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Hernando Today

Bears Face Do-Or-Die Situation

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: October 24, 2008

Central High's 20th varsity football season has been a roller coaster ride so far.

The Bears began the season on a steep plunge -- losing their first two games to Hernando (16-7) and Leesburg (24-7).

From there, the Silver and Navy-clad Bears ascended following a trio of wins over Citrus (41-10), Ridgewood (21-13) and Lecanto (46-8).

But two weeks ago, CHS plummeted again behind an uninspired 49-0 shutout at Spring Hill's Booster Stadium against Springstead.

The loss was the Bears' worst-ever in Head Coach Cliff Lohrey's 3-year reign.

So the question remains coming into tonight's 10th-ever meeting between visiting Land O' Lakes and Central -- which Bears' team will show up?

Will it be the one that was flushed at Tom Fisher Memorial Stadium and the one that faced a running clock midway through the third quarter at Springstead?

Or will it be the one that won the turn over battle four weeks in a row to etch three straight wins?

Some mentors may have thrown away the game tape of the Springstead debacle, but Lohrey purposely did not.

"First, I will tell you our last game has not digested -- on purpose. I don't want it to go away until we get back on the field and prove that we're a much better football team than that. I fully expect us to rebound. Again, I'm not over it yet. I want that taste around until we do something about it," explained Lohrey, the county's defending two-time Coach of the Year. "What was odd was leading up to the Springstead game we probably had our second-best week of practice. Our best ever week of practice was prior to the Seabreeze playoff game (a heart-stopping 21-20 loss on the last snap of the game in 2006).

"We've been very physical in practice," he added. "Hopefully, we've corrected some of our mistakes."

HUNGRY GATORS

But standing in the way is the perennial Pasco County football program at Land O' Lakes.

The Gators come in 4-2 overall and like Central stands 1-1 in Class 4A, District 8 action.

LO'L Head Coach John Benedetto has been a fixture on the North Suncoast sidelines. His 32nd Gator team is attempting to reach the coveted state playoffs for the school's 17th time. The Gators already hold the Pasco County mark of 11 consecutive playoff appearances.

Benedetto also holds the Pasco County record for games coached (343), wins (195), losses (148).

But like the Bears, the Gators have been up and down too in 2008.

LO'L opened the campaign losing 26-6 at The Swamp against Dade City-Pasco (26-6). They bounced back to crush Wesley Chapel (45-27), before rallying past stubborn Zephyrhills (11-3).

In week four, Springstead earned its first win over Land O'Lakes since 1996, 21-17.

Since then, the Gators stuffed Sunlake (28-0) and edged Tarpon Springs (24-22).

WEAPONS ABOUND

Land O' Lakes is averaging 22 points a game this fall.

Though 13 different players have carried the football -- a long-time Benedetto staple -- his leading rushers coming include junior Tyler Peak (44 carries, 297 yards, 3 TDs) and senior Ben Hipps (60 carries, 243 yards, 3 TDs).

Sophomore quarterback Stevie Weatherford also returns under center.

Weatherford has connected on 56 percent of his passes (64-of-144) for 814 yards and five touchdowns against six interceptions.

His favorite aerial targets include juniors Alex Robinson (21 reps., 281 yards, 3 TDs) and James Tello (16 reps., 218 yards).

Defensively, it's been an odd year for LO'L. In the four games they've given up 20 points or more, they're 2-2. They've permitted over 17 points per game.

On that side of the ball, junior linebacker Alexander Mathis paces the Gators with 50 tackles followed by senior Christian Renner (42 tackles) and senior Collin Robinson (36 tackles).

The team's fourth-leading tackler Benjamin Herbold also leads the team with three sacks.

All told, LO'L has recovered 11 turnovers, not counting one blocked kick.

On special teams, senior place-kicker Alex Spock may have the most potent leg on the North Sun coast.

Last year's All-FACA District 8 kicker has launched 15 touchbacks in 20 attempts. He's connected on 15-of-16 point-after boots and four field goals. Spock also averages just over 33 yards per punt.

CHS: STOP DRIBBLING

Turnovers have hindered the Bears (3-3 overall, 1-1 4A-8) in their three losses. They've committed 10 turnovers.

Penalties and mental mistakes -- the types of items that plague losing football teams -- have also crept up.

So what does Lore expect? Remember his team barely lost last year at The Swamp, 14-7?

Tonight's loser will undoubtedly begin concentrating its efforts on next season.

The Gators have won the past two meetings and lead the brief series dating back to 1993, 5-4.

"We excited about playing Land O' Lakes," said Lore, who is 17-10 lifetime at CHS. "I know they're (LO'L) are excited about coming to our place.

"There's no secret it's a big game. We talk all the time at Central about embracing the pressure (of big games)," commented Lore on the importance of tonight's game. "When there's pressure, I don't want to get too technical, but there's this fight or flight response. Will you stand there and fight and will you take off? I believe our kids will come ready to play."

ON RADIO

WWJB (AM) 1450 will be carrying the game "LIVE" on its "Game of the Week" format beginning with the pre-game show at 7 p.m. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.

2008 WWJB (AM) 1450 "Game of the Week" Prep Football Schedule
Play-by-Play Announcer: Tony Castro
Color Announcer: Steve Inhofe
DATE GAME    KICKOFF/RESULT
09-05 Central @ Hernando   HER W 16-7
09-12 Spring stead @ Nature Coast   NCT W 20-15
09-19 Belleview @ Spring stead  SPG W 33-0
09-26 Ridgewood @ Central   CEN W 21-13
10-03 Lecanto @ Central   CEN W 46-8
10-10 Central @ Spring stead  SPG W 49-0
10-16 Hernando @ Spring stead  SPG W 21-0
10-24 Land O'Lakes @ Central  7:30 p.m.
10-31 Hernando @ Nature Coast  7:30 p.m.
11-07 Citrus @ Hernando   7:30 p.m.
11-14 Nature Coast @ Central  7:30 p.m.
11-21 1st Round FHSAA State Playoffs 7:30 p.m.
NOTE: Schedule is subject to change.
 
By the Numbers:
- Compiled by TONY CASTRO
 
Land O'Lakes vs. Central Series
Gators lead series 5-4-0
Year Site Result
1993 Home L 0-36
1994 Away L 7-23
1995 Home W 7-6
1996 Away W 11-3
1999 Home L 7-10
2000 Away W 27-14
2001 Home W 30-15
2002 Away L 6-45
2007 Away L 7-14
 

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

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