'Canes, Pirates renew their rivalry

By KEITH NIEBUHR

© St. Petersburg Times, published September 8, 2000

INVERNESS -- By all accounts, Citrus and Crystal River have what you would call a friendly rivalry.

Players have known one another for years. Coaches are well-acquainted. Administrators and fans, too.

When they play, it's special for both high schools.

"It's a fun time of year," Crystal River principal Craig Marlett said. "Everybody (in Citrus County) has their preference to who wins, and we play it up to the hilt."

"Any time one of the county schools plays another one it's a big game," Citrus principal Gary Foltz said.

For football fans, this rivalry is about bragging rights.

Coaches and players have a slightly different perspective because it has significant conference and district ramifications.

As the Class 3A, District 5 and Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opener for both, the winner gets a leg up in two title races.

"It's the first district game, first conference game and it's a county game," Crystal River coach Jere DeFoor said. "Our kids know some of their kids better than they know some of the ones at their own school. It makes it fun for bragging rights."

Crystal River (1-0) has had most of the fun in recent years. The Pirates, who own a 27-22-2 edge in the series, have won the past four meetings -- 37-6, 50-6, 29-0 and 42-2.

Prior to that streak, Citrus (1-0) had won four of five.

"We've had a good run here the last four years," DeFoor said. "Our offenses and defenses played well and (ex-Pirates coach Earl Bramlett) did a good job. But five or so years before that, they had some good runs, too. It's been real competitive."

Citrus' hopes of ending Crystal River's streak will center on an offense that's given the Hurricanes little production in recent meetings. The 'Canes, who use multiple formations, have a balanced attack that features three players -- quarterback Sam McLain, receiver Justin Taylor and running back Joe Calcagino -- capable of making game-breaking plays.

Calcagino scored three touchdowns in last week's 31-7 win at Tavares -- one on a 40-yard punt return.

"They give you a lot of different sets, a lot of different formations to work on," DeFoor said.

Citrus' defense forced seven turnovers last week, but will have its hands full with Crystal River, which has one of the region's top rushing attacks. Nate Madison ran for 127 yards against South Sumter in a 42-21 rout.

TONIGHT'S GAMES

CRYSTAL RIVER (1-0) at CITRUS (1-0)

WHEN: 7:30

LAST WEEK: Crystal River beat South Sumter 42-21. Citrus defeated Tavares 31-7.

LAST YEAR: Crystal River won 37-6

OF NOTE: Crystal River, ranked 10th in the Times Tampa Bay Top 10, has won four in a row and five of six in this series. The Pirates hold a 27-22-2 edge in the series. Both team are confident after easy wins last week. The difference is that Crystal River's win came against a team that had 10 victories in 1999 -- the same number of losses Citrus' first-week opponent had last season. As usual Crystal River has a well-balanced attacked. The Pirates can whip you with the run, hurt you with the pass and punish you with a smothering defense. The go-to guys on offense are QB Clayton Trenary (6-of-7, 92 yards last week) and RB Nate Madison (20 attempts, 127 yards, three TDs), who combined for more than 200 all-purpose yards and four TDs against South Sumter. The Pirates will have to do without the services of junior C/LB Sam Force, who was suspended one game for his involvement in an incident last week (unsportsmanlike conduct). Sophomore Billy Larder will assume Force's duties at middle linebacker. Junior Jacob Langenmayr will step in at center. Perhaps no coach has it harder the first month than Larry Bishop. After Tavares, the Hurricanes face their top four rivals (Crystal River, Lecanto, Dunnellon and South Sumter). WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: Crystal River coach Jere DeFoor -- "It's the first district game and the first right here in the county. There is no official county championship, but we like to play well against the other two schools, and I'm sure they feel the same way."

HERNANDO (1-0) at LECANTO (0-1)

WHEN: 7:30

LAST WEEK: Hernando beat Wildwood 30-6. Lecanto lost to Kissimmee Poinciana 22-12.

LAST YEAR: Hernando won 18-0.

OF NOTE: In last year's win, Hernando held Lecanto to 114 yards and, according to Lecanto coach Dick Slack, the Leopards defense is improved. The key figure for Hernando is Dee Brown, who locks down the middle of the defense from middle linebacker and batters opposing defensive fronts as a starting fullback. Lecanto is coming off a heartbreaking loss at Kissimmee Poincianna in which it was plagued by penalties and the accurate arm of quarterback David Tabor.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: Lecanto coach Dick Slack -- "They've got Dee Brown, who is a good athlete, and they have a good defense. So it should be a real good test. We're going to have to alleviate some mistakes, holding penalties, clipping."

OTHER GAMES OF INTEREST

- Compiled by Carey Freeman and Keith NiebuhrTONIGHT'S KEY PLAYERS

CRYSTAL RIVER

NATE MADISON, FB/LB: An easy pick given that Madison has produced the lion's share of Crystal River's offense for the last year. However, he will be a key on defense, where he patrols the outside after playing last season at middle linebacker. On offense, all Citrus eyes will be focused on No. 22, who smoked the Hurricanes on four touchdown runs a year ago, including a school-record 97-yard jaunt in the fourth quarter.

CITRUS

JUSTIN TAYLOR, WR/LB: If Citrus is going to beat Crystal River's run-thirsty defense, it will have to do it through the air. That means Taylor, perhaps Citrus' most gifted receiver, will have to come up with some big plays. Yet, his most important role may be at middle linebacker, where it will be his duty to contain Madison.

LECANTO

CITRUS-C. RIVER SERIE

1999: Crystal River, 37-

1998: Crystal River, 50-6

1997: Crystal River, 28-0

1996: Crystal River, 42-2

1995: Citrus, 14-6

1994: Crystal River, 6-0

1993: Citrus, 19-14

1992: Citrus, 10-0

1991: Citrus, 16-14

1990: Crystal River, 34-7

THIS WEEK LAST YEAR

CRYSTAL RIVER 37, CITRUS 6

Crystal River turned the 51st meeting between the teams into a route almost from the start.

The Pirates established a 17-0 halftime lead behind touchdown runs from Nate Madison and Cody Hampton and a 30-yard field goal from Will Bleakley.

Madison dominated Citrus, rushing for 232 yards and four TDs.

The only bright spot for the Hurricanes was the emergence of running back Brent Mobley, whose 65-yard touchdown run provided Citrus' only points.

HERNANDO 18, LECANTO 0

Lecanto's rushing attack came alive the previous week in a thrilling win over Kissimmee Poincianna.

But the Panthers came crashing back to earth against Hernando.

The Leopards held Lecanto to 114 yards of total offense after picking off four passes.

Hernando, which finished with 244 yards on the ground, was sparked by Jamar Williams (20 carries, 93 yards) and Dee Brown (10 carries, 85 yards, TD).

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright