Land O’ Lakes Gators Launch Fall Practice

Varsity football teams are often full of question marks this time of year, but Land O' Lakes High is ahead of the game.

The Gators have benefited from the organized 7 on 7 competitions held this offseason in Pasco and Hillsborough counties. While these competitions are little more than an organized pickup game, they have proven very valuable in developing quarterback/receiver relationships.

“It’s definitely not something we can simulate in practice,” said head coach Brian Wachtel in reference to some of the larger competitions like the , in which the Gators made the quarterfinals.

“It helped me a lot getting experience throwing against different defenses,” said starting quarterback and senior Ryan Bird. “I got some good experience reading defenses, and I think it improved my arm strength a bit.”

Towering target and senior Kent Taylor said he felt like he came away from the competitions with some valuable experience.

“It really helped with learning the new plays and working better with the new offensive coordinator,” Taylor said.

Even senior linebacker Jackson Cannon, who will be lining up at tight end a bit this year, benefited from the 7 on 7s.

“They helped me just learn more about the position, the routes you have to run,” Cannon said.

Now all that is over, and it comes down to the nitty gritty: Pads and dirt and sweat and puke. No more standing four count to simulate defensive pressure, no more two-hand touch; it’s pad-and-helmet tackling time.

The Land O' Lakes offense looked sharp in the August swelter. 

Wachtel will use different sets, so it’s hard to focus in on one or two athletes at receiver. This season, junior Jordan Michelson and seniors Nico Watts, Wesley Moore and Kyle McKee will all factor into the passing game. They are all new to the starting lineup but certainly not new to the team.

Tight end figures to be a strong point of the offense. Seniors Kent Taylor and Jackson Cannon might be the best overall players on the team; they will line up across from each other at the two tight end spots.

Taylor only hauled in 35 balls last season, which is a lot for a tight end, but expect that number, along with last season's touchdown total (nine) to go up. Cannon provides another large target who is not afraid to go over the middle — in fact, he lives in the middle of the field on defense. Cannon is also a starting linebacker, so don’t expect to see him in every offensive play. However, it will be very hard for opposing defenses to stop he and Taylor in the middle of the field, in space and up a seam, when they line up together.

The running back situation will also be a committee approach. Junior Harrison Wood and seniors Shadow Williams and Darin Patmon will all split carries. Williams also starts at linebacker and figures to see about 10 carries a game.

While the Gators have a lot going for them, there’s always work to be done.

“I need to get better at running the ball, being more decisive with where I want to go with the ball,” said Bird. 

“I need to work on my blocking,” said Taylor.

“I need to work on my speed and quickness,” said Cannon.

The Land O' Lakes-Sunlake rivalry is as heated as ever. They've been smack-talking since spring, and it should be a hot one come Oct. 20.

Cannon's response to how the big game might go this year: "One thing I know, is they're not gonna score a point."

The Gators square off against Anclote on Aug. 26 in their preseason game. They open the season Sept. 2 at Zephyrhills.