10 seniors return for another title run
By Kyle LoJacono
Land O’ Lakes High is known for its Pasco County record 14 straight football playoff appearances, but when the season shifts to winter the boys soccer team has its own streak.
The Gators (6-0) have won six straight district championships and reached the postseason the last seven seasons.
“We should be in good shape because we lost only three starting seniors,” said 14-year coach Mark Pearson. “The majority of our players were sophomores and juniors last year. We’ll miss the guys who graduated, but our goal is to get number seven in a row and go farther than we did last year.”
Land O’ Lakes finished last season 19-4-2 and reached the regional semifinals, losing to eventual Class 4A state champion Mitchell High 3-2.
“We were right there with them that whole game and had chances to jump ahead,” Pearson said. “They wound up state champs and I think that shows the level we can be at come playoff time this year.
“The biggest thing is gelling together and peaking at the right time,” Pearson continued. “The last couple of years I feel we peaked too early and you always want to be playing your best at the end of the season. We have enough talent, but we need to bring it all together.”
Senior goalkeeper Kody Parker said Pearson is the reason for the program’s successful run.
“He’s made it everything it is,” Parker said of Land O’ Lakes boys soccer. “He makes it like a professional atmosphere. He pays close attention to everything and won’t settle for just ok. He’s tough, but that’s how you learn and get better.”
One of the biggest losses from last year is midfielder and defender Frankie Villar, who is currently playing at Florida Atlantic University on a scholarship. He was named to the All-Sunshine Athletic Conference (SAC) first team last season, as did his sister Alexis for her play on the Gators girls team. SAC executive secretary Keith Newton said it is extremely rare for siblings to make the team the same year and does not remember it happening before.
Frankie tore his ACL near the end of last year, but Alexis said he has recovered fully and is enjoying playing in college.
One of those players who will be replacing Frankie is co-captain and midfielder Jake Frahm.
“I was pretty close with (Frankie) and it was a pleasure to play with him,” said Frahm, a junior. “It’s changed our lineup. I think we can still get back to the playoffs even without him.”
Frahm was also the football kicker for field goals and kickoffs this season after not playing the sport since middle school. He said he liked his time on the gridiron for the most part, but is happy to return to the pitch.
Parker, who is also a co-captain, will be a key player if the Gators are to extend their streak. He already as five shutouts this season, the last coming in a 4-0 win against Wiregrass Ranch High Dec. 1.
“This is my last season and we haven’t gotten past regionals since I’ve been here,” Parker said. “We want to get to states and if you get there, anything can happen.
“We need to play as a team and always think about getting better,” Parker continued. “You can’t mess around in any game or any practice if we want to get to the top.”
Parker pointed out that underclassmen like junior midfielder and forward Andrew Garcia and sophomore midfielder Sean Young have worked very hard to improve their game this season.
Pearson, who is also an English honors teacher at Land O’ Lakes, said Frahm and Parker are not only team leaders but also very good students.
“They take a lot AP and honors classes,” Pearson said. “All I know is I don’t have to worry about them in school because they work just as hard at their grades as they do on the field.”
Pearson is also a youth coach with the first-year FC Tampa Lutz Rangers, which plays out of Oscar Cooler Sports Complex in Lutz. Pearson said he hopes to someday see some of his younger Rangers play for the Gators.
Land O’ Lakes had a game at home against Lecanto High Dec. 6, but results were not available by press time. The Gators next play Zephyrhills at home Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 8 p.m.
