SHS Hopes for Carryover

Last Thursday Springstead High thumped Hudson in a preseason game at Booster Stadium, and it wasn't even as close as the 35-14 final indicates.

The Cobras scored eight points in the first quarter against the Eagle junior varsity before senior quarterback James Mahla and an energized defense led the charge over the final three quarters.

Mahla went 8-of-9 passing for 133 yards, Mike Greco and Ben Noury each ran for a pair of touchdowns, and the Eagles recovered four fumbles against a Hudson team that went to the playoffs last year.

Not a bad start for a Springstead team full of returning veterans, hoping to contend in Class 4A, District 8 after two straight 5-5 seasons.

"I was really impressed with the pace of play our guys showed," Springstead Head Coach Bill Vonada said. "The defense was relentless getting to the football. There was not a lot of hesitation. On offense, there were some really good running lanes. Other than turnovers, we were pretty good on execution.

"...It shows our potential but it doesn't give us points for any other game this season. Because of the time of the season, the style of play, it was a good match-up for us."

Springstead opens its regular season schedule tonight at Booster Stadium, hosting defending Class 3A, District 6 champion Crystal River. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

CR: still strong?

Last season Crystal River lost to the Eagles to start the season, 21-14, then fell to Dunnellon the following week before rattling off nine straight wins.

The Pirates ended up beating out Nature Coast for the district title and defeated Williston in the first round of regionals before losing to North Marion.

Crystal River had won just two games in each of the previous three seasons before Head Coach Anthony Paradiso sparked a turnaround. However, Paradiso left over the summer for a job at Orlando-Cypress Creek.

The team also graduated 18 seniors, thus the Pirates have a brand new look under new headman George Arscott, formerly the defensive coordinator.

"I think they're one of those teams that can compete with every team on their schedule," Vonada said. "They play a very physical style of defense, a physical style of offense.

"We're expecting one heck of a tough battle. They just come right at you with a smash-mouth attack."

Vonada felt that the physical play of Hudson could help his team as it prepares for Crystal River.

"We've got to gear up the same way this week and maybe take it up a notch," Vonada said. "Last year they kind of turned the corner. There have been changes there, but I think they're going to be good. They're probably a tougher match-up for us. Not that they're a better team than Hudson, but their (Hudson's) style of play is a better match-up for us."
Coming out of the Hudson game, Vonada's biggest concern is correcting turnovers. The Eagles fumbled four times, losing three.
As for starting the season off on the right foot with a win, Vonada admits tonight's opponent showed that doesn't always matter.
"I've always felt that's critical but look at Crystal River, and we managed to beat them in the opening game and they ran off nine straight," Vonada said. "It's one game at a time."

BY THE NUMBERS: SPRINGSTEAD VS. CRYSTAL RIVER
- Compiled by TONY CASTRO
Eagles 2-11 lifetime
Year        Site         Result
1981        Home      L 0-20
1982        Away     L 6-14
1985        Home      L 7-19
1986        Away     L 5-34
1987        Home      L 3-10
1988        Away     L 6-35
1999        Away     L 7-61
2000        Home      L 0-35
2001        Home      L 16-42
2002        Home      L 26-39
2003        Away     L 12-20
2004        Home      W 34-10
2007        Away     W 21-14