BROOKSVILLE- Just as a new head coach at Weeki Wachee is brought on board to take over the football program, the Hornets’ star quarterback has decided to take his talents elsewhere.
Weeki Wachee quarterback Vaughn Sykora has transferred to Nature Coast Technical High School, according to Sharks head coach Cory Johns. Johns said that Sykora arrived at the school last week unannounced and enrolled as a student. “It’s going to be a (quarterback) battle,” Johns said. “Competition never hurt anyone. Fabian (Burnett) made us really dangerous last year. Hard to give that up.” Sykora will battle with Burnett for the starting quarterback role this spring, which looks to be the top storyline heading into Hernando County spring football 2019. Burnett was the team’s starter in 2018 and helped guide the Sharks to their first-ever region final appearance in school history. Nature Coast fell to Citrus North Marion in the region final.
Burnett will be up against tall odds in facing Sykora for the starting role under center. Sykora threw for 1,785 yards and 21 touchdowns last fall, setting a county record for most touchdowns in a single season. Burnett was able to do it all at quarterback, throwing for 1,041 yards, 13 touchdowns and also rushed for 760 on the ground.
The Sharks are losing one of their top weapons on offense in running back Michael Weston, who graduates this spring. Weston rushed for nearly 3,000 yards and was the primary reason for Nature Coast’s success on offense. Whoever takes the starting nod will need to help fill the void left by Weston.
For the Hornets, they’re left with the cupboard looking half full with Sykora now out of the picture. Running back Sebastian Class was the team’s leading rusher with just over 700 yards for the season. Class graduates this spring, leaving another big void on offense. The leading yard getter for the Hornets, who is slated to return, is wide receiver, David Richards. He had 18 catches for 511 yards in 2018.
Weeki Wachee recently named former Moore Haven High School offensive coordinator Chris Cook as the school’s next head coach. Cook came from Moore Haven, which was predominantly a run-first team. The team rushed for over 260 yards a game and went 7-3 this past season. Cook has also coached at Sebring and Hardee County High Schools, respectively.
