Last Friday’s results from the Class 5A region quarterfinals was the last couple of games for any Hernando County teams remaining. Between Hernando and Nature Coast, who had to travel on the road to Baker County High School, both teams left everything on the field in the final 48 minutes of their respective 2017 campaigns.
Hernando between the two postseason teams had the best chance of pulling off a victory and the Leopards were pretty darn close to notching one of the bigger upsets in the state over Green Cove Springs Clay. The Leopards (7-3) rolled up over 300 yards of offense against the Blue Devils’ vaunted defense, led by running back Ygenio Booker, who accounted for 201 total yards and three touchdowns on the night.
The 41-37 loss to Clay stung for Hernando, however, as it presented what might’ve been the program’s best chance at picking up the school’s first postseason victory since a 35-18 win over Inverness Citrus back in 1997 under then coach Bill Browning, who is now currently at Sunlake High School. Hernando coach Bill Vonada was tasked with one of the toughest gigs in the county and that was to take a tailspinning program back into the ranks of respectibility and the former Springstead lead man has done that and then some.
“Game was a tight one, even though many people picked us to get blown out,” Vonada said. “(Ygenio) Booker had a good game rushing and receiving, and Israel Fields and David (Hale) Bronson both ran well. Boston Tafelski ran the option very well.”
“All of this done with two new starters in freshman William Bartz and linebacker Jacob Butts on the offensive line due to injury and a family trip. Had a lead in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t quite hold on. Very proud of the effort of the guys; impressed by their ability and willingness to fight through adversity.”
The cupboard is nowhere near bare, though, for the Leopards as they return several key contributors from this year’s playoff team. Quarterback Boston Tafelski has another year at the helm and was instrumental to running the offense. The junior threw for 635 yards and 11 touchdowns to just two interceptions. Running backs Israel Fields (803 yards) and David Hale Bronson (298 yards) both are slated to be back for their senior campaigns.
Taking a look around the county, Nature Coast should be right back in the thick of things in terms of remaining one of Hernando County’s top teams. The Sharks have a slew of skill players back, including quarterback Fabian Burnett and running back Michael Weston. Nature Coast fell 34-7 to Baker County, but should be back in the mix.
First-year Weeki Wachee coach Jacob Gray did an admirable job coming from Jacksonville Bolles, leading the Hornets to three wins on the season. The Hornets went 0-10 in 2016. Gray has Weeki Wachee on the right track and the Hornets should continue to see growth.
Springstead had another solid campaign under Mike Garafano, even though the Eagles didn’t qualify for the postseason out of Class 6A, District 6. The Eagles finished 7-3 and will be a contender for the district crown in 2018 with returners like running backs Nathan Sims and Adrian Fribley.
Central continued to make strides under Chris Sands, who has the Bears competitive week in and week out. The Bears nearly pulled off an upset victory over Nature Coast on Oct. 3 in a 28-26 loss. With Sands at the helm, the Bears will be a team to watch for going into th off-season and heading into spring.
