Community

Cooperation, dedication bring Cougars success

Years later, changes are paying off for parents, kids and coaches.

By DEREK J. LaRIVIERE, Times Staff Writer
Published September 14, 2007

West Hernando Cougars Matthew Breida (left) and Shane Heroux, both 12, play in the Mighty Mite division. The football program has been around for 40 years.
	[Keri Wiginton | Times]

When Bob McFarland took over the West Hernando Cougars youth football and cheerleading programs eight years ago, he made some changes.

Parents and coaches believe the most notable change - moving the program's base of operation from Veteran's Park to Delta Woods Park - helped turn the Cougars into a successful program that produces quality high school players.

The move opened up the league to a whole different population of players.

"It was important that we opened things up to a different social class," McFarland said. "The teams we had back then did not represent the youth of this area."

Because he took the responsibility of coaching these young athletes so seriously, he expected his fellow coaches to do the same.

That motivation attracted dedicated football minds and parents into the mix.

Terry Walker is the longest tenured coach in the program and is the only volunteer still around from before McFarland took over.

Walker coaches the Junior Flyweight division squad, made up of 6- and 7-year-olds.

"These kids pick up on things so quickly because of how organized we are," Walker said. "Before Bob came along, we had no control and it showed on the field."

Eight years worth of changes translates into results both on and off the field.

Now area high school and middle school coaches await the talent that comes out of the West Hernando program.

The varsity team is off to its best start in Cougar history.

The football program has been around for 40 years and the Cougars have been involved in the Pasco Police Athletic League since 1982.

At 3-0, the high school-age athletes are looking more and more dominant with every contest.

The five divisions that make up the West Hernando Cougars program are currently 12-2 after the first three weeks, far and away the best in the PPAL.

This past week, the varsity defeated the Shady Hill Raiders 42-0 and has outscored its opponents 77-6 in the first three weeks.

Skill players Shane Rawlings and Jesse Gilbert have been key to the team's success on both sides of the ball.

The junior varsity roster has a couple of players to keep an eye on also.

McFarland points to Eddie Sylvester and Kaleb Krier as future stars on the gridiron.

If anyone knows what a future star looks like at this age, it would be McFarland. He has seen athletes develop for years, and his eyes light up thinking about the list of names.

"Mike Fields, Alfredo Griffin, Mike Greco and Jesse Hartman," McFarland said. "There are so many that I've seen go from not knowing how to put on their pads to really knowing how to play this game."

As the next contests for the teams approach, nothing changes on the fields at Delta Wood Park every weeknight.

The dedication of both coaches and players shows exactly what McFarland envisioned eight years ago, the cooperation of parents and volunteers in the development of the athletes of tomorrow.

Fast Facts

Recent Cougar alumni

Jesse Hartman, former Central all-county linebacker

Schuyler Swanton, Springstead state champion wrestler

Skylar Huff, Springstead all-state wrestler

Stephanie Tillman, Former Nature Coast all-county track athlete

Mike Greco, Springstead running back

Mike Fields, Nature Coast linebacker

Alfredo Griffin, Nature Coast linebacker

Wayne Tillman, Nature Coast wrestler and football playere

[Last modified September 13, 2007, 19:42:34]