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Hernando Today

Bears Stay Hot; Claw Panthers, 46-8

Photo by JOE DiCRISTOFALO

Central High junior defensive lineman Clifton Davis (72) sends Lecanto quarterback Jimmy Hamrick to the turf during Friday night’s 46-8 Homecoming Game win at the Bears’ Den. Hamrick was harassed misfiring on 13-of-15 passes and restricted to 34 yards rushing on 17 attempts. Hamrick was intercepted once and lost a fumble.

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: October 4, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - Several streaks continued Friday night at the Bears' Den.
Since dropping its first two games of the season, the host Bears stretched its current win skein to three in a row by handing Lecanto its third consecutive series loss, to celebrate homecoming, 46-8.
The Bears (3-2 overall), improved to 16-4 lifetime against the wounded Panthers (1-4 overall), handing the Citrus County crew its fourth straight setback and its 29th loss across the past 30 games.
Central overcame several poor snaps in the kicking game (long snapper Jesse Flowers did not suit up due to a hamstring injury) as well as a game-high 13 penalties for 112 yards, which nullified two additional touchdowns.
"We played just well enough to win," shrugged CHS Head Coach Cliff Lohrey, who improved to 3-0 lifetime against Lecanto. "Special teams were horrific except for one punt return and one kickoff return.
"And we had way too many penalties," he added. "We'll go back to work tomorrow and try to correct a lot of things. The heat gets turned up next week (at Springstead)."
Overall performance?
"We took advantage of what was presented to us," Lohrey acknowledged on the success of the Bear passing game. "And No. 7 (Steven Read) looked a lot like No. 7 (Jeff Wright) did last year. Great game."
What about the Panthers?
"I have a lot of respect for Coach (Ron) Allan," he commented. "They'll continue to get better. I anticipate better days ahead for them."

Waugh's way

For the second time three weeks, Central senior quarterback Dallas Waugh had an outstanding night throwing the football. Waugh, who came in completing 59 percent of his passes (37-of-63), connected on 7-of-13 passes for 152 yards, no interceptions, and hurled three touchdown passes (25, 35, 45 yards) – all in the first half.
The touchdowns were Waugh's fourth, fifth and sixth passes of the season highlighting a 32-point first-half explosion. Two weeks ago at the Citrus Bowl, Waugh also tossed three scoring passes.
"It was a real good night," explained the 17-year-old Waugh. "I felt like I had a lot of time to throw the ball. The O-Line again did a nice job."
How big was the win?
"It's big," replied Waugh. "Coach told us to relax and enjoy the night, but from here on out it's all about focusing on Springstead next week."

Other standouts

Bear junior WR Steven Read snared three passes for 60 yards and scored twice (his third and fourth touchdowns of the season).
Senior tight end Kevin Gibbemeyer hauled in two passes for 61 yards, including his second touchdown.
Additionally, senior tailback Austin Forte (12 carries, 59 yards) overcame a first-half fumble to score his fifth touchdown of the season (2 yards) while back-up fullback A.J. Torres carried four times for 78 yards, including a 55-yard scamper in the third quarter.
Defensively, the Bears limited Lecanto to 181 yards on 55 plays and also won the turnover battle, 3-1, as Alex Rice recovered a Jimmy Hamrick second-quarter fumble.
Panther fullback Kevin Powers paced the visitors with 14 carries for a game-high 87 yards.
The Bears final touchdown arrived in the fourth quarter when back-up cornerback Guan Whisett returned an errant Hamrick (2-of-15 passing) aerial 35 yards for a score.
Also, sophomore cornerback Jose Morales swiped a first-quarter Hamrick pass setting up the Bears' second touchdown.
Special team's wise, Read set up Central's first score by returning Mike Burnett's first-quarter 32-yard punt, 38 yards.
After trailing 19-0, Lecanto sophomore Vincent Armstrong burned the Bears coverage unit with a 96-yard kickoff return for a score. Powers followed by adding the two-point conversion.
But 13 seconds later, Central answered with the game's third touchdown in less than 28 seconds as Read raced 93 yards on ensuing kickoff for a score.
"The touchdown passes were nice, but the kickoff was sweeter," admitted the 16-year-old Read. "We hadn't scored on special teams this year, so the first one was sweet."
How about the game?
"Our job was to go out and win the Homecoming Game," replied Read. "We had to win it for our friend Jenna (Moran)."
And the touchdown passes?
"Dallas was right on target," he added. "I did what I'm supposed to do: catch it and score."

Central 46, Lecanto 8
Qtr. Scoring    1   2   3   4
Lecanto    0   8   0   0 --8
Central     13  19  7   7 --46

Individual Scoring:
CEN - Forte 2 run (Torres pass fails)
CEN – Read 25 pass from Waugh (Rosario kick)
CEN – Read 35 pass from Waugh (Rosario kick fails)
LEC – Armstrong 96 kickoff return (Powers run)
CEN – Read 93 kickoff return (Rosario kick)
CEN – Gibbemeyer 45 pass from Waugh (Rosario kick blocked)
CEN – Torres 55 run (Rosario kick)
CEN – Whitsett 35 interception return (Rosario kick)
 
    LEC CEN
First Downs   9   5
Atts./Rushing Yds.  40-158   22-134
Comp./Pass Atts./Int.  2-15-2 7-16-0
Passing Yds.   23 152
Total Offense   55-181   38-286
Fumbles/Lost   4-1   2-1
Return Yards   9-232   4-143
Punts/Avg.   4-32.8   4-37.5
Penalties   9-73   13-112

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

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