Crystal River gets bit of magic back

By BRIAN SUMERS
Published October 29, 2005

LECANTO - It used to be like this every year.

Crystal River would beat Lecanto to win Citrus County bragging rights. In the old days the Pirates would then move on to the postseason.

There will be no playoffs for Crystal River this year, but Pirates regained some old magic in their Class 4A, District 6 finale. They beat their rivals 17-7, snapping a four-game losing streak and wrapping up third place in the district.

"I've stuck by them all year now," Pirates coach Craig Frederick said. "It's been a tough season. They really needed this one."

Josh Noland sealed the win by intercepting Mychal Nichols' third-down pass with two minutes remaining. Coty Shaffer followed with a field goal.

After weeks of being pushed around by bigger and stronger teams, Crystal River (2-7 overall, 2-7 district) showed renewed intensity, especially when stalling the Panthers' opening drive.

The Pirates countered with a seven-play, 85-yard drive highlighted by Shay Newcomer's 39-yard pass to Torrion Smith and capped by Justin Rolph's 14-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter.

"From the first touchdown," Bertine said, "I knew we would win."

Still, penalties ended the shutout bid. Trailing 14-0, Lecanto (3-6, 1-3) capitalized on two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and a pass interference call to mount a touchdown drive.

BROOKSVILLE - All season long, Nature Coast coach Jamie Joyner has watched his team improve.

On Friday against Mulberry, Joyner's Sharks put together their best performance of the season, scoring two touchdowns in the final 3:24 to win 34-27.

Quarterback Josh Ortiz scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 1-yard sneak with 1:32 left. That came on the heels of an 83-yard run by Robert Fleming.

"The kids never quit," Joyner said. "To come back and win like this says a lot for their character."

Mulberry (5-4) led 27-21 lead midway through the fourth but the Sharks made a goal-line stand and took over at their 1-yard line with 5:33 left.

From there, Nature Coast marched 99 yards in nine plays and tied it with a 4-yard run by Mike Haslam. The extra-point kick was blocked but the defense held to set up its final dramatic score.

"Our defense stepped up and made the plays when it had to," Joyner said. "The goal-line stand really lifted us up."

Fleming led Nature Coast (2-7) with 151 yards rushing on 15 carries. Haslam added 138 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. Ortiz added 44 yards rushing and two touchdowns and passed for another. Overall, Nature Coast rushed for 334 yards and had 409 yards of offense for the game.

- RICHARD BURTON, Times correspondent

[Last modified October 29, 2005, 01:45:21]