Giving proper credit

The Citrus chain is all the rage. Before the season, each player was given a link to symbolize unity. And low and behold, the Hurricanes are 5-0 for the first time since 1994. But does the chain deserve credit? Actually, we have a different theory. In August, Times staff writer/jock extreme Keith Niebuhr joined the 'Canes for a day of practice. He worked under the watchful eye of head coach Larry Bishop, ran plays with R.J. Cobb and got pointers from Keith Zigler. Two months later, Bishop is off to his best start as a coach, Cobb has rushed for more than 100 yards every week and Zigler booted a winning 32-yard field goal last week. Coincidence? No chance. Niebuhr, by the way, was born in July 1972 in a Miami hospital two blocks from the Orange Bowl. That fall, the Dolphins went unbeaten. Eighteen years later, he enrolled at the University of Florida, where -- after years of mediocrity -- the Gators won their first conference title the following fall. Need further proof of the Niebuhr karma? He never met Bob Dole or O.J. Simpson.

THE NUMBERS

1: Lecanto wins over Hernando in 13-game series.

2: Times Hernando has scored more than 70 points against Lecanto.

26.4: Citrus scoring average.

35.8: Points allowed per game by Springstead.

65: Lecanto points record. It happened in last year's 65-28 win over Hernando.

338.5: Crystal River's rushing average in past two games.

1987: Last time Citrus started 6-0.

DID YOU KNOW?

Crystal River hasn't lost more than two games in a season since 1995, when the Pirates finished 5-5. The next year, they went 11-2.

THE GAMES

Springstead at Citrus

WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

LAST YEAR: Springstead won 14-3.

THE SKINNY: Citrus (5-0) has outscored opponents 132-65, proof the Hurricanes have played well on both sides of the ball. Springstead, on the other hand, has been outscored 179-75. However, the Eagles (0-5) might not be as bad as their record would indicate. They lost close games to Hernando (28-22) and Lecanto (23-21). Springstead's top threat is sophomore running back Tim Dow (342 yards, 1 TD). Citrus' big weapon is Cobb. 'Canes defensive end Steve Strong is another to watch.

Central at Crystal River

WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

LAST YEAR: Crystal River won 28-0.

THE SKINNY: Crystal River (3-2) is starting to look like the Pirates of old. In last week's 58-6 rout of Lecanto, Crystal River did everything right. A win over Central keeps alive the Pirates' conference title hopes. The Bears (2-3) have been up and down, beating River Ridge and Springstead but losing to Citrus, Lecanto and Hernando. Senior running back Tim Gaynor (712 yards, 8 TDs) is Central's go-to-guy. The defense allows 22.2 points per game.

Hernando at Lecanto

WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

LAST YEAR: Lecanto won 65-28.

THE SKINNY: If any team can relate to Lecanto (3-2), which has sustained numerous injuries, it's Hernando. The Leopards (3-2) will be without leading rusher Jagren Castillo (509 yards, 9 TDs), who's nursing a high ankle sprain, and 6-foot-7, 310-pound tight end Kris Davis (broken foot). Lecanto has been all but eliminated from the conference race, but needs wins to hope for an at-large playoff berth. The Panthers will use sophomore C.J. Osborn at quarterback, a first-time starter.

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