By Kyle LoJacono
The Wiregrass Ranch High football team reached the playoffs for the first time in program history, but its time in the Class 4A postseason was brief after a first-round 40-8 loss to Springstead High.
“We will take this into the offseason and learn from this experience,” said Bulls coach Jeremy Shobe.
Shobe then added about Wiregrass Ranch (6-5) making its first playoff appearance: “It’s a great feeling. I hate to go out like this, but we’re establishing that we’re a contender. People will take us serious now and we’re going to learn and build from here.”
Along with that playoff appearance, the Bulls won their first district championship and posted the first winning season in the program’s fifth year. After the game, assistant Jeremy Brooks reminded the Bulls of all they have accomplished this year, especially to the seniors.
“All you seniors, you made history here,” Brooks said. “You’re the ones who got us our first district championship.”
Shobe agreed with Brooks.
“They’ll go down for us forever in history,” Shobe said. “First champions, first playoff team Wiregrass has ever had. I’ve been with these kids for a long time and I knew they had the potential in them. They will forever have a special place in my heart. They enabled us as a football program to win our first championship.”
Quarterback James Tringali is one of those seniors. He has been the Bulls starter since halfway through his freshman year.
“He’s had a tremendous senior season,” Shobe said of Tringali. “We couldn’t ask anything more from what he’s been able to do and improve as a football player and a leader. He’s gotten better each and every season, and he’s not finished playing football yet.”
The Eagles (6-5) defense pressured Tringali all night, sacking him six times, one of which caused a fumble that Dylan Gearheart recovered in the Bulls end zone for a touchdown.
The Wiregrass signal caller also threw an interception, but recorded 142 passing yards, including a 52-yard strike to senior Nick Lomba. Tringali then connected with senior wide receiver Antwan Prince for a two-point conversion.
The Bulls defense had trouble reacting to the Springstead option offense. Shobe said it was the first time they had seen the system all year.
The Eagles option attack was led by running back Devean Huff, who had 159 rushing yards on 19 carries and one touchdown. Quarterback Brian Beeker added 155 rushing yards and 85 passing yards, including an 11-yard connection to Taylor Minter. Jeremy Junod added two more scoring runs.
Gators season has familiar end
For the second straight season, the Land O’ Lakes High football team is eliminated from the 3A playoffs at Jefferson High. The Dragons (11-0) put up the game’s first 31 points in route to a 54-19 win against the Gators (9-2).
Land O’ Lakes was again without senior quarterback Stephen Weatherford for undisclosed reasons. Junior Ryan Bird filled in and threw for more than 200 yards and a pair of touchdown passes, both to senior Will Irwin. Senior Justin Tello added a 67-yard interception return for a score, but it was not enough to match the Jefferson attack.
Pasco keeps playoff dreams alive
Pasco High mounted a furious second-half comeback to advance past Lakewood High 27-20 in the 3A first round. The Pirates (11-0) were down 20-0 at the break, but four rushing scores brought the Dade City squad back and avenged a first round loss to the Spartans in last year’s postseason.
Pasco swept through the 3A-7 regular season and was only really tested by Land O’ Lakes, the only team to play the Pirates within one score. Pasco had only trailed twice before the home playoff contest.
Trey Dudley-Giles put the Pirates on the scoreboard with a 64-yard touchdown run. David Emmanuel then kicked in two scoring runs of three yards. Pasco took the lead on a four-yard run by Janarion Grant.
