By JOHN SCHWARB and EMILY NIPPS
Published October 20, 2004
BROOKSVILLE - There is a chance Central could make the playoffs from Class 4A, District 6, but a lot of stars have to align just right.
With Springstead already in, the Bears need the Eagles to go ahead and beat Clermont East Ridge to complete a perfect 4-0 district record. They also need Leesburg to beat East Ridge, setting up a potential three-way tie at 2-2 provided Central beats Groveland South Lake and Leesburg.
Within the latter lies the rub - the Bears need to just worry about their business.
"I don't think the kids get into all the mismatches, the different things that have to happen," Central coach John Wilkinson said. "They just know we don't control our own destiny. But we're still shooting for eight wins."
At the start of the season, the team set a goal to make history, though that meant winning a playoff game for the first time. Now it means an eight-win regular season, which still is possible given the remaining schedule.
To achieve that goal, the Bears have brought in reinforcements. Seventeen junior varsity players have been called up now that their season is over. On a team with 21 members, that's no small detail.
"We have a real varsity team now," Wilkinson said with a laugh. "There's four, five kids that might give us a series here and there.
That's crucial considering so many of the two-way Bears never get off the field. With a chance to get a breather thanks to a younger player, the coaches can work with a player on the sideline instead of waiting until halftime to make adjustments.
SLOW HEALING: Nature Coast Tech coach Jamie Joyner has a "24-hour rule" when it comes to winning or losing. The Sharks have exactly 24 hours - or by Monday, at the very latest - to get over a Friday night game, won or lost.
Joyner had a feeling that rule wouldn't stand up to last week's game against Central. The Sharks touted the game as the "most heated rivalry ever," and it turned out to be just that. Harsh words were exchanged at halftime, some players refused other players' post-game handshakes and some of the Sharks shed tears after the 61-23 loss.
Even Joyner admitted that 24 hours wasn't enough time to get over that one. Popping in the game tape Monday afternoon and going over mistakes with his players didn't exactly speed up the healing process, either.
"There were definitely some bitter feelings," Joyner said. "I think the atmosphere was different at that game compared to others we've played. We were pretty excited to play our first JV game last year, but that one (against Central) was big."
Joyner acknowledged that the game probably was bigger for Nature Coast than it was for Central, since Central was the first Hernando County team the Sharks have played and several Nature Coast kids came from Central when the school opened two years ago.
QUICK HEALING: On a real injury note, Nature Coast quarterback Billy Hughes sprained his ankle in last week's game but is practicing normally and ready to play against Melbourne Holy Trinity on Friday. Sporting a bit of a limp, Hughes healed quickly knowing the Sharks need him. He also is the team's kicker and punter.
