Hernando football

Compiled by GREG AUMAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published October 20, 2000

Key players

TOM GAYNOR, CENTRAL: The sophomore tailback has come a long way this season. He's tied for the county lead with seven rushing touchdowns, and has established himself as a force at linebacker. Young players will have more ups and downs, and Gaynor had both last week against Cypress Lake, fumbling on Central's second drive to set up the Panthers on the Bears' 25. He came up with Central's only offensive TD, however, darting 12 yards around the right side.

JEFF HILL, SPRINGSTEAD: The junior receiver exploded for seven catches and 118 yards in Springstead's last game against Citrus two weeks ago, and he leads the county in receptions, yards and average. The only thing he hasn't done is find the end zone, but he's had one score brought back by penalty. Look for the Eagles to continue to use the 6-foot-4 Hill as a downfield target, which should keep Hernando's defense from bunching up on the line of scrimmage against the run.

OZZIE WHITTEN, HERNANDO: The senior has been a solid cornerback all season. Opponents don't throw at him often, which is flattering. Tonight, he should see significant time at quarterback, where he played the second half last week. He led the Leopards to their first touchdown in nine quarters. Whitten rushed for three first downs last week, and Springstead will have to contain his legs as much as his arm. Whitten's 11-yard TD strike to Chase Copeland last week did little more than spoil a South Sumter shutout, but tonight, Whitten's performance likely will have a greater significance.

Schedules

Sept. 1: at Florida High, W 32-

Sept. 8: vs. Springstead, W 40-6

Sept. 15: at Land O'Lakes, W 27-14

Sept. 22: at Hernando, L 14-7

Sept. 29: vs. Gulf, W 48-6

Oct. 6: vs. Lecanto, W 46-0

Oct. 13: vs. Cypress Lake, W 12-6

Oct. 20: vs. Citrus

Oct. 27: vs. South Sumter

Nov. 3: at Crystal River

Hernando

Sept. 1: at Wildwood, W 30-6

Sept. 8: at Lecanto, W 21-0

Sept. 15: vs. Pasco, L 35-7

Sept. 22: vs. Central, W 14-7

Sept. 29: vs. Ocala Forest, L 29-7

Oct. 6: vs. Crystal River, L 21-0

Oct. 13: at South Sumter, L 33-6

Oct. 20: at Springstead

Nov. 3: vs. Citrus

Nov. 10: at Tavares

Springstead

Sept. 1: at Winter Haven, L 14-7

Sept. 8: at Central, L 40-6

Sept. 15: vs. Gulf, L 21-18

Sept. 22: vs. Crystal River, L 35-0

Sept. 29: vs. Kathleen, W 12-0

Oct. 6: at Citrus, L 19-7

Oct. 20: vs. Hernando

Oct. 27: at Land O'Lakes

Nov. 3: at Lecanto

Nov. 10: at Eustis

Playoff scenarios

Four of the six teams in Class 3A, District 5 have a shot at a share of the title, but that will change tonight, with all six squads competing in district games. There are five games remaining that will decide which teams earn the district's two playoff berths: this week's three, and the Central-Crystal River and Citrus-Hernando matchups on Nov. 3. Five games mean 32 different overall outcomes. All four teams have scenarios that give them district crowns, and all four have scenarios that leave them hoping for an at-large playoff bid. Here are the scenarios for each club, in order of their overall records.

CRYSTAL RIVER (6-0, 3-0): Remaining games -- Tonight vs. Lecanto, Nov. 3 vs. Central.

The Pirates can clinch a postseason berth tonight with a win and a Hernando loss, and can clinch the district title with a victory and a Central loss tonight. No other team can lock anything up tonight. If the Pirates somehow lose both remaining district games, there are eight scenarios: in three, the Pirates earn the second berth; in three more, they play in a three-team district shootout for that second spot; and in two unlikely scenarios, the Pirates would be in good shape for one of the region's two at-large bids.

CENTRAL (6-1, 2-1): Remaining games -- Tonight vs. Citrus, Nov. 3 at Crystal River.

If the Bears lose tonight, they can't win the district championship. Central doesn't quite control its own destiny for a title. If it beats Citrus and Crystal River, it can lose the district if Hernando beats Springstead and Citrus. If the Bears win out, they'realmost assured of making the playoffs -- to not do so, they'd have to lose in a shootout and somehow miss an at-large bid despite, at worst, an 8-2 record.

CITRUS (3-3, 2-1): Remaining games -- Tonight at Central, Nov. 3 at Hernando.

If Citrus can pull off a road sweep from these two games, the Hurricanes will lock up a playoff berth, and could win the district title if Crystal River were to lose to Central. Despite having three fewer wins than Central, the Hurricanes have more control over their future.

HERNANDO (3-4, 2-1): Remaining games -- Tonight at Springstead, Nov. 3 vs. Citrus.

If Hernando wins both of its remaining district games, the Leopards would have to finish third in a three-way shootout for first to not make the playoffs. Amazingly, the Leopards could lose to Springstead, fall to 3-5 overall, and make the playoffs with a Central loss tonight and a Hernando win against Citrus on Nov. 3.

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