hernando-throttles-central-ar-289324
BROOKSVILLE –
The 21st meeting between Central and Hernando at Tom Fisher Memorial Stadium will never be regarded as a work of art.
In a sloppy game featuring a combined 23 penalties and nine turnovers, the Leopards (9-1) earned its first undisputed Hernando County football championship since 2002 by throttling visiting Central (2-8), 51-0.
Besides improving to 13-8 lifetime against the Bears, the Leopards claimed their 19th county title.
HHS closed out regular season play on a six-game win skein – its best since 1997 – despite losing two fumbles and suffering from a game-high 16 penalties for 119 yards.
Additionally, the Purple and Gold posted back-to-back shutouts for the first time since 1991’s 28-0 nod at Crystal River followed by a 67-0 blitz at Hudson.
“I thought we played really hard again on defense,” explained HHS’ third-year skipper John Palmer, who improved to 3-0 versus CHS. “Any time you get a shutout and score that many points it’s a great win.
“When your defense plays the way we have, you can be successful,” added Palmer. “Tonight, we scored points on offense, defense and special teams.”
Biggest positives?
“I thought our kicker (Andres Pinzon) kicked well,” replied Palmer. “He hit all his extra points, plus a field goal and had four touchbacks. Our coverage units were good and we returned a kick. Offensively, penalties hurt our rhythm.”
And the county championship?
“This senior class doesn’t have great numbers, but it has quality,” admitted Coach Palmer. “We’re gonna struggle without their leadership on and off the field next year. We’re gonna have trouble replacing these guys (senior leaders).
“Tonight was an outstanding tribute to be county champions in their last home game,” Palmer said. “It’s a nice reward. It’s something to be very proud of.”
Many contributors
On the plus side, the county’s defending Player of the Year, senior running back Alvin Delaine III had a quiet night. Delaine, who was one of 10 ball carriers utilized by the hosts, rushed eight times for a game-high 102 yards.
Delaine’s evening was punctuated by his county-leading 22nd touchdown of the season on a highlight reel 62-yard, second-quarter score.
As HHS rotated three quarterbacks (Cleve Pope, Tyrail Hawkins and Rashaad Hart), senior fullback Marlin Smith chipped in 16 carries for 96 yards and two touchdowns (2, 1 yards – his third and fourth TDs of the season).
Junior DeMarcus “Scooter” Maner compensated for a lost fumble with four carries for 29 yards and his fifth touchdown of the year (15 yards) to close out a 24-point second quarter that mushroomed a first-quarter 7-0 cushion to 31-0 at halftime.
Freshman Jeremiah Jackson, who was in on several tackles on defense, added 14 yards on three carries including his first-ever varsity touchdown from six yards out in the fourth quarter.
Defensively, the Purple Haze stretched its scoreless streak to 11 quarters behind back-to-back shutouts.
HHS, which came in with 23 turnovers (plus five blocked kicks), forced Central into seven turnovers and a net 101 yards on 50 plays or just over two yards per snap.
CHS senior quarterback Josh Burkhardt was harassed all night by defensive ends Thomas and Robert Hill Bronson and defensive tackles William Alderman and Malcolm Hudson.
Hudson was a particular pest sacking Burkhardt twice as he finished with six rushes for a minus-19 yards. All told, CHS did not record one first down via the rush and finished with a minus-4 rushing yards on 23 attempts.
Through the air, Burkhardt was forced into a 10-for-27 effort for 105 yards against a season-high four interceptions.
“We prepared hard for this game,” explained the 16-year-old Hudson. “And yes, we kinda overlooked them early on. We finished well when we brought it all together.”
What’s the main focus now?
“North Marion,” answered Hudson. “It’s a huge game. Any time you suit up for the playoffs it’s huge. I can’t wait.”
Wilson rules
All-County defensive back, senior Derek Wilson, probably had the game of his life.
On offense, Wilson rushed once for 15 yards. On defense, he recovered a lateral on the third snap of the game and returned it 19 yards for a score.
Additionally, Wilson swiped two passes and returned a Devon Emery fourth-quarter punt 56 yards for a touchdown. Sophomore O’Mar Hawkins decleated Devin Foglio for a highlight reel block in front of the home bench and fans to spring Wilson.
“On first touchdown the ball went right through his hands and hit the turf,” recalled the 18-year-old Wilson. “In college everybody picks those up and runs it in. I never heard a whistle so I picked up the ball and kept running. I’ll take it.”
Will Wilson ever forget his last home game at Tom Fisher Stadium?
“It was awesome,” smiled Wilson. “It’s a like a dream. I wanted to go out like this. I think early in the game we overlooked them (Central), but then we straightened up. Even with the penalties, we played hard. Our focus is now on the North Marion Colts. I know I definitely want to continue playing.”
Besides Wilson, senior Sam Adams and sophomore Darren Hambrick each notched interceptions while juniors Zach Sullivan and Terrence Owens recovered fumbles.
On special teams, junior placekicker Andres Pinzon, an All-County performer in 2009, snapped out of a recent funk by converting 6-of-6 point-after kicks, burying his only field goal try from 42 yards and blasting a season-high four kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks.
Central’s highlights featured fumble recoveries by senior defenders Zach Merrill and Mike Bailey while senior TE Josh Colon snared six Burkhardt passes for a season-high 75 yards.
Hernando 51, Central 0
Qtr. Scoring 1 2 3 4
CEN 0 0 0 0 –0
HER 7 24 0 20 –51
Individual Scoring:
HER – Wilson 19 fumble recovery (Pinzon kick).
HER – Smith 2 run (Pinzon kick).
HER – Delaine 62 run (Pinzon kick).
HER – Pinzon 42 FG.
HER – Maner 15 run (Pinzon kick).
HER – Smith 1 run (Pinzon kick).
HER – Jackson 6 run (Pinzon kick).
HER – Wilson 56 punt return (Delaine run fails).
CEN HER
First Downs 10 10
Atts./Rushing Yds. 23-(minus-4) 44-181
Comp./Pass Atts./Int. 10-27-4 2-5-0
Passing Yds. 105 16
Total Offense 50-101 49-197
Fumbles/Lost 3-2 4-2
Return Yards 4-22 4-161
Punts/Avg. 4-33.8 2-38.0
Penalties 7-55 16-119
All-Time Hernando County Football Championships
– Compiled by TONY CASTRO
Year School Coach Record
1978 Brooksville-Hernando Wood, Chuck 1-0
1979 Brooksville-Hernando Palmer, Dub 1-0
1980 Brooksville-Hernando Palmer, Dub 1-0
1981 Brooksville-Hernando Palmer, Dub 1-0
1982 Brooksville-Hernando Palmer, Dub 1-0
1983 Brooksville-Hernando Moxley, Ben 1-0
1984 Brooksville-Hernando Hemmond, George 1-0
1985 Brooksville-Hernando Turner, Vernon 1-0
1986 Brooksville-Hernando Turner, Vernon 1-0
1987 Brooksville-Hernando Turner, Vernon 1-0
1988 Brooksville-Hernando Imhoff, Mike 1-0
1989 Brooksville-Hernando Imhoff, Mike 1-0
1990 Brooksville-Hernando Imhoff, Mike 2-0
1991 Brooksville-Hernando Imhoff, Mike 2-0
1992 Brooksville-Hernando Imhoff, Mike 2-0
1993 Spring Hill-Springstead Browning, Bill 2-0
1994 NA 1-1
1995 Spring Hill-Springstead Browning, Bill 2-0
1996 Spring Hill-Springstead McCoy, Pat 2-0
1997 Spring Hill-Springstead McCoy, Pat 2-0
1998 Brooksville-Central Crognale, Steve 2-0
1999 Brooksville-Hernando Browning, Bill 2-0
2000 Brooksville-Hernando Browning, Bill 2-0
2001 Brooksville-Central Crognale, Steve 2-0
2002 Brooksville-Hernando Browning, Bill 2-0
2003 Spring Hill-Springstead Vonada, Bill 2-0
2004 Spring Hill-Springstead Vonada, Bill 2-0
2005 Spring Hill-Springstead Vonada, Bill 3-0
2006 Brooksville-Central Lohrey, Cliff 2-1
2006 Brooksville-NCT Joyner, Jamie 2-1
2007 Brooksville-Central Lohrey, Cliff 3-0
2008 Spring Hill-Springstead Vonada, Bill 2-1
2008 Brooksville-NCT Joyner, Jamie 2-1
2009 Brooksville-NCT Lee, Mark 3-0
2010 Brooksville-Hernando Palmer, John 3-0
–33–
County Football Championships
School Titles
Brooksville-Hernando 19
Spring Hill-Springstead 8
Brooksville-Central 4
Brooksville-NCT 3
