The Future is Now

If only former NFL mentor George Allen had a nickel for any time a coach or a scribe borrowed his most famous saying, "the future is now."

Indeed that time has arrived again.

In a terrific illustration of Allen's words, for the 56th time, Citrus High (1-7 overall, 1-2 3A-6) journeys to Brooksville's Tom Fisher Memorial Stadium to tangle with the Leopards (3-4, 1-2 3A-6).

2009: starts now

With neither team heading toward the postseason, each is looking to reestablish itself in 2009.

The Hurricanes limp into Brooksville carrying baggage - a 4-game losing streak.

Fifth-year Golden Hurricanes Head Coach Rik Haines, who guided CHS to back-to-back-to-back playoff berths in 2004-06, comes in 22-28 lifetime at Inverness.

Interestingly, he's never lost to a Purple and Gold team and stands 4-0 lifetime vs. HHS.

But the 'Canes, however, have issues across the board.

Its multi-faceted offense has been a bright spot averaging 23.5 points per game.

CHS has scored 188 points, featuring 26 touchdowns.

Senior wide receiver Derek Paquette, a three-year starter, leads the team in receptions and scoring with seven touchdowns. Seniors Harlan Kelly (5 TDs), Cameron West (4) and Shaun Jackson (3) are right behind.

The normally efficient running game has sputtered due to injuries to Kelly and senior tailback Antoin Scriven.

On the plus side, on special teams, senior placekicker Michael Watkins has delivered 18 point-after touchdown kicks and four field goals.

On the negative side, the Hurricanes have been sieve-like, permitting 311 points.

CHS has been torched permitting 33 or more points in seven games. Its lone bright spot was a 21-0 spanking of archrival Lecanto.

Senior DE Lexton Steed and junior MLB Joe Brown rank 1-2 in tackles.

HHS: Jump starting the offense

For the Leopards, their offensive woes continued in last week's 34-3 loss at Nature Coast Technical.

HHS comes in averaging a county-low 9.6 points per games and has been limited to nine touchdowns, including six on offense.

To underscore the lack of production, sophomore halfback Alvin Delaine (112 carries, 547 yards, 2 TDs) hasn't found the end zone on offense since the season-opening win against Central.

The Leopards, who average 142 yards via the rush, saw Delaine garner 64 yards last week against the stout NCT defense.

Passing-wise, with the transfer of WR Jamel Byrd to NCT, the Leopards are now without their most talented pass catcher. As a result, HHS is averaging a county-low 36 yards passing per game.

With 7-1 Pasco looming on the horizon next week, the Leopards would like to earn some valuable momentum beginning with a win tonight.

To that end, first-year HHS skipper John Palmer addressed the keys for the hosts.

"We need to not just play hard, but we need to execute, and execute well," insisted Palmer. "I think if we can establish and finish drives, continue to improve defensively and solidify the kicking game we'll have a great chance for a win."

On radio

WWJB (AM) 1450 will be carrying the game "LIVE" on its "Game of the Week" format beginning with the pregame show at 7 p.m. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.

2008 WWJB (AM) 1450 "Game of the Week" Prep Football Schedule
Play-by-Play Announcer: Tony Castro
Color Announcer: Steve Imhoff
DATE GAME    KICKOFF/RESULT
09-05 Central @ Hernando   HER W 16-7
09-12 Springstead @ Nature Coast   NCT W 20-15
09-19 Belleview @ Springstead  SPG W 33-0
09-26 Ridgewood @ Central   CEN W 21-13
10-03 Lecanto @ Central   CEN W 46-8
10-10 Central @ Springstead  SPG W 49-0
10-16 Hernando @ Springstead  SPG W 21-0
10-24 Land O'Lakes @ Central  LOL W 38-13
10-31 Hernando @ Nature Coast  NCT W 34-3
11-07 Citrus @ Hernando   7:30 p.m.
11-14 Nature Coast @ Central  7:30 p.m.
11-15 HCA vs. Mount Dora Bible  7:30 p.m.
11-21 *3A-5 runner-up @ Nature Coast 7:30 p.m.
NOTE: Schedule is subject to change.
* Denotes first-round FHSAA playoff game.
 
By the Numbers: Citrus vs. Hernando
- Compiled by TONY CASTRO
 
Leopards lead Series: 35-18-2
Home Record: 18-10-0
Road Record: 17-8-2
Year Site Result
2007 Away L 7-35
2006 Home L 12-16
2005 Away L 13-47
2004 Home L 25-44
2003 Away W 22-19
2002 Home L 21-35
2001 Away W 13-10
2000 Home W 21-16
1999 Away W 51-24
1998 Home W 28-0
1997 Away W 21-15
1996 Home W 21-7
1995 Away L 7-13
1994 Home W 35-12
1993 Away L 27-30
1992 Home W 14-13
1991 Away W 35-14
1990 Home W 19-12
1989 Away L 0-3
1988 Away L 10-33
1987 Home L 0-7
1986 Home L 22-31
1985 Away L 7-20
1984 Home W 30-0
1983 Away W 6-0
1982 Home W 37-0
1981 Away W 39-12
1980 Home W 19-0
1979 Away W 34-8
1978 Home W 40-28
1977 Away W 17-14
1976 Home W 20-12
1963 Away W 54-0
1962 Home W 47-7
1961 Away W 25-0
1960 Home  W 33-6
1959 Away W 26-13
1958 Home L 0-20
1957 Away W 21-0
1956 Home L 12-14
1955 Away L 7-19
1953 Home L 7-14
1952 Away W 34-0
1951 Home W 28-0
1950 Home W 20-13
1949 Home W 6-0
1948 Away W 6-0
1947 Home L 6-13
1946 Away T 13-13
1944 Home W 12-0
1940 Away W 34-0
1939 Home W 31-0
1936 Away W 13-6
1935 Home L 14-18
1933 Away T 0-0