Leopards escaping past

BROOKSVILLE -- Matt Smith will not say it. He might think it, though.

For the seven years the former Springstead wrestler has been the head coach at Hernando, his program has struggled to grow in the long shadow of his alma mater.

The Leopards produced some quality wrestlers but never enough to stem the dominance the Eagles projected through the county, conference, district and region.

This year, it could all change. Smith brings arguably his best team to the Gulf Coast Athletic Tournament on Saturday, and host Springstead struggles to find its way with a rebuilding lineup.

With a 52-30 win over the Eagles on Wednesday night, the 18-4 Leopards are 5-0 in the GCAC and in control of their fate entering the tourney. Each regular-season and tournament duel meet counts toward the overall title.

"If we wrestle like we're capable of, we should be all right," Smith said of a Leopards squad ranked sixth in the floridakids.net Class A poll.

Smith deflected any notion that breaking Springstead's run of seven straight conference championships (the past three since being voted out of the Sunshine Athletic Conference), in the gym where he wrestled for ex-coach Bob Levija, would mean more than any other win.

"In the seven years I've been here, I've been trying to fill a complete lineup," said Smith, who added that he didn't apply for the Springstead coaching vacancy filled this season by Roy Reyes. "And even this year, I still have two empty weight classes.

"As far as me as a coach, I think the kids earned it and I think the kids I have here have been willing to put forth the effort to win the conference," he said.

Hernando's solid lineup is comprised of Charley Combs (23-2 at 152 pounds), Thomas Lyle (27-5, 189) Chris Malvesti (20-7, 130) Billy Combs (20 wins, 135) and Addison Chipoletti (20-plus victories, 171).

For a young Central team (6-18), seniors Sergio Matos and Bucky Solomon appear the only legitimate contenders.

Matos (145) will enter the event at 34-0, including a win over defending 2A champ Matt Turtzo (140) of Countryside.

"I don't think anyone at the GCAC will give him too much of a challenge," Central coach Mike Ralph said of Matos. "It depends on if someone moves a weight down if they're starting to lower weights for districts."

Solomon (112) is 32-1. Beyond those two, the Bears are inexperienced. Ralph hopes to use the tourney as he has the rest of the season -- as on-the-mat-training.

"It's a chance to see some competition," he said. "At this point, we want everybody to go out and make as few mistakes as possible."

Springstead's postseason hopes might be bolstered with a possible return of junior Nate Booker.

The former district champion was 7-0 at 215 when he and his younger brother, Jason, moved to New York in early January so their mother could take a new job. Neither wrestled Wednesday night, Smith said.

Brant James can be reached at (800) 333-7505, ext. 1407. Send e-mail to brant@sptimes.com .

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