Don’t look now, but there’s a little bit of intrigue that’s developing all the way up on the Nature Coast. Although the county was dominated by Nature Coast Tech last season and their magical run through the season featuring the State of Florida’s Mr. Football, Deshawn Smith, there’s a chance we could see much improvement from the other four of the schools in the county giving it a very competitive feel. We now look a little closer at Hernando County and bring you up to speed on the squads as they march through their spring season.
How they finished last season:
Brooksville Central (3-7)
Hernando (3-7)
Nature Coast Tech (12-1)* -district champions–regional finalists
Springstead (4-5)
Weeki Wachee (4-6)
Seven impact players that have departed:
Deshawn Smith – Nature Coast Tech
Hunter Rhineberger – Nature Coast Tech
Cass Cole – Nature Coast Tech
Emanuel Scott – Brooksville Central
Albon Jones – Brooksville Central
Shawn O’Gorman – Weeki Wachee
Christian Dowdell – Hernando
Eleven impact players that are returning:
De’vonta Smith – Brooksvile Central
Andre Timmons – Brooksville Central
Josh Rivera – Brooksville Central
David Hale Bronson – Hernando
Brian Haygood – Nature Coast Tech
Matthew Robinson – Nature Coast Tech
Jordan Wright – Springstead
Randy Morgan – Springstead
Demetrius Barry – Springstead
Alec Cromie – Weeki Wachee
Montae Bostick – Weeki Wachee
Putting all the records together, Hernando County was .500 overall at 26-26, Taking NCT out of the equation, the county was 14-25 overall. That said, the county comprehensively-speaking has plenty of talent to make that .500 record a reality and then some barring any bad luck. Starting with Nature Coast Tech, they’ll have to replace Mr. Football Deshawn Smith, but finding the chemistry upfront to replace the pair of Cass Cole and Hunter Rhineberger won’t be done overnight. Enter Brian Haygood into the equation. Last season, the 6-0/192-pounder “quietly” put up over 1,200 yards of offense from the QB and WR position while adding 78 tackles and three interceptions playing free safety and cornerback. We’ve mentioned it before, and we’ll say it again–the Sharks were more than Smith last season and although they’ll have pieces to replace, look no further than LB Matthew Robinson and his 142 tackles returning on the defense side to aid NCT immensely on the defensive side of things until the offense reaches its stride.
Central has no shortage of talent and after dealing with tragedy last season, could be the “surprise” team in the county this season. Running back/linebacker/mr. do-it-all De’vonta Smith (5-10/185) brings his 2,400 all-purpose yards plus 95 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions to the fold as well. Defensive tackle/nose guard Andre Timmons (6-0/305) is a name you have to pay attention to. Last season, Timmons posted 57 tackles and three sacks, but expect him to breakout in major way this season. Adding to the talent on the roster is linebacker Josh Rivera (6-2/225), who finished with 107 tackles, two sacks and an interception last season and makes the third Bears’ player to find themselves in the newly-minted Fire 79 rankings.
Hernando has to replace their top rusher Christian Dowdell–who, rushed for over 1,000 yards for the Leopards, but also must replace quality players Tyson Libengood and Tyler Quigley. They might have found a suitable replacement in freshman David Hale Bronson, who rushed for 265 yards and three touchdowns in just six games last season. The Leopards also have the luxury of their starting QB from 2015–Scott Bierwiler returning to the fold as well.
Springstead‘s top rusher–Dominique Walker–has transferred to Central, but the Eagles averaged 47 points per game to win three-straight at the end of their 2015 campaign after starting the season 1-5. The Eagles have voids to fill, but don’t lack for talent at their skill positions and with their offensive revelation at the end of last season, will mix-up their traditional triple-option offense with elements of the spread–which, obviously was very effective for QB Jordan Wright and company The Eagles were a combined 20-4 in 2012 and 2013, but have posted a 10-9 record the past two seasons.
Weeki Wachee returns QB Alec Cromie–who, eclipsed 2,000 yards passing last season for the Hornets, but Weeki will have to find a suitable replacement for the heart-and-soul of their squad–Shawn O’Gorman, who is off to FIU in the fall and will need someone to step up and fill the void that Devon Dupuis and his 153 tackles from last season. Perhaps the next man-up to fill O’Gorman’s roll is Montae Bostick.
Hernando County Spring Games:
Thursday, May 19th:
Anclote at Springstead
Friday, May 20th:
Brooksville Central at Boca Ciega
Hernando at Sunlake
Nature Coast Tech at Palm Harbor University
Wesley Chapel at Weeki Wachee