didn’t go as far as we wanted to last year,” said senior forward Alexis Bredeau, a University of North Florida commit. “I think it’s time again to prove ourselves. We’re a better team than what happened.”

Along with fuel to regain the mountain top is a new voice preaching structure, purpose and discipline.

Former Durant and University of Tampa (UT) defender Angela Gillisse was named the fourth-year program’s third coach in July, replacing Robert Woodard, who resigned after one year at the helm.

“I wanted them to know I’m the coach, and we’re playing by my rules,” said Gillisse, who has coached for 14 years. “My rules will always be for the betterment of the team. I’m looking out for their best interests, but we have to have structure if we want to go far in the playoffs.”

Many returning players said the regimented style has been a plus.

“It’s much more organized, and everything is much more set,” said senior midfielder Marley Opila, a Jacksonville University commit. “We don’t have to worry about if everything is set up. It’s going to benefit us a lot to just practice and play. … She came in and laid down all the rules. She didn’t second guess herself. That really set the tone.”

That’s not to say Gillisse has been a drill sergeant.

“I want them to have fun, and the more they enjoy the game, the more they’re going to want to play,” Gillisse said. “I talked with them about the disappointments, and we said we’re moving on to this year. They want to move on, and they have a lot of goals.”

Gillisse has also worked on team building.

“She’s taking time out of her day to come and see us at our lunch and stuff like that to talk with us,” Bredeau said. “We’re doing meals this year before games, which we haven’t really done in the past. We’re also taking bus rides together. … We need that team bonding.”

Junior defender and UT commit Miranda Gonzalez added, “Last year we were like a group of this and a group of that. It’s a lot better than last year.”

Junior midfielder Dani Eule said the entire attitude has changed.

“There’s so much excitement and intensity to get into the season,” Eule said. “We’re so ready and prepared. We’re looking at the road to success.”

The Warriors were mostly spared from graduation numberswise, losing three seniors, but two departures leave a huge production hole.

Gone are leading scorers Cici Gonzalez (16 goals, four assists*), Miranda’s sister, and Taylor Valley (13 goals, six assists), who signed with UT and Armstrong Atlantic State University, respectively. The duo accounted for 53 percent of the squad’s tallies last season.

Among those Gillisse expects to fill in up top are Bredeau (eight goals, six assists) and Jessica Taylor (six goals, two assists), who started most of last year as a freshman.

“I was really nervous,” Taylor said. “I didn’t know what the competition would be like, but I knew it would be aggressive. I just had to do my best and play my hardest to prove I earned that spot.”

Bredeau said the squad has gotten several new players, such as freshmen Danielle Darius and Kirsten Russell, who will add to the offense.

“Cici and Taylor were amazing athletes and team leaders,” Bredeau said. “They had great personalities on and off the field. It’s hard to replace players like that, but I think we’re going to do even better this year.”

Gillisse said midfielders like Opila (one goal, three assists) and Eule (two goals, one assist) will be as key in creating offense.

“It’s a good balance in the middle,” Gillisse said. “Dani is physically really strong. Marley is quick. They balance each other out really well in the center of the field, and they like to use the corner flags, so they create runs and offensive opportunities.”

Taylor added, “Productionwise, it’s a lot about our mids controlling the whole game. … They win all the loose balls and the 50/50 balls.”

And if the offense takes a few weeks to get settled, the defense is ready to pick up any slack with Miranda and Co. on the backline.

“We never even worry about Miranda; we don’t have too,” Opila said. “It’s such a relief to have someone you can always 100 percent rely on. We don’t have to worry about that half of the field.”

Gillisse said the talent is there to make a run at a state crown as long as the effort remains.

“The quote for this team is, ‘Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard,’” Gillisse said. “They want to win a state championship, so that’s going to be our goal. They have the talent, the desire and the heart to win. It’s theirs to lose right now. They just have to work hard every game.”

Steinbrenner hosts the Class 4A-District 8 tournament Jan. 15 to 18, with the final Jan. 18 at 7 p.m.

The Warriors host 4A-8 rival Freedom Nov. 14 at 8 p.m.

*All stats from last season

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

By Kyle LoJacono

The Land O’ Lakes boys soccer team got within striking distance of the ultimate goal last season — hoisting a state championship.

The Gators (0-1) went 23-4-2 and reached the final four for the third time in program history before falling 3-1 to Plantation American Heritage in the Class 3A state title game.

“It was one of the best experiences in my life,” said senior midfielder Sean Young. “I’ll never forget it. Losing is unfortunate, but to make it that far doesn’t happen very often.”

In fact, it was the first time Land O’ Lakes had made the final four since 2000. The squad lost 10 seniors two years ago and another 10 after last season, eight of which were starters.

Among the graduates are five of its top six goal scorers, including those who accounted for 108 of the Gators’ 129 tallies.

The defense, which allowed only 26 goals in 29 games last year, lost several players, including the 6-foot-2 Jake Frahm.

Mark Pearson, who is entering his 16th year coaching the Gators, said the biggest focus early on is bringing the team together.

“You’re trying to not only replace those players who graduated, but you’re looking to build the same type of chemistry that allowed you to make the final four and the championship game,” Pearson said. “Sometimes it takes a little bit of a slow start. Sometimes it starts right away. The two previous times we’ve gotten that far we graduated eight to 10 seniors, and the players who came in the following year responded and did well. I don’t see us not doing well this year. We just have to get our communication in order.”

Pearson said they are trying several things to develop team chemistry and communication, such as watching Champions League games or getting food at area restaurants after school to get to know each other off the field.

Another weapon is the program’s tradition. Land O’ Lakes has made the playoffs 14 of the last 15 years, including seven district titles the previous eight seasons.

“We have high expectations we carry from season to season, year to year,” Pearson said. “Every senior class has that same expectation to take over.”

Young, who had six goals and 18 assists last year, has been a part of those expectations since joining the varsity team as a freshman.

“It is pressure having to live up as Land O’ Lakes,” Young said. “We’re expected to win games and make the playoffs every year, but I’d rather have that then people thinking we’re going to lose.”

Senior forward Patrick Lawson (nine goals, 10 assists) said there is enough offensive talent to be as productive as last year when they put up 4.4 goals per game.

“If we put in our work we’ll get better through the year,” Lawson said. “We have a solid foundation of guys, so I believe we can keep those positions strong and still be productive.”

As explosive as the Gators were last year on offense, they have been a squad that preaches team defense since Pearson took over the program.

“Everything starts with defense,” Pearson said. “If you don’t have the ball, you can’t attack. Going forward is also a key component. We’re trying to get everything to mesh and gel in a short time. It’s a work in progress always, but I’m confident we have the talent to go far. It might not work out right away, but I’m patient.”

Senior Yanci Algarin became one of Land O’ Lakes’ starting defenders during the second half of last year. He said it will take some time for the backline to come together as a unit, but thinks it will happen.

“We didn’t have a preseason, so right now we’re still learning about the chemistry,” Algarin said. “We’re still learning what our strengths and weaknesses are. Soon we’ll get together and start playing really well. … Once we start to understand each other, our defense will be really strong. You’re going to see us start winning a lot of games really soon.”

Pearson said he will lean on players like Young, Lawson and Yanci for their experience because the Gators are very young.

“We have some freshmen on the squad this year, and they are definitely deserving to be playing varsity, so some really good players in that regard,” Pearson said. “Then we have a lot of players who’ve been waiting in the wings, and that tends to happen when you’re senior laden.”

Young is confident they will be headed in the right direction, especially because of the man guiding the squad.

“(Pearson) knows how to get us going,” Young said. “He’ll say that one thing that gets our heads in the game.”

Land O’ Lakes will play in the Class 3A-District 7 tournament at Pasco Jan. 22 to 25, with the final Jan. 25 at 7 p.m.

The Gators played at Pasco Nov. 12, but results were not available by press time. They host district rival Sunlake Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

By Jeff Odom

Steinbrenner girls basketball player Bailey Hooker will be staying close to home as the forward/guard committed Nov. 12 to Southeastern University in Lakeland.

Hooker led the Warriors with 19.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 2.1 blocks per game last year en route to a 22-3 record and their first district title and playoff berth.

The Fire, an NAIA program in the Sun Conference, finished 11-17 last season, losing in the first round of the conference tournament.

Hooker will sign her letter of intent at an early signing day ceremony at Steinbrenner Nov. 15.

Freedom’s Godwin picks Minnesota

Freedom football player Nate Godwin will be sporting the maroon and gold of the University of Minnesota next year, as the senior defensive back/running back committed to the Big Ten conference school Oct. 31 after an official visit.

Godwin, who also received Division-I offers from West Virginia, Iowa State, Alabama-Birmingham and South Florida, made his choice public on Twitter: “I have officially committed to the University of Minnesota!”

By Kyle LoJacono

In 2009, the Gaither football team fell to one of the lowest points in the program’s 28 history when it went 1-9.

Now, just three seasons later, the Cowboys (7-2, 4-1) have consecutive winning seasons, back-to-back playoff berths and their first district championship since 2007.

Running back Shug Oyegunle was a freshman on that 1-9 team and a member of the squad that finished 3-7 the following year. He struggled to find the words to describe how far Gaither has come

“Joy, relief,” Oyegunle said. “I just, I mean, we’ve come so far.”

The Cowboys showed how different the program is today after claiming the Class 7A-District 7 championship by holding on for a 35-32 home victory against Tampa Bay Tech (TBT) Nov. 2. They learned in the fourth quarter that Steinbrenner had defeated Chamberlain 35-28, which opened the door for the title.

“We went from zero to hero,” said second-year Gaither coach Jason Stokes. “I’m so proud of these kids.”

The Cowboys missed a chance to clinch a playoff spot the week before by losing on the last play at home to Chamberlain 19-17. The defeat meant Gaither had to beat TBT (6-3, 4-1) to stay alive for the playoffs.

“The whole week of practice it was ugly,” Stokes said. “We got after it like cage fighters — offense, defense, special teams. Like that old saying that iron sharpens iron, and that’s how we came into the game.”

The Cowboys faced a nearly identical situation in the final seconds against the Titans as they did against Chamberlain the week before.

TBT had the ball on the Gaither 5-yard line with one timeout and 18 seconds remaining. On third-and-goal, the Titans called a run play for Deon Thompson, who was met in the backfield by junior linebacker Matt Williams. During the struggle, senior defensive end Jeshua Williams stripped the ball and recovered the fumble.

“Somehow it just landed by my feet,” Williams said. “I just thought don’t let anyone else get it.”

The turnover allowed Gaither junior quarterback Alex McGough to kneel out the game’s last seconds.

“When they had the ball down there, I couldn’t watch,” McGough said. “I was on the other side, and somebody told me we got the ball. I just grabbed my helmet, ran on the field and told my center to get the ball up to knee this out.”

The Cowboys played the do-or-die contest without three starters because of injury: free safety Danny Bonham, nose tackle Thanasi “Pork Chop” Halkias and center Justyn Jacoby.

Gaither showed early jitters in the game that threatened to derail their march to the district crown.

TBT’s Justin Akins picked off a tipped McGough pass and returned it 31 yards to the Cowboys’20-yard line on Gaither’s second drive.

Gaither gave up only a field goal, but the Titans got the ball right back after the ensuing kickoff bounced around the Cowboys’ special teams unit, giving them the ball 23 yards from the end zone.

The defense rose up again, forcing a fumble that was recovered by senior defensive end Ernest Suttles to set up a 69-yard drive capped by an 8-yard touchdown catch by Oyegunle.

“That fumble Earnest got was so big,” Stokes said. “To give up only three points after giving them the ball deep on our end twice was a huge momentum changer.”

The squads entered halftime with the Cowboys leading 7-3. Gaither came out of the locker room on fire, scoring three touchdowns in the third quarter.

Suttles again set up the offense by recovering a muffed punt on the Titan’s 25-yard line. Senior wide receiver Marcus Brown caught a screen pass two plays later and took it 25 yards for a score, followed by a 49-yard strike to Oyegunle and an 80-yard bomb to senior running back Vu Le.

Oyegunle caught a 73-yard pass on the first play of the fourth, his third touchdown of the night.

“Me and Shug, we always had a connection from the first time I got here,” McGough said. “Every ball to him is a good ball because he just makes plays.”

The scoring barrage put Gaither up 25 points. This from a squad that scored just 33 in its previous two games.

“They had linebackers sticking me, Vu and Josh Bell, and that’s definitely a mismatch,” Oyegunle said. “We picked on that.”

Stokes gave credit to McGough for hanging in the pocket, buying time and taking several hits while delivering the long strikes.

“His guts to stay in that pocket with everything around him, I’m so, so proud of that kid,” Stokes said. “He grew up.”

TBT mounted a furious comeback with 22 fourth-quarter points, but it was not enough.

McGough set a new career high in yards and touchdowns with 306 on 15-of-32 passing and five scores.

Oyegunle had 136 combined receiving and rushing yards while adding another 31 passing on a trick running back toss to Le in the second quarter to set up his squads’ first points.

Le caught five passes for 157 yards.

The Cowboys host Newsome in the regional quarterfinals Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m. They close the regular season at Riverview Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

By Jeff Odom

Wharton running back Jeffery Keil made a promise to his offensive line earlier this season: “Give me the blocks to win the game and I’ll feed you a steak dinner.”

The junior, whose father owns a Ruby Tuesday restaurant, said he’ll have to make good on his promise after the Wildcats (7-2, 2-1) clinched consecutive playoff berths with a win 37-20 at home against Alonso Nov. 2.

“My dad might go bankrupt,” Keil joked, when asked about ever giving his five linemen another meal. “I think we might wait until Dr. Phillips to give them (a second) steak. Nice nutritious meal before the playoff game.”

Wharton will travel to Orlando Dr. Phillips for the Class 8A regional quarterfinals, the same squad that knocked the Wildcats out of the postseason in the first round last year.

Wharton coach David Mitchell received the honorary Gatorade bath at the conclusion of the contest and said it felt good knowing his team would be in the playoffs.

“We still got to wait and play Spoto first and then we’ll play whoever we’ve got in front of us,” Mitchell said.

The Wildcats wasted no time against the Ravens (5-4, 1-2) as Vernon Hargreaves set the squad up in prime field position with a 60-yard kickoff return to open the game.

Keil took the reins from there, running five times for 38 yards to give Wharton its first touchdown of the evening just three minutes into the game. He finished with 26 carries for 153 yards and four total scores.

Mitchell said the game plan early was to wear down the Alonso defense with Keil’s speed and ability to break out for big gains.

“When a guy’s hot, you want to give him the rock,” Mitchell said. “We let him do what he’s doing. He had a great game and he does well.”

Hargreaves came up big again by blocking an Alonso punt on the Ravens’ next possession to set the Wildcats up 19 yards from the end zone.

“It was fun,” Hargreaves said. “I play to have fun, and my teammates helped me out a lot.”

Wharton junior quarterback Chase Litton went deep on second down and found Auden Tate for a 14-yard strike. Keil then earned his second touchdown of the contest, this time from 8 yards out to add to the lead.

The Ravens would add a touchdown of their own before halftime as quarterback Brandon Hawkins hit Derius Davis for a 32-yard pass to cut the lead to seven.

That’s as close as it got for Alonso.

The Wildcats drove the ball 64 yards on 12 plays in the third quarter for another Keil touchdown.

“We came into this game thinking it was a playoff game,” Keil said. “If we win, we move on. If we lose, we go home. That was our mindset.”

The squads traded scores twice in the fourth quarter, before Keil sealed the victory with a 17-yard touchdown reception from Litton.

“Our goal is to be better than last year, make the playoffs and keep winning,” Keil said. “(We can’t) lose the first round and that’s our goal. So, we got to continue that goal and achieve it.”

Wharton hosts Spoto in its final regular season game Nov. 9 before traveling to Dr. Philips Nov. 16. Kickoff for both contests is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.