Preps

Springstead 37, Lecanto 0

By DEREK LARIVIERE, Times Correspondent
Published November 10, 2007

SPRING HILL - The usual trends continued in Friday night's season finale between Springstead and Lecanto at Booster Stadium.

With the Eagles' victory, the program wrapped up its fifth consecutive season with a .500 or better record under coach Bill Vonada.

"It's a nice accomplishment," Vonada said. "All we can do (as coaches) is show these guys that football isn't just about blocking and tackling; there are bigger lessons to be learned out here."

Springstead (5-5) boasts many bright spots to look forward to for next season. The offense returns five of its six starting skill position players, including leading rusher Mike Greco.

The junior tailback shined in his Homecoming effort with limited work. Although he played well into the fourth quarter, Greco only carried the ball eight times on his way to a game-high 113 yards and a touchdown. Those totals gave him 787 yards on the season, a career-high for the Eagle standout.

"I just think about all those people that underestimate me when I run the ball," Greco said. "I run the ball hard and concentrate on ball security."

On the other hand, Lecanto (0-10) was handed its 25th consecutive loss and seventh shutout in 10 games this season.

The defense was the real story for Springstead. The Panthers controlled the time of possession for most of the contest, carrying the ball 12 more times and gaining one more first down than the Eagles, but Lecanto came up empty on its two trips into the red zone.

Any doubts were lifted before halftime when Lecanto quarterback Mike Scales fumbled the ball on the Springstead 5-yard line. Defensive back Bryce Hollingshead recovered the ball and brought it back 95 yards for the score to put his team up 16-0.

[Last modified November 9, 2007, 23:17:39]