Scoreboard
Thursday, Sept. 1
Cypress Creek 34, Sunlake 12
Friday, Sept. 2
Bishop McLaughlin 27, Keswick Christian 0
Zephyrhills Christian 20, New Smyrna Beach 16
East Lake 17, Mitchell 6
Zephyrhills 32, The Villages 15
Wiregrass Ranch 19, Wesley Chapel 0
Hudson 35, Gulf 16
Pasco 27, Fivay 0
Saturday, Sept. 3
River Ridge 28, Countryside 21
Land O’ Lakes 38, Hollins 12
Turnaround team
When Pasco coach Alphonso Freeney was hired this offseason, he inherited a team that had lost nine straight, a streak that dated back to 2020, and had just 24 players on the roster.
Two weeks into this season, the Pirates have gone through a remarkable transformation.
The streak has already been snapped. In fact, Pasco (2-0) is now on a winning streak after shutting out Fivay to remain undefeated.
What makes the start so impressive is how dominant the Pirates have been. They have outscored foes by a combined 60-13.
Last year, Pasco scored 18 points all season.
Major milestone
After getting shutout against Bradenton Manatee in the season opener, Wiregrass Ranch got back on track by blanking rival Wesley Chapel.
The victory also marked a milestone for the Bulls’ Mark Kantor, who recorded his 100th victory as a high school coach.
Kantor previously coached at Gaither (2002-10), Hudson (2012-14) before taking at Wiregrass Ranch in 2015.
That winning feeling
Two coaches in their first year with their programs – Bishop McLaughlin’s Bob Dare and River Ridge’s Greg Miller – got their first of the season. The Hurricanes shut out Keswick Christian while the Royal Knights rallied to beat Countryside.
Prime time performers
RB Malachi Akin, Jr., Cypress Creek: Ran for two touchdowns in a win over Sunlake.
WR/DB Keenen Ayala, Sr., Land O’ Lakes: Had three receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown on offense and picked off a pass on defense in a win over Hollins.
RB Tayshaun Balmir, Sr., Pasco: Finished with 204 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 17 carries in a win over Fivay.
RB Tony Barbre, So., Bishop McLaughlin: Rushed for 127 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries in a win over Keswick Christian.
QB Riley Blevens, Jr., Hudson: Threw for 179 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Gulf.
RB Davion Brown, Jr., Wiregrass Ranch: Rushed for 77 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries in a win over Wesley Chapel.
QB Brendyn Colella, Jr., Zephyrhills: Accounted for 203 yards of offense (151 passing, 52 rushing) and threw for two scores in a win over The Villages.
ATH Sam Cheek, Sr., River Ridge: Accounted for 178 yards of offense (118 receiving, 60 rushing) and had a receiving touchdown in a win over Countryside.
QB Mason Clarke, So., Land O’ Lakes: Accounted for 169 yards (86 passing, 83 rushing) and threw for a score in a win over Hollins.
S Braden Cook, Sr., River Ridge: Finished with 10 tackles and a forced fumble in a win over Countryside.
LB Logan Falk, Jr., Cypress Creek: Returned an interception for a touchdown in a win over Sunlake.
ATH Chris Ferrini, Sr., Mitchell: Ended up with 96 yards on offense (51 rushing, 45 passing) and a rushing touchdown on offense and had six tackles and a forced fumble on defense in a loss to East Lake.
LB Devin Gilbertson, Jr., Land O’ Lakes: Finished with a team-high 14 tackles in a win over Hollins.
LB Matt Hensley Jr., Sr., Wiregrass Ranch: Recorded eight tackles and two sacks in a win over Wesley Chapel.
QB Kyle Horvath, Sunlake: Threw for two touchdowns in a loss to Cypress Creek.
QB Logan Howard, Sr., River Ridge: Accounted for 221 yards of offense (198 passing, 23 rushing) and four touchdowns (two passing, two rushing) in a win over Countryside.
S Tyler Jensen, Jr., River Ridge: Recorded a team-high 12 tackles in a win over Countryside.
LB Kevin Marks, Sr., Land O’ Lakes: Had 12 tackles, a forced fumble and a blocked punt in a win over Hollins.
WR AJ McFarlane, Jr., Hudson: Finished with four receptions for 164 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Gulf.
QB Jack Niemann, Jr., Cypress Creek: Threw for two touchdowns in a win over Sunlake.
WR/DB DJ Pickett, So., Zephyrhills: Had three receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown on offense and picked off a pass on defense in a win over The Villages.
DE Anthony Pratt, Sr., Pasco: Ended up with seven tackles, a sack and had a fumble recovery in a win over Fivay.
RB/S Maddox Rivera, Sr., Zephyrhills: Rushed for 45 yards and a touchdown on eight carries on offense and picked off a pair of passes on defense in a win over the Villages.
WR Bryson Rodgers, Sr., Wiregrass Ranch: Finished with six receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown in a win over Wesley Chapel.
WR/LB Kayleb Samuel, Jr., Pasco: Had two receptions for 54 yards on offense and five tackles on defense in a win over Fivay.
RB Logan Shawell, Jr., Hudson: Rushed for 81 yards and three touchdowns on 10 carries in a win over Gulf.
RB Rodney Smith, Zephyrhills: Finished with 137 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 18 carries in a win over The Villages.
DT Jace Worth, Sr., Hudson: Recorded four tackles and 1 ½ sacks in a win over Gulf.
Up next
Thursday’s schedule
Wesley Chapel at Gulf, 7:30
Pasco at Hudson, 7:30
Fivay at Anclote, 7:30
Friday’s schedule
Academy at the Lakes at Duval Charter, 4:30
Palm Harbor University at Sunlake, 7
Land O’ Lakes at Zephyrhills Christian, 7
Naples St. John Neumann at Bishop McLaughlin, 7
Mitchell at River Ridge, 7:30
Zephyrhills at Wiregrass Ranch, 7:30
