By Kyle LoJacono
Wesley Chapel is battling numbers.
The Wildcats lost 19 seniors, 11 who signed to play in college, and bring back a small handful of veterans.
To complicate matters, Wesley Chapel has only 32 players on the varsity roster. Third-year coach Ben Alford said they are combating the youth and lack of depth with an uncomplicated plan.
“We want it to be so simple that if I bring my 4-year-old out there he could know what’s going on,” Alford said. “It has to be that way because if first string goes down, we need our second and third string to come in and not miss a beat.”
Alford is also putting renewed emphasis on playing flawlessly.
“Last year we had a lot more athletes and depth, so we could be sloppy and win ball games,” Alford said. “This year we can’t.”
The Wildcats have shown they can win with that game plan as illustrated by their spring jamboree. They beat cross-town rival Wiregrass Ranch 20-7 and lost a 10-0 struggle with Sunlake, a playoff team from last year.
“I thought we looked really structured in the spring game,” Alford said. “We didn’t have any 12 man in the huddle or other silly penalties. The kids did what they needed to. We had only 25 kids. Sunlake and Wiregrass each had almost 80. We hung with Sunlake like we should have and we beat Wiregrass.”
That contest built confidence.
“A lot of people thought we couldn’t win because of the numbers that we had,” said cornerback Kuadiel Gomez. “We showed that we can stick with any team no matter how many people they have.”
While many of the players are new, the signal caller is the same — Ty Tanner.
Ty began last season as a wide receiver/kicker, but moved under center in Week 5. His older brother Keegan, who signed to play at Stetson University, was the quarterback before going to cornerback/wide receiver.
“Ty makes plays, Ty is a competitor and Ty hates to lose,” Alford said. “No matter what it is, he doesn’t like to lose. … If he throws two times but we win the ball game, he’s fine with that because it’s what we need to win.”
Ty ended the year with 815 yards on 51-of-96 passing and nine touchdowns with 249 yards on 69 carries and six scores. He participated in the DeBartolo Sports University’s quarterback camp this summer at Saddlebrook Resort to further his skills
“I’ve gotten so much better from doing that camp,” Ty said. “I didn’t have good footwork before, and that’s big a thing with quarterbacks. The main thing we did was learn how to throw the ball, look at your target and use your feet.”
Tanner said he now thinks about every step when dropping back. He also spends 30 minutes to one hour each day on footwork. His teammates have noticed the change.
“I can tell he’s matured a lot as a quarterback,” said lineman Hunter Robinson. “I feel that now that Keegan is gone he doesn’t have the idol, and he feels like he has to step up. You can tell he wants to do everything right.”
Robinson is among Wesley Chapel’s few experienced players. He split time between offensive tackle and defensive end in 2011, but will have to play both ways this season.
“In the weight room I’ve been working hard, and I’ve not been taking breaks in conditioning to get ready,” Robinson said. “Last year I’d get tired on the field, and I’d hate being there because I wanted to play. I just want to stay in there the whole time.”
The Wildcats get a boost from Gomez’s return. He missed the final six games last year after needing surgery to repair a broken pinky. They also benefit from returning every coach.
“Last year I had a whole new staff, so we had to start all over,” Alford said. “Now we’re comfortable with each other, and the players know what to expect because all the coaches are back.”
Wesley Chapel schedule
All games start at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise listed. Home games played at 30651 Wells Road, Wesley Chapel.
Kickoff classic** Aug. 23 vs. South Sumter
Aug. 31 at Wiregrass Ranch
Sept. 7 vs. Orlando First Academy
Sept. 14 Bye
Sept. 21 at Zephyrhills*
Sept. 28 vs. Fivay*
Oct. 5 vs. Pasco*
Oct. 12 at Ridgewood*
Oct. 19 at Hudson*
Oct. 26 vs. Anclote *
Nov. 2 vs. Gulf*
Nov. 9 vs. Land O’ Lakes
*Denotes district contest
**Kickoff at 7 p.m.
2011 Wildcats (6-4)
Wiregrass Ranch W 20-6
St. Petersburg Catholic W 26-14
Zephyrhills L 38-16
Fivay L 23-14
Pasco L 57-12
Ridgewood W 40-0
Hudson W 34-7
Anclote L 13-0
Gulf W 35-7
Land O’ Lakes* L 32-12
*Forfeit win
