Bears look toward next goal

BROOKSVILLE -- Few things are as daunting for a coach as preparing a team after a major, emotional victory.

Hence the challenge for Central's John Andruss.

In winning the Class 3A, District 7 championship Friday, the Bears defeated Springstead for the first time in history, using a controversial goal from Tim Woods to hold off the Eagles 1-0.

Central players were ebullient after the game, celebrating their breakthrough against Springstead as much as the district title. It was a win Woods described as "beautiful ... really nice."

Now, Andruss said, it's time to look forward as the Bears (17-3-2) play host to District 8 runner-up Lakeland (9-4-7) at 7 tonight in a Region 2 quarterfinal. "I don't think the guys put anymore emphasis on the fact it was Springstead," Andruss said. "The emphasis is they wanted to win district, and the fact is it just happened to be Springstead.

"We don't think our season is complete," he said.

Central is led by 30-goal scorer Sean O'Sullivan.

Springstead (15-3-2) has the disadvantage of playing on the road against 3A-8 winner George Jenkins (19-6-1), which has captured nine straight titles, but at least the Eagles have something to prove. Coach Sal Calabrese had his week's schedule planned moments after the loss to Central -- a game in which he described play as a "kick-ball match."

"If they had bases set up there, we could have had a playground," Calabrese said.

"I hoped the boys had realized by now that what got them 12 or 13 wins was knocking the ball around. If a team comes out and whacks it and double teams ... if we get caught up in their play, that is our mistake."

Springstead's offensive approach was thrown into a tizzy because Woods was throwing his body against Eagles midfielder Greg Emmerman most of the evening.

Woods, assigned to mark Springstead's best playmaker, announced his presence early, flooring the smaller Emmerman in the opening minutes. Emmerman, who co-leads Springstead with nine goals, rarely was able to establish room with the ball, and the Eagles' offense stagnated.

"Tim Woods did a great job on Greg," Andruss said. "Tim is a physical player. The idea was to mark him and contain him, and I thought Tim did an excellent job." -- Staff writer Brant James can be reached at (800) 333-7505, ext. 1407.

CLASS 3A, REGION 2 BOYS SOCCER QUARTERFINALS

LAKELAND (9-4-7) AT CENTRAL (17-3-2)

WHEN: Tonight, 7. WHERE: Central High School.

ADMISSION: $5.

NOTES: Central hasn't lost since a 2-1 defeat to Wesley Chapel on Jan. 2 in the Ridgewood Tournament. The Bears scored seven times in two District 7 tourney games, but just one goal came from leading scorer Sean O'Sullivan (30). How cool is Lakeland's name, Dreadnaughts?

SPRINGSTEAD (15-3-2) AT LAKELAND GEORGE JENKINS (19-6-1)

WHEN: Tonight, 7.

WHERE: 726 Hollingsworth Road, Lakeland. Phone -- (863) 499-2900.

ADMISSION: $5.

NOTES: Both teams are nicknamed the Eagles. Matt Boone scored two goals in overtime Feb. 1 as George Jenkins rallied from a 1-0 deficit to beat Lakeland and capture its ninth consecutive district title. The Eagles never trailed a district opponent until that game.

ON THE NET: For a tournament bracket, go online to www.fhsaa.org.

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