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Hernando Today

Will Fifth Time Be A Charm?

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: September 5, 2008

Updated:

Homecoming Games are typically reserved for when the cooler temperatures arrive in October and November.

But tonight's 19th annual clash between Central and host Hernando High at Tom Fisher Memorial Stadium, cuts two ways.

First, tonight's game is the regular season curtain raiser for both the Bears and Leopards.

Both teams are coming off preseason losses last week to Dunedin (49-7) and South Sumter (42-0), respectively.

For HHS, the tilt serves as a homecoming debut for '83 graduate John Palmer, who was anointed as the school's 27th head coach since 1937 this spring.

Coach Palmer, who captured the Class 1A State Championship at Port St. Joe in 2005, hopes to turnaround the Purple and Gold's recent misfortunes this decade.

Halting some streaks

The Leopards have posted five consecutive losing seasons and carry over a three-game losing skein from last fall.

Palmer would like to conclude another dubious streak.

The past four HHS head coaches (Rodney Byrd, Matt Smith, Bill Browning and Mike Imhoff) have each dropped their initial game.

The last HHS head coach to win his debut was 23 years ago when Hernando's Vernon Turner watched his club edge Gulf at Des Little Stadium in New Port Richey on Sept. 13, 1985, 28-27.

HHS, which is 2-11 across the past five years versus county competition, faces a Bears team that has beaten them four of the last five meetings.

The Bears' only loss?

In CHS' last trip to Tom Fisher Memorial Stadium - in Head Coach Cliff Lohrey's debut no less - the Bears were ambushed, 25-3.

Last fall, the Bears managed 107 yards of offense, collected an uncharacteristic 118 yards in penalties, and yet edged Hernando, 21-19.

Two huge punt returns (66, 85 yards) set up two scores for the Bears, who won the game by amassing 201 yards in special team's returns.

CHS prospective

Since dropping his first two games at the helm at CHS, Head Coach Cliff Lohrey has captured 74 percent of his games (14-of-19).

The Bears have waited two years and 10 days to make amends for their last uninspired visit to Hernando High.

"We'll get the Leopards' best shot," declared Coach Lohrey. "They're undefeated and feeling good. They've got a new coach and a lot of intangibles are kinda going their way."

Lohrey eluded to the fact that unlike the Bears, who did not unveil any special team's action in the loss to Dunedin, the Leopards went full bore on their special teams. He believes that will be a distinct edge favoring HHS.

"Friday is a big test for our whole team," added Lohrey, who is 1-1 versus Hernando. "We have to go out and execute offensively, defensively and certainly on special teams. From here on out there are no part-time games. They all count."

Special team's wise Hernando returns perhaps the best kicker in the county in senior Josh Harvey. Harvey connected on 8-of-9 field goals last fall and 8-of-9 extra points.

The Bears, however, graduate their All-County kicker from last fall, Cody Grey.

He'll be replaced by sophomore Nick Rosario, who has never kicked in a varsity contest.

"Our defense has to continue to work hard," forecasted Lohrey. "But I think special teams; we've got to keep our eyes on them. Hernando went full speed kicking last week, we didn't. In my book, that gives them an edge."

How has practice gone is preparation for the Leopards?

"We've had an excellent week of practice," replied Lohrey, the defending two-time Hernando County Coach of the Year. "I like our sense of urgency getting ready for this game. It's a county game. Of all the games, you want to play well against the kids you see at the Sonic or at the movies. You want to look at 'em and know you beat 'em. It's a neighborhood thing. I have no doubts we'll be ready Friday."

By the Numbers: Hernando vs. Central Series
- Compiled by TONY CASTRO
Series Tied 9-9-0
Year Site  Result
2007 Away L 19-21
2006 Home W 25-3
2005 Away L 0-33
2004 Home L 28-66
2003 Away L 17-20 (OT)
2002 Home W 33-23
2001 Away L 6-21
2000 Home W 14-7
1999 Away W 33-0
1998 Home L 21-24
1997 Away W 28-0
1996 Home L 8-10
1995 Away L 7-14
1994 Home W 34-21
1993 Away W 16-8
1992 Home W 13-6
1991 Away W 26-6
1990 Away= W 26-0
= Denotes played @ Springstead
 
2008 WWJB (AM) 1450 "Game of the Week" Prep Football Schedule
Play-by-Play Announcer: Tony Castro
Color Commentators: Steve Imhoff, Carlos Castro
DATE  GAME    
09-05  Central @ Hernando   
09-12  Springstead @ Nature Coast   
09-19  Belleview @ Springstead  
09-26  Ridgewood @ Springstead  
10-03  Lecanto @ Central   
10-10  Central @ Springstead  
10-16  Hernando @ Springstead  
10-24  Land O'Lakes @ Central  
10-31  Hernando @ Nature Coast 
11-07  Citrus @ Hernando   
11-14  Nature Coast @ Central  
11-21  1st Round FHSAA State Playoffs 7:30 p.m.
NOTE: Schedule is subject to change.
Kickoffs set for 7:30 p.m.
 

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

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