The game took its toll on Dan Goodspeed.
Even as a former professional lineman who’s played in the Super Bowl, Goodspeed was having trouble with the Friday Night Lights tension.
“(The game) was a little too exciting for me,” Goodspeed said with a laugh. “I think that if you ask any of the talking heads out there, we were not favored by any means, but I also think we’re capable of winning games if we don’t shoot ourselves in the foot.”
Luckily, the Gators didn’t shoot their kicker’s foot, as senior Ian Vazquez hit three field goals, including a 27-yard game winner, to upset Zephyrhills 9-7 for an impressive road victory.
Down 7-6, the Bulldogs had a bad snap with 1:21 left to play to set up the Vazquez kick. Last season, Zephyrhills beat Land O’ Lakes 39-7.
“(Zephyrhills coach) Nick (Carroll) always puts a good team on the field over there,” Goodspeed said. “And they usually put a good offense on the field, with really good athletes, but in the past, we’ve been our own Achilles’ heel, and we’ll play good at first, but then just can’t seem to get out of our own way. You know, because we had a snap that sailed over our heads and so did they and, well, this time we didn’t shoot ourselves in the foot.
“We made mistakes as they did, but they made the last worst mistake.”
Earlier in the game, the Gators had two drives, including the one to open the game, stall in the red zone, leading to the first two Vazquez field goals. Goodspeed said they won the time of possession game throughout, keeping the Bulldogs’ potent offense off the field. The Gators’ defense had a turnover and kept Zephyrhills to just its lone touchdown: an 8-yard reception by Franklin Agholor from Josh Howard.
The Gators also relied heavily on the run game, giving the ball mostly to their top back, junior Eli Melendez, who leads the team with three touchdowns.
Land O’ Lakes started out the season with three tough opponents, losing to Hillsborough County playoff contenders Newsome (31-24) and Alonso (24-7), but Goodspeed isn’t making excuses. In fact, he’s proud of the players and the effort they’ve put into not only a thrilling upset, but in those two losses.
“For the first time in a long time,” Goodspeed said, “after the game, we’re hearing, ‘Coach, I’m tired,’ but that is also the best feeling in the world because that means they are emptying the tank, leaving it all on the field, leaving the field completely tired. You want the boys to compete and grow and play a variety of teams and empty the tank. They’re giving it their all and I think that’s what we captured on Friday night.”
Both teams now move to 1-2 in the young season, with Land O’ Lakes headed to Cypress Creek (0-2) and Zephyrhills headed to Springstead (0-2), while the Coyotes and Eagles both return from a bye week.
Sunlake edged by River Ridge
The Seahawks also moved to 1-2, losing 30-26 to the Royal Knights at home on Bill Browning Field. Sunlake has been outscored by opponents 56-53.
Sunlake will hit the road for a rare Thursday game at Wharton. The upstart Wildcats are 3-0 after going 6-14 the past two seasons under third-year head coach Abner Smith.