By Eugenio Torrens
The Zephyrhills football team hammered out “The Beat,” its personal pump-up jam, in pregame warm ups before its game at Wesley Chapel on Sept. 30.
The Bulldogs (1-2) stayed pumped up throughout the contest against the Class 5-District 6 rival Wildcats (2-1), winning 38-16.
Zephyrhills had plenty of reason to celebrate after the game, especially quarterback Jamal Roberts as he zigged, zagged, spun and ran to the beat of his own drum.
Jamal rushed for 162 yards and four touchdowns. He also threw for 58 yards and one touchdown on 8-of-13 passing.
Jamal said he started the game a bit overhyped. Through the first quarter, he was sacked twice and had -25 yards rushing.
“I calmed down and things just started working in our favor,” Jamal said. “We took away all the individualism on the team. We just played as a team, and we won as a team.”
Both squads came into their first district contest of the season off bye weeks, but it was Zephyrhills that was seeking its first win. The Bulldogs dropped their first two games against Land O’ Lakes and Tampa Catholic by a combined score of 75-34.
The Wildcats started the season off strong behind the arm of quarterback Keegan Tanner. Wesley Chapel’s defense had also been solid, giving up 20 points during its two games, but the Bulldogs were able to use their newly installed run-heavy offense to wear down their east Pasco County rivals.
Zephyrhills also managed to stifle the Wildcats offense, flustering Tanner throughout the contest.
“We played competition, and we got ready for this football game,” said Bulldogs coach Reggie Roberts. “I don’t want a pat on the back. We don’t need one.
“We didn’t show a whole lot the first two games,” said Reggie, a Zephyrhills High graduate. “Here we are, we play our first district team — nobody thought we could win it — and my guys put it all on the field tonight. Power to them, I didn’t do anything. These guys showed up tonight.”
After a scoreless first quarter, Jamal ripped off his first big run of the game — a 66-yard scamper to the end zone. He added scoring runs of 26, 7 and saved the best for last, a 69-yard dash to end the Wildcats’ hopes at a comeback.
Jamal used his running ability to set up the pass, connecting with his brother Josh Roberts, a running back, off play action for a 4-yard score.
On the other side, Tanner also showed off his ability to run, but did so primarily to avoid Zephyrhills pass rushers. Tanner rushed for his lone touchdown of the night from 3 yards out, and the offense was stagnant from there.
Tanner never got into rhythm, completing just one pass for 16 yards on 10 attempts. His completion came with 7:08 left in the third quarter. The senior signal caller was also sacked six times while losing two fumbles and throwing an interception in the end zone.
Running back Devin Piper was a bright spot for the Wildcats offense, piling up 119 yards on 19 carries.
Despite the lopsided score, there were times the Bulldogs seemed like they might give the game away because of penalties. Zephyrhills was flagged 15 times for 160 yards, including seven 15-yard penalties.
“We’re going to correct that,” Reggie said. “And when we correct that, we’re just a better team.”
Both teams will play district games on Friday, Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m. Zephyrhills hosts Hudson, while Wesley Chapel will travel to Fivay.
