Leopards yearn for playoff return

In Year II of the return of the Messiah, or Head Coach John Palmer, the Hernando Leopards reversed their recent downward spiral, finishing 7 - 3 overall.

In the process, HHS snapped its school-record six-year losing streak and reached some rare air.

The Purple and Gold hadn't pieced together four straight wins since 1999. HHS hadn't registered a home shutout in almost a decade. Both were small, albeit significant, achievements in 2009.

But in 2010 or Year III of the Palmer era, the Leopard faithful is clamoring for more.

The 18-time county champion Leopards haven't raised a county banner since 2002.

HHS hasn't participated in the state playoffs since Nov. 11, 2005's 61-10 opening-round mugging at Citra-North Marion.

Additionally, the Purple and Gold haven't hosted a regional playoff tilt in 13 years - or since 1997.

The enthusiasm and school spirit began to return last season even before Nature Coast edged

Hernando before a jam-packed Tom Fisher Memorial Stadium crowd, 22-20.

Three days later at Shark Tank Stadium in the critical three-team playoff for the 3A-6 runner - up slot, NCT blanked HHS, 14-0.

Though 20 players did not return from last year's squad, including 15 seniors, HHS' continued success rests on 17 returning lettermen.

Despite Friday night's 14 - 3 exhibition game loss to highly touted Dade City-Pasco High, Coach Palmer remarked on the game's silver lining.

"The effort was there and we were aggressive all night," described Palmer. "For a first game there were relatively few penalties - they were mostly mental mistakes. It was extremely important to play with crispness and we did."

Leopard offense

HHS, which averaged 31.2 points per game, tallied 44 touchdowns - or one more than NCT (43).

The teams top three scorers - Alvin Delaine III (176 points), Marlin Smith (32) and Andres Pinzon (27) - are all back.

Delaine is a returning two-time All-Hernando County selection. Delaine was voted Player of the Year after rushing for 1,646 yards and scoring 28 touchdowns.

Delaine is so versatile he also paced the Leopards in receptions (15), reception yardage (268) and touchdowns (4).

The first-year Pinzon - a soccer whiz - was named All-County in football after connecting on 19-of-26 extra points and 3-of-6 field goals.

Smith, who recently suffered a dislocated shoulder in practice, rushed for 341 yards and three scores in 2009. Smith was cleared to practice this week and may see limited action in the season opener against Springstead.

Zach Sullivan, who rushed for a game-high 60 yards against Pasco, will start at fullback Friday against Springstead.

Sam Adams, Quinton Adams, Kevin Hagood and 6-foot-1, 190-pound freshman Jeremiah Jackson will also see playing time in the deep and talented offensive backfield.

HHS' other two returning offensive starters include RT William Alderman and C Jordan Walker. Alderman is a two-time All-County performer filling out a chiseled 6-foot-3, 255-pound frame.

With 2008 Class 1A All-State football selection Ian Townsend quitting the football team to concentrate on baseball, the Leopard receiving corps is in flux utilizing Derek Wilson, Terrence Owens and recent move-in Luigi Bisconti.

Leopard receivers struggled Friday snaring two passes for seven yards.

But the team's largest question marks revolve around the replacements at quarterback and across the line at left tackle, left guard, right guard and tight end.

Tight end is being split by Johnny Millaway and Marqui Redding.

Under center, sophomore Tyrail Hawkins and junior Cleve Pope alternated play Friday night against Pasco. Hawkins will open the season as the starter replacing Kall Daniel, who graduated.

Neither has ever started a varsity game.

Besides the youth and lack of varsity level experience currently calling the cadence, HHS' most pressing issues concern the revamped O-line. Depth is a huge concern though Malcolm Hudson and Jake Johnson appear to have locked down the guard slots, and Hudson High transfer Derek Moore has taken over at left tackle.

Andrew Tumamizswili, Devone McRae, Austin Neff and Brooks Timmons represent the second tier of offensive linemen. None of the four, however, has ever started a varsity game.

Leopard defense

Defensive Coordinator Mark Latsko's charges permitted 16.2 points per game in 2009. Commencement exercises claimed All-County performers Josh Parnell and Robert Huggins.

Latsko, however, returns six 2009 starters including: Sam Adams, Alderman, Hudson, Wilson and linebackers Darren Hambrick and Zach Pritz.

Pritz, an All-County selection at free safety, led the 2009 team in tackles (72) while Alderman finished fourth with 56.

Two others, Delaine and senior LB/DE Thomas Bronson, were starters in 2008 - so actually the Leopards return eight starters.

Bronson notched 108 tackles in 2008, two behind team-leader Alderman's 110, before being stricken last year with a bout of mononucleosis. Bronson has fully recovered and is listed at 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds.

The D-line has been strengthened with the emergence of sophomore DE Robert Hill Bronson (3 sacks vs. Pasco). Hudson, Alderman and Thomas Bronson will create havoc up front.

The teeth of the defense may be in its linebackers including Sullivan, Pritz, Hambrick and O'Mar Hawkins.

The secondary will start Sam Adams, Wilson and Delaine while Owens, Haygood, Jamarys Thomas and Matt Noark will also see action.

Special teams

Look for Johnson to replace Kenny Brown and Townsend as the critical first-year long snapper. Timmons replaces Daniel as punter and Delaine enters as the holder for Pinzon. Pinzon connected on a 37-yard field goal but missed a 24-yarder against Pasco.

Postseason

District-wise, Coach Palmer made it clear until someone beats Dunnellon and Nature Coast, the Tigers and Sharks are the district frontrunners.

"Sure, Dunnellon lost some great kids, but I hear and I've read they've got some great kids coming back. Coach Beasley does a nice job there," said Palmer. "Leesburg and Tavares will be much better. Crystal River got three transfers, so they'll be tough and of course playing Nature Coast will be a huge test.

"On any given night in this district, it's anybody's game," admitted Coach Palmer. "We think we can be mentioned in the conversation. As far as the county, we can't get ahead of ourselves. OK we played well against Pasco, but here comes Springstead and we've had trouble with them lately."

Key ingredient?

"I believe our senior leadership will carry us through," said Palmer. "It'll be paramount for our four captains to get our guys ready starting with Springstead this week."

2010 BROOKSVILLE-HERNANDO LEOPARDS VARSITY FOOTBALL ROSTER
NO. NAME HGT WGT POSITIONS YR
01 Cleve Pope 5'11" 170 QB 11
02 Alvin Delaine III 5'9" 180 RB/DB 12
03 Robert H. Bronson 5'11" 165 LB 10
04 Terrence Owens 6'3" 175 WR/LB/DB 11
05 C.J. Clark 5'9" 152 RB/OLB 11
06 O'Mar Hawkins 5'11" 172 RB/LB/SF 10
07 Tyrail Hawkins 5'10" 169 QB 10
08 Andres Pinzon 5'10" 150 PK 11
09 Zach Pritz 5'11" 180 LB 11
10 Thomas Bronson 6'3" 240 TE/ILB 12
11 Johnny Millaway 6'1" 180 WR/TE 12
13 Marlin Smith 5'10" 210 FB 12
15 Zach Sullivan 5'11" 190 LB 11
21 DeMarcus Maner 5'8" 165 RB/DB 11
22 Quentin Adams 5'11" 190 RB/DB 10
23 Jamarys Thomas 5'9" 160 RB/DB 12
24 Derek Wilson 6'0" 170 WR/DB 12
25 Sam Adams 5'11" 169 RB/DB 12
33 Darren Hambrick 6'0" 210 RB/LB 10
35 K.J. Young 5'7" 169 FB/DT 11
44 Marqui Redding 5'11" 180 TE/DT 11
50 Richard Hudson 5'8" 200 OL/DL 10
51 Andrew Tumaniszwilli 5'11" 180 OL/LB 11
53 Jordan Walker 5'11" 220 CT 12
54 Brooks Timmons 5'10" 200 OL/PT 10
55 William Alderman 6'3" 225 OL/LB 12
58 Malcolm Hudson 5'10" 210 OL/DL 11
60 Jake Johnson 5'11" 190 OL/DL 10
65 Kentedric Walker 6'1" 215 DT 11
66 Joseph Bachand 5'9" 150 OL/DL 11
67 Kyle LoParco 6'2" 225 OG/DT 10
72 Austin Neff 6'2" 260 OG 11
77 Derek Moore 6'0" 225 OT 12
78 Davone McRae 5'9" 198 OG/DT 12
81 Luigi Bisconti 6'2" 180 WR/FS 12
82 Matt Noark 5'9" 150 WR/DB 11

Head Coach: John Palmer (3rd Year: 10-10 overall)
Assistant Coaches: Mark Beach, Shawn Bingham, Tom Bronson,
Calvin Brown, Rob Bryson, Rodney Byrd, Brent Gaustad,
Steve Johnson, Mark Latsko, Andrew Timmons.

2010 Hernando Leopards Football Schedule
Head Coach - John Palmer (3rd Year)

Date Opponent Site Time
09-03 Spring Hill-Springstead* Home 7:30 p.m.
09-10 Lecanto Away 7:30 p.m.
09-17 Bye
09-24 Crystal River+ Away 7:30 p.m.
10-01 Dunnellon+ Home 7:30 p.m.
10-08 Tavares+^ Home 7:30 p.m.
10-15 Leesburg+ Away 7:30 p.m.
10-22 Eustis+ Home 7:30 p.m.
10-29 Citrus+ Away 7:30 p.m.
11-05 Brooksville-Nature Coast*+ Away 7:30 p.m.
11-12 Brooksville-Central* Home 7:30 p.m.
11-19 1st Round FHSAA Playoffs TBA 7:30 p.m.
^ Denotes Homecoming Game
* Denotes Hernando County game
+ Denotes Class 3A, District 6 game