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Hungry Hudson Eyes Springstead

Tribune photo by FRED BELLET

Hudson High junior quarterback Zack Wynn connected on 11-of-27 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns against two interceptions in last year’s Fall Football Classic win in Pasco County against Springstead, 20-6.

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: August 28, 2008

Updated:

Tonight's Fall Kickoff Classic at 7:30 p.m. at Booster Stadium serves mostly as an appetizer to whet next week's main event palate - the 33rd annual varsity season opener for F.W. Springstead High.

The invited guest is Pasco County's Hudson High.

The Cobras collected 274 yards of total offense last fall in dissecting Springstead at Cobra Field, 20-6.

Cobra quarterback Zack Wynn, who begins his third varsity campaign under center, overcame two interceptions to hurl two touchdown passes. As a team, the pass-happy Cobras attempted 28 passes, completing 11. Tony Germano, one of Hudson's finest wrestlers last winter, hauled in seven receptions for 120 yards

Running back Sean Scott chipped in 94 yards on 16 carries including a 1-yard run to cap a 14-point third quarter for the hosts.

The Cobras, who reached the Class 3A State Playoffs for the second time in three seasons, finished 7-4 overall. They were eliminated in the opening round at Harmony, 28-6.

Interestingly, Cobra Head Coach Mark Nash enters his fifth season as the school's all-time wins leader. He's compiled a four-year 26-18 won-lost slate surpassing Wilbur Lofton's previous school mark of 24-8 from 1976-78.

The Cobras, who open at home on Sept. 5 against archrival Ridgewood, followed last season's classic win by dropping two of their first three regular season games to Ridgewood (26-7) and Pasco (39-34).

Pasco eventually captured 3A-7 when Zephyrhills lost to Gulf while Hudson emerged as the district runner-up.

Case of the oops

The Eagles, who finished 5-5 last fall for the second straight year, hurt their chances committing four turnovers (2 fumbles, 2 interceptions) against Hudson.

On the plus side, Springstead returns 15 starters including seven on offense and seven on defense.

SHS Head Coach Bill Vonada, who is 48-53 lifetime, identified three main areas of concern going into tonight's glorified scrimmage.

According to the FSU alumnus, Vonada wants to see how his inside linebackers stack up. There are currently eight candidates vying for five slots. The Eagles miss the services of two-year starter Jake Earp, who would have been a senior this fall. His family relocated after last season.

All-County linebacker Nate Schafer, the team's leading tackler, is back but who else can lend a hand?

"A game like this can put the icing on solidifying game-type situations," explained Vonada.

"On offense, we're looking at six guys as wide outs," he added. "We're looking to keep 3-4 guys in the rotation. (All-County wide receiver) Domnique (Roberson) is our No. 1 right now but we don't know who our No. 2 guy is. It's that close.

"On special teams, (senior) D.J. (Neuner) has really blossomed as a punter. He'll start there and he'll kickoff," pointed out Vonada on his special teams. "And right now, Schafer has earned the place kicking job. He never gets fazed back there. He's getting it done."

With six of the team's top seven rushers back, Vonada added that depth at running back will hopefully be sorted out as well.

Outlook

What does Coach Vonada expect from the Cobras?

"We had turnover issues last year, we didn't adapt quick enough," said Vonanda, mentioning tonight's second-year starter, senior James Mahla. Mahla will be backed up by Ben Noury and Chris Kelley.

"Hudson didn't mess around last year, they came out in a no huddle. I think they'll try to open it open again," described Vonada. "Hudson will be a good test. We want to play a team that's good (before the season opener at home against defending 3A-6 champion Crystal River).

"Ideally, we want to see guys flying around to the football," he said. "And see a high level of execution on our assignments, and perhaps most importantly leave the game injury free. If we haven't worked hard enough at this point we want to know about it by the end of the game."

Each team's junior varsity players will play the first quarter with both varsity units taking over in the second quarter.

Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at (352) 544-5278 or online at acastro@hernandotoday.com.

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