TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Terrapin Youngsters Leading The Charge

ADVERTISEMENT

By BILL WARD, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 16, 2008

FORT LAUDERDALE - When Tampa Prep boys soccer coach Jose DaCosta looks at his team's two starting forwards, he doesn't see Wes Sever as a sophomore and Jake Peterson as a freshman.

Instead, DaCosta looks at two players who have helped carry the Terrapins' scoring load and into today's Class 2A state championship game against Jacksonville Providence. The Terrapins will be looking to defend their state crown and earn their third title in four years.

"The only thing they might be lacking is experience," DaCosta said, whose squad boasts a 26-2-2 record. "Otherwise, they get out there and get the job done for us."

Sever has enjoyed a phenomenal season. He leads the Terrapins in goals with 36 and has added 10 assists. Peterson, meanwhile, has tallied five goals and seven assists. In Thursday's 2A semifinals against Maitland Orangewood Christian, Peterson and Sever teamed up for the game's lone goal - and what a goal it was.

Sprinting with the ball along the touchline, Peterson crossed it perfectly to Sever standing just inside the 18-yard box. Without hesitation, Sever volleyed a spectacular, almost unstoppable shot to the right corner for the goal.

"It's a team thing, but that was just a wonderful goal," Peterson said. "I just played it in, hoping he would pull off his magical stuff like he usually does and he did it."

Like the quarterback who credits his offensive line, Sever was quick to give Peterson his due.

"Early in the season, when I knew Jake would be playing up top with me, we started having good connections and that was one of them again," Sever said. "It was just a beautiful ball from him to me. Basically, all I did was get a touch on it."

DaCosta believes one of the things that has helped mature his squad this season is playing a schedule heavy with schools larger than Class 2A. Among them were Alonso, Manatee, Sarasota Riverview, Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota, Fernandina Beach and St. Petersburg.

"I think playing those bigger schools gets you used to the speed and more physical type of play you see at this level," DaCosta said. "When you play that type of schedule, you feel like you can anybody."

And that includes Providence. Tampa Prep has not played the Stallions since defeating them 1-0 in last year's state semifinals, but Terps say they're ready.

"Our team is a little young in places but we can handle anyone in any class," said Tampa Prep senior captain Ryan Griffin. "Bring 'em on."

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT