Preps

Hernando: News and notes

By IZZY GOULD and DAVID MURPHY, Times Staff Writers
Published October 9, 2007

Today on tampabay.com

Since some games were rained out Friday night, the Times' Friday Night Rewind crew will do a special edition, with sideline reports from John C. Cotey and Joey Knight. Check it out at highschool.tampabay.com.

Mistakes costly for Eagles

The fans who turned out for Springstead's game at Central on Saturday afternoon saw both sides of the Eagles: the enormous potential the squad possesses, and the inexperience it must battle.

Springstead ultimately was undone by mistakes: a personal foul penalty that gave Central a first and goal on the Eagles' 11, two safeties and two bad snaps. But James Mahla, Ben Noury and Mike Greco each played pivotal roles as the Eagles built a 10-0 lead and controlled the ball for 18 of the game's first 19 minutes. Mahla showed nice poise in the pocket, finishing 10-of-15 for 104 yards, while Greco carried the ball 15 times for 86 yards.

The Eagles also played hard: Late in the game, wide receiver Dominic Roberson appeared to fight his way through three players for a touchdown that was ultimately negated when the officials ruled he stepped out of bounds.

"You've got to applaud effort like that," Springstead coach Bill Vonada said.

Bad weather helps opposing coaches

Some nasty weather Friday night forced the Central-Springstead game to be played Saturday, giving opposing coaches a unique opportunity to attend the game.

Nature Coast coach Jamie Joyner was spotted in attendance, no doubt preparing for his tilt against Central later in the season. But Vonada and Central coach Cliff Lohrey also will get an opportunity to do some advance work: The Class 4A, District 8 game between Land O'Lakes and Tarpon Springs was postponed near halftime, and both coaches said they were planning to be in attendance when the game was resumed Monday night.

Tarpon Springs was expected to have a strong year, while Land O'Lakes was supposed to be in rebuilding mode, but the Gators held on to beat the Spongers 39-20 on Monday night. Central still has to play both teams, meaning it controls its own destiny despite a loss to Ridgewood two weeks ago.

"If someone had a crystal ball for this district, they could make a lot of money," Lohrey said.

Former local stars don't meet up

Turns out, Florida International offensive lineman Andy Leavine didn't get a chance to square off against former Central teammate DuJuan Harris when the Golden Panthers hosted Troy on Saturday.

Leavine was suspended from the game due to what FIU termed a "violation of team rules." Leavine had started 17 straight games at left tackle before Saturday. He is expected to return to the field next week.

Bishop McLaughlin hires three

The Hurricanes have hired Gregory O'Connell (boys basketball), David Cassreino (girls basketball) and Derek Plank (girls soccer) as new coaches, Bishop McLaughlin athletic director Mike Zelenka announced Monday.

O'Connell is a familiar name on the North Suncoast after he coached at Springstead from 1977-2000. He left coaching because he was physically burned out, but continued to attend nearly every Eagles game. When Bishop McLaughlin opened, he applied for and was offered the job, but turned it down because he thought his wife had breast cancer.

O'Connell never had a losing season, and his teams won four conference and district titles, averaging 19 win per year.

"I've always had that desire to go back," O'Connell said. "This was the only job I would have gone back to. It's that simple."

Cassreino is an American history teacher at Newsome, but comes to Bishop McLaughlin with three years of basketball coaching experience.

Plank played semi-pro soccer for 14 years and has boys soccer coaching experience. He took a winless team to a district championship within two seasons. Zelenka said he hopes Plank can improve on the Hurricanes' 7-6-3 record from a season ago.

Check it out

Catch 47 has tapped Mitchell at Ridgewood as its game of the week Friday. So if you can't make the 7:30 game, just turn on the tube.

By the numbers

2 County football teams with a two-game winning streak (Nature Coast, Central)

2 Football teams with a two-game losing streak (Hernando, Springstead)

17:55.36 Central senior Alex Yettaw's time at the Disney XC Classic this weekend, good for 30th among Class 3A boys.

17:55.88 Nature Coast senior Alex Mason's time at the Disney XC Classic, good for 27th among Class 2A boys.

22:48.59 Nature Coast junior Anna DeAngelis' time at the Disney XC Classic, good for 41st among Class 2A girls.

22:59.12 Springstead junior Mirleys Pizzaro's time at the Disney XC Classic, good for 54th among Class 3A girls.

[Last modified October 9, 2007, 01:03:36]