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Hernando Today

Hernando Hosts Wesley Chapel Wildcats

Staff photo by DAVE CASEY

Hernando High Head Coach John Palmer hopes his Leopards snap their two-game losing skein against 1-2 Wesley Chapel tonight at Tom Fisher Memorial Stadium.

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: September 26, 2008

Many teams will begin district play tonight, but Hernando High won't be one of them.

By virtue of playing in a five-team district (3A-6), the Leopards will take part in their fourth non-district contest, hosting Wesley Chapel at 7:30 p.m. at Tom Fisher Memorial Stadium.

Last time Hernando played in front of the home crowd, it pulled off an encouraging 16-7 win over Central. Since then two straight road blowouts, at Hudson and Gulf, have put a damper on the early season.

The Leopards were outscored 70-9 in that two-game excursion, but new headman John Palmer sees positive signs.

"We had a couple little errors in our special teams that we've got to correct," Palmer said. "There are a couple things we've got to improve on there.

"I felt like our kids played harder than they did against Hudson. We had a few bad angles on pursuit, but overall I felt like there was improvement in the overall scheme of things."

Palmer admits that the offense must sustain drives and just plain put more points on the board. To that end, running backs Alvin Delaine and Clay Kessler should continue to see more action as they recover from injuries.

Linebacker Champ Lumsden is also due back, though the injury news isn't all good. All-County offensive lineman David Hines is out with a knee injury sustained last week.

"Our line is a big concern and obviously you lose one of those guys it's an even bigger concern," Palmer said. "But the other kids have worked hard and we're going to try to do the best we can."

While Palmer feels some of the mistakes his team has made are normal for this early in the season, he'd like to see a more cohesive offense and aggressive defense.

WILDCATS LIMP IN

Wesley Chapel (1-2) has its own two-game losing skid to worry about, though it has fallen to two of the better Pasco County teams in Land O' Lakes and Pasco. The Pirates just squeaked by the Wildcats last week, 21-20.

"They're a very good football team," Palmer said. "They're similar to Hudson in their size up front. They've got very good players, very strong players. They're primarily wing T on offense with some spread looks, but they do an outstanding job running the football."

The 'Cats are averaging 5.6 yards per carry and have two rushers (Keenan Reynolds and Hunter Joyer) with over 200 yards on the ground. Eight of their 10 touchdowns are rushing.

"I expect it to be another physical game," Palmer said. "They're a physical team. They run the ball with authority. That's the way it's going to be. They'll run it down our throats and we've got to be prepared for that."

Palmer said he wanted to see his kids "play hard and improve their execution" but also wants to see his team build toward 3A-6 play, beginning in two weeks against Crystal River.

Despite their start, the Leopards still have a very reasonable shot at the playoffs, with the three Citrus County teams (Citrus, Crystal River and Lecanto) a combined 2-7.

"This will help us prepare for everything coming down the pike," Palmer said. "We're playing another quality football team. Anytime you do that, you make yourself better."

Sports writer Chris Bernhardt Jr. can be reached at (352) 544-5288 or cbernhardt@hernandotoday.com.

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