Bulldogs look past playoff loss to promising future By Michael Murillo Zephyrhills Bulldog junior linebacker Kevin Lee swats down a pass from Sunlake quarterback Dayton Feiden during the final game of the season that Zephyrhills won 22-7. The Bulldogs would lose a heartbreaking first-round playoff game, while the Seahawks would move to the next round after beating Ocala’s Vanguard High School.
mmurillo@lakerlutznews.com
The Zephyrhills Bulldogs played approximately 540 minutes of football this season — but it was the final two minutes that were the most disappointing. The team came up short on a fourth-andone that would have sealed a victory in their first playoff game in eight seasons. Instead, their opponent — Suwannee High School from Live Oak — drove down the field quickly and scored a touchdown. Suwannee then recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff for another score. And just like that, Zephyrhills’ season was gone. But not forgotten. “We’re a little disappointed about the loss, not getting the win up in Live Oak, especially being ahead most of the game,” Bulldogs head coach Reggie Roberts said. “But we played good football to get there, and we played good football when we got there. But we just have to finish at that level.” As the sting of not finishing a winnable playoff loss subsides — the team led 24-9 at the half — it will be replaced by memories of the good football that brought them to that point in the first place. Their 8-3 final record is the best of Roberts’ tenure, which began in 2010. It was their fourth straight year with a winning record, and the playoff appearance snapped an eight-year drought without postseason play.The Bulldogs took the field for that game ready to play their brand of football, not like a team that was just happy to be there or wanted to play conservatively. For his part, Roberts has no regrets about going for it on that critical fourth down at the end of the game. Converting that yard would have meant a victory, he said, and the circumstances at that time and the field position dictated it was the best move for the team. But that decision was made and the playoff game is over. And Roberts, like all successful coaches, doesn’t like to dwell in the past. He’s already looking ahead to 2015, and he likes what he sees. While he admits that replacing offensive
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RIBBON CUTTING FOR DR. THATIMATLA
Bayfront Health Medical Group, 13933 17th St., in Dade City, hosted a ribbon cutting and open house with The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce for Dr. Naga Thatimatla, a general and bariatric surgeon. Dr.Thatimatla’s services include anti-reflux surgery, bariatric surgery, gallbladder removal, and endoscopy thyroid/parathyroid surgery.
FREE COPIES OF FIVE WISHES
Throughout the month of November, Gulfside Hospice & Pasco Palliative Care will offer free copies of “Five Wishes,” an easy-to-use tool with advance directives and planning information, while supplies last. Copies can be picked up at the Gulfside Center for Hospice Care, 5760 Dean Dairy Road in Zephyrhills, or at any of the Gulfside thrift shops. There is a limit of one per person. Spanish versions are available by calling Gulfside Hospice. For information, call Kirsty Churchill at (727) 845-5707, or email info@ghppc.org.
HPH GRIEF WORKSHOP
HPH Hospice will host a grief workshop for any adult who has experienced the
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cogs like quarterback Ty Tanner, receiver Tyler Kirby and running back Jaylen Pickett won’t be easy, Roberts believes the team’s depth will step up and fill the gaps. “Our seniors will be missed, but by the same token, we have a lot of young players that know how to play football,” he said. The Bulldogs will welcome back known talent like receiver Jackie Tucker and running back Antwione Sims, who distinguished himself this season and in the playoff game. They also have a number of junior varsity players who are ready to graduate to varsity and contribute immediately. If there’s an early area of concern, it’s the kicking game. Somebody will need to fill punter and kicker Zach Gleaton’s spot, but there’s time to find a replacement. But from offensive line to other skill positions, the death of a loved one Dec. 2 at 2 p.m., at the HPHO Resource Center, 37441 Clinton Ave., in Dade City. Admission is free. For information, call (800) 486-8784.
coach feels good about the talent he’ll carry into 2015. “I like what we have coming back,” Roberts said. He also likes the renewed community interest in Zephyrhills football, and the fact that coaches are now coming to him asking for advice on how to build and maintain a successful program. The returning players will bring a renewed desire to win and a lot of pride in what they’re building, but they’ll also carry some bitterness about the way the season ended. After the playoff loss, he found the younger players hurting after the game, even if they didn’t get on the field much. They were upset at the way things ended for the team, and the coach wants them to use that frustration as fuel for
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SHINE PROGRAM NEEDS HELP
The volunteer program Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders needs volunteers in Pasco and Pinellas counties to offer free counseling and assistance to seniors and those with disabilities on topics related to Medicare, Medicaid, prescription drug assistance, supplemental insurance and more. A three-day training program will begin Dec. 9 at Rasmussen College, 18600 Fernview St., in Land O’ Lakes. Transportation costs are reimbursed, and meals are provided. For information, call Sue Samson at (727) 570-9696, ext. 234. A volunteer application can be found online at FloridaSHINE.org.
NAMI HONORS COMMUNITY MEMBERS
The National Alliance on Mental Illness Pasco County recognizes community members who have gone above and beyond to help those with mental illness and their families. This year’s award recipients were: • Crisis Intervention Team Officer of the Year: Curtis Adams, Pasco County sheriff’s deputy • Provider of the Year: Kim Treanor, BayCare • Advocate of the Year: Rick Barrett, NAMI member • Media Award for East Pasco: Heather Grzelka, Madeira Public Relations • Media Award for West Pasco: Rose Marie Seiber, Seiber Graphics • Humanitarian of the Year: Nancy Chancey, former head of ER nursing at Tampa General Hospital • Legislator of the Year, Bob Dillinger, public defender
next season. “They’re going to remember that pain,” Roberts said. “They’re going to remember this experience.They’re going to remember it takes blood, and hopefully that’s going to just energize them and motivate them to get back there (to the playoffs) every year.” If Roberts is looking for indications that the team will learn from this year’s lessons, he’s already seen some positive signs as the long off-season gets underway. The players aren’t interested in taking extended breaks, even when offered by the coach at the end of a hard-fought playoff game and a successful 2014 campaign. “I gave the kids two weeks off, and the kids were in the weight room” four days after the playoff game, he said.“If that doesn’t tell you anything, it tells me a lot.”
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November 26, 2014
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