The Palmer Plan: Step Two

Step one of the 'Palmer Plan' went extremely well last Friday night at Tom Fisher Memorial Stadium.
Host Hernando High disposed of Central High in its season opener, 16-7, making for a successful debut of new its head coach, John Palmer.
"It's big any time you start the season off with a win," Palmer said. "It adds a little push the rest of the way."
So what can the Leopards do for an encore? Can a team coming off five straight losing seasons build on its newfound momentum and excitement, and compete for a seemingly obtainable playoff spot in Class 3A, District 6?
Hernando takes the field again tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Hudson High, providing another barometer for how far this program has come.
"It's hard to tell," Palmer said. "We've just got to work one week at a time, not look ahead and not overdo what we're doing."

Turnover free

Against Central, the Leopards enjoyed a strong performance by sophomore running back Alvin Delaine (29 carries, 145 yards, two touchdowns).
But the most telling stat was the zero in the turnover column, compared to four fumble recoveries. A good sign considering Hernando's turnover-prone ways of recent memory.
"For us it's always turnovers," Palmer said. "That was huge last week. We didn't turn the ball over. That's going to be big again this week."
The Leopards face a Hudson team coming off a playoff appearance in 2007. Yet the Cobras followed a 35-14 preseason drubbing at the hands of Springstead with a 35-12 loss last week to Ridgewood.
Junior Zack Wynn threw for 1,698 yards and 20 touchdowns last season to pace Pasco County, but suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee that required offseason surgery.
Wynn completed 9-of-14 passes for just 60 yards versus Springstead. Despite going 20-of-30 for 152 yards with a touchdown against Ridgewood, he threw four interceptions and got sacked three times.
Dylan Luke ran for 123 yards on 16 carries and Hunter Newton caught nine passes for 56 yards.
"They're very big up front," Palmer said. "They've got a very good quarterback. They do a lot of things that make the defense react instead of being proactive. It'll be a tough challenge for us.
"I know it'll be a close game. It'll be a tough, physical game. Basically the team that wins the line of scrimmage will win the game, I believe."
Hernando will play without senior running back/linebacker Clay Kessler, still nursing an injured hamstring.

BY THE NUMBERS: HERNANDO VS. HUDSON
- Compiled by TONY CASTRO
Hernando leads series 11-4

YEAR  SITE  RESULT
2007  Home  L 6-35
2002  Home  W 14-13
2001  Away  W 20-18
1998  Away  W 63-29
1997  Home  W 49-0
1994  Away  W 55-20
1993  Home  W 60-7
1992  Away  W 28-0
1991  Home  W 67-0
1980  Away W 30-0
1979  Home W 20-14
1978 Away L 7-21
1977 Home L 6-9 (OT)
1976 Away L 0-6 (OT)
1975 Home W 28-14