"I guess I'm getting paid back for - I don't know how many years ago, it wasn't that long ago - we beat them 72-0 right here. We couldn't do anything wrong, they couldn't do anything right. It's pretty much a turnaround from something like that."
- TOM FISHER, Zephyrhills coach after a 66-point loss to Hudson, the most lopsided in his 16 seasons with the Bulldogs.
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"Don't remind me, will you?"
- JOHN CASTELAMARE, Wesley Chapel coach, on quarterback Anthony Rawson's uncertain status for Monday's shootout. Rawson missed the past two games with a stress fracture in his left shin.
GAME BALLS
McCLAIN BRYANT, PASCO: The freshman linebacker recovered two fumbles, the second leading to a TD near the end of the fourth quarter, to spearhead the Pirates' comeback win.
JOE WEATHERFORD, LAND O'LAKES: The sophomore quarterback passed for 158 yards and three touchdowns. More important, he did not throw an interception, giving him more touchdowns (10) than picks (8).
CHRIS WATTS, MITCHELL: The senior quarterback threw a 5-yard TD to Sean Fenech and ran 3 yards for another score as the Mustangs clinched their third straight playoff berth.
AARON DICKLER, WESLEY CHAPEL: The senior fullback scored on runs of 2 and 67 yards and caught a 67-yard touchdown to help the Wildcats clinch a first-round bye for Monday's Class 3A, District 9 shootout.
ROYCE SIMONDS, HUDSON: The junior free safety intercepted two passes, returning one 41 yards for a touchdown and another to the Zephyrhills 3 before fumbling, setting up a safety.
WELL-ARMED
Castelamare was pleased with backup quarterback Chad Hatfield in his second start in place of the injured Rawson. Hatfield's only completion in seven attempts went for a 67-yard TD. A 73-yard scoring pass to Jeff Reamer was nullified because of a holding penalty, and Hatfield's interception with 1:10 left iced the win. "Chad surprised me; he did a heck of a job on the deep passes," Castelamare said. "That's why I wish those (plays) had counted (instead of being called back). It would have given him so much momentum and satisfaction that he can do this."
GOT BALANCE?
From the beginning of the season, Hudson coach Mark Nash strived to find balance on offense. In fullback Nate Toole, change-of-pace back Vince Ferlita, quarterback Kyle Hatcher, possession receiver Andrew Collins and deep threat Tommy Snow, the Cobras might have more than any team in the county. In its victory over Zephyrhills, Toole rushed for 126 yards and three touchdowns, Ferlita picked up 84 yards and two touchdowns, Hatcher threw for 94 yards and two scores and Snow and Collins made touchdown receptions.
"I'm normally an offensive guy, but I've done a lot of defensive work lately," Nash said. "I would be concerned trying to prepare for a team like me."HELPING HANDS
Logan Payne caught more than 1,000 of Drew Weatherford's 2,000 passing yards during Land O'Lakes' 12-1 season in 2002. Weatherford's younger brother, Joe, has the luxury of two primary targets. Develin Robinson and Caz Piurowski combined for seven catches for 158 yards and three touchdowns against Ridgewood. "Joe and Develin and Caz, it's a good combination," coach John Benedetto said. "They're fine athletes, and they're going to get better and better."
WHAT GIVES?
Citrus outgained Wesley Chapel 326-221 yards and out-did the Wildcats 22-7 in first downs yet trailed throughout the game. Why? Wesley Chapel jumped to a 14-0 lead on Dickler's 67-yard run on the third play from scrimmage, and an interception led to another Dickler score. Citrus fumbled three times and threw two interceptions, sapping momentum on key drives. But it was mostly the 16 penalties for 118 yards, including a holding call that erased a second-half touchdown, that crushed the 'Canes' hopes.
ODDS AND ENDS
An otherwise forgetful night for Zephyrhills wide receiver/defensive back Bryan Thomas (one carry, 0 yards) was made memorable when he was named the Homecoming junior prince.
Zephyrhills linebacker Ty Whiddon was ejected in the second quarter for kicking a Hudson player he believed was holding him. Whiddon received a second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for slamming his helmet on the ground before leaving the field.Hudson's defense created seven turnovers, including six interceptions, two which were returned for TDs.JUST AN OBSERVATION
There was a time Hudson was everyone's favorite Homecoming opponent. Not anymore.
Pasco clearly looked past Gulf to Monday's district tiebreaker, and it almost cost the Pirates their spot in it.
