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Mark your calendars

By IZZY GOULD
Published April 4, 2007

We're smack dab in the middle of Pasco County football country where the newest rivalry is shaping up between Land O'Lakes and Sunlake. That loud shrieking you here? Gators are being transformed into Seahawks before our very eyes! Here's a taste for all the pigskin-starved junkies who can't wait for May 1 when spring football officially begins. Notice the addition of Wiregrass Ranch and Sunlake, a pair of first-year programs bringing the count of Pasco County varsity teams to 12. On with the schedules.

Five games we can't stop talking about

Land O'Lakes at Sunlake, Sept. 28.

Move over Pasco-Zephyrhills. The Gators and Seahawks are out for blood in their inaugural rivalry battle. Relax, it's an expression. Why is this a rivalry? Sunlake is taking a bunch of Land O'Lakes kids when its doors open in August. The Gators believe they will lose their best athletes and watch the athletic program they built over 30 years get decimated. So much for "welcome to the neighborhood."

Wesley Chapel at Pasco, Sept. 14.

Whoever thought the Wildcats and Pirates might trade flowers and hugs at the 50? This rivalry gets watered down with former coaching buddies Tom McHugh and John Castelamare on opposing sides. Athletically speaking, this should be a great game with tons of talent on display.

Pasco at Wiregrass Ranch, Oct. 26.

Bulls coach Ricky Thomas gets his first crack at his alma mater and the team he once coached. Don't expect any pleasantries in this grudge match.

Hudson at Ridgewood, Aug. 31.

We finally get our first true look at the Rams in '07. Ridgewood is a preseason favorite to win the Sunshine Athletic Conference and reach the playoffs. Are the Rams for real? Or is it hype? And what about the Cobras? This would be a heck of a statement game. Remember Zephyrhills going into Land O'Lakes last season to take the opener?

Hernando at Pasco, Nov. 9.

Former assistant Mike Penix comes home wearing, of all things, the color purple? If you thought Greg Jenkins' mother lost her mind when she started rooting for Wesley Chapel just wait until you see Penix in purple. Yes, the guy who played for the Pirates in a rivalry thousands watched has joined the Brooksville Bunch. Bizarre? Have you been to Dade City?

Bishop McLaughlin

Coach: TBA District: B-6 Last season: 5-5

2007 SCHEDULE

Aug. 31 Hernando Christian

Sept. 7 Santa Fe Catholic

Sept. 14 Admiral Farragut

Sept. 21 Calvary Christian

Sept. 28 Sarasota Out-of-Door

Oct. 5 Tampa Baptist

Oct. 13 Cambridge

Oct. 19 W. Haven All Saints'

Oct. 26 Bradenton Prep

Nov. 2 Keswick Christian

Five words entering spring football: The powerhouse is coming along.

Gulf

Coach: Jay Fulmer District: 3A-8 Last season: 6-5, playoffs

2007 SCHEDULE

Aug. 31 Mitchell

Sept. 7 River Ridge

Sept. 14 Hernando

Sept. 21 Wiregrass Ranch

Sept. 28 Ridgewood

Oct. 5 Sunlake

Oct. 19 Hudson

Nov. 2 Pasco

Nov. 9 East Lake

Five words entering spring football: Playoffs! Are you kidding? Playoffs!

Hudson

Coach: Mark Nash District: 3A-8 Last season: 2-8

2007 SCHEDULE

Aug. 23 Springstead

Aug. 31 Ridgewood

Sept. 7 Hernando

Sept. 21 Pasco

Sept. 28 Mitchell

Oct. 5 Wiregrass Ranch

Oct. 12 River Ridge

Oct. 19 Gulf

Oct. 26 Sunlake

Nov. 2 Zephyrhills

Nov. 9 Crystal River

Five words entering spring football: Hiss! Here come the Cobras.

Land O'Lakes

Coach: John Benedetto District: 4A-8 Last season: 9-2, playoffs

2007 SCHEDULE

Aug. 31 Pasco

Sept. 7 Wesley Chapel

Sept. 14 Zephyrhills

Sept. 21 Springstead

Sept. 28 Sunlake

Oct. 5 Tarpon Springs

Oct. 18 Central

Oct. 26 River Ridge

Nov. 2 Ridgewood

Nov. 9 Wiregrass Ranch

Five words entering spring football: Benedetto or Sunlake. You choose.

Mitchell

Coach: Scott Schmitz District: 5A-5 Last season: 3-7

2007 SCHEDULE

Aug. 31 Gulf

Sept. 7 Zephyrhills

Sept. 14 River Ridge

Sept. 28 Hudson

Oct. 5 Gaither

Oct. 12 Ridgewood

Oct. 19 Wharton

Oct. 26 CCC

Nov. 2 Wesley Chapel

Nov. 9 Sunlake

Five words entering spring football: Is Tate Humphrey five words?

Pasco

Coach: Tom McHugh District: 3A-8 Last season: 3-7

2007 SCHEDULE

Aug. 31 Land O'Lakes

Sept. 7 Sebring

Sept. 14 Wesley Chapel

Sept. 21 Hudson

Sept. 28 Nature Coast

Oct. 5 Zephyrhills

Oct. 19 Sunlake

Oct. 26 Wiregrass Ranch

Nov. 2 Gulf

Nov. 9 Hernando

Five words entering spring football: What can you do, McHugh?

Ridgewood

Coach: Chris Taylor District: 4A-8 Last season: 6-4

2007 SCHEDULE

Aug. 31 Hudson

Sept. 7 Wiregrass Ranch

Sept. 21 Central

Sept. 28 Gulf

Oct. 5 River Ridge

Oct. 12 Mitchell

Oct. 18 Tarpon Springs

Oct. 26 Springstead

Nov. 2 Land O'Lakes

Nov. 9 Zephyrhills

Five words entering spring football: Byronell and Ben are back!

River Ridge

Coach: Tim Stevens District: 4A-8 Last season: 0-10

2007 SCHEDULE

Aug. 31 Sunlake

Sept. 7 Gulf

Sept. 14 Mitchell

Sept. 21 Tarpon Springs

Oct. 5 Ridgewood

Oct. 12 Hudson

Oct. 19 Springstead

Oct. 26 Land O'Lakes

Nov. 2 Central

Nov. 9 Wesley Chapel

Five words entering spring football: Can Tim turn this around?

Sunlake

Coach: TBA District: 3A-8 Last season: N/A

2007 SCHEDULE

Aug. 31 River Ridge

Sept. 14 St. Cloud

Sept. 21 Zephyrhills

Sept. 28 Land O'Lakes

Oct. 5 Gulf

Oct. 12 Wesley Chapel

Oct. 19 Pasco

Oct. 26 Hudson

Nov. 2 Wiregrass Ranch

Nov. 9 Mitchell

Five words entering spring football: Welcome to Land O'Lakes South.

Wesley Chapel

Coach: John Castelamare District: 5A-5 Last season: 5-5

2007 SCHEDULE

Aug. 31 Wiregrass Ranch

Sept. 7 Land O'Lakes

Sept. 14 Pasco

Sept. 21 Hernando

Sept. 28 Zephyrhills

Oct. 5 Wharton

Oct. 12 Sunlake

Oct. 18 Gaither

Nov. 2 Mitchell

Nov. 9 River Ridge

Five words entering spring football: Hey, you talk to them?

Wiregrass Ranch

Coach: Ricky Thomas District: 3A-8 Last season: N/A

2007 SCHEDULE

Aug. 31 Wesley Chapel

Sept. 7 Ridgewood

Sept. 21 Gulf

Oct. 5 Hudson

Oct. 18 Zephyrhills

Oct. 26 Pasco

Nov. 2 Sunlake

Nov. 9 Land O'Lakes

Five words entering spring football: Welcome back to Pasco, Ricky.

Zephyrhills

Coach: Tom Fisher District: 3A-8 Last season: 8-2, playoffs

2007 SCHEDULE

Sept. 7 Mitchell

Sept. 14 Land O'Lakes

Sept. 21 Sunlake

Sept. 28 Wesley Chapel

Oct. 5 Pasco

Oct. 12 Miami Gulliver Prep

Oct. 18 Wiregrass Ranch

Oct. 26 Gulf

Nov. 2 Hudson

Nov. 9 Ridgewood

Five words to take us into spring football: Graduation makes Bulldogs very Sed.

Izzy Gould can be reached at igould@tampabay.com or 727 580-5315.

[Last modified April 3, 2007, 21:08:17]