The Lions take a lead for the first time ever, but it is short-lived.
By JOHN SCHWARB
Published October 16, 2004
BROOKSVILLE - When Britt Tafalski's extra point sailed through the uprights, what had been impossible became joyously possible in front of a loud Homecoming crowd.
Hernando Christian held a lead.
Unfortunately, its first taste of supremacy over an opponent lasted three minutes and and 15 seconds. That's how long it took Lake Mary Prep to come back from a 13-7 deficit in the first quarter Friday to tie the game, eventually pulling away to a 44-27 victory.
As promising as it looked early for HCA (0-6), it unraveled just as quickly over a 13-minute span in which the 13-7 lead turned into a 31-13 deficit. Lake Mary (1-4) got three touchdowns and two field goals from Donnie Holzinger over that span to win its first varsity game.
"I won't lie to you, it's disappointing not to win your Homecoming game," HCA coach Steve Johnson said. "I really wanted this game."
The Lions showed spunk early, getting a 3-yard touchdown run from Corey Drummond and a 12-yard run from Jake Bowe to secure the lead. But special teams miscues took a toll as they have all year.
In the past two games alone HCA had allowed five touchdowns on punt and kickoff returns, and it happened again at the end of the first quarter when Holzinger took a kickoff back 85 yards to tie the game at 13.
The Gryphons senior also had scored the team's first touchdown and would add another late, giving him five on the night to go with two field goals, two extra points and an interception. He rushed for 259 yards on 16 carries.
Lake Mary also recovered two onside kicks.
HCA has a chance to bounce back quickly, playing Coral Springs Christian on Tuesday at home in a makeup game from earlier in the season.
