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Hernando Today

Lions March On

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By MARTY MILLER

Hernando Today correspondent

Published: October 24, 2008

With two games left until Hernando Christian Academy football team reaches its goal of an undefeated season, the 7-0 Lions go on the road tonight at 7 p.m. in Winter Garden to take on the 2-4 Foundation Academy Lions.

HCA, who are coming off an impressive 38-6 win over Ocala-St. John Lutheran last week, have a game against St. Petersburg Canterbury after tonight that stands in the way of the team having its first undefeated and untied season in school history.

But HCA coach David Raley is not taking anything for granted this week, telling his team that it doesn't take very much for a team to lose its football focus, no matter who the opponent is.

"That's true," Raley said. "It doesn't matter how good you are. You turn the football over a couple of times and you've got a good chance to lose."

Knight: iffy status

The Lions go into tonight's road game with Hernando County's leading rusher Jeremy Knight being a game-time decision. Knight, who has gained 792 yards rushing this year with 11 touchdowns, sprained his ankle in last week's game against St. John Lutheran and missed the final three quarters.

"He's doing OK," said Raley. "We kept him out of practice Tuesday and Wednesday, but the doctors say he'll be OK on Friday. But we'll just have to see how he is then."

Even without Knight, Hernando Christian was able to rush the football as sophomore Nate Kautsky ran for 125 yards and two touchdowns in subbing for Knight.

Raley gives credit to his offensive line for that performance.

"The one constant you have to look at who is doing all the work and that's our offensive line," Raley said.

With center Ethan Whitten, left guard Josh Westfall, right guard Ben Clark, left tackle Josh Romeo, right tackle Kevin Wilcher and tight end Garrett Mikola, the Lions are rushing the football for an average of 259 yards per game.

"We've just about owned everyone we've played with our line," said Raley. "In fact, they do such a good job, I could run behind them."

If something were to stop the Lions' rushing game, they could always turn to senior quarterback David Rotteveel. In the past two games, Rotteveel has completed all 13 of the passes he has attempted for 280 yards and three touchdowns.

"This year we lost all our wide receivers from last year and we had to find people to catch the ball," said the second-year HCA coach. "And I really wanted to use our passing game more. But with David getting his kidney hurt two weeks ago and the way we run the football and have the kind of offensive line we have, it really doesn't matter what play you call."

Going to the game?

From HCA, turn right out of the school on Emerson Road and turn right at the first stop-light (Cortez Blvd.) Go to State Road 50 and turn right. Follow SR 50 43 miles to Winter Garden. Turn left on South Park Ave. Go one mile to Walker Field (420 South Park Ave.), the field will be on the right.

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