By Kyle LoJacono
Staff Writer
When Zephyrhills High principal Steve Van Gorden named Reggie Roberts as football coach in January he listed several reasons for the selection.
“Coach Roberts was chosen because of his strong connections in the community, his football knowledge and his character,” Van Gorden said.
It seems Roberts’ methods are working as the Bulldogs won their Kickoff Classic game 14-13 on Aug. 27 against River Ridge High. Zephyrhills will be able to savor the tight victory because the team has a bye this week before playing again at home against Wiregrass Ranch High Sept. 10.
Roberts played linebacker for the Zephyrhills football team and graduated from the school in 1990. Playing with Roberts on those teams was a young Marcus McCants, who will be the Bulldogs strength and conditioning coach and will help coach the quarterbacks as well.
McCants, who was a volunteer coach for the team last year, was also on the nine-member selection committee that helped pick Roberts as the next Zephyrhills coach.
“Reggie is a really good person and we thought he would make a fine coach,” McCants said. “I remember the guys on the team used to call him the deacon because he was a church-going and truly moral kid. He was also a good student and we thought those qualities would help the players and we’ve seen that.”
Roberts said he has a triangle of things that are most important to teach the players.
“Academics is on the top of that triangle,” Roberts said. “With that is community service and good health. That means getting your workouts in and staying away from drugs and other things that hurt your body and mind. If the team stays in good health we will be a strong football team.”
It seems Roberts’ methods are working.
“Coach Roberts has been a true inspiration to the students faculty and community members of Zephyrhills,” Van Gorden said. “He has stressed academics, community service and emphasized a passion for hard work. The program has grown rapidly with close to 70 young men on the field. Coach Roberts has outreached into the community spreading the message of character, discipline and community service.
“I have been totally impressed with the direction the program is headed,” Van Gorden continued. “I expect great things from the team on and off the field.”
One of the leaders of the team is junior Jamal Roberts, who will play running back, wide receiver and corner back.
“We’ve been working really hard to get better on the field and coach has also pushed for us to be better students,” Jamal said. “He makes sure we know it’s important.”
McCants has also been making more of an impact than in past years. His business, McCants Clip Appeal at 35211 W. SR 54, said he has added a new barber, Chris Carodine, which has allowed him to spend more time as a coach.
“I’ve been working a lot with our quarterback Chris Reaves to get his footwork right,” McCants said. “We’ve worked a lot on his technique and he’s grown a lot as a throwing quarterback.”
Reaves and all the other Bulldogs are ready to show how much they have improved under their new coach.
“We’ve put in a lot of work this summer,” Roberts said. “I’m confident in what I see. They’re coming together to learn the system and now that they have experience in the system with workouts and 7-on-7 this summer they have the confidence to execute on the field.”
Zephyrhills will start their season at home against Wiregrass Ranch High Sept. 10.
