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Lions get very own Charles in charge

Charles DiNunzio has gone from a role player to captain and leader for Hernando Christian.

By KELLIE DIXON
Published January 10, 2007

BROOKSVILLE - It's a basic blue-and-white striped elastic armband with the word captain on it. Nothing fancy, but Hernando Christian senior midfielder Charles DiNunzio gladly wears it every game.

"Coach Matt Carrao requires us to wear them," DiNunzio said. "It's a sign to everybody else on the team, 'Here's who you need to look up to.' "

DiNunzio was excited when he received the armband, along with junior Stephen McCall and sophomore Jeff Basciano. But the meaning didn't really sink in right away. Ever since eighth grade when he laced up his cleats and played varsity, he has always been a role player.

Three games into this season, he figured out it was his turn to be the leader. Hernando Christian was trailing Keswick Christian 2-1 with less than four minutes to play.

All DiNunzio could hear was Carrao on the sideline yelling for someone to take charge.

The next thing DiNunzio knew, he was finishing a cross from sophomore Sean Byrne. The goal tied the score and kept Hernando Christian from starting the season 0-3.

At that point, DiNunzio realized his role for Hernando Christian (3-12-1).

"It wasn't so much as getting confident as much as getting thrown in," DiNunzio said with a laugh. "It was more like sink or swim."

DiNunzio led Hernando Christian with seven goals before Tuesday's game. He also had notched two assists.

McCall, a junior who has been playing with DiNunzio since eighth grade, said he has seen his senior teammate grow into more of a captain. He watched him go from getting bossed around by the upperclassmen to being one of the upperclassmen leaders. On Tuesday, DiNunzio organized pregame drills when Carrao was out sick. DiNunzio doesn't seem to have a problem leading his teammates. Of course, McCall added, that might have something to do with the fact "Chuckles" is a pastor's kid. DiNunzio's dad is the pastor at Faith Presbyterian in Brooksville.

"He's real charismatic," McCall said. "He's always been like that. Everyone says he's the pretty boy of the team."

Kellie Dixon can be reached at kdixon@sptimes.com or (352) 544-9480.

[Last modified January 9, 2007, 22:10:27]