Heat comes to know success

Hernando's players, teammates long before they were prep foes, are attuned to what it takes

By FRANK PASTOR
© St. Petersburg Times
published May 9, 2002

SPRING HILL -- Central's George Kirshy might have felt odd playing alongside eight Springstead members were it not for the fact he feels stranger playing against them.

Kirshy and Central's Mike Hope, Mike Baumann and Brandon McDonald were teammates with Springstead's Robert Capozza, Justin Greene, Joey Kretschmar, Lou Lowry, Jordan Magrini, Kyle Munson, Devin Shaw and Ronnie Tencza on the Hernando Heat long before they became high school opponents.

That familiarity with one another is among the biggest reasons the Heat's 16-and-under squad recently became what is believed to be the first in the organization's history to advance to the State Cup Challenge Round.

"It helps a lot," said Kirshy, a sophomore forward. "A lot of teams we play, they just throw a couple of guys together. We've been playing together for eight or nine years."

The Heat defeated Inter Pinellas United 2-0 and Hillsborough United 3-2 in a knockout round last month in Bradenton to advance to the final 16.

The Heat will battle Tallahassee United, Port St. John United and 2001 runner-up West Kendall in group play this weekend in Fort Myers. The top team advances to the final four next month in Cocoa.

"This pretty much is what you build up and play for all year -- to play in the State Cup and move on to the final four and win it," coach Derek Backman said.

The Heat, a traveling team comprised of select players from Hernando and Citrus counties, started its season in the fall before breaking for high school competition.

It began preparing for the State Cup in February. To qualify for Cup play, the team had to compete in the Premier Division, where it has been for the past two seasons.

The players credit teamwork, plus the addition of Lecanto's Josh McKenna, Jeremy Cox and Sean O'Hare, for their success. Backman, a former Tampa Bay Rowdies and Tampa Bay Mutiny midfielder, played a role.

"That's awesome," said Shaw, a center midfielder and Springstead sophomore. "He knows exactly what to tell us. He knows just how to teach us, because he's been here."

The Heat hoped to get to the final four last season but lost to Plant City and West Kendall in the knockout round. The players expect a better finish. "That kind of left a bad taste in our mouths," said McKenna, a center midfielder and the captain.

"We had to wait a year to come back and do this, so we don't want to have that same feeling again, that's for sure."

-- Staff writer Frank Pastor can be reached at (800) 333-7505, ext. 1430, or

pastor@sptimes.com.

HERNANDO HEAT

UNDER-16 ROSTER

Mike Baumann, Central; Robert Capozza, Springstead; Jeremy Cox, Lecanto; Justin Greene, Springstead; Mike Hope, Central; George Kirshy, Central.

Joey Kretschmar, Springstead; Lou Lowry, Springstead; Jordan Magrini, Springstead; Brandon McDonald, Central; Kyle Munson, Springstead.

Devin Shaw, Springstead; Ronnie Tencza, Springstead; Josh McKenna, Lecanto; Sean O'Hare, Lecanto; Derek Backman, coach.

STATE CUP CHALLENGE ROUND

In Cape Coral/Fort Myers

GROUP B SCHEDULE -- Saturday: Hernando Heat vs. Tallahassee United, noon; Heat vs. Port St. John United, 6 p.m. Sunday: Heat vs. West Kendall, noon.

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