Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

For Bears, cooler heads prevail

By DAVID MURPHY
Published January 21, 2007

BROOKSVILLE - Listen to the players tell it, and Central games used to look like athletic re-enactments of Lord of the Flies.

There were more fights than an episode of Jerry Springer.

More red cards than a pack of Bicycles.

"A few years ago, we would go into a game and half our players would expect a card," senior co-captain Jacob Grey said.

Now, however, Central counts discipline as one of its major attributes, and it hopes its internal transformation will result in its first state playoff berth since 2001.

Heading into its Class 5A, District 7 tournament opener against Wesley Chapel, the Bears have what they feel is their best chance at advancing to the district title game since its playoff drought began five years ago.

Last year, Hank Deslaurier's squad was talented, but it struggled during the regular season and was forced to play powerhouse Land O'Lakes in the first round.

This year the Bears are seeded No. 3, meaning they need only beat Wesley Chapel in the first round to advance to the title game and secure a playoff berth.

"This is the time of year we play our best," Deslaurier said.

The numbers back him up.

The Bears haven't lost a game in more than a month. Their last defeat came at the hands of Wesley Chapel, which beat them 4-2 on Dec. 13. Since then, Central has won five games, tied one and lost none.

The Bears are a well-rounded team, with six having scored at least five goals. Cody Grey is the leader with 12.

Central thinks the combination of its even offense and discipline on the field will help the Bears finally snag that long-awaited playoff berth.

"On a scale of 1 to 10," senior Alex Beiswenger said, "it would be a 57, to be remembered that way."

David Murphy can be reached at dmurphy@sptimes.com or 352 848-1407.

[Last modified January 20, 2007, 21:30:04]