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.