Preps

A prize worth the fight

By DAVID MURPHY AND IZZY GOULD
Published October 18, 2007

Hernando's George Fribley is capable of breaking out for the big play.
	[Atoyia Deans | Times]

ADVERTISEMENT [Atoyia Deans | Times] Springstead's Mike Greco is part of the Eagles' successful rushing attack.

Some coaches might downplay the significance of the type of game Central faces in a Class 4A, District 8 showdown against Land O'Lakes. Cliff Lohrey isn't one of them. "(The players) absolutely know," the Bears coach said.  "We've not tried to hide anything from them because they are going to hear it one way or another. For us, we feel like we have to win out to still control what part of our destiny we can." They aren't the only ones. Over the course of two nights, the playoff hopes of several area teams could rise and fall. Here's a look at the pivotal matchups in Hernando County:

Class 4A, District 8

Ridgewood at Tarpon Springs

When: 7:30 tonight

Story line:A win by Ridgewood would all but clinch a playoff berth for the Rams, though Springstead would still be alive mathematically. A loss would turn both the Rams' remaining district games (vs. Springstead on Oct. 26, at Land O'Lakes on Nov. 2) into must-wins. The Spongers are in must-win territory, thanks to their loss to Land O'Lakes two weeks ago.

Scouting Tarpon Springs: The Spongers run a lot of shotgun in their spread offense. QB Danny Reyes (61-of-123, 1,041 yards, six TDs, six INTs) is one of Tampa Bay's leading passers. Three receivers have more than 200 yards and RBs Marcelle Lewis and Ladarrius Only have split the load in the backfield, combining for 584 yards and three touchdowns.

Scouting Ridgewood: The Rams' offense is built around power running back Byronell Arline (1,338 yards, 23 TDs on 125 carries), who needs just over 400 yards to break Pasco County's single-season rushing record. But Ridgewood, which has scored more than 40 points in five straight games, has shown it can throw the ball. Senior QB T.J. Haab (31-of-45 for 649 yards) has been one of the most efficient passers in the area, completing close to 70 percent of his throws with five touchdowns and no interceptions.

Central at Land O'Lakes

When: 7:30 tonight

Story line: A Land O'Lakes win can clinch a playoff berth, thanks to wins over Tarpon Springs and Springstead. The Gators would control their destiny with a loss with games against River Ridge (Oct. 26) and Springstead (Nov. 2). If Central loses and Ridgewood wins, the Bears are eliminated from playoff contention, thanks to their loss to the Rams a few weeks ago. If Central wins, the Bears would control their destiny in remaining games vs. Tarpon Springs and River Ridge.

Scouting Central: The Bears rely heavily on their running game but have thrown the ball on about 25 percent of their offensive plays. QB Chase Walker (58 percent completion percentage, 520 yards passing) is one of the top athletes on the team. RB Duane Marks (87 carries, 540 yards, 10 TDs) has played well when he has running room, but Central's fortunes rest largely on its young offensive line. The Bears have allowed just 17 points in two games since a 42-21 loss to Ridgewood.

Scouting Land O'Lakes: The Gators have leaned more and more on a two-quarterback system with senior starter Ely Payne (563 yards passing, two TDs, two INTs) and freshman Stevie Weatherford (437 yards, five TDs, two INTs). The duo arguably works best when both are on the field - Payne at receiver and Weatherford at quarterback. Defensively, the Gators have pitched a pair of shutouts against Springstead and Sunlake and Payne leads them in the secondary with five interceptions.

River Ridge at Springstead

When: 7:30 Friday

Story line: The winner of this game technically has a shot at a playoff berth, but it will have to win out and have a matching record with the No. 2 team in the district to force a Kansas tiebreaker. The losing team is out. The Royal Knights haven't won since Week 1 when they took it to Sunlake 50-0. They still have games against Land O'Lakes and Central. The Eagles have games against Ridgewood and Tarpon Springs.

Scouting Springstead: The Eagles are coming off arguably their best performance of the season, winning at Hernando 13-6. Springstead quarterback James Mahla seems to have settled into the starting role and works well with the three-headed rushing attack with Mike Greco and David Bushnell. Mahla unleashed his arm for 191 yards and a touchdown.

Scouting River Ridge: The Royal Knights have fallen on hard times, despite the emergence of quarterback Blake Spinks (798 passing yards, 11 touchdowns) and receiver Lance Babcock (20 catches, 270 yards, five touchdowns). River Ridge has allowed more than 40 points in four of its six games and has lost five straight.

Class 3A, District 6

Citrus at Nature Coast

When:7:30 Friday

Story line: Nature Coast has to win its final two games against Citrus and Hernando to have a shot at the 3A-6 title. Winning those games would increase the odds of a postseason berth though nothing is guaranteed.

Scouting Nature Coast: The Sharks have bounced back from an 18-13 loss to Crystal River on Sept. 21 to win two of their past three. A 45-42 triple-overtime loss to South Sumter was pretty darn impressive. That should give Nature Coast the confidence it needs heading into its final district games against Citrus and Hernando. Sharks running back Tevin Drake has rushed for 828 yards and 11 touchdowns. Quarterback Stephen Pelaez is a nice complement with 517 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Defensively, Alfredo Lindo leads the Sharks with 80 tackles and Jarrod Mason has four sacks.

Scouting Citrus: The Hurricanes look strong at 5-2, but their wins have come against teams with losing records. They boast a solid running back in Antoin Scriven (743 yards, seven touchdowns) and a talented passer in Cameron West (563 yards, three touchdowns, two interceptions).

Lecanto at Hernando

When:7:30 Friday

Story line: Though Hernando has struggled this season, the Leopards are very much alive in the playoff race. Wins in their remaining games (vs. Nature Coast on Oct. 26, at Citrus on Nov. 2) would net them a spot in the postseason.

Scouting Lecanto: The Panthers, losers of 22 straight, have scored just 13 points in seven games this year. Their last win came on Sept. 30, 2005. Their last two wins came against Hernando County opponents: 16-11 over Central on Sept. 23, 2005, and 29-25 over Nature Coast on Sept. 30, 2005.

Scouting Hernando: The Leopards have scored 16 points in their past three games, all losses. Backup quarterback Jason Davies saw some action last week in relief of Lamon Neal. Hernando has some talent on offense with big-play threat George Fribley and straight-ahead runner Nick Sizemore in the backfield, but the Leopards have yet to click under first-year coach Rodney Byrd.

[Last modified October 17, 2007, 23:53:46]