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Tarpon JV Football Banquet Celebrates Undefeated Season

By Eric Horchy | The Suncoast News

Published: December 27, 2008

TARPON SPRINGS - The Tarpon Springs High School junior varsity football team commemorated its first 7-0 undefeated season since the 1970s with its annual banquet last week and presentation of awards to top performers.

•Running back Darius Daniels, sophomore, was named Most Valuable Team Player after racking up 1,048 yards on only 96 carries (10.9 yards per rush) and 14 touchdowns.

•The Most Valuable Offensive Player award went to quarterback Wyatt Wikle, sophomore, who threw for 920 yards and 17 touchdowns.

•Linebacker Gable Eaves, sophomore, led the Spongers in tackling with 35 and was named Most Valuable Defensive Player.

•The Best Lineman awards went to Ian Koch, freshman, on offense and Michael Kontodiakos, sophomore, on defense.

•Caleb Welvaert, sophomore, was named the Most Improved Player and Kyle Howse, sophomore, was given the Sportsmanship Award.

The majority of the Spongers have been together for years, JV Coach Paul Wikle said, mentioning that many played on the same Suncoast Youth Football Conference team that won a county championship.

The JV's success also comes as good news for varsity head coach George Kotis, whose squad qualified for the state playoffs this past season.

"It's honestly something we planned for," he said, speaking of the JV's undefeated season. "With the whole program, it's part of us getting back to where we used to be and I think we're there year in and year out now."

With the departure of three-year starter Danny Reyes, Kotis expects Wyatt Wikle to compete as the frontrunner at quarterback.

Kotis also mentioned his expectations for the speedy Daniels to have an immediate impact at the varsity level next year. As a freshman, he rushed for more than 200 yards and two touchdowns during the varsity's Kickoff Classic against Gulf High.

Paul Wikle said receiver Joel Hardy, sophomore, can be looked to for making the jump, as well as offensive lineman Preston Tagaras, sophomore. Tagaras was part of a unit that did not allow a sack all season.

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