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On the sideline

By DAWN REISS
Published September 9, 2005

TRYING TO NET WIN

It's Week 3 and the entire county is winless. This week doesn't get much better since all the opponents have won a game this season. Defense hasn't been as big of a problem as the offense for Citrus County. All three squads need to block the blitz to give pocket protection if they hope to put points on the board.

2: Interceptions made by Crystal River's Joe Bertine last week against Dunnellon.

25.5 : Points Leesburg has averaged in victory over Lecanto the past two seasons.

0-for-10 : Citrus' attempts at third-down conversions last week.

76 : Yards Citrus' Patrick Kruis netted on a fumble returned for a touchdown.

CITRUS (0-1) AT GULF (1-1)

LAST YEAR: Did not play.

THE SKINNY: Citrus quarterback Walter Howard is questionable after taking a hit last week that left his right arm bruised and in a sling. The Hurricanes posted only 35 yards of offense, losing 32 yards on 21 plays against Ocala Lake Weir a week ago. Gulf had a jaw-dropping 456 yards en route to a 39-14 victory over River Ridge (after losing 39-0 to Wesley Chapel.) First-year Bucs coach Jay Fulmer has instilled discipline, kicking two players off the team to set the tone. Gulf is led by junior tailback Anthony Jackson, who's coming off the best performance of his career, rushing for 173 yards, 2 touchdowns and making 2 catches for 50 yards and another score. The Bucs' Alton Voss, who has a strong arm and can scramble, was among four quarterbacks in Pasco County who passed for over 1,000 yards last year.

OUR PICK: Gulf.

CRYSTAL RIVER (0-2) AT CENTRAL (1-1)

LAST YEAR: Central 17, Crystal River 10.

THE SKINNY: Since two-year starting quarterback Kyle Daquanna quit on Tuesday, the Pirates will be led by sophomore Shay Newcomer, a junior varsity back-up last year. Newcomer isn't as smooth on the run-up-the-gut handoffs Crystal River relies on, but he's said to have a quicker release and more fluid approach on his pass. Coach Craig Frederick said the Pirates will change up the scheme to fit their new leader and hope to give more pass protection to Newcomer after Daquanna left the game last week with a concussion. Central is coming off a 50-0 loss to a Sarasota Booker squad that included future University of Miami player Sam Shields. Central whipped Hernando 33-0 to open the season, led by Dujuan Harris 132 yards on 13 carries, coupled with Bryan Nutter, who recorded two short TDs with 51 yards on 11 carries.

OUR PICK: Central.

LECANTO (0-1) AT LEESBURG (1-0)

THE SKINNY: Both teams are coming off byes. Lecanto will look to control the clock with its Wing-T offense against the speedy Yellow Jackets. The Panthers struggled with Dunnellon's speed in their opener, and will have to contain Leesburg's veer-option attack. It allows the quarterback to throw deep. Richard Chaney, Lecanto's best athlete, will be counted on heavily. The Class 4A Jackets will look to wear down Chaney and company by two-platooning like they did in a 35-32 season-opening win over Tavares. "We must neutralize their speed, and our offense must control the tempo and keep our defense off the field," coach Bob LeCours said.

OUR PICK: Leesburg.

[Last modified September 9, 2005, 01:18:20]