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Hernando Today

Lions Light It Up

Staff photo by BOB EAST III

Hernando Christian's Nate Kautsky runs through a big hole in the line to score the Lions' fourth touchdown.

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: October 11, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - Hernando Christian Academy turned off the lights quickly on First Academy-Leesburg, literally and figuratively in Friday's 52-6 victory.
The undefeated Lions (6-0) hosted the Eagles Friday night for homecoming at Ernie Wever Youth Park, and needed just a minute and a half to dent the scoreboard.
With Ian Townsend streaking down the right side of the field, David Rotteveel threw a pass over two defenders which landed perfectly into Townsend's hands for a 72-yard scoring strike at the 10:34 mark.
Then after HCA failed to punch in a 2-point conversion, a power surge knocked out the lights on the field, causing a lengthy delay.
When play resumed, so too did the Lion onslaught. Rotteveel again hooked up with Townsend for 38 yards on the first play of HCA's second possession. Jeremy Knight ran in a 10-yard touchdown two plays later.
Nate Kautsky added a 1-yard touchdown run and Daniel Keyes returned a blocked punt 38 yards for a score.
Rotteveel, normally handcuffed by the Lions' power rushing attack, completed his first five passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns, both to Townsend. He also ran in a 2-point conversion and threw for another.
"I went into the game knowing I wanted to throw the ball," HCA Head Coach David Raley said. "We knew they didn't defend the pass well. We wanted to get him the numbers he deserved and we still didn't get there.
"…He's one of the finest quarterbacks in Hernando County. The problem is he doesn't get to throw."
On the negative side, Rotteveel threw his first interception of the season to set up First Academy's only score and came out after getting hit on the side. He was sent home before the game ended and the extent of his injury was unknown.
Nevertheless, HCA had a big enough halftime lead, 44-6, to invoke a running clock in the second half.
Knight ended the up with three touchdown runs and cashed in on 3-of-5 2-point conversion attempts. He finished with 161 yards on 10 carries, while Townsend had 199 yards of total offense.
Raley commended the work of linebackers Jake Foster and Keyes, and Josh Romeo had five tackles for a loss as the defense constantly harassed Eagle quarterback Kyle Vann, who operates First Academy's single-wing offense.
"You couldn't ask for a better homecoming, to be able to name the score," Raley said. "The kids played hard and had a great time. It was just a fantastic homecoming night. They're thrilled as they can be."

HERNANDO CHRISTIAN 52, FIRST ACADEMY-LEESBURG 6
Qtr. Scoring 1 2 3 4
First Academy 0 6 0 0 – 6
HCA 20 24 0 8 – 52

Individual Scoring:
HCA – Townsend 72 pass from Rotteveel (Knight run failed)
HCA – Knight 10 run (Knight run failed)
HCA – Kautsky 1 run (Rotteveel run)
HCA – Keyes 38 blocked punt return (Adams pass from Rotteveel)
HCA – Townsend 52 pass from Rotteveel (Knight run)
FAL – Vann 15 run (Moye run failed)
HCA – Knight 47 run (Knight run)
HCA – Knight 6 run (Knight run)

FAL HCA
First Downs 6 7
Atts./Rushing Yds. 31-69 19-232
Comp./Pass Atts./Int. 1-4-0 5-6-1
Passing Yds. 10 195
Total Offense 35-79 25-427
Fumbles Lost 6-1 1-1
Return Yards 7-79 3-31
Punts/Avg. 5-40.0 0-0
Penalties 4-20 7-45

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

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