Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Kyle LoJacono

It looked like the 2011 Zephyrhills football team had locked up its first playoff berth in five years.

The Bulldogs were up nine points in the fourth quarter at Fivay. A victory would have all but assured the squad of at least the district runner-up spot. Two late touchdowns sandwiching a recovered onside kick gave the Falcons the 48-42 win and the postseason spot.

“I take the blame,” said Zephyrhills coach and school alumnus Reggie Roberts. “It’s my job to prepare them at the end of the game. We learned from that, and the experience just makes you a better football team. I think they’ll feed on that because we want to go farther.”

The returning players are using that disappointment as fuel.

“Every single day we talk about how we lost to Fivay when we should have beaten them,” said sophomore quarterback/linebacker Mikey Smith. “Oh my goodness, everyone wants to get another chance at that. We really want to change that.”

Smith’s mindset is shared by his teammates, which is very different from the feel of the team during Reggie’s first two years at the helm.

“The attitude has changed,” Reggie said. “There were times when I’d walk in the locker room and guys didn’t believe we could win. When someone would score a touchdown, everyone would start hanging their heads thinking it was over. There was no fight. We’ve got a different feeling this year, and they want to fight. That’s a huge difference.”

The Bulldogs do lose leading receiver Adrian Sanchez (225 yards, three touchdowns) and starting quarterback Jamal Roberts (542 yards, six scores) to graduation, but most of the starters return.

The loss of Jamal, who led the team with 1,030 rushing yards on 107 carries and 20 touchdowns, has caused a shift in offensive philosophy. Gone is the run-heavy flexbone system in favor of a balanced attack.

“We have better athletes on our football team, and having a passing game helps us spread the ball around,” Reggie said. “Last year, people prepared mainly to stop Jamal and the running game. I think Mikey Smith is tough; he can run the ball and can throw the ball down the field.”

Smith was the quarterback at Zephyrhills Christian in 2010 when the program won the six-man state championship. He switched to public school football a season ago.

“Last year, it was kind of like a warm-up year for me getting to know everyone and playing at a public school,” Smith said.

Smith is battling with Jarcques Meza for the starting job while also preparing for another season at linebacker, where he forced four fumbles and recovered three while recording 2.5 sacks and 83 tackles. Last year, only defensive back Devon Brockington had more tackles (93) on the squad.

“I expect Brockington and Mikey Smith to go nose to nose in tackles again this year,” Reggie said. “Mikey is playing quarterback, but he’s also one of the best defensive players at Zephyrhills High School.”

The defense is bolstered by the addition of cornerback Jordan Roberts, Jamal’s brother, who only played basketball and ran track before this season.

Zephyrhills also gets back Jaylan Pickett, who started at safety last season before briefly transferring to Armwood.

The depth, new offense and revived pride have Reggie excited about what is possible.

“When we start out the season we’re looking to go 16-0 and win a state championship,” Reggie said. “We’re not settling for anything.”

 

Zephyrhills schedule

All games start at 7:30 p.m. Home games played at 6335 12th St., Zephyrhills.

Kickoff classic Aug. 24 at Central

Aug. 31 at Land O’ Lakes

Sept. 7 vs. Tampa Catholic

Sept. 14 Bye

Sept. 21 vs. Wesley Chapel*

Sept. 28 at Hudson*

Oct. 5 at Gulf*

Oct. 12 vs. Anclote*

Oct. 19 at Ridgewood*

Oct. 26 vs. Fivay*

Nov. 2 at Pasco*

Nov. 9 vs. Wiregrass Ranch

*Denotes district contest

 

2011 Bulldogs (7-3)

Land O’ Lakes L 34-0*

Tampa Catholic L 39-13

Wesley Chapel W 38-16

Hudson W 43-0

Gulf W 41-14

Anclote W 51-16

Ridgewood W 49-0

Fivay L 48-42

Pasco L 45-0

Wiregrass Ranch W 43-14

*Forfeit win

By Kyle LoJacono

Carrollwood Day School (CDS) coach Lane McLaughlin admitted his team was surprised last season.

It was the Patriots’ first year in a district, making them eligible for the Florida High School Athletic Association playoffs. The process was like nothing they’d been a part of before.

“I don’t think they knew what to expect Game 1,” said McLaughlin, who is entering his sixth season. “It was all new to them and to us as coaches.”

Key injuries added to the obstacles, including losing safety Nate Lewis to multiple torn knee ligaments suffered in Week 5 against Admiral Farragut.

“Nate is our best tackler,” McLaughlin said. “We’re not a really good tackling team, so losing him really hurt. … I was proud of our effort. We lost four games, but three were on the last play of the game and one was by eight points.”

Lewis was cleared to play two months ago. His return bolsters the defense while also allowing Robert Davis to focus on playing offense.

Davis, a running back/defensive back, had 1,832 yards on 138 carries with 25 touchdowns last season. He sits 1,966 yards from breaking the Hillsborough County career rushing record.

Davis worked on his speed this offseason and was recently clocked at 4.28 seconds in the 40-yard dash, but he is more excited about the offensive line in front of him than his own quickness.

“That’s going to be our biggest key this year is our line,” Davis said. “They’re getting bigger and stronger every day. They’re in the weight room all day this summer, and when I come out in the afternoon they’re already there flipping tires.”

Another weapon for CDS is wide receiver Andy Embody (554 yards, seven touchdowns) and running back Elias Earley (132 yards, two touchdowns), who will likely miss the first game after breaking his collarbone during a summer 7-on-7 tournament.

“Andy might be the best player in our district,” McLaughlin said. “He caught three touchdowns, threw a touchdown pass and returned an interception for a touchdown in the spring game. We’re also excited to have Elias Earley back.”

The biggest question comes at quarterback. The Patriots lost two-year starter Deuce Gruden to graduation. The former signal caller, who became the first player in program history to sign with a college when he inked with Lafayette, completed 74-of-144 passes for 1,466 yards and 17 touchdowns last season while adding 507 yards on 105 carries and four scores.

Dominiq Sicardo was CDS’ quarterback in the spring game, but Robinson transfer Vidal Woodruf has taken the majority of reps during the summer 7-on-7 season and early fall practices.

McLaughlin predicts the 2012 squad will be the program’s best.

“Our first goal is to win the first game,” McLaughlin said. “Our second goal is to get into the playoffs. Our main goal is to win the district.”

 

CDS schedule

Homes games start at 4 p.m., away contests at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Home games played at 1515 West Bearss Ave., Lake Magdalene.

Kickoff classic Aug. 24 vs. Orlando Christian Prep

Aug. 31 vs. North Port Imagine School

Sept. 7 vs. Keswick Christian*

Sept. 14 at Northside Christian*

Sept. 21 at Shorecrest Prep

Sept. 28 at Admiral Farragut*

Oct. 5 vs. Canterbury*

Oct. 12** at Bradenton Christian*

Oct. 19 vs. Cambridge Christian*

Oct. 26 vs. Indian Rocks Christian *

Nov. 2 at Calvary Christian*

Nov. 9 Bye

*Denotes district contest

**Kickoff at 7 p.m.

 

2011 Patriots (6-4)

Father Lopez Catholic W 57-12

Keswick Christian L 30-27

Northside Christian W 61-14

Shorecrest Prep W 47-10

Admiral Farragut L 49-41

Canterbury L 26-20

Bradenton Christian W 33-17

Cambridge Christian W 54-35

Indian Rocks Christian L 58-55

Calvary Christian W 28-21

By Kyle LoJacono

The 2011 Pasco-Hernando Community College (PHCC) volleyball team went 31-11, won a regional title and was one of 16 teams to qualify for the national tournament.

The season would rank among the best for most programs, but the Conquistadors were out for more. They wanted to win consecutive National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA) Division II championships but lost their first two matches at the tournament.

“After we went to nationals and lost, terribly, I feel like that was a big hit to all of us,” said 5-foot-10 sophomore outside hitter Victoria Ashley, the team captain. “We were expecting, yeah national champs Round 2. We were all so excited, but we did not show up when we went to nationals. That’s something that we need to be aware of and train harder this year.”

A difficulty in the quest to repeat was losing nine-year PHCC coach Kim Whitney for a month during the season because of the birth of her child.

“It was a tough year to coach with having the baby and being out,” Whitney said. “Thankfully I had the two assistants I had (Jason Kucera and Staci Elias). It would have been really hard not having them on board. They did a great job taking over that time I was out. … The girls took on a lot of the leadership role to push themselves enough to get back to regionals and win regionals again and get back to nationals.”

Whitney’s absence became apparent when the Conquistadors reached nationals.

“At regionals, they were good, decent teams, but they were nothing like at nationals,” Ashley said. “I think we were all taken aback a little bit.”

Whitney added, “I think it was hard for them because we weren’t as prepared as I’d hoped they’d be. We had a lot of new girls, like we do every year. It was hard to get them to understand what the level of play was going to be. We lost both of our matches, but finishing in the top 16 is really good considering what we went through. I think it was a successful season.”

Whitney has the team going to the Owens Express Classic Tournament in Ohio, which draws most of the top national programs.

“They’re going to get an early look at the type of team we need to be training to beat,” Whitney said. “That was something I really took into learning from last year. I want the 10 new girls to get prepared to experience that level and understand what we’re working toward.”

Ashley added that having Whitney the entire season is a huge addition.

“It’s going to help us 100 percent,” said Ashley, who led the squad with 417 kills and 50 aces last year. “Even when she returned last year we kind of struggled and lost the first couple of matches, plus the intensity at practice was completely different.”

The squad’s leader is back fulltime, but Whitney still has the challenge of incorporating many new faces to the two-year program. She said it’s difficult to have such turnover with the squad, but added it does keep a constant stream of young players fighting to leave their own mark.

“From the start last year we wanted to win and to go to nationals,” said 5-foot-9 sophomore setter Michelle Wanek. “I don’t think it was pressure because I wasn’t on that team that won. Me and the other sophomores are just trying to make our own history, so I wouldn’t call it pressure. It’s more like wanting to do the same thing and have our own banner.”

Whitney said every season is the same to her regardless of what’s been accomplished.

“Yeah, we won a national championship the year before; I know that, but at the same time we’re focusing on this group,” Whitney said. “We start over every year. In the back of our minds we know what we want to do. It’s my job to get them focused on now, each practice and then each match.”

The Conquistadors start the regular season at home Aug. 24 in a tri-match against St. Petersburg College and Lake Sumter Community College at noon and 2 p.m., respectively.

 

PHCC volleyball roster

No. Player Year Position

1 Sara Wright So. L

2 Victoria Ashley* So. OH

3 Natascha Stafford So. OH

4 Jessica Amador Fr. L

5 Sofia Gruchalla-Wesierski Fr. OH

6 Lea Burbridge Fr. DS/OH

7 Cierra McQueen Fr. OH

8 Michelle Bulnes Fr. MH

9 Jessi Shapiro Fr. S

10 Michelle Wanek So. S

12 Taylor Crosse Fr. DS/OH

13 Savannah Stona So. MH

14 Altonia Taylor Fr. MH

15 Johanna Ray Fr. MH

*Team captain

By Kyle LoJacono

Bishop McLaughlin volleyball reached new heights last season.

The Hurricanes went 16-9, made the playoffs for the first time and won a postseason contest.

For fourth-year ‘Canes coach Doug Chinchar, the banner season was years in the making.

“Our first year we were bad,” Chinchar said. “We won two matches that year, and we were the third worst team in America. We beat the first and second worst teams in America.”

Chinchar, a setter/outside hitter at Ohio State University, coached at Academy of the Holy Names for seven years before retiring because he and his wife Sarah had two small kids.

When Sarah Regan, his boss at academy, became principal at Bishop she asked Chinchar to help find a coach.

“I said sure, and it ended up with me being the coach,” Chinchar said. He added, “We promised the school when we came we’d be here until our kids graduated, and they’re 4 and 6.”

Chinchar and Sarah, who set the career assists record while playing at the University of South Florida, worked to make the Hurricanes better, but they got a boost when Jess Johnson transferred from Land O’ Lakes in 2010. The outside hitter led all area athletes with 403 kills last season before signing with Norfolk State University.

“She took a big chance coming here,” Chinchar said. “When we left academy we had four or five kids going full ride to college every year. Jess was the first girl from our school to get a Division I scholarship and the first volleyball player to sign.”

The ‘Canes must replace Johnson, but Chinchar believes the overall talent this year can offset the loss.

“She was a lot of the offense, but we gained kids at a lot of other positions,” Chinchar said. “So, instead of being able to score at one or two positions, now we can score from four or five. Our passing will be better, our setting will be better, and the great thing is all these kids come back next year. We’re very young. We’ll win a bunch and we’ll lose some matches, but whoever beats us is going to be playing really well that night.”

A big addition is 6-foot sophomore middle hitter Alyssa Mathis, who transferred from Land O’ Lakes.

“I’m really excited because I think coming here I’ll be able to show what I can do,” Mathis said. “I want to play in college, so I think playing here will let me play with some other really good players.”

The Hurricanes also return key players like 5-foot-7 junior outside hitter Laura Vien, who has been on the squad since her freshmen year. Also back is sophomore libero Casey McColl.

“Starting as a freshman, I was just really scared,” McColl said. “Once I got used to it, I felt more comfortable.”

Chinchar said the experience gained in 2011 is invaluable for the ‘Canes.

“Last year, the girls didn’t really know how to win,” Chinchar said. “Now we’re learning how to win. Now the expectations are that we’re going to win some matches, and we are.”

Bishop still has a big obstacle to the program’s first district championship in the form of Tampa Prep.

The Terrapins went 17-11 last season, including straight-set victories over the ‘Canes in the regular season, in the Class 3A-District 8 final and in the regional semifinals. Tampa Prep has also won 15 state championships and has made the postseason the last 12 years.

The Terrapins have the tradition, but the Hurricanes are determined to make their own history.

“I think our goal is to beat Tampa Prep, and I think we can either do it this year or get very close,” Vien said. “I’m really excited to be able to say that.”

Bishop opens the regular season at home against Academy at the Lakes on Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. The 3A-8 tournament is at Seffner Christian Oct. 22 to 25, with the championship match on Oct. 25 at 6:30 p.m.

 

Bishop McLaughlin roster

Player Pos. Yr.

Jenny Astell DS So.

Brooke Bailey S/OH Fr.

Leah DeMarco DS Sr.

Aileen Hnatiuk OH Jr.

Alexis Karpondinis OH So.

Alyssa Mathias MH So.

Casey McColl L So.

Karli Mezo RH So.

Sara Morrison S Jr.

Hannah Nyberg MH Sr.

Christie Petruzzelli OH So.

Malika Saffore S Jr.

Laura Vien OH Jr.

By Kyle LoJacono

Freedom athletic director Eli Thomas didn’t have to look far to replace the only boys soccer coach in the school’s 10-year history.

Thomas announced Aug. 13 that Charlie Haueter will lead the Patriots program. He replaces Dennis Derflinger, who resigned in early July to enter Hillsborough County’s assistant principals program. Derflinger will remain the school’s flag football coach.

Haueter, an English teacher at Freedom, joined Derflinger’s staff for the 2010-11 season.

“I learned a great deal from Dennis as his assistant, the greatest attribute I think being patience,” Haueter said. “He showed me over the course of two seasons that you must be patient as the players develop and grow from practice to practice, game to game, season to season.

Haueter grew up in Tampa and played soccer at King High and Rollins College.

“I have been playing soccer my entire life, even participating in tournaments overseas and going as far back as playing with Black Watch (Soccer Club) in 1983,” Haueter said. “I knew that coaching was one of the draws to starting my career as a teacher, and it was always my goal to take over a successful program, which I have definitely found here at Freedom.”

Derflinger’s teams went 111-64-19 in nine years with seven winning seasons, seven playoff appearances and four district titles. The Patriots also reached the Class 5A state championship game in 2009, falling 2-1 to Palm Harbor University.

“I am hoping to continue the success our soccer program has always had at Freedom and have a strong belief that we can get back to the state finals,” Haueter said.

The Patriots lose nine seniors from last year’s squad that went 12-6-1 and made the postseason as a district runner-up before falling to Lakeland George Jenkins in the regional quarterfinals. Freedom was later given credit for winning the playoff game because Jenkins used an ineligible player.

Haueter said it won’t be easy to replace those seniors, especially because players on his squad play for seven different clubs, which is a large number for a high school team.

Haueter said it’s a big challenge getting the student-athletes to come together to represent Freedom, but predicts the example set by last year’s graduating class and his own relationship with the players will make the transition easier.

“We are hoping that the positive examples set by those seniors and our late season run to the regional (tournament) will inspire our young core of players to pull together as the unit I know they can become,” Haueter said. He added, “What I hope to build with this new younger group of players is an attractive brand of soccer that focuses on the cohesive unit of the team: everyone attacking together, everyone defending together.”

 

By Kyle LoJacono

Wiregrass Ranch senior girls soccer player Berlin Waters has committed to Saint Leo University. The forward confirmed her decision Aug. 16.

“It’s very exciting,” Waters said. “Once I started playing I knew it was going to be really hard to play in college, so when their coach contacted me I was so excited. One of my dreams is to play in college, and now I get to do that.”

Waters, who has been playing since age 8, said the deciding factors in committing were the school is close to her home and Saint Leo coach Ged O’Connor made it clear he wanted her to be a Lion.

Waters said she will likely play forward at Saint Leo but didn’t rule out seeing time at wing or midfield.

The Bulls were led offensively by Waters last season. Her 23 goals not only topped Wiregrass Ranch but was also the most for any player in Class 4A-District 8, which includes Chamberlain, Freedom, Gaither, Sickles and Steinbrenner. She also had 10 assists.

As a sophomore, Waters posted 21 goals, had a team-high 19 assists on a Wiregrass Ranch team that won a district championship and reached the 4A regional finals.

–Stats as recorded to Maxpreps.com by coaches