Hernando: News and Notes

By Times staff
Published September 5, 2007

Red mule

Though not an FHSAA-sanctioned race, the annual Red Mule Runners Labor Day run gave area coaches a chance to assess their teams this past weekend. First indications are longtime county power Hernando might get a decent challenge this season from Central. The Bears had three runners break 18:20 and two break 18:00 in the race.

Most impressive was the performance of sophomore Mason MacKenzie, a first-time cross-country runner who finished in 17:31. MacKenzie ran track last season and qualified for regions in the mile. At the urging of Central coach Eric Milholland and basketball coach Eric Hayes, MacKenzie decided to run cross country. Hopes are high: Milholland says he thinks the sophomore can break 17:00 by the end of the season. "I'm sure he's shooting for lower," the coach said.

LaRose update

Nature Coast star lineman Tim LaRose visited an orthopedic surgeon Tuesday, still feeling an injury to his collarbone. He'll be kept out of tackling drills but will condition this week and should be ready for Friday's game against Springstead. LaRose was injured during the first drive on a hit against Dunnellon. He had an X-ray and doctors said there was no break.

HCA gets a new game

Turns out, Hernando Christian will get another home game after all. Four days after the Lions' season opener against Bishop McLaughlin was rained out, athletic director Mike Drummond lined up a game against Winter Park during HCA's bye week.

The game will be Sept. 14 at Ernie Weaver Park at 7:30 p.m. On another front, the Lions won't be charged with a forfeit for the rainout, which occurred after county officials deemed the field at the park unplayable. According to FHSAA spokesman Robert Hernberger, as long as the teams in question mutually agreed to cancel, neither has to forfeit. Bishop McLaughlin athletic director Mike Zelenka said he is okay with that outcome. "Things happen," Zelenka said.

Girl power

Did you know there are at least three girl placekickers on the North Suncoast? Well, there were until Tuesday afternoon.

We already knew about Gulf kicker Courtney Cohen, the senior soccer star who became the Bucs' first girl football player. A pair of Nature Coast girls were trying to improve at the JV level in hopes of perhaps one day kicking for the Sharks. They informed coach Jamie Joyner on Tuesday they could no longer kick for the Sharks because Thursday night JV games were interfering with club soccer practice for the Hernando Heat. Nature Coast sophomoreDanielle Doucet is a sophomore and perhaps better known for tearing up the track than the turf. Doucet was a state qualifier in three short-distance events as a freshman. Joyner invited her to preseason camp and says she's good from 30 yards and closer. Then there's Sharks junior Taylor Agricola, who joined on her own and has some work to do.

"I understand," Joyner said. "I knew that was their commitment. It's disappointing."

P.S. Don't miss Gulf's first promotional video, made by the Bucs softball coach, featuring Cohen at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=1IRm_PtNXPk

Set your DVR

Hernando at Central, volleyball, 7 p.m.: The county's perennial powers meet for the first time this season. Last year, the Leopards swept the Bears for the first time in forever. This year, Central was off to a 1-2 start heading into Tuesday's game against River Ridge.

[Last modified September 4, 2007, 22:42:08]