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Citrus Friday night rewind

By Times Staff
Published August 27, 2006

Friday night rewind

SCORES

Belleview 56, Crystal River 6

Citrus 48, St. Cloud 3

Hernando 25, Central 3

Hernando Christian 26, Calvary Christian 0

Frostproof 27, Nature Coast 10

Springstead 9, Pasco 7

Dunnellon 55, Lecanto 7

QUOTABLE

"They're not 56-6 better than us."

- ANTHONY PARADISO, Crystal River coach, on Belleview's talent

"Everyone just came out and did what they're supposed to do - you know, win."

- RIK HAINES, Citrus coach, on his team's big victory

"Robert Smith isn't going to rush for 180 yards without his offensive line doing their job. And vice versa. The offensive line isn't going to look good without Robert Smith doing his job."

- MATT SMITH, Hernando coach on the Leopards' team-first attitude

"We're still learning. It's going to be the same old story for me until we get some more experience here."

- BOB LECOURS, Lecanto coach, on the Panthers' youth movement

GAME BALLS

JUSTIN ROLPH, CRYSTAL RIVER: Look for the scrappy running back to be a fixture in this space, regardless of how well the Pirates do. Despite playing only the first half due to an ankle injury, Rolph gained 53 yards on 14 carries. As a bonus, he showed toughness by arguing with the team doctor, who would not let him return.

CAMERON WEST, CITRUS: Playing just two-and-a-half quarters, West completed 14-of-17 passes for 213 yards and five touchdowns. Not bad for a kid who backed up Walt Howard last season.

ROBERT SMITH, HERNANDO: He racked up 189 yards and three touchdowns while going head-to-head with Central star DuJuan Harris.

OBSERVATIONS

RUBBING IT IN: What was Belleview trying to prove by scoring its eighth touchdown with 33 seconds remaining? Instead of letting the clock run out by taking a knee, the Rattlers ran a final play and scored. It bothered the usually unflappable Paradiso. "There's no reason to do that," he said.

DoMINATION"

Citrus put up big numbers against St. Cloud despite resting its starters for most of the second half. Running back Antoin Scriven played just two quarters and West did not play the fourth. How about St. Cloud? It played its starters the whole game - to no avail.

WHAT TO DO?: Pity Steve Johnson, who had both his senior stars on the bench for much of Hernando Christian's 26-0 loss to Calvary Christian. Fullback Corey Drummond missed the game with an ankle injury, and quarterback Stephen Johnson, the coach's son, missed the second half with an ankle injury. Drummond should be back next week. Johnson might no.

NOT GIVING UP: Down 21-0 at half, Crystal River tried an onside kick to begin the third quarter. Though it didn't work, the Pirates tried again after their fourth-quarter touchdown. That one, too, failed. Said Paradiso: "You have to gamble every now and then."

THEY'VE GOT THE POWER: Hernando coach Matt Smith said his team made a couple of adjustments when they saw Central linebackers shooting the gaps at the line of scrimmage. They altered their snap count, and they ran some delays that left Hernando running backs with a lot of open space. The result? 222 yards rushing.

- BRIAN SUMERS and DAVID MURPHY, Times staff writers and BRETT KELMAN, Times Correspondent.

[Last modified August 27, 2006, 12:14:39]