Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Kyle LoJacono

Freedom High must find a replacement for the only boys soccer coach in the school’s history.

Dennis Derflinger resigned the post two weeks ago because he is entering Hillsborough County’s assistant principals program, which starts in October. The time constraints make coaching the program impossible, especially because the training begins around the same time as the soccer season.

“Coaching at Freedom has been great,” Derflinger said. “The program has come a long way in the short 10 years. The first year we won only one game. The following year we won the school’s first district title.”

Derflinger started coaching at Plant, where he led the program for two years before moving to Freedom when it opened in 2002. The Patriots went 111-64-19 during his tenure with seven winning seasons, seven playoff appearances and four district championships.

Freedom also reached the Class 5A state championship game in 2009, falling 2-1 to Palm Harbor University 2-1.

“I have a lot of great memories from the last 10 years, but I think the most memorable moment was the state final,” Derflinger said. “Watching the guys compete at a very high level and to work hard the entire game … I was very proud of the way the guys handled themselves after the defeat. We were all extremely disappointed, but they all displayed great sportsmanship at the end of the game.”

The Patriots went 12-6-1 last year 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.

Derflinger plans to continue coaching the Patriots flag football team, which he started when Hillsborough sanctioned the sport in 2007.

Freedom principal David Sheppard said they will advertise the boys soccer opening “shortly.” He added they are currently interviewing people to fill the vacant baseball and wrestling coaching positions, which he said should be filled in the next two weeks.

Lacrosse program building state reputation

By Kyle LoJacono

The Tampa Tribe lacrosse club is growing in strength and numbers, much like the sport itself in Florida.

The Tribe, based out of Wesley Chapel District Park, had 13 players just last season. That number has exploded to 30 this summer, enough for to field two teams at some tournaments.

The club has also become more competitive.

The Tribe (13-2), part of the Wesley Chapel Athletic Association (WCAA), has claimed three Sunshine State Games (SSG) series tournament championships this summer after winning none during the program’s first five years. The club is also the first in Florida to ever take three SSG titles in one year.

“This is the best team we’ve had,” said fifth-year Tribe coach Michael Diaz, who leads the program with Corri Smeak.

The improvement is welcome by second-year midfielder Nicole Sarginger, a Sunlake High junior.

“I wasn’t expecting that at all,” Sarginger said. “This organization is really growing a lot. We’ve gotten more girls, we started winning and it’s been a lot of fun.”

Sarginger played hockey and tried lacrosse on the suggestion of her coach. She knew little about the sport when she attended her first game. The story is the same for goalie Arianna Diaz, who picked it up five years ago because the WCAA didn’t have a girls soccer team in her age group.

“I didn’t even know what it was,” said Arianna, a senior at Wesley Chapel High and Michael’s daughter. “I thought I’d be really bored. It’s just something that when you play it, you kind of fall in love with it. At first it’s not really an appealing sport. When I tell people to come out and play they don’t really want to, but when they play it, there’s something that clicks with them. I have no clue what it is, but it’s the best sport.”

Arianna added that being at the forefront of the growing sport is exciting.

“Everywhere I hear about colleges starting new lacrosse programs,” Arianna said. “When I was younger, we were lucky to have a girls youth team. Now we have girls youth teams feeding in to middle school teams feeding in to high school teams and new colleges everywhere. Up north it was already there, and the fact that it’s coming into Florida is really cool.”

Even though lacrosse is far from entrenched in the local sports scene, in fact it isn’t even a sanctioned high school sport in Pasco or Hillsborough, the Tribe has managed to attract players from five counties: Pasco, Hillsborough, Hernando, Pinellas and Marion. Some of the local high schools represented are Wharton, Freedom, Sunlake and Wesley Chapel.

“We’ve grown so much,” Arianna said. “Last year we had hardly enough to have one team. We’d have like two subs. Now we’ve got 30-something girls. I mean we’ve got girls from Ocala coming here.”

Michael said the added numbers lets them do more as a team while keeping kids fresh in games.

“To have just two subs, that’s tough to play,” Michael said. “Lacrosse is the fastest game on two feet. It’s constant motion at 100 miles per hour. … The thing is they’re a really good bunch of girls. They came together early in the season. They realize they all have a lot of talent, and everybody can trust everybody. We don’t have ball hogs, and they all work the plays. It’s paid off for them, and they’re really eager to learn at each practice.”

Smeak said they don’t put unrealistic expectations on the players, such as winning at all cost.

“We really push the girls to encourage them to do better,” Smeak said. “We’re not expecting them to always win, but we’re pushing for them to do their best. As long as they’re doing their best and giving effort for the whole game, then we don’t look at wins and losses. They’re skill level has improved each practice and each game because they’re working really hard.”

Effort and team unity was apparent early this summer, but wins also built the Tribe’s confidence.

Its first championship was won at the Broward Sunshine State Games in Parkland May 18 to 20 when the Tribe beat the Vero Beach StickBenders for the title.

“We came out and won our first game, and we usually don’t have good luck down there,” Michael said. “We usually get beat down on the east coast. Before the second game I said to them that we can do this. We got through the second game and played with a lot of energy the rest of the way. They controlled the field and played well.”

Next up in the SSG series was at the University of Florida June 9 to 10, where the Tribe defeated Tampa Elite in overtime for the crown. The third championship was claimed at Wesley Chapel District Park June 16 to 17, again beating Tampa Elite for the gold.

For more information on the Tribe, visit www.tampatribe.org or call (813) 994-6633.

By Andy Warrener

The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

—Sports Editor Kyle LoJacono contributed to this report

The Lutz Red all-star baseball team won the District 25 tournament championship July 2 with a 6-4 victory over Land O’ Lakes.

The squad, which includes players ages 9 to 10, went 4-0 at the event, which was at Temple Terrace Little League.

“I’m proud of the boys for going 4-0 in very tough District 25 battles,” said Lutz coach Scott Kirchner. “It took the entire roster to win every game.”

Lutz opened the tournament with a 21-2 win over Dade City, followed by 9-0 and 13-9 victories against Land O’ Lakes and New Tampa, respectively, before the championship game.

Lutz started the final with back-to-back doubles by Michael Blackwood Jr. and Brent Serrano for the game’s first run. Land O’ Lakes starting pitcher Ashley Nickshir slowed the opposing batters from there until the final two innings.

Lutz received solid pitching of its own from Jack Richardson, Blackwood and Serrano. Richardson worked the first two innings, keeping Land O’ Lakes off the scoreboard. Blackwood followed with four innings of two-run relief with two strikeouts before turning the ball over to Serrano to close the game.

The championship game included four lead changes entering the fifth inning. A double play started by catcher Alex Perez helped give Lutz momentum in the final two frames.

Lutz got timely hitting from Carson Yonker and Reece Kaplan, while Addison Dubin drove in three. Gavin Sissel’s solo home run sealed the win.

Lutz plays in the sectional tournament at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway, July 14 and 15.

“We will play as hard as we can to represent Lutz Little League in the upcoming sectional tournament,” Kirchner said. “We will be tough to beat.”

The District 25 champs’ first two sectional contests are July 14 at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Field No. 7.

–Kyle LoJacono

Lutz Red roster

Michael Blackwood Jr.

Brent Serrano

Tyler Keeting

Carson Yonker

Addison Dubin

Anthony Kirchner

Jack Richardson

Reece Kaplan

Jay Garvey

Adam Fischel

Gavin Sissel

Spencer Famiano

Alex Perez

Scott Kirchner, coach

Marc Yonker, assistant

Ryan Dubin, assistant

By Jeff Odom

Surrounded by family and friends at her home, recent Wiregrass Ranch High graduate Patricia Magwood signed with Barton College in North Carolina June 30, where she will continue competing in track and field.

Magwood, a two sport athlete, returned to the track scene after missing the entire 2011 season with a torn ACL suffered during a Thanksgiving break basketball tournament her junior year. She shook off the injury and finished first in the shot put and second at discus during the Bulls’ run to their fourth straight district championship as a senior.

Magwood said she’s excited to continue at the college, but has some butterflies because of the distance between her family.

“I was really excited and nervous because I’m leaving home,” Magwood said. “I’ve never been so far from home, and I have a twin brother and it’s the first time we’re going to be apart for school. I can’t believe I’m signing. I’m just really excited.”

She also had an offer from Michigan State University, but turned it down because Barton, a Division II program, felt like the perfect choice. Magwood said the small class sizes will give her an opportunity for added individual attention with instructors.

“I like the college itself because it’s small, and you can have direct contact with your college professors, and also the coach; her resume really stood out to me,” Magwood said.

Wiregrass Ranch girls track coach Don Howard added, “Patricia has worked really hard to get where she is and get her education paid for. I’m sure she will do everything to make the most of this opportunity.”

Magwood’s work as a forward also helped the Wiregrass Ranch girls basketball team go 20-8 last season while averaging 2.7 rebounds and 2.1 points.

As for her future, Magwood plans to major in political science and prelaw to become a prosecutor. She would like to become judge advocate general (JAG) lawyer in the Army, then a U.S. ambassador.

Magwood said the drive she has to compete in the classroom and on the field should be credited to her parents, whom she is very grateful for.

“I’m very thankful for my parents,” Magwood said. “Some parents won’t do as much for their kids, but my parents do take a lot of time and they’ve sacrificed a lot for me, and I’m very thankful.”

–Sports Editor Kyle LoJacono contributed to this report.

By Jeff Odom

As he caught sight of the finish line, Matt Magee knew he had to sprint to pass the leader if he wanted to take the top spot at the 27th Lutz Independence Day 5K.

With every ounce of strength left inside of him at the end of the boiling hot race on July 4, the Steinbrenner High senior hustled by 38-year-old Andrew Chandler to cross the line in first place by a single footstep. Both finished with a time of 16 minutes 15 seconds.

“Well, it was a fast race, but the last 100 meters I just kind of out kicked him and sprinted past him,” Magee said. “He was like 30 feet in front of me (at one point), and I knew to get ahead of him I would have to give it all I got.”

For Chandler, it was his second time competing in the race, both of which have ended in close second-place finishes for him.

“He just had all of the momentum,” Chandler said. “I couldn’t keep (Magee) off of me at the end there, and he used everything he had to get past me.”

Magee, a member of the Warriors’ 4×800-meter regional champion relay team, said it was the first time he has ever won an event at the individual level. He added that it felt good to do it in front of his teammates.

“It’s pretty exciting,” Magee said. “It’s pretty great to get something like this for the first time.”

His Steinbrenner teammate Tyler Lima, a senior, finished third, while Land O’ Lakes High junior Tyler Stahl took fourth. Tommy Brown, 37, rounded out the top five.

The top female finisher was Terri Rejambal, who placed 20th overall with an 18:43.

This year’s 5K race featured a record 596 athletes, more than one hundred more than 2011.

By Kyle LoJacono

All three Hillsborough County softball championship teams call Lutz home.

The Lutz Leaguerettes all-star teams won the Ponytail, Pigtail and Pixie titles, sweeping the tournament crowns on their home fields at the Oscar Cooler Sports Complex May 11 to 13.

It is the third time in the last four years Lutz has swept the county championships. It is also the sixth straight title for the Pixies and fourth in a row for the Ponytails.

“It was such an amazing feeling winning two back-to-back, especially because we’ve been playing together since I was little,” said outfielder/pitcher Taylor Dec, who played for the Ponytails all-stars the last two years. “It’s awesome that I ended my softball career that way.”

Dec graduated from Gaither High in June and is currently taking summer classes at Florida State University. She played in the league for 10 years, but was only part of an all-star team that won county gold in her final two seasons.

Lutz matched up with the programs from Brandon in all three finals, setting up a rematch of the Ponytails finals from 2011.

“It was so suspenseful,” Dec said. “We’d be up, then they’d come back and it went into extra innings. That game, and the one before it, were definitely the craziest of my life.”

The season was the final for Dec with the Lutz Leaguerettes. Along with two county all-star crowns, she also has a bounty of experiences she will have forever.

“It’s such a good sport, and I wouldn’t have made so many awesome friends if it wasn’t playing for the Leaguerettes,” Dec said. “I’ve got a lot of memories I’ll have for the rest of my life.”

The Ponytail division is for players ages 14 to 18, Pigtail is for 10 to 13 and Pixie is for 6 to 9.

The end of the year all-star event includes the top players from each of the Leaguerette softball programs in Lutz, North Tampa, Temple Terrace, Town N’ Country and Brandon in a three-day, double elimination tournament.

Lutz Leaguerettes co-secretary Karen Cuervo, who is also the Pigtails all-stars manager, said players were selected for the all-star teams based on their performance during the regular season. Coaches earned a spot by leading a team to the regular season division title at their home park.

For more information on the league, visit www.lutzleaguerettes.com.

Ponytails

Players: Zizi Pawlus, Taylor Dec, Christine Canger, Audrey Trent, Christine Rodhouse, Christine Snyder, Maddy Reinhard, Morgan Wade, Abbie Pearson, Nikki Dorsey, Giselle Ponce, Megan Richardson, Kayla Cassato

Coach: Jeff Canger

Manager: Iza Pawlus

Assistants: Larry Pawlus, Danny Pawlus

Pigtails

Players: Kellie Zambito, Jessica Paul, Sami Mulenberg, Shelby Byrd, Gabby Puleo, Leah Hulm,

Amber Mickel, Joceyln Salce, Riley Murray, Karen Triggiano, Shannon Morrissey, Hailey Cuervo, Bailey Wagner

Coach: Frank Zambito

Manager: Karen Cuervo

Assistant: Lisa Zambito

Pixies

Players: Daisy McQuaid, Casey Contreras, Frankie Raeckers, Shaniyah Pope, Aiyana Graham, Yuli Vargas, Monique Faber, Ellis Erickson, Madison Rametta LIlly Kiester, Savannah Lyall, Riley Apple, Madison Wagner

Coach: Laura Kiester

Manager: Amanda Cagle-Torres

Assistants: Wade Lyall, Kirt Kiester

Perez takes football reins

Steinbrenner promoted Andres Perez to football coach, replacing Floyd Graham who started the program in 2009.

“This is a really exciting time,” said Perez, who was the Warriors’ offensive coordinator. “It’s been a journey for me. We’ve gone through a lot of progressions from not having a lot in the weight room to almost making the playoffs last year. I’m really confident about (the team).”

Perez, 30, spent five seasons at Hillsborough High as the junior varsity coach before accepting the Warriors assistant position when the school opened. He resigned as boys track coach to focus on football full time.

Perez said his friendship with Floyd is remarkable, adding that the former coach has been a long-time “mentor” to him.

“I’m so happy to be given the reins,” Perez said. “(Floyd) is one of the best guys and best friends in the world.”

Perez has been leading the squad during Hillsborough County’s 7-on-7 summer league at Skyway Park each Wednesday and at conditioning and weightlifting sessions since Floyd resigned.

Steinbrenner will look to build on the 2011 campaign when the squad finished 7-3, its first winning season, while narrowly missing a playoff berth.

The Warriors lost their entire starting offensive line to graduation, but returns leading rusher Kendall Pearcey (776 yards, 11 touchdowns), leading receiver John Marc Carrier (305 yards, three touchdowns), leading tackler Logan McKnight (96 tackles, seven sacks) and starting quarterback Curtis Fitch (815 yards, nine touchdowns).

The Warriors kickoff classic preseason game is at home against Newsome on Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. They are scheduled to open up the regular season at Sickles on Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m.

–Stats as recorded to Maxpreps.com by coaches

By Kyle LoJacono

Certain football programs seem to have a talent for developing specific positions.

Sunlake creates offensive linemen, Wesley Chapel creates running backs and Pasco creates wide receivers.

For Land O’ Lakes, the tradition is to make top-flight quarterbacks, and the next player to fill that spot is Ethan Weilant.

The 6-foot, 160-pound sophomore has earned the starting job, impressing coaches with his arm, athleticism and decision making.

“I’m happy with what he’s doing physically and mentally,” said second-year Land O’ Lakes coach Brian Wachtel. “He’s also learning really fast. I have to remind myself sometimes that he just finished his freshman season because he’s developing quickly.”

He also has the players’ confidence.

“He can run and he can throw,” said junior running back/defensive end Shaheed Salmon. “He can be really really good. He can probably be one of the best in the county.”

Nothing less is expected from whoever is under center for the Gators.

If the trend didn’t start with Drew Weatherford, he certainly accelerated it. During his four years at Land O’ Lakes, which started in 2000, he set Pasco County’s career passing yards (7,657) and touchdowns (79) record.

Drew’s most prolific season came as a junior when he led the state with 37 touchdown passes while completing 70 percent of his throws for 2,494 yards. That year helped cement him a spot at Florida State University and also set the stage for his younger brothers.

Joe Weatherford replaced Drew as a sophomore in 2004. He was named the Class 5A Mr. Football by the Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) after his senior season and went to play at the University of Central Florida before finishing his college career at the University of West Georgia.

Next up was the youngest Weatherford, Stephen, who totaled 6,090 passing yards and 74 touchdowns.

Stephen was named the All-Laker/All-Lutz News Offensive Football Player of the Year following his senior campaign in 2010 when he completed 122-of-206 passes for 2,136 yards and 30 touchdowns while adding 476 yards on 62 carries and another eight scores. He was a redshirt freshman at the University of Cincinnati in 2011-12 but has transferred to Lindenwood University.

Last season, Weilant learned behind quarterback Ryan Bird, who threw for 1,793 yards and 12 touchdowns. That year, the new signal caller also heard all about the program’s tradition at the position.

“It’s something I learned about really fast,” Weilant said. “People around town always talk about what the Weatherfords did here. I’ve heard a lot about them, and I want to do some of the same things they did here.

“It’s exciting,” Weilant continued. “There is a little bit of pressure to it because of how well (the Weatherfords) did here.”

He knows what it means to be Land O’ Lakes’ quarterback now, but he didn’t grow up around the program.

Weilant was born in Indiana and didn’t come to Pasco until sixth grade; the same year, he moved to quarterback while playing in Exciting Idlewild Baptist Church’s league. Before that, he played center.

He already has one start under his belt; a 52-3 win against Central where he completed 6-of-9 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns. Weilant said a throw in pregame let him know he was prepared.

“I don’t really know why I was as calm as I was because it was my first start,” Weilant said. “I remember there was a pass, a go route, when I was warming up when I hit Wesley (Moore). After I threw that, I was calm.”

Second-year Gators’ offensive coordinator Bill Schmitz said that game showed him Weilant’s potential.

“We’re hoping for tremendous progression during the summer,” Schmitz said. “Ethan is an incredibly talented young man, and he’s just learning how to play the quarterback position. He’s got a lot of skills, his throwing is improving and he has a better understanding in what we’re trying to do offensively.”

One thing that stuck out to Schmitz was how Weilant managed the first possession of Land O’ Lakes’ spring game in May against Fivay, a drive where the Gators lined up in eight different formations.

“He took us right down the field with no hiccups,” Schmitz said. “We go no huddle and utilize a lot of motion, and he’s managing that without a lot of illegal procedure penalties. That’s something a young person doesn’t always pick up. He’s also a student of the game. He’s been coming to me with questions because he’s watching film on his own.”

Weilant is also a multi-sport athlete. He threw the discus and ran the 800-meters and with the 4×800 relay team in track, was a pitcher/outfielder for the junior varsity baseball team and was a shooting guard who moved up to the varsity basketball team at the end of the season.

In addition to playing four sports, Weilant manages the demands of Land O’ Lakes’ International Baccalaureate (IB) program.

“I’ve always played a lot of sports,” Weilant said. He added, “It was pretty difficult in the spring with track and baseball and school at the same time.”

Even when talking about the pressure that comes with being the Gators’ quarterback, Weilant maintains a calm demeanor.

“I always try and stay relaxed, especially in games,” Weilant said. “I try and keep everyone calm at all times because going crazy isn’t going to help.”

Weilant admitted he might be a little more amped up than usual when the Gators are in the tunnel ready to take the field for their first game on Aug. 31 against Zephyrhills at 7:30 p.m.