Preps

Hernando: News and Notes

By DAVID MURPHY AND IZZY GOULD
Published October 17, 2007

Quotable

"We don't ride on horses."

- Nature Coast golfer Adam Kollar, an exchange student from Slovakia, emphasizing that people in his home town of Kosice drive cars, just like here in Hernando County.

A key addition

The football staff at Central High always knew Mike Sawchuk was a good athlete. The problem was getting him to put on a helmet and pads.

Sawchuk had played other sports at Central, including baseball, but never football. But thanks in large part to some lobbying by friends like Chase and Chad Walker, the Bears finally succeeded, and Sawchuk is paying dividends this season as a senior wide receiver. In a 32-10 win over Springstead two weeks ago, Sawchuk hauled in a 37-yard touchdown pass from Chase Walker, his first score on the season.

"We knew he was a good athlete, it was just a matter of getting him out there," coach Cliff Lohrey said, "and we're glad we finally did."

Springstead looks to reclaim its turf after 364 days

The Eagles haven't scored a point at Booster Stadium all season, and one would have to go back to Oct. 20 to find Springstead's last home victory.

Fans have some hope with River Ridge coming to town Friday night.

Forget that Springstead is coming off arguably its best win of the season after upending Hernando 13-6.

The Eagles have defeated the Royal Knights in each of the past two seasons by a combined score of 41-3, including last year's 21-3 win.

And there's more good news for Springstead fans: River Ridge has lost five straight after a 50-0 win to open the season against first-year Pasco County school Sunlake.

Since then, River Ridge has been outscored by an average of 49-13. A loss here would knock the Eagles out of the postseason discussion, leaving them to play spoiler for opponents Ridgewood and Tarpon Springs during the final three weeks.

Check it out

Catch 47 has tapped Thursday's tilt between Hillsborough and Armwood as its game of the week. So if you can't make the 7:30 start in Seffner, just turn on the tube.

[Last modified October 16, 2007, 21:09:20]