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Central, new leader anxious for a game

Coach Greg Bigham hopes the weather cooperates for tonight's meeting with Hernando.

By VINCENT THOMAS
Published August 26, 2005

BROOKSVILLE - Central's motto this week? "Just play."

All the new players and the new coach are ready to take the field for some competition since last week's preseason game against St. Petersburg Catholic was cancelled due to lightning.

"We're hoping (tonight's) weather doesn't mess with (this contest), too," said Central's new coach, Greg Bigham.

The home game against cross-town rival Hernando will be a premiere for many on the Central squad.

"We've changed so much since the spring," Bigham said. "Lots of new players and lots of questions that we've got to answer."

Many of the offense's questions lie with how well the backfield will be able to run the double-wing formation. Andy Leavine, the 6-foot-6 mountain, will be snapping the ball to either sophomore Chase Walker or senior Gary Owen, who will be handing off to running back Dujuan Harris. The onus will be on them. Bigham, used to running the wing-T, switched to the double-wing to help him, as a new coach, and his relatively new players.

"Everything is different: the alignment, the way you call plays, the way you evaluate the defense," he said.

With the new offense and lack of a tune-up game, facing an improved Hernando squad will be a challenge for the Bears. They dominated Hernando 66-28 in last year's regular season finale. Tonight's game should prove to be much more competitive.

Hernando will attack the Central run defense with a three-headed monster led by Fabian Jackson. He rushed for 128 yards on 18 carries in the Leopards preseason game against highly touted South Sumter. Despite losing 49-27, Jackson combined with fellow running backs James Thomas and Robert Smith for 280 total yards.

After that game, Hernando coach Matt Smith said it's going to be hard for most teams to stop all three. Bigham was impressed with Hernando's preseason performance.

"The fact that they were able to move the ball on a team like South Sumter says a lot," Bigham said. "It bodes well for them to have a guy like (Jackson) in the backfield. Our guys are definitely going to have to be ready to tackle well."

Vincent Thomas can be reached at vthomas@sptimes.com or 352 848-1430.

[Last modified August 26, 2005, 01:36:21]