Central debuts new look in loss

By DAVID MURPHY and DEREK LaRIVIERE
Published May 20, 2006

BROOKSVILLE - In the week leading up to Central's spring game against Dunedin, new Bears coach Cliff Lohrey spoke of the spotlight that would be on his team once the lights flipped on.

With Nature Coast playing its annual game Thursday, and Springstead and Hernando hosting theirs today, Central was the lone Hernando County team in action Friday.

"People want to see what we have," said Lohrey, who was named coach when former coach Greg Bigham left for a job in Arkansas in March.

By the time the starters left the field in the Bears' 14-6 loss to Dunedin, it was clear that, at the least, Central will have a different look this season.

Against the Falcons, Central's starters gained 72 yards of total offense, 57 on the ground. Walker attempted five passes, completing two for 13 yards. Harris, an all-Hernando/Citrus selection last year, finished with just 30 yards on 11 carries, but had a nifty 65-yard touchdown run called back because of a personal foul.

The Bears took advantage of their quality field position - their first four drives began in Falcon territory - once, on a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Walker that was set up when Dunedin fumbled on its own 6.

"Five, six turnovers and we didn't capitalize," Lohrey said. "That hopefully will come with time. That has to come with time."

Central held Dunedin scoreless until Falcons quarterback Terry Nnatubeugo hit receiver Evon McKeon with a 19-yard fade pass in the end zone 18 seconds before the end of the third quarter.

CRYSTAL RIVER - Anthony Paradiso kicked off his Crystal River coaching tenure with a 46-28 loss to Newberry. Despite losing, the Pirates impressed throughout, mostly because of the coach's newly-installed offense.

Fans in this area are used to a hard-nosed, run-it-up-the-middle offense, but Paradiso has a more balanced approach to scoring. By using the pass to open up the run and vice versa, the Pirates kept the Panthers guessing on defense in the first half, heading into the locker room with a 28-7 lead.

"The main thing I've emphasized in the month and a half that I've been here is team pride," Paradiso said. "I think that the kids showed that."

Quarterbacks Shay Newcomer and Wesley Lanier were the benefactors of Crystal River's philosophy. After a dismal 2005 season, Newcomer got things kicked off the right way this spring, completing 9-of-20 for 95 yards passing with one score and two interceptions. He spread the ball around, completing passes to five receivers.

Lanier rotated with Newcomer for every series after halftime and the Pirates' success continued. The primary backup to Newcomer completed 4-of-7 for 53 yards and a touchdown and one interception.

Tailback Justin Rolph took advantage of some big holes created by a rejuvenated offensive line, breaking tackles for a team-high 122 yards on 18 carries. He scored on a 45-yard pitch play in the second quarter that gave the Pirates a 14-0 lead.

Before halftime, the defense made a mark of its own when linebacker Kevin Spivey picked off Newberry quarterback Josh Pardo, returning the ball 25 yards for a touchdown.

[Last modified May 20, 2006, 01:58:12]