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Looking Back: August

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By EDDIE DANIELS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 27, 2007

LAND O' LAKES - Talk about taking a load off your shoulders.

The River Ridge football team distanced itself from its dubious losing streak when it knocked off Sunlake in the season opener, 50-0.

That was the first win for Tim Stevens in his second year coaching the Royal Knights, and it broke up a 23-game losing streak, which began in October 2004.

"Finally," said River Ridge senior Markel Bell, "the streak is over."

During that 1,052-day, 34-month stretch, River Ridge endured consecutive 0-10 seasons (2005-06). Last season the squad was outscored 331-66.

To call the victory a relief would be an understatement.

"I've been with the program since my ninth-grade year. It's been a rough couple years, and obviously it feels good," said senior running back Justin Ayers, who collected 113 rushing yards against the Seahawks. "We're on the right track."

The 50 points was the first time the Royal Knights put up 38 points or more since 2003. It was also the team's first shutout of an opponent since 2002.

River Ridge held Sunlake to 88 total yards of offense, all on the ground, and produced three sacks. And in an even rarer moment, the Royal Knights starters were pulled in the fourth quarter.

"I'm happy for the kids, it was cool," said Stevens, who won his first game as a varsity coach in his 11th try. "It's no fun losing. It's like I said before, these kids can finally walk through the halls on Monday with their heads up and their chests out and have fun for the week."

Unfortunately, that's about all the time River Ridge got to enjoy the victory. In the remaining nine games of the season, the squad reverted to its old ways, losing its next games and, ironically, creating another streak.

You win some and you lose some.

LOL Lost Weatherford Then Lost To Pasco

Where Land O' Lakes ended the season - district and conference champions - was a more amazing feat because of where the Gators started.

Right before the season started, linebacker John Weatherford went down for the year with a knee injury after being hurt during practice.

Already with a couple of other key injuries and unsure of the quarterback situation, Land O' Lakes dropped its opening game 15-10 to a Pasco team that proved to be equally as surprising as the year went on.

The deciding play was a 77-yard touchdown pass from D.J. Clower to Demetrious Larry, aided by a huge block by Hakeeme Ishmar that allowed Larry to score.

Pasco's win was a much-needed boost to open the season and it was Tom McHugh's career first as a head coach.

Wesley Chapel District Park Opened

The 143-acre, $20 million Wesley Chapel District Park hosted its first weekend of organized athletics, giving about 1,800 children a permanent place to play sports.

Prior to the park opening, the Wesley Chapel Athletic Association sports leagues and its 1,500 children had no regular place to play.

"We've been working out of a pasture on State Road 54 that's about 30 acres, and we have about 1,500 kids," Bret Osterman, an association board member told the Tribune in August.

"We've had to beg, borrow and steal for places to play, so it means a lot that we have a place to call home."

Phase I of the park has soccer and football fields, baseball fields, softball fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, picnic shelters and a playground.

Phase II is expected to include a recreation center and aquatics center and skateboard facility.

Wiregrass, Sunlake Began Varsity Schedules

While Wiregrass Ranch was able to ease in to its varsity schedule in football because it opened with no juniors and seniors last year, Sunlake was thrown right into the fire because it opened with juniors this year.

In August, Wiregrass Ranch's football team and all of Sunlake's fall teams started playing with the big boys and girls.

Wiregrass Ranch's football team played junior varsity last season.

Both won their kickoff classics but went through their share of growing pains, too.

Wiregrass Ranch's only win in football came against Sunlake, which went winless in its first season.

ABOUT THIS SERIES

As 2007 comes to an end, The Pasco Tribune sports staff takes a look back at people and events that made the news. The series will run daily through Monday.

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