Central snaps 20-game losing skid
For the last 20 games, the Central Bears have taken the field only to be defeated.
Going into Friday’s game without six Week 1 starters, including John Templar and Emmanuel Scott, who were suspended for their ejections last week against The Villages, things didn’t look good for the Hernando County squad.
To further complicate things, Chris Hernandez, the Bears’ other starting linebacker besides Tempalr, came down with strep throat Thursday night and was not able to play either.
Despite all of that, Central took the field and beat Poinciana at the Bears’ Den, 21-14.
“I’m so proud of our guys tonight,” said first-year Bears head coach Chris Sands, celebrating his first coaching victory. “It’s great for our fans, administration and our guys.”
Riding the hot hand of quarterback Cody Brooks, and his newfound chemistry with Nature Coast transfer Ryan McCane, Central (1-2) abandoned the game plan of a run-heavy offense it had coming into this game.
“We had a game plan to come out and run the ball, and the passing lanes just opened up,” Sands said. “Cody was awesome, he threw for two touchdowns without turning it over and that’s all you can ask for as a head coach.”
While the offense was connecting in full force, Sands couldn’t stop talking about how proud he was of his defense, and the guys who stepped in when their numbers were called.
“I’m so proud of this team,” Sands said. “We had guys who don’t always get the reps and minutes they need in games and practices come in today and make plays. It was huge for us to come out and get those kind of performances. I can sit here and name names all night.”
One name he did mention was that of McCane, who isn’t a defender by trade, but stepped up when his coach needed him.
“Man, Ryan McCane was huge for us tonight,” Sands said. “He caught two touchdowns, and played well on defense. By the end of the second quarter the kid was soaking wet playing both ways, but he stepped up.”
The victory, Central’s first on the field since Sept. 7, 2012 at Wildwood, will give the Bears much-needed momentum heading into their first district game against Nature Coast next week.
Poinciana (0-3) defeated Central last year, but later forfeited the game, technically giving the Bears a victory during their recent skid.
“We finally brought the buzz back to Central,” Sands said. “Central prides itself on winning games consistently. As good as this one is, our goal is to win a district championship and make the playoffs.
“Ever since our staff got here in January there has been a buzz around here about what we were going to do. Well now that we won, the campus will be buzzing as well as the community.”
Sands also pointed to the season-opening loss to Hudson as a turning point for his team.
“We are teaching our guys how to win,” Sands said. “After the preseason game (a 14-9 win at Williston) they didn’t know how to win, they were riding high and then the loss to Hudson happened. I look at that as a turning point. Now we know how to win and what we need to do to keep winning.”
Nature Coast (0-2), who lost to Springstead Friday night, 23-20, will not be an easy turnaround for the Bears, but Sands feels confident his squad will be ready to go come Friday.
“They have a great team, well-coached and have a lot of athletes,” Sands said. “Tomorrow, the coaches will review the film and come up with a game plan. Come Friday when those lights come on, our guys will be ready to go out there.”
