Special to The Laker/Lutz News

 

By Jeff Odom

 

From a young age, Zachary Milliron can remember football being a big part of his life.

The 23-year-old would spend Saturday watching his favorite college team — the University of Florida. From the stands at Ben Hill Griffith Stadium in Gainesville or the TV, he envisioned that he too, could one day suit up and lead a team to victory.

But he never took a single snap on a football gridiron.

When Milliron was born, doctors discovered a rare defect in his heart and informed his parents that he might not live because of the condition. He was under the watchful eye of specialists at St. Joseph’s Hospital for a year before he went home for good.

The heart condition forced Milliron to undergo four open heart surgeries and other procedures in order to save his life. Before he began middle school at Ben Hill, a physician informed him he would never be able to play a contact sport, thus ending his football dreams.

“A lot of my friends were trying out for the flag football team, and I really knew I couldn’t play because of my heart condition,” Milliron said. “So, I went and talked to the coach, and I asked if I could just be part of the team. It was at that point where it was just like, ‘Wow, this is really cool.’ … I didn’t really know anything (about football). I just liked watching the games.”

With the dream of playing out of the question, Milliron traded in the football for a clipboard. By the time he started his freshman year at Gaither High, he knew what he wanted to be — a football coach.

“As I was around it more and more, and as I kept learning about it more, and as I would spend my Saturday’s watching every game, it kind of all just fell into place to the point that I knew I wanted to coach football,” Milliron said.

Milliron worked with the Cowboys football team during its 2007 district championship season, volunteering as their video coordinator where he filmed practices and edited the footage for other coaches. He would also sit in on meetings and work with the team as coaches broke down film for their next opponent.

Milliron did this until he graduated later that year and moved to Boca Raton, where he enrolled at Florida Atlantic University (FAU).

A unique job opportunity came his way from Olympic Heights High while in college.

“I contacted the head coach down there, and they were horrible,” Milliron said. “They had won like two games in five years, and I guess from talking to me he really thought I could help them and gave me the varsity wide receivers coach position.”

In his first year at Olympic Heights in 2009, Milliron helped lead the Lions to their first winning record and first playoff berth since 2002.

After two seasons, Milliron transferred to the University of South Florida (USF) to be closer to home while pursuing a degree in secondary education. He caught up with former Gaither coach Mark Kantor and was offered a position coaching quarterbacks until Kantor stepped down from the position in 2010.

“This, at the time, felt like a door had been slammed shut on me, but you know what they say, when God closes one door he always opens up another one; you just have to be faithful enough to walk through it,” Milliron said. “I started thinking, ‘Do I really want to be doing this for the rest of my life?’ It just wasn’t a good fit.”

Milliron followed his former boss to Wharton, where Kantor was hired as the defensive coordinator for the 2011 season. Milliron said Wildcats coach David Mitchell welcomed him to the program with open arms and made him the varsity offensive assistant and junior varsity (JV) offensive coordinator — his highest positions yet.

“In my first game (with the JV team), we played Tampa Bay Tech, and that was a major eye opening thing for me,” Milliron said. “I was like, ‘Wow, (former Gators coach) Urban Meyer makes it look easy calling plays.’ First play, a kid tore his ACL. Second play’s a pick six. Third play’s a fumble return for a touchdown. I’m like, ‘Time to regroup,’ but it was a great year and we had a lot of fun.”

Milliron was also an assistant on the Wharton baseball team that won a district championship last year and reached the Class 8A regional finals.

Once he finishes his degree at USF this year, Milliron hopes to join the Bulls’ coaching staff as a graduate assistant to continue his dream of being a Division I college or NFL coach.

He is preparing for the future by spending nearly 40 hours a week at Wharton while also waking up before dawn to study film of opponents and go over plays. Sometimes after a game, Milliron will only get three or four hours of sleep.

“I love coaching and know that I will make a career out of it, because I won’t let anything stop me,” Milliron said. “I might of been born with a ‘weak heart’ in the words of one cardiologist, but my determination and hard work makes me have the strongest heart in the world, and in my heart I know I will not only meet my goal but help a lot of people along the way.”

—Follow Jeff Odom on Twitter: @JOdomLaker

 

By Jeff Odom

 

From a young age, Zachary Milliron can remember football being a big part of his life.

The 23-year-old would spend Saturday watching his favorite college team — the University of Florida. From the stands at Ben Hill Griffith Stadium in Gainesville or the TV, he envisioned that he too, could one day suit up and lead a team to victory.

But he never took a single snap on a football gridiron.

When Milliron was born, doctors discovered a rare defect in his heart and informed his parents that he might not live because of the condition. He was under the watchful eye of specialists at St. Joseph’s Hospital for a year before he went home for good.

The heart condition forced Milliron to undergo four open heart surgeries and other procedures in order to save his life. Before he began middle school at Ben Hill, a physician informed him he would never be able to play a contact sport, thus ending his football dreams.

“A lot of my friends were trying out for the flag football team, and I really knew I couldn’t play because of my heart condition,” Milliron said. “So, I went and talked to the coach, and I asked if I could just be part of the team. It was at that point where it was just like, ‘Wow, this is really cool.’ … I didn’t really know anything (about football). I just liked watching the games.”

With the dream of playing out of the question, Milliron traded in the football for a clipboard. By the time he started his freshman year at Gaither High, he knew what he wanted to be — a football coach.

“As I was around it more and more, and as I kept learning about it more, and as I would spend my Saturday’s watching every game, it kind of all just fell into place to the point that I knew I wanted to coach football,” Milliron said.

Milliron worked with the Cowboys football team during its 2007 district championship season, volunteering as their video coordinator where he filmed practices and edited the footage for other coaches. He would also sit in on meetings and work with the team as coaches broke down film for their next opponent.

Milliron did this until he graduated later that year and moved to Boca Raton, where he enrolled at Florida Atlantic University (FAU).

A unique job opportunity came his way from Olympic Heights High while in college.

“I contacted the head coach down there, and they were horrible,” Milliron said. “They had won like two games in five years, and I guess from talking to me he really thought I could help them and gave me the varsity wide receivers coach position.”

In his first year at Olympic Heights in 2009, Milliron helped lead the Lions to their first winning record and first playoff berth since 2002.

After two seasons, Milliron transferred to the University of South Florida (USF) to be closer to home while pursuing a degree in secondary education. He caught up with former Gaither coach Mark Kantor and was offered a position coaching quarterbacks until Kantor stepped down from the position in 2010.

“This, at the time, felt like a door had been slammed shut on me, but you know what they say, when God closes one door he always opens up another one; you just have to be faithful enough to walk through it,” Milliron said. “I started thinking, ‘Do I really want to be doing this for the rest of my life?’ It just wasn’t a good fit.”

Milliron followed his former boss to Wharton, where Kantor was hired as the defensive coordinator for the 2011 season. Milliron said Wildcats coach David Mitchell welcomed him to the program with open arms and made him the varsity offensive assistant and junior varsity (JV) offensive coordinator — his highest positions yet.

“In my first game (with the JV team), we played Tampa Bay Tech, and that was a major eye opening thing for me,” Milliron said. “I was like, ‘Wow, (former Gators coach) Urban Meyer makes it look easy calling plays.’ First play, a kid tore his ACL. Second play’s a pick six. Third play’s a fumble return for a touchdown. I’m like, ‘Time to regroup,’ but it was a great year and we had a lot of fun.”

Milliron was also an assistant on the Wharton baseball team that won a district championship last year and reached the Class 8A regional finals.

Once he finishes his degree at USF this year, Milliron hopes to join the Bulls’ coaching staff as a graduate assistant to continue his dream of being a Division I college or NFL coach.

He is preparing for the future by spending nearly 40 hours a week at Wharton while also waking up before dawn to study film of opponents and go over plays. Sometimes after a game, Milliron will only get three or four hours of sleep.

“I love coaching and know that I will make a career out of it, because I won’t let anything stop me,” Milliron said. “I might of been born with a ‘weak heart’ in the words of one cardiologist, but my determination and hard work makes me have the strongest heart in the world, and in my heart I know I will not only meet my goal but help a lot of people along the way.”

—Follow Jeff Odom on Twitter: @JOdomLaker

 

By Jeff Odom

 

After months of headache, Lutz resident Frank Muniz can breathe easier knowing his property is beginning to dry out.

Muniz’s yard, a drainage ditch and an unpaved roadway leading up to his home on Crooked Lane were underwater after Tropical Storm Debby dumped heavy amounts of rain in early July.

Across from his property at the Oscar Cooler Sports Complex, a small field flooded due to a damaged drain pipe, which prevented the water from receding. The standing water then spilled through a chain link fence dividing the two properties and into Muniz’s yard.

For months, Muniz made phone calls to Hillsborough County officials. Not only did he want the problem with drainage corrected, but also help in getting rid of the water.

But those pleas went ignored, and with each afternoon storm the situation grew worse.

Then, a day after The Laker/Lutz News detailed Muniz’s situation Sept. 27, county workers began draining the water from the field, moving it to a retention pond in front of the complex.

“The ground is just so saturated because of all the rain,” Muniz said. “It’s still puddling up, but they said they’re trying to work on it.”

County Public Works spokesman Steve Valdez said they had to change elevations in order to get the water moving in the opposite direction. He added, the workers had to get permission on where it could move the water to in order to protect Muniz’s yard.

Muniz said workers told him it’s a waiting process on where the water can go.

“They said as long as it’s in the front pond it should be okay,” Muniz said. “They did a good job, and they cleared out (debris) along the (complex’s) drainage ditch.”

Hillsborough is still 20 inches above the normal level for rainfall this year, which contributed to the problem.

“Everyone has been dealing with flooding problems,” Valdez said. “It’s the highest rainfall on record.”

Name: Terry Kemple
Age: 66
Residence: no response
Occupation: owns a management consulting business
Political affiliation: nonpartisan office

Political experience: none
Office being sought: Hillsborough County School Board District 7

 

What separates you from your competitors(s)?

I have new thoughts and ideas. My opponent has become part of the status quo.

An example is the difference in our views of the Empowering Effective Teachers program. All the teachers I know dislike it and teacher morale is at its absolute lowest. I think the EET needs a drastic rethink. My opponent continues to pander to the staff, ignore the problems and claim that it’s a wonderful program. Find out for yourself; ask a teacher or two.

We also differ dramatically in our view of parents’ rights to decide what students are confronted with in the classroom. I believe parents have the right to make important decisions regarding their children’s education priorities and practices. My opponent disagrees, apparently believing that she knows better than parents.

I think parents should be able to opt their children out of classes when people linked to terrorism will be speaking to the class. This is no joke, it has happened! My opponent disagrees, choosing instead to ignore the evidence of the need to address the situation.
What do you hope to accomplish in your first six months in office?

The most pressing difficulty we have right now is many parents’ lack of involvement in their children’s education. This lack creates many difficulties. Among the most serious are that students whose parents aren’t involved are more likely to drop out of school and before dropping out are more likely to cause classroom disciplinary problems that impair everyone’s education.

My opponent won’t acknowledge the problem. I think part of the reason for this avoidance is that if parents aren’t involved then the board majority can continue to make decisions that should be being made by parents. Another possibility is that it’s a difficult dilemma that’s difficult to address without ruffling some feathers.

We need to purposefully develop methods to encourage parental involvement. There will never be a perfect solution, but if there continues to be no effort there will for sure be no resolution.

What do you hope to accomplish by the end of your term?

1. Make sure that processes are in place to protect parents’ rights to make educational decisions regarding their children.

2. Develop measures that provide active accountability for the school board, staff, teachers, parents, students, and the community.

3. Bring transparency to the budget so that it’s simple for anyone to see where money is going, what bids are available and/or awarded, and so that there is clarity on the long term financial impact of accepting the “strings” that come with many grants.

4. Establish a more effective outreach to the community to encourage non-controversial community groups to help in the educational process.

5. Find ways to put more money in the classroom.

6. Dramatically revise or eliminate the EET program.

7. Bring visibility to the ESE program and be sure we’re in compliance with state guidelines.
List your political endorsements: United Christian of Florida Political Action Committee, News Times Journal – Editorial Board, 342 Individual endorsements on my website: Vote4TerryKemple.com

Name: Chris Nocco
Age: 36
Residence: Trinity

Occupation: Pasco County Sheriff
Political affiliation: Republican

Political experience: first time running for office
Office being sought: Pasco County Sheriff

 

What separates you from your competitors(s)?

For over a year, I have been able to demonstrate my experience and leadership as the Sheriff of Pasco. During this time, the Sheriff’s Office has successfully dealt with national criminal incidents and a major natural disaster. We implemented proactive enforcement through Intelligence Led Policing and have been targeting the prescription pill and drug epidemic in our county.

My experience is diversified to include my front line law enforcement experience in Philadelphia, Fairfax County, VA, and Broward County. My formal education includes a master’s degree in public administration. As the deputy chief of staff for the Speaker of the Florida House, I oversaw criminal justice, domestic security, transportation, and economic development policy. Understanding that success, we are building the Sheriff’s Office to be a partner with community groups and businesses to develop lasting and meaningful relationships to make Pasco better.

As your Sheriff, you can expect your Sheriff’s Office to be on the cutting edge, always looking for ways to improve. We will be truthful and transparent in our actions and we will remember that we serve you.
What do you hope to accomplish in your first six months in office?

Since being appointed as Sheriff, we have made meaningful changes to improve our agency and community. We have raised the morale of our members by investing in them and listening to their ideas. We are targeting drug issues while enhancing our drug awareness programs for our youth. We have partnered with our community to establish Celebrate Recovery in our jail, to start the recovery process for those dealing with addiction.

In the next six months we will look internally and mainstream our operations to become more effective in protecting and serving our citizens. One way is upgrading technology. We have a plan to advance our computer systems which will provide us a tremendous advantage in catching criminals and enhance efficiencies in our administrative duties. We will continue to build upon our success with intelligence led policing for we are not afraid to break the mold of traditional law enforcement to protect your family.

 

What do you hope to accomplish by the end of your term?

We are building a world-class law enforcement agency. This means we will be a leader and model in providing service and protection for you and your family. You deserve the best Sheriff’s Office possible.

This Sheriff’s Office will be known for proactive enforcement and customer service. We will continue to utilize cutting edge technology and techniques to protect our most vulnerable: our children and seniors. As a father of small children, I know how critical this is.

The Sheriff’s Office will also be a partner with community groups in enhancing opportunities for our youth and we will be in the forefront of crime prevention. For Pasco to flourish economically, we need to build a reputation that Pasco is a safe place to raise a family, invest in business, or retire.  We will make this a reality.

We have developed a strategic plan which you can view at the Pasco Sheriff’s website: www.pascosheriff.com.
List your political endorsements: Police Benevolent Association, Pasco Board of Realtors, National Rifle Association

 

Name: Kim Bogart
Age: no response
Residence: New Port Richey
Contact information: Kim Bogart

Occupation: law enforcement and corrections consultant
Political affiliation: Democrat

Political experience: none
Office being sought: Pasco County Sheriff

 

What separates you from your competitors(s)?

EXPERIENCE: Unlike my opponent who had a combined total of eight years of law enforcement experience when he was appointed Sheriff by Governor Scott, my exclusive qualification is my 31 years in the law enforcement profession coupled with many years of experience evaluating public safety agencies.

 

COMMITMENT: Unlike my opponent who moved to Pasco County 3 1/2 years ago, I am a 28-year resident. My commitment to Pasco runs deep. My wife and I own businesses here. My daughter and son-in-law are raising our three Granddaughters here. I am very active in many community service organizations. As a community leader and public servant, I’ve experienced the best in our area and I understand the challenges facing us.

 

ACCOUNTABILITY: Unlike my opponent who worked for three nationally- and state-accredited Florida agencies but does not have the commitment to achieve this same level of professionalism for the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, I will enter the accreditation process immediately upon taking office. Accreditation is not a luxury, it’s a necessity to ensure accountability, transparency, and effectiveness.
What do you hope to accomplish in your first six months in office?

In my first 180 days as Sheriff, the public will see a change in the culture of the Sheriff’s Office. The political atmosphere permeating the Sheriff’s Office will subside allowing the deputies’ to focus solely on public safety and crime prevention.

A minimum of six Sheriff’s Advisory Councils across the county, will be actively meeting monthly with members of the Sheriff’s Office to discuss, plan, and implement solutions to issues identified in their communities. A tracking process to ensure victim follow-up will be in place. I will partner with the Pasco-Hernando Community College and develop a regimented “Academy Track Program” as part of a recruitment program.

Lastly, I will work with Pasco’s Public Safety Coordinating Council to initiate a Re-Entry Task Force comprised of service providers and share holders to develop a comprehensive Inmate Re-Entry Program focused on reducing the recidivism rate at the Jail.

 

What do you hope to accomplish by the end of your term?

Within four years, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office will be a progressive law enforcement agency and a leader in Florida with a culture of “constantly improving”. The agency will be fully accredited by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation.

The public will have three years of comprehensive annual reports providing detailed budgetary and performance information from each department of the Sheriff’s Office. The annual reports will highlight crime trends, crime prevention efforts, and overall agency performance. Twelve Sheriff’s Advisory Councils will be meeting with members of the Sheriff’s Office monthly throughout the county ensuring crime, citizen input, and solutions are addressed immediately. A comprehensive inmate re-entry program at the jail will be fully functional with measurable results.

We have developed a strategic plan which you can view at the Pasco Sheriff’s website: www.pascosheriff.com.
List your political endorsements: early endorsement from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union No. 824.

 

Fuel Up to Play 60

New River Elementary physical education coaches Holly Mitchell and Kathy Gillooly hosted a milk mustache booth for Fuel Up to Play 60 at the Wesley Chapel school’s open house in September.

The school participates in the initiative, which is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program.

The program, funded by a grant, allows New River students to sample healthy foods to educate students about making healthy eating and exercising choices to promote a healthy, lifelong, lifestyle.

Students and parents were invited to have their pictures taken with milk mustaches as part of the event.

 

A talk on religion in the public sphere

Can America remain and endure without a public philosophy that is grounded in the values that are based on the so-called Judeo-Christian religious and moral ethic? As interfaith dialogue has become more common in America, this discussion explores whether the wall of separation should be raised or lowered.

The program is being offered at two locations on Oct. 17. It will be presented from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Student Community Center/Greenfelder Denlinger Boardroom at Saint Leo University, 33701 SR 52. A book signing will follow the program.

The second presentation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Family Center Building at Saint Paul Catholic Church, 12708 N. Dale Mabry Highway. A reception and book signing will follow the program.

Admission and parking are free for both events. For more information, contact the Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies at (352) 588-7298.

 

College Information Nights ‘en Español’

Hillsborough County Public Schools Guidance Services will have several Pasos al Futuro college information nights “en Español” during the 2012-13 school year.

These nights are aimed at promoting the benefits of a college education and informing Hispanic students and their parents about preparing for college, applying to college and the financial aid and scholarship processes. All, except the one at Wharton High*, meetings will be conducted in Spanish only and will begin at 6:30 p.m.

The meetings include:

—Oct. 23: Tampa Bay Technical High, 6410 Orient Road

—Oct. 25: Jefferson High, 4401 W. Cypress St.

—Oct. 30: Plant City High, One Raider Place

—Nov. 1: Chamberlain High, 9401 N. Blvd.

—Nov. 8: East Bay High, 7710 Old Big Bend Road

—Nov. 13: Alonso High, 8302 Montague St.

—Feb. 21: Lennard High, 2342 E. Shell Point Road in Ruskin

—Feb. 28: Strawberry Crest High, 4691 Gallagher Road in Dover

*Wharton High, 20150 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in New Tampa will have its session at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 16.

 

Video contest for architecture students

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation and the Florida Association of the American Institute of Architects are sponsoring a public service video contest today for architecture students throughout the state.

The contest provides cash prizes to the teams that produce the best videos about the unlicensed practice of architecture. It also aims to engage the student community in an issue that impacts their profession while educating consumers on the dangers of doing business with unlicensed professionals.

The first place team will win $500 and the two runners-up will each receive $250.

To enter, students in teams of up to six people must create a video 30 seconds or less about the unlicensed practice of architecture and the risk of using nonlicensed architects in building design. The deadline is midnight Nov. 12.

At least 50 percent of a team’s contestants must currently be pursuing education for professional licensure in architecture. Entries can be submitted through the contest website, www.myfloridalicense.com/studentPSAcontest. More information is also available online.

 

Zephyrhills High celebrates homecoming

Zephyrhills High has a slate of activities planned to celebrate homecoming.

The homecoming parade is set for 4:30 p.m. Oct. 25. The theme is children’s stories. Community members wanting to participate in the parade should contact assistant principal Andressa Williams at .

The homecoming game featuring the Zephyrhills Bulldogs and the Fivay Falcons is Oct. 26 starting at 7:30 p.m.

 

New program offered by Argosy University

The Tampa and Sarasota campuses of Argosy University have launched the Doctor of Education (EdD) in Initial Educational Administration program.

The program is designed to prepare school principals and/or building-level administrators. It is aimed at practicing educators who have already completed a graduate level program from a regionally accredited institution or an appropriately certified foreign institution and are seeking administrative licensure at the initial or kindergarten through 12th grade.

 

PHCC receives donations topping $24,000

Pasco-Hernando Community College (PHCC) has received three scholarships worth more than $24,000 in funds from the Florida College System Foundation.

Students interested in being considered for PHCC Foundation scholarships may submit their applications through the college’s online application in the spring at scholarships.phcc.edu. For more information or to make a contribution, call (727) 816-3410 or visit www.phcc.edu/foundation.

 

Walk to School Day

Students at Veterans Elementary in Wesley Chapel took part in Walk to School Day on Oct. 4 as one of many activities the school has during the year to promote healthy eating and exercise.

 

Developing leadership skills

Joseph Perez, a junior at Land O’ Lakes High, attended the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. during the summer.

Perez’s teacher, Sarah Acosta, nominated him for the experience.

Perez had a chance to interact with prominent members of the Washington press corps at the National Press Club and meet with members of Congress or members of their staff. Conference participants also took part in activities aimed at helping them development their leadership skills, which included proposing and voting on mock legislation.

 

Art Institute graduate

Bryan T. Lauer of Land O’ Lakes graduated from The Art Institute of Tampa in September with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Interactive Media and Web Design.

 

Name: Matt Murphy
Age: 42
Residence: New Port Richey

Occupation: utilities project manager
Political affiliation: Democrat

Political experience: none
Office being sought: Pasco County Commissioner District 3

 

What separates you from your competitors(s)?

Experience – I have over 20 years of experience in utilities and project management. I know how to build and maintain the critical infrastructure of our county as well as building and preparing what is necessary for our future economic growth.

Motivation – Like many of you, I also had to look for work when the economy in Pasco bottomed out and work dried up. I was lucky to find work but it meant a weekly commute to Philadelphia. My focus will be bringing business and industry to Pasco to create jobs and not rely on housing and construction for our economy like we have in the past.

Objectivity – I will be focused on what’s best for everyone in Pasco and not be biased by political party or special interests. I do not have a conflict of interest when making decisions about development and growth in our county. My opponent cannot say that. She is tied to developers who have heavily funded her campaign as well as her family’s development business.
What do you hope to accomplish in your first six months in office?

The unemployment rate in Pasco is higher than the state average. I want to help motivate and lock in the companies that have agreed to move here (T Rowe Price and Raymond James) and begin construction. Secondly, I want to have another major business commit to moving to Pasco and bring a minimum of 300 jobs. Lastly, I want to set up a committee of citizens from all areas of the county to work on solving problems we see in our diverse communities. That I feel will be a good start to getting Pasco moving faster to a prosperous future.

What do you hope to accomplish by the end of your term?

1. Expand current businesses and bring in enough new businesses to Pasco to lower our unemployment rate to 6.5%.

2. Increase our reserves and become more financially stable.

3. Work with county personnel to enhance permitting, tracking and business creation processes.

4. Lower the property tax rate and discontinue park fees in our county.

5. Raise increases for our law enforcement, fire fighters and county personnel.

6. Implement a coordinated recycling program to help reduce waste in our county.

7. Work on solutions to our future water shortages in the county.

8. Increase our tourism by promoting all of our county activities and nature.
List your political endorsements: Alex Sink – Former CFO of Florida, Michael Cox – Former Pasco County Commissioner

 

By BJ Jarvis

Pasco Cooperative Extension
In the last year or so, the Pasco County Extension office has been getting lots of calls about a new weed in town.

Wavy basketgrass is an Australian native that landed on U.S. soil in the late 1990s and spread rapidly throughout eastern states.
A forest understory plant, this grass is forming dense mats in shady gardens, and has been described as “covering all our woodland habitats like Astroturf, killing all the other herbaceous plants.”

With a 97 percent seed germination rate, basketgrass grows so thickly that volunteers of desirable species cannot sprout through the carpet-like growth.
Gardeners should be quick to eradicate the wavy-leaved grass from shady garden corners, as it is a master at spreading. Sticky seeds easily adhere to passing animals such as furry dogs, gardener’s clothing and even vehicles. While it does grow under the shade of trees, thankfully it does not climb.
This plant may be confused with a close cousin that is native to Florida or an ornamental cultivated by the horticulture industry, which likely was bred for reduced weediness.

The horticultural variety appears to be a hybrid, and is believed to be sterile. If you find a look-alike sold in a reputable nursery, it is likely to be the desirable species. However, watch for it hitchhiking overlooked in containers, as it is likely the invader. That’s how it ended up in my garden.
Persistent gardeners can hand-pull the ground creeper, while larger, more homogenous patches can be killed though herbicide treatments with a 1 to 2 percent solution of glyphosate. This product is sold under many trade names, and is a nonselective plant killer. That means you must be cautious about when and where herbicides are sprayed or desirable plants may inadvertently be killed.

To prevent further weed development, either mulch or add desirable plants into the empty space for a more attractive and weed-free landscape.

­–BJ Jarvis is Pasco County Director and Horticulture Agent for Pasco Cooperative Extension Service, a partnership between the University of Florida and county government.

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

The Wesley Chapel girls soccer team is experiencing something never felt before in the program’s 13-year history — expectations.

The Wildcats went 9-12 last year and made the playoffs for the first time, earning the Class 3A-District 7 runner-up spot. They also went 6-2 against district opponents, the first time they’ve ended regular season league play with a winning record.

“For the girls, it meant they could, for the first time, talk about the team on a positive note,” said third-year Wesley Chapel coach Michelle Clark. “We had an awesome season. It was a proud moment for them. I was proud that I could help them get to that point. It was something that they wanted for so long, and it was great to help them finally get to that point.”

Senior Kelsey Bare, who played forward, midfield and defense last year, said the postseason trip has the squad hungry for more.

“It drives us even more because we got a taste of it,” Bare said. “We want even more. A lot of the girls last year have talked to me and said they want the same thing, and we’ve all been working hard to reach that goal.”

The Wildcats were still fighting to gain any kind of respectability at this time last year.

The program had won just 10 games the previous five seasons while dropping 65 contests. Winning nine games in one year was unheard of at Wesley Chapel.

“We got psyched about it and we always wanted to win that next game,” said sophomore defender Jade Torres. “As we kept on winning it got our confidence up, and that’s how we got so far.”

Bare said the mentality of the squad is much different.

“The team used to be a joke,” Bare said. “Now we’re a winning team. At school we’re not looked down at anymore. … There is a little bit of pressure, but I think that’s going to drive us to be even better.”

Bare said Clark helped the players understand that winning was possible.

“Coach came in with a different mentality,” Bare said. “She told us to come in willing to work or don’t come at all. If you want to put forth an effort show up. She wanted us to be a winning team, and that’s where she’s gotten us.”

The winning has another side effect. Now, players want to be a part of the program.

Clark said they have at least 15 players completely new to the squad in conditioning and the first week of practice.

“A lot of them are juniors and seniors who haven’t played here before,” Clark said. “They want to come play now, and that’s a good feeling.”

The squad lost only three seniors from last year, but those graduates were big members to the playoff run.

Gone are midfielder/forward Jessica Courchene, defender Taylor Doherty and midfielder Tess Gemberling, who led the squad with 13 goals last season.

“We didn’t lose a lot of seniors last year,” Clark said. “We did lose some talent, but I see a lot of talent coming in too. I have a large senior class this year, and last year we had a lot of freshmen on varsity. Knowing that we’re going to continue to get players who are improving is important so you don’t lose a couple players and have it be like, ‘Oh no.’”

The Wildcats do bring back their second-leading scorer in Bare (10 goals) and adds young offensive threats like freshman forward Tori Channata.

“It’s awesome to try to keep the tradition started last year,” Channata said. She added, “I heard that they weren’t known to win, and last year they came out of nowhere to win. Went to districts, did really good and they’re expecting to do the same this year. Actually do even better.”

Taking another step would likely mean the Wildcats will have to achieve another first this season — beating Land O’ Lakes.

The Gators have never lost to Wesley Chapel, with three wins last year including the district championship game.

“This year I want to get back to the district championship game, and hopefully this time win the district championship,” Bare said. “We got the runner-up trophy last year, so we want that championship.”

Clark said such expectations are welcome.

“Setting goals is the big thing,” Clark said. “Any goal that we put in we’ll be able to accomplish. We showed that last year. You want to get to the same goals and then up it a little bit. I’m really excited to see what we can do this year.”

Wesley Chapel starts the season at Ridgewood Nov. 1 after the junior varsity game at 6 p.m. The Wildcats host the 3A-7 tournament Jan. 15 to 18, with the final on Jan. 18 at 7 p.m.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker