With prep spring football in its third week into practices throughout the state of Florida, we take a closer look at each of Hernando County’s five programs in the weeks leading into the spring games. The next team we take a look at is Springstead, which heads into its sixth season under the watch of head coach Mike Garofano. The Eagles finished 6-3 last season with Garofano at the helm and just narrowly missed out on reaching the postseason. The Eagles head into the spring under Garofano hoping to fine tune one of the top rushing attacks around and solidifying an already impressive stable of running backs. We now take a closer look at Springstead for this close up in spring prep football.
Take your pick
Is it a little crowded in Springstead’s backfield? Not a bad problem to have for Garofano and his staff, with backs like Nathan Sims and Adrian Fribley lining up against opposing defenses. Both were key components to the Eagles’ offense in the fall and should see their respective workloads increase. Max O’Rourke should see plenty of time at the quarterback position, even though Sims showed signs of being able to play the position on an every down basis. Though Randy Morgan graduated, best believe Springstead still has one of the better backfields around.
Motivation heavy this spring
No team felt the impact of the FHSAA’s new playoff format like Springstead did in 2017. After finishing as the runner-up to New Port Richey Mitchell in Class 6A, District 6, the Eagles were left out in the cold of not qualifying for the Class 6A postseason. The importance of winning the district is now more important than ever, with that being the only way to guarantee a berth in the postseason. It should be no surprise that the Eagles will have a chip on their shoulders all throughout the spring and heading into summer workouts. If there’s one thing not lacking, motivation should be it.
Cabrera controlling the middle
Springstead linebacker Adrian Cabrera came onto the prep football scene in 2017 as a sophomore on a mission. Cabrera was one of the top linebackers in Hernando County, racking up 114 tackles playing in the middle and he will be counted on once again to make sure runners think twice before running up the middle. At 6-foot, 200-plus pounds, Cabrera has the ideal size at his position along with good speed and tackling ability. He’ll head up a defensive unit that compiled 17 sacks and seven interceptions last fall. The Eagles found themselves a bonafide three-year varsity starter in Cabrera.
