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Seniors key Freedom to a winning start

Freedom High School's Patriots hope their two wins will sustain them against Wesley Chapel.

TAMPA PALMS - In the not-so-storied history of Freedom High football, the Patriots have lost 15 of 22 games at the varsity level. But none of those losses has come lately.

After starting off this year with wins against Sickles and neighborhood rival Wharton, the Patriots are riding a four-game winning streak.

Freedom closed out last year's 4-6 campaign with back-to-back wins against Wharton and Brandon. Add in the fact the Patriots moved up from Class 3A to Class 4A this season, and the program is on a definite upswing.

"Most of it is our senior leadership," said second-year Freedom coach Adam Stegeman. "Last year we had nine seniors, and this year we have 22."

That experience may come into play tonight as Freedom hosts Class 5A Wesley Chapel. The question "Is Freedom for real?" should get answered.

In the Wesley Chapel Wildcats, Freedom will face a program that has appeared in four straight postseasons, won two district titles and posted two undefeated regular seasons in that span.

Freedom, meanwhile, has benefited from standout defense. In beating Sickles 24-0 last week, the Patriots posted their first shutout in school history.

Sharrick Moore and Marcus Jackson have anchored the Freedom defensive line, and linebacker John Anderson has backed them up. Running back Louis Bonnet ran for 82 yards a week ago, and quarterback Matt Kipp was effective, utilizing receivers Jaime Sparling and Rodney Myers.

In other contests, Chamberlain and Hillsborough renew their rivalry, Alonso travels to Jefferson, and Sickles tries to earn its first win of the year at Wharton. All kickoffs are scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Last Week: Alonso beat Tampa Bay Tech 37-7; Jefferson beat Chamberlain 28-0.

Last Year: Did not play.

The Skinny: Jefferson quarterback Stephen Garcia has thrown 300-plus yards and two TDs in two games. Alonso opened its year with 37 points and 300-plus yards rushing last week.

The Edge: Alonso can run. Jefferson can run and pass.

Last Week: Chamberlain lost to Jefferson 28-0; Hillsborough beat Blake 41-19.

Last Year: Hillsborough beat Chamberlain 17-0.

The Skinny: Chamberlain has struggled on offense and was shut out last week, while the Hillsborough Terriers' offense has only gotten stronger each week.

The Edge: Chamberlain hasn't beaten Hillsborough since 2002. It won't happen this year.

Last Week: Wesley Chapel lost to Hudson 24-6; Freedom beat Sickles 24-0.

Last Year: Did not play.

The Skinny: Normally one of Pasco County's stronger programs, Wesley Chapel was upset last week by Hudson. Freedom, meanwhile, has been the surprise team of the young season with two solid wins.

The Edge: This game is a better test for the Patriots as it faces a legitimate Class 5A team in Wesley Chapel.

Last Week: Sickles lost to Freedom 24-0; Wharton beat Plant City 27-14.

Last Year: Sickles beat Wharton 21-13.

The Skinny: A possible breakthrough season for Sickles has quickly become dire as it has opened the season by being shut out twice in its first two games. Wharton solved enough of its problems to get a win last week, aided by 113 yards rushing from RB Joel Miller.

The Edge: Sickles will finally score, just not enough.

GAITHER (2-0) and LETO (0-2) are idle.