Yardage records falling

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 7, 2001

Though it came in a loss, Central junior Tim Gaynor set the school's single-season rushing record in just his sixth game of the season with 128 yards against Crystal River on Friday night.

That gives Gaynor 1,047 yards, making him the first North Suncoast runner to pass 1,000 yards. It's good enough to beat the Bears record set by Eric Coon in 1998. It's also the county's best total since John Capel rushed for 1,229 yards for Hernando in 1997.

Gaynor wasn't the county's top rusher on Friday, however, as Springstead's Justin Melnik exploded for 194 yards and two touchdowns in the Eagles' 14-3 win against Citrus. Melnik, who had 178 in his first five varsity games, jumps from seventh to second in the county's rushing standings, trailing only Gaynor.

Springstead coach Bill Vonada said Melnik's single-game total was the biggest by an Eagles runner since he joined the varsity staff in 1996, but he thought there had been bigger numbers under Bill Browning's tenure at Springstead.

Melnik's biggest runs came right up the middle, and Vonada said those openings were made possible by the threat of tailback Steve Garofano, who had success running wide on sweeps in the second half against Central last week.

INJURIES: Springstead played without three regulars on its offensive line Friday: senior Jeff Hess, who has been out since the season opener with a knee injury; sophomore Joe Vitale, who also missed last week's game against Central with a broken finger; and reserve Eric Bruscino, who joined those two starters on the sidelines. Senior Frank Bernardo has shifted from tackle to center in Vitale's absence.

TOUGH YARDS: Gaynor's success moving the ball wasn't enough to keep the Bears close to Crystal River -- Central moved into Crystal River's side of the field on just on possession, and that ended with an interception from the Pirates' 34. Central quarterback Todd Joa completed two passes, but both to Crystal River defensive back Scott Miller. The senior finished 0-for-4. Steve Martin was the Bears' next best rusher with 25 yards on nine attempts.

BIG LOSS, BIG PLAYS: Hernando amassed 248 total yards against Lecanto, but 120 came on two plays. Jagren Castillo scored on a 56-yard run in the first quarter and Steve Cassell added a 64-yard run with 3.4 seconds left in the first half. Castillo also scored on an 83-yard kickoff return.

On the way to scoring a school-record 65 points, Lecanto had plenty of help from Hernando. The Leopards lost three fumbles, tossed two interceptions and committed 11 penalties for 114 yards. Four Hernando turnovers came in its own territory, including one at the 11. Lecanto converted the Leopards' miscues into three touchdowns.

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