Eagles kick into gear just in time

Josh Magrini makes up for two missed field goals to give Springstead a 17-16 win over Hernando.

By DAVID MURPHY
Published October 7, 2006

SPRING HILL - Throughout the game-deciding drive, Josh Magrini's teammates would approach him on the sideline and slap him on the shoulder pads to attempt to pump his confidence.

"It's going to come down to you," they'd say as the Springstead offense marched down the field, trailing by one to Hernando with less than a minute remaining. "Get ready."

"The whole time, I was thinking the offense was going to punch it in," said Magrini, who had misfired on field goals of 43 and 42 yards. "Then (the drive) got down to the 35-yard line and I was like, 'Uh-oh.' "

Nevertheless, Magrini nailed a 32-yarder with 25 seconds left to propel the Eagles to a 17-16 win.

The Leopards outgained the Eagles 302-173 and took a 16-14 lead with 3:32 remaining on a 6-yard touchdown run by George Fribley. But Springstead blocked the extra point, which proved pivotal as the Eagles marched 64 yards on 13 plays in 3:00 to set up Magrini's winner.

"It's very hard," Hernando coach Matt Smith said after the game. "It's very hard for our kids."

Mistakes killed Hernando. A fumble on the first possession of the game set up a Springstead touchdown, and Eagles linebacker Nate Schafer returned an interception 75 yards for a touchdown just before halftime to put the Eagles up 14-7.

[Last modified October 7, 2006, 02:41:19]