Spongers back rushes for 195 yards in 44-14 rout of Bears.
By ERIC MUSKATEVC
Published September 17, 2005
TARPON SPRINGS - Perhaps the camera added a few hundred yards to Central, but having never played the Bears, Tarpon Springs had to prepare for their new district rival the same way they would for, say, East Lake: on film.
Central, (2-2) which amassed more than 400 yards of offense last week, was hit hard at the line, and often, in its 44-14 district-opening loss at Tarpon Springs (3-1) on Friday.
"They were prepared for us," said Central coach Greg Bigham. "They knew we had a big week."
Not just prepared, but also ready. The Spongers led 7-0 after the first play of the game, a 79-yard sideline sprint by Calvin Wood. Their fourth play of the game was a 46-yard touchdown pass from Matt Selby to Montel Gamble (4 catches for 110 yards). Their eighth play - another Wood touchdown, from 13 yards out - put Central down 20-0 after the first quarter.
Wood had 101 yards and two touchdowns after his third carry and finished with 195 yards on 14 carries. "If I had known he was only five yards away (from 200), I'd have given it to him one more time," said Tarpon Springs coach Bruce Buck.
Wood probably would have gotten it. Tarpon Springs was able to hit all running angles and finished with 322 rushing yards.
Central retaliated early in the second quarter when Bryan Nutter scored from 44 yards out. Nutter led Central with 79 yards on 11 carries, but speed backs Carlos Becaria and DuJuan Harris were held to a combined 43 yards.
"We really had a good feel for what they were capable of doing and we made sure they didn't get to," said Buck.
