Bulls capture district title after four-game win streak
Wiregrass Ranch enters Friday's home playoff matchup against top-ranked Sebring following a late-season surge that included a 45-13 victory over Zephyrhills.
By Harper Collins ·
Wiregrass Ranch football players will host the No. 1 Sebring Cavaliers on Friday for a single-elimination playoff game. The Bulls secured the home venue by winning their district title after finishing the regular season with a four-game winning streak.
The team finished the year with a 4-0 record in its final four contests. During that stretch, Wiregrass Ranch averaged 36.5 points per game while allowing only 14.2. The squad captured the district crown with a 45-13 victory over Zephyrhills, scoring 28 points in the fourth quarter alone.
The season started with mixed results. The Bulls fell below .500 for most of the year. They lost to opponents with records of 6-4, 7-2, and 8-2. A last-second field goal by South Sumter ended a chance for a win, and a 19-0 defeat at Plant City followed a victory over rival Wesley Chapel. Coach Mark Kantor described the offense as not vibing during that Plant City loss.
The team also suffered a 57-30 loss to East Ridge, the highest point total allowed since a 2019 playoff loss to Lakeland. The turnaround began with a large win over Land O’ Lakes on Oct. 24. The final game against Zephyrhills featured a 73-yard interception by senior Destin Mathew and a 67-yard pick by sophomore Caleb James.
Offensive production remained consistent in the final week. Junior quarterback Ryan Browning threw three touchdown passes. Senior wideout Jonah Gonzales surpassed 1,000 career receiving yards by adding 126 yards and two touchdowns. Junior running back Isaiah Orr rushed for 73 yards.
Kantor noted that the team has gelled over the last few months due to the integration of new players. The senior class will make their fourth consecutive postseason appearance. Last year, the Bulls lost a 42-41 first-round decision. In the season before that, they reached the Elite 8 before losing to West Boca Raton.
The Florida High School Athletic Association has released the playoff pairings after a one-week bye following the end of the regular season. Kantor stated that the players want to make a deep run in the tournament. The outcome of Friday's game will determine whether the team advances to the next round of the playoffs.
