Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Kyle LoJacono

The senior class that helped bring pride back to Gaither football is being rewarded with opportunities to play on the next level.

Four more of those Cowboys made their college plans official at a signing ceremony May 31. Linebacker Josh Scarberry will play at Chowan University in North Carolina, cornerback Josh Rife will attend Heidelberg University in Ohio and linemen Matt Finnesy and Ted Marks will join Vermont schools in Norwich University and Castleton State College of Vermont, respectively.

First-year Gaither coach Jason Stokes said they were integral in the squad going 9-4 last season while reaching the regional finals for the second time in the program’s 27-year history. The 2011 team posted more wins than the eight total recorded the previous three campaigns.

“I was so touched with how this senior class just bought into what I was telling them,” Stokes said. “They trusted me. It would have been easy for the seniors to say we’ve done things like this for years, so we’re going to do our own thing. They could have made it hard, but they were hungry to win.”

Finnesy said bringing excitement to the program was one of the best experiences he’s had.

“For years football was just another thing,” said Finnesy, who will study environmental science. “No one talked about it around campus. Last year it was completely different.”

Marks added, “At first no one really bought into it because the fantasy of turning it around was so crazy. Getting to the playoffs was such a huge thing.”

The signees have attended Gaither all four years, and only Rife wasn’t on the football team since his freshman season.

The 5-foot-9, 160-pound Rife, who recorded 35 tackles last year, didn’t start playing football on any level before high school.

“I never expected any of this to happen,” said Rife, who will study sports management. “As soon as I started playing I liked the sport. When I was younger I played soccer, but it was nothing like playing football.”

Rife will continue playing cornerback will at the Division III program in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC).

Scarberry was drawn to the game at age 9 and has been hooked every since

“Most guys don’t get the chance to play after high school,” said Scarberry, who hasn’t picked a major. “Plus I get a free education. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”

The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Scarberry was one of the smaller linebackers in the area, but Stokes said he never let anyone tell him he couldn’t be a top-flight defender.

“Josh is a guy who leads by example and doesn’t talk a lot,” Stokes said. “He talks with his pads instead.”

Scarberry led Hillsborough County with 14 sacks as a senior while adding 118 tackles, five fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles. His efforts earned him All-Laker/All-Lutz News Defensive Player of the Year honors the last two seasons.

Scarberry will move to outside safety while at Chowan, a Division II program in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.

The linemen will be on rival Division III Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) teams, setting up a matchup of former teammates at Norwich Oct. 6.

The duo played mostly on the offensive line as seniors, where they helped the Cowboys score 26.2 points per contest. Finnesy was also named the team MVP.

Finnesy started playing football in seventh grade, but Marks didn’t hit the gridiron until his freshman year.

“I wasn’t allowed to play before that,” said Marks, who will study athletic training. “My parents didn’t want me to play because I might break a bone and stunt my growth.”

Marks has yet to break any bone playing football and has grown to 6-foot-2, 205 pounds.

The four join Mikhail Reece and Tyler McCollum, who signed with Yale and Colgate universities, respectively, early this year.

In addition, wide receiver Carlo Perello will attend Trinity-Pawling, a prep school in New York, with the goal of boosting his grades. Stokes said several Patriot League teams have expressed interest in him. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound wide receiver led Gaither with 792 yards and eight touchdowns last year.

“Now they have to understand this is a new chapter, and there are all new challenges,” Stokes said. “We talk about how football is a microcosm of life. When you have issues you have to fight and finish. We told them all they have to get that piece of paper after four years that says they finished college.”

–Stats as recorded to Maxpreps.com by coaches

By Kyle LoJacono

When veteran coach John Castelamare took over the Academy at the Lakes six-man football program two years ago he had to unlearn many of the things he had done for decades.

Things should be much more familiar this fall as the Wildcats (10-2) move up to seven-man football, which uses traditional rules.

“Everything is the same except the size of the field is still 80 yards,” said Castelamare, who has coached for 41 years. “Those six-man rules were chaotic. No more double handoffs, the linemen have to stay at the line and the quarterback can do QB sneaks.”

The academy has used the run-heavy wing-t offense since Castelamare came from Wesley Chapel two years ago despite the limitations six-man football put on his play calling.

“I made mistakes out there too,” Castelamare said. “We’d be at the one-yard line and I’d want to quarterback sneak. Sometimes they had to remind me we couldn’t do that.”

The Wildcats reached the state quarterfinals last year with the limited playbook, which is one reason the returning players are excited about the possibilities with seven-man rules.

“Moving up to seven-man is perfectly suited for us with the rules and the players we have,” said sophomore center Isaac Kloeotek. He added, “I watch a lot of football, and sometimes out there you just go on instinct. This makes it easier.”

The academy will have to find a replacement for the most prolific offensive player in program history. Fullback Jarrett Harvey ran for 1,558 yards on 100 carries while finding the end zone 42 times, 40 on the ground.

Harvey will be running the ball at Webber International University in Babson Park this fall after becoming the first male athlete from the private school to sign with a college. Castelamare said the departure leaves a big void, but predicts the offense can be as good with a more loaded backfield.

“We’ve got four players this year who can do some things, where it was a lot on Jarrett last year,” Castelamare said. “We’ll be more balanced, and the offensive line should be pretty good. They’ve been there for two years, and they all come back.”

The guy slotted to move in at starting fullback is 6-foot-3, 200-pound sophomore Evan Gordy, who had 15 carries for 113 yards and three touchdowns last year.

“I feel like I’m really blessed to get to move into his spot,” Gordy said. “Jarrett did amazing. I feel like I can step up to the challenge. He played that position really well, so I’ve got some big shoes to fill.”

Returning at wingback is 5-foot-8, 150-pound sophomore Ahkil McGill, who racked up 624 yards and eight scores on 39 carries in 2011. At quarterback is the towering 6-foot-5, 185-pound freshman Max Stepanets, who will also be a weapon running the ball.

“I see Ahkil making some plays because he’s really quick,” Stepanets said. “Evan, he’s a mountain and when he’s running straight ahead he’s tough to stop.”

Castelamare will also have more options to rotate in now thanks to the program’s growth.

“They’re getting stronger and more athletic,” Castelamare said. “We’re also getting some kids coming from other schools. It’s taken a little time. We had eight kids my first spring, now we’ve got 18 to 20. Last year we had a good squad, but they had to play defense and offense. After a quarter and a half we’d be breathing hard. It was pretty tough.”

Wildcats athletic director Tom Haslam said they were debating dropping the football program before Castelamare took over.

“We weren’t pulling the plug yet, but there were discussions,” Haslam said. “Now there’s a lot of excitement and kids who want to play.”

The academy will start its assault on the 61-team league this August in search for a championship to put next to the six-man state title claimed in 2006.

“I’m really excited,” Stepanets said. “I’m working on it 24/7 getting ready to get out there and show what we can do.”

–Stats as recorded to Maxpreps.com by coaches

By Andy Warrener

The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

It’s hard to make conclusive statements about teams based on performances in a spring jamboree.

New players are still figuring out their roles and coaches are finding the best plays to make their teams succeed after only 20 days of practice, so first-year Freedom coach Todd Donohoe wasn’t disappointed his team lost 11-0 in a thunderstorm-shortened contest at host King May 24.

“This game was not indicative of our play,” Donohoe said. “We know as coaches how good we are.”

The Patriots were scheduled for the second half of the jamboree, but were able to play only one quarter before it was called. The Lions managed a safety and two fumble recoveries and Freedom struggled to move the ball offensively.

The Patriots never really got a chance to get into a rhythm as a weather delay followed by the cancellation limited their playing time. They tried several looks on offense, one using freshman Lee Carabali as a fixture in the backfield. The bruising fullback banged into defenders and did his best to dig out some running room.

“(Carabali) was defensive line last year, made the varsity team as a freshman,” Donohoe said. “He’s gonna be pretty good.”

Freedom had a thunder and lightning combination with Carabali and sophomore running back Andre Folkes behind him.

The Patriots also tried junior Alunte Fleshman and freshman Anthony Henry in the backfield, but the duo found little room to run.

Freedom’s defense allowed one 40-yard touchdown run, but was otherwise stingy. Sophomore end Malik Robinson leads a massive defensive front and junior linebacker Max Orr had one sack in the game.

A severely short-handed Wharton played the first half against Tampa Bay Tech, falling 14-0. The Wildcats suited up without a core of veterans, including sophomore quarterback Chase Litton and junior linebacker Rocky Enos.

Junior Vernon Hargreaves, who is one of the highest rated cornerback recruits in the nation, lined up under center, but without the strong-armed Litton leading the offense the Titans were able to clamp down as Hargreaves found little running room.

Freshman DeAndre Brown, who is already 6-feet-6 and 260 pounds, stood out as a big addition at offensive tackle, holding his own against Tech junior Antonio Guerad.

On the defensive side, the Wildcats looked a little out of sorts without Enos at linebacker. Wharton also lost junior Jacob Meier early in the contest.

Junior Chris Myers was a bright spot for the Wildcats as he moves to defensive end. He recorded a sack and proved difficult for the large Titans linemen to block.

An intriguing move for the Wharton defense was putting Hargreaves at safety, which allows him to influence more plays than when he is at cornerback. He snagged an interception and wasn’t shy going in to make tackles on run plays.

By Andy Warrener

The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

The Carrollwood Day School (CDS) football team has some things to look forward to and others to work on entering its second year in a district alignment and questing for its first postseason berth.

Junior Dominiq Sicardo is a prime example. He will enter next season at quarterback for the first time. Despite his physical presence, he is still trying to work his way into his new position.

“(Playing quarterback) is a lot different,” Sicardo said. “Everybody’s coming after you; trying to kill you.”

The departure of quarterback Deuce Gruden would have normally left a lot of Patriots coaches scrambling to find an effective replacement. Luckily for them, a 7-on-7 tournament last summer revealed a promising option. Sicardo led his team to a victory at the tournament and provided a ray of hope for the position in 2012.

Young legs in rising freshmen Elias Earley and Max Frankell will be key contributions this fall.

Frankel will play fullback on offense and safety on defense, while Earley will back up junior Robert Davis, who returns after gaining 1,832 yards on 138 carries and 25 touchdowns. He averaged a whopping 13.28 yards per carry last year, but expect the Patriots to spread the ball around in 2012.

“We’re going to try and work Robert more into the passing game this year,” said CDS coach Lane McLaughlin.

This could pose a host of problems for opposing defenses, no longer able to key in on Davis in the backfield.

One of those making the Patriots’ attack multidimensional is junior wide receiver Andy Embody. He snagged 26 catches for 554 yards and seven scores last season, but will see time at running back, quarterback, defensive back and returner this year.

“I just try to use my athleticism to help the team,” Embody said. “It helps me that I know all the assignments in all the positions I play.”

McLaughlin contends the offensive line will be strengths of this fall. Juniors Colin Debosier, Adam Morse and Jared Smith are a strong foundation to build on over the summer.

“We’re going to work harder than any other team over the summer,” Smith said.

Debosier and Morse make a great combination on the defensive side as well.

CDS went 6-4 last season and returns a host of experienced players. Eight of the 22 on the roster are seniors, many of whom have been a part of the program’s growth the last four years.

“We have 22 guys now, we should have 30 by the fall,” McLaughlin said. “If I had 35 guys we could win a state championship.”

–Stats as recorded to Maxpreps.com by coaches

By Jeff Odom

The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

The spring football jamboree at Alonso High on May 24 was cancelled due to heavy thunderstorms that rolled in prior to kickoff. The contest was set to feature match-ups of Gaither vs. Sickles and Alonso vs. Steinbrenner.

Assistant county athletic director Jennifer Burchill said because of Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) rules, the scrimmage could not be made up because the participating programs had already reached the limit of 20 spring practice days.

Cowboys coach Jason Stokes told The Laker/Lutz News in a text message he was disappointed for his players.

“(Stinks) for the kids,” Stokes said. “They were really excited to finally hit somebody else, but we just have to move on (and) get ready for the fall.”

By Kyle LoJacono

Meghan Sfraga and Joelle Stewart made big contributions to Land O’ Lakes athletics the last four years, and the duo capped off their time in blue and gold by signing letters of intent May 21.

Sfraga will continue playing softball at Georgian Court University, a Division II program in New Jersey, while Stewart will attend Webber International University, an NAIA school in Babson Park, on a soccer scholarship.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” said Stewart, who will play defense while studying corporate communications. “In our locker room we have a wall with the picture of all the girls who have gone on to play in college. When I was a freshman I’d look at that wall and think I’d want my picture on it.”

Stewart’s dream seemed unlikely a few months ago. She had decided to attend Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, a Division I program that didn’t show much interest in her.

Stewart said she usually does not change her mind on big decisions, but something about Webber called her name.

“I decided what the heck,” Stewart said. “I went and I really liked the coach and the team. … I’m really happy with my decision. Everything happens for a reason, and me changing my plans is one of those things.”

Stewart played every position for the Gators except goalkeeper. Her work on the backline helped the squad go 14-7-3 while allowing only 20 goals last season, including 13 shutouts. The 2011-12 squad also won its first district title in eight seasons, the same year Stewart was in fifth grade.

Sfraga, who will study exercise science, also got playing time as a freshman. In fact, she was the only ninth-grader on varsity in 2009. She became a catcher in seventh grade, a position she said suits her well.

“You have to be crazy to play there, and I’m a crazy person,” Sfraga said with a laugh.

The newly signed Sfraga said softball has helped her develop off the field.

“Each year I tried to be more of a leader,” Sfraga said. “I loved the game and the girls on the team. It’s been such a positive thing for me.”

Sfraga also thought college ball wasn’t in her future until she stood out at a showcase tournament in New Jersey in November.

“It’s always been a dream of mine, so to have this accomplished it’s another stress off of me,” Sfraga said.

Land O’ Lakes went 7-15 last season. Sfraga led the Gators with a .457 on-base percentage, .534 slugging percentage, 21 runs, 13 RBI and six doubles. She also batted .345 as a senior.

–Stats as recorded to Maxpreps.com by coaches. 

Steinbrenner girls soccer players Marley Opila and Alexis Bredeau and Gaither boys soccer player Jacob Snidle have made their college commitments.

Opila, a midfielder, will play at Jacksonville University and Bredeau, a forward, will attend the University of North Florida. The juniors have been at Steinbrenner since the school opened three years ago and helped the Warriors win the 2010 Class 4A state championship.

Steinbrenner went 16-4-2 last season, winning its third straight district championship and reaching the 4A regional semifinals. Bredeau had eight goals and six assists, while Opila had one and three.

The Warriors will become opponents after graduation, as the North Florida Ospreys and Jacksonville Dolphins are both Division I programs in the Atlantic Sun Conference. The Dolphins went 11-5-3 last season, while the Ospreys were 9-10-2.

Snidle, a senior defender, played for Gaither the last two years, including a 20-5-1 campaign in 2011-12. The Cowboys reached the state final four in both of his seasons on their backline. He scored four goals and notched eight assists as a senior.

Snidle will continue his playing career at Florida College, an independent program in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association. The Falcons, which are based in Temple Terrace, went 10-3 last season.

The commitments were announced by Eric Sims, executive director of Tampa Bay United (TBU). The trio is among the 43 TBU players who have made their college plans official.

–Kyle LoJacono