The Wesley Chapel Wildcats didn’t win any varsity games in 2013.
They won just two last season and they’ve started this year with a couple of losses.
But Tico Hernandez, the team’s head coach, said you’re missing the point if you judge the team based only on its record.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photos)
“We talk about ‘building men for others.’ That’s our slogan. These guys are going to be husbands and daddys and teachers and journalists and preachers in the community,” Hernandez said. “Here’s a great opportunity for us to instill our values on what we think a young man should be like in our society.”
The coach is taking advantage of that opportunity by emphasizing the acronym R.A.I.S.E. (respect, accountability, integrity, self control and excellence) in what players do on and off the field. That means focusing on class work, exhibiting mature behavior and being of service to others.
To that end, a number of his players will be going to elementary schools around Wesley Chapel to mentor and read.
And Hernandez said his door is always open if parents want to talk to him about issues with any of his athletes off the field.
Hernandez is looking for progress on the field, too.
Even though the win column has been less active than he’d like, there are still enough positives to keep the coach optimistic.
A 14-7 loss to Land O’ Lakes High School during the opening week of the season was disappointing, but also a sign of progress since it was so close, Hernandez said.
They didn’t win, but the fact that the Wildcats had a chance to tie or take the lead with a minute left in the game against a highly respected opponent demonstrates that they’re getting closer to where they want to be.
The coach also is happy with the team’s future prospects.
Junior Jacob Thomas had to sit out a year after transferring from Land O’ Lakes, but now the quarterback is ready to lead the team. And Hernandez thinks he has what it takes to keep playing after he graduates.
“With his ability and what he does in the classroom, he’s going have a chance to play on Saturdays, and we’re trying to help him get to that level,” Hernandez said.
As a quarterback, Thomas would love to be airing it out and taking off for extra yards and making highlight reels every drive. But he’s smart enough to know that winning football games isn’t about being flashy, but working within the team’s abilities and taking advantage of opportunities when they arise on the field.
“It’s really just adjusting to what the defense is giving us,” Thomas said. “If they’re giving us the short routes, then we take them. If they’re giving us the deep routes, then we take that. If they’re giving us the run game, then we take the run game.”
Now that he’s finally playing for the Wildcats, the 6-foot-4, 183-pound quarterback will also be a leader on the field.
Watching his team lose close games last year and not being able to help was tough, he said.
Long practices and grueling drills are a challenge, but Thomas wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I love coming out here every single day after school. We practice for three hours a day. It’s fun,” Thomas said. “It’s part of the football life.”
The football life is enjoyable for Hernandez as well. He has a young team — out of 75 players in the program, they’ll only lose about nine players to graduation after the season — and they’re buying into his system.
The coach works hard and the players work hard, and everyone believes that the results will be seen on the scoreboard in due time.
Until then, they’ll stay focused on and off the field, and enjoy the process of getting better week-by-week.
“I love these guys. I love this school, and the community,” Hernandez said. “I’m lucky every day to be here.”
Wesley Chapel Wildcats
2015 remaining schedule
(all games at 7:30 p.m.)
Sept. 18 at Ridgewood
Sept. 25 vs. Gulf
Oct. 2 vs. Fivay
Oct. 9 at Hudson
Oct. 16 at Anclote
Oct. 23 vs. Zephyrhills
Oct. 30 vs. River Ridge
Published September 16, 2015
