The Land O’ Lakes football team has opened the season 0-2, but the Gators have played two of Hillsborough County’s better teams close.
In Week 1, the Gators hosted Newsome (2-0) and lost 31-24. In Week 2, they hosted Alonso (2-0) and lost 24-7.
Ravens junior quarterback Michael Pyne threw for a touchdown and ran for another while attempting only 10 passes. Running back Eli Melendez scored the Gators’ lone touchdown and leads the team with three scores.
Land O’ Lakes is splitting reps at quarterback between Canon West and Luke Falco, who have combined to go 18 of 42 for 233 yards. Falco threw the team’s only touchdown pass, a strike to senior Tyrae Jackson in the loss to Newsome.
Defensively, linebacker Gabe Garcia leads the team with 10 tackles. Danilo Faria and Jeremyah Mitchell each have an interception.
The Gators have been outscored by just 55-31, though the schedule offers no relief. Land O’ Lakes travels to Zephyrhills (1-1), the reigning Sunshine Athletic Conference champion, which is coming off a 30-14 win over Wesley Chapel (1-1).
Sunlake even at 1-1
Under first-year coach Chris DiGiacomo, the Seahawks opened with a 13-6 win over Central (0-2) before falling 20-14 to Bradenton Bayshore (1-1) on Aug. 28. Sunlake scored on Daniel Mualam’s 40-yard fumble return and a 50-yard pass from Titus Moore to Jwuan Jeffrey.
The Seahawks host River Ridge (1-1), which was shut out 45-0 by Carrollwood Day (2-0), one of Hillsborough County’s top private school programs. The Patriots have emerged as a Class 1A state title contender and have outscored opponents 86-7.
Volleyball roundup
Coming off back-to-back state tournament appearances, Sunlake is 2-1 and has yet to drop a set in a victory, sweeping both of its wins. The lone loss came against nationally ranked Calvary Christian, ranked second in the state.
Senior Amelia Snider leads the Seahawks with 19 kills, senior Olivia Grob has 16 digs and senior Audrey Arciniega has seven aces.
Sunlake plays twice this week, hosting Wesley Chapel (0-1) on Sept. 1 and Plant (1-1) on Sept. 3. The Panthers, a perennial state title contender, are ranked 27th in the nation.
Nearby Land O’ Lakes has opened 3-0, dropping just two sets in wins over Bishop McLaughlin (2-2), Central (0-3) and Class 5A-District 9 rival Mitchell (2-2). The Mustangs are 0-2 in district play after losing their season opener to Sunlake 3-0.
Livia Matia leads the Gators with 40 kills, and Kaylee Prcic has added 31 kills, five aces and 28 digs. Cicolello leads the team with 35 digs.
Land O’ Lakes also plays twice, hosting Wiregrass Ranch (1-2) on Sept. 1 before traveling to Tampa Catholic (2-1) on Sept. 3.
At Angeline Academy of Innovation, the Archers are off to a 5-1 start that already matches last season’s win total. In just its third varsity season, the program has 11 wins since launching with a roster of mostly freshmen and eighth graders.
Alyssa Booth, the team’s lone senior, leads Angeline with 56 kills and plays for her father, coach Anthony Booth. Sophomores Meredith Winn and Sadie Magee have added 45 and 32 kills, respectively.
The Archers have been effective at the service line, with 26 aces from Winn, 19 from Mayson Cregger, 17 each from Magee and Kennedi McNeil and 15 from Booth. Booth also has 13 blocks and Madison Brinkley 11. Magee leads the team with 64 digs and Booth has 47.
Angeline plays three road matches this week: at Wesley Chapel on Aug. 31, at first-year Kirkland Ranch (0-1) on Sept. 1 and at SLAM Academy on Sept. 3.