Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Kyle LoJacono

Just two weeks ago at practice, Land O’ Lakes football coach Brian Wachtel rated his team’s play at two out of 10, but he had little to be disappointed about after the Gators spring game.

Land O’ Lakes defeated Wiregrass Ranch 55-12 at home on May 26. The Gators looked nothing like the team struggling to put in their new coach’s offensive and defensive schemes early in May.

“I’m thrilled,” Wachtel said. “I’m thrilled with where we’re at as a football team. I’m thrilled with the effort that these players have given all spring for the past four weeks, and I’m just thrilled to death with my coaching staff and the effort and just everything they’ve done. It’s a team effort and we’re all working together, the coaches and the players. The community has been terrific with their support.”

Junior Wesley Moore agrees: “We were going uphill the entire spring season. We’ve come a long way. We’ve put in a lot of hard work and the proof is out there on the scoreboard.”

Land O’ Lakes scored on the game’s first play from scrimmage when Moore scooped up a fumble and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown. The Gators scored their final points on a seven-yard run by freshman Javin Tandy as time expired.

Land O’ Lakes junior quarterback Ryan Bird went 10 for 14 for 272 yards and three touchdowns in the contest, showing little hesitation switching from the spread to a more pro-style offense.

“We feel more comfortable,” Bird said. “We have room to improve, but we feel more comfortable with the new system.”

Bird found junior tight end Kent Taylor six times on the night for 159 yards and two scores, one of 55 and another of 62 yards.

Bird also hit Moore twice for 53 yards including a 48-yard touchdown. Moore was a defensive back in 2010, but is likely to see more time on offense as a senior.

“This is definitely a success for us,” Moore said. “We came out and worked really hard leading up to the game. We weren’t really sure how it was all going to work, but in the last week we really nailed it. We put everything where it should be and this is a good showing for us.”

Both Wachtel and Bird gave a lot of credit to the Gators offensive line of Jason Ryan, Justin Claxon, Will Fairchild, Frank Hegedus and Justin Fortune. Wachtel described them as the “unsung heroes” of the game.

“They work so hard every day,” Bird said of the offensive line. “They try to get all the stunts in and everything down here in the spring. I think they did really well.”

Junior Shadow Williams had six carries for 32 yards and two touchdowns. He also had two sacks and put pressure on Bulls sophomore quarterback Jack Day all night.

“We feel pretty comfortable,” Williams said. “That’s with offense, defense and special teams. When we first got the coaching change it was a little shaky with the new stuff, but we have great coaches and it’s showing.”

Junior Jordan Michelson’s 64 return yards helped the Gators start with good field position most of the game.

As for the Bulls, Junior Jamel Nunéz had 52 yards on seven carries and added another 52 kick return yards.

Day had little time to make decisions behind the Gators defensive pressure. He was sacked four times and intercepted once. He did connect with freshman wide receiver James Jackson for a five-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

“We’ve got to get back to work and learn from this,” said Bulls coach Jeremy Shobe. “We’ve got a long way to go to get to where we want to be in the fall. We didn’t want to see the score like that, but it might help light a fire under everyone to work even harder.”

While Shobe is predicting the disappointment will spring the team, Bird said the win could catapult the Gators to new levels of success while continuing their Pasco County record streak of 14 straight playoff appearances.

“We felt good,” Bird said. “We have a lot more to get done and I think this will get us rolling into summer and the fall season. Hopefully we will do better than last year and just continue the streak.”

Gant and Mumaw picked as FACA baseball all stars

By Kyle LoJacono

Wesley Chapel is still a relatively new town, but its two public schools are fast becoming a hotbed for baseball talent.

In fact, the only two Pasco County high school baseball players selected for the Florida Athletic Coaches Association’s (FACA) Baseball All Star Classic are from Wesley Chapel based facilities.

Wiregrass Ranch senior pitcher John Michael Gant and Wesley Chapel senior pitcher Brandon Mumaw each made the cut for the event, which was May 26-28 in Sebring.

“I was surprised to hear that I’d even been nominated,” Mumaw said. “I didn’t expect to be selected, but I was. It was really a shock and it’s a great way to end my time playing high school baseball.

“When I heard that there was only two kids from Pasco, I knew the other was John Michael,” Mumaw said. “He’s a dominating pitcher.”

Mumaw is the first in Wesley Chapel’s 12-year baseball history to be selected, making the nomination even more special.

“There have been a lot of great players that have come through here,” Mumaw said. “Last year Cole (Miraglia) was our top starter, and I think he was good enough to make the game. It makes me very proud to be the first from Wesley Chapel High School.”

It is the second straight year a Bulls player has been picked for the game, following former Wiregrass Ranch and current Saint Leo University catcher Spencer Bowles.

“I think that shows how much the area has grown,” said four-year Wesley Chapel baseball coach Chuck Yingling. “When I first moved out here 14 years ago, there were no youth baseball programs. Now the kids have the youth clubs to start teaching them the game and over the years, the competition and respect for the high school programs have grown.”

Yingling said Wildcat senior shortstop Geoff DeGroot was also selected as an alternate for the game. Additionally, Miraglia was nearly being picked as an all star in 2010.

“We were very close with Cole last year,” Yingling said. “I think he was talented enough to make the game, but we were just starting to take off as a program. This year with what we did drew some attention.”

Wesley Chapel has won 49 games the last two years, including a 25-3 record in 2011. Mumaw was the Wildcats No. 1 starter, compiling a 10-1 record with four complete games, a 1.33 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 68.2 innings of work. When he was not on the mound, he fielded first base and batted .271 with 21 runs scored, 19 hits and 18 RBI.

Wiregrass Ranch had 38 victories since 2010, 18-9 in Gant’s senior season. Gant was also his squad’s ace, compiling a 6-0 record with two saves, four complete games, a 1.90 ERA and 107 Ks in 62.2 innings. Like Mumaw, Gant played first base when not pitching and batted .305 with 25 hits, 21 runs scored, 14 RBI and three homers as the Bulls’ cleanup hitter.

Mumaw said he has two favorite memories while playing at Wesley Chapel; making it to the Class 4A regional semifinals as a junior and winning the inaugural RBI Pasco Varsity Tournament this spring. The Wildcats defeated Wiregrass Ranch to claim the spring break tournament title.

Gant said his best moment as a Bull was throwing a no hitter against Lecanto in his first start this season on Feb. 15. He needed only 100 pitches to complete the game, striking out 14 of the 23 batters he faced.

Both Gant and Mumaw have signed letters of intent to play in college.

Gant will pitch with Division I Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus while studying athletic training and sports medicine. The 6-foot-4 righty uses a fastball, curveball and a changeup.

Mumaw will stay closer to home for college at Saint Leo, a Division II program. The 5-foot-8, 160-pound left hander uses a fastball, curveball, slider and changeup.

Both have said they would like to play professional baseball, but will take the next challenge in college before thinking about a career with the sport.

–All stats as recorded to Maxpreps.com by coaches.

By Kyle LoJacono

Zephyrhills graduate and current St. Johns River State College (SJR State) pitcher Chris Fern has signed a letter of intent to play next at the University of Virginia.

“This is a great opportunity for me,” Fern said. “The University of Virginia is the perfect place for me to continue my baseball career and complete my education.”

Current Bulldogs athletic director Bruce Cimorelli was Zephyrhills’ baseball coach when Fern was in high school and has high praise for his former pupil.

“He’s a great athlete and very hard worker,” Cimorelli said. “Great student and will do very well at Virginia. Chris has worked very hard to get where he is today and I wish him all the success in the world.”

Fern signed with SJR State after his Bulldogs career and recently graduated with an associate’s degree from the junior college. He was Vikings closer the last two years, where he set the program record with 17 career saves and nine in a season as a sophomore. The lefty posted a 7-3 record with a 2.70 ERA in college.

He also helped the Vikings earn a trip to the Florida Community College Activities Association (FCCAA) state tournament for the first time in 21 years as a freshman.

Fern was a two-time All Mid-Florida Conference selection and was named conference and FCCAA Fireman of the Year in 2011 as the best relief pitcher. He was also the SJR State Male Student-Athlete of the Year for the 2009-10 school year.

“We are so proud of Chris,” said Ross Jones, SJR State baseball coach and athletic director. “He put himself in position to be highly successful because of his character and work ethic. Chris is one of the most dedicated young men I have ever coached. Chris is also one of the most complete, well-rounded young men I have ever coached. He’s as dedicated to being a great student as well as a baseball player.”

Fern begins classes at Virginia in August and will have two years of eligibility left with the Cavaliers, a Division I program in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Virginia has reached the NCAA tournament the last seven years, including an appearance in the College World Series in 2009. The Cavaliers were ranked a unanimous No. 1 team in the major national rankings during this season.

“The strength of their baseball program and their academic tradition was the deciding factor,” Fern said. “This is really the best of both worlds for me. I’m going to play baseball for the number one ranked baseball team in the nation and will get a degree from the number one ranked public institution in the nation.”

By Kyle LoJacono

Sunlake football player Zac Henderson signed an athletic scholarship on May 13 with Florida Institute of Technology despite missing four games with a broken leg his senior season.

“I had a lot of other offers, but I got hurt and Florida Tech was the only Florida school that stayed interested in me,” Henderson said. “There were others up north, but I’m from here so I wanted to stay here with the warm weather. The coach said they wanted me to be one of the first kids recruited by them. I liked the campus and my parents can make all the games.”

Florida Tech, located in Melbourne, will have its first football season in 2013 as a Division II program.

Henderson played wide receiver and safety as a senior at Sunlake, but will likely focus on offense with the Panthers.

He had 14 catches for 207 yards and two touchdowns while adding five tackles and two passes defensed as a senior despite missing four games with a broken fibula. Henderson was a threat to catch the long pass as he averaged just less than 15 yards per reception.

“When he came back, he wasn’t 100 percent,” said Sunlake coach Bill Browning. “He came back and gutted it out until it was stronger. He made some really big catches for us. He’s a huge reason we did what we did this year.”

Henderson moved up to varsity as a sophomore and started playing regularly as a junior. The Seahawks went 1-9 in 2008, but that total grew to 4-6 in 2009 and a program record 8-2 last season.

“It’s been tough the first few years, but it felt like home here,” Henderson said. “All the seniors stuck it out and wanted to stay here. We knew we could be good, it was just going to take a couple years.”

Henderson said he plans to study forensic science while playing at the next level.

“It’s a big opportunity,” Henderson said. “Not too many people get to do this, so you take the chance God blesses you with.”

–All stats as recorded to Maxpreps.com by coaches.

By Kyle LoJacono

Freedom’s Josh Tanner will not have to look far to find a former Patriot on the Jacksonville University (JU) football team next year.

The linebacker and defensive end signed with the Dolphins on May 20, making him the fourth Freedom graduate on the current JU roster, including wide receiver Larry Thompson, defensive lineman Rolando Fines and offensive lineman Carl Saunders.

“My friends and mentors from high school are there, so that is a big benefit,” Tanner said. “It’s also a private school, so I get a private school education for free. It just seemed like the right choice because the coaches were very interested in me playing there and it’s a beautiful campus. I have some family that lives in Jacksonville, so it’s just the most opportune spot.”

Tanner started playing football at age 6 and has been on Freedom’s varsity squad the last four years. He had 60 tackles, seven sacks and two fumble recoveries as a senior.

“Josh ran a 4.5 in the 40 (yard dash) at the Nike Combine last year,” said Freedom coach Tchecoy Blount said. “With his versatility and strength, he can be either a linebacker in the 3-4 scheme to rush the passer, or he can put his hand down in the dirt as a down tackle.”

Blount said his value goes beyond his stats and skill set.

“He may not be a vocal leader, but he’s going to always be one of the first guys out on the field, in meetings and in the weight room,” Blount said. “They’re getting a guy who is a workhorse. A guy who will work his butt off wherever they need him. Whether that’s on defense, special teams, practice squad. Academically they won’t have to worry about him, so they’re getting an all around student-athlete.”

Tanner measures in at 6-foot-3, 230 pounds.

“They run the 3-4, so I’d be more of a pass-rushing defensive end,” said Tanner, who will study either aviation or psychology. “If I put on some more weight, which I’m planning to do, I think I can play the run as well.”

His favorite memory while playing at Freedom was beating close rival Wharton 16-7 as a junior. It was one of a program record seven wins for the Patriots in 2009.

“I’ve had a lot of other great memories from playing here and being here is the reason I can play at the next level,” Tanner said. “It’s everyone’s dream to play in college. I’m just lucky enough to be able to do it. I’m very grateful for that.”

–All stats as recorded to Maxpreps.com by coaches.

By Kyle LoJacono

Sunlake quarterback Jacob Jackson set several program records in 2010 and the senior signal caller was rewarded with the third athletic scholarship for the football team this year.

Jackson signed May 17 with the College of DuPage, a junior college in Illinois, and plans to study either criminal justice or sports medicine. The Chaparrals play in the Midwest Football Conference and finished with a 7-5 record last season.

“It’s a big weight lifted off of my shoulders to finally sign,” Jackson said. He then added, “I didn’t really like any of the NAIA schools or Division III. I was talking to some D-II schools, but it was getting late for scholarships. I think the better decision was to go junior college. It gives me more time to think about where I want to go. My plan is to get better and go to D-I.”

Jackson came to Sunlake as a junior from Gulf High. He posted a 12-8 record as the Seahawks starter, including going 8-2 last year.

“I’ve loved all the players here,” Jackson said. “We’ve bonded together and became a team. We work well together and hopefully they continue to get better.”

Jackson set single-season program records by completing 82 passes for 1,258 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2010. He is also the first player from the program to rush for 1,058 yards and post 2,316 total yards and 30 total touchdowns in a season.

Jackson was named the All-Sunshine Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year as a senior for his work on the field.

“He’s a fierce competitor,” said Sunlake coach Bill Browning. “He had a lot of production last year. He will be definitely missed. … DuPage is getting an outstanding quarterback and an outstanding leader. It’s a good opportunity for him. They play in a very good junior college conference. There are a lot of good schools in that conference and they send a lot of players to four-year universities.”

–All stats as recorded to Maxpreps.com by coaches.

By Kyle LoJacono

The 2011 Land O’ Lakes baseball team reached the regional tournament for the first time in four years and two of the squad’s top seniors will continue playing at Marion Military Institute.

Right-handed pitcher and outfielder Steven Rosario and catcher David Perez each signed May 12 to play with the junior college in Alabama.

“They’re getting two good players who are great young men and who aren’t afraid of hard work,” said Gators coach Calvin Baisley.

The pair will be roommates while playing for the Tigers.

“Going to a new place it’s good that we have someone who we can relate to,” Rosario said. “We know what the other is going through. We don’t have any close relatives there, so it will help us both.”

Rosario, who wants to go into law enforcement, said he picked Marion Military because the coach Jake Wells showed a lot of interest in him as a player. Perez’s choice was made even easier because of Wells’ experience as a catcher in the minor leagues.

“I thought he could really help me become better,” said Perez, who is undecided on his major. “I want to try and get drafted, so I figure he can really help me.”

Rosario did not start pitching until his senior season, but Marion Military wants him on the mound.

“Coach Baisley tried me out on the mound and I guess it was a good idea,” Rosario said. “Now I have a scholarship to pitch in college. It’s a cool feeling to be considered a pitcher.”

Rosario had a 6-2 record with 2.59 ERA and 47 strikeouts as a senior using a fastball and slider. Perez batted .369 with 22 RBI, five doubles and three home runs and is also a newcomer to his position.

“David started as a pitcher and first baseman, but I knew we’d need a catcher and I thought he would be good at it,” Baisley said. “He worked hard to be good behind the plate and he also brings a big bat.”

The Gators went 20-9 this year and were the Class 4A-District 8 runner-up, reaching the regional quarterfinals.

“Playing here was amazing, especially this season,” Perez said. “We had great pitching with Steven and great bats. I’ll always remember this year.”

–All stats as recorded to Maxpreps.com by coaches.