That the 40-0 triumph came in a homecoming game just added to the atmosphere of familial bonding.
By STEVE LEE
Published October 9, 2004
HUDSON - Senior fullback Nate Toole has heard his share of grumbling in the Hudson huddle through his three losing seasons.
There were no complaints during Friday's 40-0 homecoming win over Lecanto. Especially from Toole, who rushed for 145 yards and matched a single-game high of four touchdowns.
"Everybody pulled together," Toole said. "Pretty much, this game, we were family."
Hudson assistant Tim White, a replacement for head coach Rick Nash, serving a one-game suspension for comments after last week's loss to Class 3A, District 9 rival Wesley Chapel, echoed that sentiment.
"We're a family and Coach Nash is the head of the family," White said. "I think it's a testament to him that we played so well in his absence."
With the coach watching from beyond the track in the southwest corner of Cobra Stadium, Nash's team dominated from the outset, totaling 372 yards on offense and limiting the Panthers to zero - as in none - yards.
The Cobras snapped a two-game losing streak and extended the Panthers' losing streak to 15.
Hudson scored on the first play from scrimmage on its first possession and on the first play of the second half.
The first came on Kyle Hatcher's 53-yard pass to Tommy Snow and the second on Toole's 63-yard run.
Toole had never rushed for four touchdowns in a game.
He had four in a season-opening win over River Ridge, but only one came on a running play. The other scores came on an interception return and two receptions.
Eric Schwartz kicked a 40-yard field goal to close out the scoring.
Lecanto got past midfield only once. That came with 3:24 left in the game when Garrett Frieberg recovered a Vince Ferlita fumble at Hudson's 38-yard line.
