HERNANDO 28, CC CATHOLIC 13: The senior leads the offense with three touchdowns and handles a key assignment on defense.
By JOHN SCHWARB
Published September 13, 2003
CLEARWATER - About all that remained for Rod Roberts to do was pick up the footballs and hit the lights on his way out.
On the field Friday night, he took care of everything.
The Hernando senior rushed for 192 yards on 13 carries, scored three touchdowns, blanketed one of the area's best receivers and put the Clearwater Central Catholic quarterback out for the night in a 28-13 victory.
"That's just about "A' perfect, but I've still got a lot to work on," Roberts said with a toothy grin.
After falling behind 7-0 on the game's first drive when Paul Raven ran in from 10 yards out for CCC (1-1), Roberts got the momentum to swing the Leopards' way with a 42-yard run on the first offensive play and, moments later, a 7-yard touchdown run.
Midway through the second quarter he scored again from 8 yards out to put Hernando (1-1) up for good at 14-7. Fellow senior Jagren Castillo led off the second half with an 89-yard kickoff return to widen the margin, then 10 minutes later Roberts notched his final score with a 31-yard touchdown run.
On defense he was making the same impact. His assignment at cornerback was to cover top prospect Chip Brinkman, and the CCC star had just one catch late in the fourth quarter. Early in the third quarter he tagged CCC quarterback Geoff Craig with a vicious hit at the Marauders' sideline, putting Craig out for the night with a separated shoulder.
"Rod Roberts is a football player," Hernando coach Bill Browning said. "He's the best defensive back I've coached, and he's a heck of a running back to boot."
It was a satisfying night for the Leopards, who lost their opener at home to Springstead on Saturday. Hernando didn't gain a single yard passing, but did not need to with a 319-yard night on the ground.
When Roberts took a breather his teammates ably filled in, with Castillo adding 69 yards on nine rushes and quarterback Antonio Brown scrambling for 33 yards.
Special teams were also a highlight with Castillo's kickoff return and a blocked field goal attempt by Mozell Elder.
