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FOOTBALL
The Nov. 21 postseason playoff fog will get visibly clearer following tonight’s first-ever meeting between two schools that opened in the mid 70s – Candler-Lake Weir and Springstead – and have never faced each other.
The Marion County-based Hurricanes (4-1 overall, 1-0 4A-5) storm into town against the Eagles (2-3 overall, 1-0 4A-5) for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
Neither team is in a particularly festive mood.
The Eagles, who didn’t have a turnover for the first three weeks of the season, suffered five turnovers against previously winless Ridgewood as the Rams walked away with their first win of the season Friday night at Booster Stadium, 28-17.

Lake Weir: similar shoes

The Hurricanes share the Eagles’ pain.
A week ago, fourth-year Head Coach Mark Hinterthan’s crew stood a perfect 4-0 by smothering The Villages (43-35), Belleview (37-7), Ocala-Vanguard (45-42) and Brooksville-Central (42-21).
Against the winless Bears, Lake Weir built an early 28-0 cushion before a furious Bears’ rally cut it to 28-21.
During the win skein, the ‘Canes senior quarterback Tracy Curry mirrored his team’s ascent.
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound move-in from Orlando, seemed a lot like the Minnesota Vikings’ Brett Favre – on top of the world.
Through four games, Curry connected on 43-of-69 passes for 635 yards and three touchdowns against zero interceptions while rushing 41 times for 359 yards and three scores.
According to Hinterthan, who is in his second stint at Lake Weir, “Curry is our guy. He’s a D-I prospect and has gotten lots of offers,” he said. “He’s definitely a two-way threat. He’s the best all-round athlete I’ve ever coached. And Jenkins compliments him real well.”
Curry’s primary targets include 6-foot-2, 185-pound senior Kyle Whiteman (20 reps., 287 yards, 1 TD) and 6-foot-4, 210-pound Tamarrio Riley (8 reps, 118 yds.).
Junior tailback Deante Jenkins also excelled rushing 64 times for 334 yards and 10 touchdowns through four games – all wins.
But then came a reality check at the hands of the state’s No. 5 ranked Class 3A team, Citra-North Marion. The Colts trampled the ‘Canes, 45-6.
In the process, Curry, a legitimate two-way threat receiving a ton of D-I interest, came plummeting down to earth. His team suffered five turnovers in the loss at home to the neighborhood rival Colts.
Curry had his own nightmare. For the third straight game he fumbled (he’s lost fumbles in the past two games). Against the Colts, he had 14 carries for a minus-11 yards. He also struggled through the air clicking on 14-of-31 passes for his fifth straight 100-yard passing effort at a huge expense. He suffered his first two interceptions of the season.
Jenkins, who is one of seven ‘Canes suffering from the current flu bug, rushed twice for zero yards.
As of press deadline, Jenkins, the team’s No.2 rusher, remains a concern. He will not start against the Eagles. He’ll be replaced by junior Walter O’Neal. O’Neal, who will be going both ways for the Canes, is more than a capable backup rushing 42 times for 281 yards and three scores.
On defense, O’Neal paces the club with 3.5 sacks and two interceptions to go along with his 21 tackles.
Rover Vonkie Brewer is team’s leading tackler in the 3-3-5 scheme with 31 tackles.
But which Lake Weir team is coming Booster Stadium?
The one that is averaging nearly 35 points per game ravaged its first four opponents and reached the playoffs for the first time last fall (losing in the opening round to Ridgeview, 34-14)?
Or the squad that has three returning starters on a leaky defense that has permitted 30 points per game?
And isn’t the Lake Weir schedule a bit suspect?
The combined record of the ‘Canes first four opponents, appear more in line with pastries. Real soft. Opponents have a combined 8-15 won-lost mark, winning 35 percent of their games.
And even though Ridgewood is 1-4, the Springstead opponents have captured 45 percent of their games.
So, it would appear on paper, SHS has had a much more difficult schedule coming in.

Expectations?

“We’re trying to shore that up,” noted Coach Hinterthan of his defense. “We’re real young. We start one senior on that side of the ball. But that’s no excuse. Three of those guys played last year for us. We’ve had trouble with linebackers filling. Giving up 30 points a game is way too much.”
What’s Coach Hinterthan expect from Springstead?
“They’re a tough, scrappy group,” he commented. “That fullback (Devean Huff – 100 attempts, 525 yards, 6 TDs) is a little guy with great feet. We know we’ve got to stop that ‘lil rascal first.
“We’ve faced two triple option teams so far,” recalled Coach Hinterthan. “The first time we had some success, on the second we struggled.”
Anybody else impress the coaches?
“Springstead’s nose guard (Christian Quinones) is an exceptional player,” Hinterthan said. “He rivals any of the four linemen we faced with North Marion. We’re definitely going to have to double-team him.”
What’s the mindset coming to Spring Hill?
“This is a business trip,” replied Coach Hinterthan, who has never faced Springstead. “We started off 4-0 and last week we just didn’t play well. This week we went back to basics. We have to play assignment football and hopefully play a complete game.”

Eagles sans Emmerman

In perhaps the Eagles’ most pivotal game of the season, Springstead will be without the county’s best place kicker, sophomore Cody Emmerman. Emmerman, a returning starter on Sal Calabrese’s soccer team, hurt his leg in a weekend soccer tournament and will not play against Lake Weir.
Emmerman has been a pleasant surprise for the Eagles. He leads the county in scoring for kickers (21 points) connecting on 9-of-10 point-after kicks and 4-of-6 field goals.
Look for the 5-foot-5, 150-pound freshman Jordan Leathers, a junior varsity call-up, to replace Emmerman.
Besides the question at place kicker, can the Eagles afford to permit the 29 points per game they’ve allowed to date?
“Both Curry and Jenkins can make you pay,” explained Head Coach Bill Vonada, who is 57-59 lifetime. “All their backs run well downhill and run at shoulder pad level. We can’t give them an inch or they’ll take many, many more yards.”
“And we’ve got to clean up the turnovers,” stressed Coach Vonada. “Plus, we’ve got to negate, if not slow down, Lake Weir’s special teams and offense.
“To me, one the biggest keys is we can’t afford to allow them to jump out and take a big lead, and then play catch-up the rest of the night” he described. “Intensity-wise, we have to match them hit for hit and turn it into a four-quarter game.”

2009 WWJB (AM) 1450 “Game of the Week” Prep Football Schedule
Play-by-Play Announcer: Tony Castro (19th Year)
Color Commentator: Steve Imhoff
DATE GAME KICKOFF/RESULT
09-05 Hernando @ Springstead SPG W 26-25 (OT)
09-11 Nature Coast @ Springstead NCT W 38-9
09-18 Oviedo-Master’s Academy @ HCA MA W 19-12
09-25 Tavares @ Nature Coast NCT W 15-6
10-02 River Ridge @ Central RR W 28-16
10-09 Ocala-Lake Weir @ Springstead 7:30 p.m.
10-16 Leesburg @ Hernando 7:30 p.m.
10-23 Gainesville @ Central 7:30 p.m.
10-30 Inverness-Citrus @ Hernando 7:30 p.m.
11-06 Central @ Springstead 7:30 p.m.
11-13 Hernando @ Central 7:30 p.m.
11-20 1st Round FHSAA State Playoffs 7:30 p.m.
NOTE: Schedule is subject to change.