Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @avillamarzo.
Anclote Sharks
Bishop McLaughlin Hurricanes
Gulf Buccaneers
Fivay Falcons
Hudson Cobras
Land O' Lakes Gators
Mitchell Mustangs
Messamore Steps Down as Anclote’s Head Coach
High School Football in Florida
By Andy Villamarzo
PascoCountyFB Staff Writer
Pasco Pirates
Ridgewood Rams
River Ridge Royal Knights
Sunlake Seahawks
Wesley Chapel Wildcats
Wiregrass Ranch Bulls
Zephyrhills Bulldogs
HOLIDAY — Though the off-season is in full effect throughout Pasco County and high school sports are starting to get the green light to start, one school will be searching for a new head coach to guide their program.
Jason Messamore has stepped down as Anclote’s lead man of the football program, who confirmed the news via text message. Messamore served previously as the offensive coordinator at Palm Harbor University the last couple of seasons prior to arriving at Anclote. Messamore cited family reasons and still having issues with his back, which led to him stepping down at Gulf High School a few years ago.
Messamore, who was also a former East Lake High School assistant, took over for Matt Kingsley, who was the head coach at Anclote for three seasons. The Sharks had another trying season in 2019, with Anclote finishing 3-7, with wins over Hudson, Gulf and Tarpon Springs.
Matt Kingsley was the coach prior to Messamore and after stepping down went on to be an assistant at Mitchell High School. Anclote went 3-6 in Kingsley’s first season in 2016 and his second season was by far the best, with the Sharks finishing 7-3 and just outside of the playoff picture in Class 5A. The 2018 season was by far the toughest for Kingsley and his staff, as they battled the injury bug all year.
During his time at Gulf, Messamore compiled a record of 9-12 in two seasons at Gulf. He led the Buccaneers to their first playoff appearance since 2008 and nearly upset Lakewood in the first round of the Class 5A postseason. Some potential candidates for the job that come to mind are former Pasco coach Tom McHugh, former Ridgewood head coach Jay Fulmer and former Gulf High School offensive coordinator Brian ‘Red’ Wright.