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Throw Out The Records

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By NICHOLAS J.E. MURRAY

nmurray@tampatrib.com

Published: January 25, 2009

TAMPA - Wipe the slate clean. In boys soccer, the real season begins Monday.

No matter what a team has done to this point, a great performance by an underdog or a poor one by a favorite can extend, or end, a season. As proven last season by Wharton, which closed the season on a 10-game winning streak to go from a No. 4 seed to state champion, anything can happen.

This year, the Wildcats are the No. 2 seed behind King in Class 5A-District 8. In many districts, that would make them favorites to advance to the region tournament.

Not so, according to Wildcats coach Scott Ware.

"I think all the coaches in our district this year, because we've been talking, whether by phone or e-mail, think if you're part of the top six seeds right now, as the season went on, it's anybody's game," Ware said. "We all know that it's one of the stranger years when the No. 4 seed didn't lose a district match."

That No. 4 seed is Freedom, which finished the district schedule 3-0-4. Patriots coach Dennis Derflinger agrees with Ware, saying the seeding doesn't really matter in what has been one of the most competitive districts in 5A since it was created four seasons ago.

"Realistically, there's a number of teams that can advance out of our district," Derflinger said, "so it doesn't really matter where you're seeded, you just have to make sure you're playing at the right level at the right time."

The Patriots appear to be doing just that, with a recent win against Durant. So does Alonso, the No. 3 seed in 6A-7. Having won 11 of their last 12 games, the Ravens are seeking to return to the region playoffs for a third consecutive year.

But as with the coaches in 5A-8, Alonso coach Ray DiPompo said he thinks all six teams in 6A-7 have the opportunity to move on. The Ravens face No. 6 seed Gaither on Monday night with the Cowboys coming off a 4-1 win against Wharton on Tuesday.

"You just go one game at a time," DiPompo said. "Gaither, their result against Wharton tells me they're as good as anybody, Sickles has proven this year how good they are - they're the team to beat as of now. St. Petersburg is the No. 1; they play the winner of Mitchell and Countryside. It's a scary district, because any one of those six teams can beat anyone else."

Get through a tough district, however, and the chance for a run at a state title becomes a realistic goal.

"Historically, the last few years our district has been one of the toughest 5A districts, and Wharton definitely proved that anyone can advance," Derflinger said. "They didn't have the greatest record, but they always played well. ... They ended up putting it together at the right time and making a run all the way through, so I think someone who comes out of our district is definitely going to have a chance to make a run at the state title."

Nicholas J.E. Murray can be reached at (813) 259-8243.

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