North Suncoast Week 7 Roundup & Top performances (Oct. 3-8)
The North Suncoast has been as unpredictable as the chocolate box that Forest Gump talked about. You just never know what you’re going to get.
High school football has enjoyed plenty of feel good stories across the board this season, but making it making it make sense has become harder and more difficult every single week. Land O’ Lakes and Pasco are Pasco County’s two undefeated teams and Springstead is also unscathed through seven weeks, just like everyone predicted.
South Sumter is also undefeated as the Raiders have been the most dominant team when it comes to programs on the North Suncoast. The Raiders now own wins over Crystal River, Mitchell and Zephyrhills this season.
Mitchell and Zephyrhills have been somewhat up and down week to week and who would’ve thunk that Gulf would be competing for a district championship this year? Well, we’ve seen so much already go on this year, we go over the games that took place Monday through Friday.
Mitchell Mustangs home field displayed the ‘Florida Strong’ motto.
Photo courtesy of Mitchell Mustangs football
Week 7 North Suncoast scores
Monday
Pasco 39, Cypress Creek 18: Tayshaun Balmir rushed for 360 yards, four touchdowns to lead the Pirates past the Coyotes. Coyotes quarterback Jack Niemann threw for 108 in the loss.
Land O’ Lakes 17, Mitchell 7: The Gators turned over the ball three times via interceptions but no matter. Land O’ Lakes overcame a bevy of mistakes and took advantage of Mitchell’s two picks to pickup a key district win.
Zephyrhills 42, Wesley Chapel 0: The Wildcats were held scoreless for the fourth consecutive game in a row as the Bulldogs rolled to a blowout win.
Gulf 47, Citrus 13: Gulf quarterback Ethan Holewski completed 16-of-22 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown to lead the Buccaneers to a blowout victory over the Hurricanes.
Springstead 21, Wiregrass Ranch 3: Connor Mccazzio ran wild for the Eagles as he went for 194 yards on 14 attempts and a touchdown to help lift Springstead past Wiregrass Ranch.
Victory Christian 40, Zephyrhills Christian Academy 12: The Warriors dropped their fourth consecutive game in a row and fell to 0-2 in Class 1A-Suburban, District 5 play in the loss to the Storm.
Tuesday
River Ridge 34, Lecanto 0: In a defensive masterpiece, the Royal Knights held Lecanto to less than 200 yards of offense en route to notching a crucial district win. River Ridge quarterback Logan Howard threw for over 150 yards in the win.
Tarpon Springs 47, Anclote 12: Parkees Harris rushed for 193 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Spongers past the Sharks in the ‘Battle for the Rusty Anchor’.
Wednesday
Hudson 47, Central 21: Hudson quarterback Riley Blevens threw for 325 yards and four scores as the Cobras made quick work of the Bears in a district matchup.
Friday
Cypress Creek 33, Hollins 8
Umatilla 36, Anclote 0
Tohopekaliga 53, Wesley Chapel 14
Zephyrhills Christian Academy 53, Discovery 0
New Smyrna Beach 20, Sunlake 9
South Sumter 23, Zephyrhills 20
Mitchell 30, The Villages 20
Land O' Lakes 17, Nature Coast 14
Pasco 19, Auburndale 9
Gulf 40 Tarpon Springs 21
Fivay 14, Weeki Wachee 7
Chiefland 28, Wildwood 20
Lecanto 28, Crystal River 7
Springstead 24, Hernando 10
North Suncoast Week 7 top performances
South Sumter, Jamare Dorsey, RB: 180 yards rushing, two touchdowns versus Zephyrhills.
Pasco, Tayshaun Balmir, RB: 23 carries, 360 yards rushing, four touchdowns versus Cypress Creek.
Hudson, Riley Blevens, QB: 17-of-27 passing, 325 yards, four touchdowns versus Central.
Springstead, Connor Mccazzio, RB: 14 carries, 194 yards, one touchdown versus Wiregrass Ranch.
Lecanto, Amir Wilson, RB: 22 carries, 165 yards, two touchdowns versus Crystal River.
Cypress Creek, Jack Niemann, QB: 12-of-21 passing, 229 yards, four touchdowns versus Hollins.
Mitchell, Chris Ferrini, QB: 224 total yards of offense, two touchdowns versus The Villages.
Land O’ Lakes, Devin Gilbertson, LB: 10 total tackles versus Mitchell.
Zephyrhills Christian Academy, Parker Stirnkorb, QB: 10-of-13, 205 yards, two touchdowns versus Discovery.
Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.
