Preps

Hernando: News and Notes

By IZZY GOULD AND DAVID MURPHY
Published November 7, 2007

There's a good chance Ridgewood will end up playing its first-round playoff game next Thursday instead of Friday, and the Rams aren't thrilled about the prospect. They are scheduled to face Daytona Beach Seabreeze, which happens to share a home field with Daytona Beach Mainland, which also has home playoff game Friday night.

According to Seabreeze athletic director Gerald Chande_SDHpler, the school lost a coin flip with Mainland, meaning it has to play Thursday Bethune-Cookman University plays in the stadium Saturday, eliminating that as a possibility.

Ridgewood has voiced concerns to the Florida High School Athletic Association. Not only would a Thursday game make it hard for parents and fans to attend because of work and school the next day, it likely would keep players out of school for two days. Robert Hernberger, a spokesman for the FHSAA, said no scheduling decisions have been finalized, and the association will continue to work for a plan beneficial to both schools.

Top Eagle transfers

Springstead lost one of its top returning soccer players in McKenzie Olivares, who transferred to a school in Washington during the offseason. He was Springstead's top scorer from a year ago, notching 13 goals. "We'll definitely miss him," coach Sal Calabrese said. "He was a really good player."

Set your DVR

Got the itch to see some men's college basketball? Check out PHCC at 7 tonight when it hosts Brevard Community College. The Conquistadors are 1-1 after splitting a tournament at the Okaloosa-Walton Classic. PHCC lost the first game 66-64 to Alabama Southern Community College then won the next night against L.B. Wallace (Ala.) Community College, 73-66.

Winter statistics

Soccer coaches are reminded to send us statistics each week for publication on our North Suncoast pages. Please send stats by Monday of each week via e-mail or fax to Izzy Gould (izzygould@gmail.com) or David Murphy (dmurphy@sptimes.com)

Call in your scores

Coaches are reminded to call in final scores and statistics immediately following completed games: 1-800-333-7505, ext. 8123. Results will appear online.

'Soccer babies'

Springstead coach Sal Calabrese can't recall the Eagles ever being this young. He has five seniors and the rest of his boys soccer team is made up of mostly ninth- and 10th-graders. Calabrese said he's considering starting a pair of freshmen in Tyler Callaghan and Gerry Decriseofaro. He called this year's crop his "soccer babies."

"The past couple of years we've graduated six or seven seniors and we've had someone that can step in and play," Calabrese said. "But we've lost 16 seniors the past two years. I don't recall being this young."

[Last modified November 6, 2007, 19:07:22]