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Southeastern University

Sunlake XC strides for another banner finish at states

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It’d be understandable if the Sunlake High School varsity cross country program took a slight step back following a banner 2019 campaign that saw its boys team finish fifth and girls team sixth at the Class 3A state championship — the best combined finish that year among schools in all classifications in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

Those respective Seahawks’ seniors — many of whom are now running in college — all but carried the program to the banner showing, including:

  • Five of the boys team’s top seven runners were seniors, four of whom are now running on scholarship at in-state Flagler College, Saint Leo University and Southeastern University, respectively.
  • Three of the girls team’s top seven runners were seniors, including decorated and school record-setting Liina Winborn, who finished fourth overall at the 2019 state finals (18:11.16),

and is now on a distance running scholarship at Division I University of Florida.

But, this year’s Seahawks teams may soar to even greater heights, once the season officially crosses the finish line.

The Sunlake High School boys and girls cross-country programs are poised to each have its highest finish at the 3A state finals on Nov. 14 at Apalachee Regional Park, in Tallahassee. Each squad swept its conference and district meets. The boys team won regionals, while the girls finished runner-up, respectively. (Courtesy of Randal Reeves)

The boys and girls squads each swept its conference championship and district championships. At regionals on Nov. 7 at Holloway Park in Lakeland, the boys took first place and the girls took runner-up.

With that, both advance to the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) 3A state championships on Nov. 14, at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee.

Expectations at states are a top three or four finish for the boys, and a top four or five for the girls, respectively.

So, what else separates this team from years past? A valuable combination of depth, dedication, accountability, and some natural talent, of course.

“We lost a lot of seniors last year who went on to run in college,” said Sunlake distance coach Randal Reeves, “but, returning runners from last year just really stepped it up, by putting in all the training over the summer; that’s what made the difference, and all that hard work is just paying off.”

Reeves further praised teammates for having the commitment to show up to practices and workouts each day, and doing what is asked of them, and more.

“These kids are extremely dedicated,” the seventh-year coach said. “You’ve gotta have the right kids involved, and I’m blessed. I do have the right kids.”

The effort level comes from many of the runners’ desires to earn college scholarships and compete at the next level, the coach said.

“Every single one of these kids is looking to run in college,” Reeves said. “They don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to get their training in so that they can perform well, so I think that’s what the difference is with these kids. They all want to get some races in so they can show a recruiter, ‘Hey, look at the times I’ve been running,’ so I think that might be where a lot of the dedication is from.”

The inner drive to succeed elsewhere comes from distance runners having what likely would’ve been a banner track season ripped away from them back in March, as all spring sports were canceled amid the coronavirus pandemic surge.

“I think it’s definitely a lot of build-up from almost having an incomplete season of track,” said junior Caitlyn Culpepper, a team captain.

“I think that motivation definitely carried into our summer training, because I know when I ended the (track) season, I was like, ‘Wow, I have so much more left to give,’ so we just carried that motivation into our summer training, ‘Hey, we’ve gotta work harder. We weren’t able to achieve this goal of state tracks, so let’s put this toward cross-country,’ so I think that drove a lot of us. We were just ready to get out there and start competing again.”

More with less
Other top-level 3A cross-country programs may have anywhere from 50 to 100 runners on their roster.

Sunlake has less than 30 runners combined between the boys and girls teams.

The 3.1-mile state meet course at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee features a mix of hills and flat terrain. The team has prepared for the course in training at Trout Creek Park in Thonotosassa. (Courtesy of Florida High School Athletic Association)

In this case, it’s about quality, not quantity.

Both squads boast eight closely matched runners who are strong enough to register points (finish in the top five for their team in a race).

Each squad’s No. 6 or No. 7 runner may finish as high as No. 4 or No. 5 in a particular meet or race.

It’s one of those good problems to have.

“I have the problem, of my top seven, any one of ‘em would be varsity on any team in the state of Florida. I mean, they’re that good,” Reeves said.

This tight margin among Sunlake runners has created an accountability factor among each other, keeping everyone on their toes and forced to give their best effort in practice and meets.

The girls team, for example, has eight runners who run a 5K (3.1 miles) under 22-minutes, led by senior Shannon Gordy, who’s personal record is 18:53. The boys team has eight runners who can finish under 18 minutes, led by junior Colby Robbins, who captured individual titles at conference, districts and regionals, and whose personal-best 15:56 is two seconds off the school record held by the graduated Gavin Kennedy (15:54.6).

“We’re so close in times, which gives us that awesome pack up in the front,” Culpepper said, “and, you know, we have that accountability for each other, so we’re able to push each other, so that inner competition among each other creates for great competition against other teams.”

The depth means “it could be anybody’s race,” even for those lower-ranked runners, said Gordy. “Those No. 6 and No. 7 runners, they know that we’re strong as a whole and they have a part in the team. They may not score points, but they know they’re important to our team. As the team runs, we run as a group,” she said.

Robbins likewise underscored how the depth — and corresponding camaraderie, he said — has carried the team so far: “If somebody decides to slack off, instead of just saying, ‘Oh, that’s not me, it’s individual sport,’ we’re going to get on them because we care, so I think that’s what sets us apart. We have a degree of responsibility that we uphold for each other, because I’m not going to be the one that holds my team back, because we all care about each other.”

Coach’s impact
Other reasons for the program forming as one of the state’s best is Reeves, who’s earned his fair share of Sunshine Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honors in cross-country and track.

“He can take anyone and turn them into a great athlete, and if you have natural talent, he can then turn you into world-class,” said Robbins, who entered Sunlake as a soccer player but made the transition to distance running freshman year, and is now among the state’s best runners in Class 3A.

The Sunlake cross-country program is among the state’s top-ranked teams entering the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Class 3A state championships. The boys and girls teams compete on Nov. 14 at Apalachee Regional Park, in Tallahassee. (Courtesy of Florida High School Athletic Association)

“Even though we don’t have the biggest group, because of coach’s training and because of our buy into the training, he’s able to take a group of 15 boys and make them state contenders.”

Senior Cade Whitfield missed all of last season amid a hip injury. He returned this year as the team’s No. 3 runner and a personal-best 16:37.

Whitfield credits Reeves’ passion for the sport and attention to each runner’s needs and goals.

“I’ve never experienced a coach like him,” he said. “He sat down with me with college recruiting and told me every single step I’ve needed to take, and he’s honestly the one that inspired me to give it my all like he does, because I just didn’t want to give 50% for him.”

Gordy expressed similar feelings for the coach: “He knows every runner has different motivations and different goals, so he makes sure that he specializes our training to what we want to run, like our times, and like what we want to do after high school, and how we want to get there.”

Running through quarantine
Even with myriad medals and trophies earned this season, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing for Sunlake this season.

The team was forced to quarantine from Sept. 24 through Oct. 3 after one of its runners tested positive for COVID-19.

Unable to practice together as a group, runners had to train individually and log their times online each day. Meetings and workout instructions were held virtually, through Zoom.

The team took the setback in stride, viewing it as an opportunity to not take the season for granted.

“Being quarantined, it really showed the value of having teammates to run with,” said Culpepper. “When you’re running on your own, you’ve gotta push yourself a little more, versus, when you’re running with the team as committed as you are, it definitely helps you.

“It’s definitely made us more appreciative of our team and our dynamic, and the ability that we have to be able to run together and even have a season this year. It was kind of a new perspective that we needed,” he said.

Gordy believes the occurrence made the team stronger, in the end, too.

“I feel like when we came back, we were eager to race and be better at the races, and we were more rested,” she said. “It was like a refreshment, kind of. Like a break, and then we focus on what we want as a team.”

As Reeves puts it: “The world gave us lemons, and we decided to make lemonade out of it.”

Now, looking ahead to this weekend’s state championship, the Seahawks are confident for a strong showing — maybe even better than 2019’s version.

Training at Trout Creek Park in Thonotosassa — plus past experience competing at states —  has prepared Sunlake for the mix of hills and flat terrain at the Apalachee course, Reeves said.

“It plays well for us,” Reeves said of the state meet course. “We do a lot of our training that replicates parts of the state course, and so they’re not surprised. When they get out to that course, they’re going to feel fine, nothing’s going to shock them, they’re going to know how to run.”

Sunlake varsity boys cross-country

  • Colby Robbins, junior (15:56)
  • Alex Pena, sophomore (16:15)
  • Cade Whitfield, senior (16:37)
  • Cason Meyer, junior (16:48)
  • Andres Alfonso, junior (16:54)
  • Max Goserud, junior (17:13)
  • Nathan Lee, sophomore (17:39)
  • Cody Smith, junior (17:47)

Sunlake varsity girls cross-country

  • Shannon Gordy, senior (18:53, personal record)
  • Ashley Spires, senior (19:59)
  • Atlanta Lofton, sophomore (20:26)
  • Shelby Viseur, junior (20:44)
  • Caitlyn Culpepper, junior (20:44)
  • Sarah Ellingson, junior (20:48)
  • Annie Winborn, sophomore (21:01)
  • Abigail Williams, freshman (21:10)

Published November 11, 2020

Sunlake distance runners leave lasting mark

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For this group of distance runners, the thousands of miles of foot to pavement have finally paid off — in the form of college athletic scholarships.

The past few years, Sunlake High School’s boys and girls cross-country and long distance track programs have established themselves as among the best in the area, and the state.

This year’s National Signing Day festivities underscored that fact: Five senior runners made their college commitments official on Feb. 5 — Luke Scheid (Flagler College), Gavin Kennedy (Saint Leo University), Drew Knobl (Southeastern University), Albert La Red (Saint Leo University), and Liina Winborn (University of Florida). A sixth distance runner, Emily Jenkins (Pasco-Hernando State College) participated in an early signing day ceremony in December.

Five Sunlake distance runners signed their National Letters of Intent on Feb. 5 to various colleges and universities. From left: Luke Scheid (Flagler College), Drew Knobl (Southeastern University), Albert La Red (Saint Leo University), Gavin Kennedy (Saint Leo University), and Liina Winborn (University of Florida). A sixth distance runner, Emily Jenkins (Pasco-Hernando State College), not pictured, participated in an early signing day ceremony in December. (Kevin Weiss)

Sunlake also celebrated two boys lacrosse signings — Jason Schwarz (Barton College) and Roberto Valentin (Webber International University).

But, it was a particularly special day for the Seahawks’ runners, who leave a lasting legacy as they take the next step to the college ranks.

The Seahawks cross-country program in 2019 experienced arguably its best season ever, as the boys squad finished fifth and the girls team sixth at the Class 3A FHSAA state championships. Both teams also claimed conference titles and had strong showings at districts. The girls took first place, and the boys finished runner-up. Both squads also garnered top-five finishes at regionals — boys, third; and girls, fourth.

Many of those same distance runners also helped steer the school’s 2019 track team to sweep conference and district crowns. The boys team went on to win regionals, while the girls finished runner-up that season, then advanced to states.

Saint Leo University signee Albert La Red believes the distance team’s recent string of success and the large 2020 signing class now will help underclassman gain exposure from colleges and universities “that weren’t looking at us before.”

“It’s exciting,” La Red said, “because now we get these young guys over there, they have such a bright future for them.”

Sunlake’s distance runners logged an estimated average of 1,600 miles per year, with some runners racking up as many as 7,000 miles during their four-year prep running careers.

Besides developing their athletic skills, the grueling practices and stressful meets also forged lasting bonds and memories for La Red and other distance runners.

“I grew up with everybody at this school, and so it was super fun just running with my friends all time,” La Red said. “We always hang out outside of school and stuff, always inviting each other over, always doing things.”

Fellow teammate and Flagler College signee Luke Scheid also appreciates the “lifelong friends” established through the cross-country and track programs — ones that helped push him through daily workouts.

Scheid said the thing he’ll likely miss the most from his time at Sunlake is the way he felt during hard practices — when running with his teammates was motivating, and made those difficult practices feel easier.

Liina Winborn’s pledge to the University of Florida marks the cross-country team’s first NCAA Division I signing in program history.

In her time at Sunlake, the decorated distance runner set several school records, claimed multiple conference and district individual titles, and earned fourth-place and sixth-place individual finishes the past two years at the 3A state cross-country championships.

With that, the two-time Sunshine Athletic Conference (SAC) East girls’ cross-country runner of the year and defending girls track runner of the year had trouble settling on her favorite memory as a Seahawk.

“It’s hard to pick one,” Winborn said, noting there were so many fun and funny moments.

Born into a military family, Winborn transferred into Sunlake as a sophomore from an international school in Belgium.

The school’s cross-country and track programs made the cultural transition easier — by offering Winborn an immediate peer group.

“The hardest thing was getting used to it and making new friends,” she said, “but having the team automatically gave me those amazing friendships that I know are going to last forever.”

The highly coveted athlete said she’s relieved to be done with the recruiting process, which ended when she signed the dotted line to become a Florida Gator.

“It feels amazing to finally not stress about it for one, but to have my future set and to be going to such an amazing school,” she said.

She also said: “I wouldn’t be going there without my team and my coach, and just everybody at Sunlake supporting me.”

Winborn received looks from other NCAA Division I programs, but it was Florida that ultimately stood out, offering her what she thinks are the best tools to be successful. She explained, “They personally told me they could take me as far as I wanted to go, athletic and academic-wise…and them saying that they could make that possible for me is bottom-line what I wanted to do.”

Sunlake athletic director Reesa Pledge at the ceremony said the group of distance runners “put Sunlake on the map,” adding, “their hard work and dedication has been unmatched by previous by runners that have been here at the school.”

Sunlake track coach Brett Hodros added he was “so proud” to see the distance runners’ efforts being rewarded in the form of scholarships.

“They were doing probably the hardest workouts in the track program,” he said, “because they were definitely putting in the most miles.”

Emphasizing that point, Hodros mentioned when he tries to pitch athletes around the school to join the track team, they question whether they’ll have to put in the same amount of time and effort as long distance runners.

Explained Hodros: “It’s very, very difficult to get people to run track first off, and then they’re like, ‘Oh, you’re not going to be make me run like those distance kids,’ and that’s what these kids did every single day, these four years they’ve been at Sunlake.”

Hodros also read prepared remarks from Sunlake distance coach Randal Reeves, who was unable to make the signing day event.

In a later telephone interview with The Laker/Lutz News, Reeves commended the scholarship recipients for their efforts, and for buying into the distance program.

Said Reeves, “These kids have been leaders amongst the rest of the group in getting everybody together to run as group, really year-round.”

Even more college signings could be on the way for other Sunlake senior distance runners before the year’s end, Reeves said. Eleven of his 12 seniors intend to run at the next level, either through scholarship or as walk-ons.

“The success of the program has really led to a lot of attention to our runners,” he said. “My job is to get them recruited, to put them in the spotlight so they can earn the college scholarship opportunities, where all that hard work pays off.”

Published February 12, 2020

Loving hands lift up men in need

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When Gustavo Cabrera arrived at the Loving Hands Ministries campus in Dade City, he had no idea about the kind of impact it would have on his life.

His path to the ministry began while he was in Miami.

He had taken up with bad company there and was implicated in a robbery.

The staff and residents of the Loving Hands Ministries, in Dade City, stand in front of a portrait of the organization’s founders, Wendell and Nancy Wilson. The ministry also has another location in Palmetto. (Brian Fernandes)

After the incident, he began a spiritual quest to get his life in order and came across a pamphlet about Loving Hands Ministries – a program that relies on the study of Scripture, to help men get their lives back on track.

After his two-year stay on the Dade City campus, he went on to graduate from Southeastern University and is now a minister helping to build churches.

Loving Hands Ministries has two campuses. One is in Dade City and the other is in Palmetto.

Marshall Walker is program director for the Dade City campus.

He, too, went through the ministry’s two-year program.

“The reason it’s become successful for me — and I believe for all the men — is that it’s a spiritual regeneration,” Walker said.

The program requires the men to spend several hours each day studying the Bible.

Walker described himself as a struggling drug addict when he moved onto the Dade City campus.

Building a relationship with Jesus and getting away from worldly distractions changed him, Walker said.

“Sin is fun for a season, but then after a while, it’s not fun anymore,” Walker said.

Loving Hands Ministries was founded in the 1980s by Pastor Wendell Wilson and his wife, Nancy, who wanted to help men like Cabrera and Walker.

Pastor Wilson had led a number of different churches throughout Florida, but after ministering to men on the street and in jails, he felt compelled to do more, said Kim Dodson, his daughter and current president of the organization.

In 1982, the Wilsons opened their Bradenton home to men who were struggling with addiction or other issues — and encouraged them to redirect their lives.

The Wilsons opened the first campus of Loving Hands Ministries in 1984 in Bradenton. That ministry later relocated to Palmetto.

The Dade City campus opened in 1992. It now has five buildings for living quarters, a dining area, a gym and a food storage area. There’s also a recreational facility and a basketball court.

And, the foundation has been laid there for a new chapel. It will provide the men more room for their spiritual work.

Men come to the ministry in different ways.

Some are court-ordered; others join voluntarily.

Some travel from different parts of Florida. Others, from different states.

Some learn about the program when they’re in the hospital, or in jail, or at a church.

The two-year program keeps the men productive — with cooking, daily chores and several hours of Bible study daily.

Through such responsibilities, the men can discover their gifts, Dodson said.

She put it like this: “We teach these men that their life matters and they’re created by God for his purposes, and to be used daily to serve someone else.”

During the second year of the program, the men begin to learn how to minister to each other on campus.

They also visit churches to share their testimonies — hoping to reach others who can benefit from the ministry.

Occasionally, they get away, too, for deep sea fishing, to watch the Tampa Bay Rays, or to enjoy other outings.

Those who graduate from the program, like Walker, have the chance to build careers at their respective campuses.

Some have gone on to higher education. Some are now businessmen, or ministers.

Loving Hands Ministries relies on individual, community and church donations, and occasional fundraisers, such as yard sales, golf tournaments and banquets.

In fact, it is planning to celebrate its 35th anniversary with a banquet on Nov. 21, at the First Church of the Nazarene in Zephyrhills. David West, of Making a Difference Inc., will be the keynote speaker.

Dodson noted: “All these years we’ve never charged a man or their family.”

As her late father used to say: “You can’t put a price on a life.”

Even though her parents have passed away, Dodson wants to continue their vision, with plans to branch out to South Florida.

“Overall, we’re just so blessed with the success rate,” Dodson remarked.

“In the end, it’s the change that takes place in a man’s heart that really changes him,” she said.

To find out more about the organization, or the banquet, visit LovingHands.net or call Marshall Walker at (352) 523-1399.

Loving Hands Ministries banquet
When: Nov. 21 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: First Church of the Nazarene, 6155 12th St., Zephyrhills
Cost: Free admission, suggested minimum donation of $200 for a party of eight
Details: The organization is celebrating its 35th anniversary, with a fundraiser to support its work.
Info: To RSVP and donate online, visit LovingHands.net, or call Marshall Walker at (352) 523-1399.

Published October 30, 2019

AATL football earns awards

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Accolades keep piling up for the back-to-back eight-man football state championship-winning Academy at the Lakes Wildcats.

Team members were well-represented on the 2018 Florida Christian Association of Private and Parochial Schools (FCAPPS) all-state, all-conference and miscellaneous award selections, which were recently announced.

The 2018 Academy at the Lakes Wildcats culminated a perfect 10-0 season by winning the FCAPPS (Florida Christian Association of Private and Parochial Schools) eight-man state championship in December. Eight players earned FCAPPS postseason awards, as well as head coach Shawn Brown, who was named the league’s coach of the year. (File)

A total of eight Academy players were recognized, including sophomore quarterback Jalen Brown, who won the FCAPPS Heisman Trophy Winner award, and senior linebacker Dylan Price, who was named FCAPPS Defensive Player of the Year.

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Brown completed nearly 58 percent of his throws for 1,105 yards, 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also rushed for 672 yards and 10 touchdowns on 93 carries.

Brown marks the Wildcats’ second FCAPPS Heisman Trophy winner in as many years. He follows former Wildcats running back/linebacker Dylan Gonzalez, who won the 2017 Heisman  award, after putting up big numbers on offense (1,125 yards, 28 total touchdowns) and defense (138 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, one interception) during his senior year.

The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Price, meanwhile, registered 99 total tackles, 17 sacks and four forced fumbles. (Also a running back, Price rushed for 566 yards and six touchdowns on 73 carries.)

Other Academy players receiving honors included: sophomore lineman Dwight Downing, junior defensive end Elijah Freedman, senior defensive back Jullian Jennings, sophomore lineman Andrew Kilfoyl, junior lineman Matthew Martin and senior tight end/defensive end Tioma Stepanets.

Additionally, Wildcats head coach Shawn Brown was named FCAPPS Coach of the Year, for the second straight year.

The 2018 Wildcats wrapped up a perfect 10-0 campaign after defeating Miami Citi Christian 36018 in the FCAPPS eight-man state championship game at Southeastern University in Lakeland; they also won the 2017 state title after beating Jacksonville Old Plank Christian Academy.

The team will enter the 2019 season on a 20-game win streak.

Academy at the Lakes will be formally recognized at the FCAPPS Players’ Awards banquet on April 14 at noon, at Hillsborough Baptist School, 6021 Williams Road in Seffner.

Academy at the Lakes football FCAPPS honorees:
•  Head Coach Shawn Brown — FCAPPS Coach of the Year

  • Jalen Brown, sophomore — FCAPPS Heisman Trophy Winner/All-State Quarterback
  • Dwight Downing, sophomore – All-Conference Center
  • Elijah Freedman, junior – All-Conference Defensive End
  • Jullian Jennings, senior — All-State Defensive Back
  • Andrew Kilfoyl, sophomore — All-State Offensive Lineman
  • Matthew Martin, junior — FCAPPS Sportsmanship Award
  • Dylan Price, senior — FCAPPS Defensive Player of the Year/All-State Defensive End
  • Tioma Stepanets, senior — FCAPPS Spiritual Inspirational Award

Published January 30, 2019

Academy at the Lakes wins second straight football title

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They did it again.

The Academy at the Lakes Wildcats notched its second straight eight-man football title, downing Miami Citi Christian Academy Fire 36-18 in the Florida Christian Association of Private and Parochial Schools (FCAPPS) state championship on Dec. 8, at Southeastern University in Lakeland.

Team members for Academy at the Lakes hoist the championship trophy after beating Citi Christian Academy of Miami. (Fred Bellet)

Academy at the Lakes (10-0) never trailed against the Fire (7-3) in a game marked by physicality, aggressive play-calling and bouts of sloppy play.

The Wildcats struck first blood midway through the first quarter when quarterback Jalen Brown, in the face of heavy defensive pressure, completed a 3-yard touchdown pass on fourth down to running back Adrian Leverette.

Near the end of the first half, the sophomore signal-caller drove the Wildcats to the end zone again, with the score square 6-6.

Fielding the ball at their own 38 after a Citi turnover on downs, Brown quickly brought the ball into opposing territory rumbling 22 yards on a bootleg run. He then completed two passes for downs, to set up a 17-yard touchdown pass to receiver Jullian Jennings, with under a minute to go in the half.

For Brown, who entered the game with 26 total touchdowns, those types of plays have been par for the course. Brown was named offensive MVP for the game.

“I thought his play was awesome,” Wildcats head coach Shawn Brown said. “I thought he stayed under control. I thought he stayed composed.

Head Coach Shawn Brown signals during game action against Citi Christian of Miami.

“He had a heck of a season,” the coach said.

The Wildcats cushioned their lead to 22-6 midway through the third quarter on a 3-yard rushing touchdown by senior running back/linebacker Dylan Price — set up by a successful onside kick that gave the Wildcats good field position.

The squad from Miami didn’t give up without a tough fight, however.

The Fire answered with two consecutive scoring drives — the first touchdown set up by a Wildcats failed onside kick; the second, set up by a Brown interception — to narrow the game to 22-18 early in the fourth quarter.

And, they had a chance to take the lead, driving the ball from their own 38-yard line with 4 minutes left in regulation.

At that point, the Wildcat’s championship prospects appeared dicey, with momentum on the opposition’s side.

Citi Christian’s No. 21 Denzel Aracena tries bringing down Academy’s No. 7 Adrian Leverette as he carries for extra yardage during game action in Lakeland.

The team stuck together, however, through the tense moments.

“Nobody got down on each other,” coach Brown said. “We constantly lift people up. We see somebody’s head hanging, I saw players go and talk to them, ‘Hey, you’re all right, you gotta get going.’ I thought they stayed positive. I thought they stayed with it. They were picking kids up that were down, so it was amazing.”

Staying upbeat may have worked for the Wildcats — as the game’s course shifted almost instantly.

A bad snap over the head of Fire quarterback Rolondo Bayex forced an errant throw, which wound up the hands of Wildcats defensive end Tioma Stepanets, who returned the interception 10 yards for a touchdown to give the Wildcats a 30-18 lead with 3:24 left in regulation.

With under a minute left, Wildcats defensive back Caleb Yann added another pick-6 for 85 yards to safely put the game out of reach at 36-18.

Wildcats players and coaches agree: The final score wasn’t indicative of just how challenging the game was, matched up against a team stacked with athleticism and size.

Coach Brown described the game as “crazy, crazy physical.”

Jalen Brown called the game a “dogfight.” “We knew they were going to come in and hit us. We just had to stay cool,” he said.

Academy at the Lakes’ quarterback No. 2 Jalen Brown was the offensive most valuable player at the championship game against Citi Christian Academy of Miami.

Senior running back/linebacker Dylan Price put it this way: “They were a tough team. They hit hard. They had that speed to back up the hard hitting.”

The victory was an encore to last year’s memorable state title run when the team went 11-1 and defeated Jacksonville Old Plank Christian Academy 30-9 — for the school’s first-ever eight-man state football championship.

That 2017 season also prepared the team for what to expect this time around.

“I think our experience from last year is the reason why we pulled away in this game,” Jalen Brown said. “(Citi) came out with everything right away, and we were calm, cool and collected, and we just executed.”

With two consecutive state titles, an undefeated season and 20-game winning streak in tow, the team already has their sights set on a third straight championship.

“It’s happening,” Jalen Brown said.

Meanwhile, for seniors like Price, a team captain, his high school career couldn’t have ended any better.

“Every high school player has that image of wanting to end their season on top, with a state championship, get a ring. I’ve been able to do that twice, so it’s just amazing. To celebrate it with these guys, it’s great,” he said.

Road to a perfect season
Sept. 14: Citi Christian Academy (24-12 win)

Sept. 21: at Solid Rock Community (53-6 win)

Sept. 28: at Canterbury (34-13 win)

Oct. 19: Faith Christian (46-13 win)

Oct. 26: St. Lucie Christian (13-0 win by forfeit)

Nov. 2: at Lakeside Christian (15-6 win)

Nov. 9: at Bell Creek Academy (52-0 win)

Nov. 16: Harvest Community (22-6 win)

Nov. 30: Duval Charter (27-16 win)

Dec. 8: Citi Christian Academy (36-18 win)

Scoring Plays


First quarter
(6:29) — Academy at the Lakes (AATL) quarterback Jalen Brown completes a 3-yard touchdown pass to running back Adrian Leverett; extra point no good (6-0, AATL leads)

(0:19) — Citi Christian Academy (CCA) athlete Walter Grimes rushes 3 yards for a touchdown; extra point no good (6-6, tie game)

Second quarter
(0:54) — Brown completes a 17-yard touchdown pass to receiver Julian Jennings; 2-point conversion good (14-6, AATL leads)

Third quarter
(7:01) — AATL running back Dylan Prices rushes 3 yards for a touchdown; extra point (22-6, AATL leads)

(5:09) — CCA running back Derrick Posas rushes 3 yards for a touchdown; 2-point conversion attempt no good (22-12, AATL leads)

Fourth quarter
(7:59) — CCA offensive lineman Wilbert Fabian recovers an offensive fumble for a touchdown at the 1-yard line; two-point conversion no good (22-18, AATL leads)

(3:24) — AATL defensive end Tioma Stepanets returns an interception 10 yards for a touchdown; extra point good (30-18, AATL leads)

(0:58) – AATL defensive back Caleb Yann returns an interception 85 yards for a touchdown; extra point no good (36-18, AATL leads)

Final: 36-18, AATL wins

Academy at the Lakes Wildcats 2018 roster (By jersey number)
1—Jullian Jennings, senior

2—Jalen Brown, sophomore (team captain)

3—Tioma Stepanets, senior (team captain)

4—Peyton Williams, sophomore

5—Jamaal Johnson, senior

6—Brandon Lemke, senior

7—Adrian Leverette, sophomore

8—Amad Zarak, senior

9—Caleb Yann, sophomore

10—Sebastian Sosa, junior

11—Cole Lallanilla, junior

12—Denzyl Downing, junior

13—Tayshawn Pendleton, sophomore

15—James Elverson, freshman

17—AJ Panepinto, freshman

18—Elijah Freedman, junior (Team captain)

22—Dylan Price, senior (Team captain)

23—Carson Passero, senior

47—Quinn McCormick, eighth grade

48—Andrew Kilfoyl, sophomore

52—Matthew Martin, junior

54—Adam Zarak, sophomore

55—Jordan Witt, junior

81—Terrell Woods, freshman

87—Will Callaghan, senior

97—Jay Qian, junior

99—Dwight Downing, sophomore

Coaching/training staff
Shawn Brown, head coach

Kevin Barrett, assistant coach

Landon Smith, assistant coach

Kirk Downing, assistant coach/stats

Jesus Soler, assistant coach

Ben Donatelli, assistant coach

Troy Williams, assistant coach

Makenzie Brinker, athletic trainer

Managers: Ian Curry, Carter Kienast

Published December 12, 2018

Local athletes sign with colleges

By

The athletic talent pool continues to flourish throughout north Hillsborough, and east and central Pasco.

Zephyrhills High’s Antwione Sims will play football for the U.S Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He missed the 2016 season after tearing his ACL last March.
(Courtesy of Antwione Sims)

Dozens of local high school athletes signed their letters of intent (LOI) on Feb. 1 to various colleges and universities as part of National Signing Day, held annually on the first Wednesday in February.

Once again, schools in our coverage area were well-represented.

Wiregrass Ranch High School led the way with 13 signings, followed by Land O’ Lakes High with nine. Other high schools, including Gaither and Steinbrenner, featured a handful of signings.

While Zephyrhills High had just one signing, it was arguably the most memorable.

Bursting with emotions and tear-filled eyes, senior running back/safety Antwione Sims signed his LOI to play football at the U.S. Naval Academy.

The day signaled a redemptive moment for Sims, who missed his entire 2016 senior season after tearing his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) last March.

A trio of Freedom High School athletes signed to various colleges on Feb. 1. From left: Kalijahe Spann (Warner University), Megan Clark (Tennesee Tech University) and Tyler Bray (Maryville College).
(Courtesy of Freedom High School)

Oftentimes, football players — even those as talented as Sims —have athletic scholarships withdrawn after a serious injury, particularly from Division I programs.

But, Navy upheld its offer.

“It’s a blessing to have (this) opportunity,” Sims said, “because not everyone has that…”

Putting pen to paper marked the end of a “long journey” for the 5-foot-11, 208-pound gridiron star.

It, too, signals the beginning of a new one.

“It’s not about the next four years,” Sims said, “it’s about the next 40.”

Sims, one of the most dynamic athletes in Pasco County, was one of just four football players from the county to sign with a Division I football program.

The others were Wiregrass Ranch quarterback/kicker Chris Faddoul (Florida A&M University) and defensive lineman Jason Winston (Stetson University), and Wesley Chapel safety Ellrie Allen (Florida A&M University).

Four athletes from Wesley Chapel High School participated in National Signing Day on Feb. 1. From left: Bailey Hern (Saint Leo University), Lauren Campoe (Ave Maria University), Jacob Thomas (Mars Hill College) and Ellrie Allen (Florida A&M University).
(Courtesy of Wesley Chapel High School)

Sims, though, is the most high-profile prospect of the group.

At one point, the consensus three-star recruit had scholarship offers from nearly a dozen schools.

His recruitment picked up steam after he rushed for a school-record 2,093 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2015.

Despite that production, he won’t likely play in Navy’s offensive backfield.

Instead, he’s expected to contribute in their defensive backfield, as a safety.

Sims noted he started closely following Navy’s football program “ever since they started recruiting me.”

On the surface, he made a solid selection.

Navy, renowned for its vaunted triple-option offense, went 9-5 in 2016. Under coach Ken Niumatalolo, they’ve had a winning season in eight of the past nine years.

Sims’ choice is about more than football, however.

“I feel like making this decision will allow me to set myself up for life,” he said.

A roundup of signings of athletes in our coverage area:
Gaither
Football
Decalon Brooks—Florida State University
Estefano Feliciano—Old Dominion University (Virginia)

Soccer
Ben Hickson—Florida College
David Garzon—Florida College

Softball
Kasey Heslin—Pasco-Hernando State College

Freedom
Basketball
Megan Clark—Tennessee Tech University

Football
Kalijahe Spann—Warner University (Florida)

Golf
Tyler Bray—Maryville College (Tennessee)

Land O’ Lakes
Baseball
Troy Klemm—Palm Beach Atlantic University
Max Law—University of North Florida
McCabe Sargent—Saint Leo University
Dustin Harris—St. Petersburg College

Football
Spencer Childress—Lyon College (Arkansas)

Soccer
Devyn Cabral—Erskine College (South Carolina)
Haley Eckel—Florida Southern College

Cross Country
Skylen Acuna—Pasco-Hernando State College

Steinbrenner
Basketball
Mary Katherine Miller—Hillsborough Community College

Football
Devon Connors—U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado)
Noah Ruggles—University of North Carolina

Soccer
Claire Morrison—Stetson University

Softball
Emmalee Jansen—University of Tampa

Sunlake
Football
Tyler Peretti—Southeastern University (Florida)

Softball
Casey Gottschall—Broward College (Florida)
Shelby Lansing—Southeastern University
Haley Kirinsky—Flagler College (Florida)

Wharton
Softball
Mackenzie Allen—University of Tampa

Volleyball
Kathryn Attar—Yale University (Connecticut)
Alexandria Schneider—Florida College

Wesley Chapel
Football
Jacob Thomas—Mars Hill University (North Carolina)
Ellrie Allen—Florida A&M University

Soccer
Lauren Campoe—Ave Maria University (Florida)
Bailey Hern—Saint Leo University

Wiregrass Ranch
Golf
Morgan Power—King University (Tennessee)

Football
Chris Faddoul—Florida A&M University
Jason Winston—Stetson University

Tennis
Noah Makarome—University of Pennsylvania

Soccer
Connor Nixon—Presbyterian College (South Carolina)
Erin Brenner—Huntingdon College (Alabama)
Ysabelle Borgstadt—Andrew College (Georgia)
Sydney Chase—Saint Leo University
Maddie Moore—Shaw University (North Carolina)
John Pease—Jacksonville University (Florida)

Softball
Alexis Ridolph—Hillsborough Community College
Samantha Hiley—Edward Waters College (Florida)
Jaime Valenta—St. John River State College (Florida)

Zephyrhills High
Football
Antwione Sims—U.S. Naval Academy (Maryland)

Zephyrhills Christian Academy
Football
Serion Bellamy—Shorter University​ (Georgia)

Published February 8, 2017

 

Four Sunlake athletes choose college teams

By

 

Four different athletes. Four different sports. Four different colleges.

And one very proud high school.

From left, Jake Roberts, Logan Wolfe, Cobi Shirmohammad and Justin Pipes all signed on with colleges at a ceremony at Sunlake High School on April 30. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
From left, Jake Roberts, Logan Wolfe, Cobi Shirmohammad and Justin Pipes all signed on with colleges at a ceremony at Sunlake High School on April 30.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

“Seeing them sign to continue their sports career while they’re continuing their education — it’s like the best thing,” said Sunlake High School athletic director Reesa Pledge. Pledge helped moderate a special signing event in the school’s gymnasium on April 30, where four students earned praise from their coaches and cheers from their friends and families.

And then they signed commitments to play their sport of choice at the next level.

Basketball at PHSC
Justin Pipes wasn’t thinking about college basketball when he started playing the game at age 6. But now that it’s his future, he feels grateful for the opportunity.

“I’m just truly blessed,” Pipes said.

He’s blessed with a full scholarship to Pasco-Hernando State College, and blessed with talent at the shooting guard position.

But he’s aware that the competition is tougher at the college level than what he faced during high school.

To prepare for the extra difficulty, he’s already making some changes to prepare for his college career.

For instance, he’s hitting the gym every day to put on 20 pounds or more of muscle as he prepares to face bigger and faster players, and to take advantage of opportunities to score for his new team.

But the opportunities in the classroom are also important to Pipes.

He plans to study business in the classroom even as he studies his opponents on the court. He chose PHSC because they have a strong program, and he’s looking forward to the task of facing college-level players and matching his growing skills against theirs.

“It’s a challenge, but I’m willing to face that challenge and make myself better as a person, and as a player,” he said.

Golf at Trinity Baptist College
Jake Roberts’ golf swing is taking him to the next level. He enjoys the pressure — and the risk — that comes with an individual sport like golf.

“I like it better than team sports, because if you mess up it’s all on yourself. It’s no one else’s fault,” Roberts said.

It’s also on the individual when they succeed, and Roberts’ talents will bring him to Jacksonville’s Trinity Baptist College on a partial scholarship. Now he’ll face longer, harder courses than he tackled in high school. Roberts plans to face them by focusing on his own improvement, spending hours practicing and working with a personal trainer to stay in shape.

He’ll study sports management in college, and would like to consider broadcasting opportunities as well. But he won’t be thinking much about his college competition. The key to his success has been managing his own game rather than his opponents on any given day.

“I just think about myself. I don’t ever think about anybody else. I just think about playing the course every day,” Roberts said.

Football at Southeastern University
Logan Wolfe was a standout fullback and outside linebacker at Sunlake, and he’ll be playing football for Southeast University in Lakeland.

But not at either of those positions. He’ll be playing safety.

“It’s exciting,” Wolfe said about his new job on the gridiron. “Safety’s a position I’ve always wanted to play because my idols like Sean Taylor (the Washington Redskins player who passed away in 2007) and Ed Reed (longtime Baltimore Raven) played safety. So it’s pretty exciting to get a chance to play what they played.”

To play that position, he’s adding some weight in order to match up better with the competition.

His eventual goal is to become a firefighter. But until then, Wolfe will be playing defense at the college level.

That might be intimidating to some incoming freshmen, but he feels like the Seahawks’ football success has prepared him well to tackle the new challenge. The coaches worked him and his teammates hard, he said, and they expect a lot out of each player. He might not have realized it at the time, but it got him ready for the next stage of his career.

“I did not know that it would prepare me to play at this level, but now I realize all the stuff they did, and I’m forever grateful for all my coaches and what they did for me,” Wolfe said.

Soccer at Corning Community College
Cobi Shirmohammad’s first long journey is an important one. He’ll be attending Corning Community College in New York.

“I’ve lived here for 18 years, and I’ve actually never been on a plane before, so it’s going to be a trip,” Shirmohammad said.

Just getting back on the pitch will be a trip for the midfielder/striker, since he’s been out of commission since breaking his collarbone in the state semifinal. He’s already back up to 95 percent movement and was cleared to play a couple of weeks ago, which is just a few months after the injury. The time of the field hurt in terms of not getting in time with the Rangers, his club team. But it did let him focus on studying which college opportunity would be right for him, getting his schoolwork in order and taking care of business away from the game. In college he plans on studying sports medicine.

Now that he’s ready to return, he plans on making sure his stamina and conditioning are up to par, especially since he’ll be dealing with a colder climate. But he’s excited about playing college soccer, and hopes his community college time turns into another opportunity at a four-year school.

“I think it should take me to the next level after this to complete my college career, and hopefully move forward from there,” Shirmohammad said.

Published May 6, 2015