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Mark Jones

Fall prep football primer

September 8, 2020 By Kevin Weiss

Better late than never, and something better than nothing.

In typical years, Florida’s high school football season kicks off sometime in August with a preseason game followed by a 10-game regular season schedule.

This year isn’t like any other, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) weeks ago gave the OK to begin fall sport tryouts on Aug. 24, with competition beginning Sept. 4, though many programs have elected to take the gridiron on Sept. 11 with a contracted eight-game slate.

Locally, prospects are high for some teams, while others hope to use this season as a learning experience for ensuing years.

Without further ado, here is a look, a primer, of all the Hillsborough County and Pasco County prep teams in The Laker/Lutz News coverage are.

Hillsborough County

Carrollwood Day School Patriots
Coach: Mark Jones (fifth year)

Following a winless 2019 campaign, Carrollwood Day School is poised for a major turnaround thanks to a trio of Seffner Christian Academy transfers in senior tight end Michael Trigg, junior defensive tackle Brandon Cleveland and offensive tackle Clay Wedin, plus the addition of defensive tackle Desmond Mamudi, a Steinbrenner High School transfer. All of those players are viewed as high-level Division I talents — most notably Trigg, widely regarded as one of the nation’s top five tight end prospects for the 2021 recruiting class. Meanwhile, Cleveland is a Miami commit; Mamudi, a USF commit; and, Wedin boasts nearly two dozen scholarship offers from the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Ohio State, among others.

Size alone should provide a mismatch in the small-school 2A ranks. Trigg is 6-foot-4, 230 pound; Cleveland is 6-foot-4, 250 pounds; Mamudi is 6-foot-3, 310 pounds; and, Wedin is 6-foot-6, 280 pounds.

Freedom High School Patriots
Coach: Christopher Short (second year)

Freedom felt significant struggles offensively last year under new head coach Christopher Short, being shutout in half of their contests. Perhaps a roster with 16 seniors and a seemingly manageable schedule will yield more victories this time around.

The Gaither Cowboys are projected again to be one of the state’s top football teams following a Class 6A state semifinals appearance last season. (File)

Gaither High School Cowboys
Coach: Kirk Karsen (fourth year)

Gaither looks to reach the playoffs for a fourth straight year and build off its most successful season in school history —  a 12-2 mark and reaching the Class 6A state semifinals.

Despite the graduation of stat-stuffing quarterback Tony Bartalo (3,194 passing yards, 50 total touchdowns) and some other standouts, the Cowboys remain loaded with more than a handful of Division I talents. That includes quarterback Kiael Kelly (Ball State commit), lineman Andrew Kilfoyl (USF commit), cornerback Jordan Oladokun (Iowa commit), tailback Ricky Parks (Utah commit), and cornerback Jordan Young (Florida commit), among others. National high school sports website MaxPreps.com tabbed Gaither as the state’s No. 10 team regardless of classification in its 2020 preseason rankings.

The Steinbrenner Warriors are coming off its best season in program history, but will have to develop a new starting quarterback and an otherwise talent-laden senior class. (Courtesy of Steinbrenner High School athletics department)

Steinbrenner High School Warriors
Coach: Andres Perez (ninth year)

Like Gaither, Steinbrenner, too, is coming off its most prolific campaign in program history — going 12-2 and reaching the Class 8A state semifinals.

Also like Gaither, the Warriors must pivot its passing game with the graduation of uber-productive quarterback Hunter Carlson (2,582 passing yards, 35 total touchdowns) and top two wideouts Dean Patterson (58 receptions, 837 yards, 11 touchdowns) and Aidan Bitter (54 receptions, 807 yards, 13 touchdowns).

With that, expect the Warriors to rely heavily on a running game paced by Iowa State commit Dean Silas, a 5-foot-7, 170-pound senior who tallied 985 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on 113 carries (8.7 yards per carry) last season.

Also of note, the Warriors feature one of the nation’s top-ranked prep long snappers and punters in junior Griffin Wiltse. He averaged 37.9 yards per punt last season.

Pasco County 

Academy at the Lakes Wildcats
Coach: Shawn Brown (sixth year)

Academy at the Lakes is seeking its third eight-man state title in four years. After winning back-to-back eight-man state crowns in 2017 and 2018, the Wildcats last season went 6-2 and were eliminated in the first round of the Sunshine State Athletic Conference playoffs.

Keeping senior quarterback Jalen Brown — the team’s starter since eighth grade — healthy all season is paramount to another deep run. Same goes for fellow seniors and team captains Adrian Leverette, Sean Saccomanno and Dwight Downing, plus others.

Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School Hurricanes
Coach: Ken Stills (first year)

New head coach Ken Stills takes over a Bishop McLaughlin program that woefully went 1-7 and was outscored by a 274-91 margin.

The Hurricanes, of course, hope for a turnaround under Stills, who brings quite the gridiron pedigree, having played for the Green Bay Packers (1985-1989) and Minnesota Vikings (1990) following a decorated college career at Wisconsin.

Stills most recently served as a running backs coach at IMG Academy in Bradenton and also is a former head coach for the River City Rage of the United Indoor Football, and former running backs coach of the XFL’s Los Angeles Xtreme.

He’s also the father of former University of Oklahoma and current Houston Texans’ wide receiver Kenny Stills, who’s embarking on his eighth NFL season.

The Cypress Creek Coyotes hope to build off the first winning season in program history. (Courtesy of Cypress Creek High School athletics department)

Cypress Creek High School Coyotes
Coach: Mike Johnson (fourth year)

Cypress Creek enjoyed its first winning season and first playoff berth since the Wesley Chapel-based school opened in 2017.

Replacing the talented twin duo of Jalen and Jehlani Warren will be tough, but the Coyotes look to have a quarterback to build around in junior Owen Walls, who entrenched himself as the team’s starter midway through last season.

Land O’ Lakes High School Gators
Coach: Trac Baughn (first year)

After a disappointing 2-8 mark last season, Land O’ Lakes turns to a football coaching lifer who hopes to steer the program back to winning seasons and playoff berths.

In new head coach Trac Baughn, the Gators get someone with more than 30 years combined experience at the college and prep level, mostly throughout the state of Mississippi.

His two seasons as head coach at Kosciusko High School in central Mississippi may serve most relevant to the Gator programs.

Baughn guided that team to 10-3 mark in both 2015 and 2016, reaching the third round of Mississippi 4A playoffs both years. He was twice named “Area Coach of the Year” as those teams finished ranked in the Mississippi Associated Press’ 4A Top 5.

Baughn in interviews has said he operates a system predicated on running the football and being fundamentally sound on defense.

While the team will trot out more than a dozen seniors, the Gators have an unfavorable schedule against the likes of Mitchell, Tampa Catholic, Gaither, Wiregrass Ranch, Fivay and Calvary Christian high schools, among others.

Pasco High School Pirates
Coach: Jason Stokes (second year)

Pasco finished 4-6 last year, but proved competitive in several of their defeats — losing four games by seven points or fewer. The Pirates return more experience compared to last season, but also have a challenging schedule that features Auburndale, Hollins, River Ridge — each of which tallied at least eight victories last season.

The Pirates should continue to be one of the county’s better defensive teams with the return of First-Team All-Conference linebacker Amir Burgess and linebacker Gabriel Barnes, the team’s top two tacklers from 2019.

Sunlake High School Seahawks
Coach: Trey Burdick (second year)

Sunlake may still be in a bit of transition mode under second-year head coach Trey Burdick, who took over from area coaching legend Bill Browning — the man who built Sunlake from scratch in 2007, guided it to seven straight winning seasons and retired as one of the winningest coaches in Pasco and Hernando counties.

Meanwhile, the Seahawks must find a way to replace the impact left behind by several All-Conference performers, such as tailback Zach Spicer, linemen Hunter Feiden and Cayman Wiseman, linebacker Damian Riewold, and athlete Jacob Schwarz, among others.

Returning junior quarterback Kevin Spillane, however, provides some stability offensively and turned in a respectable 2019 campaign, completing 63.3% of his throws for 921 passing yards and seven touchdowns and six picks, and adding another 130 yards on the ground.

Wesley Chapel High School Wildcats
Coach: Tony Egan (fifth year)

The Wildcats haven’t suffered a losing season with head coach Tony Egan at the helm. A somewhat manageable schedule, which includes matchups against Anclote, Gulf and Tarpon Springs — programs that went a combined 4-26 last season — should help keep that deed intact. Finding consistent and reliable quarterback play will be critical, plus the needed emergence of some playmakers to help replace of two-way standout Jelani Vassell (graduated) and defensive back J.T. Anderson, a Division I prospect who transferred to Chamberlain High. Meantime, the Wildcats have boosted its coaching staff with notable program alums Kenny Roberts and Ellrie Allen.

The Wiregrass Ranch Bulls seek a fifth-straight winning season behind strong quarterback play. (Courtesy of Wiregrass Ranch athletics department)

Wiregrass Ranch High School Bulls
Coach: Mark Kantor (sixth year)

Wiregrass Ranch is seeking its fifth-straight winning season, but it won’t be easy replacing the production of nine All-Conference seniors from 2019. That includes the reigning Sunshine Athletic Conference Eastside Offensive Player of the Year (wideout Keith Walker) and Defensive Player of the Year (linebacker Dylan Ridolph, the county’s all-time career sacks leader with 48.)

Luckily, the Bulls do benefit returning arguably the county’s top quarterback in junior Rocco Becht, who completed 52.1% of his throws last season for 1,985 yards, 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions. The son of 12-year NFL tight end and ESPN college football analyst Anthony Becht, the pro-style signal-caller is a consensus three-star recruit with already a half-dozen scholarship offers from Division I FBS programs (FIU, Iowa State, Southern Miss, Toledo, Wake Forest, West Virginia).

Another bonus: The team boasts one of the nation’s top-ranked kickers in Adam Mihalek, who last season registered 31 touchbacks, averaged 56.1 yards per kickoff, was successful on 36 of 39 point-after touchdown attempts, and made three of seven field goals, including a long of 39 yards.

Zephyrhills Christian Academy Warriors:
Coach: Mike Smith (sixth year)

Zephyrhills Christian has enjoyed four-straight winning seasons and corresponding playoff appearances, but will have a colossal void to fill with the graduation of two-way lineman Malik Jones — arguably the most decorated athlete to ever come through the program.

The 6-foot-2, 296-pound Jones — now a freshman on scholarship at Division I FBS Florida Atlantic — registered a single-season county record in sacks (26) in 2019, to go along with 113 total tackles. A two-time state wrestling champion, his strength and push on both lines of scrimmage will be missed dearly.

Offensively, the 2A school must replace the production of tailback Tyler Davis, who rushed for 1,274 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior last season.

The Zephyrhills Bulldogs look to become feared again following a pedestrian 5-5 record in 2019. (Courtesy of Zephyrhills High athletics department)

Zephyrhills High School Bulldogs
Coach: Nick Carroll (fifth year)

Zephyrhills last season experienced its first minor setback in the Nick Carroll coaching era — finishing with a pedestrian 5-5 mark.

By comparison, in the previous three seasons, the Bulldogs under Carroll went a combined 29-6 en route to two district titles and another runner-up.

Expect the Bulldogs to be feared again this season, with a more experienced roster, plus a slew of returning All-Conference performers in tailback Zyre Roundtree, defensive back Tre Gallimore, offensive lineman Jarrin Galyan and defensive end Maguire Neal.

A full year of experience under the belt for incumbent dual-threat quarterback Timothy Jackson should lead to a leap in production and decision-making for the rising junior. Last season he completed 50% of his passes for 924 yards, seven touchdowns and 13 interceptions, and added 371 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

THE TEAMS

Hillsborough County schools in Laker/Lutz News coverage area (and their 2019 records)

  • Carrollwood Day School Patriots (2A) (0-9)
  • Freedom High School Patriots (6A) (2-8)
  • Gaither High School Cowboys (6A) (12-2)
  • Steinbrenner High School Warriors (8A) (12-2)

Pasco County schools in Laker/Lutz News coverage area (and their 2019 records)

  • Academy at the Lakes Wildcats (eight-man) (6-2)
  • Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School Hurricanes (Independent) (1-7)
  • Cypress Creek High School Coyotes (4A) (6-5)
  • Land O’ Lakes High School Gators (6A) (2-8)
  • Pasco High School Pirates (6A) (4-6)
  • Sunlake High School Seahawks (7A) (4-6)
  • Wesley Chapel High School Wildcats (5A) (5-5)
  • Wiregrass Ranch High School Bulls (7A) (7-4)
  • Zephyrhills Christian Academy Warriors (2A) (6-5)
  • Zephyrhills High School Bulldogs (5A) (5-5)

Published September 09, 2020

Filed Under: Local Sports Tagged With: Academy at the Lakes Wildcats, Andres Perez, Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School Hurricanes, Carrollwood Day School Patriots, Christopher Short, Cypress Creek High School Coyotes, FHSAA, Florida High School Athletic Association, Freedom High School Pirates, Gaither High School Cowboys, Jason Stokes, Ken Stills, Kirk Karsen, Land O' Lakes High School Gators, Mark Jones, Mark Kantor, Mike Johnson, Mike Smith, Nick Carroll, Pasco High School Pirates, Shawn Brown, Steinbrenner High School Warriors, Sunlake High School Seahawks, Trac Baughn, Trey Burdick, Wesley Chapel High School Wildcats, Wiregrass Ranch High School Bulls, Zephyrhills Christian Academy Warriors, Zephyrhills High School Bulldogs

Fall football preview: Hillsborough County

August 7, 2019 By Kevin Weiss

With the 2019 high school football season just mere weeks away — preseason classics begin Aug. 16 and regular season kicks off Aug. 23 — we take a look at how Hillsborough County teams in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area stack up.

Next week, we’ll preview Pasco County teams.

Hillsborough County schools (2018 records)

  • Carrollwood Day School Patriots: 6-6 overall, 2-2 region
  • Freedom High School Patriots: 4-6 overall, 2-4 district
  • Gaither High School Cowboys: 7-4 overall, 4-2 district
  • Steinbrenner High School Warriors: 6-5 overall, 4-2 district

Players to watch from each team

  • Reidel Anthony Jr., Carrollwod Day, senior athlete
  • Tawfiq Thomas, Freedom, sophomore defensive tackle
  • Chance Coleman, Gaither, senior linebacker
  • Aidan Bitter, Steinbrenner, senior receiver

A closer look at each team

Carrollwood Day School Patriots: 6-6 Overall, 2-2 Region (Courtesy of Carrollwood Day School Athletics)

Carrollwood Day School Patriots
Head coach: Mark Jones (fourth year)

Carrollwood Day is coming off its best season in the Mark Jones era, going 6-6 and reaching the Class 2A region semifinals. However, the Patriots have big shoes to fill with the graduation of one of the area’s most prolific quarterbacks in Chris Butash (now at Division I Holy Cross) and the transfer of do-everything athlete Shelton Quarles Jr., to Calvary Christian in Clearwater.

Breaking in a new quarterback, the Patriots will look to rely heavily on senior athlete Reidel Anthony Jr., the son of former Tampa Bay Buccaneer wideout Reidel Anthony.

Schedule
at St. Petersburg Catholic (Aug. 23, 7 p.m.)
Northside Christian (Aug. 30, 7 p.m.)
Seffner Christian (Sept. 13, 7 p.m.)
Admiral Farragut (Sept. 20, 7 p.m.)
Lake Highland Prep (Sept. 27, 7 p.m.)
at Calvary Christian (Oct. 4, 7 p.m.)
Trinity Catholic (Oct. 11, 7 p.m.)
Cambridge Christian (Oct. 18, 7 p.m.)
at St. John Neumann Catholic (Nov. 1, 7p.m.)

Freedom High School Patriots: 4-6 Overall, 2-4 District (Courtesy of Freedom High School Athletics)

Freedom High School Patriots
Head coach: Chris Short (first year)

The Freedom Patriots will have its third coach in as many years, as Chris Short takes over for Henry Scurry (2018), who took over for Floyd Graham (2016-17).

Short, who also coaches girls flag football and was named the sport’s 2018-2019 Hillsborough County’s Western Conference National Division Coach of the Year, will look to translate that to a Patriots program seeking its first winning season since 2014.

Working in his favor is a seemingly manageable 2019 slate with just three teams who went above .500 last season. The Patriots, however, must find a way to replace the offensive and defensive backfield production of several of last year’s seniors, including Division I talent Jeremiah Ashe, who signed with Florida Atlantic University.

Schedule
at Steinbrenner (Aug. 23, 7:30 p.m.)
Robinson (Sept. 9, 7:30 p.m.)
Spoto (Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m.)
at Wharton (Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m.)
at Land O’ Lakes (Sept. 27, 7:30 p.m.)
Middleton (Oct. 4, 7:30 p.m.)
at Fivay (Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m.)
Alonso (Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m.)
Gaither (Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m.)
at Leto (Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m.)

Gaither High School Cowboys: 7-4 Overall, 4-2 District (Courtesy of Gaither High School Athletics)

Gaither High School Cowboys
Head coach: Kirk Karsen (third season)

Gaither seems poised to build off back-to-back 7-4 seasons and playoff appearances with a roster that has no shortage of playmakers. Key among them is the return of accurate and efficient signal-caller Tony Bartolo and Division I-caliber prospects in cornerback Jordan Oladokun (offers from Florida International and Southern Miss) and linebacker Chance Coleman, a University of South Florida commit.
Buoyed by a balanced offensive attack last season, the Cowboys look for someone to fill the shoes left behind by Jeromy Reid, who tallied more than 1,000 scrimmage yards in both his junior and senior campaigns.

Schedule
at Jefferson (Aug. 23, 7:30 p.m.)
Plant (Aug. 30, 7:30 p.m.)
at Plant City (Sept. 6, 7:30 p.m.)
East Bay (Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m.)
Fivay (Sept. 27, 7:30 p.m.)
at Chamberlain (Oct. 4, 7:30 p.m.)
Land O’ Lakes (Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m.)
at Tampa Bay Tech (Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m.)
at Freedom (Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m.)
Armwood (Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m.)

Steinbrenner High School Warriors: 6-5 Overall, 4-2 District (Courtesy of Steinbrenner High School Athletics)

Steinbrenner High School Warriors
Head coach: Andres Perez-Reinaldo (eighth season)

After a disappointing 2-7 campaign in 2017, the Steinbrenner Warriors bounced back with a respectable 6-5 mark last season, closing the year with four straight wins.

Expect that positive momentum to continue again this year, as the roster, like Gaither, features a lengthy list of Division I prospects, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.

Among them are incumbent starting quarterback Haden Carlson (Florida International commit), wide receivers Aidan Bitter (Iowa State commit) and Dean Patterson (Southern Miss offer), tailback Deon Silas (offers from South Alabama, South Florida, Southern Miss) and offensive lineman Matthew Adcock (offers from South Alabama, Southern Miss), among others.

Another overlooked bonus comes on special teams, with the return of All-State punter Cameron Brown and reliable kicker Trevor Haire.

Perhaps the biggest impediment to the team’s success is a relatively difficult slate that includes Tampa Bay perennial powerhouses in Hillsborough and Plant, as well as Chamberlain and Sickles high schools. Regardless, the Warriors figure to be an exciting team, with plenty of high-scoring outputs.

Schedule
Freedom (Aug. 23, 7:30 p.m.)
at Sickles (Aug. 30, 7:30 p.m.)
at Spoto (Sept. 6, 7:30 p.m.)
Alonso (Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m.)
Hillsborough (Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m.)
at Plant (Oct. 4, 7:30 p.m.)
at Blake (Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m.)
Palm Harbor University (Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m.)
at Wharton (Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m.)
Chamberlain (Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m.)

Published August 07, 2019

Filed Under: Local Sports Tagged With: Aidan Bitter, Andres Perez-Reinaldo, Carrollwood Day School Patriots, Chance Coleman, Chris Short, Freedom High School Patriots, Gaither High School Cowboys, Kirk Karsen, Mark Jones, Reidel Anthony Jr., Steinbrenner High School Warriors, Tawfiq Thomas

Spring football preview: Hillsborough County

April 26, 2017 By Kevin Weiss

Spring football practices are now underway 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 Hillsborough are working with:

Carrollwood Day School
Coach: Mark Jones (2nd year)
2016 record: 2-6

Carrollwood football coach Mark Jones went 2-6 in his first season.
(File)

The Carrollwood Day School Patriots are hoping to rebound after a challenging season under first-year head coach Mark Jones. After a promising 64-0 victory over Avant Garde Academy in August, the Patriots suffered a six-game losing streak, then closed the season with a 34-7 win over St. Petersburg Catholic; the Patriots were outscored by a 240-33 margin during the losing streak.

Youthful last season, the Patriots may see significant improvements in 2017 following an offseason of polishing. Rising junior quarterback Chris Butash (448 passing yards, three touchdowns) could be in for a breakout season, especially with the return of top target Kyle Benedict (20 receptions, 225 yards). Meanwhile, defensive tackle Pierre Alsint (62 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks), the team’s top pass rusher, is also expected to return for his senior season.

 

Second-year Freedom coach Floyd Graham looks for a turnaround in 2017.
(Courtesy of Freedom High)

Freedom High School
Coach: Floyd Graham (2nd year)
2016 record: 3-7

A relatively difficult district schedule and an ineffective offense led to a disappointing 3-7 season for the Freedom Patriots under first-year head coach Floyd Graham. In 2016, Freedom scored just five touchdowns all season, failing to score more than seven points in all but three games. An offensive resurgence this fall likewise could be tough with the exit of running back Trent Burnett (420 all-purpose yards) and wideout Carlos Ridicio (167 all-purpose yards). However, Graham has engineered a program turnaround before. While at Steinbrenner High from 2009-2011, Graham guided the Warriors from a 1-6 record, to 5-5 and 7-3 marks.

 

Gaither High School
Coach
: Kirk Karsen (1st year)
2016 record: 5-5

The Gaither Cowboys will have a new head coach in 2017. Kirk Karsen, a former Sickles and Alonso defensive coordinator takes over a Cowboys squad that went 5-5 last fall.
(Courtesy of Gaither High)

Kirk Karsen, a former Sickles and Alonso defensive coordinator, takes over a Gaither program that loses quite a bit of offensive talent from last year’s 5-5 squad. Gone are senior tailback TJ Williams (1,253 all-purpose yards, 19 touchdowns) and quarterback Gavin DenBoer (1,218 yards, 10 touchdowns), who has transferred to Alonso High. The Cowboys also will miss a pair of Division I-caliber linebackers in Decalon Brooks (Florida State University) and Estefano Feliciano (Old Dominion University), a duo that combined for 195 tackles, 35 tackles for loss and nine sacks last season.

But, the cupboard isn’t completely bare.

The Cowboys still return leading receiver Cayden Jordan (22 receptions, 449 yards, one touchdown) and leading tackler Matthew Wood (112 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, three sacks). Another Gaither player to watch in 2017 is Donovan Jennings, a 6-foot-6, 310-pound offensive lineman, who’s beginning to receive interest from multiple Division I programs.

Steinbrenner High School
Coach
: Andres Perez-Reinaldo (6th year)
2016 record: 5-4

The Steinbrenner Warriors are looking for their third straight winning season in 2017— and it may be difficult.

The Steinbrenner Warriors are looking for their third straight winning season this fall.

The Warriors must mold a new starting quarterback, following Collin Wray’s defection to Clearwater High School. The program also needs to unearth additional weapons for the new signal caller, following the graduation of standouts Brett Bitter (43 catches, 652 yards, seven touchdowns) and Carson Kaleo (53 receptions, 502 yards).

Other significant losses include leading tackler Dane Coleman (103 tackles), outside linebacker/defensive end Devon Connors (56 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks) and kicker/punter Noah Ruggles (nine field goals made, 36.6 yards per punt).

Some potential impact Warriors players in 2017 include: tailback Josh Harris (355 yards, four touchdowns), receiver Brandon Garcia (28 receptions, 371 yards, three touchdowns), linebacker Charles Stephens (99 tackles) and defensive tackle Juan Batista (87 tackles).

 

Wharton High School
Coach: David Mitchell (13th year)
2016 record: 4-5

The Wharton Wildcats are seeking a rebound season after going 4-5 in 2016.
(Courtesy of Wharton High)

After a 4-5 setback last fall, the Wharton Wildcats look to regain its 2015 form, when the team finished 8-2. That starts with unseating district foes like Wiregrass Ranch and Gaither high schools — easier said than done. Even with the graduation of versatile athlete Randy Haynes Jr. (Ohio Wesleyan University) and productive defensive tackle Justin Visconti (Southeastern University), the Wildcats still should remain competitive in 2017. Expect significant contributions from powerful tailback Shannon King (5-foot-10, 210 pounds) and cornerback John Dixon (44 tackles, two interceptions).

Meanwhile, the Wildcats most prized prospect is Lavel Dumont, a 6-foot-5, 270-pound offensive tackle transfer from Brooks Debartolo Collegiate High School. The three-star recruit has garnered several Division I offers, such as Marshall University and Western Kentucky University.

Published April 26, 2017

Filed Under: Local Sports Tagged With: Andres Perez-Reinaldo, Carrollwood Day School, David Mitchell, Florida High School Athletic Association, Floyd Graham, Freedom High School, Gaither High School, Kirk Karsen, Mark Jones, Steinbrenner High School, Wharton High School

Week 1 prep football roundup

August 31, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

The first week of the regular season for high school football kicked off on Aug. 26. Here’s a look at how teams in our coverage area fared under the lights on Friday night.

Pasco County results:

Wesley Chapel High first-year coach Anthony Egan got his first career win on Aug. 26. (File Photo)
Wesley Chapel High first-year coach Anthony Egan got his first career win on Aug. 26.
(File Photo)

Wesley Chapel 13, Land O’ Lakes 3
The skinny: New Wildcats coach Anthony Egan notched his first career win in a close road game against Land O’ Lakes High School. Up-and-coming quarterback Jacob Thomas, threw a 75-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter to swing the momentum in the Wildcats favor. Junior running back Ian Leverett added a game-high 145 rushing yards on 26 carries. Despite the game’s outcome, Land O’ Lakes sophomore quarterback Jude May had a solid showing, completing 65 percent of his pass attempts for 157 yards.
Next up: Wesley Chapel travels to Wiregrass Ranch on Sept. 2 for a 7:30 p.m., kickoff; Land O’ Lakes faces River Ridge in a nonconference matchup.

 

Wiregrass Ranch, led by second-year coach Mark Kantor, could be one of the most dangerous teams to face in Pasco County. (File Photo)
Wiregrass Ranch, led by second-year coach Mark Kantor, could be one of the most dangerous teams to face in Pasco County.
(File Photo)

Wiregrass Ranch 43, Zephyrhills 8
The skinny: Nick Carroll’s first regular season game as Zephyrhills High School head coach didn’t go as planned with the Bulldogs’ defense surrendering 429 yards of total offense to Wiregrass Ranch High. Now fully healthy, expect Wiregrass Ranch to surprise opponents with a potent running attack and lockdown secondary. It will be interesting to see how the Bulldogs respond this week against Sunlake High, where Carroll was an assistant coach for the past nine seasons.
Next up: Wiregrass Ranch faces Wesley Chapel on Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m.; Zephyrhills has another home game against Sunlake.

Sunlake 62, Gulf, 0
The skinny:
Sunlake High School once again has the makings of another dominant season after demoralizing Gulf High on the road. Sunlake tailback Justin Metzger scored three touchdowns, while two-way standout Cris Galdos racked up 162 all-purpose yards. Sunlake’s defense held Gulf to just 10 total yards. Junior middle linebacker Adam Jarvis led the Seahawks in tackles with five.
Next up: Sunlake has a road game against Zephyrhills on Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Victory Christian 29, Pasco, 19
The skinny:
The Pasco High School Pirates couldn’t avenge a second quarter where they allowed 21 points to a solid Victory Christian Academy squad. But, this week’s game against Gulf High provides them a chance to even up their record, and build some confidence in early September before the schedule becomes tougher.
Next up: Pasco has a home game against Gulf High on Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m.

Hillsborough County results:

 

Carrollwood Day delivered a convincing win for new interim coach Mark Jones.(Courtesy of Carrollwood Day School)
Carrollwood Day delivered a convincing win for new interim coach Mark Jones.(Courtesy of Carrollwood Day School)

Carrollwood Day 64, Avant Garde Academy, 0
The skinny:
Carrollwood Day School interim head coach Mark Jones earned his first win as the Patriots demolished Avant Garde Academy in Kissimmee. Jones, a 36-year-old former NFL receiver/kick returner, took over as interim coach on Aug. 16, after former CDS coach Lane McLaughlin was let go by athletic director Baker Mabry.
Next up: CDS Prep faces Grapevine Christian Academy (Texas) in Orlando on Sept. 2 at 5 p.m.

 

East Bay, 34, Freedom 13
The skinny:
Missed opportunities and a lifeless fourth quarter prevented the Freedom High School Patriots from getting a victory for new coach Floyd Graham. The score was 13-7 late in the third quarter, but a Freedom botched snap and ensuing East Bay touchdown put the game out of reach.
Next up: Freedom has a bye week before a road slate against Alonso High on Sept. 9.

 

The Gaither High Cowboys may be in store for a huge 2016 season after a convincing win over Steinbrenner High, a team that went 9-2 last year. (Courtesy of Gaither High)
The Gaither High Cowboys may be in store for a huge 2016 season after a convincing win over Steinbrenner High, a team that went 9-2 last year.
(Courtesy of Gaither High)

Gaither 42, Steinbrenner 10
The skinny:
Gaither High School forced six turnovers and held Steinbrenner High to just 113 yards of total offense in an eye-opening home victory. Gaither’s Trentyn Jackson was a force all night, scoring three touchdowns on an 80-yard interception return, a 31-yard reception and a 9-yard run. After a rough 2015 season, Gaither junior quarterback Gavin DenBoer shined, completing 9 of 15 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns. Gaither senior linebacker DeCalon Brooks paced the Cowboys with 9 tackles.
Meanwhile, one of the few bright spots for Steinbrenner was the performance of senior outside linebacker Dane Coleman (12 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack).
Next up: Gaither travels to Bloomingdale High on Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m.; Steinbrenner travels to Blake.

 

Solid showings on both sides of the ball propelled Wharton High in the first game of the season. (Courtesy of Wharton High)
Solid showings on both sides of the ball propelled Wharton High in the first game of the season.
(Courtesy of Wharton High)

Wharton 39, King 0
The skinny:
Wharton High School’s running duo Randy Haynes Jr. (93 yards on, two touchdowns) and Shannon King (76 yards, two touchdowns) proved too powerful for the King High Lions in this nonconference contest. On defense, Wharton forced a turnover or a three-and-out on nine of the Lions’ 12 drives.
Next up: Wharton has a home game against Robinson High on Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m.

 

 

–Stats and information compiled from Maxpreps.com.

Published August 31, 2016

 

Filed Under: Local Sports Tagged With: Adam Jarvis, Alonso High School, Anthony Egan, Avant Garde Academy, Baker Mabry, Bloomingdale HIgh School, Carrollwood Day School, Cris Galdos, Dane Coleman, Decalon Brooks, East Bay High School, Floyd Graham, Freedom High School, Gaither High School, Gavin Denboer, Grapevine Christian Aademy, Gulf High school, Ian Leverett, Jacob Thomas, Jude May, Justin Metzger, King High School, Land O' Lakes High School, Lane McLaughlin, Mark Jones, Nickk Carroll, Pasco High School, Randy Haynes Jr., River Ridge High Schjool, Robinson High School, Shannon King, Steinbrenner High School, Sunlake High School, Trentyn Jackson, Victory Christian Academy, Wesley Chapel High School, Wiregrass Ranch High School, Zephyrhills High School

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Live Oak Theatre is now selling tickets for its Acorn Theatre production of “Aladdin jr.” Performances will be March 18 through March 28, at the Carol and Frank Morsani Center for the Arts, 21030 Cortez Blvd., in Brooksville. Seats are $15 for adults and $8 for children ages 13 and younger, when accompanied by an adult. For show times and tickets, visit LiveOakTheatre.square.site, email , or call 352-593-0027. … [Read More...] about ‘Aladdin jr.’

03/05/2021 – Apple Pie Bombs

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will offer “Foodie Feast: Apple Pie Bombs” on March 5. Participants can learn how to make tasty, apple pie bombs. Watch the prerecorded video between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., online at Facebook.com/hughembrylibrary or Facebook.com/newriverlibrary. For information, call 352-567-3576, or email Danielle Lee at . … [Read More...] about 03/05/2021 – Apple Pie Bombs

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The Gulfside Hospice New Port Richey Thrift Shoppe, 6117 State Road 54, will host a Bridal Trunk Show on March 6 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. There will be more than 250 dresses to choose from, starting at $29.99 and many brand new. Admission is free, but limited spots are available to allow for social distancing. Brides must register online in advance, by March 3, at bit.ly/NPR-Bridal-Trunk-Show. All proceeds from the shop go to help hospice patients in Pasco County. For questions, contact Jeremi Sliger at , or call 727-842-7262. … [Read More...] about 03/06/2021 – Bridal Trunk Show

03/11/2021 – Economic security

The Pasco Unit of the League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County will sponsor a panel discussion on “Economic Security in Pasco County During the COVID Outbreak” on March 11 at 7 p.m. Panelists will include Brian Hoben, community services director, Pasco County Public Services; Marcy Esbjerg, director of community development, Pasco County Public Services; Don Anderson, CEO, Pasco Homeless Coalition; and, Mike Bishop, director, Stakeholder Engagement, Pasco Economic Development Council. For information on how to register, email . … [Read More...] about 03/11/2021 – Economic security

03/13/2021 – ‘Grease’ event

T-Mobile will sponsor “Grease is the Word” on March 13 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. There will be a sing-along contest pitting Pasco County Fire Rescue against the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, a free movie “under the stars,” and a classic car show with prizes. There also will be food trucks and games. Admission is free. … [Read More...] about 03/13/2021 – ‘Grease’ event

03/13/2021 – Exhibitors needed

Demene Benjamin and UrEsteem will host “UrSelf: A Dabble in Self-Care” on March 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. Exhibitors can be anyone who has a product or service to promote physical, mental and social health, including physical and massage therapists; counselors; churches; nail techs/hairstylists; yoga/pilates/exercise; or natural products. For information, call 813-334-6006, or email . … [Read More...] about 03/13/2021 – Exhibitors needed

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