2000 schedules look like 1999 schedules

By GREG AUMAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 12, 2000

Because high school football schedules are built on two-year, home-and-home contracts, there weren't too many surprises when the 2000 schedules were unveiled last week.

This fall is the second fall of the two-year cycle, meaning the opponents will be the same for the county's three teams -- and the order they will be played in as well. That doesn't mean there aren't a few twists that should become major factors in the upcoming season.

Central, for instance, has an extra home game in 2000 because it played only four last year after Fort Myers Cypress Lake was a late addition.

So the Bears can enjoy an extremely rare five-game homestand in October.

But before they get there, they will play three of their first four on the road, at Tallahassee FAMU, Land O'Lakes and Hernando -- all playoff teams last year.

Hernando, not to be outdone, has four home games in a row beginning with a Sept. 15 date with Pasco.

Springstead's schedule mirrors the Leopards for the first half, opening with two road games before returning to Booster Stadium to face Gulf, Crystal River and Lakeland Kathleen.

The Eagles' 13-game losing streak currently matches the second-longest in the school's 22-year history, and three more losses would put the current drought atop the list.

As was the case last year, the three county rivalry games are relatively early in the season.

Central will play host to Springstead in the second week of the season, Sept. 8, and two weeks later, the Bears travel to Hernando for what could well be the county title.

The Leopards and Eagles square off Oct. 20 at Springstead.

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