SPRING HILL- The prep football season in Hernando County is all over and the middle school season just concluded with one team running away with county bragging rights.
The Explorer K-8 Bobcats just completed an undefeated season, according to head coach Billy Hughes, as they ran the table at 6-0 and claimed the Hernando County middle school championship. Hughes and his program had themselves a very dominant season, outscoring opponents 234-26 during the 2020 campaign.
“This team will simply go down as one of the best teams ever in Hernando County middle school history,” Hughes said. “One of the best defenses you will ever see. Teams did not want to play us and (teams are) very lucky there wasn’t any type of playoff system this year for us middle school teams. Teams don’t want to see us again.”
The confidence from Hughes comes from the dominance the Bobcats dictated throughout the regular season. Explorer K-8 had some big victories, as they knocked off Parrot Middle School 50-0, marking their first loss in two years, 45-12 over Challenger, and cruised by Powell 27-8. It was a very successful season for Hughes and Explorer K-8 and he made sure to credit every coach and athlete within the program.
“We gave Powell their first lost in 2 years,” Hughes added. “I am very lucky to have such a great coaching staff, they made a huge difference. Very thankful for them. Great group of student-athletes we had, every day they came into practice and worked harder than the day before. They had 1 goal in mind and that was to get that banner in the gym. A special group of kids that I will never forget.”
In a year that has been marred with the coronavirus pandemic that is still sweeping the country and forcing many restrictions in several states, fortunately, Hernando County’s middle schools were able to have their entire season take place and it ended with Explorer K-8 taking home the county championship.
Andy Villamarzo can be reached at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @avillamarzo.
