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It's Showtime For Springstead

Photo by JOE DiCRISTOFALO

Eleventh-year Springstead Head Coach Bill Vonada is winless against defending district champion Land O’Lakes. The Eagles venture to “The Swamp” tonight in a key 4A-8 game in Pasco County. SHS has not solved the Gators since 1996.

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: September 26, 2008

Two blowout victories over Crystal River and Belleview looked impressive. Even a last-second loss to Nature Coast served notice that Springstead could hang with the local elite.

But in the end, the first three games of the season won't mean much for the Eagles. The district games alone determine a team's playoff fate.

Tonight at 7:30 p.m., Springstead plays its first Class 4A, District 8 contest and it'll start right at the top. Waiting is defending district champ and perennial postseason participant Land O' Lakes at The Swamp.

"I think they seem to be pretty focused," Springstead Head Coach Bill Vonada said of his players. "We know we have a pretty big game. We have a tough opponent. You can say locally they've (Land O' Lakes) been the most consistent program the last decade."

Winning legacy

Longtime coach John Benedetto has led the Gators (2-1) to regionals every year since 1997. With the opening of nearby Sunlake last season, Land O' Lakes moved down to 4A and swept through the district.

Last year the Gators fell to Pasco in the season-opener before running the table to finish 9-1 in the regular season.

This year, the Pirates again stymied Land O' Lakes (26-6). The Gators rebounded with wins over Wesley Chapel (45-27) and Zephyrhills (11-3).

"They've shown they've gotten better every single week," Vonada said. "They can move the football. They're a very dangerous football team.

"First of all, they've got such a great tradition. The program there is handed down year to year. They always just seem to have guys to reload with. I don't think they'll ever run out of Weatherfords."

Stephen Weatherford is the third member of his family to play under center for the Gators. Brothers Drew and Joe are at Florida State University and the University of Central Florida respectively.

The sophomore has completed 53 percent of his passes (27-of-51) for 383 yards and tossed three touchdowns against an interception.

On the ground the Gators are averaging 4.9 yards per carry, led by Tyler Peak (169 yards) and Ben Hipps (100 yards).

"I expect it to be very hard fought," Vonada said. "First of all, I don't expect them to give us any gifts. The one thing about Land O' Lakes, they're going to make big plays, but they're not about flash and fancy with their guys. They're not going to make mistakes."

On defense, Vonada said, "they've got a lot of guys that can run to the football, a lot of good, quick penetration up front."

Vonada feels his team must have extended offensive drives and play at a faster pace. He also noted the need to neutralize the kicking game of Alex Spock, who has six PATs and two field goals for the Gators.

Springstead will come in relatively healthy, though Caleb Shellabarger is week-to-week after being airlifted from last week's game. Vonada said he had not seen a full report on the extent of the injury.

"Everybody knows Land O' Lakes is one of the teams to beat," Vonada said. "It'll be good for us to find out how we stack up and what we've got to do to compete."

BY THE NUMBERS: LAND O' LAKES VS. SPRINGSTEAD SERIES
- Compiled by TONY CASTRO

Eagles trail series 9-14-0
Year        Site         Result
2007        Home      L 0-14
2002        Home      L 10-60
2001        Away     L 0-13
2000        Away     L 13-20
1999        Home      L 0-28
1998        Home      L 0-33
1997        Away     L 7-20
1996        Home      W 35-14
1995        Away     W 24-23 (OT)
1994        Home      W 21-7
1993        Away     L 14-17
1992        Home      L 7-9
1991        Away     W 30-0
1990        Home      W 37-18
1989        Away     W 28-0
1988        Away     L 0-17
1987        Home      L 3-35
1986        Away     L 0-31
1985        Home      W 27-14
1984        Away     W 12-3
1983        Home      L 6-14
1982        Away     W 13-7
1981        Home      L 0-9      

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

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