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Hernando Today

Byrd's Last Stand?

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: May 23, 2008

A spring played under a cloud of potential change comes to an end for Hernando High tonight, and so too may the brief tenure of Head Coach Rodney Byrd.

The Leopards host Ocala-West Port in a spring classic at 7:30 p.m. at Tom Fisher Memorial Stadium. However, the most compelling story for this program remains off the field.

Right before spring practice began, the school opened up the head coaching position as part of a total athletics re-evaluation by incoming Principal Ken Pritz.

Thus Byrd, a Hernando alum and longtime teacher and coach at the school, has had to reapply for the job he was hired barely more than a year ago - all the while still maintaining his duties.

So how has the spring gone under a potentially lame-duck coaching staff? For Byrd, it has been about working toward the future, no matter what it holds.

"It doesn't affect us at all," Byrd said. "We're going full speed ahead, we coach them like we coach them everyday. Whatever the decision is, the decision is and we'll go from there. But we're out there to play football. It's (the coaching decision) something that we can't control."

Daniel at QB

Whoever guides the Leopards in the fall will have to deal with an issue that has plagued the team for years: changes at quarterback.

If it seems as though Hernando breaks in a new quarterback every season, that's because it has. Six different players have seen significant time under center since 2002.

The two that took the majority of snaps last year, Jason Davies and Lamon Neal, are both about to graduate. That has left the QB battle between Kall Daniel and Josh Ross.

Daniel, currently a sophomore, saw limited varsity action last season, going 5-of-13 for 65 yards throwing two interceptions against no touchdowns. Ross, who will be a senior, took no varsity snaps.

"It's neck-and-neck," Byrd said. "I think Josh made a step forward. But right now Kall is handling the team. We'll try to evaluate both guys in the spring game; try to get both of them a lot of playing time."

Daniel will start in a game that will be played under standard rules for the first, second and fourth quarters. The junior varsity will play the third quarter, with no kicking.

Also offensively, Byrd spoke highly of the work of the running game, led by Alvin Delaine. He scored twice in last Friday's intrasquad Purple and Gold game, after rushing for 268 yards and two touchdowns as a freshman.

Coming off a second consecutive 2-8 campaign, the Leopards have much to improve on both sides of the ball. They face a West Port team that also went 2-8 in 2007.

"I talked to their coach, he said they changed their offense," Byrd said. "They're going to the double wing; double tight end with some wishbone and some spread."

Of course spring games are typically thought of more as glorified practice, less about winning and more about providing coaches with a clearer picture of what they have in live action, as well as players with some experience.

"We just want to get them some looks, some playing time to work on cohesiveness," Byrd said. "We want to show the crowds we're here and we want to be productive. At the same time, we're going to have some fun."

Sports writer Chris Bernhardt Jr. can be reached at (352) 544-5288 or cbernhardt@hernandotoday.com

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