District Preview
By KELLIE DIXON
Published January 21, 2007
Class 4A, District 8
Host: Hudson
Favorite: Pasco
Dark Horse: Springstead
Schedule: Monday - No.2 Springstead vs. No. 7 Hernando, 7 p.m. Tuesday - No. 3 Gulf vs. No. 6 Nature Coast, 5 p.m.; No. 4 Hudson vs. No. 5 Zephyrhills, 7 p.m.; Wednesday - Springstead/Hernando vs. Gulf/Nature Coast, 5 p.m.; No. 1 Pasco vs. Hudson/ZHills; Friday - Championship, 7 p.m.
Outlook: For Springstead (10-2-5, 6-2-4), it's a no-brainer that ties won't cut it anymore, and the Eagles, who tied four district teams this season, know that. The Eagles, runnerups to Pasco in last season's district tournament, don't seem to have a problem getting the opportunities. Before the last week of the regular season, Springstead recorded a combined 225 shots on goal, while the opposition has recorded 132. So finishing the game and capitalizing on opportunities will be keys for Springstead, and coach Sal Calabrese hopes his Eagles are peaking at the right time.
Springstead's defense has been strong all season. Goalkeepers Jason Bowie and Kyle Beach have combined for 87 saves on 132 shots. They've given up 16 goals. Hernando and Nature Coast have their work cut out for them.
Class A, District 9
Host: Tampa Prep
Favorite: Tampa Prep
Schedule: Monday - HCA vs. Tampa Baptist, 7 p.m. Tuesday - Cambridge vs. Bishop McLaughlin, 5 p.m.; HCA/Tampa Baptist vs. Tampa Prep, 7 p.m.; Friday - Championship, TBA.
Outlook: HCA (6-8-2, 1-3), which began the season with eight new starters, is the No. 4 seed going into the five-team district.
Senior center-midfielder Charles DiNunzio leads the team in scoring with 14 goals and four assists. Sean Byrne has four goals and six assists. Jeff Basciano has four goals and four assists. Sweeper Stephen McCall (five goals, four assists) and fullback Jared Robinson anchor the Lions on defense. Hernando Christian coach Matt Carrao said the biggest thing would be getting his young team to play the entire game.
"We're just still trying to finish strong, learn from some of our earlier mistakes," coach Matt Carrao said. "...We give 100 percent and the score works out the way the score works out."
Class 5A, District 7
Host: Land O'Lakes
Favorite: Land O'Lakes
Dark Horse: Central, Wesley Chapel
Schedule: Tuesday - No. 4 River Ridge vs. No. 5 Ridgewood; Wednesday - No. 2 Wesley Chapel vs. No. 3 Central, 6 p.m.; No. 1 Land O'Lakes vs. River Ridge/Ridgewood, 8 p.m.; Friday - Championship, 7 p.m.
Outlook: Central needs to win just one game to advance to the state playoffs for the first time since 2001. Wesley Chapel is beatable, though the Bears have one loss and one tie against them it year. The Bears have made some strategic adjustments late in the season, instituting an attacking offense that shifted some pressure off the team's defense. Central hasn't lost in six games. In fact, their last loss came against Wesley Chapel 4-2, in mid December. Land O'Lakes is the powerhouse in this district, but the Gators are banged up. Two key players are out with injuries.