GROVELAND- What seemed like so long ago, the last time Springstead was playing for a district championship was in the 2013 season, when the Eagles were able to break ground and reach the region finals.
Making school history was a moment etched into history for those that were apart of that special Eagles’ club. Springstead was able to go 11-2 on the season and won a couple playoff games against Inverness Citrus and Gainesville before falling to state powerhouse Seffner Armwood 41-0.
Now Springstead six years later stand a chance to once again make history and winning a district championship would go a long way in proving the Eagles belong in the discussion as one of the top teams in the Tampa Bay area. The Eagles were able to go on the road last week and defeat Groveland South Lake in a 42-24 victory.
With the victory, Springstead sets up the long awaited matchup for the Class 6A, District 5 championship against Lake Minneola, whom is currently 5-3. If the Eagles can pull off a victory over Lake Minneola, Springstead stands a great chance in possibly completing the school’s first 10-0 regular season.
Nature Coast 39, Inverness Citrus 14: It at one time looked like Nature Coast might not even make the playoffs after reaching the region final last season. The Sharks made sure to make an emphatic statement on the road when they took on an undefeated Citrus team. Nature Coast gave Citrus its first loss of the season, as the Sharks soundly defeated the Hurricanes 34-19 last Friday at the Citrus Bowl. With the victory for the Sharks, they all but clinch the Class 5A, District 7 championship. Now Nature Coast sets its sight on ending the regular season at 6-4 when they hit the road to face rival Hernando in a district battle.
Hernando 37, Central 8: The Leopards may be too far out of reach to make a run to reach the postseason, but Hernando still wants to make the most out of its last couple of games. Hernando was able to build a 37-0 lead and cruised to an easy 37-8 victory over Central Monday night. Armed with a 22-0 lead going into halftime of what was Hernando’s homecoming game, the Leopards made sure to put the clamps down on Central’s vaunted run game. One of the state’s leading rushers this season has been Central’s Contae Cason and he was able to help Central avoid a shutout by scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Hernando will host Nature Coast this week, with Central going on the road to face Weeki Wachee.
Andy Villamarzo can be reached at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter.
