By Jeff Odom
Moving on from adversity
One of Steinbrenner’s most promising runs was cut short last season after an internal investigation found the squad used an ineligible player.
The program’s self-imposed sanctions included relinquishing the No. 1 seed in the 2012 district tournament and forfeiting 12 wins. The Warriors were still eligible for the postseason, but their mindset was never the same, and they lost to eventual district champion Gaither in the semifinals.
“With the eligibility issue last year, the boys wanted to show that we really didn’t do anything wrong,” said Chad Ebright, the only coach in program history. “It was just a matter of circumstance that happened, and as soon as we found out about it we self-imposed the sanctions and contacted the FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association). I think the boys that came back from that team really wanted to prove that we really are a good team that could work hard, and we improved from it.”
Senior midfielder Enrique Barboto (15 goals, nine assists) said his teammates were able to put the investigation behind them before this year.
“That wasn’t really on our minds at all this season,” Barboto said. “It was a really good feeling not to think about it because it’s in the past, and all of this success that we’ve had has buried that, and, as a team, we definitely overcame that.”
Knight’s resurgence in net
Christian Knight was well rested for districts this year, but not because he was being saved for a playoff run.
The junior goalkeeper returned to the Warriors’ lineup for the Class 4A-District 8 tournament after serving a six-week suspension from the FHSAA for using profanity toward a referee.
Knight was still allowed to train with his team but wanted to get extra practice in to stay sharp. He decided to get additional work in with former Tampa Bay Rowdies goalkeeper Winston DuBose on his club team.
“Everyone’s drive was obviously to work toward the playoffs, and being out I got my shot taken away from me,” Knight said.
Knight (0.93 goals against average, four shutouts) didn’t want to let the team down when he returned to the net.
“It’s always an amazing feeling to be a leader out there, and I’ve been trying to show that on and off the field,” Knight said. “By doing what I did earlier in the season was not what a leader does at all, and I just wanted to try and come back with some words of wisdom and take it from there.”
A dominant duo
Jason Collister has a knack for heating up when it’s crunch time.
The senior forward led all Steinbrenner players with 28 goals, including eight in the postseason.
“After the loss to Sickles in the district championship, coach told us to keep our heads up and to go out and win our first state championship,” Collister said. “As a team captain and a leader, it was up to me to step up and help get us there.”
Collister’s teammate Derek Gebhard (10 goals) didn’t always have the luxury of getting after opponents this season because of academic ineligibility that limited his playing time.
But even after missing several weeks, the senior midfielder aided in Steinbrenner’s scoring explosion with six postseason goals, including the game winner in double overtime against Ocala Forest in the state semifinals.
“It was great that I got the chance to come back on the team and get to play with these guys,” Gebhard said. “I’m just so thankful that I could have a second chance, and for us to have such a great year and playing for a state championship is just really, really great.”
—Follow Jeff Odom on Twitter: @JOdomLaker
