HCA Improves To 3-0

For a program ravaged by transfers, Hernando Christian Academy sure doesn't seem worse for wear. In fact, the Lions are thriving.

Friday night HCA improved to 3-0 for the first time in school history, trouncing fellow Sunshine State Athletic Conference member and host Mount Dora Bible School, 29-7.

"The first thing is a total shock, and very, very happy," HCA Head Coach David Raley said. "But to me them playing well and playing to perfection is more important."

Last week Raley redesigned his offense to better fit his personnel, and it resulted in outstanding rushing totals against Orlando-Central Florida Christian.

This week Raley and his staff focused much of their attention on the passing attack. Though 287 of the Lions' 340 yards of total offense came on the ground, Raley praised the play of quarterback David Rotteveel.

The senior completed 6-of-7 passes for 80 yards and threw a touchdown to tight end Ben Clark. The passing attempts were limited as HCA tried to eat up the clock.

"Even though he doesn't have high numbers, he's playing at a high level," Raley said of Rotteveel. "We worked real hard all week long on the passing game and it showed. We wanted to throw it more but we were running the ball so well."

How well? Jeremy Knight ran 15 times for 78 yards and a score, Nate Kautsky chewed up 69 yards on 10 carries and scored twice, and Ian Townsend had 89 yards on just six rushes while also chipping in 60 receiving yards.

The defensive highlight came from Nick Adams, who returned an interception 70 yards to the 2-yard line, HCA's only forced turnover of the night.

During the week Raley dubbed Mount Dora Bible the best team in the SSAC Northern Division. What does that mean for the Lions, who are in the Southern Division, down the road?

"For us to be sitting here at 3-0 going into next week's game (at home against Tampa-Carrollwood Day School), which is a Southern Division game that we've got to win, it's very special for us," Raley said.

"It says that we have a good offensive line and can pound the ball. I'm really, really proud of them. Senior leadership on the line has held it together. These kids play together and love each other."

Hernando Christian 29, Mount Dora Bible 7
Qtr. Scoring 1 2 3 4
HCA 7 6 9 7 - 29
MDB 0 0 0 7 - 7