After back-to-back 0-10 campaigns, the Wiregrass Ranch Bulls turned things around in 2013 with a respectable 4-6 record.
As a result, they lost the losing mentality that comes with winless seasons.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
Heading into 2014, however, they’ve lost something else: their head coach.
Mike Lawrence parlayed his successful year with the Bulls into a position with Bethany College in Kansas. That leaves Arturo Meza at the helm, who was co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for the Bulls last year. Before that, his resume includes Zephyrhills, East Bay and Spoto high schools.
And the United States Marine Corps. Meza said his background will factor into the Bulls’ philosophy this season.
“We have a saying, ‘Discipline is the key.’ You have to say it, you have to think it, you have to believe it,” Meza said. “Discipline is going to be a big thing in continuing to move forward.”
The players already believe it as they move forward with their preparations. At Wiregrass Ranch High School, practice includes a lot of whistles, horns and players rotating to different sections of the field, working hard at drills and remaining in constant motion. And last week, Meza had representatives from the Marine Corps visit the team to instill some mental toughness and add a little something to their physical regimen.
According to Austin Stroup, a senior who plays on the offensive line, the team is feeling the effects of Meza’s approach.
“We run so much,” he said. “We run more than any team I’ve ever been a part of. Everyone’s going to be so disciplined. There are going to be less mistakes.”
Mistakes and a lack of conditioning are part of what prevented Wiregrass Ranch from turning a respectable year into an excellent one last season. Close games and early leads turned into disappointment as the team failed to keep up with their opponents as the games progressed.
“In the Steinbrenner game, we just fell apart,” said senior quarterback Shane Bucenell, recalling how a 17-7 halftime lead against the Warriors turned into a 27-20 defeat last season.
“We have to put in the work every single day and make sure that we finish all our conditioning drills.”
Yori McMillan, a senior who also will protect Bucenell on the offensive line, believes Meza is the right coach to make sure the team puts in the necessary effort to limit errors and advance as a program.
“Coach Lawrence was big on discipline, but Coach Meza, he really wants to enforce that we don’t make mistakes,” McMillan said.
In addition to the Steinbrenner defeat, Meza pointed to the game against Gaither High School as a missed district opportunity, which they lost by 20 points. While the Bulls went 4-6 last year, they were 0-5 in Class 7A-District 7.
One of the team’s goals is to become a force in their district, where they haven’t won in three seasons.
To achieve their goals, Wiregrass Ranch will need steady production from their offense, which Meza considers to be improved over last year, but suffered some losses due to graduation. Meza isn’t as concerned with the offensive line, which lost a few starters, and he has confidence in his quarterback and receivers.
But he admits the running game lost quality players who will be a challenge to replace.
“The running back position is the question mark,” Meza said. “That’s where we’re trying to solidify some things.”
The Bulls’ off-season program has included elements of CrossFit training for strength and conditioning, agility drills and plenty of running. And while it hasn’t been easy, the players have bought into the hard-work philosophy, and are confident in the results it can bring.
Even if they don’t like all the running while they’re doing it.
“I hate it,” Stroup said. “But I know at the end of the season I’m going to be looking back and be like ‘I’m glad we did that.’”
WIREGRASS RANCH BULLS:
LAST YEAR: 4-6
0-5 in district play
Sixth place in Class 7A-District 7
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS:
Jay Minor, linebacker and wide receiver
Austin Stroup, offensive line and defensive line
Yori McMillan, offensive line and defensive line
PLAYER TO WATCH:
Shane Bucenell, quarterback
“He has prepared and studied very hard for the upcoming season, and we expect big things out of him.” – Coach Arturo Meza
2014 Bulls Schedule
8/29 – Gulf
9/5 – at Hudson
9/12 – at River Ridge
9/19 – Tampa Bay Tech
10/3 – Gaither
10/10 – at Ridgewood
10/17 – at Steinbrenner
10/24 – at Sickles
10/31 – Freedom
11/7 – Wesley Chapel
Published August 13, 2014
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