Three things we learned1. Nature Coast is tough. The Sharks gave up 21 consecutive points to lose to Crystal River by a score in the opener. They struggled in Week 2 in a 46-7 loss to Fleming Island. Give Nature Coast credit for battling back to knock off Dunnellon. That ...
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Sat. Sept. 15, 2012 at 4:14 p.m. | Matt Baker
BROOKSVILLE — Lecanto overwhelmed Central 26-13 with a strong offensive performance Friday night. Lecanto amassed 354 yards of total offense compared to Central's 194. Central got on the board first when Jamarcus Hayes intercepted a Lecanto pass and returned it to the 34-yard line. The Bears converted off the turnover ...
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Fri. Sept. 14, 2012 at 8:34 p.m. | Joseph Kornecki III
BROOKSVILLE — When college recruiters ask to see the highlight reel for Central’s do-everything athlete Quadavis Battle, the senior doesn’t hand over a link to a slickly produced, 10-minute video masterpiece complete with professional editing and a hip-hop soundtrack. In fact, Battle’s highlights last just seven plays and can be ...
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Thu. Sept. 13, 2012 at 2:31 p.m. | Bryan Burns
The Grab Bag is getting bigger and bigger, and you don't need to do any panning to find the nuggets here. The're everywhere. And do not EVER forget, people: Big bank take 'lil bank. P.S. Coaches, players, fans, parents, to reach the Grab Bag, and you should, email cotey@tampabay.com or ...
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Wed. Sept. 12, 2012 at 12:46 p.m. | John C. Cotey
North Suncoast Super 7 1. Pasco (1-0): The Pirates regain the top spot, bouncing back from a preseason loss to Hernando to demolish Land O'Lakes. 2. Springstead (2-0): It's early, but the Eagles have been one of Tampa Bay's most impressive teams. Can they keep it up? 3. Mitchell (2-0): Ditto. 4. Sunlake ...
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Sat. Sept. 08, 2012 at 7:27 p.m. | Matt Baker
For the first time since October 2010, Central players celebrated victory on the gridiron with Friday night's 28-17 win at Wildwood.With Central down 10-6, Cole Teater came in for a second straight week to relieve starting quarterback Cody Brooks when a hard hit sent the sophomore to the hospital. Teater ...
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Fri. Sept. 07, 2012 at 8:52 p.m. | Derek J. LaRiviere
BROOKSVILLE — The first offensive play in Weeki Wachee varsity history was a fumbled quarterback-center exchange recovered by Central. So, too, was its second offensive play. What didn’t slip out of the Hornets’ grasp, however, was the program’s first victory. After falling behind early 7-0, Weeki Wachee scored 33 unanswered ...
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Sat. Sept. 01, 2012 at 1:16 a.m. | Bryan Burns
BROOKSVILLE — Despite the final score, a 40-7 loss to Zephyrhills, there was a marked improvement seen from Central in Friday's preseason classic.Mike Einspahr, entering his third season as Central coach, has been preaching about a culture change since he arrived, and for the first time in his tenure there ...
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Fri. Aug. 24, 2012 at 8:42 p.m. | Derek J. LaRiviere
It’s easy to focus on who hasn’t been around Central’s program. Numbers are down, thanks in part to the opening of Weeki Wachee, from about 90 the last two years to 72 this August. And one of those key departures is Brandon Miller, one of the North Suncoast’s top kickers, ...
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Wed. Aug. 08, 2012 at 4:43 p.m. | Matt Baker
We’re breaking down a football district a day — from 2A to 8A. Today: Class 6A-6. Teams Listed in order of 2011 finish with overall/district record 1. Hernando (8-3, 7-0) 2. Sunlake (10-2, 6-1) 3. Nature Coast (6-4, 5-2) 4. River Ridge (7-3, 4-3) 5. Mitchell (6-4, 3-4) 6. Springstead ...
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Fri. July 27, 2012 at 12:04 p.m. | Matt Baker
After a one-month hiatus because of weather and holidays, the Hernando and Pasco County 7-on-7 League resumed Tuesday at Springstead. The programs that attended included the Eagles, Hernando, Hudson, Nature Coast, Fivay, and Central. Players to watch Connor Ross, LB, Springstead: A state wrestling finalist, Ross made an big impact ...
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Wed. July 18, 2012 at 9:26 a.m. | Derek J. LaRiviere
At Dixie Hollins Score: Dixie Hollins 41, Central 0 Spring game-breakers: The Rebels dominated on both sides of the football. The offense ran for 340 yards while the defense held the Bears to negative 13 yards of offense and forced five turnovers. … Demondre Lambert led Dixie Hollins with 165 ...
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Fri. May 25, 2012 at 10:50 p.m. | Nathan Cowan
After a few warmups last week, most North Suncoast football teams play their spring games or jamborees Thursday or Friday. Here’s a quick primer on the teams, players and positions to follow as spring practice concludes. Five intriguing teams Fivay: The Falcons were one of Tampa Bay’s best stories last ...
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Wed. May 23, 2012 at 1:12 p.m. | Matt Baker
BROOKSVILLE - Last season Central coach Mike Einspahr spent all spring and most of the fall trying to develop then-quarterback Cole Teater and install his offense with a group of young players. Then Teater went down with a back injury that sidelined him much of the season. The list of ...
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Fri. May 04, 2012 at 5:49 p.m. | Times Staff
Central lineman Josh Hughes figured his chances of playing college football ended in the summer, when his high school career was cut short by a preseason knee injury. Hard work by Hughes and his coaches kept his dream alive. Hughes, a 6-foot-3, 192-pound senior, signed with the University of Minnesota-Crookston ...
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Wed. March 07, 2012 at 9:35 a.m. | Matt Baker