The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Land O' Lakes High School

Land O’ Lakes High baseball standout commits to Saint Leo

By

Land O’ Lakes High School’s Lance Sargent verbally committed to play collegiate baseball at Saint Leo University. (File Photo)
Land O’ Lakes High School’s Lance Sargent verbally committed to play collegiate baseball at Saint Leo University.
(File Photo)

Lance McCabe Sargent, a senior right-handed pitcher for Land O’ Lakes High School, has verbally committed to play baseball at Saint Leo University, a Division II school. Sargent, one of the top pitchers in Tampa Bay, compiled a 0.47 ERA in 44.1 innings last season. His four-pitch repertoire includes a fastball, curveball, slider and changeup. Sargent also plays for the Orlando Scorpions travel ball team. In a statement, Scorpions coach Matthew Gerber said Sargent has an “electric quick arm” and “has a chance to be special.”

Local businesses are ‘companies to watch’

By

Three local businesses will be honored on Nov. 3 as being among 50 “companies to watch” in Florida.

Gator Cleaning Solutions, RISA and X-Link Medical Software Interfacing will receive their awards at a celebration at Hard Rock Live, Universal CityWalk, in Orlando.

Mary Lynn and Gary Gorsline lead X-Link Medical Software Interfacing, which has been identified as one of 50 companies to watch across Florida. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Mary Lynn and Gary Gorsline lead X-Link Medical Software Interfacing, which has been identified as one of 50 companies to watch across Florida.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

These companies were selected from 500 nominees in the annual Florida Companies to Watch annual awards program.

The statewide program identifies companies that are expected to achieve significant growth over the next several years. The awards program is managed by GrowFl, the Florida Economic Gardening Institute at the University of Central Florida, in association with Edward Lowe Foundation and with programmatic support from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

Winners of the distinction were singled out based on several factors, including their entrepreneurial management teams, competitive marketing positions and strong community involvement.

The 50 companies making the list generated more than $1.1 billion in combined revenue and added nearly 1,200 employees, between 2012 and 2015, according to information provided by the Pasco Economic Development Council.

Businesses on the list also had a 30 percent increase in revenue and 33 percent increase in job growth in 2016, the Pasco EDC reports.

Gary and Mary Lynn Gorsline, owners of X-Link Medical Software Interfacing, are delighted that their Land O’ Lakes-based company is one to watch.

Their company, which began in March 1988, now has 12 employees, but has immediate needs to add three more, Mary Lynn Gorsline said.

The couple is pleased to see second-stage companies receive recognition and support.

“It’s a group of companies that are not startups, and they’re not Ford Motor companies,” Gary Gorsline said.

Jenny Connell, an account manager with Gator Cleaning Solutions, prepares to visit a client. (Courtesy of Gator Cleaning Solutions)
Jenny Connell, an account manager with Gator Cleaning Solutions, prepares to visit a client.
(Courtesy of Gator Cleaning Solutions)

Mary Lynn, added: “Second-stage companies are hugely important because they generate more jobs — yet get very little attention. Startups get lots of attention. Tiny little businesses get lots of attention, but second-stage that drive the economy are largely overlooked.”

Innovation has played a huge role in the company’s success and remains essential, she added.

“We have to never, ever, ever stop innovating because if we do, we’ll go away,” she said.

One pivotal moment for the company came from the exposure it derived from being among 80 top U.S. vendors that demonstrated at the Interoperability Showcase for the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, the largest American health care tradeshow.

The appearance there led to new partnerships and created new opportunities at the local, state, national and international levels, according to the couple.

The company also has supported the creation of a clinic in Managua, has provided financial support to the nonprofit Ghana Orphanage and helped with the startup, and has provided continued support for Oasis Pregnancy Care Center, which has office space in Copperstone Executive Suites, where X-Link operates.

Gator Cleaning Solutions, of Odessa, has been in business for more than 12 years. The company has evolved from a janitorial service to a facility maintenance provider.

It delivers customizable strategies to meet its customers’ needs. Recently, it expanded to include residential floor care such as carpet, tile/grout and upholstery cleaning.

The company rebranded itself in 2010, changing its name, expanding its executive leadership team and developing its first comprehensive website. It expanded its footprint in 2012 by purchasing its corporate office and warehouse space, and adding staff, to prepare for continued growth.

The company is a big believer in community involvement.

“I’m a big part of Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel,” said Erin Meyers, co-owner of the company.

She’s also involved with the Interact Club at Land O’ Lakes High School and is a Big Sister in the Big Brother/Big Sister organization.

Her husband, Marcus, also a co-owner of the company, coaches two teams in the West Pasco Soccer Club. He’s also on the Greater Pasco Chamber Board.

The company shows its support for community involvement by providing a paid work day for each employee, dubbed a “Give Day” to allow them to give back to a charity of their choice.

The company is also involved in a number of other organizations and charitable causes.

The company has about 80 employees, including about 30 full-time staff members, Erin Meyer said.

“We made it to a finalist last year. We were totally honored. If you look back at last year’s winners, there were just some amazing companies,” she said. “To have won this year is just extremely exciting and humbling.”

RISA, of Land O’ Lakes, is also on the list of companies to watch.

RISA is a Hispanic, Certified Veteran Owned Small Business that specializes in cyber security and information technology services.

It helps the Department of Defense and the federal government to secure networks, improve overall network security and achieve government regulatory compliance, according to its website.

It also supports a number of charitable causes and organizations, locally and internationally, including a micro-church in Germany that provides food, clothing, shelter and the Gospel to Germans who may have never read the Bible or heard of Jesus, the company’s website says.

Closer to home, the company supports Christian Social Services of Land O’ Lakes and Grace United Methodist Church, which in cooperation with Metropolitan Ministries, provides hot dinners weekly to members of the local community.

Published October 26, 2016

School shooting threats now a felony

By

The consequences just got tougher for Florida students who threaten to shoot up a school.

The Anti-Terroristic Threat and Public Servant Protection Law. The law, which went into effect Oct. 1, makes false reports about using firearms in a violent manner a second-degree felony. Bomb threats have carried a second-degree felony, but only charges of “disrupting a school function”—a second-degree misdemeanor — could have been brought against someone making a gun threat.

Pasco County Superintendent Kurt Browning address the new Anti-Terroristic Threat Law during a Sept. 30 press conference. The law, which took effect Oct. 1, makes false reports about using firearms in a violent manner a second-degree felony. (Kevin Weiss/Staff Photo)
Pasco County Superintendent Kurt Browning address the new Anti-Terroristic Threat Law during a Sept. 30 press conference. The law, which took effect Oct. 1, makes false reports about using firearms in a violent manner a second-degree felony.
(Kevin Weiss/Staff Photo)

The law also makes it a first-degree misdemeanor to threaten with death or serious harm a law enforcement officer, state attorney or assistant state attorney, firefighter, judge, elected official or any of their family members.

In the Pasco County School District, there already have been three incidents of students making gun threats through the first six weeks of the 2016-2017 school year.

Pasco County Superintendent Kurt Browning described such threats — regardless of the degree of seriousness — as being “incredibly disruptive” to the community.

“When someone makes what they consider a joke to shoot up the school, people panic,” Browning said during a Sept. 30 press conference. “I’ve pleaded with students, and I’ve asked their parents to plead with them, to think before posting an idle threat on social media, or to make any kind of verbal threat to carry out a shooting at any of our schools.”

He added: “When kids and their parents see these things, the fears spread quickly.”

Such threats, Browning said, often cause Pasco schools to become “half-empty” the following day.

“Students and parents are not going to take any chances when they hear rumors or see the posts on social media,” the superintendent said.

“It means that students who do show up are not going to learn much that day. It means that some teachers may decide not to teach the lesson that they had planned, because half the class will miss it,” Browning said.

Ava Cahoon, a junior at Land O’ Lakes High, said fellow classmates oftentimes become “very scared” when they hear such threats.

“We have to go into lockdown, and we don’t learn at all,” Cahoon said. “We have to sit in the dark, and the teachers don’t get to teach at all.”

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said many of the threats are discovered via social media, including Twitter and Facebook.

“The sad reality,” Nocco said, “is a lot of times these are kids that are just playing a game or just messing around.

“If the kids in our own community realize they’re now going to have a felony charge…they’re not going to play with this game anymore.”

State Rep. Jimmie Smith, the house sponsor of Senate Bill 436, said the rise of social media has created a “sad state of affairs” for making terroristic threats.

“This legislation is going to ensure that those people who make these threats are properly punished,” Smith said.

Browning’s message to students: “Think before you act.”

“It has long-term consequences,” Browning said. “Your chances of getting into college almost disappear, chances of getting jobs almost disappear.”

“It can ruin your future,” Nocco agreed.

Published October 5, 2016

New girls basketball coach joins Land O’ Lakes High

By

Unforeseen circumstances have forced Land O’ Lakes High School to hire its second girls varsity basketball coach in three months.

Marcus Ludwig, a former Wharton High boys junior varsity coach, was named the Gators coach on Sept. 19. Ludwig, 33, replaces Ed Mullikin, who was hired in late June.

Marcus Ludwig, a former Wharton High boys junior varsity coach, was named the Land O’ Lakes High Gators coach on Sept. 19. Ludwig, 33, replaces Ed Mullikin, who was hired in late June. (Courtesy of Marcus Ludwig)
Marcus Ludwig, a former Wharton High boys junior varsity coach, was named the Land O’ Lakes High Gators coach on Sept. 19. Ludwig, 33, replaces Ed Mullikin, who was hired in late June.
(Courtesy of Marcus Ludwig)

Mullikin was initially set to replace Phyllis Crain, who guided the Gators to regional championships in 2014 and 2015, and compiled an 85-50 record in five seasons.

But, according to Karen Coss, the school’s athletic director, Mullikin opted to remain in his home state of Kentucky just before the start of the 2016-2017 school year.

The basketball season kicks off later this month, on Oct. 24. Yet, Ludwig doesn’t view his late hiring as a disadvantage in getting equipped for his first season as Gators coach.

“The one thing I’ve been blessed with is I’ve worked with a lot of great coaches,” said Ludwig, “and I’ve had five-plus years experience coaching at different levels, so I was already able to prepare myself.”

Ludwig, a native of Syracuse, New York, said he’ll have plenty of time over the next month to get acquainted with the inner workings of the Gators’ program, and its players.

Since his hiring, Ludwig has held two open gyms. About a dozen girls showed up each time, but Ludwig expects to see a larger turnout once the fall sports season ends.

Though he hasn’t fully evaluated how the varsity roster will shape up, the Gators coach already has a general in-game philosophy in place. Success, Luwig said, will be dictated by defensive play and turning games into proverbial chess matches.

“I’m very strategic when it comes to defenses and defensive schemes,” Ludwig explained.

“What I tend to do is challenge them…to have a mental toughness when it comes to the defensive part of basketball,” he said.

He continued: “If it allows the other team to get out of their ordinary or regular routine, then you’re kind of winning a battle already, because it’s making the other team overthink things.”

Ludwig noted that philosophy comes in handy once the Gators face quicker, more athletic opponents.

“You’re going to have to be mentally tough and outthink your opponent,” he said.

“I want to be that type of team that if anybody steps on the court with us, they technically don’t know what we’re going to do as far as our defensive schemes.”

Though Ludwig didn’t divulge the types of schemes the Gators will deploy, he said defensive sets will be dictated by the skillsets of the 10 players on the court.

“No. 1 is definitely personnel — who is on the court, what type of team you’re playing, what are their strengths — and trying to take away my opponents strengths.”

Moreover, the Gators’ defense, Ludwig said, will complement its offense.

“We’ll have our basic set plays,” he said, “but, our best offense is going to come from our defense.”

Also of note: Ludwig has retained Alison Washburn, a former Sunlake High basketball player, as an assistant coach.

“She was a part of the team during the summer of this year, so she’s been a big help,” Ludwig said. “She’s given me the inside-out on some of the players and what to expect when it comes to coaching at the school, and in this league (Class 7A, District 8).”

Land O’ Lakes is coming off a 14-11 (2-4 district) mark in 2016. The new coaching staff will have to replace five seniors from last year’s squad, including top scorers Makela Canada (12.4 points per game) and Gabby Mills (11.4 points per game).

Scoring consistently often plagued the 2015-2016 squad. Though the Gators averaged 40 points per game, the team scored 20 points or fewer in four games.

Junior Lily Lazar is the team’s top returning scorer (5.3 points per game).

Key Losses
Makala Canada (12.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.7 assists per game, 1.9 steals per game)
Gabby Mills (11.4 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.1 blocks per game)
Breana Barnes (5.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.9 assists per game)

Key Returnees
Lily Lazar (5.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG)
Destiny Rodriguez (3.0 PPG, 1.5 RPG)
Niya Darby (1.8 PPG, 2.6 RPG)

-Stats via Maxpreps.com

Published October 5, 2016

Local civil air patrol soars to success

By

Motorists zip down Interstate 75, at the edge of Tampa North Aero Park — oblivious to what goes on at the airport on a typical Wednesday evening.

That’s when members of the Wesley Chapel Civil Air Patrol Squadron gather to expand their aerospace knowledge; receive search and rescue training; and take part in cadet programs that emphasize drills, discipline and character building.

The Florida State flag catches a breeze and waves over the Wesley Chapel Cadet Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol’s color guard. (File Photo)
The Florida State flag catches a breeze and waves over the Wesley Chapel Cadet Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol’s color guard.
(File Photo)

The Wesley Chapel Civil Air Patrol Squadron, known as Wesley Chapel CAP for short, includes 43 cadets ranging from ages 12 to 21, and the 15 senior members who are 18 and older.

Most squadron members live in Wesley Chapel, but some live in other communities, including Land O’ Lakes, Spring Hill and Brooksville.

The squadron has earned some bragging rights.

Squadron Commander Daia Jung received the Squadron Commander of the Year Award for 2015. And, the squadron itself was named Squadron of the Year for the Florida Wing for 2015, and went on to be named Squadron of the Year for the Southeast Region. Those awards are in addition to scores of others the chapter has earned over the past several years.

Jung is the squadron’s third commander. She follows Steve Lampasona, who established the squadron, and his wife, Joyce, who became the chapter’s second commander.

“We’re a cadet program. Pretty much everything here is run and taught by cadets, with senior members being their guides,” Daia said.

Cadet Capt. Austen King is the squadron’s cadet commander.

There are essentially three components in the CAP, said Daia, who was introduced to the program by her husband, who oversees the emergency services program. He is a veteran of the first Gulf War and is 21-year veteran of the Tampa Fire Department.

The CAP’s focus is on leadership development, aerospace education and emergency services, including search and rescue missions, she said.

Many squadron members have an interest in aviation and aerospace, and some get their first taste of flying, too.

“We have two types of orientation flights. One is in powered aircraft and one is in glider,” Daia said.

Some members want to do more than ride in a plane. They want to take the controls.

Seventeen-year-old Cadet Commander King is one of those. He made his first solo flight on Aug. 28.

“It was exciting,” King said, and, it was always part of the plan. “That was a goal of mine, to learn how to fly. That was one of the reasons I joined,” he said.

King thinks there are some common misconceptions about CAP.

For one thing, he said, “Not everyone who goes in CAP has to go into the military.”

Some members are interested in cybersecurity or careers related to mathematics, science, robotics and other fields, he said.

For example, Daia’s child Nick, another squadron member, wants to become a herpetologist and to study reptiles.

At the same time, the 15-year-old is in the midst of pursuing a pilot’s license.

The Wesley Chapel Civil Air Patrol Squadron has garnered numerous awards during the past few years. Squadron Commander Daia Jung received the Squadron Commander of the Year Award for 2015. The squadron was named Squadron of the Year for the Florida Wing for 2015 and Squadron of the Year for the Southeast Region. (Courtesy of Wesley Chapel Civil Air Patrol Squadron)
The Wesley Chapel Civil Air Patrol Squadron has garnered numerous awards during the past few years. Squadron Commander Daia Jung received the Squadron Commander of the Year Award for 2015. The squadron was named Squadron of the Year for the Florida Wing for 2015 and Squadron of the Year for the Southeast Region.
(Courtesy of Wesley Chapel Civil Air Patrol Squadron)

“For the past two summers, I’ve attended national glider academy. I’m just about to get my pilot’s license. I have my learner’s license now. I’m really close to receiving my glider pilot’s license. I wouldn’t have ever been able to do that, if I had not joined this program,” the Wiregrass Ranch High School student said.

Belonging to CAP has provided a chance to meet people from all over the world and to develop leadership skills that have come in handy in Wiregrass Ranch’s marching band, Nick said.

Fourteen-year-old Christopher Cuozzo, a student at Land O’ Lakes High School, said he enjoys running through drills and developing the ability to move from one place to another, in an orderly fashion. The orientation flights are cool, too, he said.

Cadet Master Sgt. Cassie Ramer and her brother, Matthew, a tech sergeant, both enjoy being part of the squadron.

Cassie said she is shy by nature, but belonging to the group has helped her to break out of her shell.

“I like the way our squadron functions. The military bearing, the military standards, thing like that. I admire that,” she said. “I like being a part of color guard.”

She said she also enjoys serving in the color guard not so much for the personal attention it brings to her, but because it gives her a chance to bring honor to the squadron.

Her brother said he hopes to become an aerospace engineer and to design new aircraft.

The squadron commander said she welcomes new members.

“My door is open to anybody that wants to come in,” Daia said.

But, anyone who wants to join should take the commitment seriously, she said.

A potential member must attend three meetings and appear before a membership review board before being accepted as a squadron member. There’s also a meeting with their parents.

“We’re all volunteers here, so we want to make sure that it’s worth everybody’s time,” the squadron commander said.

Once in the program, members can pursue all sorts of opportunities.

Squadron members are involved in community events and take part in training programs available through CAP. Cadets also can compete for a slot in special CAP training activities that include powered flight academies, glider academies, hawk mountain ranger school and the National Blue Beret, an air show in Wisconsin.

The programming is geared for a wide range of ages.

“The 18-year-olds are not learning what the 12-year-olds are learning,” Daia said, and, in many cases, the older members are teaching the younger cadets.

“We try to make it fresh and interesting every week,” she said.

Membership is $45 for cadets and $67 for senior members, but it also has other costs, including those associated with uniforms and various activities.

No one is turned away because of financial need, Daia said. To help cover some expenses, the squadron holds an annual gift-wrapping fundraiser every year on Christmas Eve at The Shops at Wiregrass.

For more information
Want to learn more about the Wesley Chapel Civil Air Patrol Squadron? Email Squadron Commander Daia Jung at .
To learn more about CAP’s aerospace education programs, products, and other resources available to our members, go to CapMembers.com/ae. For information about joining as an aerospace education member (AEM) and to join online, go to CapMembers.com/joinaem.

Published September 21, 2016

 

Local students in running for national scholarships

By

Normally, a summons by the principal doesn’t involve cake and flowers — but that’s exactly what Lauren Payne and her parents encountered at Wiregrass Ranch High School on Sept. 14.

From left, Janet Payne, Lauren Payne and Greg Payne, stand in a conference room at Wiregrass Ranch High School, after Lauren found out she had been named a semifinalist in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
From left, Janet Payne, Lauren Payne and Greg Payne, stand in a conference room at Wiregrass Ranch High School, after Lauren found out she had been named a semifinalist in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

Principal Robyn White and Assistant Principal Cindy M. Jack wanted to share good news with the student and her parents because the high school senior is on the list of semifinalists in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program.

She’s one of 16,000 scholars across the country that are semifinalists in the 62nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Semifinalists have an opportunity to compete for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships which are worth about $33 million.

Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level. About 90 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain a finalist standing, and about half of the finalists are expected to win a National Merit Scholarship.

Payne’s parents, Janet and Greg, were pleased by the school’s gesture.

“It’s a very nice surprise. It’s very exciting. It’s really nice that they put this together,” Janet Payne said.

“It’s exciting,” Lauren agreed.

Her dad is proud of her accomplishments. “It is a lot of hard work that she’s putting into it and hopefully, it will turn out well for her.”

Here’s a list of other local National Merit semifinalists:

Land O’ Lakes

  • Anmol Warman, Academy at the Lakes
  • Nathaniel W. Edgar, homeschool
  • Carter J. Bright, Land O’ Lakes High
  • Michael Gendreau, Land O’ Lakes High
  • Navya Jampani, Land O’ Lakes High
  • Nicholas R. Riley, Land O’ Lakes High
  • Maxwell Keenan, Land O’ Lakes High
  • Karina N. Armas, Sunlake High

Lutz

  • Elle D. Hazlett, homeschool
  • Joaquin Borggio, Steinbrenner High
  • Bailey M. Zinckgraf, Steinbrenner High

Tampa

  • Riley L. Troyer, Carrollwood Day School
  • Kaley A. Raabe, Gaither High School
  • Jordyn E. Bizzell, Sickles High
  • Henry M. Noell, Sickles High
  • Samuel L. Unger, Sickles High
  • April E. Olson, Wharton High

Published September 21, 2016

Recapping week 4 in area prep football

By

Another week of high school football is in the books, as teams approach the midway point of the season. Here’s a look at how the teams in our coverage area fared in Week 4:

Pasco County

 

(Courtesy of Sunlake High)
The Sunlake Seahawks defeated Land O’ Lakes 21-3 to retain bragging rights in the annual ‘Butter Bowl.’ (Courtesy of Sunlake High)

 

Sunlake 21, Land O’ Lakes 3
Recap: The “Butter Bowl” was once again a one-sided affair as the Sunlake Seahawks defeated the Land O’ Lakes Gators 21-3, marking the Seahawks fifth straight regular season win over the Gators. Equipped with a 7-3 halftime lead, Sunlake (3-1) pulled away from the Gators (0-3) with touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters.

Key Stats: The Seahawks racked up 539 all-purpose yards compared to the Gators’ 187 yards. Additionally, Seahawks had two 100-yard rushers in seniors Justin Metzger (124 yards) and Kevis Warren (111 yards, 1 TD), and a 100-yard receiver in senior Tyler Peretti (7 receptions, 142 yards).

Next up: Sunlake has a home game against Lakewood Ranch (0-3) on Sept. 23; Land O’ Lakes has a bye before facing Lakeland Christian (4-0) on Sept. 30.

Zephyrhills 62, Gulf 0
Recap: The first year of the Nick Carroll Era is going swimmingly for the Zephyrhills Bulldogs, as the first-year head coach guided his team to a 62-0 pounding over Gulf High. The Bulldogs (2-1) led 47-0 at the half, before a running clock was put into effect for the entirety of the second half. The win follows the Bulldogs’ surprising win over Sunlake (27-15) on Sept. 3.

Key Stats: Bulldogs junior quarterback Charles Harrison III completed 10 of 14 passes for 117 yards and four touchdowns. Defensively, Bulldogs freshman linebacker Ja’varrius Wilson tallied up three sacks.

Next up: Zephyrhills travels to Fivay (0-3) on Sept. 23.

Wesley Chapel 42, Ridgewood 22
Recap: Under first-year coach Anthony Egan, the Wesley Chapel Wildcats (3-0) already has more wins than it did in each of the last two seasons. Despite looking sloppy with penalties early on, the Wildcats shored up their miscues to build a 29-8 lead at halftime. In the second half, the game was put out of reach underneath the speedy legs of junior tailbacks Dexter Leverett (224 yards, 2 TDs) and Malik Melvin (119 yards, 2 TDs).

Key Stats: The Wildcats compiled 394 rushing yards as a team, averaging a whopping 10.1 yards per carry.

Next up: Wesley Chapel heads to Gulf (0-2) on Sept. 23.

Sickles 30, Wiregrass Ranch, 29 (Overtime)
Recap: A two-point conversion call in overtime by Wiregrass Ranch head coach Mark Kantor ended up backfiring, as the Bulls (1-2) fell to Sickles High in front of its home crowd. Cantor called an inside run to junior tailback Chase Oliver, a bruising 220-pounder, who was stuffed at the goal line, sealing the win for Sickles.

Wiregrass led 23-20 halfway through the fourth quarter, before Sickles kicked a field goal to force the extra period, then lead for good on a 16-yard touchdown pass in overtime.

Key Stats: The loss notwithstanding, Wiregrass senior quarterback Chris Faddoul made an impact with his arm and legs. Faddoul threw for 113 yards and a TD, rushed for 91 yards, and kicked a 30-yard field goal.

Next up: Wiregrass Ranch has a road contest against Leto (0-3) on Sept. 23.

Hillsborough County

 

gaither-rgb
Gaither High tailback T.J. Wiliams (32) accounted for all three of the Cowboys’ touchdowns in their 16-7 victory over Wharton on Sept. 16. (Courtesy of Gaither High)

Gaither 19, Wharton 7
Recap: Buoyed by the punishing running style of senior tailback T.J. Williams, the Gaither Cowboys (2-2) notched a home win against the Wharton Wildcats (1-2), snapping a two-game losing streak. The Cowboys never trailed, getting on the scoreboard first thanks to a 15-yard TD run by Williams in the second quarter.

Key Stats: Williams scored three times—including a highlight-reel 89-yard reception—en route to 124 total yards on 10 touches.

Next up: Gaither travels to Sickles on Sept. 23; Wharton has a home matchup against Freedom on Sept. 23.

Freedom 3, Spoto 0
Recap: A 39-yard boot in the second quarter by Freedom’s Noah Tenney was the lone score in this defensive tug-of-war. Freedom’s defense stymied Spoto, holding them to 178 total yards, including just a single passing yard. Freedom (2-1) has looked solid defensively for two consecutive weeks after limiting Alonso High to just eight points on Sept. 9

Key Stats: The Patriots forced four turnovers, including two fumble recoveries by senior Carlos Rodicio.

Next up: Freedom has a road conference game against Wharton on Sept. 23.

Sarasota Riverview 20, Steinbrenner 19
Recap: Key mistakes and missed opportunities, in part, caused the Warriors to fall short in this non-conference road game. The Warriors (1-2) led Sarasota Riverview 19-6 at the half, but a bevy of turnovers and three-and-outs gave Riverview ample field position to orchestrate two impressive scoring drives in the second half.

Key Stats: Steinbrenner’s Josh Harris rushed for 102 yards on 24 carries, but also fumbled three times. Senior wideout Brett Bitter hauled in two TD catches.

Next up: Steinbrenner faces Tampa Riverview (2-1) at home on Sept. 23.

Seffner Christian 27, Carrollwood Day 6
Recap: With the score 7-6 after the first quarter, the game was in reach for Carrollwood Day. But, the Patriots (1-3) were unable to answer as Seffner Christian scored touchdowns in each of the following three quarters. The Patriots (1-3) have now lost three straight games, scoring just 13 combined points in the process.

Key Stats: The Patriots struggled defensively, allowing over 423 total yards of offense (217 passing, 206 yards rushing). In their last three games, the Patriots have been outscored by a 118-to-13 margin.

Next up: The Patriots have a bye before facing Northside Christian (3-1) on the road on Sept. 30.

–Stats and information compiled via MaxPreps.com.

Published September 21, 2016

Several Pasco County schools to get lacrosse programs

By

Students at several high schools in Pasco County soon will be offered a new sport to play.

The Pasco County Lacrosse Alliance (PCLA), a nonprofit organization, recently announced an agreement with Pasco County Schools to manage the transition of high school boys and girls lacrosse from a club sport to a Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA)-sanctioned sport, beginning with the 2018 spring season.

In 2014, several Hillsborough County public schools became Florida High School Athletic Association-sanctioned in lacrosse. (Courtesy of HIllsborough County Public Schools)
In 2014, several Hillsborough County public schools became Florida High School Athletic Association-sanctioned in lacrosse.
(Courtesy of HIllsborough County Public Schools)

For the upcoming 2017 season — slated to begin in February — the high school teams will play at the club level in the Florida Gulf Coast Lacrosse League, a subsidiary of US Lacrosse, the sport’s national governing body.

The initial three-year contract between the PCLA and the Pasco County School Board has targeted the following schools for initial Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) certification: Anclote, Land O’ Lakes, Mitchell, Sunlake, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills and GGG high schools. GGG is the yet-unnamed high school in Wesley Chapel.

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

Essentially, it calls for the PCLA to manage operational costs (uniforms, protective equipment, refs, travel, coaching stipends), while participating schools provide field access and gate workers.

David Mazursky, president of the PCLA, estimates equipment and operational costs for the lacrosse organization will total about $15,000 per school. Whatever funds aren’t covered through sponsorships will trickle down to players in a “pay-for-play” model.

According to its website, the PCLA is looking to set the registration fee in the same arena as Hillsborough County’s, which decreased from $390 to $320 over the past three years.

Eight Pasco County high schools are set to have lacrosse as a Florida High School Athletic Association-sanctioned sport for boys and girls, beginning with the 2018 season. This season will be played at the club level. (Courtesy of FHSAA)
Eight Pasco County high schools are set to have lacrosse as a Florida High School Athletic Association-sanctioned sport for boys and girls, beginning with the 2018 season. This season will be played at the club level.
(Courtesy of FHSAA)

“We’ll have to charge a fee because there’s costs for transportation, referees, and when you become FHSAA, the head coach has to be a paid position,” Mazursky said.

Certain equipment — uniforms, helmets, protective gear — will be loaned to players. Other types of gear — stick, cleats, socks, gloves — will have to be furnished by players.

Ideally, every school’s boys and girls team will have enough participants to reach the FHSAA-limit of 25 players, Mazursky said.

“I actually don’t think we’re going to have any problem getting enough kids,” he said. “I think you might get a lot of football players that want to do something in between the spring and fall football,” he said. “You’ll get kids that don’t make the soccer team or don’t make the basketball team.”

The biggest challenge, he said, is funding, in general, and then finding and locking in corporate sponsorships to help keep registration fees low.

To help transition first-time players, the PCLA is hosting a series of free player clinics from September through December. The first clinic is Sept. 18 at 8 a.m., at Seven Springs Middle School, 2441 Little Road in New Port Richey.

“The goal of the clinics is for kids who haven’t played to really understand what the game is, and really get them hooked on it,” he said.

“I’m sure we’ll be able to do that,” he added.

In Florida, the sport has grown rapidly over the past several years. According to the National Federation of High Schools, the state saw a 70 percent increase in participation to 8,603 players from 2008 to 2013.

The Pasco County Lacrosse Alliance (PCLA) is a nonprofit organization working with Pasco County Public Schools to manage the transition of high school boys and girls lacrosse from a club sport to a Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA)-sanctioned sport, beginning with the 2018 spring season. (Courtesy of Pasco County Lacrosse Alliance)
The Pasco County Lacrosse Alliance (PCLA) is a nonprofit organization working with Pasco County Public Schools to manage the transition of high school boys and girls lacrosse from a club sport to a Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA)-sanctioned sport, beginning with the 2018 spring season.
(Courtesy of Pasco County Lacrosse Alliance)

Moreover, about 150 Florida schools are currently sanctioned to play for state titles in both girls and boys lacrosse.

“The exposure has been much better,” Mazursky said. “As we get it into more high schools…it’ll grow from just purely a club program to something more prominent.”

The PCLA president noted that transitioning from a club sport to an FHSAA-sanctioned sport is critical to expanding lacrosse’s reach to adolescents in the area.

“There’s a lot of interest at the youth level, but when kids realize they don’t have a high school sport, then they quit,” he said. “As a club sport, you don’t feel like part of the high school — you’re not in the yearbook, you don’t get a (varsity) letter.”

Note: Parents and students can go to PascoLax.org for more information. Donations to help fund lacrosse for one of the selected teams of choice can be made at: PascoLax.org/donations-per-team.html.
Companies interested in sponsoring their local schools can contact Eric Handman at  for more information.

Published September 7, 2016

 

Week 1 prep football roundup

By

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

Pasco County results:

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

Hillsborough County results:

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

 

–Stats and information compiled from Maxpreps.com.

Published August 31, 2016

 

Land O’ Lakes High will stay open during renovations

By

Land O’ Lakes High School will remain open during a massive renovation project that is scheduled to begin next June.

Superintendent Kurt Browning had planned to shift the Land O’ Lakes High students to a new high school, known as “GGG”, being built on Old Pasco Road.

Land O’ Lakes High School will stay open during a massive renovation project that is set to begin next June. By keeping students on campus, the project will take two years to complete rather than one. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)
Land O’ Lakes High School will stay open during a massive renovation project that is set to begin next June. By keeping students on campus, the project will take two years to complete rather than one.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)

But, he changed his mind after opening-day enrollment figures at Wiregrass Ranch High School revealed that 2,478 students showed up to a school built for 1,633 students. John Long Middle School’s opening enrollment was 1,810 students, at a school built for 1,327. Both school’s opening day enrollments exceeded district projections for the entire year.

Other schools in Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel also exceeded projections, Browning said, in an Aug. 16 letter sent to parents of Land O’ Lakes High and Pine View Middle students.

The district had been considering three options relating to the Land O’ Lakes makeover.

One option was for students to stay at Land O’ Lakes High, the second was to put Sunlake High School on double sessions and the third was to send the students to “GGG.”

Browning said he now believes “that the least disruptive solution is to keep students at Land O’ Lakes High School during the renovations.”

That being said, Browning noted “it still will not be ideal.”

Keeping Land O’ Lakes High open during renovations will delay the project’s completion by a year and will reduce the scope of work to account for the added cost of extending the length of the project by a year, Browning wrote.

The Land O’ Lakes High School Culinary Academy will be able to continue operations, while Land O’ Lakes High School undergoes a makeover. The massive remodeling project is set to begin next summer.
The Land O’ Lakes High School Culinary Academy will be able to continue operations, while Land O’ Lakes High School undergoes a makeover. The massive remodeling project is set to begin next summer.

“The school will be a construction zone, and we will have to place dozens of portable classrooms on and around the campus.  We won’t have practice fields and will reduce the number of parking spaces.  There will be utility disruptions and construction dust,” Browning added.

There are some bright spots, though, the superintendent noted.

The school’s students will stay together on one campus, culinary students will be able to use their culinary academy and agriculture students will be on the same campus as their animals, Browning wrote.

He also noted that sporting events will take place at the school.

Browning said the district “will take every precaution to ensure that the construction project does not impact student safety.”

The superintendent also assured parents “this decision was not made lightly and was not made without significant input from staff.”

Pasco County school board member Cynthia Armstrong said the decision to keep the students at Land O’ Lakes High School during construction is the best choice available to the district at this time.

“It’s not the ideal situation, but it seems like with the choices we had, it was just the best solution that we could come up with,” Armstrong said.

Wiregrass Ranch High School needs relief, and double sessions at Sunlake High was not a good option because the school day would have to start too early and end too late.

Armstrong also noted: “I think the community, the parents and the students are going to be happy with this solution.

“The Land O’ Lakes students are going to get to stay together as an intact unit. They’re going to get to be Gators their senior year. They are going to get to play in their own stadium. It’s not going to disrupt the culinary arts,” she said.

Plus, the school’s agriculture and child care programs will be able to continue, she noted.

To accommodate construction, half of the school will be in portables one year, and then half will be in portables the next year.

“That, at first was not a preferred method because essentially it was going to cost more money and more time. That wasn’t one that we were really excited about,” Armstrong said.

A parent meeting will be set this fall to discuss the details of the plan. Meanwhile, the district also will post updates at Pasco.k12.fl.us/renovations and on the district’s social media sites, and Land O’ Lakes High School will keep parents informed on its website and social media sites.

Published August 24, 2016