By Kyle LoJacono
It looked like the 2011 Zephyrhills football team had locked up its first playoff berth in five years.
The Bulldogs were up nine points in the fourth quarter at Fivay. A victory would have all but assured the squad of at least the district runner-up spot. Two late touchdowns sandwiching a recovered onside kick gave the Falcons the 48-42 win and the postseason spot.
“I take the blame,” said Zephyrhills coach and school alumnus Reggie Roberts. “It’s my job to prepare them at the end of the game. We learned from that, and the experience just makes you a better football team. I think they’ll feed on that because we want to go farther.”
The returning players are using that disappointment as fuel.
“Every single day we talk about how we lost to Fivay when we should have beaten them,” said sophomore quarterback/linebacker Mikey Smith. “Oh my goodness, everyone wants to get another chance at that. We really want to change that.”
Smith’s mindset is shared by his teammates, which is very different from the feel of the team during Reggie’s first two years at the helm.
“The attitude has changed,” Reggie said. “There were times when I’d walk in the locker room and guys didn’t believe we could win. When someone would score a touchdown, everyone would start hanging their heads thinking it was over. There was no fight. We’ve got a different feeling this year, and they want to fight. That’s a huge difference.”
The Bulldogs do lose leading receiver Adrian Sanchez (225 yards, three touchdowns) and starting quarterback Jamal Roberts (542 yards, six scores) to graduation, but most of the starters return.
The loss of Jamal, who led the team with 1,030 rushing yards on 107 carries and 20 touchdowns, has caused a shift in offensive philosophy. Gone is the run-heavy flexbone system in favor of a balanced attack.
“We have better athletes on our football team, and having a passing game helps us spread the ball around,” Reggie said. “Last year, people prepared mainly to stop Jamal and the running game. I think Mikey Smith is tough; he can run the ball and can throw the ball down the field.”
Smith was the quarterback at Zephyrhills Christian in 2010 when the program won the six-man state championship. He switched to public school football a season ago.
“Last year, it was kind of like a warm-up year for me getting to know everyone and playing at a public school,” Smith said.
Smith is battling with Jarcques Meza for the starting job while also preparing for another season at linebacker, where he forced four fumbles and recovered three while recording 2.5 sacks and 83 tackles. Last year, only defensive back Devon Brockington had more tackles (93) on the squad.
“I expect Brockington and Mikey Smith to go nose to nose in tackles again this year,” Reggie said. “Mikey is playing quarterback, but he’s also one of the best defensive players at Zephyrhills High School.”
The defense is bolstered by the addition of cornerback Jordan Roberts, Jamal’s brother, who only played basketball and ran track before this season.
Zephyrhills also gets back Jaylan Pickett, who started at safety last season before briefly transferring to Armwood.
The depth, new offense and revived pride have Reggie excited about what is possible.
“When we start out the season we’re looking to go 16-0 and win a state championship,” Reggie said. “We’re not settling for anything.”
Zephyrhills schedule
All games start at 7:30 p.m. Home games played at 6335 12th St., Zephyrhills.
Kickoff classic Aug. 24 at Central
Aug. 31 at Land O’ Lakes
Sept. 7 vs. Tampa Catholic
Sept. 14 Bye
Sept. 21 vs. Wesley Chapel*
Sept. 28 at Hudson*
Oct. 5 at Gulf*
Oct. 12 vs. Anclote*
Oct. 19 at Ridgewood*
Oct. 26 vs. Fivay*
Nov. 2 at Pasco*
Nov. 9 vs. Wiregrass Ranch
*Denotes district contest
2011 Bulldogs (7-3)
Land O’ Lakes L 34-0*
Tampa Catholic L 39-13
Wesley Chapel W 38-16
Hudson W 43-0
Gulf W 41-14
Anclote W 51-16
Ridgewood W 49-0
Fivay L 48-42
Pasco L 45-0
Wiregrass Ranch W 43-14
*Forfeit win
