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District showdowns
By GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer From the start of the season, Land O'Lakes and Gulf have been the team to beat and the team to watch in Pasco County. A single point gave the Gators the conference crown over the Buccaneers, and they also finished 1-2 in the Class 2A, District 8 standings. The Gators prevailed 3-1 in the first showdown in December, the Buccaneers forced a tie in an early January rematch, and tonight at 8 at Pasco's W.F. Edwards Stadium, the two squads will meet again with a district title on the line. "Regardless of the score, we're back there (in the playoffs for fifth straight year), but we're looking to win," said Gators coach Mark Pearson, whose team lost last year's district title to Countryside. "Our starters have come and gone over the years and a lot of programs have rebuilding years, but we've been consistent and I'm very proud of that." The teams enter the title game on different paths. Land O'Lakes has played once in the past week, enjoying a first-round bye and then an easy 5-0 win over Hudson on Wednesday. Gulf made quick work of Wesley Chapel in Monday's district opener, but sixth-seeded Pasco nearly beat the Bucs, who forced overtime by tying the game with 5:15 left in regulation. After 20 scoreless minutes in overtime, Gulf prevailed in penalty kicks, getting two key saves from goalie Brandon King. "Friday will be a tough game for us," said Gulf coach Sam Koleduk, who had several players who were sick in the semifinal. Both teams will go without key players -- Land O"Lakes' Eric Martin and Gulf's Drew Roberts are serving the last part of suspensions following red cards. Both will be eligible to return for regional quarterfinal matches Thursday, and in their absence, both teams have gotten sparks from surprising sources -- untested sophomores promoted from the junior varsity. Gulf got a goal from Steve Perviance in its win against Wesley Chapel on Monday, and Koleduk thought enough of him to choose him among his five selections for penalty kicks. On a night when four of nine attempts failed to connect, Perviance found the top-left corner of the net for what turned out to be the deciding kick in Gulf's 3-2 win. Bigger still was the impact of Gators callup Michael Renteria, who scored three goals in Wednesday's win over Hudson. Two came on balls misplayed by Hudson goalie Kenny Eva, but that didn't take away from his varsity debut. "He's been scoring goals all year for the JV," Pearson said, noting the JV's 14-1-2 record. "I put him maybe 10 minutes in, and he made an immediate impact." Tonight's winner will open the regional playoffs Thursday at home against the loser of the District 7 championship between Citrus and Crystal River. Tonight's loser will travel to face the District 7 winner.
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