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CHS: Looks To Break Through

Photo by JOE DiCRISTOFALO

In the final game of a three-game road streak, Central High skipper Cliff Lohrey hopes his Bears notch their first win of the season tonight at the Citrus Bowl in Inverness against the winless Citrus High Golden Hurricanes.

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By MARTY MILLER

Hernando Today correspondent

Published: September 19, 2008

After two games of the 2008 football season, Central High's Head Coach Cliff Lohrey is facing some challenges.

His 0-2 Bears have so far been able to move the ball on offense and have had some success stopping the opponent on defense.

But penalties, mistakes and turnovers have caused the Bears to drop their first two games of the year, to Hernando and last week to Leesburg.

Tonight will complete a 3-game road swing beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Citrus Bowl in Inverness, as the Bears take on the winless Citrus High Golden Hurricanes.

To date, Citrus has been able to readily score, but has had trouble stopping its opponents from scoring.

WINLESS 'CANES

Citrus opened on the short end of a 38-34 nod to Groveland-South Lake before being upset by Lake Weir, 33-23. Under fifth-year Head Coach Rik Haines, the Hurricanes had solved Lake Weir in their last four meetings.

Citrus has been slowed down with the loss of 1,400-yard rusher from last year, senior Antoin Scriven. Scriven is out with a broken bone in his foot.

But the Canes have made up for that loss with the play of senior quarterback Cameron West. In two games West has completed 22-of-53 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns.

And Lohrey says that right now, he still is preparing his team to see Scriven tonight.

"They have some other backs capable of getting some yards, no question," Lohrey said. "But Scriven is their big back and I've heard the stories that he's injured. And I know very well that they may be true. But I've been around long enough to prepare for their best, so I'm expecting to face him."

For Central, the Bears offense has moved the ball on both the ground and in the air, but turnovers and penalties have hurt them tremendously.

In two games, the Bears have been out-gained 523 yards to 411 in total offense, but in those two games, the Bears have had a number of problems.

Central has suffered nine sacks, lost six fumbles and collected 14 penalties for 106 yards.

"We really pride ourself at Central on controlling the things we can in terms of penalties and turnovers," pointed out Lohrey. "Right now we're not making money on what's our calling card, and that's not making mistakes."

In two games, the Bears have been able to move the football as senior tailback Austin Forte has 250 yards and two touchdowns while quarterback Dallas Waugh has completed 25-of-35 passes (71 percent) against one interception.

However, the Bears have also not scored very often.

"I've said this before, it's not like we can't move the ball, but we're not finishing drives," said Lohrey. "Moving the ball is one thing, now we've got to learn to put the ball into the end zone."

Lohrey also said that both teams were not expecting this kind of start to the season.

"Citrus has been to the state playoffs and has won a district title and in that regard, they are similar to us," he noted. "If we can continue to create some turnovers on defense and put some points on the scoreboard, I would say that's going to contribute to us winning a football game."

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