Unbeaten Springstead wants to take it one week at a time. Sometimes, though, it can't help itself.
By EMILY NIPPS
Published October 13, 2004
SPRING HILL - Springstead's main goal sounds oversimplified, perhaps even a bit dull. But the Eagles are sticking to it: be 1-0 each week. Not 5-0 for the season, not undefeated in the district, but simply 1-0 each week.
That means no looking back and, more important, no looking ahead.
"It's just one week, one game at a time," senior receiver/linebacker John Hardy said during Tuesday's study hall before practice.
Senior Joe Merando, sitting nearby, couldn't help himself.
"We have a really good chance of making the playoffs," the running back said.
"We try not to look that far ahead," Hardy said, and Merando countered with, "But you can't help it."
The Eagles are 5-0 (2-0 in Class 4A, District 6), their best start since 1993 and '96. If Springstead beats Leesburg (2-4, 1-0) on Friday, it is all but guaranteed a spot in the playoffs. At the worst, a win could lead to a three-way tie in the district and a shootout. (The former is more likely than the latter.)
After they play Leesburg, the Eagles have nondistrict Hudson, which has lost two of three since starting 3-0. Then they must face district juggernaut Clermont East Ridge, which will be difficult. But then they have Class A Clearwater Central Catholic. ...
The Eagles can't think that way, though. As hard as it is to not peek, Springstead coach Bill Vonada has made it clear his players are not to start counting wins before they happen. His main concern? Overconfidence.
"I heard some of the guys talking (during last week's game against Crystal River), saying, "We can move the ball on these guys' and "We can make whatever plays we want,"' Vonada said. "We cannot do that against Leesburg. They have some players that will make you pay in a hurry."
The Eagles seem to get it. They admit they haven't played a mistake-free game yet, and that could make the difference in the Leesburg matchup, a must-win game as far as they're concerned.
This week, it's all Leesburg, all the time. The Eagles have studied tape of the Yellow Jackets. They have talked about Leesburg's defensive speed and triple-option offense, and they have thought about how they beat the Yellow Jackets 21-7 last season.
Like they did for the past five victories, the Eagles are focusing on being 1-0.
Yet it's so tempting to let their eyes wander. ...
"I got on a Web site and tried to look up how Hudson is doing," kicker Justin Demutiis said. "I mean, that's our homecoming game.
"We have to make sure we can win our homecoming game."
EAGLES GO 5-0
1993: (Coached by Bill Browning) Def. Central 25-6, def. Clearwater 24-3, def. Zephyrhills 15-3, def. Tarpon Springs 17-14, def. Hudson 37-7, def. Ridgewood 17-0, lost to Land O'Lakes 17-14, def. Dunedin 21-1 to clinch district title, def. East Lake 37-6, def. Hernando 31-7, lost to Gibbs 36-6 in first round of playoffs.
1996: (Coached by Pat McCoy) Def. Central 49-0, def. River Ridge 20-19, def. Zephyrhills 30-0, def. Ridgewood 21-0, def. Hudson 40-9, def. Tarpon Springs 17-14, def. Land O'Lakes 35-14, lost to Pasco 39-29, def. Gulf 37-0, def. Hernando 33-14, lost to Armwood 24-7 in first round of playoffs.
