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Land O' Lakes Football Playoffs A Reality

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By EDDIE DANIELS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 21, 2008

LAND O’ LAKES - It was a statement quirky enough to throw anyone for a loop.

Two weeks ago as the Land O' Lakes football team prepared for Tarpon Springs in a Class 4A-District 8 showdown, Land O' Lakes coach John Benedetto said he wasn't worried whether his team won or lost.

Huh?

A game in which the Gators' playoff life was hinged, a playoff life that hasn't seen the squad sit at home during the postseason since the 1994, 1995 and 1996 seasons, he wasn't concerned?

Once the initial shock of that statement rescinded, it became clear that's the way a coach, who has led his program to 11 consecutive appearances – 16 in all - and 12 district titles, talks.

"Coach told us before the game don't worry about the district championship, don't worry about the title, the [playoff] streak," Land O' Lakes quarterback Stephen Weatherford said. "But I know everyone, deep down inside, they were all thinking about that the whole time.

"I think that pushed us a little harder and I think it will for the rest of the season."

Despite the odds and the uncomfortable situations during that contest, the Gators (4-2) had one of its best defensive outputs of the season and collected a 24-22 victory on an Alex Spock game-winning field goal.

"In the fourth quarter, we were able to stop them three times. We really stepped up defensively," Benedetto said. "After they took the lead on us, we managed to offensively drive the ball right down the field and set ourselves up for a winning field goal.

"I give our kids a lot of credit because they were determined that they were not going to lose that ballgame. We could have packed it in when it was 10-0, but we came right back at them."

Tarpon (4-2) entered the game 4-0 and tied with Springstead for the district lead. Conversely, Land O' Lakes had lost to Springstead two weeks prior and was in a must-win situation.

That victory slid the Gators into the No. 2 spot in the district, the final playoff spot. If they knock off Central (3-3) Friday, River Ridge the following week and Ridgewood after that, the playoff streak will remain.

Benedetto and Weatherford are adamant the Gators' defense has kept the team going forward. Each point to key turnovers made by the offense, a hole in which the defense has had to dig the team out of.

Defensive linemen Christian Reener and Cameron Smith have been key components in making sure the defense has done its job. With the pressure they apply to quarterbacks, opposing linemen are tasked with defending them instead of attacking the Land O' Lakes linebackers.

"We have the best coaching staff in Pasco County," Smith said. "Whatever they say, we do, [which means] we'll come out and win. They know what they're doing, they just need it out of us – to come out and do what we have to do and they'll do what they have to do."

Just before saying that, defensive coordinator Al Claggett on his way back to the locker room interrupted.

"If they play with appropriate intensity and determination, they're pretty good," Claggett said of the pair, who have combined for 70 tackles.
Considering the squad has to win its three remaining district games, there's a sense of urgency emanating in the Land O' Lakes locker room.

"It puts pressure on us to play as well as we can, but we know if we practice hard that week, we can win," Renner said. "We have the really hard games done with, not saying these teams are bad, they're still good. We have to come out and play hard. But I think we can beat them if we practice hard."

As the season enters Week 8 and is ¾ complete, Benedetto, who frequently tabbed his group as a young one, believes the maturation process has kicked in.

"They've got six games under their belt now, so you're not even really classified as a young team anymore," he said. "We're at a point now where we're ready to compete. Young team means a loss against Pasco. Young team means making a critical mistake against Springstead that cost us the ballgame. We've just continued to do the things we've always done and that is hope that our kids play hard, work hard at practice and look for improvement on a weekly basis and we're getting that."

Reporter Eddie Daniels can be reached at (813) 948-4214 or edaniels@tampatrib.com.

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