Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Eugenio Torrens

Freedom football coach Tchecoy Blount warned his team about Wharton’s Darius Page.

“I told the kids all week, ‘He’s a big, bruising back and he has speed. He’s not going to go down on the first hit or second hit,’” Blount said.

The Patriots (1-6) couldn’t heed their coaches warning, and the Wildcats (2-4) rode Page to a 28-7 win at home on Oct. 14.

Page, a senior, rushed 26 times for 148 yards and one touchdown. He also made life easier for Wildcat quarterback Chase Litton, who ran for a score and threw another to Vernon Hargraves.

“We came out kind of slow (on) offense, but we picked it up and we played pretty good,” Page said. “Defense played excellent. They didn’t give up too many big plays.”

Wharton started sloppy with two fumbles in its first three drives, one of which was lost.

But the Wildcats picked up momentum to close the half, including a 50-yard pass from Litton to Hargraves to the Freedom 2-yard line. A holding call and botched snap pushed Wharton back, but Litton eventually ran it into the end zone from 10 yards out. Page ran in for a two-point conversion to go up 8-0 at halftime.

Hargraves picked off Patriot quarterback Taylor King to give the Wildcats prime field position. Page ran it in for his second score.

“Darius Page is a guy, he’s in another zone right now,” said Wharton coach David Mitchell. “He’s a hard worker, he’s a quiet leader — he just does all his work on the field. … He puts the wind in the sails and the ship starts and the ship goes.”

For their third touchdown, the Wildcats drove down 73 yards in just 2:32. Litton found Deon Samson on a key third-and-eight conversion to keep the drive alive. Consecutive 19- and 3-yard runs by Page led Wharton into the fourth quarter, and on the first play in the final period Litton found Hargraves to make it 21-0.

The Patriots’ offense found a pulse in the fourth quarter when a defensive pass interference call on Wharton negated an interception and gave Freedom new life at its own 42-yard line. Tyrel Nunn ripped off a 58-yard scoring run with 5:08 remaining to prevent the shutout.

“That was important to show the kids that they can if everybody does their part,” Blount said. “It hurts these guys so bad, because that play happened towards the end.”

Freedom failed on its onside kick, but the defense held and forced a three and out. The Patriots muffed the ensuing punt, and Wharton recovered at the Freedom 20. Four plays later the Wildcats scored on a 3-yard run by Samson.

“We got a lot of things to work on, so we can’t just be happy with what went on tonight,” Mitchell said. But he added, “A W is a W, and we’ll take it any day of the week.”

Wharton hosts Bloomingdale, and Freedom travels to Gaither on Thursday, Oct. 20. Both district games start at 7:30 p.m.

By Kyle LoJacono

The Steinbrenner football team put up a program record 53 points and recorded its second shutout of the season en route to winning at Riverview 53-0 on Oct. 14.

The win comes less than a week after the Warriors (4-2) had a disappointing 37-7 defeat to Class 7A-District 7 rival Gaither that saw Steinbrenner lose nine turnovers.

“Last week was absolutely horrible,” said Warrior coach Floyd Graham. “I’ve never had a game in 21 years with nine turnovers. It was hard for the kids and hard for me. I was just proud of how everyone did because we were without one of our top running backs.”

Steinbrenner lost starting full back Jake Carroll for the year with a torn ACL he suffered during the opening kickoff against Gaither. The Warriors responded with a ground game that saw eight different players carry the rock.

Kendall Pearcy led the Warriors’ ground attack, posting 167 yards on eight carries and scoring runs of 5 and 80 yards. The junior also had a 60-yard scoring run called back because of a penalty on Steinbrenner’s first play. He also added a 15-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Curtis Fitch.

Steinbrenner’s Brian Gainer had 89 rushing yards on three carries, including a 43-yard score for his first varsity touchdown.

Nick Green ran the ball six times for 31 yards and a 26-yard touchdown.

“We tried three different kids at full back to replace Jake, and all three played great,” Graham said. “We were kind of geared around Jake at that full back position, so when he went down I told them I’ve got to give it to all three of you to see who wants it. I want you to come beg me for the ball, and they all showed they want it.”

The three replacements at full back included Green, Cody Cazin and A.J. Brown, who moved to the offense after starting the season as a linebacker. Brown had a 30-yard scoring run and a touchdown catch of 10 yards.

Fitch had scoring passes of 10, 15 and 20 yards for a career-high three touchdown throws. The sophomore led two scoring drives just before halftime to put the Warriors up 34-0 at the break.

“We drove the ball in 40 seconds and scored without using a timeout, and Fitch orchestrated a great drive,” Graham said. “Then we got a turnover and had a short field, so we jumped back into the 2-minute drill, and he threw another touchdown. We practice it every day, and when Fitch came off the field he said to me ‘That’s why we practice it.’”

Steinbrenner hosts Tampa Bay Tech on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m. The Titans are tied for first place in 7A-7 with Gaither, while the Warriors are a game back.

“Tech has size and speed, and I mean a lot of speed,” Graham said. “Our goal is to keep their offense off the ball and control the clock. It’s a big challenge. I wish we could get that Gaither game back to put us in a better situation, but this is a must win. The kids understand that, and they’re focused on what they need to do.”

By Kyle LoJacono

Sunlake entered its Class 6A-District 6 football game against Hernando without a loss, but the visiting Leopards ended the perfect season on Oct. 14 thanks to the combination of their rushing assault and attacking defense.

Hernando (5-2) had 260 combined rushing yards from Tyrail Hawkins, Jeremiah Jackson and Marqui Redding. Jackson and Hawkins each had one rushing score.

Sunlake (5-1) was able to contain the Leopards ground game in the first quarter, allowing zero first downs and no points. Hernando’s offense got on track with a 10-play, 80-yard drive in the second quarter to go up 6-0. Leopard linebacker Zach Pritz intercepted Seahawk quarterback Cameron Stoltz on the ensuing drive that led to another scoring drive to take a 14-0 lead.

Stoltz hit wide receiver Jamal Jones with a 17-yard touchdown strike just before halftime to cut the lead to 14-7. Hawkins ended Sunlake’s comeback with his scoring run in the fourth quarter for the game’s final points.

Stoltz was under constant pressure from Hernando’s defense. The senior signal caller was limited to 16-of-33 passing for 161 yards and was sacked four times.

Sunlake will have to bounce back quickly, as it hosts cross-town rival and 6A-6 opponent Land O’ Lakes on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m. The winner will have sole possession of second place in the district and the inside track to a playoff spot.

By Kyle LoJacono

Eyes follow Jimmy Stanger whenever he walks on a golf course.

His Gaither teammates look to him for leadership. Opponents watch to see if he will ever make a mistake on the links. Spectators gaze in amazement at how he navigates a golf course.

Stanger is home schooled but has been on the Gaither boys golf team for the last two years. The junior has been golfing for as long as he can remember, starting around age 5.

“I’ve played pretty much every sport competitively, but now I’m focused on golf,” Stanger said. “Honestly there is no feeling like hitting a golf ball. Also, being out on a golf course just gives me peace.”

Stanger has “peace” on the course, but he is not satisfied with his game.

“I totally rerouted my swing after last year to try and make it more consistent,” Stanger said. “It really started to come around this summer. … Compared to last year I’m a completely different golfer. A year ago if I shot a good round it felt like I got lucky. Now I feel like I can go low every time, and if I don’t it’s not because I hit the ball out of bounds.”

The change has helped Stanger bring his average down to just below 36, which is par for the regular season. He shot a career-low 33 on Oct. 10 in a tri-match against Plant and Newsome.

Cowboys coach Dwayne Olinger said Stanger’s ability to hit fairways and greens has become his greatest strength.

“He’s extremely accurate,” Olinger said. “You try to explain to the young players how important that is. Sometimes they think about the score and not the process. Jimmy thinks about hitting fairways and greens, and that’s why he can make par or under on any hole.”

Stanger’s methods have become an example for his teammates.

“He takes the right approach to the game and plays the way you should,” said sophomore Patrick Highland. “He’s serious every time and plays his heart out. You see a kid play like that and shoots as well as he does, you can’t help but want to be like him.”

Junior Clyde Meadows added, “There have been many times when he’s come up to me and said try this. I try it, and it always works. I’m just like son of a gun; thank you Jimmy.”

Stanger was Gaither’s No. 1 last year, but he has also had to step up his leadership role after the squad lost four seniors to graduation, including members of the squad’s top five Josh Black and Shawn Sirignano.

Stanger said he hasn’t tried to be a loud, vocal leader because that is not within his personality.

“I’ve actually tried to be quieter and lead by example,” Stanger said. “Just talk when I’m needed and focus the rest of the time.”

The squad is very young, making Stanger’s leadership that much more important.

“We only have two seniors on the roster and only one has gotten into a match, so because we’re so young having a guy like Jimmy is even more important,” Olinger said.

“He is unquestionably a leader,” Olinger continued. “Not only is he a great player, so everyone on a team would look up to a player with his ability, but he has a good way of dealing with people and leading by example.”

Meadows said Stanger is one of the most serious people he has met.

“A couple days ago we had a tournament rained out, and everyone was just hanging out, and Stanger was off in the corner talking to his dad about his swing,” Meadows said. “He’s very dedicated to this game. He’s never satisfied with what he shoots. He’ll shoot a two-under, but he’ll still be mad about a couple birdie shots he missed. It amazes me sometimes.”

Meadows admits it isn’t always easy being on a team with a player like Stanger.

“I love the guy, but it is very easy to get jealous of him,” Meadows said. “You’re always comparing yourself to Jimmy Stanger, and you’re never as good. Oh I shot a 39, but Jimmy shot 34.”

Stanger and the Gaither squad played in the Class 2A-District 9 tournament on Monday, Oct. 17 at Temple Terrace Golf and Country Club, but results were not available by press time.

By Eugenio Torrens

Tanner Schmitz didn’t have an illustrious career in the pool to inspire his Wiregrass Ranch boys and girls swimmers.

He didn’t really know swimming before he coached it for the first time last year, but that hasn’t prevented Schmitz from attempting to have his Bulls (4-3) catch up to swimming institutions like Land O’ Lakes and Sunlake.

Things didn’t get easier when Wiregrass Ranch moved from Class 2A-District 5 to 3A-5 with state powerhouses including Palm Harbor, East Lake and Countryside.

“Some of the top teams in the state are all in this one district,” Schmitz said. “These schools have kids that are training for the Olympics.”

How those other schools, as well as other area squads got so good isn’t wasted on Schmitz.

Two years into his coaching career, Schmitz realizes the invaluable bond between high school and club swimming. He knows that’s an integral reason as to why Land O’ Lakes is so dominant in the pool and understands that kind of institution isn’t built overnight.
But in his second year, Schmitz is striving to close the gap in the near future.

“If I’ve got to say anything about it, and if these kids have got anything to say about it, Wiregrass is going to be always talked about as one of those top Pasco County swim programs,” Schmitz said.

Doing so will be difficult after the squad lost a number of seniors from last year’s squad coupled with the new district, but the former Ridgewood football player has brought over his hard-nosed mentality to the Bulls squad.

“I think last year I might have had a little reputation as kind of a hot head,” Schmitz said. “I came in talking a little bit. … In my mind, part of my job as a coach is to exude confidence.
“The one thing I can say about my kids and the Wiregrass swim team is we don’t back down,” Schmitz continued. “They don’t swim scared.”
Some of the Bulls have taken on their coach’s personality.
“He’s disciplined, he’s in your face,” said junior Jacob Strickland. “No slacking, if you’re not doing it to your best, you’re not doing it right.”
Despite the loss of a number of seniors, including 2010 state qualifier Rebecca Pindral and the absence of nine seniors from the boys’ team, the squad is building for the future.
“We started out as a young team,” said senior Fern Powell. “We got a lot of freshmen out here that are really dedicated to our team and stuff, which is great because we’ve got them for three more years.
“What you see this year is what you’ll get next year and even better,” Powell continued. “That’s what a lot of people can look forward to in Wiregrass swimming.”

Current seniors are trying to instill the sense of urgency they have knowing they’re about to graduate.

“There’s no more pushing it like ‘oh I have next year’ because this is it,” said senior Taylor Link. “We try to instill that in them (younger swimmers) now. Get in that pool, and swim like you’re about to die. Give everything you have in the water.”

The Bulls will compete in the 3A-9 district meet on Friday, Oct. 28 at the Palm Harbor YMCA.

The Steinbrenner volleyball team won the elite division silver bracket at the Orlando Volleyball Academy’s Dig Pink Tournament Oct. 14-15, while Freedom took second in the classic division gold.

The Warriors (20-4) went 4-1 at the event, defeating Alachua Santa Fe and Longwood Lyman in pool play, but lost to Apopka. The loss sent Steinbrenner to the silver bracket instead of the gold.

The Warriors bounced back to beat Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest 25-22, 25-22 in the silver semifinals before defeating Jacksonville Creekside 25-13, 25-22 in the finals.

The only other Hillsborough County team to play in the elite division was Sickles, which took third in the bronze bracket.

In total, 48 teams from across Florida participated at the event, 16 in each of the three divisions.

Freedom (16-7) was the only other area squad to play in the event, going 4-1 in the classic division and finishing as the gold bracket runner-up. The Patriots defeated Sebring 25-14, 25-10 in the semis before losing to Fort Lauderdale University 25-16, 25-19 in the finals.

Freedom has two more regular season matches, Oct. 18 at King and Oct. 19 against Jefferson, before the Class 7A-District 9 tournament, which will also include Steinbrenner. The Warriors’ final match before districts is at home against Armwood. All matches at 7 p.m.

Steinbrenner enters districts as the No. 1 seed, while Freedom is No. 2. The 7A-9 championship match is at Gaither on Thursday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m.

–Kyle LoJacono

The Saint Leo University (SLU) women’s soccer team swept the Sunshine State

Conference’s (SSC) Player of the Week honors for the week of Oct.3-9, as Jasmine Johnson and Laura Carstens earned offensive and defensive honors, respectively.

Johnson, a redshirt senior defender, scored a goal and added an assist in the No. 5 Lions’ 2-0 victory against previous No. 10 Rollins College, an SSC opponent and the top-rated defense in Division II soccer. It was her second goal and fourth assist of the season.

Carstens, a goalkeeper, posted two shutouts during the week to keep SLU (12-1-1) undefeated on the season. She had four saves in a scoreless tie at Nova Southeastern University on Oct. 4, and added seven more in the victory against Rollins on Oct. 7.

It is the second time Carstens has earned the weekly honor this season. The freshman has four shutouts and 40 saves to six goals allowed in 989 minutes on the year.

The Lions host SSC rival Florida Southern College on Wednesday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. for the final home contest of the season.

–Kyle LoJacono

 

The Wiregrass Ranch boys cross country team came in eighth in the Pre-State Invitational elite race, better than any other area squad, at Little Everglades Steeplechase Ranch in Dade City on Oct. 15.

The Bulls finished with an average time of 16:29.98. Sam Hippely led the way for Wiregrass Ranch, posting a time of 16:05.65 to take 37th overall. Teammate Ermias Bireda claimed 52nd place in 16:15.52.

Steinbrenner came in 17th as a team at the meet with an average time of 16:41.08. The Warriors were led by Matt Magee’s 16:07.93 and Tyler Lima’s 16:08.25, putting them in 39th and 40th place, respectively.

In the boys invitational race, Land O’ Lakes’ Travis Nichols ran a personal record 16:04.21 to claim the individual title. Teammate Tyler Stahl took 14th place in 16:54.85. The Gator boys finished 17th out of 27 schools at the event with an average time of 18:02.97.

Freedom won the girls invitational team title with an average time of 20:52.99. The Patriots were led by Ashley Smith’s 13th-place finish in 20:18.97. Teammates Lauren Arfaras and Annie Tedesco took 26th and 29th, respectively.

Steinbrenner’s Lauren Garris took third in the girls invitational, running a 19:30.49. The Warriors finished 14th out of 28 schools.

–Kyle LoJacono