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Hernando Today

Long Time Coming

Photo by JOE DiCRISTOFALO

Fifth-year NCT Head Coach Jamie Joyner hopes his team rebounds from last season’s shocking 18-15 setback to Crystal River at Shark Tank Stadium. The Sharks travel to Citrus County tonight to face the defending 3A-6 champion Pirates.

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By MARTY MILLER

Hernando Today correspondent

Published: September 26, 2008

In a way, it's like the saying Yogi Berra used, "It's dejÀ vu all over again."

Last year at this time, Nature Coast Technical football coach Jamie Joyner and his team had a 2-0 record coming into their initial Class 3A, District 6 tilt against a 1-2 Crystal River team.

NCT had beaten Dunnellon and Springstead by a combined 66-10 and was the favorite to repeat as district champion, starting with a win over the Pirates.

But a last-minute field goal by the Pirates gave them an improbable 18-15 win and helped them seal the district championship.

Now fast forward one year and the same situation faces the Sharks. NCT is 2-0 on the year, having beaten Dunnellon and Springstead to set up another district opener against a 1-2 Pirate team.

But this year, Joyner and his club hope to be ready for the Pirates.

With only NCT, Crystal River, Lecanto, Citrus and county-rival Hernando in the district, a loss in a district game can mean the difference between hosting a first-round game in the state playoffs and playing a district champion on the road.

"It's going to be a challenge for us because they are defending district champions," Joyner said. "If we want to win the district title, we have to beat them. If we lose one game in our district, your chances of winning the championship go downward dramatically, it puts you behind the eight-ball."

DRAKE LEADS THE WAY

After having a week off after their narrow 20-15 win over Springstead, the Sharks come into tonight's 7:30 p.m. game led by tailback Tevin Drake. The NCT senior has gained 302 yards and scored four touchdowns in two games so far as NCT is averaging 361 yards on the ground.

Even though the Sharks defeated Springstead two weeks ago thanks to a last-second fumble by the Eagle quarterback on the NCT 1-yard line, Nature Coast held the Eagles to just 40 yards rushing on 28 carriers.

This year, Crystal River has a new head coach in George Arscott and lost quarterback Shay Newcomer, who threw for over 5,000 yards in his career, to graduation.

Last week the Pirates beat Ocala-Lake Weir, 31-26, but again showed a propensity to allow points. The Pirate defense has been gashed, allowing 92 points this season.

Coach Joyner said that with his team having a bye last week, he got to see Crystal River in person. "They are a big team, they're big on both sides of the ball," commented Joyner. "And they have a running back (Trevane Brooks) who gained 280 yards rushing last week. So they have a solid ground game."

In last year's loss, the Pirates won the game on a last-minute field goal, but Joyner said his team really didn't play well. "That left a sour taste in our mouths. But the last time we took the field against Springstead, we didn't play very well. And if we're going to beat Crystal River, we have to do better."

GOING TO THE GAME?

From the high school, turn left on California Street to Cortez Boulevard, turn right. Follow into Brooksville, turn left on Ponce de Leon Boulevard (State Road 98). Follow to U.S. 19, turn right. Follow into Crystal River, turn right on Northeast 5th Street (State Road 44), 0.3 miles. Turn left on Northeast 8th Avenue, 0.5 miles, school and football field are on the right.

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