Citrus: Tonight's games

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Tonight's games

By RICHARD BURTON
Published September 2, 2005

WEST PORT (0-1) AT CITRUS (0-1)

WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

LAST YEAR: Did not play.

THE SKINNY: The Hurricanes face the pass-happy Wolf Pack in their home-opener. West Port threw the ball 25 times against Ocala Vanguard and totaled 156 yards but rushed for 7 yards on 29 attempts. Citrus defensive lineman Patrick Kruis will need a big game against West Port's offensive line. It's led by 300-pound Cortez Roberts, the front wall's only returning starter from last season. West Port rotated quarterbacks Adrian Nunn and Mike Barnes vs. Vanguard. The duo will look to receivers Dominic McDonald and Jaime Kinsler, who each had more than 80 yards a week ago. 'Canes safety Dane Moore will have a huge role in pass defense against the Pack. Citrus needs to get off to a good start after struggling in the first half against Kissimmee St. Cloud in a 40-12 loss last week. The Hurricanes have been good at home as of late, but West Port has been a .500 team on the road the past three seasons.

DUNNELLON (1-0) AT CRYSTAL RIVER (0-1)

WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

LAST YEAR: Crystal River lost 34-0.

THE SKINNY: Crystal River faces a lightening-fast Dunnellon team. It's led by senior running back Rodney Jones, who rushed for three touchdowns and caught another to finish with 183 yards in a 48-20 victory over Lecanto last week. The Pirates are coming off a 63-0 mercy-rule loss at Belleview from a week ago. Crystal River was able to drive the ball with three series of 40 yards or longer, but the Pirates couldn't capitalize in the red zone. They had a field goal blocked, threw an interception for a TD and were stopped on the 3-yard line. "When you open the door like that, they keep it coming, racking up the points," Crystal River coach Craig Frederick said. Injuries and a lack of depth have plagued his squad, which is missing linemen Brandon Hope (fracture knee) and Chris Graden (ankle sprain) and senior receiver/defensive back Roger Jones.