A 33-20 win over Ridgewood gives Bulldog coach Tom Fisher his long-awaited 100th win.
By STEVE WATERS
Published November 6, 2004
NEW PORT RICHEY - Zephyrhills coach Tom Fisher celebrated his 100th win Friday night, as the Bulldogs defeated Ridgewood 33-20.
"It's a long time coming," Fisher said. "But those kids, they make it easy for me. It's a good way to go out for the year. "It's a good feeling. It's all a tribute to the program more than me, and the coaches that I've had."
Bulldogs receiver Bryan Thomas led the Bulldogs early. He scored on the team's first possession with an 8-yard run and caught a 34-yard touchdown pass on the next possession.
Add to that a run for a first down off a punt fake in the first half, a 75-yard interception touchdown return and a 92-yard touchdown kickoff return, and you have quite a game for the junior.
"That's what he's supposed to do," Fisher said. "Then they started double covering him, we're just fortunate our kids hung in there that second half. They got a little overconfident there in the second quarter. Not used to being ahead."
"I was just trying to play," Thomas said. "It's the last game of the season, and I was playing for coach Fisher and my elder teammates. I just wanted to come out here and get the job done for them."
The Rams were led by senior running back Mike Galizia, who had 19 carries for 126 yards. Ridgewood's passing game, however, was dismal until quarterback Charley Minichino hurled a 75-yard touchdown pass to Justin Pena.
But the pass was too little, too late for the Rams, who lost control of the game early. During a sloppy second quarter full of penalties for both teams, the Rams fought back, with touchdowns from Galizia and running back Andre Richard, leaving the score 19-14 at halftime.
But the real highlight was Fisher's win marking a milestone in his career.
"He's a good football coach and congratulations to him," said Ridgewood coach Troy Cornwell.
