Wesley Chapel Area Spring Football Recap

CYPRESS CREEK

Biggest Question

Tim Ford-Brown was the team’s leading rusher and second-leading receiver last year and, along with others in the first graduating class at Cypress Creek (CCH), will leave a big hole. Can anyone fill it?

The Answer

It’s unlikely, as the Coyotes are graduating about 85-90 percent of all of their offensive production from a year ago. Rising sophomore Andrew Burgess got the lion’s share of the carries and pass receptions in a disappointing 35-14 spring game loss to Pasco, but showed some durability and versatility. The Coyotes will still rely on rising senior twins Jehlani (the quarterback) and Jalen Warren (wide receiver and running back), but will need more help.

Spring Game Standouts

Fullback Brycen Hernandez scored both of Cypress Creek’s touchdowns in the spring loss on 2- and 4-yard runs. Dontrell Clerkley caught a 24-yard pass in the game. Defensive lineman Ameen Saed had a forced fumble on the first play of the game, but separated his shoulder doing so and sat out the rest of the contest.

Audible

“(Burgess) is someone we’re going to move around a lot on offense,” head coach Michael Johnson said. “He was all-in for the spring game but there were some eye-opening moments for him, especially in the second half, playing at the varsity level.”

WIREGRASS RANCH

Biggest Question

The Bulls only graduated seven seniors, but most were critical pieces to the starting lineup, like two-year starter at quarterback Grant Sessums. How would the replacements, especially 6-foot-2 rising senior QB Hunter Helton, look in live game action?

The Answer

Well, the new quarterback helped produce 55 points, so he looked pretty good.

Helton connected with rising senior running back Keith Walker on three touchdowns in a barn-burner 55-48 win at East Lake. The defense, on the other hand, gave up a lot of points against a hurry-up offense that limited their substitutions and audibles.

Spring Game Standouts

Walker scored five touchdowns on the night, three through the air and two rushing. A role player last year on offense, Walker could be primed for a huge season after topping 100 yards rushing and receiving against East Lake. Helton threw for 242 yards and spread the ball around well, hitting Noah Biglow for a 69-yard score.

Audible

“I don’t know how many teams we’ll play that play that fast,” Wiregrass head coach Mark Kantor said of East Lake. “That style was faster than arena league and it was hard to get a lot of things going on defense because they (East Lake) snapped the ball so fast — it was tough.”

WESLEY CHAPEL

Biggest Question

The quarterback position has been a quarterback-by-committee affair ever since Jacob Thomas graduated at the end of head coach Tony Egan’s first year.

Egan, new staff members Tom McHugh and Brian Colding from Pasco High, as well as former South Carolina and CFL quarterback Stephen Garcia, have been working hard with possible starters. So, who will it be between rising junior Owen Libby and backup Ethan Harper?

The Answer

To be determined. Both guys played well in the spring game, a 35-7 win over Land O’Lakes. Libby threw for 177 yards and two scores, including gains of 41 and 38 yards. Harper threw a fourth-quarter touchdown pass and also ran for a score.

Spring Game Standouts

Isaiah Ramsey, a basketball player who goes 6’-4”, 205 lbs., caught a 48-yard touchdown on a slant, and Jon’Tavius Anderson had a breakout game with more than 100 yards receiving. 

Audible

“This is going to be the first time we have a 20-game starter at QB since Jacob Thomas,” Egan said. “Both (Libby and Harper) need more reps and we’ll be doing a lot of 7-on-7 this summer to help with their progressions and routes.”