In decades of sanctioned FHSAA play, encompassing at times six different high schools, Hernando County had only managed to produce two teams with 10-0 regular seasons. The first time came long ago, in 1949 when Hernando High finished with that mark, back in the days before the state playoffs. Then in 2008, Hernando Christian Academy finished off 10-0, collecting a Sunshine State Athletic Conference title but unable to advance to the postseason as an independent. On Friday night in Groveland-South Lake, Nature Coast joined that exclusive club, defeating the host Eagles, 57-21, to end the regular season at 10-0.
“I think the biggest thing is it’s something to be in our back pocket going into the playoffs,” Nature Coast head coach Justin Worden said. “I told the kids enjoy it and once we watched film (Saturday), it’s over. “I’m sure in time it’s something they’ll remember 20-30 years down the road. It’s a great accomplishment for the kids.”
Of course for the Sharks, who were ranked seventh in this past week’s Class 5A Associated Press state poll, there’s still work to be done. It starts with a first-round playoff tilt against Zephyrhills this coming Friday, taking place at Shark Tank Stadium with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. With the specter of the postseason hanging over the team’s head, Worden admits the reality of a perfect regular season hasn’t sunk in yet. “Being 10-0 in the regular season, it’s great but it puts a target on your back,” Worden said. “It forces them to stay sharp and dialed in this week.”
As he’s done all season, senior running back DeShawn Smith was dominant for the Sharks on Friday. He carried the ball 18 times for 347 yards and six touchdowns, and caught three passes for 29 yards and another score. Remarkably, that’s the fourth time this season he has surpassed 300 yards on the ground (he’s been over 290 two other times) and the third game in which he has scored at least seven touchdowns. His season totals are now 2,789 rushing yards and 52 touchdowns, 47 of those via the run. For his prep career, he’s at 5,072 rushing yards and 78 touchdowns, 70 on the ground. He now holds both single-season and career county records for touchdowns.
Meanwhile, the remainder of the county squads finished out their seasons on Friday. Springstead won its third in a row, 47-28 at Weeki Wachee. The Eagles, who have averaged 47 points in those three victories, finished at 4-5 overall. Junior T.J. Owens ran for 199 yards on just eight carries and scored four touchdowns, one of them receiving. “Guys got to look at this and be like, ‘Man, how good can we be next year?’ Nine of 11 returning offensive starters on a team that’s averaging 50 a game the last three weeks and moved the ball all season long,” Springstead head coach Mike Garofano said. “And defensively, we’re only going to get better. Not to mention a 6-0 JV team. There’s a good nucleus coming back. The foundation’s there but they’ve got to work hard in the offseason.”
Senior Shawn O’Gorman caught six passes for 89 yards and ran for another 55 yards, to go along with two rushing touchdowns for the Hornets (4-6). “The one good thing is our kids never quit. They kept going, kept fighting, kept clawing,” Weeki Wachee head coach Mark Lee said. “Definitely got us going in a much better direction than we were in previous years. We’ve just got to keep on going, keep getting better. The kids realize the offseason is going to be big. We’ve got a lot of seniors we’ve got to replace. We’ve got our work cut out for us but I think we’ve got a crew that will step up to the challenge.”
Central couldn’t hold a 13-0 lead and fell at Anclote, 21-13. The Bears (3-7) were led by De’Vonta Smith, rushing 36 times for 249 yards, and Manny Scott with two receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown. The junior Smith ended his spectacular year with 2,193 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns.
In volleyball, Weeki Wachee’s postseason run came to a close with Tuesday’s loss in the Class 5A, Region II final at Ponte Vedra, 25-27, 25-19, 27-25, 25-13. The Lady Hornets (23-8) were led by Miranda Werkmeister with 18 kills and 16 digs, along with Sarah Asbury (35 assists) and Zoe Murchio (28 digs). This season produced a team record for wins, plus the first district title and regional victories for Weeki Wachee. “If we took the third game, I think we’d have been able to beat them,” Weeki Wachee head coach Kelly Werkmeister said. “Other than that, I think the girls had a phenomenal season. You can’t be upset about it. Did we want it to be over? No. Did we get to see our girls give their best game (on Tuesday)? No. We definitely didn’t show up (Tuesday) night… Still to make it as far as we did, you can’t complain about that.”
On Saturday, the FHSAA Finals for cross country were held at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee.
In the boys 2A race, Hernando High came in 19th with a score of 478. Trevor Foley came in 79th (17:56.28), followed by Ryan Bell (80th, 17:56.29), Chaz Steinkamp (109th, 18:29.27), Tyler Pantley (145th, 19:20.83) and Ross Stalcup (148th, 19:27.43). Foley’s time was well off his normal pace thanks to a virus that nearly kept him out of the race entirely, according to Hernando coach David Wilson. “He didn’t run what he’s capable of. Even if he ran his PR (personal record), we’d have gotten 15th instead of 19th,” Wilson said. “So I’m pleased. We basically ran what we usually do. He was slower, but everyone else did what they usually do.”
In the girls 2A race, Central senior Kylyn Burbine came in 53rd (21:06.08). Springstead senior Allen Keister was 55th in the 3A boys race (17:06.62).
Also Saturday, Springstead senior Trey Patterson represented Hernando County in the swimming FHSAA Finals at Sailfish Splashpark Aquatic Athletics Center in Stuart, competing in the 2A meet. He reached the consolation finals of the 50-yard freestyle, placing 14th with a 22.47.