By Kyle LoJacono
For the last three seasons the Zephyrhills Christian Academy six-man football Warriors were knocked out of the playoffs in the state semifinals, but something was different about this team.
The Warriors (13-0) completed a perfect season after defeating Lakeside Christian High 71-41, claiming the program’s first state championship.
“This team was definitely more of a family,” said junior defensive end Josh Dudeck. “We were just more together and more willing to listen to what our coaches had to say. We all wanted to win and did everything we could to do that.”
Senior defensive lineman Sean White has been on the team for five years back when the Warriors played flag football.
“Every year we felt like we had it, but something would happen to stop us,” said senior defensive lineman Sean White. “Then this year to be the best all the way to the end, it’s an awesome feeling.”
White can point to one game where he and the team knew they could win the title.
“After we played Academy at the Lakes, that was our first tough game, but we managed to beat them,” White said. “Most games we’d score first and not give up a point all night, so that showed us we were mentally tougher.”
Coach Mike Smith felt the same about the matchup with the Wildcats, which the Warriors won 54-13.
“That’s where we’d have problems in the past,” Smith said. “We’d get scored on or get behind and then we’d just collapse. They’ve learned this year that you can be down and still win if you stick together.”
To finish the season perfect, the Warriors had to take down two undefeated teams, the defending state champs Clearwater Academy International in the semifinals and then Lakeside for the crown.
“It was a great feeling,” Dudeck said. “Just everything you worked so hard for has happened. Coming out during the summer and sweating and hurting, it was all worth it.”
The Warriors have three seniors and could lose another two players to early graduation. Given that a loss could have ended five of the Warriors’ high school careers, it is ironic the team’s quarterback is its youngest player.
“I know I’d want to go out my senior year on top, so I was trying to help them get that title,” said eighth-grade quarterback Mikey Smith, who just turned 15.
Mikey threw three touchdown passes in the title game, including a 75-yard score to junior running back Josh Roberts.
Roberts, who is the brother of Zephyrhills High football player Jamal Roberts, had eight touchdowns in the championship game, while senior Joel Mobley had three. Roberts got the bulk of the touches in the game, gaining more than 400 yards, while Mobley kicked in 150.
The Warriors defense was led by linebacker Dale Smith Jr., who had a team-high 14 tackles and two sacks. Dudeck also had two sacks, while Mobley and junior Jacob Ferrington each had interceptions.
Dale had an interesting set of mixed feelings after winning the title.
“I didn’t know what to think,” Dale said. “You’re upset that you don’t get to play anymore that year. You’re done preparing and playing every week, but obviously it’s great because you’re the best. So it’s a good but bad feeling that football is over.”
Dale had not played football since his freshman year.
“I guess it just comes natural,” Dale said of how he picked the sport back up. “We had a lot of great coaching and good teamwork. It just all came together perfect.”
