Hernando: News and Notes

By Times Staff
Published October 2, 2007

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Ex-Bear gets chance with UCF

Robert Batista, a senior walk-on at UCF, kicked a 41-yard field goal and was 1-of-2 on PATs in the Golden Knights' 37-19 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday.

It was his first collegiate start, though regular UCF kicker Michael Torres kicked in the second half. Batista played for Central under coach John Wilkinson, hitting 7 of 11 field goals and 15-of-18 PATs as a senior in 2002.

Leopards still have playoff hopes

The numbers at the bye week weren't pretty for Hernando. At 1-3, the Leopards have been outscored by an average of 15 points per game and have failed to score an offensive touchdown in two of their three losses.

Yet as Hernando prepares for its district opener against Crystal River on Friday, there is still some hope for the playoffs.

Why? Well, according to coach Rodney Byrd, Crystal River's win over supposed Class 3A, District 6 favorite Nature Coast two weeks ago proves the competition between the Pirates, Leopards, Citrus, Nature Coast and Lecanto is up for grabs.

"It's wide open," Byrd said. "Crystal River beat Nature Coast, and Nature Coast probably was favored. Anything can happen."

Central is looking perfect

The Bears are swimming strong on the girls side, with a 7-0 record entering this week's action. They're looking like the team to beat at Saturday's Hernando County Athletic Conference meet, scheduled for 3 p.m. at the YMCA.

Compiled by Times staff writers David Murphy and Izzy Gould.

On tap today

Girls golf

Central vs. Springstead at Oak Hills, 3:30

Volleyball

Gulf at Hernando, 7:30

Central at River Ridge, 7

Sunlake at Nature Coast Tech, 7:30

Hernando Chr. at First Academy, 6