Football Highlights to come
By DAVID MURPHY
Published April 18, 2007
The 2006 season marked the emergence of the county's two newest public high schools as Nature Coast and Central bettered their elder rivals by cruising to the playoffs in Class 3A, District 6 and 4A-8, respectively. Now that the 2007 schedules are out, it's time to take a look at what might lay in store for next seasons.
Mark Your Calendars (Four Games to Watch)
Aug. 31: Hernando at Central
Last year, the Leopards stunned the Bears 25-3 in the season opener. But Central had the last laugh, rebounding from an 0-2 start to win eight straight games and make the playoffs. This year's meeting will give us an opportunity to look at two things: 1) Hernando under new coach Rodney Bryd; 2) Central without star running back DuJuan Harris and his 1,600-plus yards.
Sept. 7: Nature Coast at Springstead
The Sharks' 15-10 win over the Eagles last year marked a dramatic shift from previous years, when Springstead dominated county competition.
It's always fun when these rivals get together; can Bill Vonada's squad rebound from a disappointing season, or does Nature Coast have staying power?
Sept. 21: Springstead vs. Land O'Lakes, and Oct. 18: Central at Land O'Lakes
Class 4A, District 8 received a notable addition this offseason when Land O'Lakes dropped out of Class 5A. The Gators have long been a Pasco County powerhouse.
Now, with Pinellas County's Tarpon Springs and defending champ Central, along with Springstead, 4A-8 could become one of the toughest districts around.
Hernando
Last year
Aug. 25 vs. Central W, 25-3
Sept. 8 vs. Lake Weir L, 22-17
Sept. 15 at Zephyrhills L, 36-9
Sept. 22 at Dunnellon L, 34-14
Sept 29 vs. Crystal River L, 13-7
Oct. 6 at Springstead L, 17-16
Oct. 13 at Lecanto W, 27-0
Oct. 20 at Nature Coast L, 13-7
Oct. 27 vs. Citrus L, 16-12
Nov. 3 vs. Pasco L, 42-33
This year
Aug. 31 at Central 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 7 vs. Hudson 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 vs. Gulf 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 at Wesley Chapel 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 at Crystal River 7:30 p.m.
Oct 12 vs. Springstead 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 vs. Lecanto 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 26 vs. Nature Coast 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 2 at Citrus 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 9 at Pasco 7:30 p.m.
Springstead
Last year
Aug. 25 at Pasco W, 9-7
Sept. 1 at Nature Coast L, 15-10
Sept. 8 vs. Hudson W, 28-8
Sept. 15 at South Lake L, 21-0
Sept 29 at Tarpon Springs L, 31-13
Oct. 6 vs. Hernando W, 17-16
Oct. 13 at Central L, 18-17
Oct. 20 vs. River Ridge W, 21-3
Oct. 27 vs. Ridgewood L, 53-14
Nov. 3 at Lecanto W, 36-6
This year
Aug. 31 at Crystal River 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 7 vs. Nature Coast 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 at Belleview 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 vs. Land O' Lakes 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 at Central 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 12 at Hernando 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 26 at Ridgewood 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 2 vs. Tarpon Springs 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 9 vs. Lecanto 7:30 p.m.
Hernando Christian
Last year
Aug. 25 vs. Calvary Chr. L, 26-0
Sept. 1 at Central Fla. Chr. L, 13-12
Sept. 8 vs. Eastland Chr. W, 10-0
Sept. 15 vs. Temple Chr. L, 35-19
Sept. 22 at Canterbury W, 32-20
Sept 29 at Lighthouse Chr. W, 22-12
Oct. 6 vs. Tampa Baptist W, 21-8
Oct. 13 at Lakeland Christian L, 14-0
Oct. 20 vs. Out-of-Door L, 28-0
Oct. 27 vs. Ocala Christian W, 25-19
This year
Aug. 31 vs. Bishop McLaughlin 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 at Central Fla. Chr. 7 p.m.
Sept. 21 vs. Mount Dora 7 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Titusville Temple 7 p.m.
Oct. 5 vs. Bradenton Chr. 7 p.m.
Oct. 12 at Leesburg First Acd. 7 p.m.
Oct. 26 vs. All Saints 7 p.m.
Nov. 9 vs. Saint John 7 p.m.
Central
Last year
Aug. 25 at Hernando L, 25-3
Sept. 1 vs. Booker L, 41-0
Sept. 8 at Crystal River W, 46-0
Sept. 15 vs. Tarpon Springs W, 21-9
Sept. 22 vs. Lecanto W, 48-17
Sept. 29 at Ridgewood W, 23-20
Oct. 13 vs. Springstead W, 18-17
Oct. 20 at South Lake W, 27-7
Oct. 27 vs. River Ridge W, 25-14
Nov. 3 vs. Nature Coast W, 32-14
Playoffs
Lost to Daytona Beach Seabreeze, 21-20
This year
Aug. 31 vs. Hernando 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 7 vs. Leesburg 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 vs. Citrus 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 at Ridgewood 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Lecanto 7:30 p.m.
Oct 5 vs. Springstead 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 18 at Land O'Lakes 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 26 at Tarpon Springs 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 2 vs. River Ridge 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 9 at Nature Coast 7:30 p.m.
Nature Coast
Last year
Aug. 25 at Frostproof L, 27-10
Sept. 1 vs. Springstead W, 15-10
Sept. 8 vs. The Villages W, 15-14
Sept 15 at Crystal River W, 14-10
Sept. 29 vs. Lecanto W, 61-0
Oct. 6 vs. Poinciana W, 40-7
Oct. 13 at Citrus W, 29-28
Oct. 20 vs. Hernando W, 13-7
Oct. 27 at Mulberry W, 33-28
Nov. 3 at Central L, 32-14
Playoffs
Lost to Williston, 26-13
This year
Aug. 31 at Dunnellon 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 7 at Springstead 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 vs. Crystal River 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 vs. Pasco 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 at Lecanto 7:30 p.m.
Oct 12 at South Sumter 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 vs. Citrus 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 26 at Hernando 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 2 vs. South Lake 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 9 vs. Central 7:30 p.m.