Special to The Laker/Lutz News

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

For the first time, the Carrollwood Day School (CDS) volleyball team is feeling expectations.

The Patriots (17-6) have locked up the No. 2 seed in the Class 3A-District 8 tournament with a 3-1 record, the first time they’ve finished better than .500 in league play in their seven-year history.

“It’s been unbelievable,” said senior setter/rightside hitter Nicole Neugebauer, who has been playing with the squad since her eighth-grade year. “When I decided to come to CDS for high school, I wasn’t anticipating having a strong sports program because we haven’t had it in the past. As I’ve been progressing through high school, the program has gotten so much better. This season has been unbelievable. I didn’t expect it when we started this season.”

Neugebauer and senior libero Grace Kerkvliet, both team captains, said the program has come a long way the last four years.

“We started as a very small team my freshman year, and we’ve grown so much,” Kerkvliet said. “We’ve got a great group of girls who work really hard. We’ve got a great coach who teaches us new plays. It’s been great to see us all come together.”

Third-year CDS coach Travis Nead said it’s all been about building the program.

“The first year we got here it was about teaching the fundamentals,” Nead said. “Getting the right people in here who were committed, wanted to play and enjoyed the sport. We built on that last year to have the best season as of yet.”

The returning Patriots were also fueled by how close they were to making their first playoff appearance a year ago.

CDS lost a five-set marathon in the 3A-8 tournament to district host Bishop McLaughlin. A victory would have sent the Patriots to the postseason.

“When we were in districts against Bishop McLaughlin it was 12-11 in the fifth, and we ended up losing, unfortunately, by two points,” Neugebauer said. “It was heartbreaking, but going into my senior season it made me want to beat them that much more and do that much better in districts this year. I have a goal of making it past districts. … It’s fueled me a lot more.”

Kerkvliet added, “We knew what we could have done in districts last year. We know that, so we take that into practice each day.”

Along with the motivation to take another step is a new feeling around the program.

“Confidence I would say is different,” Nead said. “Last year, we didn’t have that season defining win. We didn’t beat anyone we weren’t supposed to. This year we do, and in each game we’ve got hope. That’s the biggest mindset changes.”

Nead said winning at Bishop McLaughlin 25-16, 25-14, 25-18 on Sept. 27 is one of those big wins. Not only did it help ease the pain from districts last year, but it also locked up the No. 2 seed in the 3A-8 tournament this season.

“It was one of our most constant and complete games,” Nead said. “In the past we might lose focus and let them win a set or come back and beat us. They didn’t let that happen this time. … We’re taking care of business. They’re going all the way in those tough games this year, and I’ve got to give it to my seniors because it’s coming from their leadership and their work ethic.”

Neugebauer said the extra effort will all be worth it for a trip to the playoffs.

“I don’t even have words for what it would mean to make it to regionals,” Neugebauer said. “I’ve only ever dreamt of it. When we started four years ago, I thought it would never happen for us. Now that we’re close, it would be incredible.”

The 3A-8 tournament is at Seffner Christian Oct. 22 to 25, with the championship match Oct. 25 at 6:30 p.m.

The Patriots hosted Academy at the Lakes Oct. 15, but results were not available by press time. They close the regular season at Bayshore Christian Oct. 16 at 6:30 p.m.

 

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

CDS volleyball roster

No. Player Pos. Yr.

1 Casey Brynjolfsson S/RH Fr.

2 Kelsey Bridges DS So.

3 Aisling Sheehan OH So.

4 Nicole Neugebauer S/RH Sr.

5 Madison Ghodsi DS So.

6 Kylie Saigol OH Fr.

8 Nicole Ianni MH Jr.

13 Stevie Schweitzer MH Fr.

16 Grace Kerkvliet L Sr.

 

By Jeff Odom

 

While most of their fellow classmates are still sound asleep at 6 a.m., the Steinbrenner girls basketball team is busy conditioning to defend its Class 7A-District 9 championship.

Three days a week, fourth-year coach JR Allen gets his players together before the break of dawn for an hour of workout drills, telling them to “bring the juice” every morning before heading to their first class.

The squad performs sprints, bleacher runs and other exercises with certified athletic trainer and strength and conditioning coach Ryan Ward to stay in top shape well before the first game of the season tips off.

“We set the bar pretty high having a great year last year going 22-3, and then winning the district championship,” Allen said. “We realize that that was last year. We’re not the same team. We don’t have the same players. We still want to make sure we achieve the goal of defending that title at the very least, but we have higher aspirations of going further.”

The Warriors lost multiple seniors at the conclusion of last season that saw the Lutz program go perfect in district play. Principle among the departures is starting guard Alexis Wright, who is attending the University of Miami after averaging 6.3 points, four rebounds and two steals in 2011-12.

The squad also lost much of its depth and size, as 6-foot-2 center Rebecca Cohen (5.3 rebounds, 4.4 points, 1.5 blocks) and 5-foot-10 guard Gabby Sebastian (2.1 rebounds) also graduated.

Allen said the loss of his five seniors, all of whom grew up playing together in youth leagues, was like nothing he’s ever felt. He added that the early conditioning gives him a better eye for who can fill the void while helping the girls develop chemistry.

“Those girls are irreplaceable in my eyes,” Allen said. “Last year, we were one deep, sometimes two deep, on the roster. When (starting forward/center) Rachel Briere went down against Wiregrass last year, I had a senior in Rebecca Cohen who stepped up and just played great that night in a huge win that gave us confidence to win the district. Depth like that will certainly be missed until we find out what these new girls are capable of doing, which is why we do this.”

Many of Allen’s returning players are showing plenty of confidence early on.

Four-year starters like guard Justice Thigpen (4.6 assists, 3.4 points, 2.5 steals) and forward/guard Bailey Hooker (19.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.8 steals, 2.1 blocks) are keeping the team focused with senior leadership.

Steinbrenner also returns junior guard Taylor Thigpen (four points, 2.8 assists), and may be close to getting back senior forward Lauren Shedd, who averaged 7.8 points and 5.2 rebounds in five games before being diagnosed with breaks in L4 and L5 vertebra of her back.

Allen said he has been very impressed with the workouts by sophomore center Rachel Briere (10.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.4 steals), freshman Courtney Hall and senior forward Jessica Weatherman.

Weatherman, who is a kicker on the Warriors’ football while competing in track and flag football, said it works to her advantage with both football and basketball conditioning in the fall.

“It keeps me conditioned and keeps me in shape,” Weatherman said. “In football, I don’t have a big say because I’m the only girl. In basketball, I kind of show that a little bit more, and I like it.”

Hall, who played at Martinez Middle for Steinbrenner assistant coach Chip Geraghty, said it is a lot different, especially with the early schedule.

“The first week, it was tough because we were just starting, and I was out of shape,” Hall said. “I still am, but I’ve gotten better as we’ve gone on. It’s gotten easier.”

One of the team’s biggest rivals and 2011-12 district runner-up Freedom added power to its roster in the offseason with Faith Woodard, who transferred from Riverview.

Allen said he’s not concerned despite the Patriots’ addition of the 6-foot-2 senior forward who averaged 21.4 points, 11 rebounds, four steals, 3.1 blocks and three assists last season.

“They’re no disputing the fact that they’ve got great players over there, but sometimes it takes more than a great player to win a championship,” Allen said. “You’ve got to have some great chemistry, a little bit of luck and the talent doesn’t hurt either. When you can get 13/14 girls all buying in and believing one common goal, then special things will happen. I’m not worried with what’s going on over on Bruce B. Downs. I know our girls will be ready to go.”

Steinbrenner wraps up the morning team workouts this week, but will still have early conditioning for individual positions once the team is selected.  The first day of official practice is Oct. 22, with regular season games beginning Nov. 12.

–Stats as recorded to Maxpreps.com by coaches

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

The Steinbrenner girls golf team has accomplished nearly the impossible the last two years.

The Warriors (12-0) have recorded 23 straight victories, dominating one of the most difficult and frustrating games ever created.

“It’s very rewarding to see all the hard work from the girls pay off,” said Mark Mann, the only coach in the program’s four-year history. “They worked hard to keep the perfect regular season intact. They strived for it from the start.”

Steinbrenner completed its second straight perfect regular season with a 173-216 win at Wharton’s (5-5) home course, Hunter’s Green Country Club in New Tampa, the same place the Warriors last lost.

The winning streak started with the final match of the 2010 regular season, meaning the squad’s four sophomores and one freshman have never suffered a loss in high school.

“The team has been really close; our bond has been really big,” said sophomore Claire Becker. “To be undefeated on top of that makes it even sweeter.”

Marlena Gumpher, Steinbrenner’s only senior, said the squad’s closeness mixed with its personalities is a big reason why they’ve been able to continue winning.

“The chemistry and everyone’s personality fits together so well,” Gumpher said. “It’s perfect. It goes together.”

New to that chemistry is sophomore Kayla Poff, who played at Plant in 2011.

“Last year at Plant our only loss was to Steinbrenner, so I knew they were already a great team,” Poff said. She added, “People ask us at school how did we do after each match. To tell them that we’re still undefeated is a great feeling. I don’t think we just have a great shot at winning districts and regionals, but states too.”

The Warriors, who are 41-5 in regular seasons since the school opened in 2009, did a little streak snapping of their own this year.

They ended Plant City’s 26-match win streak and beat the Raiders again on the road later this season.

That’s not to say everything has been easy for Steinbrenner.

The Lutz squad snuck by Class 2A-10 rival Freedom Sept. 25 on the road by three strokes, the closest score during the streak.

The Warriors were without Kelsy Holbert and Brooke Deal due to illness and Becker, the squad’s ace, played despite being sick.

“I thought we were going to lose because our other two best players were sick,” Becker said. “I was overwhelmed with joy when we won. … (The streak) means the world to me. It’s been the best two years of my life, ever.”

The next challenge for Steinbrenner came at the 2A-10 tournament at Walden Lake Country Club in Plant City Oct. 15, but results were not available by press time.

The Warriors won a district title two seasons ago, but had to settle for the runner-up spot last year by five strokes.

 

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

Steinbrenner girls golf scores*

Name Score Yr.

Kayla Poff 41 So.

Claire Becker 42 So.

Hannah Crosby 45 So.

Brooke Deal 45 Jr.

Kelsy Holbert 45 So.

Marlena Gumpher 50 Sr.

*Oct. 11 at Wharton

 

Land O’ Lakes boys take gold

 

By Jeff Odom

 

It was a day of firsts for the Wiregrass Ranch girls cross country team, as it dominated the inaugural Run with the Bulls Invitational Oct. 13.

Competing without senior Nikita Shah, who was on a recruiting trip, Wiregrass Ranch totaled 41 points to beat out Monteverde Academy by 24 to finish first in the eight-team race.

The event was even more special for Bulls junior Elise Cedre. She finished the 5-kilometer race in 19 minutes 49.72 seconds, edging out teammate Berlin Waters (19:57.44) to claim her first career individual title in front of the home crowd.

To top off the day, Cedre was celebrating her 17th birthday.

Cedre couldn’t hold back the tears as she was presented with a first-place medal and the team trophy. She said Bulls coach Don Howard never stopped believing in her.

“It’s been pretty great,” Cedre said. “I’ve never finished first in a race before. Coach said before the race, ‘Hey you might get first in this race,’ and I did and I owe it all to God. I couldn’t have done it without him.”

Cedre said it is a big accomplishment for the squad to be able win without its best runner.

“Nikita is always far ahead,” Cedre said. “She always wins, but yeah she’s good by herself, and when she’s not here we can all pull up the team, and I think all our girls we always run together. We’re always together, always working hard and it’s just a really big team effort today.”

Other top times by Wiregrass Ranch were turned in by seventh-place finisher Addie Cornwell (20:24.84) and Chelsea Ginn-Davis (21:13.80), who placed 15th. Fellow Bulls runners Emily Payne (21:22.98) and Savannah Goode (21:31.87) took 16th and 19th, respectively.

Katie Monds (21:25.35) was the best finisher for Land O’ Lakes, coming in 17th, while Gators freshman Lindsey Weilant (22:23.3) was 27th.

Academy at the Lakes’ lone representative Alex Gittens (23:39.51) crossed the line 36th overall.

On the boys side, it was Land O’ Lakes that took the crown, placing in three of the first four spots to win the team title. The Gators finished with 30 points, defeating runner-up Nature Coast by 12.

Junior Travis Nichols led all runners to the finish line with a time of 16:13 for his first title of the year. Teammates Tyler Stahl (16:34) and Jake Poore (16:39) took second and fourth,  respectively.

Land O’ Lakes had its top-10 runners complete the course in less than 18:30. Gators coach Kris Keppel noted that as a program first.

“Now that we have so many people fighting for that seventh and last spot on varsity really helps with the competition in the postseason,” Nichols said. “I think it’s only going to make us faster.”

Keppel also pointed out that his squad’s average finish of 16:49.4 is just two tenths of a second slower than when Land O’ Lakes took seventh at the Class 3A state meet in 2008.

Wiregrass Ranch finished fifth with 131 points. Senior Ermais Bireda (18:10), who is recovering from a shin injury, took 20th, while teammate Jarred Lanier (18:11) was 21st.

—Sports Editor Kyle LoJacono contributed to this report

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

Steinbrenner junior defender Miranda Gonzalez committed to play at the University of Tampa (UT) Oct. 9.

The lockdown defender said she has wanted to be a Spartan (11-3-1) since going to one of their camps at age 12.

“It’s always been on top of my list,” Miranda said. “I thought it was so cool. I visited other schools, but nothing else really compared to UT.”

Miranda will be joining her sister, Cici, who is a freshman forward at UT.

“I wanted to play at UT first of all because my sister is there, and I wanted to play with her,” Miranda said. “She’s having an awesome experience at UT, and that really helped me make my decision. … UT is a winning program, and it’s a beautiful school. The team is great, and I wanted a smaller school and I wanted to stay close to home, so I thought it was the perfect fit for me.”

Miranda helped the Warriors win the Class 4A state championship in 2011. Steinbrenner allowed 12 goals in 25 games that season and 16 tallies in 22 contests last year.

Miranda said it’s “a big weight lifted” off her shoulders knowing where she’s going for college.

“Now I can just work on my strengths and get better for college, and just keep improving my play.”

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

Freedom senior girls basketball player Faith Woodard committed to Georgetown University Oct. 14 on her 18th birthday.

Woodard, a 6-foot-2 senior forward, made the announcement via Twitter: “Officially a Georgetown Hoya! Just verbally committed! I’m all in.”

Woodard transferred from Riverview during the summer. She averaged 21.4 points, 11 rebounds, four steals, 3.1 blocks and three assists last year. She also won the Class 4A state high jump championship as a junior by clearing 5-feet 8-inches.

Georgetown is a Division-1 program in the Big East Conference. Woodard also had major interest from the University of South Florida, another Big East team.

Patriots fourth-year coach Laurie Pacholke said Woodard is the first player in the program’s 10-year history to commit to a program in one of the so-called power six conferences, which are the same as the BCS leagues for college football. She is also the second to pick a Division-I program, following Pacholke’s daughter, Kaitlynn, who signed with Jacksonville State University following the 2009-10 season.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

The Wharton football team wasted little time on the road Oct. 12, smashing cross-town rival Freedom 38-0.

Wildcats (4-2) junior quarterback Chase Litton completed his first four passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Both scores were caught by senior wide receiver Keith “KJ” Hopkins, the first for 31 yards and the second for 27.

“Rivalry game,” Hopkins said. “I was so pumped up and ready. On the first touchdown, Chase scrambled, and I was just standing in the end zone waiting. On the second, I was supposed to run a hitch, but I saw the middle wide open, and he saw me break off my route and touchdown. … He always finds us when we’re open.”

Hopkins finished with 214 all-purpose yards. Litton went 15-of-23 passing for 299 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also added a 1-yard rushing score in the third quarter.

Litton said it felt good to get back on the right track after dropping their last two contests.

“It wasn’t a statement game, but it was a game where we needed to reboot,” Litton said. “When I say that, I mean we need to realize we’re not some turnover team. We started out 3-0, and then went 0-2. We got to realize that when we were 3-0 we were on top of the world. Now we were facing adversity, and when you face adversity you have to respond. We did that tonight.”

The Wildcats started to establish a bit of a run game in the second half.

Junior Jeff Keil ran for 31 yards after halftime, including a 2-yard plunge up the middle to put his team ahead 35-0. He also scored on a 1-yard run in the second quarter, and finished with 40 yards on the ground.

“Originally I didn’t feel too good, and we weren’t running the ball well,” Keil said. “We came out in the second half ready to run, and we came out running. … I think the scheme that we used in the second half confused them. We were putting a lot of guys in motion, and just the heart. We just found the holes and went.”

Litton added, “Keil just ran all over them. There was that one run where everyone was just clogged up the middle. He just broke two tackles shook a safety and got a 30-yard run. When we establish that it makes the passing so much easier.”

Wharton’s defense locked up the Patriots (2-5), allowing only 49 yards of total offense and two first downs, one coming on a holding penalty. The D also recorded four sacks.

“They’ve done that the whole season, really,” Litton said. “They’ve given up a total of 30 real points on defense. They balled out. These past three weeks have been defensive games, defensive games. They shut down Durant. They shut down Plant. The past two games we just didn’t respond. This game we just responded to let them know that we’re still here.”

The combination of high-powered offense and shutdown defense forced a running clock with about three minutes left in the third quarter.

“I love getting running clocks on them,” Keil said.

It is the third straight victory for the Wildcats against the Patriots. While the win over their rival is nice, Wharton coach David Mitchell said they need to be ready for what looms on the horizon.

“The timing was down, which is good because we really need to get back on the horse here,” Mitchell said. “As I always say, we’ve got to have amnesia right now, and put everything behind us because you know we’ve got Bloomingdale on a short week. Play them on Thursday, and that’s a district game. We need to win it to get in.”

Freedom hosts Class 7A-District 9 rival Gaither Oct. 18, while the Wildcats travel to 8A-6 opponent Bloomingdale. Both games start at 7:30 p.m.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

By Jeff Odom

 

Between pregame trash talk on social media and the back-and-forth shouting between fans throughout the contest, there was still a volleyball match to be played at Wharton Oct. 9.

The Wildcats (22-1) decided that part of the show with their defense, sweeping cross-town rival Freedom 25-9, 25-16, 25-14.

“Our defense and our serving was just on point, and we kind of just controlled the flow of the game and never really let them into it,” said Wharton coach Eric Barber.

The Patriots (12-6) were overwhelmed from the start by the roar of Wharton’s cheering section — The Blue Crew.

The vociferous students in blue prevented communication between Freedom’s players, which led to multiple errors and slowed its offense.

The Wildcats ran off 10 straight points in the first on senior outside hitter Caci Andreychuk’s (17 kills, nine digs, two aces) service rotation to go ahead 12-3 en route to dominating the opening set.

While the Wharton offense was on point, the defense stopped the Patriots from scoring. The Wildcats limited Freedom’s top scorer, senior outside hitter Jasmyn Perry, to just six kills.

While Freedom was shaken by the atmosphere, Andreychuk said she ignored the barbs thrown by the Patriots’ equally loud cheering section.

“It was definitely a big crowd,” Andreychuk said. “It was definitely motivational.”

Wharton shut the door again in the second set as senior setter and Furman University commit Ashton Stoker (five kills, 25 assists), along with freshman libero Chanelle Hargreaves (13 digs) and Andreychuk (nine digs), carried the Wildcats to another convincing victory.

Freedom was able to keep the second set close in the middle, but Wharton took nine of the final 12 points.

Both sides of the gym bleachers got testy with one another in the final set as Wharton brought out the brooms and began shouting “undefeated” to the silenced Patriots crowd. Freedom looked competitive enough to force a fourth set, but the Wildcats dashed those hopes by scoring 15 of the final 19 points.

“They were loud,” Barber said. “I thought they did a great job in that first (set). I thought we were playing at Freedom. It was so loud over here. I just told the girls, ‘One thing we can do over the season is improve our mental toughness,’ and they were able to push through that crowd noise and get a great win for us.”

Wharton rode the momentum into its contest at Bloomingdale Oct. 11. The Wildcats won the contest 25-13, 25-27, 25-23, 21-25, 15-12 to clinch the No. 1 seed in the Class 8A-District 7 tournament.

Freedom was not as fortunate in its Class 7A-District 9 finale at home against Wiregrass Ranch, falling 25-23, 25-22, 24-26, 21-25, 15-12. The loss makes the Patriots the No. 3 seed in 7A-9, while the Bulls (15-5) are the No. 2.

Wharton travels to Strawberry Crest Oct. 17, while Freedom travels to Sickles Oct. 18. Both matches start at 7 p.m.

The 8A-7 tournament is at Durant Oct. 23 to 25, with the final Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. The 7A-9 tournament is at Gaither Oct. 22 to 25, with the championship game Oct. 25 at 7 p.m.

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

The Steinbrenner volleyball team completed its fourth straight perfect regular season in district play with a 25-10, 25-10, 19-25, 25-6 win at home against Gaither Oct. 10.

The win also moves the Warriors’ (14-7, 4-0) all-time record against district opponents to 30-0, but the Cowboys (6-12, 0-4) were able to take a set, which is only the second Steinbrenner has lost to a league opponent ever.

“We definitely could have played at a much high caliber,” said senior outside hitter Madison Seuzeneau. “We laid down in the third set and said we’ve got this in the bag. We can’t do that. We need to push forward until the end of the match.”

Seuzeneau said it’s a good lesson for the team as the Class 7A-District 9 tournament approaches.

“I think we kind of underestimate our district,” Seuzeneau said. “I know we’ve won our district pretty handily every year, but we can’t just lie down and pretend like we’ve already won districts. We have to keep pushing through all of the games to take the title.”

First-year Warriors coach Laura Stegenga elected to go with reserves in the third set to get those players some court time. She also did not take a timeout despite her team having a lead for only four plays in the third.

“I wanted them to play it out and see what they could do without me sitting in their ear,” Stegenga said. “As we progress and we get into hard competition they’re going to have to get themselves out of funks, so I wanted to give them the opportunity to see what they can do.”

Stegenga didn’t have to say much between the third and fourth sets.

“I basically just asked them if that was their best performance in the previous game,” Stegenga said. “They told me no, and they all agreed to change it. I think they saw the look on my face, and they just got to work.”

After falling behind 1-3 in the fourth, Steinbrenner ran off 24 of the last 27 points. Sophomore middle hitter Ryann Martin ended the match with her fifth kill of the contest.

“I was feeling a lot of energy in that last game,” Martin said. “When we have that kind of intensity I think we can beat anyone.”

Seuzeneau and junior outside hitter Rachel Mathison each had 11 kills. Mathison also recorded eight digs, and Seuzeneau added six.

Sophomore middle hitter Lauren Heldt added five kills and four blocks, while senior outside hitter Kayla Shaw recorded four kills and five digs.

Senior libero Natalia Campos had 12 digs and seven aces, and sophomore setter Brooke Royals had 32 assists.

Junior Casey McLean, who is generally the Warriors starting setter, played the majority of the match as defensive specialist on the backrow. She racked up seven digs and four aces.

Gaither junior outside hitter Hanna Kelley had 11 kills, 10 digs and three aces.

The Warriors travel to Bloomingdale Oct. 16 and host Durant Oct. 17 for the regular season finale. Both contests start at 7 p.m.

The 7A-9 tournament is at Gaither Oct. 22 to 25, with the championship match Oct. 25 at 7 p.m.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

By Jeff Odom

Despite turning the ball over twice on its first two possessions, the Gaither football team took advantage of its opponent’s mistakes in a 33-18 home win over East Bay Oct. 12.

Without their top playmaker Shug Oyegunle — out because of a leg injury — the Cowboys (5-1) couldn’t get the running game or the offense rolling until late in the first quarter.

Running back Jamari Cord fumbled on Gaither’s first play, and quarterback Alex McGough had a pass tipped for an interception in the first quarter.

The Indians (2-4) drove the ball to the Cowboys 15-yard line thanks to a 52-yard sprint from Devon Hart, but they couldn’t move it any further.

East Bay opted for a 38-yard field goal attempt on fourth-and-13, which was blocked by senior D.J. King and returned to the Indians 45.

McGough found Vu Le on the next play for a 40-yard completion, setting up a 6-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Brown with 13 seconds left in the first quarter.

The Indians answered in the second quarter by blocking a 50-yard field goal attempt and returned it to the house to cut the Gaither lead to one.

“(We) started too slow, making too many mistakes early and digging holes for themselves,” said Cowboys coach Jason Stokes. “We’re not going to be a championship team if we continue to put ourselves in a hole like that.”

East Bay engineered an 80-yard, 12-play touchdown drive to take a 12-7 lead at the half, but Gaither came out swinging in the third quarter.

Le returned the opening kickoff of the second half 55 yards to set himself up for a 15-yard touchdown catch from McGough two plays later.

Still, the Cowboys’ defensive line struggled to stop the rushing attack as the Indians drove another 80 yards without attempting a pass to regain the lead by five.

“I don’t think we were prepared for how physical this team was,” Stokes said. “I live on the east side of the county, and I’ve played East Bay just about every year of my life since I’ve been down here. So, I know how physical they are, I know those coaches there, so I knew it was going to be a dog fight.”

Gaither finally flipped the switch in the fourth quarter, as Josh Bell and Jalen Cochran’s runs of four and five yards, respectively, set up another touchdown from McGough to Le, this time a 30-yarder to give Gaither a one-point lead.

The Cowboys scored again one minute later when Indians quarterback Chris Carpentier was intercepted by Jeshua Williams, who returned it 30 yards for a score.

Gaither used a steady diet of runs combined with a 17-yard pass from McGough to Le on its next possession to set up Bell, who put away the game with a 32-yard touchdown carry.

 “I think we thought this team wasn’t as good as they were,” said McGough, who finished 9-for-19 with 131 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He also had 51 rushing yards, 46 of which came on the opening play of the second quarter.

“They showed up ready to play, and we just did not, and at halftime coach just told us that we’re better than that and we came out and showed it.”

The Cowboys travels to Class 7A-District 9 rival Freedom Oct. 18 7:30 p.m.

—Follow Jeff Odom on Twitter: @JOdomLaker