Hernando County's two oldest football programs, Hernando High and F.W. Springstead, clash for the 31st time at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Booster Stadium in Spring Hill.
The Leopards (2-3) and Eagles (4-1), however, appear headed in different directions.
HHS: TRYING TO TURN IT AROUND
The Purple and Gold lead the all-time series dating back to 1978, 19-11.
Initially, HHS dominated this series, reeling off 15 straight wins. Lately, it's been all red, white and blue as Springstead has captured 11 of the past 15 encounters.
In fact, the Leopards have dropped the last five meetings and 6-of-7.
More importantly, first-year HHS Head Coach John Palmer's club hasn't beaten anyone between the lines since opening the season in impressive fashion by paddling Central, 16-7.
Since playing a near perfect game (few penalties, no turnovers) versus Central, the Leopards have fallen to Hudson (33-3), Gulf (37-6), Wesley Chapel (29-13) and Crystal River (20-3).
Fortunately for HHS fans, Hudson discovered it had utilized an ineligible player after the fact, and eventually forfeited the win giving Hernando its present 2-3 won-lost slate. The forfeit nod was the first for HHS since 1940.
Looking closer at the Leopards' opponents, the only team with a winning record to date is unbeaten Gulf at 6-0. Central stands at .500 at 3-3, while Hudson, Wesley Chapel and Crystal River are a combined 5-12.
Coming in, the Leopards are averaging a county-low 8.2 points per game while allowing a county-high 25.2 ppg.
Upon closer inspection, the Leopards are averaging a county-low 160 yards of offense per game, including a measly 36 yards through the air.
Sophomore halfback Alvin "Chubbs" Delaine is the team's leading rusher with 66 carries for 308 yards and two touchdowns (both against Central). Delaine represents 50 percent of Leopards' 621 rushing yards.
Tight end-slot back Clay Kessler, a senior transfer from HCA, leads the team in receptions with seven for 84 yards. The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder possesses the Leopards' one touchdown reception.
HHS's leading scorer in 2007 was placekicker Josh Harvey with 32 points. After five games this year, it's Harvey with 14 points behind one touchdown (via an interception return), three field goals and two extra points.
To magnify the lack of punch, in five games HHS's Wing-T offense has mustered four touchdowns in 222 plays.
Defensively, sophomores Thomas Bronson and William Aldermann have combined for 107 tackles. Linebacker-turned-defensive end, junior Josh Parnell, is right behind with 49 tackles.
Senior James Stephens, the team's seventh-leading tackler (28), has made several splash plays featuring a team-high two sacks, two fumble recoveries and one interception.
So far, the Leopards have scraped 10 turnovers.
This rivalry game serves as the final tune-up before three consecutive Class 3A, District 6 games.
Certainly an upset win would give the visitors a definite shot in the arm going into the final half of the season.
EAGLES: ENTER ON A ROLL
Unlike the Leopards who are in a free fall, the host Eagles are soaring.
Springstead enters on a three-game win streak and stands 4-1 overall. It lost a fumble at the Nature Coast 1-yard line with 67 seconds left; otherwise it might be 5-0.
Counting the preseason game against Hudson, the Eagles have defeated three playoff teams from 2007: Hudson, Crystal River and Land O' Lakes. In fact, Crystal River and Land O' Lakes are defending district champions.
The HHS defense will have to contend with an SHS offense that comes in averaging 32 points per game and has tallied 22 TDs.
The multi-faceted veer offense features senior James Mahla at quarterback (48-of-79 passing, 697 yards, 7 TDs, 0 INTs.). Mahla, the county's leading passer, guides a Springstead offense averaging twice as much yardage as the Leopards, 327-160.
All-County fullback Mike Greco leads the rushing attack (47 carries, 256 yds., 4 TDs), with Mahla (50 carries, 253 yds., 5 TDs) and senior All-County selection Ben Noury (34 carries, 238 yds., 2 TDs).
Should the Leopards load the box against the run, the Eagles lead the county in passing behind All-County wide receiver senior Domnique Roberson (14 reps., 160 yds., 3 TDs) and Noury (19 reps, 282 yards, 2 TDs), Greco (6 reps., 120 yds., 1 TD) and senior James Wozniak (4 reps, 108 yds., 1 TD).
Special team-wise, SHS has not allowed a kickoff or punt return for a score thanks to senior D.J. Neuner's directional kickoffs. Neuner also averages over 41 yards per punt.
Placekicker Nate Schafer, who is an All-County linebacker and leads the team in tackles, has converted 19 point-after touchdown kicks and stands 3-of-3 in field goals.
KEYS TO VICTORY?
"Bill Vonada has done an outstanding job in building that program," said Coach Palmer in accessing the Eagles. "He can't get enough credit.
"Offensively, Springstead is a smash-mouth type team with an option attack. That really makes you play solid, assignment-based football. They're a physical bunch that kinda tell you 'we're coming here, now go stop us.'
"We have to be very patient and opportunistic," explained Palmer about the Leopards' plan of attack. "At the same time we can't turn the ball over. We can't commit penalties that negate big plays. And I think we have to make big plays on offense. We got to get some backs to the second and third level against them. They're defense is tenacious. They've got enough speed and skill to lock down receivers and then commit eight in the box if they want to."
"Hernando has an awful lot of weapons," insisted Vonada. "A lot of guys from the neighborhood always ask me about how will we do against Hernando. If you don't know anything about us, this is the one that matters to a lot to the old-timers.
"Hernando is still Hernando," continued Vonada, who is 6-4 lifetime against the Purple and Gold. "They've got plenty of weapons. They've had a few hard times over the last few years, but I have no doubt Coach Palmer will get them in the right direction. I just hope its next week.
"The key to avoiding an upset will rest on our seniors," emphatically pointed out Vonada. "How much have they bought into the importance of this game? How much are they willing to lay it on the line? It's a last chance to play a county opponent."
ON RADIO
Due to the Tampa Bay Rays' playoff game, WWJB (AM) 1450 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 SPG W 49-0
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:
- Compiled by TONY CASTRO
Springstead vs. Hernando Series
Leopards lead 19-11-0
Year Site Result
1978 Away L 0-7
1979 Away L 0-49
1980 Home L 7-40
1981 Away L 0-51
1982 Home L 7-55
1983 Away L 0-14
1984 Home L 12-17
1985 Away L 12-31
1986 Home L 6-20
1987 Away L 7-45
1988 Home L 3-6
1989 Away L 0-16
1990 Home L 6-30
1991 Away L 15-48
1992 Home L 13-14
1993 Away W 31-7
1994 Home W 27-21
1995 Away W 30-6
1996 Home W 33-14
1997 Away W 19-14
1998 Home L 13-21
1999 Away L 0-55
2000 Home L 6-23
2001 Away W 26-7
2002 Home L 22-28
2003 Away W 10-7
2004 Home W 44-12
2005 Away W 28-21
2006 Home W 17-16
2007 Away W 13-6
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