South Sumter 30, Hernando 7

By David Murphy
Published August 24, 2007

BROOKSVILLE - Though the scoreboard revealed an outcome in favor of the bad guys, there was a noticeable air of optimism mixing with the muggy late-August air at Hernando High.

Less than seven months after the Leopards installed long-time assistant Rodney Byrd as coach, the team's new-look offense spent an entire half marching up and down the field on a large, athletic South Sumter defense.

Hernando rolled up 186 yards in the first half, 153 of it on the ground, and took a 7-6 lead into the locker room. South Sumter rallied, scoring 24 while using second- and third-stringers.

Lamon Neal, who entered the game firmly entrenched as the backup to fellow senior Jason Davies, opened some eyes by rushing for 52 yards and completing 3 of 5 for 22 yards in about a quarter of play. After the game, Byrd declared the quarterback competition wide open, saying, "It wasn't wide open, but it is now."

David Murphy, Times staff writer

[Last modified August 23, 2007, 23:23:27]