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No team topples Jaguars, Pirates

By STEVE LEE
Published October 1, 2006

Seven Springs and Pasco, which have a combined seven shutouts, retained their unbeaten status in middle school football last week.

The Jaguars defeated Gulf 41-0 for their third shutout; the Pirates held a team scoreless for the fourth time with a 21-0 win over Pine View.

Both teams are 5-0 and, with one game each remaining, have clinched at least a share of a Pasco County Middle School Athletic Conference championship. There is no playoff format, so each side of the county annually crowns a winner, sometimes more than one.

Seven Springs was a co-champion with Hudson in 2004, the only time in the school's 11 years it has won or shared a title.

"We've been fairly dominant," Seven Springs coach Tim Boggess said, adding the season has "been very rewarding, because this is such a talented group. I have kids who would have been stars in other years just get in for a couple of plays."

Tailback Ricky Trinidad gained 124 yards and scored four touchdowns to lead the Jaguars. Fullback Dennis Riccelli rushed for a game-high 162 yards, but did not score.

Riccelli's backup, Chris Breuning, ran for a 43-yard touchdown on his only carry and Nicholas Vosotas added a scoring run.

Defensive standouts for Seven Springs were Tanner Jester, Gavin Hunt, Joey Powers and Breuning.

Pasco has been a co-champion with Weightman in each of the past two seasons. Another title, coach Danny Wade said, would be a credit to a defense that has allowed just eight points. Roberto Guerra, Jamie Byrd, Jacolby O'Neal and Jamal Carter sparked Pasco's defense.

Quarterback Gus McLaughlin scored on a 5-yard keeper and threw a 25-yard touchdown to Hakeeme Ishmar. Willie Jackson had the Pirates' other touchdown, a 75-yard run up the middle.

Last week's other scores: Hudson 35, River Ridge 18; Chasco 18, Paul Smith 0; John Long 36, Stewart 9; Weightman 28, Centennial 6.

JV: Ridgewood evened its record at 3-3 by knocking Land O'Lakes 5-1 from the unbeaten ranks with a 14-13 win.

The Rams' Adam Mendez had an 80-yard kickoff return and Mike Defreese returned an interception 65 yards for a touchdown. Joe Stewart kicked two extra points and Nick Martino blocked a Land O'Lakes point after attempt.

Gulf also evened its record at 3-all with its first shutout, 22-0 over River Ridge. Tom Polito completed an 80-yard touchdown pass to Will Burbridge. Polito and Burbridge also had scoring runs.

In a battle of east-side rivals, Pasco defeated Zephyrhills 32-7.

Jammal Haynes returned a punt and an interception for touchdowns and added a scoring run to lead the Pirates.

Zephyrhills' score came on a D.J. Clower pass to Jeff Laughlin.

Contact Steve Lee at lee@sptimes.com.

[Last modified September 30, 2006, 21:42:06]