South Sumter 30, Hernando 7

By David Murphy
Published August 24, 2007

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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

South Sumter	30
Hernando	7