The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mitchell High School

AATL softball captures first state title

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A pitcher’s duel, extra innings and weathering wet, muddy conditions were all needed before Academy at the Lakes softball could finally claim its first-ever state championship.

Overcoming hurdles, they wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

The Wildcats (26-4) defeated Monticello Aucilla Christian 1-0 in 11 innings on May 22 in the FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) Class 2A state finals at Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach.

Academy at the Lakes varsity softball won the FHSAA Class 2A state title on May 22 after defeating Monticello Aucilla Christian 1-0 in 11 innings. The Wildcats finished the season 26-4. (Kevin Weiss)

Academy at the Lakes (AATL) junior pitcher and Alabama commit Alexis Kilfoyl outdueled Aucilla Christian senior and Florida signee Elizabeth Hightower in the team’s most difficult test of the season.

In addition to unleashing a 13-strikeout, four-hit shutout, Kilfoyl was responsible for the game-winning single that allowed freshman shortstop Brooke Blankenship to score on a two-out single in the 11th inning.

“The 11 innings really pushed us to our max. It was definitely a tough pitcher battle,” Kilfoyl, one of the nation’s top pitching prospects, said afterwards.

What made the triumph even sweeter was knowing they unseated an Aucilla Christian program that’s won state crowns two of the last three years.

“Probably one of the greatest (feelings) I’ve ever had. Just all the hard work we put into it, it feels good to finally pay off,” Kilfoyl said.

A post-season celebration was held at the school on May 24 to honor the softball team’s achievements. Players, their families and friends, and school administration all gathered to soak in the momentous achievement.

“It’s finally setting in a little bit,” Blankenship said with an ear-to-ear smile at the celebration. “We’re just kind of looking back on all our hard work…so next season we’ll know what it takes.”

In 2017, the Wildcats ended a 20-win season with a disappointing 5-3 loss to St. Petersburg Canterbury in the Class 2A regional final.

Coming up short motivated the team to improve under the watch of second-year head coach Diane Stephenson, a longtime Division I softball coach for Indiana, Purdue and Iowa universities.

To better prepare for the 2018 playoffs, Stephenson and her staff ventured to compile a challenging regular season.

Matchups were scheduled against larger public schools like Freedom, Land O’ Lakes, Mitchell and River Ridge high schools, among many others.

Said Stephenson, “It was great for our kids because they learned a lot of resilience and they learned to play from behind. They learned so much. They learned mental toughness.”

It proved fruitful in the grind-it-out state title game.

“When we got into that game and it was 0-0, they flexed a couple times, but they weren’t worried, and that’s what mental toughness does for you. It prepares you for the battle, and we were prepared for the battle for sure,” Stephenson said.

With a varsity roster of no seniors and mostly underclassmen and some middle- schoolers, the Wildcats figure to be a staying power for the foreseeable future.

It also could mean a state title repeat in 2019.

“It’ll definitely be fun,” Kilfoyl said of next season’s possibilities. “I’m really looking forward to it because I know we can definitely do it again, if we do what we did this time.”

Having Stephenson back as a coach will serve well, too.

The highly regarded coach was inducted into Indiana University’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016. She won 402 games in 15 seasons, and led the Hoosiers to NCAA Tournament appearances in 1994 and 1996.

“She’s definitely someone we all look up to. Her energy helps us, and she knows the game,” said Blankenship, a Florida State commit.

In addition to its feats on the softball field this season, Academy at the Lakes likewise dominated in the classroom.

Their combined cumulative grade-point average of 3.85 was the highest of any softball-playing team in the state.

Meantime, it’s been quite a year athletics-wise for the private school, as it celebrates its 25th anniversary in existence.

In December, the AATL football team went 11-1 and won its first-ever eight-man state championship, under head coach Shawn Brown.

“It’s been a great year,” said Wildcats athletics director Tom Haslam. “It’s big for the community, it’s big for our program and, best of all, it’s big for the kids because that just builds confidence, and now they’re excited more and they want to do it again.”

Academy at the Lakes 2018 varsity softball
Roster

  • Alexis Kilfoyl, junior
  • Allie Glatfelter, seventh grade
  • Amber Nadeau, sophomore
  • Aubrey McLeod, sophomore
  • Brooke Blankenship, freshman
  • Caitlin Blankenship, seventh grade
  • Devyne Davis, freshman
  • Elisabeth Robichaux, eighth grade
  • Hannah Church, eighth grade
  • Hayley Reed, eighth grade
  • Jessica Mott, sophomore
  • Mia Fields, sixth grade
  • Nicole Gilleland, freshman
  • Tristen Gittens, junior
  • Vanessa Alexander, freshman

Coaching Staff

  • Diane Stephenson, head coach
  • John Counts, assistant coach
  • Robbie Blankenship, assistant coach
  • Kennedy Lachicotte, assistant coach

Published May 30, 2018

Wiregrass Ranch boys lacrosse thrives in first FHSAA campaign

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As several Pasco County schools this year fielded inaugural FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) varsity lacrosse programs, one newcomer stands above the rest.

The Wiregrass Ranch High School boys lacrosse team recently clinched the No. 2 seed in District 15 — best among all Pasco County schools.

And, a win in the district playoffs this week guarantees a spot in the regional tournament on April 27.

The Wiregrass Ranch High boys lacrosse program has experienced immediate success in its transition to Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) competition. The team is 12-2 and 7-1 in district play, as of April 15. A win this week in the district playoffs qualifies them for regional play, which begins April 27. (Courtesy of Danielle Leggett)

As of April 15, the team stands with a 12-2 record and 7-1 district mark.

A club team last year competing in the Florida Gulf Coast Lacrosse League, the Bulls have had little trouble transitioning to FHSAA play under second-year head coach T.J. Fitzsimons.

Its success is evident by the Bulls’ current nine-game win streak and its ease in dismantling other Pasco schools, including Sunlake (14-2 win on Feb. 28; 15-5 win on March 16); Wesley Chapel (11-4 win on March 29); and Mitchell (14-6 win on April 4).

Meanwhile, its lone defeats have been at the hands of well-established Hillsborough County programs at Sickles and Newsome, who stand 15-2 and 13-2, respectively.

“We had some thoughts from people that we’d be good, but nobody expected us to be where we’re at,” said Fitzsimons, a former NCAA Division III lacrosse player at State University of New York Maritime College in the Bronx.

“We’ve turned a lot of heads this year,” he said.

The coach credits a large, skilled group of upperclassman—nine seniors and eight juniors—many who have played for years through the Wesley Chapel Athletic Association youth lacrosse program.

Fitzsimons explained: “Most of the guys that are seniors this year have been playing together for almost eight years now…since they started at like 10 years old. We’ve got a solid group of about 16 solid players—and you only need 10 to play the game.”

Senior defender Patrick Sullivan noted the group’s leadership, too, has proved critical to its winning ways.

“We…keep people going. “We’ve got some really good guys who get people excited,” Sullivan said.

One of those seniors leading the charge is attacker Jeremy Handman, also a team captain.

Handman, who leads the team with 41 goals, has signed to play NCAA Division II lacrosse at South New Hampshire University — the Bulls only committed college player.

He follows in the footsteps of his older brother, Jeffrey, who’s a senior lacrosse player at NCAA Division II Lincoln-Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee.

Handman, a lacrosse player for about seven years, said his game “skyrocketed” into a bona-fide college prospect.

“I’m a much better player,” Handman said, comparing his game to his freshman year.

“My passing has been a lot better, and my shooting accuracy has been a lot better.”

Though his contributions on offense don’t go unnoticed, Handman is quick to credit the team’s defensive prowess.

The Bulls average about 11.4 points, while allowing just 6.4 points per game.

“Defense has been huge,” Handman said, applauding the team’s new defensive coach Seth Kanowitz for improvements and adjustments. “He put in the defense, and it’s just gotten so much better since.”

Handman also lauds Fitzsimons for implementing varied offensive combinations and formations, based upon each opponent. “He knows how to change up the offense depending on the defense, so he does a pretty good job with that,” Handman said.

Sanctioning lacrosse at Wiregrass Ranch and other Pasco schools has been in the works the past few years.

In 2016, the Pasco County Lacrosse Alliance (PCLA), a nonprofit organization, announced an agreement with Pasco County Schools to manage the transition of a select number of high school boys and girls lacrosse from a club sport to a FHSAA-sanctioned sport, beginning with the 2018 spring season.

In addition to Wiregrass Ranch, other FHSAA varsity programs in Pasco include Land O’ Lakes (girls team only), Mitchell, Sunlake and Wesley Chapel. Cypress Creek will have an FHSAA-sanctioned girls team in 2019.

The agreement was similar to a three-year pilot program approved for 10 schools in Hillsborough County in 2014.

“It’s one of the fastest growing games in the country,” Fitzsimons said. “Because of the way football is declining, basketball and lacrosse are taking off. The fact that there’s girls and boys on both sides of it is a very good Title IX adjuster.”

Known primarily in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, lacrosse has recently made waves in the Sunshine State.

According to the National Federation of High Schools, Florida saw a 70 percent increase in participation to about 8,600 players from 2008 to 2013.

Moreover, more than 150 Florida schools are currently sanctioned to play for state titles in both girls and boys lacrosse. In 2005, there were 52 schools playing boys lacrosse in the FHSAA and 42 schools playing girls lacrosse.

“What used to be a very Northern sport is getting a lot popular down here,” Sullivan said.

“I think it helps that people come down here a lot from the north, and people pick it up. I know my neighbors started playing. I see young players playing all the time.”

Growing up playing baseball, soccer and football, Sullivan found his true calling with lacrosse and its nonstop action.

“Lacrosse is great because it mixes everything I like about sports,” Sullivan explained. “It’s fast. You get to run. You get into (contact with) people. It doesn’t stop all the time. It’s very fluid. It’s just on the fly.

“It helps to just have a good strategic understanding of how to play the game. It’s critical thinking. You have to be able to think on the fly, because you’re adapting to situations. You’re always adapting to something new,” he said.

The Wiregrass Ranch boys team actually has three players on the roster who never played sanctioned lacrosse and another two who picked up the stick again after not playing for several years.

Fitzsimons said mastering the sport takes ample practice and determination.

“It’s a pretty tough game,” Fitzsimons said.

“Lacrosse is not one of those (easy) games because in order to be out on a field, you have to learn how to throw and catch, you have to learn how to cradle, and how to move the stick; and all that stuff takes time,” the coach explained.

Florida District 15 boys lacrosse standings, as of April 15

  • Sickles (5-0; 15-2 overall)
  • Wiregrass Ranch (7-1; 12-2 overall)
  • Steinbrenner (4-2; 9-8 overall)
  • Tampa Catholic (0-2; 8-7 overall)
  • Mitchell (2-3; 5-7 overall)
  • Sunlake (1-5; 1-7 overall)
  • Wesley Chapel (0-6; 0-14 overall)

Published April 18, 2018

Pasco Sheriff’s Office expands youth Explorer program

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The Pasco County Sheriff’s Explorer program, which teaches local youth different aspects of law enforcement, is expanding its reach to include middle-schoolers between the ages of 11 to 13.

The Junior Explorer Unit— referred to as Explorer Post 915—builds on the agency’s original Explorer Post 916. Chartered by the Boy Scouts of America, these original Explorers are young adults, ages 14 to 21, who are possibly interested in law enforcement careers.

Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco speaks about the Explorer program during a Jan. 9 interest meeting. The program teaches local youth different aspects of law enforcement. (Kevin Weiss)

The junior program, announced in September, is now accepting boys and girls who are either enrolled in a Pasco County middle school or home-schooled.

“We’re trying to expand the whole opportunities within the Sheriff’s Office, and we’re trying to build up the next generation of leaders in the county,” Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco said during an Explorer interest meeting on Jan. 9.

The Explorer program exposes youth to fundamental principles of law enforcement.

Training includes everything from classroom instruction, scenario reenactments, traffic stops, state statutes, radio procedures, report-writing techniques and more.

Explorers also are exposed to forensics and crime prevention efforts, as well as introductions to some of the agency’s specialty units such as K-9, the Special Incident Response Team and underwater recovery.

The junior unit will cover many of the same topics, but at a less intense level.

It marks the first of its kind in the Tampa Bay area and just the second statewide to accommodate middle-schoolers; the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office has a similar program.

Besides teaching interested youth about law enforcement, the Explorer program also strives to improve relations between the community and the Sheriff’s Office.

“It’s kind of bridging the gap between people who know a lot about law enforcement — because they’ve experienced it — and people that maybe don’t,” said Cpl. Justin Smith, a senior advisor to Explorer Post 916.

“You know a lot of people say, ‘Oh, you’re just here to arrest my dad.’ We want to show these kids…that we are so much more than that,” said Chase Daniels, assistant executive director at the Sheriff’s Office.

One of the state’s best programs
The Pasco Sheriff’s Office Explorers has about 35 active members. It has been recognized by the Florida Association of Police Explorers as one of the state’s best.

It finished fourth out of 28 posts in 2017 state competition, receiving high marks for mastery of active shooter, search and arrest, and crime scene scenarios. It also finished 3rd in 2016 and 2nd in 2015 at the state competition.

Jeremy Hixson spent five years as an Explorer and now serves as a citizen advisor to the program.

Besides learning the ins and outs of law enforcement, Hixson said he improved his communication skills, and his organizational and time management skills. He also learned about the importance of teamwork, accountability and responsibility.

The 22-year-old Wesley Chapel resident plans to enter the law enforcement ranks after he graduates from the University of South Florida; he’s already applied for a police academy sponsorship through the Pasco Sheriff’s Office.

Pasco Explorers from left, Conor Ryan, Alex Acevedo, Ben Udden and John Jaufmann wear protective headgear for an exercise using simulation weapons in a mock active shooter call for service. (Courtesy of Pasco Sheriff’s Office)

“One thing that I really like about the Explorers is (the Sheriff’s Office) teaches you their guidelines — how to write a report, their general orders and everything—so that by the time you get hired you’re already well-focused on what their equipment is; it’s just great exposure to agency norms,” he said.

One of Hixson’s favorite memories as a young Explorer was participating in the ride-along program as a passenger observer. Explorers who are 15 and older can become eligible for ride-alongs.

“I’ll say it’s definitely cool going through red lights with lights and sirens,” Hixson said, with a chuckle. “It’s definitely a thrill, and I’m sure other Explorers will attest to that.”

Besides learning, Explorers volunteer in various areas of the Sheriff’s Office and help at many community and agency events.

They support parking efforts made at various races, such as the Savage Race at Little Everglades Ranch, and the Longleaf Triathlon at Starkey Park.

They also assist other festivals and special events, such as the Tampa Bay Sporting Clays, manning traps for shooters.

They’ve even been approved to help Sheriff’s Office members during natural disasters such as hurricanes — assisting deputies to work at approved hurricane shelters.

“I think it’s just a great opportunity for children that want to see what law enforcement does, and it gives them a little bit of a reality; but, it’s also about serving back in the community,” Nocco said.

Several former Explorers have developed into some of the agency’s most effective deputies, including Capt. Justin Ross, who went through the Explorer program as a teenager.

The program helped Ross land a civilian position as a forensic technician in the Sheriff’s Office after he graduated Mitchell High School in 2006.

“It definitely opened the door; it presented an opportunity for me at age 18,” Ross said.

He later made the transition to a sheriff’s deputy and earned a promotion to detective in less than two years.

Because of the Explorer program, Ross said he was a step ahead of other deputy hopefuls in the Sheriff’s Office field training program.

Ross noted he was well familiar with several aspects of the job “that a lot of people struggle with coming into law enforcement with no experience or any involvement prior.”

“You can stand out amongst all the rookies on the job, and it just really sets you up for a successful career,” Ross said of the Explorers.

Tyler Boogades hopes that’s the case for himself someday.

The 14-year-old Land O’ Lakes resident joined Explorer Post 916 about six months ago after finding out about it on Facebook

He’s interested in law enforcement, so Boogades figured “it was a good thing to try out.”

Learning about different topics — such as room-clearing tactics and state laws — has kept him intrigued at each Explorer meeting so far.

“I find the details really fascinating,” he said.

For more information about the program, visit PascoExplorers.com.

Explorer meetings will be every Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Pasco Safety Town, 15362 Alric Pottberg Road in Shady Hills.

Published January 17, 2018

Land O’ Lakes High head football coach resigns

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Land O’ Lakes High School’s varsity football program will have a new leader in 2018.

Brian Wachtel, the Gators head coach since 2011, stepped down following the team’s final regular season game on Nov. 3 — a 36-6 win over Fivay High School.

Wachtel, 39, announced his decision to principal Ric Mellin prior to the game.

Land O’ Lakes athletic director Michael Frump said the school will advertise the coaching vacancy after the Thanksgiving holiday

Brian Wachtel has stepped down as Land O’ Lakes High’s varsity football coach. A search for his replacement will begin after the Thanksgiving break. (Courtesy of Land O’ Lakes High School)

The Gators finished the 2017 season 4-5 overall, with a 1-3 district mark.

Wachtel’s entire seven-year run offered mixed results.

He posted just one winning season (8-2 in 2013) and a combined 25-42 record — including an 0-10 mark in 2011 where games were forfeited as a result of an ineligible player.

The Gators also failed to register a victory over rival Sunlake High School in the annual “Butter Bowl” during that period.

Wachtel came to Land O’ Lakes with considerable fanfare in 2011, after posting a 13-7 record in two seasons at Mitchell High School. His career as a coach began nearly 15 years ago as an assistant at his alma mater River Ridge High School, where he quickly rose up the ranks in the profession.

Land O’ Lakes historically has fielded one of the top football programs in Pasco County, earning a string of 14 straight playoff appearances from 1997 to 2009 under coaches John Benedetto and Matt Kitchie.

However, the recent success of other programs in the county and an ever-challenging district made winning consistently a tall task.

While the Gators win-loss column left much to be desired, Wachtel and his staff mentored several athletes who advanced to the college ranks, at the NCAA Division I, II and III, and NAIA levels. Among them is Samford University’s Shaheed Salmon, a preseason FCS All-American who’s quickly developed into one of the nation’s most productive linebackers.

Additionally, Wachtel this year coached five players who’ve been selected to the Pasco County Senior East-West Classic—wide receiver Taylor Winn, offensive tackle Justin Collier, offensive guard Guston Farr, defensive tackle Xavier Arroyo and linebacker Matt Geiger.

Projecting forward, the Gators next coach should have budding talent to work with — on both sides of the ball — in 2018.

Leading rusher Kyle Leivas, who tallied 1,050 yards and 12 touchdowns this season, is expected to return for his senior season, teaming up with a promising quarterback Ethan Forrester, who will be a junior next year.

And, that’s not all.

The Gators defense is expected to return its top three tacklers in linebackers Myron Bloom (76 tackles, two sacks) and Clayton Hendriksen (75 tackles, 1.5 sacks), and safety Nate Howard (66 tackles, one interception).

Published November 15, 2017

Pasco all-star football game on tap for Dec. 7

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It’s back.

Football fans again will be able to see Pasco County’s top senior football players face off on one field, at the 2017 Pasco County East-West Classic.

The third annual all-star showcase is slated for Dec. 7 at 7 p.m., at Sunlake Field, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

The game, organized by the Pasco County Fellowship of Christian Athletes, features the top senior players from each of the 15 public high schools in Pasco County.

It provides one last chance to perform in front of college recruiters, many of whom attend the game from across the Southeast region.

The game also has proven to be a hit among fans, drawing more than 2,000 attendees its first two years. The series is tied 1-1.

Players on the East team will represent Land O’ Lakes, Wiregrass Ranch, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Pasco, Bishop McLaughlin and Zephyrhills Christian Academy.

Players on the West team will represent River Ridge, Ridgewood, Mitchell, Anclote, Hudson, Fivay, Gulf and Sunlake.

Athletes from the newly opened Cypress Creek Middle High will be represented in next year’s game, as the school doesn’t have a 2017-2018 senior class.

Rosters were selected last month in a “draft day” format, where high school coaches bantered and bartered, doing their best to present their athletes as worthy of a spot. After much deliberation, all-star teams were whittled down to the best 40 players in the East and best 40 players in the West.

An all-star cheerleader team also has been assembled for the showcase. As part of the festivities, cheerleaders will participate in an awards dinner banquet, which will include a special guest speaker.

Tickets for the game are $10. For information, visit PascoAllStarGame.com.

East team:
Bishop McLaughlin
Carson Borak, Caleb Chesnut, Shane Haynes, Julio Herrera, Michael Keough

Land O’ Lakes
Xavier Arroyo, Justin Collier, Guston Farr, Matthew Geiger, Taylor Winn

Pasco High
Luke Kohlhof, Cody Mercer, Cameron Smith, Gavin Sowell, Zach Williams

Wesley Chapel
Dexter Leverett, Malik Melvin, Chaz Neal, Matt Severson, Justin Trapnell, Austen Wittish

Wiregrass Ranch
Daniel Biglow, Jacob Hill, Kwesi Littlejohn, Chase Oliver, Alex Sherman, Adrian Thomas

Zephyrhills Christian
Jordan Hyppolite, DJ Jackson, Evan Miller, Alonzo Sampson, Calvin Samuel, Dwight Thomas

Zephyrhills High
Kameron Allen, Charles Harrison, Zac Masci, Elijah Thomas, Cameron Tucker, Sterlin Williams

West team:
Anclote
Riley Curry, Tim Dallaire, Ryan Flint, John Leto, Jessy Schooler, Deontrae Stacey, Kristopher Valley, Noah Winens

Fivay
Tyler Austin, Jessy Schooler

Gulf
John Jukas, Kevin Powell, Marquice Victor

Hudson
Trey Doran, Shane Monn, Ceith Rivera, Oshea Spahr

Mitchell
Canyon Albergo, Mychael Hamilton, Stephaun Peters, Adam Rodgers, Chris Thomas, Garrett Wiwi

Ridgewood
Terrance Lake, Aaron McCarthy

River Ridge
Thomas Carrano. Dio Defalco, Anthony Grassi, Anthony Kendall, Mikey Russos, Bryce Smith, Tanner Smith, Jason Utegg, Austin Vellucci, Michael Webster

Sunlake
Jeremiah Baker, Bryant Beacham, Dylan Bradley, Justice Goodloe, Adam Jarvis

East coaches
Head Coach: Tico Hernandez (Bishop McLaughlin)
Nick Carroll (Zephyrhills High)
Brian Colding (Pasco High)
Tony Egan (Wesley Chapel)
Tyler Farr (Land O’ Lakes)
John Grone (Wiregrass Ranch)
Sly Miller (Zephyrhills Christian)

West coaches
Head Coach: Ryan Benjamin (River Ridge)
Matt Kingsley (Anclote)
Mark Feldman (Mitchell)
Will Fulmer (Ridgewood)
Jason Grain (Gulf)
Tim Hicks (Hudson)
Matt Durchik (Fivay)
Trey Burdick (Sunlake)

All-Star cheerleaders
East team:

Bishop McLaughlin
Piper Gotsch, Elizabeth Kantor

Land O’ Lakes
Claire Goltermann, Hope Wainraich

Pasco High
Alyssa Rodriguez-Urich, Emily Weiser

Wesley Chapel
Chloe Covington, Taylor Waton

Wiregrass Ranch
Korbett Canady, Kati Helton

Zephyrhills Christian
Kylee Ramos

East coaches
Lisa Booker (Pasco High)

West team:
Anclote
Amber Grambling, Samantha Wibirt

Fivay
Sharona Campbell

Hudson
Chris Kennedy, Faith Schuller

Mitchell
Brie Chamberlin, Sarah Shannon

Ridgewood
Madison Clark, Raeanna Wipert

River Ridge
Krysten Hart, Samantha Quinn

West coaches
Cody Baer (Ridgewood)
Chelsea Hatcher (Hudson)

Published November 8, 2017

Prep football mid-season review

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With the midway point of the 2017 prep football season recently passing by, here’s a look at some noteworthy teams and players in The Laker/Lutz News coverage.

Best team: Zephyrhills High Bulldogs (6-1 overall, 5-0 district)

The Zephyrhills Bulldogs have been dominant under second-year head coach Nick Carroll. (File)

Aside from an early season hiccup to Wiregrass Ranch (31-to-29 loss), the Bulldogs have planted themselves as one of the top — and most electrifying— teams in the Tampa Bay area, under second-year head coach Nick Carroll. Look no further than its balanced, yet potent offense, which is averaging 49 points and nearly 400 total yards per game.

And, Zephyrhills now stands alone at the top of District 8-5A after securing a 38-35 win over River Ridge on Oct. 13 — ending the Knights’ 23-game district win steak that spanned back to 2013.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs’ toughest remaining game is an Oct. 20 road matchup against Wesley Chapel (6-2 overall), which has won two straight games since the departure of its top player, senior cornerback Isaiah Bolden. (Bolden was dismissed from the team on Oct. 4 due to undisclosed reasons).

Should Zephyrhills win two more contests this season, it will mark the fourth consecutive year the program has won eight games.

Consideration for best team also given to: Gaither Cowboys, Wesley Chapel High Wildcats, Wiregrass Ranch Bulls, Zephyrhills Christian Warriors

 

Biggest surprise: Gaither High Cowboys (5-2 overall, 4-1 district)

The Gaither High Cowboys are looking for their first winning season since 2014. (Courtesy of Gaither High football)

The Cowboys have utilized an explosive running game (280 rushing yards per game, 7.7 yards per carry) and suffocating defense (13 points per game allowed) to become one of the toughest teams to face in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area. Quite a feat, considering the Cowboys entered the season with just five seniors for first-year head coach Kirk Karsen.

Expectations this season were relatively tame, moreover, following the graduations of two Division I talents — linebackers Decalon Brooks and Estefano Feliciano — and top offensive playmaker in TJ Williams. Standout quarterback Gavin Denboer’s offseason transfer to Alonso High School didn’t help the team’s preseason outlook, either.

Though several of Gaither’s wins have come against struggling teams, the Cowboys quieted doubters after a convincing 23-13 win over Wiregrass Ranch on Oct. 6. In that game, the Cowboys rushed for a combined 259 yards, while garnering four sacks and forcing three turnovers.

With three regular season games remaining, the Cowboys look to secure its first winning season since 2014.

Consideration for biggest surprise also given to: Pasco High Pirates

 

Biggest slide: Sunlake High Seahawks (3-4 overall, 2-1 district)
While Sunlake was expected to be in rebuilding mode this season, it’s still startling to see a losing

Sunlake running back Bryant Beacham has been a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season for the Seawhawks. (File)

record attached to the historically dominant program, under longtime head coach Bill Browning.

The Seahawks have had to mold a new quarterback and several starters, both on defense and at multiple skill positions.

A brutal regular season schedule hasn’t offered many favors, either.

Sunlake’s first three contests were against Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills and Wiregrass Ranch high schools — who have a combined 18-4 overall record.

And, it doesn’t get any easier, with road dates remaining against Mitchell High (7-0 overall) and River Ridge High(4-3 overall).

The Seahawks, meanwhile, will need to win two of its last three games to prevent suffering its first losing season since 2009. From 2010 to 2016, the Seahawks went a combined 60-16.

Disappointing season aside, Seahwawks fans have been able to witness one of the county’s top offensive playmakers, in running back Bryant Beacham. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound senior is averaging over 100 yards per game to go along with nine rushing touchdowns. He’s also on pace to become the program’s first single-season 1,000-yard rusher since 2014, when then-senior Nathan Johnson tallied 1,088 yards.

 

Five who’ve shined:

  • Charles Harrison III, senior quarterback, Zephyrhills High Bulldogs
    The three-year starter is arguably the county’s top signal-caller, tossing 21 touchdowns with just five interceptions, to go with a 62 percent completion rate.
  • Jordan Miner, senior cornerback/wide receiver, Wiregrass Ranch High Bulls
    The Penn State signee and four-star prospect has lived up to the hype as a jack-of-all-trades, making key contributions on offense (424 yards), defense (25 tackles, two interceptions, seven passes defensed) and special teams (125 return yards).
  • Austen Wittish, senior linebacker, Wesley Chapel High Wildcats
    The 6-foot, 195-pound inside linebacker ranks among the state’s top tacklers (104 total tackles), to go along with five sacks.
  • Darrion Robinson, sophomore wide receiver, Pasco High Pirates
    The young 5-foot-11 wideout has quickly developed into one of the county’s most productive receivers, tallying 17 receptions for 412 yards and eight touchdowns.
  • Jeromy Reid, junior running back, Gaither High Cowboys
    The 5-foot-11, 190-pound tailback is having a breakout campaign, pacing all of District 8-7A with 863 rushing yards (123 yards per game, 9.5 yards per carry) and six touchdowns.Team records:
    The Laker/Lutz News coverage area includes the following schools from Hillsborough and Pasco counties:

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

    Freedom High School Patriots (Class 7A-Region 8): (2-5 overall, 1-3 district)

    Gaither High School Cowboys (Class 7A-Region 8): (5-2 overall, 4-1 district)

    Steinbrenner High School Warriors (Class 8A-Region 6): (2-5 overall, 1-3 district)

    Wharton High School Wildcats (Class 7A-Region 8): (2-5 overall, 1-3 district)

    Pasco:
    Academy at the Lakes Wildcats (8-man-Florida Christian Region 2): (5-1 overall, 5-0 district)

    Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School Hurricanes (Independent-Sunshine State Athletic Conference (SSAC): (3-4 overall, 2-2 district)

    Cypress Creek Middle High School Coyotes (Class 4A-Region 3): (1-6 overall, 0-0 district)

    Land O’ Lakes High School Gators (Class 6A-Region 6): (2-4 overall, 0-2 district)

    Pasco High School Pirates (Class 6A-Region 6): (4-4 overall, 0-2 district)

    Sunlake High School Seahawks (Class 6A-Region 6): (3-4 overall, 2-1 district)

    Wesley Chapel High School Wildcats (Class 5A-Region 8): (6-2 overall, 4-1 district)

    Wiregrass Ranch High School Bulls (Class 7A-Region 8): (6-1 overall, 3-1 district)

    Zephyrhills High School Bulldogs (Class 5A-Region 8): (6-1 overall, 5-0 district)

    Zephyrhills Christian Academy Warriors (Class 2A-Region 2): (6-1-1 overall, 0-1 district)

–Stats compiled from Maxpreps.com—

Published Oct. 18, 2017

Pasco Pirates off to solid start

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Just a few weeks into the regular season, the Pasco High football team already has surpassed its win total from all of last season.

In fact, they’ve doubled it.

Pasco High head coach Tom McHugh, in his 11th season, has a career mark of 83-35, which includes a string of seven straight playoff appearances from 2007 to 2013. (File)

The 2016 season was unpleasant for the Pirates, losing nine straight games until they beat Gulf High — a struggling program that’s now lost 22 straight regular season games — in the season finale.

The 1-9 record was its worst since 1978, when Jimmy Sessoms coached the team.

The struggling campaign was a surprise to many, considering the Pirates often have been one of the county’s upper-tier programs under longtime head coach Tom McHugh.

McHugh, in his 11th season, has a career mark of 83-35, which includes a string of seven straight playoff appearances from 2007 to 2013.

Additionally, under McHugh, the Pirates have produced some of the county’s top players who have gone on to collegiate and professional careers, including, defensive tackle Joey Ivie (University of Florida/Dallas Cowboys, defensive back Josh Johnson (Purdue University/Canadian Football League/Jacksonville Jaguars), athlete Janarion Grant (Rutgers University) and defensive back Jayvaughn Myers (Auburn University).

Yet, perhaps the biggest disappointment to the Pirates’ faithful wasn’t the abysmal 1-9 record, but its devastating 46-0 home loss to Zephyrhills High in the annual 9-Mile War — oftentimes a one-sided affair in which Pasco High claims the all-time series record 40-19.

This season, however, appears to be a strong contrast to last year.

The Pasco High Pirates have rebounded from last year’s dismal 1-9 mark. The 2017 squad features 17 seniors, including middle linebacker Cameron Smith. (Courtesy of Tom Ketchum)

The Pirates handily won its first two contests over both Hudson High (22-10) and Gulf High (46-0), and proved dominant in its preseason game, a 36-18 victory over Ridgewood High.

And, unlike the 2016 season, the Pirates have a bevy of experienced depth, both on offense and defense. This year’s roster features 19 seniors. Last year’s had just seven.

Besides a steady, game-managing presence at quarterback in junior Doug Crawford, the Pirates display an explosive rushing attack currently averaging more than 200 yards per game — thanks to a trio of runners in senior Jaleel Hansberry, and juniors Early Knight and Jacquez Mobley.

The defense, too, has shown an ability to create pressure and limit opposing yardage, early on.

It also doesn’t hurt that the Pirates have three reigning All-Sunshine Athletic Conference players in senior offensive lineman/defensive tackle Camron Craig, senior middle linebacker Cameron Smith and senior defensive lineman Cody Mercer.

The Pirates, meanwhile, have several winnable games on their 2017 slate.

In addition to facing upstart Cypress Creek Middle High at home, the Pirates should match up well against Superior Collegiate Academy, along with district foes Sunlake— which appears to be in a rebuilding year — and Land O’ Lakes high schools.

But, contests against the likes of Mitchell, Springstead and Zephyrhills high schools should determine how good this team is.

And, how far it will go.

 

–Stats compiled by Maxpreps.com

Published September 13, 2017

Committee recommends higher impact fees

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A committee appointed by the Pasco County Commission to suggest ways to boost funding for Pasco County school construction has recommended a hike in school impact fees.

The committee stopped short of initially suggesting the full amount recommended by a consultant hired by Pasco County Schools.

However, the committee said the full amount of the increase should be approved, if the Pasco County School Board votes to put at least a quarter-cent sales tax increase on the 2018 ballot so voters can decide the issue.

Members of the School Infrastructure Funding Advisory Committee discuss various options to boost funding for school construction. They vote to recommend an increase in school impact fees, and to suggest the school board seek an increase in the sales tax. Their recommendations will be considered by Pasco County Commission, which has jurisdiction over impact fees.
(B.C. Manion)

In other words, the recommendation calls for raising the impact fee for a single-family detached house to $7,175 immediately, then up to $9,028, when the school board approves putting the sales tax increase on the 2018 ballot. If the sales tax is approved by voters, the impact fee would drop to $8,101. Impact fee rates would be increased by varying amounts for other types of new residential construction.

Jennifer Motsinger, the committee members who made the motion, noted that the higher fee is not tied to voters approving the higher sales tax.

“It’s not tied to success. It’s only tied to it getting to referendum. It gives us the teeth that we need, in order to move forward,” said Motsinger, who called for that approach during an April 26 meeting of the infrastructure funding committee.

The committee approved Motsinger’s motion 7-3 during the meeting at Rasmussen College in Land O’ Lakes.

Stewart Gibbons, the committee’s chairman, said using this approach provides a greater incentive for the school board to seek the sales tax as an additional source of revenue.

Scott Sheridan, another committee member, said the committee needs to make it “emphatically clear” that other sources of revenue, besides impact fees, are needed to address the school district’s funding problem.

Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent of Pasco County Schools, agreed with committee members that the impact fee increase is not the total solution.

“The impact fee will not be a panacea. It will not solve all of our problems,” Gadd said.

Parents in the audience said the funding shortage must be solved.

“We are leaving our schools in a position, in Pasco County, of doing damage control. We are in a financial crisis. Our public schools are suffering,” said Heide Janshon, who lives in the Seven Springs area. “Please, as a parent, I am begging you to raise the impact fees,” she said.

“In all honesty, the impact fees are the source of revenue that we have that must be raised, in order to keep up with the building,” Janshon said. “Seven Springs Middle School, the capacity is 1,400, somewhere in that vicinity. We will, by the middle of next school year, have 1,800 students. Mitchell High School, is going to be in excess of probably 2,400.”

Claudine Judge, of Seven Oaks, said “nothing is keeping up with the development. The roads aren’t keeping up. The schools aren’t keeping up.

“This area, in the last four years, it’s insane the amount of housing that’s going in.

“We were part of a very nasty school board rezoning process, that was not the fault of the school board, but the school board bore the brunt of it,” Judge said.

Denise Nicholas, of Florida PTA, told committee members: “Ten-period days, overcrowding of schools, brand-new schools opening overcrowded — it’s not good for our kids. We need to fully fund our schools. Pasco County is in an absolute financial crisis. We need these impact fees. Please vote to increase them.”

The committee’s recommendation was scheduled to be discussed in a May 2 workshop of the Pasco County Commission in New Port Richey — after The Laker/Lutz News went to press.

The County Commission — not the school board — has jurisdiction over school impact fees.

If the Pasco County Commission agrees with the committee’s recommendation, it will go the county’s Development Review Committee for a recommendation and then come back to the County Commission for two public hearings before the new impact fees can be adopted.

Published May 3, 2017

Students vie in entrepreneurial competition

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Timothy Hernandez noticed a problem, and he set about to solve it.

Not too long ago, the 17-year-old Zephyrhills High School senior was undergoing safety training as a YMCA pool lifeguard.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) masks kept falling off during tutorials.

“It was a real inconvenience,” he said.

Timothy Hernandez, center, won first place and $2,500 in Pasco’s Young Entrepreneur Finals. His business concept is CPRGo, a mask with an automatic seal, via suction cup features. Also pictured: Kelly Castro, youth coordinator for the Pasco Hernando Workforce Board, and Stacey Capogrosso, executive director of the Pasco Education Foundation. 
(Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

Strap-based CPR masks didn’t fare much better, said Hernandez, who currently works at the East Pasco YMCA and the New Tampa YMCA.

His solution: CPRGo, a mask with an automatic seal, via suction cup features.

“It makes CPR a simple and more efficient process,” Hernandez said. “It also ensures the victim is getting a sufficient amount of air. “

In short, “Saving lives has never been so easy.”

For the concept — yet to be prototyped and patented — Hernandez won first place and $2,500 in Pasco’s Young Entrepreneur Finals, held April 25 at the Land O’ Lakes High School Culinary Arts.

The inaugural competition showcased seven students from Pasco County Schools’ business and entrepreneurship principles program.

It gave contestants an opportunity to present their unique business idea in a traditional slideshow format to a live audience and panel of judges — startup experts representing Pasco County and the Tampa Bay region.

Hannah White, a Pasco High School senior, earned second place and $1,000 for Organized Design, which refers to planners that can be customized entirely.

Jackson Rossi, a senior at Mitchell High School, received third place and $500 for Brij, an app for social media marketing.

Other finalists were Justin Hall and Katelyn Ortiz, of Sunlake High; Taylor Townsend, of River Ridge High; and, Alex Violini, of Ridgewood High; each were winners at school-level competitions, held April 3 through April 10.

Those attending the competition included representatives from Pasco County Schools, CareerSource Pasco/Hernando, the Pasco Education Foundation, the Pasco Economic Development Council, the USF Stavros Center, and Pasco SCORE. The name SCORE is based on an acronym for Service Corps of Retired Executives.

Loosely based off ABC’s hit TV show “Shark Tank,” each student had 10 minutes to present his or her startup.

Judges then lobbed critiques, criticisms and suggestions, for all the audience to hear.

The finalists later were evaluated on a 10-point scale on 10 factors, including professionalism, the viability of their enterprise, and their ability to back it with research on startup costs, revenue, distribution, customer base, competitors and the business and/or social impact of their venture.

Hernandez received high marks for his revenue and cost projections model, and his ability to identify a target market — lifeguards and other emergency responders.

For the judges, choosing just three winners wasn’t easy.

“The kids that did this — great job,” said Steven Hickman, president/CEO of First National Bank of Pasco. “I’m just thrilled to see the quality and the poise.”

Fellow judge Mike Lewis, chairman of SCORE Chapter 439, was likewise impressed with each presentation, praising students’ thought process, concepts and business plans.

“They are absolutely to be commended,” he said.

About 200 Pasco County high school students participated in the entrepreneurship curriculum during the 2016-2017 school year, said Terry Aunchman, director of career and technical education for Pasco County.

That figure, along with the Young Entrepreneurs event, is expected to grow, as the program will be introduced in five more high schools next school year — Cypress Creek, Gulf, Fivay, Land O’ Lakes and Wiregrass Ranch.

“The competition is going to be amped up just a little bit,” Aunchman said. “We built so much excitement around this that the other schools are like, ‘We want to get in on the action.’”

Aunchman also plans to introduce the program to several middle and elementary schools in the district, hoping to “get kids engaged, thinking outside of the box and solving problems.”

Meanwhile, Hernandez — like other finalists — appears to have a bright future ahead of him.

He plans to attend Saint Leo University this fall, majoring in criminal justice.

His minor? Business.

Published May 3, 2017

Going out on top

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Pennye Garcia, the longest-standing cheerleading coach in Pasco County is retiring — and she’s going out on top.

Sunlake cheer coach Pennye Garcia, left, is retiring at the end of the school year. For the second consecutive year, Garcia was named SAC East Cheer Coach of the Year. Also pictured: Sunlake principal Michael Cloyd and senior Mallory Mock, who won SAC East Cheerleader of the Year.
(Courtesy of Pennye Garcia)

Garcia, who’s coached at Sunlake High in multiple stints (2007-2008, 2013-2017), was recently crowned Sunshine Athletic Conference (SAC) East Cheer Coach of the Year, for the second consecutive year.

It, too, marks the second straight year one of Garcia’s cheerleaders — senior Mallory Mock — was awarded SAC East Cheerleader of the Year. (In 2016, then-senior Amanda Slozer won the honor.)

Moreover, eight of Garcia’s cheerleaders from this season were selected to the SAC East All-Conference teams, the most of any east Pasco school.

One of the premier cheerleading coaches in the area, Garcia maintained a successful track record at Sunlake — four consecutive state appearances — by instilling discipline, consistency and purpose. She also maintained the quality of cheerleaders she would select for her varsity squad.

She, too, is regarded for her diligent preparation.

“I like to do things way ahead of time,” Garcia said, “so that there’s no surprises.”

Other coaching stops during her 15-year career included Academy at the Lakes, Hudson, Mitchell, Land O’ Lakes and Wiregrass Ranch high schools.

Yet, some of her most impressive accomplishments occurred during her tenure at Sunlake.

In the 2013-2014 season, she led the Seahawks to a state title in the Class 1A Medium Division.

Sunlake’s inaugural 2007-2008 season was memorable, too.

Under her tutelage, a group consisting of six freshman and no seniors advanced to states, finishing seventh out of 24 teams.

Under Garcia, Sunlake has been one of the top cheerleading programs in Pasco County. She is the longest-standing cheerleading coach in Pasco County, at 15 years. Garcia previously coached for Academy at the Lakes, Hudson, Mitchell, Land O’ Lakes and Wiregrass Ranch high schools.

“I had a really young team,” Garcia said, of the inaugural team. “When they announced the teams to go to finals…I was totally shocked.”

Besides the competitive cheer success, Garcia will miss Friday night high school football games, along with the countless relationships she cultivates each year.

Over the past few weeks, it’s been a teary-eyed farewell tour, of sorts.

“It’s just very emotional,” Garcia said, “because…I love what I did and I have special (feelings) for my kids.”

Garcia, too, wants to be remembered as a coach who cared for her athletes, wanting to see them improve, both on and off the floor.

“She’s just an amazing coach,” Mock said. “She’s made me the person that I am today. She’s taught me strength, determination, and how to set examples.”

Over the years, Garcia has remained “real close” with many of her former cheerleaders.

Some of them, likewise, have made significant coaching strides.

For instance, Hudson High coach Chelsea Hatcher, the 2016-2017 SAC West Cheer Coach of the Year, is one of Garcia’s former cheerleaders.
So, too, is Sophia Fluellen, the head cheer coach at Pasco-Hernando State College, a program that has won five College Co-Ed Level 6 division titles in the past seven years.

While there’s no indication yet who will replace Garcia, one thing’s for sure: the new coach is taking over a program with a solid foundation.

“I’ve got everything all set,” she said. “We’ve got uniforms; they don’t have to really fundraise too much.”

And although she’s retiring from coaching high school, Garcia’s not completely saying goodbye to the sport.
Garcia will still organize private instructions, and teach lessons at Mary Jo’s Performing Arts, in Tampa.

She also plans to judge at various Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) competitive cheer competitions.

She said she might even publish a book on cheerleading coaching, providing tips on tryouts and formations, especially for new coaches.

“I’ll miss the thought process of putting (cheerleaders) into groups and doing the brain work, because I do that constantly,” Garcia said.

Mock, too, plans to stay involved with the sport, after she graduates in May. One possibility is auditioning to be a Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) staff member. Another is joining University of South Florida’s Coed Cheer Team.

Published March 22, 2017