Is Wiregrass Ranch Being Counted Out Too Soon?

Several key contributors moved on, including quarterback Daniel Terry, creating the perception that Wiregrass Ranch could be headed for a step backward in 2026. While the roster will certainly look different this fall, the Bulls have added several new faces through the offseason and still return an important core from last year’s team.

Competing in Class 5A, Region 2, District 7 alongside Sunlake, Land O’ Lakes, Wharton, Wesley Chapel and Cypress Creek, Wiregrass Ranch enters the season looking to prove the outside perception doesn’t match the team taking the field this fall.

The biggest question surrounded the quarterback position.

There is no replacing the production Daniel Terry provided. His 2,578-yard, 23-touchdown season ranked among the best passing campaigns in Pasco County history last fall, leaving a significant void for the Bulls to fill.

Fortunately for Wiregrass Ranch, the search for Terry’s successor didn’t last long. Former Gaither quarterback Ryan Browning arrives after leading the Cowboys to a 10-2 record and throwing for 1,883 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2025, giving the Bulls an experienced signal-caller to build around.

Browning won’t have to start from scratch.

He’ll be reunited with Kamoni Dotson, who put together a breakout junior season at Hernando with 66 receptions for 1,024 yards and six touchdowns before the two became teammates again. Their familiarity gives Wiregrass Ranch an established quarterback-receiver connection from day one.

Returning wide receiver Jonah Gonzalez gives Browning another dependable target after hauling in 38 receptions for 690 yards and seven touchdowns last season. With Dotson and Gonzalez on the outside, the Bulls could feature one of the better receiving duos in the Tampa Bay area.

The additions didn’t stop there.

Defensive tackle Johnnie Willis-Watson transferred in from Wharton and is expected to make an immediate impact in the trenches. Fellow Wharton transfers Rodney Jones, Mariano Rodriguez and Chris Stroud Jr. add even more depth to the defense, while Lawson Fountaine, a transfer from Zephyrhills, is expected to contribute on both sides of the football.

The returning core provides another reason for optimism.

Defensive linemen Carson Kantor and Chase Cobb are back to anchor the front, while Kellen Johnson, Kameron Saechao and Orlando Ogugua return along the offensive line. Pair that group with the offseason additions, and the Bulls believe they have assembled a roster capable of competing every Friday night.

That confidence starts with head coach Mark Kantor.

Despite the departures, Kantor believes this group has the potential to become one of the best teams he has coached at Wiregrass Ranch. It’s a belief built on the players returning, the experience throughout the roster and the talent that has joined the program this offseason.

Whether that results in a district championship or another playoff run will be decided this fall.

But if opponents are overlooking the Bulls because of the names they lost, they may find out quickly that Wiregrass Ranch isn’t rebuilding at all.