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© St. Petersburg Times, published October 11, 2002
RECORD: 3-2.
OFFENSE: Lecanto has been hit hard by injuries. The Panthers were cruising along until starting quarterback Phil Reed went down with a broken bone in his shoulder in Week 3. Brian Dawsy took his place initially, but tonight will be replaced by sophomore C.J. Osborn, a first-time starter. Without Reed, the offense became a one-man show revolving around running back Jarvis Patterson. But Patterson is out this week with a sore back. The good news for Lecanto is that its line is better than average. If not for the injuries, this unit would be among the area's best.
DEFENSE: In all but one game (last week's 58-6 loss to Crystal River), this unit played well. The loss of Reed, a starting linebacker, didn't help but linebacker Joshua Smith and lineman Chris Reeves are steady playmakers.
OVERALL: Reed's injury shook things up, and Lecanto's response has been about what one might expect. The Panthers had one good performance without Reed and one lousy one. The most recent loss put them in a hole in the district race, but Lecanto's season is far from over. The program's second winning year is within reach, but staying injury-free from here out is crucial.
TOP PLAYER: Patterson has been nothing short of sensational. The senior has accounted for 60 percent of Lecanto's offense and 62 percent of its scoring. Honorable mention goes to Reeves, who has shined on both sides of the line.
PLAYOFF PROSPECTS: So-so. The Panthers' best shot is via an at-large berth. That likely will take 7-8 wins, which is conceivable ... but only if Lecanto wins tonight.
GRADE: C+