Even though the Zephyrhills High football team has only ever played one region final game in program history, it will still play — or at least treat — every game as a region final.
That’s the mentality the Bulldogs (0-1) will use entering the 2023 season, which started Aug. 25.
Coming off the team’s best season in its long and storied history, in which it lost to eventual state champion Lake Wales 26-9 in the Class 3 Suburban Region 2 final, the Bulldogs return many of their star players, all of whom have high expectations to replicate — if not extend further — a season ago.
“We have those goals every year, but we have to take the steps to get where we want to be after seeing who we have and how we can get where we want to be,” said eighth-year head coach Nick Carroll, who has compiled a 62-21 record. “We always need to find our identity as a team.
“Last year,” he continued, “we didn’t think we’d run the ball, but then we did and did well, so as coaches, we have to get together and adapt throughout the season. I think that’s no different this year, too.
“Every year, we have high expectations, every year our goal is to get to the region final and even past that and make it to the state semifinal tournament.”
The Bulldogs got their first test in Week 1, having a rematch hosting Lake Wales, but finding its third loss in as many meetings in the past calendar year.
Zephyrhills is also in District 7 with Wesley Chapel (0-10 in 2022), Cypress Creek (7-3) and 9-Mile War rival Pasco (9-2). The Bulldogs were district champs by sweeping those three teams, but know each week is still tough.
“I’m not saying we’re just going to blow by Chapel or Pasco or any team, but we’re just focused on the next game,” said star junior receiver and four-star recruit D.J. Pickett, who had 43 catches for 886 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2022. “Basically, if we put the work in — our standards are high this year — and if we want to be loyal to our standards, we need to put the work in it to keep it up.”
Pickett added, the offense — which scored 63 touchdowns with more than 4,000 yards of total offense in 2022 — is looking sharp, but still working on a few things at practice. The offense includes the returns of senior quarterback Brendyn Colella (102-for-170 passing, with 1,700 yards, 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions) and senior running back Rodney Smith (1,142 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns).
On the defensive side, Carroll expects the unit “to fly around the field,” as it returns some of its standout stars, such as safety Fred Maixner (80 tackles), linebacker Lukas Colella (59 tackles) and even Pickett, who had a team-high four interceptions at defensive back.
“We lost some guys, sure, some offensive lineman and guys on defense, and it takes some time to replace guys,” Carroll said. “Every year is different, and there’s no off week in a tough district and our non-district teams are also very good.
“We have a lot of tough games.”
But Maxiner added, with confidence: “I think our defense is the best in the district, best in the county. I believe in those guys. I expect nothing more or less than what we did last year. Sure, we lost a few guys, but I feel we have more than enough skill to go ever further (than last year).
“I think we could make a run at states — I truly believe that.”
First things first.
After facing Lake Wales again, the team will face other non-district opponents such as Land O’ Lakes, The Villages and South Sumter. Plus, the Bulldogs still have to get out of its district, even if Wesley Chapel and Pasco are starting with new head coaches.
Cypress Creek, on the other hand, returns such offensive stars as quarterback Jack Niemann (1,834 passing yards, 20 touchdowns) and running back Malachi Askin (13 rushing touchdowns).
Still, the Bulldogs have high expectations.
“I think we’re what all the county sees — the No. 1 team, and we like that spot and we’re going to try to keep that spot and go even further and show people we can play outside this county,” Maixner said.
His coach agrees, with Carroll adding having the best season in program history — the team’s first region final — means teams are all looking to knock off the Bulldogs.
“I definitely think it’s more that everyone wants to beat us now, with big bullseyes on our backs,” Carroll said. “Just like anything else, we can’t be complacent, or you’ll lose. We have to treat every game like it’s the region final every week, because we feel everyone is doing the same when they face us.”
2023 Zephyrhills High Football Schedule
Aug. 25 – vs. Lake Wales – L: 29-7
Sept. 1 – at The Villages
Sept. 8 – vs. Wiregrass Ranch
Sept. 15 – at Land O’ Lakes
Sept. 22 – vs. Gulf
Sept. 29 – vs. Wesley Chapel
Oct. 6 – at South Sumter
Oct. 13 – vs. Pasco
Oct. 27 – at Cypress Creek
Nov. 3 – at Dunnellon
Published August 30, 2023
