Central ripped apart in new coach's first game

Hernando holds the lead and defeats the Bears for the first time since 2003, running all over Central for a 25-3 victory.

By DAVID MURPHY
Published August 26, 2006

BROOKSVILLE - The stat sheet will show that Hernando out-rushed Central 222-72, that it gained six more first downs and that it forced five turnovers.

But the true story of the Leopards' 25-3 defeat of the Bears on Friday night lies in one second-quarter play.

On fourth and 3 from the Central 49-yard line, junior quarterback Jason Davies connected with senior wide receiver Chris Doran on a 23-yard pass that gave the Leopards a much-needed first down and a renewed sense of life.

Five plays later, running back Robert Smith was in the end zone after a 1-yard run, and the Leopards had their first lead over Central since 2003. Hernando took a 6-3 lead into halftime, then ran roughshod over the Bears in the second half, riding Smith's hard running.

Running mostly inside the tackles, Smith gained 189 yards on 24 carries to lead Hernando's rushing attack.

Davies, making his first varsity start, struggled with fumbled snaps but had an efficient game, completing 5 of 7 passes for 61 yards.

"I'm proud of the kids," Hernando coach Matt Smith said. "We've been trying to stress the team concept, and I thought everyone played well tonight."

Particularly impressive was Hernando's defense, which held Central to 120 yards of total offense. Running back DuJuan Harris gained just 30 yards on eight carries. Harris fumbled on two of the first three times he touched the ball, giving Hernando possession inside the red zone on both occasions.

But the Leopards also struggled to hold onto the ball, and neither team managed to score until Robert Smith's touchdown with less than two minutes to play before halftime.

Central fumbled six times in the game, losing three. Quarterback Chase Walker was intercepted twice.

"It was sickening," Cliff Lohrey said of his first game as Central head coach. "All the responsibility falls on me."

Smith certainly didn't help Central's cause. The senior scored on a 64-yard run in the third to put the Leopards up 12-6, and he capped off the night with a 1-yard run with 1:32 remaining.

Junior running back George Fribley scored the Leopards' other touchdown on a 15-yard run in the third quarter.

Last year, Central defeated Hernando 33-0 in the season opener. The year before, the Bears also trounced the Leopards.

"Their tradition ended tonight," Smith said.

[Last modified August 26, 2006, 08:11:50]