Don't Look Now! Who's In First?

Springstead converted time after time on its breaks Friday night against archrival Brooksville-Central at Booster Stadium.
The Bears came in riding high on a three-game winning streak. CHS won the turnover battle in four straight games before being done in by self-inflicted wounds: a blocked field, a lost fumble, and two interceptions.
All four Central turnovers were cashed into 28 points as the Eagles (4-1 overall, 2-0 4A-8) tallied seven touchdowns in nine possessions - including five in row - to tame the Bears (3-3 overall, 1-1 4A-8), 49-0.
The loss was Central's worst in the 18-game series against the Eagles, tying 1996's 49-0 setback.
The win snapped the Bears' two-game series winning streak and tied the all-time series at 9-all.
More importantly, the remainder of the 4A-8 teams received a huge boost from Pinellas County after Land O'Lakes High knocked Tarpon Springs out of the unbeaten ranks, 24-22.
Springstead now sits alone at top the 4A-8 standings followed four teams in hot pursuit with 1-1 won-lost slates.
The shutout was Springstead's second in a row at home as the Spring Hill squad extended its current win skein to three in a row.
"Obviously, we played very well tonight," commented SHS Head Coach Bill Vonada, who improved 4-6 lifetime against Central. "It was a well-rounded game for us. We executed on offense and special teams and everyone on defense sold out.
"I thought our defense set the tone early," added Vonada. "Scott (Barron) kinda typified our effort. We put in him specifically on the edge for his speed and he blocked a field goal. It was a momentum changer."
What about standing at the head of the 4A-8 pack at the midway point of the season?
"I've never been so nervous for a game than I was before this one" remarked Vonada. "After such a big win two weeks ago, I was hoping we could continue to play at a high level. Tonight, you couldn't pick one guy on offense or defense as standouts; we had 34 guys playing as one. It was a tremendous team effort."

Heroes a plenty

Several Eagles had outstanding efforts.
On offense, senior quarterback James Mahla guided a nearly flawless attack. Mahla rushed nine times for 73 yards highlighted by a 6-yard touchdown run (his fifth of the season) following the Eagles' initial offensive series.
That opening score followed another Central mistake -- sophomore Jose Morales' shanked 6-yard punt.
Then SHS senior fullback Mike Greco ignited a 21-point second quarter outburst. Greco, who was disciplined and did not play the first quarter, finished with a game-high 118 yards on 12 carries and scored twice (13,1 yards) in the second quarter.
Mahla, who clicked on 4-of-6 passes for 30 yards, added his seventh touchdown pass of the season to senior WR Domnique Roberson (11 yards) to stretch halftime cushion to 28-0.
In the second half, the Eagles alternated Greco, sophomore FB Devean Huff (7 carries, 63 yards, 1 TD) and senior WR Ben Noury (11 carries, 67 yards, 1 TD).
Noury also added a fumble recovery and interception on defense.
All told, the Eagle offensive line churned out 360 yards of total offense - including 330 via the rush. Springstead averaged almost eight yards per play against the suddenly porous Central defense.
Roberson closed out the scoring on a 64-yard interception return for a touchdown - his second of the season - off Bear backup quarterback Nick Rosario in the fourth quarter against a running second-half clock.
As a whole, the Springstead defense limited Central to 136 yards total offense. Only CHS senior tailback Austin Forte had any real success. Forte overcame a lost fumble to gain 82 rushing yards on 18 carries.
On special teams, SHS place-kicker Nate Schafer converted a personal-best 7-of-7 point-after touchdown boots and senior D.J. Neuner punted once for 39 yards and neutralized the dangerous Bear return squads by varying his seven kickoffs.
"The last couple years have been heart breaking ones against Central," explained the 17-year-old Schafer. "Twice we had the lead against those guys and twice they ended up winning. This time, it was nice to have a team that wouldn't let down. I've never seen our intensity as high as it was.
"You gotta give Stan (Miele) credit," said Schafer. "He blew up their counter plays so the linebackers could scrap and pick up the pieces."
How big was the win?
"Coach told us it would be a pride game tonight," said Schafer. "Hopefully, we continue to keep this going. It's nice to be the district leader."

Block party

What about Barron's key block of Rosario's 33-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter?
"I was just doing my job," admitted the 17-year-old Barron. "The coaches put me in there because I'm kinda fast. Nate (Schafer) did his job, so I got free to block the kick."
How sweet was the win?
"It's awesome to get a shutout," boasted Barron. "But we've got to bring the intensity every game."
Greco may have best summed up his team's entire efforts.
"(Ben) Noury had a whale of a game," shrugged the 17-year-old Greco. "He always the right player in the right place, at the right time. He makes play after play."
Greco, however, credited the Springstead offensive line (Zach Bailey, Daniel Wilson, Philip Lakin, John McCloskey, Mitchell Fischbach and slotback James Wozniak).
"I've had some good games against Central, but I my first carry (38 yards) tonight, all I saw was daylight," smiled Greco. "Our O-line isn't the biggest, but they're fast and strong. They deserve all the credit; it all starts with them up front."
And what about first place?
"This (win) gives us even more momentum," added Greco.

Sringstead 49, Central 0
Qtr. Scoring     1   2   3   4
Central      0   0   0   0 --0
Springstead 7  21   7  14 --49

Individual Scoring:
SPG - Mahla 6 run (Schafer kick)
SPG - Greco 13 run (Schafer kick)
SPG - Greco 1 run (Schafer kick)
SPG - Roberson 11 pass from Mahla (Schafer kick)
SPG - Huff 12 run (Schafer kick)
SPG - Noury 1 run (Schafer kick)
SPG - Roberson 64 interception return (Schafer kick)
 
    CEN SPG
First Downs   9   19
Atts./Rushing Yds.  29-115   41-330
Comp./Pass Atts./Int.  3-11-2 4-6-0
Passing Yds.   21 30
Total Offense   40-136   4-360
Fumbles/Lost   1-1   1-1
Return Yards   8-131   1-4
Punts/Avg.   4-31.0   1-39.0
Penalties   3-22   3-32