Pasco: News and notes

By IZZY GOULD
Published September 25, 2007

Nature Coast might be 2-1, and the locker room might feel deserving of an even better record. But the reality is that turnovers could result in even greater losses down the road.

Through three games, the Sharks have committed 13 fumbles. Six on Friday proved costly in an 18-15 loss against Crystal River. And four trips inside the 5-yard line resulted in zero points.

Sharks quarterback Stephen Pelaez has been at the heart of many turnovers, and coach Jamie Joyner believes cutting down his two-way play could help reduce the miscues. Pelaez plays roughly 90 percent of the game splitting between quarterback and outside linebacker.

Joyner will lean more on Howard Williams to take over roughly half of Pelaez's defensive duties.

Check it out

Wesley Chapel-Zephyrhills will be Catch 47's Game of the Week for the second time in as many seasons.

Although coaches love the exposure and it's a thrill for the kids and the community, Bulldogs coach Tom Fishe said the added stress of the telecast can also be distracting to a program that usually doesn't have its games broadcast live.

This week's game is at 7:30 p.m. at Wesley Chapel's Wildcat Stadium.

Quick hits

- Nature Coast running back Tevin Drake rushed 19 times for 101 yards against Crystal River.

- Zephyrhills running back Chris Henry rushed for 214 yards and two touchdowns in a 48-0 win at Sunlake. He also had a 37-yard punt return for a touchdown.

Injury update

- Hudson linebacker Vance Lizama's leg injury in a 39-34 loss to Hudson was not as serious as first thought, coach Mark Nash said. Lizama was in school Monday on crutches with his leg immobilized. He was taken to Community Hospital on Friday on the advice of Pasco medical staff Pasco trainer J.R. Titsworth and Dr. Dan McBath, Nash said. An X-ray revealed Lizama had no broken bones.

"They kind of took charge of the situation and said he needed to go to the hospital right now," Nash said. "Then it was out of our hands. Bottom line was, he didn't have to go to the hospital."

- Nature Coast junior D.J. Williams is nursing an ankle injury and is not expected to play against Pasco.

- Nature Coast senior Brandon Nuby took a helmet to the knee Friday and suffered a knee sprain. He is not expected to play this week.

Quotable

"I don't have any sharp objects around me."

Nature Coast coach Jamie Joyner, still hurting Monday after last week's 18-15 loss at Crystal River.

[Last modified September 25, 2007, 01:05:27]