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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mike Johnson

Prep football midseason review

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With five weeks of high school football in the books, the midway point of the 2018 season has been reached.

Here’s a look at some of the storylines and highlights from schools in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area:

Boisterous Bulldogs
No Charles Harrison III? No problem. The Zephyrhills High Bulldogs have maintained their winning ways, even without the prolific and record-setting signal-caller, who graduated last season and now plays for Division III Brevard College in North Carolina.

The Zephyrhills High Bulldogs have successfully built off last season’s 10-2 campaign with a 4-0 start in 2018. (Courtesy of Zephyrhills High School)

The Bulldogs offense (29.3 points per game) isn’t quite as prolific as last season when Harrison III was under center (41 points per game), however, they’ve managed with a balanced attack through the air and ground.

Meanwhile, an extremely stingy defense (13 points allowed per game) has made life difficult for the opposition.

Zephyrhills could foreseeably run the table for the regular season, considering just one of its remaining foes has a winning record — Wesley Chapel High School, at 3-2 overall — and that’s a home game, where the Bulldogs are 13-2 since 2016.

Further, the Bulldogs arguably have the most talented squad in Pasco County, with bona fide Division I  FBS talent in receiver/defensive back Ja’quan Sheppard and running back/defensive back Cartrell Strong, among other future college prospects.

Also noteworthy: Bulldogs third-year head coach Nick Carroll is off to one of the best coaching starts in county history, with a remarkable 23-5 record since taking over for former coach Reggie Roberts in 2016. That includes 13 straight regular season wins dating back to last season.

Galvanized Gators
The hiring of Chad Walker, a first-time high school head football coach, is thus far paying off for the Land O’ Lakes High Gators.

The Land O’ Lakes High Gators are off to a 3-1 start under first-year head coach Chad Walker. (File)

At 3-1, the Gators are off to their best start since 2013, when the program last had a winning season and finished 8-2.

Whatever happens the remainder of 2018, this season will go down in lore for Land O’ Lakes.

That’s because the Gators broke an eight-game losing streak in the annual Butter Bowl rivalry game against Sunlake High, with a convincing 34-25 home win on Sept. 14. The historic win also coincided with the renaming of the press box at John Benedetto Stadium to the Mike Connor Family Press Box, after the longtime athletics booster and former Voice of the Gators.

Besides a road game against Mitchell High on Oct. 26, the Gators have a manageable slate and very well could complete what’s been a long time coming: a winning season. It also doesn’t hurt that the Gators have one of the county’s top offensive playmakers in senior tailback Kyle Leivas, who’s already tallied 613 rushing yards and six total touchdowns, including two straight 200-yard rushing performances against, respectively, Cypress Creek Middle High (224 yards on 25 carries) and Sunlake (223 yards on 19 carries).

Cool, confident Coyotes
After going winless in its first season as a program, victories are finally coming to the Cypress Creek Middle High Coyotes and second-year head coach Mike Johnson.

Cypress Creek captured the program’s first-ever win on Sept. 7, defeating Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High 42-22 on the road. (Courtesy of Cypress Creek Middle High School)

The upstart program already has two wins on the year, against Bishop McLaughlin Catholic and Pasco high schools.

Also, unlike last season, the Coyotes actually have a senior class.

Among the 12 seniors, the Coyotes have received significant contributions from tailback/safety Tim Ford-Brown, receiver/linebacker/punter Quinton Spears and receiver/safety/defensive end Devin Santana, among others.

Meantime, twin brothers Jehlani Warren, a junior quarterback, and Jalen Warren, a junior receiver, have made the Coyotes a fun watch, as they’ve hooked up for a bevy of big plays and touchdowns this season.

Going forward, expectations should remain modest for a program stepping into the ever-growing competitive area.

Yet, don’t be shocked if the Coyotes pull out another win or two before the end of the 2018 season.

Slow start, strong finish?
While Land O’ Lakes High is experiencing its best start in years, crosstown rival Sunlake High  is struggling with a 1-3 mark.

For the second straight year, Sunlake has opened with a 1-3 mark. (File)

Besides Land O’ Lakes, the Seahawks have faced stiff competition out of the gate, losing to Wiregrass Ranch High and to Zephyrhills High, in overtime.

The Seahawks did, however, open the season with a 25-0 road win over Wesley Chapel High — never an easy task.

The second half of the season shouldn’t be quite as daunting. However, it does include a string of three straight road games in October against Cypress Creek, Pasco and Brooksville Central high schools, respectively.

Interestingly, Sunlake also started off 1-3 last season, before rolling to a 4-6 finish — its first losing season since 2009.

Earl Garcia (File)

Major milestone
Former Gaither High/Boca Ciega High and current Hillsborough High head coach Earl Garcia is one win away from tying former Chamberlain High coach Billy Turner as the all-time winningest coach in Tampa Bay history (254).

Garcia, who coached at Gaither from 1987 to 1991, has a career record of 253-103, including nine 10-win seasons.

Garcia was recently inducted into Gaither’s inaugural football Hall of Fame, joining Greg Callahan, Denny Haywood, Kenny Huebner, Terry Jordan, Chad Muilenberg, Cesar Paz, James Puckett and Lydell Ross.

Garcia at Gaither
1987 — Gaither (7-4)
1988 — Gaither (6-4)
1989 — Gaither (4-6)
1990 — Gaither (3-7)
1991 — Gaither (5-5)

Stat Stuffers
—Tony Bartalo, Gaither High, junior quarterback: Most efficient quarterback in the always tough District 8-7A, completing 72.4 percent of his throws for 627 yards and seven touchdowns.

Land O’ Lakes High senior tailback Kyle Leivas (File)

—Desmin Green, Pasco High, junior quarterback: One of the county’s most effective quarterbacks, completing 56 percent of his passes for 602 yards, and nine touchdowns and four interceptions; also has 227 yards rushing and two rushing touchdowns

—Kyle Leivas, Land O’ Lakes High, senior tailback: County’s second leading rusher with 613 yards and four touchdowns on 84 carries; in total has 977 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns.

—Jalen Warren, Cypress Creek Middle High, junior receiver: County’s second leading receiver with 16 catches for 321 yards and five touchdowns.

Wiregrass Ranch High junior linebacker Dylan Ridolph (Courtesy of Wiregrass Ranch High School)

—Logan Kilburn, Steinbrenner High, senior linebacker: Second in the state with 70 total tackles; also has four sacks and eight tackles for loss.

—Dylan Ridolph, Wiregrass Ranch High, junior linebacker: Tied for state lead with 14 sacks; also has 44 total tackles and 21 tackles for loss.

Schools in Laker/Lutz News Coverage Area (and their current 2018 records)

Hillsborough County:
Carrollwood Day School Patriots (Class 2A-Region 3): 3-1 overall, 1-1 district

Freedom High School Patriots (Class 7A-Region 8): 1-4 overall, district 0-2

Gaither High School Cowboys (Class 7A-Region 8): 3-2 overall, 1-1 district

Steinbrenner High School Warriors (Class 8A-Region 6): 1-4 overall, 0-2 district

Pasco County:
Academy at the Lakes Wildcats (eight-man Florida Christian Region 2): 2-0 overall, 2-0 district

Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School Hurricanes (Independent-Sunshine State Athletic Conference (SSAC): 2-1, 2-0 district

Cypress Creek Middle High School Coyotes (Class 4A-Region 3): 2-3 overall, 0-0 district

Land O’ Lakes High School Gators (Class 6A-Region 6): 3-1 overall, 1-0 district

Pasco High School Pirates (Class 6A-Region 6): 2-2 overall, 0-0 district

Sunlake High School Seahawks (Class 6A-Region 6): 1-3 overall, 0-1 district

Wesley Chapel High School Wildcats (Class 5A-Region 8): 3-2 overall, 2-0 district

Wiregrass Ranch High School Bulls (Class 7A-Region 8): 3-2 overall, 1-1 district

Zephyrhills High School Bulldogs (Class 5A-Region 8): 4-0 overall, 1-0 district

Zephyrhills Christian Academy Warriors (Class 2A-Region 2): 2-2 overall, 0-0 district

Published September 26, 2018

Spring football preview for area teams

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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 the Lakes follow last year’s championship season?
The Academy at the Lakes Wildcats capped off a remarkable 11-1 season by winning the school’s first-ever eight-man state football championship.

Academy at the Lakes won the FCAPPS (Florida Christian Association of Private and Parochial Schools) eight-man state title en route to an 11-1 season in 2017. (File)

What will they do for an encore?
For starters, the Wildcats will need to manage without running back/linebacker Daniel Gonzalez, one of the most dominant two-way players in the Florida 8-man ranks. Besides rushing for more than 1,000 yards and scoring 25 total touchdowns, the team captain was equally dominant on defense with138 total tackles and 7.5 sacks. Gonzalez isn’t the only significant departure. The Wildcats also must find reinforcements for other All-State players including wideout Isaiah Smith, kicker Zachary Moore and All-Conference center Evan Lutz.

But, the cupboard isn’t totally bare on either side of the ball.

Key returnees include sophomore quarterback Jalen Brown (684 passing yards, 19 total touchdowns, one interception); senior tailback Jamaal Johnson (725 scrimmage yards, nine total touchdowns); and a pair of All-State honorees in senior defensive lineman Dylan Price (98 total tackles, 15.5 sacks) and sophomore offensive lineman Andrew Kilfoyl.

Also working in the Academy’s favor is the return of head coach Shawn Brown, who was recently named Florida Christian Association of Private and Parochial Schools (FCAPPS) Football Coach of the Year. Many of his assistants are expected to return, too.

Chad Walker, a former college coach, is Land O’ Lakes High’s new varsity football coach.
(File)

Can Land O’ Lakes turn the corner with its new coaching staff?
With new head coach Chad Walker in place, Land O’ Lakes hopes to reverse its streak of four consecutive losing seasons. Even at just 34, Walker brings a wealth of experience as a former college coach and professional player in Europe — knowledge he’ll use to try to inject excitement to one of the county’s most historic programs.

The Gators — coming off a 4-5 mark last year under former coach Brian Wachtel — won’t require a complete rebuild; they likely will feature some different schemes and wrinkles under the new coaching staff. Working in the program’s favor is a sizable senior class that includes 1,000-yard running back Kyle Leivas, leading pass catcher Nate Howard (14 receptions, 202 yards, one touchdown), and top defender Myron Bloom (76 total tacklers, five tackles for loss, two sacks). The role of quarterback, however, remains a question because of Ethan Forrester’s transfer to Wharton High School. Forrester, a rising junior, threw for nearly 800 yards along with five touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Will Cypress Creek show improvements in the program’s second year?
First-year sports programs typically struggle.

Cypress Creek High went 0-10 in their inaugural football season in 2017. (Courtesy of Cypress Creek Football)

Such was the case with newer Pasco County programs like both Sunlake and Wiregrass Ranch high schools back in 2007, when those programs went 0-10 and 1-9, respectively.

The same was true, more recently, for Cypress Creek, which completed its inaugural slate of 10 games without a single win. A new, young coaching staff combined with a senior-free roster and a mix of challenging opponents made Year One a long one, in which the Coyotes failed to score in seven games.

But, don’t be surprised to see the tide to shift a little in 2018 under second-year head coach Mike Johnson. He’ll finally have a large group of seniors at his disposal, including a talented pair of offensive playmakers in Devin Santana (10 receptions, 134 yards) and 6-foot-4 target Trevor Maxwell (10 receptions, 75 yards). Of course, development at the quarterback spot will be key. Rising junior Jehlani Warren completed just 37 percent of his passes and threw seven interceptions last season.

Can Zephyrhills continue winning without Charles Harrison III?
Whoever is named Zephyrhills High’s next starting quarterback no doubt has big shoes to fill.

The Zephyrhills High Bulldogs must replace graduating quarterback and three-year starter Charles Harrison III. (File)

For the past three years, the Bulldogs were fortunate to have one the county’s most prolific athletes under center in Charles Harrison III. He guided the Bulldogs to three consecutive playoffs appearances, including its first 10-win season in more than 20 years. Along with his on-field leadership, Bulldogs fans won’t soon forget the left-handed quarterback’s flashy playmaking ability with his arm and legs. That was most evident in last season, when Harrison III tallied 47 total touchdowns and more than 3,100 yards — numbers good enough to earn him Sunshine Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year.

He won’t be the only major departure from the defending District 8-5A champions, however. The Bulldogs also lose 1,000-yard rusher Elijah Thomas and several key defenders, including Zac Masci, Myles Carter and Sterlin Williams.

Even so, don’t be surprised if Zephyrhills finds a way to notch an eighth-straight winning season. Besides a steadying coaching presence in third-year head coach Nick Carroll, the Bulldogs have arguably the county’s most talented and explosive receiving corps in Ja’Quan Sheppard, Tre’Pavis Mobley, Cartrell Strong and Tyrese Wigfall. Both Sheppard and Strong hold Division I FBS offers.

Is Pasco in store for a winning season?
The Pasco High Pirates are looking to avoid a fourth-consecutive losing season. They were on track early in 2017 winning their first two contests. But, they ended the season on a six-game losing streak — including a 42-13 sour defeat to crosstown rival Zephyrhills in the season finale.

Pasco High is looking to avoid a fourth-straight losing season in 2018.
(Courtesy of Pasco High Football)

On the surface, the Pirates have the offensive talent to find more success this time around. Experienced senior quarterback Dylan Wood should have ample help with senior running backs Early Knight (778 yards, six touchdowns) and Jacquez Mobley (551 scrimmage yards, four touchdowns), along with one of the county’s most lethal receiving threats in junior wideout Darrion Robinson (25 receptions, 577 yards, eight touchdowns) — who’s also a threat in the defensive secondary (four interceptions, three passes defensed).

Defense as a whole, however, could once again pose issues as the Pirates graduate its top 11 tacklers from last season, including All-Conference linebacker Cameron Smith. The Pirates allowed nearly 30 points per game last season.

A challenging 2018 schedule won’t help matters, either. Just three if its 10 opponents (Gulf, Cypress Creek, Sunlake) had losing campaigns a year ago.

Five players to watch:

  • Chris Butash, quarterback, Carrollwood Day School, senior
  • Dylan Ridolph, linebacker, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
  • Jeromy Reid, running back, Gaither, senior
  • Deon Silas, running back, Steinbrenner, sophomore
  • Javion Hanner, running back/cornerback, Zephyrhills Christian Academy, senior

Schools in Laker/Lutz News Coverage Area (and their 2017 records)
Hillsborough County:

  • Carrollwood Day School Patriots (Class 2A-Region 3): (2-7 overall, 1-2 district)
  • Freedom High School Patriots (Class 7A-Region 8): (3-6 overall, 2-4 district)
  • Gaither High School Cowboys (Class 7A-Region 8): (7-4 overall, 5-1 district)
  • Steinbrenner High School Warriors (Class 8A-Region 6): (2-7 overall, 1-5 district)

Pasco County:

  • Academy at the Lakes Wildcats (8-man-Florida Christian Region 2): (11-1 overall, 7-0 district)
  • Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School Hurricanes (Independent-Sunshine State Athletic Conference (SSAC): (3-7 overall, 2-2 district)
  • Cypress Creek Middle High School Coyotes (Class 4A-Region 3): (0-11 overall, 0-0 district)
  • Land O’ Lakes High School Gators (Class 6A-Region 6): (4-5 overall, 1-3 district)
  • Pasco High School Pirates (Class 6A-Region 6): (4-7 overall, 0-4 district)
  • Sunlake High School Seahawks (Class 6A-Region 6): (4-6 overall, 2-2 district)
  • Wesley Chapel High School Wildcats (Class 5A-Region 8): (6-4 overall, 4-3 district)
  • Wiregrass Ranch High School Bulls (Class 7A-Region 8): (9-3 overall, 4-2 district)
  • Zephyrhills High School Bulldogs (Class 5A-Region 8): (10-2 overall, 7-0 district)
  • Zephyrhills Christian Academy Warriors (Class 2A-Region 2): (8-3 overall, 0-1 district)

Spring game schedule
May 17
Zephyrhills Christian Academy at Cypress Creek, 7 p.m.
Lecanto at Land O’ Lakes, 7 p.m.
Mitchell at Wesley Chapel 7 p.m.
Zephyrhills at East Ridge, 7 p.m.
Jamboree: Alonso, Gaither, Steinbrenner at Sickles, 6 p.m.
Jamboree: Freedom, Hillsborough, King at Wharton, 6 p.m.

May 18
Hernando at Sunlake, 7 p.m.
Wiregrass Ranch at Tampa Catholic, 7p.m.
Pasco at Fivay, 7 p.m.

May 19
Carrollwood Day at Bishop McLaughlin, 1 p.m.

May 24
Jamboree: Lakeside Christian, Solid Rock, Academy at the Lakes at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 6 p.m.

Published April 25, 2018

Cypress Creek football coach earns weekly honor

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Elsewhere in the Pasco County prep football scene, Cypress Creek head football coach Mike Johnson recently earned Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coach of the Week honors for his team’s Week 1 win over Gulf High on Aug. 25 — the school’s inaugural regular season football game.

The honor means Johnson will receive a $2,000 grant to help maintain and upgrade the Cypress Creek football program.

Cypress Creek head football coach Mike Johnson earned the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coach of the Week honors for his team’s Week 1 win over Gulf High on Aug. 25. (File)

At the conclusion of the season, a Buccaneers High School Coach of the Year will be selected and earn an additional award from the pro franchise.

Candidates are chosen based on coaches that have led their schools to an impressive victory, and demonstrated a commitment to fundamentals, player safety, sportsmanship, academic development and community engagement.

Johnson, in his first year as a varsity head coach, has no seniors on the roster, as only underclassmen from Wesley Chapel and Wiregrass high schools were rezoned to Cypress Creek. The school, at 8701 Old Pasco Road, has about 1,500 students in grades six through 11 this year.

The first-year program also was at a disadvantage when it had limited participation in spring drills and no spring game, as most players were occupied with other sports and activities at their former schools.

Johnson previously coached at Stuart Middle School and served as an offensive line coach at Wesley Chapel High School, under former head coach Ben Alford.

Johnson, who also was a former defensive back at Division III Eureka College in Illinois, bases his coaching foundation on what he refers to as the “5Cs”— Commitment, Consistency, Courage, Communication and Compassion.

Published September 13, 2017

Cypress Creek football readies for inaugural season

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With the high school football season just around the corner, one school in Wesley Chapel is gearing up for its inaugural season.

The Cypress Creek High Coyotes began practices last week, in preparation for its first regular season home opener on Aug. 25 against the Gulf High Buccaneers.

The looming matchup brings intrigue, as it pits the upstart Coyotes against a Gulf program that has gone winless the last two seasons (0-20 combined in 2015 and 2016).

Mike Johnson, the Coyotes first-year head coach, expects the opener to be surreal, for players, coaches and fans alike.

The Cypress Creek High Coyotes began practices July 31 to prepare for the team’s regular season home opener on Aug. 25 against the Gulf High Buccaneers.
The Coyotes have about 40 players, enough to fill a varsity and junior varsity squad. The varsity program will play in Class 4A for at least two years. (Kevin Weiss)

“To be able to walk on the field for the very first time — that’s going to be a cool feeling for everybody,” Johnson said. “That first Friday night is going to be pretty cool. …Whether they (Gulf) break a long losing streak or we win the first game in school history, that’s going to pretty neat, whichever way it does go.”

The Coyotes currently have about 40 players, enough to fill varsity and junior varsity teams; the varsity team will play in Class 4A for at least two years.

The school’s first football team features no seniors though because only underclassmen from Wesley Chapel and Wiregrass high schools were rezoned to Cypress Creek.

The school, located 8701 Old Pasco Road, will have nearly 1,500 students in grades six through 11 this year.

For some players, like Logan Bercaw, switching schools was an adjustment.

Bercaw, a junior lineman, spent the past two years at Wiregrass Ranch.

“It was a little difficult,” he said, “because you started your first two years playing football at one school, thinking you’re going to finish there, and then you get switched out to a different school. It’s nice, because it’s a brand-new school, but it’s a pretty big change.”

Besides Bercaw, much of the 2017 team is composed of freshman and sophomores.

“We’re very young,” said Kevin LaChance, an assistant who coaches running backs and linebackers. “We’re just trying to get something built, start laying a foundation…and to do the best we can.”

With such a youthful roster, the Coyotes’ coaching staff spent much of the first week addressing basic fundamentals, such as safe tackling and blocking techniques, and focusing on running formations and ball protection.

Learning a new playbook and hitting the weight room were emphasized, too.

“We’re breaking it down to the very basics,” Johnson said. “All those basic fundamentals are really going to help them out in the long run.”

Inexperience aside, the head coach is pleased with the team’s results in workouts and practices thus far.

“We’ve been getting after it,” Johnson said. “They’ve come out and put in the work. I was very pleased with the amount of players we had out here and the effort they were giving. It’s definitely a positive.”

The summer practices are especially valuable, considering most of the roster didn’t participate in the program’s spring drills — occupied with other sports and activities at their former schools.

The early returns show the Coyotes have workable talent — particularly at skill positions.

“I think we’ve got some speed, which I enjoy,” said Johnson. “We’re loaded at running back. I think we’ve got quite a few running backs/receiver types.”

One of those is sophomore running back Keith Walker.

The Wesley Chapel transfer made varsity his freshman year, and earned playing time in a crowded backfield that featured Dexter Leverett (1,249 yards on 165 carries), Malik Melvin (358 yards on 53 carries) and Ellrie Allen (117 yards on 23 carries). There, Walker flashed breakaway speed on handoffs (136 yards on 13 carries) and as a receiver (102 yards on four catches).

The Coyotes also have found a viable starter at quarterback, in sophomore Jehlani Warren, a transfer from Wiregrass Ranch.  “He’ll be able to run the ball a little bit, too,” Johnson said.

Cypress Creek, meanwhile, marks Johnson’s first varsity head coaching gig.

He previously coached at Stuart Middle School and served as an offensive line coach at Wesley Chapel High School, under former head coach Ben Alford.

He believes he’s up to the task of leading a high school program.

“I learned over the years the process of how to manage and how to handle (a team),” said Johnson, also a former defensive back at Division III Eureka College in Illinois.

That includes conforming to a foundation he calls the “5Cs”— Commitment, Consistency, Courage, Communication and Compassion.

“I’m a big guy on, ‘Be here on time, show me effort in practice, and we’ll find a place for you,’” Johnson explained. “You’ve got to be here, and you’ve got to give me 100 percent all the time, and we’ll definitely find a spot for you, somewhere.”

What the program may lack in initial experience — coaching and playing — it makes up in its new digs.

Cypress Creek offers multiple practice fields adjacent to its football stadium, as well as a Fieldhouse and state-of-the-art weight room measuring nearly 2,300 square feet.

Locker rooms, moreover, features ample space to accommodate both high school and middle school teams.

“It’s very nice,” LaChance said of the facilities. “Everything looks fresh and new; the weight room looks amazing.”

“It’s phenomenal; you can’t beat it,” added Johnson. “If you’re enrolled here, I wouldn’t see why you wouldn’t want to play here. If you have any type of passion to play football, you’d want to be here and involved with that weight room and those practice facilities.”

“It’s definitely a fantastic opportunity for me and the coaching staff and the players,” he said.

Published August 9, 2017

Spring football preview: Pasco County

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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 with:

Cypress Creek Middle High School
Coach: Mike Johnson (1st year)
2016 Record: N/A

A brand-new program, Cypress Creek likely will face significant challenges in its first few seasons. The 2017 campaign, for instance, will feature no seniors, as current freshmen and sophomores zoned for the school will be pulled from both Wesley Chapel and Wiregrass Ranch high schools.

Mike Johnson

Meanwhile as spring ball approaches, Mike Johnson — entering his first year as a high school head football coach — is still finalizing his assistant staff. There are other logistical hurdles, too, as the weight room and athletic fields remain under construction at the school’s campus.
The Coyotes’ offensive and defensive schemes remain a mystery, though Johnson recently said he’ll gear the playbook toward the strengths of his eventual roster and coaching staff.
For comparison’s sake, other recent upstart programs in Pasco County have struggled in their early stages. Sunlake High, for example, went a combined 5-25 its first three years of existence, from 2007-2009. Wiregrass Ranch, likewise, went a combined 7-23 its first three seasons, also from 2007-2009.

 

Land O’ Lakes High School
Coach: Brian Wachtel (7th year)
2016 Record: 2-6

Put simply, the Land O’ Lakes Gators have endured a rough couple years on the gridiron. Since its last winning season in 2013 (8-2), the program went 4-6, 3-7 and 2-6.

Brian Wachtel

The 2017 campaign won’t be easy either, as four of the team’s first five games are on the road, including slates against Wesley Chapel and Sunlake.
To generate a turnaround, the Gators must find some consistency on offense — a unit that scored just eight touchdowns all year. That won’t be easy, with the team losing three of its top four receivers (Justin Kren, Hunter Carlisle, Brayden Lyman) from 2016; leading rusher Kyle Leivas (308 yards) does return, however.

The departure of kicker/punter Dylan Hohenthaner (38.2 yards per punt) shouldn’t be overlooked, either. The Indiana State University signee was a valuable weapon, averaging 38.2 yards per punt.

On a positive note, the Gators return rising junior linebacker Myron Bloom, one of the region’s most productive defensive players. An SAC East First-Team All-Conference selection, Bloom racked up 119 tackles and six tackles for loss.

 

Pasco High School
Coach: Tom McHugh (10th year)
2016 Record: 1-9

The Pasco Pirates look to regroup from last year’s 1-9 debacle — the program’s worst record since 1978. While the season was troublesome all around, perhaps the toughest moment for Pirates fans to grasp was a 49-0 home loss to crosstown rival Zephyrhills.

Tom McHugh

In 2015, the Pirates also experienced another setback to their nine-mile rival, losing 50-16.

Lopsided defeats aside, a bounce-back season could be in store for 2017.
Consider that several of Pasco’s top contributors were just sophomores last season, meaning there’s room for development and progress.
Expect players like running back Jamar Hicks Jr. (386 yards rushing, three touchdowns) and receiver Jacquez Mobley (20 receptions, 200 yards) to make significant strides as juniors.

Other key cogs — including linebacker Cameron Smith, and linemen Camron Craig and Cody Mercer — also return. All three were named to the 2016 SAC East All-Conference team.

There’s an opportunity for early-season victories, as the Pirates play four of their first five games at home, including matchups against Ridgewood, Gulf and Cypress Creek.

 

Sunlake High School
Coach: Bill Browning (11th year)
2015 Record: 7-3

Entering his 11th season as head coach, Bill Browning has the Sunlake Seahawks running like a well-oiled machine, compiling seven consecutive winning seasons. However, the program could be in for a slight rebuilding year in 2017, as heavy reinforcements are needed on both sides of the ball.

BIll Browning

First off, the Seahawks must replace one of the county’s top quarterbacks in Justin Hall (1,945 yards, 13 touchdowns, eight interceptions in 2016). Other skill players will need to be groomed on offense, since the Seahawks will be without its top four contributors in Tyler Peretti (40 catches, 866 receiving yards, six TDs) Cris Galdos (666 all-purpose yards, four TDs), Ryan Clark (23 receptions, 412 yards, five TDs) and Justin Metzger (562 yards rushing, four TDs).
Defensively, Sunlake will miss three of its top four tacklers, losing linebackers Izzy Aquino (67 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, five sacks) and Chris Williams (74 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks), and safety Jabriri Davis (55 tackles).

But, if history is any indication, new standouts may quickly emerge for the Seahawks.
And, that could be sooner rather than later, considering the program’s junior varsity squad went 6-1 in 2016.

 

Wesley Chapel High School
Coach: Anthony Egan (2nd year)
2016 record: 7-2

In his first year as head coach, Anthony Egan oversaw a remarkable turnaround for Wesley Chapel football, a program that hadn’t experienced a winning season since 2011.

Now, Egan looks to take the next step — a district title and a corresponding playoff appearance.

Anthony Egan

Though the Wildcats will be without two-year starting quarterback Jacob Thomas (806 yards, nine touchdowns, two interceptions), other offensive standouts return, including leading rushers Dexter Leverett (1,249 yards, 10 touchdowns) and Malik Melvin (358 yards, seven touchdowns).

The team’s top returning player, however, is cornerback Isaiah Bolden, a 6-foot-3, 170-pound Florida State commit.

A consensus four-star recruit, Bolden is ranked as the nation’s 22nd best cornerback for the 2017 class, according to ESPN.
The rangy athlete will once again be tasked with locking down the opposition’s top receiver and also contribute on special teams, where he averaged nearly 15 yards per punt return in 2016.
Another Wildcats player to watch is middle linebacker Austen Wittish, who led the team with 93 tackles last season.

 

Wiregrass Ranch High School
Coach: Mark Kantor (3rd year)
2016 record: 7-3

It appears Wiregrass Ranch football has finally turned a corner, following last season’s program-high seven wins — good enough for District 8-8A runner-up.
Don’t be surprised to see the Bulls have another fruitful season, considering the bevy of talent returning to the field.

Mark Kantor

While a new quarterback must be groomed, the Bulls return 1,000-yard tailback Dada McGee (1,063 yards, 11 touchdowns), along with its top five wide outs, including 5-foot-8 slot back Adrian Thomas (17 receptions, 207 yards).
Meanwhile, the Bulls again feature one of the most feared secondaries in the region, thanks to the return of uber-skilled cornerbacks Jordan Miner and Shamaur McDowell. Both heavily touted Division I prospects, Miner claims more than 20 scholarship offers, while McDowell has 10.

The Bulls’ X-factor, however, may be newcomer Raymond Woodie III, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound dual-threat quarterback transfer from Carrollwood Day School. The rising junior likewise is being courted by major Division I programs, holding offers from the likes of Southern California and Michigan State universities. (Woodie III is the son of Raymond Woodie Jr., former University of South Florida defensive coordinator and current inside linebackers coach/special teams coordinator at the University of Oregon.)
Early season matchups against Zephyrhills, Wesley Chapel and Sunlake should provide a good barometer of how the 2017 Bulls stack up.

 

Zephyrhills High School
Coach: Nick Carroll (2nd year)
2016 record: 8-3

Even with a first-time head coach, the Zephyrhills Bulldogs maintained their consistent level of success in 2016.
Last year marked the third consecutive eight-win season and sixth winning season overall for the program, leaving Bulldogs fans eager for the future.

Nick Carroll

The 2017 edition could prove equally generous to the Bulldogs, with the return of major pieces from a potent, balanced offense that averaged 341 yards per game and scored 50 touchdowns last season.
Some key returnees include quarterback Charles Harrison III (2,038 total yards, 26 touchdowns, five interceptions), leading rusher Elijah Thomas (649 yards, five touchdowns) and leading receiver Tre’Pavis Mobley (39 catches, 802 yards, 11 touchdowns).

Defensively, the Bulldogs return its top two pass rushers from last season — Sterlin Williams (8.5 sacks) and Ja’varrius Wilson (eight sacks)— along with middle linebacker Zac Masci (66 tackles, 2.5 sacks).

The Bulldogs, however, have some early tough tests, facing Wiregrass Ranch and Sunlake the first two weeks of the season.

 

Zephyrhills Christian Academy
Coach: Mike Smith (3rd year, 11-man)
2016 Record: 7-2

Though the Warriors lose three key playmakers in Serion Bellamy (Shorter University in Georgia), Mykh’ael Chavis (Minnesota State) and John Emmanuel (Minnesota State), the team still has enough pieces to remain competitive in District 2-2A, in 2017.

Mike Smith

That starts with leading rusher Calvin Samuel, who racked up 695 yards and seven touchdowns on just 44 carries last season.
Other contributors, like leading receivers Kollin Eckel (133 yards, three touchdowns) and Eugene Davis (145 yards, two touchdowns), are also expected to return, marking the program’s third year of playing 11-man football.
Productive defensive players like lineman Jalen Spencer (24 tackles, 10 tackles for loss) and linebacker Alonzo Sampson (47 tackles, eight tackles for loss) should be back, too.

Next week The Laker/Lutz News will preview Hillsborough County teams in our coverage area.

Published April 19, 2017

Cypress Creek football presents ‘great opportunity’

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In less than three weeks, a new high school football program will take the field in Wesley Chapel.

Like other Florida high schools, the Cypress Creek Coyotes are set to begin spring football practices on April 24.

Cypress Creek varsity football coach Mike Johnson speaks to prospective players and parents during a March 28 meet-and-greet at Wesley Chapel High School. Johnson, who was hired in January, is tasked with starting the school’s football program from scratch.
(Kevin Weiss)

But, the circumstances for this team are unique — particularly for new head coach Mike Johnson and prospective athletes.

The program faces logistical hurdles because Cypress Creek Middle High, which will pull students from both Wesley Chapel and Wiregrass high schools, is still under construction, off Old Pasco Road.

Current freshman and sophomores zoned for the school will be permitted to participate in spring football drills. But, those practices will be at Weightman Middle School, while Cypress Creek’s athletic fields remain under construction.

The weight room at the new school —measuring 2,273 square feet — likewise isn’t complete. Football equipment and protective gear hasn’t arrived, either.

Also, Johnson is the only paid high school football coach on staff.  The six assistant positions have not yet been filled.

Cypress Creek Middle High, located 8701 Old Pasco Road, will have nearly 1,500 students in grades six through 11 next year. That means no seniors in its inaugural football season.

Cypress Creek’s new football coach sees an “exciting opportunity” for the upstart program, he said.

“I think it’s an absolutely great opportunity — walking into something where you get to put your mark on it,” Johnson said. “These kids have every opportunity to do what they want with it; they can make it what they want.”

Johnson, currently a physical education teacher at Taylor Elementary, will serve as a graduate enhancement teacher at Cypress Creek during the 2017-2018 school year.

An Illinois native, Johnson moved to Florida in 2010. He most recently coached at Stuart Middle School, where the team went undefeated in his lone season. He previously had a two-year stint as an offensive line coach at Wesley Chapel High school, under former head coach Ben Alford; Alford stepped down in 2012 after going 11-19 in three seasons.

During a meet-and-greet at Wesley Chapel High School on March 28, Johnson provided program updates, while fielding football-related questions from parents and players.

Johnson’s message was optimistic: “The sky’s the limit,” he said.

Throughout the meeting, Johnson outlined pillars for the new team, along with his expectations for football families.

Academics, he said, will be a major emphasis.

So, too, is winning games and helping players reach “the next level.”

“We want to set high standards,” said Johnson, a former defensive back at Division III Eureka College in Illinois. “I’ve got to have students-athletes that want to work hard every day, and want to come to practice every day.”

Moreover, he said the program’s foundation will conform to the “5C’s”— Commitment, Consistency, Courage, Communication and Compassion.

“We will definitely develop an atmosphere, that everyone will be proud of,” he said.

Regarding offensive and defensive schemes, Johnson was relatively vague, but noted he’ll gear the Coyotes playbook towards the strengths of his eventual roster and coaching staff.

“We’ll figure that out when (the players) get out there. You’ve got to be versatile to what you have,” he said.

That includes taking suggestions from players, through his “open-door” policy.

“I want the kids to be able to come in and talk to me. I don’t want it to be where a player is afraid to come talk to me,” Johnson explained.

He added: “I want the kids to have some say in their program, how they want to start it, and how they want to build it, so they’ll be proud of it when they graduate.”

One thing he won’t do, however, is “play favorites.”

“The whole playing favorites thing is out the window. I’m going to put the best 11 on the field, and we’re going to play football.”

Cypress Creek varsity football will be designated for Class 4A for at least its first two years, according to Tim Light, the school’s assistant principal.
The team’s 2017 schedule was put together by Matt Wicks, the county’s athletic director, Light said.

A “patchwork” slate, it features teams that struggled in 2016 (Gulf and Pasco high schools), along with some perennial powerhouses (Tampa Catholic and Sunlake).

In September, the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) passed a new system that bases football postseason berths on a points system in Class A-4A. The new format, beginning this season, is designed to reward teams for winning records and strength of schedule.

In the FHSAA’s biggest four classes (5A-8A), the district champion still automatically qualifies for regionals, with the remaining 16 spots decided by points.
While Cypress Creek Middle High won’t have seniors on its inaugural football team, Johnson said the school will “mold these (younger) kids into the leaders that we want them to be.

“It’s just a really good opportunity to get down to very basic stuff and get them to learn that, and not skip over anything,” he said.

Another parent meeting is expected prior to the start of spring practice.

For more information, visit CCMHS.pasco.k12.fl.us.

Other coaches hired at Cypress Creek:
Anthony Mitchell: Boys Varsity Basketball and Boys Golf
Joseph Neale: Varsity Baseball
Stacy Hill: Girls Varsity Basketball
Eliza Pasardi: Girls Cross Country
John Hoffman: Boys Cross Country and Boys Varsity Track

Cypress Creek Middle High School
Mascot: The Coyotes
School colors: Green and yellow

High School Varsity Football Schedule – Cypress Creek is 4A-Region 3
Preseason Classic — at Fivay (5A) 7 p.m.
Week 1 — Gulf (5A) 7:30 p.m.
Week 2 — Ridgewood (5A) 7:30 p.m.
Week 3 — at Hudson (5A) 7:30 p.m.
Week 4 — at Pasco (6A) 7:30 p.m.
Week 5 — Land O’ Lakes (6A) 7:30 p.m.
Week 6 — Bye
Week 7 — at Sunlake (6A) 7:30 p.m.
Week 8 — Tampa Catholic (3A) 7:30 p.m.
Week 9 — at Springstead (6A) 7:30 p.m.
Week 10 — Mulberry (4A) 7:30 p.m.
Week 11 — at Anclote (5A) 7:30 p.m.

Published April 5, 2017