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By JOHN C. COTEY, WAYNE GRUMET and JAMAL THALJI
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 23, 2001
There can be only one
The week started with four undefeated teams in Pasco County.
Only one can can still say that: Wesley Chapel.
Hudson (2-1) and Pasco (3-1) lost Friday night. Zephyrhills (2-1) lost Thursday night in Lake Buena Vista. And Wesley Chapel put on another impressive display Friday in beating Ridgewood to become the county's lone 4-0 team.
But don't ship the Sunshine Athletic Conference crown (actually, it's a plaque) to Wesley Chapel just yet. The Wildcats have outscored their opponents 183-21 this season, but those teams are a combined 2-12. The 'Cats have yet to play any of the county's true powers: Land O'Lakes, Pasco and Zephyrhills.
The SAC race is still far from being decided, and this week, it really starts to get interesting.
Wesley Chapel hosts Zephyrhills, a matchup of the Wildcats' 3-0 SAC mark versus the Bulldogs' 2-0 record.
The winner of that game grabs an advantage, but for how long? Pasco hosts Wesley Chapel Oct. 18, and hosts "9-Mile" rival Zephyrhills on Oct. 26. Land O'Lakes (3-1) climbed right back into the race with an impressive win over Pasco, and visits Wesley Chapel on Nov. 2.
And don't forget that with at-large playoff spots available, every game, even a conference game, counts toward the postseason.
John Castelamare's nice-guy image got a boost when he decided to punt on third down with his team leading 54-7 midway through the fourth quarter against Ridgewood.
Wesley Chapel had a field day setting school records for a season after just four games, such as:
Nabbing six interceptions -- Kenny Roberts and Tyrone Tomlin each had one, while Spencer Honeycutt and Travis Ugarte had two. The Wildcats now have 12 picks this season.
Tomlin's three touchdowns gave him 10 this season, breaking Matt Harden's year-old record of nine. His 60 points also broke Harden's record.
Jason Boyd had one sack, extending his season-record to 14 in four games. He had 11 in 2000.
Gilbert Montelongo's six extra points give him 17, breaking the previous record of 15. He also set a school record with a 50-yard field goal and tied Harden's record with a 62-yard punt.
Ridgewood defensive lineman Jason Krupinski, who had an interception that led to the Rams' only touchdown, did not play in the second half because his injured ankle wouldn't let him. But he went out in style, cutting off Tyrone Tomlin 45 yards into a spectacular run -- and remember, we said he's a defensive end -- and knocking him out at the 4 on the last play of the first half to save a touchdown.
Jason Boyd admitted the Ridgewood center was just pretty darned good when asked about what the Rams were doing to keep him from being his usual destructive self. Boyd blocked a punt and had one sack, both in the third quarter, but otherwise was kept away from Rams quarterback Jon Emminger all night.
The reason?
"Meet Chase DeCubellis," said Rams offensive coordinator Troy Cornwell. "He is a good center. Jason Boyd is as good as advertised. He (Boyd) did not have an off night. But Chase, watch him next time, and you'll see. He's that good."
He started the year on junior varsity, and now could be asked to help save River Ridge's season.
Ryan Mistal began doing that Friday night. Entering the game for an injured and ineffective Tim Dare, he guided the Royal Knights to a score after a 0-0 first half and finished a perfect 5-of-5 for 77 yards.
Mistal also showed great poise in overtime, avoiding a sack on third-and-goal from the Hudson 6-yard-line, slipping by three tacklers en route to the winning score. -- Compiled by John C. Cotey, Wayne Grumet and Jamal Thalji.