Hernando: News and notes

Quotable

"We took a team vote in the locker room after the Citrus game, and it was unanimous: We're going to show up."

- Central coach Cliff Lohrey, above,on his team's football game against Ridgewood on Friday, which has been hyped for the better part of the offseason.

Former Central star may start

Those who stayed up late Friday night may have caught former Central star DuJuan Harris carrying 16 times for 45 yards in Troy's 41-23 win over Oklahoma State on ESPN2. Harris could see his role grow this week, as starter Kenny Cattouse is questionable with a sprained MCL. In three games, Harris, a true freshman, has carried 22 times for 63 yards. He also has one catch for 10 yards and leads the team with a 27.2-yard average on four kickoff returns. Troy plays at Louisiana-Lafayette Saturday at 6 p.m.

In another alumni note, former Central star and offensive lineman Andy Leavine started in Florida International's 23-9 loss to Miami last weekend, despite a fractured right hand.

Check it out

Catch 47 has picked Jefferson at Gaither as its football game of the week on Friday. If you can't make the game, turn on the tube at 7:30 p.m.e_SClBPractice makes almost perfect

Kayla Bailey doesn't know how many balls she swatted this summer while working on her timing. But she'll hazard a guess.

"A lot," the Nature Coast middle hitter said. "I practiced a lot."

And it appears to be paying off. Though the Sharks lost their first game of the season Thursday to Zephyrhills, Bailey is one of the big reasons they're a legitimate district-title contender this season. Through six games, the Sharks are 5-1, and Bailey is leading them in hitting percentage.

Said Sharks coach Dan Murphy: "She's improved a lot."

Gator Invitational revisited

- Central's boys are hoping to have a solid cross-country season. The Bears' first test was Saturday at the Gator Invitational at Crew Lakes Park. Central finished seventh overall, and sophomore Mason McKenzie finished 21st (17:43). Overall, Bears coach Eric Millholand sounded underwhelmed Monday as he recalled the first big race of the season.

"We did okay," Millholand said. "Our average team time was 18:22. There's some teams we could have beaten. We figured we could finish in the top five. We'll get better."

- Nature Coast's girls had the best showing among Hernando County teams, finishing 12th overall. Sharks junior Anna DeAngelis finished 28th individually (22:44).

- This week's Zak Lucas Invitational will be held Saturday at Hernando.

Compiled by Times staff writers David Murphy and Izzy Gould.

Top 5 quarterbacks

Name (school) C-A YDs TDs INTs

1. Tate Humphrey (Mitchell) 43-64 661 7 1

2. Blake Spinks (River Ridge) 32-56 489 7 1

3. Harold Clower (Pasco) 19-40 344 2 3

4. Greg Jenkins (Wesley Chapel) 21-49 330 4 1

5. Ely Payne (Land O'Lakes) 24-61 328 1 1

Top 5 rushers

Name (school) Att. YDs TDs

1. David Williams (Gulf) 36 481 7

2. Sean Scott (Hudson) 47 339 5

3. Chris Henry (Zephyrhills) 41 329 3

4. Tate Humphrey (Mitchell) 46 285 5

5. Duane Marks (Central) 41 269 2

Top 5 receivers

Name (school) Rec. YDs TDs

1. Nick Castellano (Land O'Lakes) 12 229 1

2. Tyrone Hendrix (Mitchell) 7 184 3

3. Jerome Harrison (Land O'Lakes) 15 181 1

4. Jesse Dustin (Mitchell) 13 171 2

5. Lance Babcock (River Ridge) 9 127 4

[Last modified September 18, 2007, 00:32:26]