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BROOKSVILLE - Examining Hernando's season shows the Leopards could as easily have four wins instead of two.
Credit can be given to running backs Rod Roberts, Jagren Castillo and company for putting Hernando in position for such success; blame can be assigned to some untimely turnovers that destroyed chances to take an unbeaten record into district play.
But this much is certain: The lines have been fine.
With the exception of an opening-week 10-7 loss to Springstead, the Leopards offensive and defensive fronts have more than held their own. The last three weeks have included two blowout wins and a close loss to Pasco, nothing capable of derailing any of the playoff thoughts that are creeping into the locker room.
Tonight at Citrus, as the Class 3A, District 8 schedule begins for Hernando, the playoff drive really starts.
Up front, the team is ready.
"I fully expect our offensive and defensive lines to come to play," Hernando coach Bill Browning said. "I thought they'd come together."
Question marks surrounded the offensive line at the start of the season, with only tackles James Johnson and Kris Davis (a converted tight end) returning, but center Tank Donaldson, guards Jeff Matherly and Windham Rotunda and tight end Brae White have jelled into a space-clearing unit powering a 289-yard-per-game rushing attack.
"The way our running backs have the yards they have right now, that pleases me a little bit," Donaldson said.
Donaldson is playing with the urgency of a senior and is arguably the star of the trenches, as one of the few on the team who plays a majority of the snaps on both the offensive and defensive lines (Rotunda and White also see significant time on defense).
"Our center has to be a smart cookie," Browning said. "He has to know what the other linemen are doing, he has to recognize fronts. Not every lineman can do it, but Tank's an intelligent individual.
"The biggest plus with him is he's proved to be durable. That goes a long way when you're going both ways."
Then again, saying one is the "star of the trenches" is a bit of an oxymoron. But don't think for a minute the work isn't recognized.
"Games are won in the offensive and defensive line in the trenches," Browning said. "If you win those battles up front and stay away from turnovers, you're going to be in good shape."
- John Schwarb can be reached at 800 333-7505, ext. 1407 or schwarb@sptimes.com