FACA's team includes three county players on offense and two on defense.
By FRANK PASTOR
Published December 4, 2003
Hernando County teams were shut out of the playoffs for the first time in 11 years.
But a season in which Springstead (7-3) and Hernando (4-6) were in contention until the next-to-last week and Central (4-6) closed with victories in three of its final four games was not completely without its rewards.
Five county players were named to the Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-District 8 team, which draws from 23 high schools in Hernando, Citrus, Pasco, Sumter and Lake counties. Selections were based on voting by district coaches.
Central's Darnell Craig, the Times All-Hernando/Citrus Defensive Player of the Year, was one of two county players named on defense. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound linebacker had 125 tackles, four fumble recoveries and an interception.
Craig was joined by Hernando defensive back Rod Roberts, one of the county's fiercest hitters and, coincidentally, its leading rusher with 944 yards.
Springstead, which won five more games than in 2002, had two players and a former one chosen on offense. Tight end Chris Ferguson, whose 38 receptions for 416 yards and two touchdowns led the county, and lineman Charles Gonyea were joined by Central kicker Mike Hibbert, who transferred from Springstead before the season.
Four of Hibbert's 15 field goals were longer than 50 yards, including a 57-yarder. His 66 points were most in the county.
Quarterback Drew Weatherford, who led Land O'Lakes to a Class 4A region final, was named district MVP. He joined Pasco flanker and Pittsburgh recruit Johnny Peyton as top offensive players.
Crystal River quarterback/linebacker Chris Bunch, the Times All-Hernando/Citrus Offensive Player of the Year, and Zephyrhills nose guard Daniel Cerf were named top defensive players.
Wesley Chapel coach John Castelamare, whose team went 10-0 during the regular season for the second time in three years, was named top coach.
FLORIDA ATHLETIC COACHES ASSOCIATION ALL-DISTRICT 8 TEAM
ALL-STAR COACH: John Castelamare, Wesley Chapel.
MVP: Drew Weatherford, Land O'Lakes.
TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: Drew Weatherford, Land O'Lakes; Johnny Peyton, Pasco.
TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: Chris Bunch, Crystal River; Daniel Cerf, Zephyrhills.
OFFENSE
QB: Drew Weatherford, Land O'Lakes. RB: Donte O'Neal, Pasco. FB: Dominique Rocker, Tavares. FL: Johnny Peyton, Pasco. SE: Josh Hladky, South Lake. TE: Chris Ferguson, Springstead. C: Seth Fabin, Wesley Chapel. G: Casey Martin, South Sumter; Daniel Cerf, Zephyrhills. T: Drew Noe, South Sumter; Charles Gonyea, Springstead. K: Mike Hibbert, Central.
DEFENSE
NG: Daniel Cerf, Zephyrhills. DT: Jesse Scheffer, South Sumter; Rob Kennedy, South Lake. DE: David McLeod, Umatilla; Chuck Amerson, Wesley Chapel. LB: Luke Leininger, South Lake; Darnell Craig, Central. CB: Joe Burnette, Eustis; Rod Roberts, Hernando. SS: Josh Faust, Umatilla. FS: Chris Bunch, Crystal River. P: Gabriel Montelongo, Wesley Chapel.
ALL-SENIOR SQUAD
All selections same except for: FB: Dontrel Lewis, Umatilla. TE: Jordan Hoolihan, River Ridge. CB: Derrick Johnson, Eustis.
NOTE: District 8 is comprised of 23 high schools in Pasco, Hernando, Citrus, Sumter and Lake counties. Selections are voted on by coaches from the area schools.
