Turnover turmoil

In 12 seasons under Bill Vonada, Springstead High has built a reputation for making few mistakes.

Friday's game at Booster Stadium didn't exactly support that identity. The Eagles coughed up the ball five times, including three lost fumbles and two interceptions, in a 28-17 loss to previously winless Ridgewood.

"Somebody turned the tables on us tonight," Vonada said. "We talk about it all the time. We talked about it this week. Unfortunately, we didn't live up to that.

"I don't know if it was a lack of focus, a lack of attention to detail as a staff. We've got to do a better job at fixing it."

Surprise starter

For Ridgewood (1-4), the obvious star was senior Nick Martino, who did everything short of taking tickets at the gate.

Martino received some shocking news at the end of the school day: he would get his first career start at quarterback for the Rams.

With regular starter Scott Kujak suspended for an "internal matter" according to Head Coach Chris Taylor, Martino found himself in an unaccustomed spot under center.

"I knew these guys were bigger than us," Martino said. "My guts were all bubbled up. As soon as the first hit happened, everything clicked."

He looked a little shaky in the first half, as Springstead (2-3) built a 10-7 lead on quarterback Brian Beeker's 1-yard sneak and a 35-yard field by Cody Emmerman.

But when Ridgewood began forcing turnovers in the second half, Martino made sure it capitalized.

When the Eagles fumbled the ball away on the opening possession of the second half, Martino capped a 7-play, 64-yard drive with a 5-yard run to the end zone to push the Rams in front.

Martino ended Springstead's next possession with his first of two picks, and eventually ran in another touchdown, this time from three yards out with 1:16 left in the third quarter.

The Eagles went three-and-out on their next drive, punting away to Martino, who returned it 78 yards for his third score.

"He played a gutsy football game," Taylor said. "We put it in his hands to run our offense. He made great decisions. He's athletic. He made plays on his own and beyond that, I thought he showed a lot of leadership out there."

Taylor added that it felt good to "get that monkey off our back" with this first win. Conversely, Vonada faced the task of picking up the pieces heading into next week's pivotal district match-up with Lake Weir.

"You do what you do, come back to work to correct mistakes and do what you can to get better," Vonada said. "You've got to give (Martino) credit. He played very well.

"I don't know if we brought the mental intensity we need to bring. We're a young team. Ridgewood took advantage of our mistakes and where we were playing deficiently."

RIDGEWOOD 28, SPRINGSTEAD 17
Qtr. Scoring 1 2 3 4
Ridgewood 7 0 14 7 -- 28
Springstead 0 10 0 7 -- 17

Individual Scoring:
RW - Rodriguez 13 run (Smith kick)
SPG - Beeker 1 run (Emmerman kick)
SPG - Emmerman 35 field goal
RW - Martino 5 run (Smith kick)
RW - Martino 3 run (Smith kick)
RW - Martino 78 punt return (Smith kick)
SPG - Minter 34 pass from Beeker (Emmerman kick)

RW SPG
First Downs 12 12
Atts./Rushing Yds. 41-172 39-154
Comp./Pass Atts./Int. 4-7-0 7-14-2
Passing Yds. 25 72
Total Offense 48-197 53-226
Fumbles Lost 5-2 6-3
Return Yards 3-153 5-66
Punts/Avg. 3-26.3 2-31.5
Penalties 3-15 1-5