Community

West Hernando Cougar Mighty Mites win Super Bowl

By DEREK J. LaRIVIERE, Times Correspondent
Published November 23, 2007

The West Hernando Cougars youth football program has five different divisions. Not one of those divisions has won its respective Pasco Police Athletic League Super Bowl in more than 15 years.

Last Saturday, that all changed when the Mighty Mites Cougars traveled to Dade City to take on the top-seeded New Tampa Wildcats. West Hernando won the contest 8-6 thanks to stout defense and a solid running game.

Coach Gary Fields and his team had confidence on their side. After defeating the second-seeded Lutz Chiefs in the semifinals the week before, West Hernando believed it could win any game.

This group of youths seemed much different from the same team that lost 19-0 to New Tampa earlier in the regular season.

Led by tailback Matt Brieda, the Cougars' ground attack allowed them to control the clock and take the Wildcats' potent offense out of the game.

Brieda's 22-yard touchdown run accounted for his team's only trip to pay dirt, but after placekicker Andrew Jessen's two-point conversion, the Cougar defense stood tough.

Strong safety Shane Heroux, named defensive MVP after the game, was all over the field, accounting for close to 20 tackles. Cornerback Trent Counts and linebacker Marcus Allen also played key roles in the swarming defensive showing.

Brieda was named offensive MVP after the game, and Fields was able to hold the trophy his team earned high. The coach has led the Mighty Mites for 10 seasons, the longest tenure of any coach at West Hernando, and has been instrumental in the program's turnaround.

Spring Hill Wrestling: The Spring Hill Wrestling Club is holding winter registration.

In coordination with USA Wrestling, Spring Hill includes school-aged youths from kindergarten through eighth grade. The cost is $75 for young student athletes to join the organization and includes a USA Wrestling membership card and a club T-shirt.

Practices start Dec. 4. Club members will work with Springstead coach Eric Swensen and a staff of other nationally experienced coaches.

Boys Volleyball: Coach Dan Murphy is interested in getting the first boys volleyball league together for the Hernando Juniors Volleyball Club.

If interested, contact Doug Liddle at 352 666-5317 or by e-mail at hernandojuniors@aol.com

There will be registration forms available for pickup at Murphy's Market on Mariner Boulevard in Spring Hill.

Submit information to community sports@tampabay.com or call (352) 544-9480.

[Last modified November 22, 2007, 21:22:47]