'Something's Got To Give'

If ever a bye arrived at a poor time it was last week for the Springstead Eagles.

The Eagles were coming off Sept. 26's momentum-building 21-17 upset at Land O'Lakes.

Upset had to be the word.

The Gators had not lost to a Spring Hill team since 1996 and they've been a fixture in the state playoffs over the past 11 consecutive seasons.

With the win, F.W. Springstead improved to 3-1 overall and sits tied atop the current Class 4A, District 8 standings with unbeaten Tarpon Springs and archrival Brooksville-Central at 1-0.

With two weeks to prepare, the tie between the Bears and Eagles will be unlocked in the 18th lifetime meeting beginning at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Booster Stadium.

BEARS ENTER HOT

Central (3-2 overall) leads the series dating back to 1991, 9-8. They've captured the last two meetings - both in come-from-behind fashion.

Two years ago, in Head Coach Cliff Lohrey's first season, the Bears clinched a coveted state playoff berth by rallying with 15 fourth-quarter points to edge the Eagles, 18-17. That win helped propel the Navy and Silver clad Bears to a district championship.

Last fall, Springstead dominated early building a 10-0 cushion. But the Bears stormed back scoring 32 unanswered points to win going away, 32-10.

Central is led by the 1-2 punch of senior tailback Austin Forte (107 carries, 583 yards, 5 TDs) and senior quarterback Dallas Waugh (44-for-76 passing, 583 yards, 6 TDs, 1 INT).

But the Bears don't have to lean on those two.

Their fullback tandem, senior A.J. Torres and junior Zach Rice, have rushed a combined 21 times averaging 9.76 yards per carry.

Receiving-wise, junior Steven Read and senior tight end Kevin Gibbemeyer have each snared 13 passes and divided six touchdown catches. All of the scores have come in the past three weeks against 1-4 Citrus and 1-4 Lecanto.

Forte has also collected nine receptions and junior WR Artie Gartner has begun to emerge with eight catches averaging 23 yards per catch.

On special teams, look for senior Jesse Flowers to return to long snapper. Without Flowers, CHS' snaps on extra points and punts became an adventure in learning against Lecanto. Flowers (hamstring) was held out last week on a coaches' decision.

Defensively, Read leads the Bears in tackles (39), with Rice (35) and All-County selection Brooks Reid (21) next.

Defensive Coordinator Joe Nestor's unit has been opportunistic gathering in 15 turnovers through five games, almost doubling what the Eagles (eight) have recovered.

CHS' secondary has excelled with nine interceptions featuring two each by Read, Gartner and sophomore Jose Morales.

Last week, even back-up Guan "G-Man" Whitsett got into the act by returning an interception 35 yards for a score.

EAGLES: LOCKED, LOADED

Like the Bears, Springstead counters with no reported injuries except for junior WR Caleb Shellabarger, who suffered a concussion against Belleview and has not been cleared to return.

The Eagles enter the game behind the county's No. 1 quarterback, senior James Mahla. As well as Waugh has played since opening the season 0-2, Mahla has been a shade better.

Mahla, a two-year starter, comes in as the team's leading rusher (41 carries, 177 yards, 4TDs), and leading passer (44-of-73, 666 yards, 6 TDs, 0 INTs). Mahla's lone mistake was a lost fumble at NCT 1-yard line that pulled the rug out from under a potential 4-0 start.

Unfortunately, Nestor and company can not just concentrate on stopping Mahla. All-County pick Ben Noury comes in as the Eagles' No. 2 rusher (23 carries, 173 yards, 1 TD) and No. 1 receiver (18 reps., 276 yards, 2 TDs). Noury is also a standout on defense, ranking second overall, with 34 tackles.

All-County selection, fullback Mike Greco, stands third in rushing and receiving come in.

Another All-County pick, senior Domnique Roberson, is second in receiving (11 reps., 135 yards, 2 TDs) and third in tackles (28).

STINGY "D"

Defensively, the Eagles have permitted a county-low 11 points per game. All-County linebacker Nate Schafer again leads Defensive Coordinator Mike Garofano's unit with 44 tackles.

On special teams, Schafer has converted 12-of-15 point-after kicks and drilled 3-for-3 on field goals attempted.

Senior punter D.J. Neuner has given the Eagles a huge boost in field position behind a fine 41-yard average.

Also, ex-Mitchell High standout Jesse Lorentsen, a standout football player and wrestler, won his hardship case Wednesday in Ocala and has been cleared to play at Springstead by the Florida High School Athletic Association.

KEYS TO GAME?

"With two teams tied at 1-0 in the district, this game adds a little extra significance," explained 11th-year Springstead Head Coach Bill Vonada, who is 3-6 lifetime against Central. "The keys tonight, like most games, will be the turnover battle. Also, whichever team is able to neutralize the other team's speed offensively will be big.

"We're perfectly happy to run a ground and pound attack, where you get four yards here and five yards there," said Vonada. "But we'd also like a wide-open play once and a while, too. Central is well documented to be able to hit that big strike whether it's on offense or special teams. Obviously, another key is limiting the other team's big plays."

Lohrey, the county's reigning two-time Coach of the Year, commented on tonight's critical match-up.

"Something's got to give, something's got to give," emphatically stated Lohrey, who is 17-9 lifetime at CHS. "We've been able to create some turnovers defensively. But when I think of Springstead traditionally, it's their lack of turnovers. We've got to come defensively every play; no plays off.

"And we've got to contain some of their weapons, they've got so many of them," added Lohrey, who hopes the Bears stretch their current win streak to four games in a row.

OVER THE AIR

Due to the Tampa Bay Rays' playoff game, WWJB (AM) 1450.com will be streaming 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. To listen to the broadcast go to www.wwjb.com and follow the live links.

2008 WWJB (AM) 1450 "Game of the Week" Prep Football Schedule
Play-by-Play Announcer: Tony Castro
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  7:30 p.m.
10-16 Hernando @ Springstead  7:30 p.m.
10-24 Land O'Lakes @ Central  7:30 p.m.
10-31 Hernando @ Nature Coast  7:30 p.m.
11-07 Citrus @ Hernando   7:30 p.m.
11-14 Nature Coast @ Central  7:30 p.m.
11-21 1st Round FHSAA State Playoffs 7:30 p.m.
NOTE: Schedule is subject to change.
 
By the Numbers: Central vs. Springstead
- Compiled by TONY CASTRO
Bears lead series tied 9-8-0
Year Site Result
1991 Away L 20-24
1992 Home W 14-9
1993 Away L 6-25
1994 Home W 15-7
1995 Away L 0-21
1996 Home L 0-49
1997 Away L 13-16 (OT)
1998 Home W 54-7
1999 Away W 21-7
2000 Home W 40-6
2001 Home W 21-14
2002 Away W 29-16
2003 Away L 3-17
2004 Home L 20-27
2005 Away L 20-21
2006 Away W 18-17
2007 Home W 32-10
TOTALS 326-293