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Staff photo by DAVE CASEY

Hudson defender Graham Wilkerson unsuccessfully attempts to deny Springstead’s Ben Noury from the end zone during Thursday night’s preseason Kickoff Classic at Booster Stadium in Spring Hill. Noury scored twice (13, 15 yards) as the Eagles downed the Cobras, 35-14.

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: August 28, 2008

Updated: 08/28/2008 12:18 am

SPRING HILL - SPRING HILL – It's great to have short term memory in sports.
In last fall's Kickoff Classic at Cobra Field, Springstead starting quarterback James Mahla had "one of those nights".
In a season chock full of growing pains, Mahla suffered through four turnovers (2 fumbles, 2 interceptions) in an eventual 20-6 exhibition game loss to Hudson.
A year later at Booster Stadium, the tables were reversed. This time, Mahla never had a reason to stare at a rearview mirror. The 5-foot-11, 205-pounder entered with Springstead trailing 8-0 thanks to Austin Smith's 6-yard first-quarter touchdown run for the Cobras.
But Mahla followed by connecting on 8-of-9 passes for a game-high 133 yards and more importantly helped guide the Eagles to four touchdown drives across the next six possessions in Springstead's decisive 35-14 pre-season win Thursday night at Booster Stadium.
"Tonight, I think we played at a lot faster pace," summed up Springstead Head Coach Bill Vonada. "They're (Hudson) an attack, smash-mouth type team; we knew we had to come in matching or surpassing their intensity. As a coaching staff this (intensity) is what we wanted to see."
Overall?
"We put the ball on the ground a few times, that's inexcusable," Vonada added. "We were a little sloppy, but there's certainly room for improvement. It's only preseason. The three things we wanted to accomplish (playing at a faster pace, no heads hanging if the other team's score, and playing as a team), we did tonight."
All-County linebacker Nate Schafer commented on the defense.
"It's a whole new defense," he smiled. "Tonight, we got four turnovers; that's our goal - one a quarter. And oh yeah, making my extra points feels pretty good."
Two-way threat, senior Domnique Roberson, snared two passes for 43 yards and roamed sideline-to-sideline on defense.
"I didn't play last year against Hudson, so I don't know what happened," said the 17-year-old Roberson. "But tonight we all went out head hunting. We all played hard. I'd give us an "A". It's only preseason, so were all looking forward to Crystal River."

Plenty of help

It wasn't like Mahla played without any support. Just the contrary. Behind a revamped offensive line, SHS churned out a game-high 14 first downs and 347 yards total offense.
Of the 12 Eagles ball carriers, senior teammate, fullback Mike Greco chipped in the most with nine carries for a game-high 97 yards and two touchdowns (1,43 yards). He was denied a third score on a holding penalty.
"I've got to credit the O-line," remarked the 17-year-old Greco. "Tonight, was the most intensity I've seen since I've been here. We did not come here cocky. It was all about intensity. Now, we just got to keep doing it."
All-purpose senior Ben Noury carried twice for 28 yards and also added two scores (13,15 yards) and was denied on a 30-yard score when it was called back on a holding call.
Sophomore RB Devean Huff, who lost the handle on two of Eagles three turnovers on the night, added Springstead's fifth unanswered touchdown from a yard out with 6:43 left in the game.
Defensively, Springstead muzzled the Cobras to 171 yards total offense on 45 plays (less than four yards per play) and recovered four fumbles (by Tom Hyde, Dan Wilson, Scott Barron and Stanley Miele).
Special teams-wise, SHS senior linebacker Nate Schafer was perfect on 5-of-5 extra point attempts and David Stevens recovered an onsides kick attempt.
SHS opens its 33rd season at home next Friday against Crystal River.

Springstead 35, Hudson 14

Qtr. Scoring 1 2 3 4
Hudson 8 0 0 6 -- 14
Springstead 0 14 14 7 -- 35

Individual Scoring:
HUD – A. Smith 6 run (A. Smith run)
SPG – Greco 1 run (Schafer kick)
SPG – Noury 14 1 run (Schafer kick)
SPG – Greco 43 run (Schafer kick)
SPG – Noury 13 run (Schafer kick)
SPG – Huff 1 run (Schafer kick)
HUD – Cimino 1 run (Wynn pass fails)

HUD SPG
First Downs 10 14
Atts./Rushing Yds. 29-108 40-214
Comp./Pass Atts./Int. 10-16-0 8-9-0
Passing Yds. 63 133
Total Offense 45-171 49-347
Fumbles/Lost 6-4 4-3
Return Yards 7-135 3-18
Punts/Avg. 3-48.3 3-35.0
Penalties 6-54 9-104

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

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