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Hernando Today

Got Gruden?

Photo by JOE DiCRISTOFALO

HCA Head Coach David Raley hopes the Lions claim its fourth win tonight at Brooksville’s Ernie Wever Youth Park against 1-2 Carrollwood Day School.

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: September 26, 2008

Tonight's game between Hernando Christian Academy and Tampa-Carrollwood Day School represents a key match-up in the Southern Division of the Sunshine State Athletic Conference.

But the buzz is as much about who might be in the crowd at Ernie Wever Youth Park for the 7 p.m. kickoff as what might happen on the field.

The Patriots feature a freshman receiver by the name of Deuce Gruden and that last name is no coincidence. He is the son of Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Jon Gruden, who is rumored to attend.

"It'll be incredible," HCA Head Coach David Raley said. "We have stuff we'll ask him to autograph. We're excited about the fact that Coach Gruden is going to be there."

HOT START

The Lions are 3-0 for the first time in school history, 1-0 in divisional play having defeated Bishop McLaughlin in the season opener. Carrollwood Day (1-2 overall) has not played a division game yet.

In this first season of the SSCA, the two division winners will face off in the championship game. Division records are based solely on divisional games.

"We have to win this," Raley said. "The person that loses this game is on the backside of getting to the championship game. It's a must-win for us. We have to win this and we've been aiming for it for a while.

"We're still upbeat from our wins but this bunch has always been work-a-days. They come in, practice hard and get their stuff done."

HCA, in light of several offseason personnel changes, has revamped its offense in recent weeks and come away with impressive road victories over Orlando-Central Florida Christian and Mount Dora Bible.

Once again, Raley sees his team taking on a quality opponent. Though the Patriots are in their first year of 11-man football, they won a state championship in six-man football last year.

They are coming off consecutive losses to Sarasota-Out-of-Door Academy (47-19) and Moore Haven (38-0) after beating First Academy-Leesburg in week one, 42-27.

They are led by junior quarterback Billy Embody, who has completed 38-of-66 passes (58 percent) for 595 yards with seven touchdowns against three interceptions.

Raley believes that while the Patriots don't have the star players of Mount Dora Bible, they play well as a team. Their ability to put the ball in the air has the veteran coach concerned.

"They have a very, very good quarterback," Raley said. "I've got game film on them; he's rolling out and throwing the ball 50 yards in the air. Other coaches have spoken highly of him. He is exceptional.

"They run a very fine system. They don't do a lot but the things they do they do very well. They block really well and they fly to the football and tackle as well as anybody I've ever seen. We'll have our hands full. We have to play hard."

SSCA Southern Division standings
- Compiled by CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.
Pl.            Team                                      Record
1.             HCA                                       1-0
2.             Canterbury                            0-0
2.             Carrollwood Day                  0-0
4.             Bishop McLaughlin             0-1

Sports writer Chris Bernhardt Jr. can be reached at (352) 544-

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