Gators Capture District

In what Land O' Lakes coach John Benedetto described as an "ugly" game, the Gators did what they had to do, at the possible expense of one of their stars.

Nearly squandering a 14-point first-half lead, Land O' Lakes (7-2, 3-1 Class 4A-District 8) needed a blocked kick by Alex Mathis, a late fumble recovery by Anthony Kasperitis, and a pair of sacks by Benjamin Hedblom and Christian Renner to hold off Ridgewood 20-16 at Ram Booster Stadium. Land O' Lakes officially clinched the district title after Tarpon Springs beat Springstead in overtime.

But starting quarterback Stephen Weatherford, who had one of Land O' Lakes' two touchdowns on the night, was unable to celebrate the Gators' 12th consecutive playoff appearance after sustaining a serious injury to his left shoulder or collarbone with less than two minutes to play.

Based on the swelling, and some past experience with Weatherford's brother, Joe, suffering a broken collarbone two years ago, Benedetto is not ruling out a similar injury for Stephen. He likely won't play in next week's regular-season finale against Wiregrass Ranch, and his status for the playoffs is uncertain. He was seen leaving the field with the shoulder heavily wrapped.

The injury, which occurred after a quarterback sneak, postponed any scoreboard watching of the Springstead-Tarpon Springs game for Benedetto, who needed the Spongers to win for his Gators to take the district title. The Gators were on the bus when they learned they had won it.

"I'm worried about Stevie," he said before leaving the field. "We don't know how serious it is. We'll find out more today; he'll have it X-rayed."

Playing in his last home game, Ridgewood senior running back Sterling Ross had touchdown runs of 5 yards in the second quarter and 7 yards in the third quarter, part of a 25-carry, 168-yard effort.

His second score made it 17-16, but Mathis blocked the extra point to keep it 17-16.

Land O' Lakes10703-20Ridgewood01060-16 L-FG Spock 41

L-Hipps 3 run (Spock kick)

R-FG Gray 28

L-Weatherford 1 run (Spock kick)

R-Ross 5 run (Gray kick)

R-Ross 7 run (kick failed)

L-FG Spock 22