Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Kyle LoJacono

The 2010 Wiregrass Ranch football team set new standards by winning the first district championship in program history and earning its first playoff berth.

The Bulls lose 25 seniors, four who have signed to play in college, from that roster, but the players and coaches see no reason they cannot make it two titles in as many years.

“We want to reload, not rebuild,” said Wiregrass Ranch coach Jeremy Shobe. “We have high expectations here. We’re district champs and we’re coming into this season looking to repeat. We appreciate everything the departing seniors did for us. They set the bar for us. We still have a good bunch of talented kids, so we need to get ready to play football.”

The Bulls will need to find replacements at most of the offensive skills positions. One of the biggest voids is left by quarterback James Tringali graduating. The signal caller, who has signed with St. Norbert College, has started since the end of his freshman season and posted 1,400 passing yards and 12 touchdowns in 2010.

The only other quarterback to attempt a pass for the Bulls last year was sophomore Jake Day.

“Jake is emerging as a great runner and he makes good decisions,” Shobe said. “He was our backup last year and right now he’s doing really well. Everybody is competing for the job right now and they’re all getting reps.”

Day has been running the first team offense in practice and hopes they will soon have a lot of chemistry.

“I obviously have big shoes to fill,” Day said. “James has all the records for a quarterback here and started a lot of games. All I can do is work hard every day on the field, in the weight room and in the classroom.”

Shobe will also need to find some new playmakers this year. The Bulls lose leading rusher Nick Lomba, who gained 670 yards and scored 11 touchdowns as a senior, plus their top four receivers to graduation.

“We know we have the guys to fill in,” Shobe said. “Jamel Nunéz, Jamie Barone, Tyre Creary, James Jackson, Ryan Shea can all do great things with the ball. We’re not short on playmakers.”

Nunéz, a junior running back and defensive back, had 307 rushing yards and four touchdowns last year and hopes to become more of a leader in 2011.

“It feels kind of weird to not have those seniors anymore,” Nunéz said. “You’re so used to having them around to lead. Now I feel I have to become a leader. I have to step into their shoes and become a better player.”

Creary is a freshman and played on the junior varsity squad in 2010. He is amazed at the commitment he has seen at spring practice.

“We’re trying to build a team that is tough and always out here working hard,” Creary said. “I mean we have 70 or so guys in spring practice. It shows a lot of dedication for the program to keep pushing and to be better.”

There are also holes to fill on the defense. Seniors Dwayne Houston, Noah Ravenna and Matt Terry combined for 12 of the Bulls 13 sacks last year.

Wiregrass Ranch does return linebacker Aaron Silcott and his team-high 65 tackles. He will also see some time at fullback in 2011 and Shobe said he is counting on Silcott to help motivate the young squad.

“It all comes down to how much effort we’re willing to put in,” Silcott said. “We’re only as good as our weakest man. Our team is everybody. It’s not just the first 11 guys. It’s everyone. The way to improve is getting everyone out here working every day. The more effort you put in, the better we’re going to do in the district.”

The district will present its own challenges for the Bulls, which move into Class 7A-District 7 with five Hillsborough County teams — Chamberlain, Freedom, Gaither, Steinbrenner and Tampa Bay Tech. Wiregrass Ranch has yet to play any of those programs, but that does not deter the Bulls.

“We’re excited to play those new teams,” Shobe said. “It’s a challenge for us to not only represent our program, but represent Pasco County. We’ll play tough competition week in and week out. It seems like every year people look past us, but we’re excited for the challenge.”

The Bulls will play at Land O’ Lakes on Thursday, May 26 at 7 p.m. for their spring game.

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

By Kyle LoJacono

Playoff berths for the Land O’ Lakes football team have become an annual expectation, but coaching changes are not.

The Gators have made 14 straight playoff appearances, but there have only been four football coaches since the school opened in 1974. Brian Wachtel became the latest leader of the program after being named in January.

Wachtel replaces Matt Kitchie, who had a 17-3 record during his two years at Land O’ Lakes. Kitchie, along with defensive coordinator Jason Hatcher, were dismissed from the program after the way they handled an off the field incident involving a student, according to Gators principal Ric Mellin.

Wachtel coached at Mitchell the last two years and isn’t wasting any time getting his team ready for the fall.

“This month of spring practice is about getting the players acclimated to the systems and what we do differently,” Wachtel said. “We’re teaching the fundamentals and techniques. We’re in the installation stage and the kids have been doing everything that has been asked of them.”

One of the changes will come to the offense. The Gators used a pass-happy version of the spread offense last year with a lot of plays run out of shotgun formations. Land O’ Lakes put up 248.1 passing yards and 38.3 points per game in 2010.

Mitchell was based more on a ground attack, gaining 249.7 rushing yards per contest last year.

“We’re going to continue to be in the shotgun running the spread this year, but we’re also going to be in some pro-style sets with two backs, two receivers and a tight end. So there will be some continuity on the offense,” Wachtel said.

Junior Ryan Bird, who transferred from Hillsborough High before last season, will take over as the Gators quarterback. He replaces Stephen Weatherford and his Pasco County leading 2,136 passing yards and 30 touchdowns from last year.

“I love the shotgun, but at Hillsborough we did some under center,” said Bird, who had 593 yards and six touchdowns in 2010. “People tell me I do better when I drop back from under center than from the shotgun, so I’m excited to have the chance.”

Bird will need to find some new playmakers at receiver, as the Gators top two pass catchers, Will Irwin and Jason Tello, depart as seniors. Irwin had 1,018 receiving yards and 18 scores last season, while Tello added 846 yards and five touchdowns.

The air attack does return junior tight end Kent Taylor and his 571 yards and nine touchdowns.

“He’s my best friend, so I think it’s going to be easy for us to connect on the field,” Taylor said of Bird. “We’re going to work during the summer and I think he’ll do great. I think he’s just going to explode his senior season.”

The Gators offense is also getting an addition from their defense. Sophomore Jordan Michelson had two interceptions, 15 passes defensed and 41 tackles while playing cornerback last year, but will see more time at wide receiver in 2011.

“We had one of the best receivers in the state in Will. I’m just hoping to fill in to make up for losing him,” Michelson said.

The Gators ground attack was led by Weatherford’s 476 rushing yards and eight touchdowns last year, but a lot of that came from scrambling on designed passing plays. Land O’ Lakes also loses its second leading rusher in Ryan Lane to graduation. He added 290 rushing yards as a senior.

The Gators defense ran a 3-3 stack last year, where linebackers would blitz regularly from behind their linemen. The system helped the squad record seven sacks per contest, including a program record 13 against Wesley Chapel on Oct. 15.

“I’m a pressure guy and we’re going to bring pressure, but at the same time there will be times when we’re more balanced,” Wachtel said. “We’ll do a lot of what they did last year, while mixing in different looks.”

One of the players who makes that defense work is junior Shadow Williams, who posted 133 tackles and 11 sacks in 2010. He plans on taking his game to the next level as a senior.

“I’m working on establishing myself as a leader and bring the team together,” Williams said. “It’s all about putting in the work and leading by example. We need to make sure we don’t miss a step so when the fall roles around, we’re still the team to beat.”

The Gators will host Wiregrass Ranch on Thursday, May 26 at 7 p.m. for their spring game.

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

By Kyle LoJacono

Two years ago the Freedom football team set a program record by winning seven games and reached the playoffs for just the second time in school history.

The team took a step back with a 4-6 record in 2010, but second-year coach Tchecoy Blount thinks the near future is bright for the Patriots.

“It’s going to take fundamentals and discipline to make the postseason,” Blount said. “That team that went 7-3 had an excellent coaching staff and team. We lost 18 starters from that team going into 2010. So this past season, we had to find 18 new starters, and true starters. This year we’re replacing six, so more of the kids have been involved with the program and know the basics.”

Freedom may only need to replace six starters, but they are big holes to fill.

Robert Lohnes had a team-high 37 catches for 596 yards and seven total touchdowns, while adding another 531 return yards on special teams and 43 tackles and two interceptions on defense. Dustin Rauh also departs after posting 332 receiving yards and was tied for the team lead with seven sacks.

Two other big losses on defense include Josh Tanner and his 60 tackles and seven sacks and Keith Lewis’ 104 tackles.

“We’re going to find out if we have the guys to replace them,” Blount said. “It’s hard to replace an athlete as skilled as Robert Lohnes who played basically every play on offense, defense and special teams. Same thing with Keith Lewis, Josh Tanner and Dustin Rauh, but that’s why this is a team sport. The guys who were behind them need to step up and attack their opportunities.”

One of the guys filling that void on the defense is junior linebacker Isaac Tanner, who led the Patriots with 133 tackles in 2010.

“I feel like Keith Lewis’ prodigy,” Tanner said. “I have to take over for him and help take this defense to the next level. … I want to really improve on my fundamentals and look at a lot of film. I feel I have the ability to make plays, but I need to know and anticipate what’s going to happen before it happens.”

Freedom did lose its leading passer Dominic Marino to graduation, but he did not start the final four games last year. That is when Jon Economou took over under center and posted 296 yards on 38 completions and two scores.

“I’m looking to get the offense and the whole team going,” said Economou, who attended Wiregrass Ranch as a freshman and sophomore. “I want to try and settle in with the players and get ready to do a lot more for this team in the fall. My goal is to throw for 2,000 yards so the other team can’t focus on stopping the run game. We need to be balanced and I’m really excited for the chance.

“Robert Lohnes was a big target for us last year, but we have some really good players like Trevor Steinke, Isaac Tanner, Deven Turner, Larry Thorpe,” Economou continued. “We have a lot of guys who can do a lot of things on offense, and all I have to do is get them the ball and let them do what they can. I know my guys, and I trust them to be great.”

Blount has not named Economou as the starter, but said, “As of right now Jon has had a good offseason. He’s been working one on one with a quarterback coach and he’s gotten a lot better with his footwork and his arm. We’re expecting him to do great things.”

One of the big offensive weapons for Freedom is Steinke. The running back had a team-high 86 carries for 286 yards and one touchdown last year.

“I just want to get back to where I was at the end of the season and then get stronger,” Steinke said. “I had the most rushing yards on the team, but only one touchdown. I want to stay at the top for yards and find the end zone a little more. I’ve been getting my lower body stronger to get those yards at the goal line.”

The Patriots will play their spring jamboree game at Tampa Bay Tech on Friday, May 20 at 6:30 p.m. It represents the first real test of how close the program is to making it back to the postseason.

“It’s going to take hard work and dedication,” Tanner said. “We have the athletes and the right coaches to get back to the playoffs, so it’s about dedication to become one solid unit.”

Story by Gary S. Hatrick

Four Zephyrhills High student-athletes signed athletic scholarships during a celebration at the school on May 12.

Bulldog football players John Dodd, Stephen Cottrell and Duke Morrison all signed full-ride football scholarships with the University of Pikesville* in Pikesville, Ky., while Lauren Pasquale signed a softball scholarship to play at the College of Charleston.

The gathering celebrated the fact that the students were strong athletes, but also top students as well.

“They not only excelled on the field, but they excelled in the classroom,” said Zephyrhills athletic director Bruce Cimorelli.

Cimorelli announced each scholarship recipient’s grade point average to demonstrate their dedication to grades as well as goals. Pasquale and Morrison each posted a 3.64,

Cottrell had a 3.30 and Dodd recorded a 3.22.

“They excelled in the classroom,” Cimorelli reiterated. “Without that, this would not be taking place right now. They took care of business. … Sports can be taken from you at any time, but if you get your education, you’ll have that for the rest of your life.”

Bulldogs football coach Reggie Roberts praised the three football players for helping the team to improve as the season progressed and for their willingness to work hard in practice, in the weight room and in the classroom.

Roberts predicts that the squad will improve as a result of the influence the three players had on the rest of the team and that their influence would carry on past their graduation. He encouraged them to return in the future to see what they started.

“Any success I have here, you guys created the foundation for,” Roberts said.

Softball coach Craig Milburn, Zephyrhills’ former athletic director coach said, “These are the days that make coaching worthwhile.”

Milburn also praised Pasquale for her hard work and her achievements and thanks the parents of all the students on his team for their confidence in him.

The softball team went 13-15 last season and recorded one of the biggest upsets of the year by defeating top-seeded Sunlake 6-1 in the Class 4A-District 8 tournament. As a pitcher, Pasquale had 2.51 ERA and a team-high 130 strikeouts. She also led the squad with a .414 batting average, 41 hits, 20 runs scored 18 RBI and 14 doubles.

Although Milburn was Pasquale’s coach, it was his contact with Pikesville that paved the way for the three football players to be selected for scholarships.

Milburn introduced Dayne Brown, Harmony High football coach who will soon leave the central Florida school to become the defensive coordinator for Pikesville.

“We were fortunate to have a connection with coach Milburn,” Brown said. “These are the type of people we want to recruit at the University of Pikesville.”

Brown added the young men would be able to reuse their Bulldog clothing as Pikesville’s colors are also orange and black.

Morrison, a tight end and defensive end, had 21 rushing and 48 receiving yards last season, but was a big force as a blocker. Dodd, 240 pounds, and Cottrell, 295 pounds, were both linemen who used their size and strength up front to help the Bulldogs win two of their last three games.

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

*The college is currently still Pikesville College and will become the University of Pikesville effective July 1.

By Kyle LoJacono

Brian Wachtel was named the Land O’ Lakes football coach in January, and the new Gator has seen the program is like none other he has coached before.

Wachtel was an outside linebacker at River Ridge and impressed enough to earn a football scholarship to play at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

His career as a coach began as assistant at his alma mater River Ridge. A year later he became the defensive coordinator at Ridgewood.

After three years he became an assistant at Mitchell and took over as the Mustangs coach in 2009. Wachtel posted a 13-7 record as Mitchell’s leader, but was not brought back after the season.

Wachtel recently spoke with The Laker and the Lutz News about leading Land O’ Lakes.

Q: Why did you first get into coaching?

A: Football has always been a huge part of my life. It’s a great opportunity to build men of character. You teach these guys lessons that will help them in life. It’s also a fun and exciting game that I feel mirrors life.

Q: You grew up in this area and understand the history of Land O’ Lakes football. Talk about the chance to add to that tradition.

A: It’s a tremendous opportunity to coach here. Land O’ Lakes has a great football tradition. There isn’t another job that I think any coach would rather have over this one. Land O’ Lakes is where it’s at and I’m so looking forward to the future.

Q: What are your impressions of the support from the school?

A: I can’t say enough about this high school with the faculty and the community. The community support from January until now has been outstanding. We have people coming out to watch spring practice every day in 90-degree heat. That shows people love their football here.

Q: The Gators have a Pasco County record 14 straight playoff appearances. How much pressure is there to maintain that?

A: People know and talk about the streak, and it’s something you can’t avoid. My real goal right now is teaching this kids the new systems we’re putting in place during our 20 practices in the spring. We need to take those little steps before we worry about playoffs in the fall.

Q: What are the things you focus on as a coach?

A: There are a lot of things we focus on. In the offseason we focus on academics and doing the right things in school and out. Then we have all the offseason stuff we’re doing to prepare for the fall season. Right now we’re building and teaching fundamentals. We’re getting them acclimated to the new systems that we’re doing and that rolls right into the summer and fall.