Community Sports Your Neighborhood Sports Source
Program, expectations on the rise at Freedom By Michael Murillo mmurillo@lakerlutznews.com
According to the record books, Freedom High School finished with a 3-7 record last year. But head coach Tom Donohoe doesn’t see it that way. “The program was 8-8,” said Donohoe, now entering his third season at the helm.“That’s the way we look at it, because we coach varsity and JV. Our goal is to improve as a program.” Including junior varsity records, instead of back-to-back 3-7 campaigns, Freedom improved from 6-10 to 8-8 over the previous year. At least from the coach’s perspective. Rebuilding from the ground up — the varsity team hasn’t had a winning season since 2009 — means looking at improving all aspects of the Patriots’ football proStructure and organization are key words at Patriots’ practices under coach Tom Donohoe. gram. Installing discipline, structure and stability at all levels of play is important, Donohoe explained. expected to continue their solid 2014 Patriots Schedule Practices are more organized, and the play and help the team turn the program as a whole has a clear understand- corner in 2014. 8/29 — at King 10/2 — at Sickles ing of what they’re trying to do. The same “It’s going to be on us to step 9/5 — Middleton 10/17 — Tampa Bay Tech coaches lead both teams, so the transition up and score points defensively,” 9/12 — at Wharton 10/24 — Steinbrenner from junior varsity to varsity should be a said linebacker Lee Carabali. 9/19 — at Gaither 10/31 — at Wiregrass Ranch smooth one for players as they advance in The team has been hitting the 9/26 — Strawberry Crest 11/7 — Riverview the system. weight room over the summer, and While that focus didn’t translate into is now stronger as a result. He’s more wins over the previous season for the even seen improvement in the ofPatriots, there were bright spots and areas of fense as the defense faces them in practice. terms of offensive productivity,” Donohoe improvement. Freedom was involved in a That improvement would be welcome in said.“No doubt about it.” number of close games, including two road 2014. While the defense was doing their The attitude change has made an impact losses by a total of 10 points to Strawberry part to help the team win last year, the other on experienced players like defensive back Crest and district foe Steinbrenner. side of the ball wasn’t as effective. Aaron Cox. Freedom plays both of those teams at “Our offense was sputtering,” Donohoe “A lot of people, since I was a freshman, home this year, and Donohoe is looking for- admitted.The Patriots only reached the 20- were playing around and not really disciward to seeing year-to-year improvement as point mark once all last year, and failed to plined,” Cox said. “But now that we have they tackle familiar opponents throughout score 10 points four times. better coaches, they’ve been working with the schedule. But Freedom closed the year with two us and we’ve been working real hard.” The Patriots’ defense also was a bright straight wins, including a 33-13 win over The players have come together and spot in 2013, providing solid play and keep- Wiregrass Ranch in their home finale. bought into the system, he said. ing the team in many games. Eight starters The team is returning six starters, has talWith so many returning starters, the are returning from last year, which provides ented weapons at skill positions and had Patriots are feeling good about improving stability at what already was a strong point strong performances in seven-on-seven com- their fortunes in 2014. But Donohoe also is for the team. petition over the summer, Donohue said. A excited to see how newer players perform. Defensive backs and linebackers should new offensive coordinator should provide He expects athletes who played junior be particularly effective this season, fresh perspectives as well, giving the coach varsity to step up and contribute immediateDonohoe said. plenty of optimism for the coming season. ly. They should be comfortable with the The defense understands that they’ll be “It’s definitely going to be a better year in system and ready to perform,
CHECK
SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SEND SPORTS NEWS TO MMURILLO@LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM
LUTZ BASEBALL GOLF EVENT SEPT. 15
CHEVAL CARES 5K SET FOR SEPT. 20
The Greater Tampa Bay Football Club is now accepting registrations for its fall and winter soccer league. The league is open to boys and girls in north Hillsborough and Pasco counties from ages 5 through 19. Each team will have one practice day per week, and a game on Saturdays. Practices and games will be at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway. To register, visit GTBFC.com. For information, call Frank Coorey at (727) 423-8886, or e-mail fcoorey@verizon.net.
HIKE FOR HOSPICE IN NOVEMBER
Gulfside Hospice will have its eighth an-
14A
September 3, 2014
LAST YEAR: 3-7 1-4 in the district fifth place in Class 7A-District 7
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS Johnny Rodicio, slot back Lee Carabali, linebacker
PLAYER TO WATCH
Sayff Saed, wide receiver, quarterback “He can do a number of different things. He has a lot of talent and can go into a lot of different positions.” — Coach Tom Donohoe
which Donohoe hopes will lead to some better numbers for the varsity squad. “A lot of these guys played with us for the last couple of years,” he said.“They’re a product of what we’ve been doing, and they know the expectations. It should be their time to shine. “We feel like we’re finally getting to that point where we should be successful a little bit more in varsity now, too.”
ROTARY GOLF OUTING OCT. 24
Avila Golf & Country Club, 943 Guisando De Avila, will host a golf event benefiting Lutz Baseball on Sept. 15. Tee time is at 1 p.m., and the cost is $150 per person. Sponsorships are available. For more information and to register, visit LutzBaseball.com.
SOCCER LEAGUE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
FREEDOM PATRIOTS
$25.They will be on Wednesday nights Sept. 10, Sept. 17 and Sept. 24, as well as Oct. 1, Oct. 8 and Oct. 15 at the church’s property on Boyette Road. For information, call (813) 994-9363, visit ExploreGrace.com, or e-mail soccer@exploregrace.com.
THIS OUT
The third annual Cheval Cares 5K run will take place Sept. 20 to benefit the Pediatric Cancer Foundation. The event begins and ends at the Cheval Athletic Club, 4142 Cheval Blvd., in Lutz. There will be a post-race family fun party after the event. The cost is $30 for adults and $20 for children. Registration will not be available on the day of the event for non-residents of Cheval. For information and to register, visit ChevalCares5K.com.
MICHAEL MURILLO/STAFF PHOTO
COURTESY OF RON LUDWIN
A swimming start Jordan Wheeler, right, a senior at Land O’ Lakes High School, takes a breather after finishing the 100-meter butterfly against Mathew Finn, left. Both were taking part in the first swim meet of the new school year as Land O’ Lakes faced off against Ridgewood at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.
nual Hike For Hospice on Nov. 16 at Rasmussen College, 18600 Fernview St., in Land O’ Lakes. The event includes a 5-kilometer run and walk. Registration is $25 for adults, $15 for students, and $10 for children younger than 11. The cost includes a T-shirt, breakfast and beverages. To register or to receive sponsorship information, call (800) 561-4883. Registration also is accepted at FristGiving.com/GulfsideHospice.
For more information, call Walt Bockmiller at (813) 527-8211.
SENIOR SOFTBALL REGISTRATION IN SEPTEMBER
SOCCER ACADEMY FROM GRACE COMMUNITY
A 60-and-older co-ed slow-pitch softball league will have registration and drafts Sept. 12, Sept. 19 and Sept. 26 from 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., at Field 10 of the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway. The games begin in October.
www.LakerLutzNews.com
LOL STARS GOLF TOURNEY SEPT. 20
The Land O’ Lakes Stars Baseball Club will host a fundraising golf tournament Sept. 20 at the Lexington Oaks Golf Course, 26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. The event will help the little league team raise funds for a trip to Cooperstown, New York. Sponsorships are available. For information, visit LOLStars.org.
Grace Soccer Club will host its 3v3 Academy for children in first through sixth grade. The program is designed to strengthen soccer skills, sportsmanship and faith. The cost for the six-program session is
The Daybreak Rotary Club of Zephyrhills will have its 22nd annual golf outing on Oct. 24 at the Links of Lake Bernadette Golf Club, 5430 Links Lane. The event includes a round of golf, various challenges and contests, dinner, door prizes, and an awards banquet. Registration begins at noon with tee-off starting at 1 p.m. The cost is $85 per person. For information, call Theresa SommersPeacock at (813) 788-3369, Mike Wooton at (813) 777-1222, or Nelson Ryman at (813) 997-5939.
CENTRAL FLORIDA OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club, 12900 Lake Jovita Blvd., in Dade City, will host the Central Florida Open Championship Sept. 18-19. Up to 144 of the top professional and amateur golfers in central Florida are expected to compete on the club’s South course. Tee, range and custom flag sponsorships are available. For information, call Rick Weber at (352) 588-9200, or email rweber@lakejovita.com.
SPORT ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE FOR SENIORS
Senior Sports is seeking players older than 60 for a number of regular co-ed sporting events, including Slo-Pitch softball for fall and winter competition. Senior Sports has participants who play golf every Wednesday and bowling every Thursday. It also has added tennis and indoor volleyball. For more information, call Walt Bockmiller at (813) 527-8211.