LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Land O’ Lakes (Fla.) High School was named the 2017 NFCA High School National Coaching Staff of the Year, the Association announced on Thursday.

The Gators captured the program’s first state championship with a 3-1 victory over state powerhouse Plantation American Heritage in the 6A title game. After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the sixth, Land O’ Lakes rallied with three runs in the bottom half of the frame. The triumph avenged last season’s state semifinal loss to the Patriots.

The staff of head coach Mitch Wilkins and assistants Janet Sciales, Edwin Rodriguez and Vinny Guarracino, guided Land O’ Lakes to a 29-3 mark in 2017 and an 80-9-1 record the past three seasons. Capturing the NFCA South Region Coaching Staff of the Year honors, Land O’Lakes was joined by four other programs- Donovan Catholic High School (East), Beecher High School (North), Riverton High School (South Central) and Los Alamitos High School (West)- that received regional honors.