Land O’ Lakes High School athletics department underwent a search for a new head football coach in 2018. The school again is heading back to the drawing board to find the next leader of its varsity football program, a mere two years later. Chad Walker, who coached the Gators in 2018 and 2019, resigned from his post to become the head football coach at Cambridge Christian School in Tampa; the … [Read more...]
Spring football preview for area teams
April 25, 2018 By
Spring football practices are underway at high schools across the state — though the first games of the 2018 season remain several months away. Florida high schools are allowed a maximum of 20 practice sessions from April 23 to May 31, according to Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) guidelines. Here are five points to consider as spring practices ramp up: How does Academy at … [Read more...]
New Land O’ Lakes football coach embraces program’s traditions
February 21, 2018 By
Chad Walker, a veteran college football assistant, is bringing his experience to Land O’ Lakes High as its new head varsity football coach. He is replacing Brian Wachtel, who resigned in November after a combined 25-42 mark in seven seasons. His only winning season was in 2013, when the team went 8-3. Walker, was among 40 applicants for the position. The Pennsylvania native was selected … [Read more...]
Land O’ Lakes High head football coach resigns
November 15, 2017 By
Land O’ Lakes High School’s varsity football program will have a new leader in 2018. Brian Wachtel, the Gators head coach since 2011, stepped down following the team’s final regular season game on Nov. 3 — a 36-6 win over Fivay High School. Wachtel, 39, announced his decision to principal Ric Mellin prior to the game. Land O’ Lakes athletic director Michael Frump said the school will … [Read more...]
Spring football preview: Pasco County
April 19, 2017 By
Spring football practices are one week away for high schools across the state. Though the first games of the 2017 season remain several months away, Florida high schools are allowed a maximum of 20 practice sessions from April 24 to May 31, according to Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) guidelines. Here’s a look at what schools in our coverage area in Pasco are working … [Read more...]
Area spring football preview: Pasco County
May 4, 2016 By
Spring football practices are underway for high schools across the state. While the first games of the 2016 season are still several months away, Florida high schools are allowed a maximum of 20 practice sessions between April 25 to May 31, according to FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) guidelines. Here’s a look at what schools in our coverage area are working … [Read more...]
New Wesley Chapel football coach settling in
January 27, 2016 By
It’s been a while since the Wesley Chapel High School football team has celebrated a winning season—since 2011 to be exact. Anthony Egan, the new head coach, hopes to change that. Egan coached both the offensive and defensive line at River Ridge High School in New Port Richey for the past three seasons. He was named the Wildcats’ head coach in early January. He officially begins working … [Read more...]
Gators’ goal: A return to its winning ways in football
August 26, 2015 By
The Land O' Lakes High School football team dipped to 4-6 record last year, after posting an 8-2 record the year before. Head coach Brian Wachtel doesn't blame bad luck or a lack of talent for the decline. He said it came down to execution. "I don't think we reached our potential last year," Wachtel said. "There were a couple games that were close, but we just didn't execute well in a … [Read more...]
Land O’ Lakes looking to build on last year, reach playoffs
August 28, 2014 By
Nobody can accuse Land O’ Lakes High School of having a poor season in 2013. They went 8-2 and held half their opponents to 14 points or less — including two shutouts — while scoring more than 30 points in each of six games. In many respects, they were a dominant team. For most schools, those results might be good enough for a district title, or at least a playoff berth as district … [Read more...]
Collision Course: Gators, Seahawks battle for gridiron supremacy
October 16, 2013 By
The one thing a high school football team can't control is its schedule. Some games look pretty lopsided; either a team is playing an outmatched opponent, or they're facing a superior team and have little chance at success. Other games look evenly matched but reveal a lack of talent, which might produce a dull contest. But every so often there's a game on the schedule that features two … [Read more...]
