Game of the Week

Four games are on the slate this Friday night when Hernando County football teams take the field and among all of the matchups taking place, the most intriguing one looks to be over in Weeki Wachee. That’s where the undefeated Nature Coast Sharks will travel to face the improving Weeki Wachee Hornets in a game that has shaped up into being a competitive contest. The last time Nature Coast and Weeki Wachee stepped on the field together was in 2019, when the Sharks came away with an easy 42-0 victory. Nature Coast is coming off a very close call in a 28-21 victory over Crystal River. Weeki Wachee played Crystal River and lost just 7-0. The Hornets are coming off a 34-12 win over Tampa Bay Christian Academy. We take a closer look at the matchup between Nature Coast and Weeki Wachee. 
 
Playoffs loom right around the corner 
Both Nature Coast and Weeki Wachee are slated for postseason matchups, as the Sharks will face-off against Orlando Bishop Moore and the Hornets will take on nearby Zephyrhills. Both teams are gearing up for their initial first-round matchups and are playing some of their best football so far. The Sharks are undefeated at 6-0 with solid play on defense and a well-balanced offense, they could see themselves in a tight one with Bishop Moore. Over in Weeki Wachee, the Hornets are preparing for a talented Bulldogs team and the Sharks provide a good look. 
 
Fahey playing good at quarterback 
When mostly anything that has to do with Nature Coast’s offense has to do with its strong run game, this season has seen a resemblance of balance on that side of the ball. Fahey has much to do with that, as he has thrown for nearly 500 yards and has eight touchdowns against just one interception. Yes, the Sharks have still run for a lot of yards. 1,212 of them in fact and 14 touchdowns as well, but combined with a timely passing game, this offense is dangerous either through the air and on the ground. 
 
Hornets keep getting better 
Since the 35-0 loss to Hernando, there’s no doubt Weeki Wachee has been playing some of the best football among any Hernando County school. The Hornets defeated Springstead and then nearly upended Lecanto and Crystal River in back to back weeks. Credit has to be given to head coach Chris Cook and his staff, as this bunch wasn’t given too much of a chance after a down year in 2019. Instead, the Hornets have given most teams a good fight and an ever-changing mentality at Weeki Wachee has much to do with it. 
 
Andy Villamarzo can be reached at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @avillamarzo.