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New Gators Quarterback, Same Old Results

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By EDDIE DANIELS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 15, 2008

WESLEY CHAPEL - This was the fashion of victory Land O' Lakes needed entering the first round of the playoffs next week.

After losing starting quarterback Stephen Weatherford to a fractured left clavicle, Tanner Stocker — having completed just two passes this season — led Land O' Lakes to a commanding 29-0 victory against Wiregrass Ranch on Friday night.

It was a balanced display, in which the Gators defense gave its offense plenty of opportunities and the offense capitalized on those chances.

"I think our defense has improved tremendously in the second half of this season and as a result, it helps our offense," Land O' Lakes coach John Benedetto said. "We spent the first part of the season, I think, on defense too often. Our offense was off on the sideline. Now our defense — there's a lot of three-and-outs, which means more plays for our offense and the more plays we have, the more success we're going to have offensively."

The offensive success was visible early.

The first offensive possession for the Gators (8-2) was a 10-play effort, capped by Alex Spock's 49-yard field goal.

During that possession, Stocker completed his first three passes — all short attempts. His fourth throw looked like a sure touchdown, but the received appeared to slow down on his route.

Stocker ended his night nine of 13 for 106 yards and two touchdown passes. His favorite receiver proved to be Alex Mathis, who led all receivers with his six catches for 72 yards and one touchdown.

On the following Wiregrass (1-9) series, Andrew Gorgen collected the first of his two interceptions. That led to a 4-yard score by Land O' Lakes running back Ben Hipps.

In total, the Gators defense racked up four interceptions and a fumble recovery.

"[The defense] played very well," Stocker said. "Gorgen with those two interceptions came up big. Also Alex Mathis was doing a great job, Christian Renner and Cameron [Smith] were rushing the quarterback like there was no one's business. Also Jamerson [Davis], our shutdown corner [played well]."

This trek to a playoff spot took some doing. Land O' Lakes lost its opening Class 4A-District 8 contest to Springstead in Week 4, but fought back to stay in the playoff hunt. Victories against Tarpon Springs, Central, River Ridge and Ridgewood, coupled with Springstead's losses to River Ridge and Tarpon Springs, gave the Gators their second consecutive district title — the program's 13th. It's also the 12th consecutive season the Gators will participate in the postseason.

Benedetto believes that spark was lit against Tarpon Springs.

"Their no-quit attitude, it was evident in a few games this season where they were down and kept fighting and came back," Benedetto said. "We were down 10-0 against Tarpon Springs and came back and won that ballgame.

"That was a big victory for us. It put us in a situation to where we are now."

And where they are now is playing host to a playoff opponent for the 13th time in program history.

Reporter Eddie Daniels can be reached at (813) 948-4214.

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