With the 2020-2021 school year now coming to a close, spring football on the high school level is also wrapping up and each of Hernando County’s five public schools all took part in a scrimmage, jamboree or regular game against an opponent/opponents during the last couple of weeks. We were able to see which teams are looking strong and which ones are still getting everything together heading into the summer. Here are the results of each team’s spring game and the score.
Nature Coast 46, Clearwater Countryside 7: No Hernando County team impressed more in the preseason than Nature Coast. Facing a playoff team from the 2020 season, the Sharks made sure to put an exclamation point on the spring with a blowout victory over the Cougars. What some thought might be a good matchup, ended up being a runaway win for the Sharks.
New Port Richey Gulf 12, Central 0: The Buccaneers were a winless team in 2020 and had to fold their program towards the end of the 2019 campaign. Gulf might be heading back in the right direction, as they notched spring wins over host Central and visiting Mount Dora. The Bears were hoping to have a good showing, but struggled on offense.
Hernando 48, Umatilla 7; Hernando 14, Belleview 7: In the first spring for Earl Garcia III, the Leopards showed signs that they won’t be slowing down despite having to replace running back Contae Cason. The Leopards rolled to spring wins over Umatilla handily and Belleview. The Leopards are one of the county’s best teams and proved once again why they will be a threat once the fall season kicks off.
Springstead 14, Palm Harbor University 0: After what could be labeled a down year in football for the Eagles, the spring matchup ended on a positive note. The Eagles were able to shutout the Palm Harbor University Hurricanes, who were a playoff team just a year ago, to the tune of 14-0. Springstead had a very stout defense in 2020, but offense was more of the issue. Mike Garofano and his crew can head into the summer with positive vibes off the spring victory.
Braden River 21, Weeki Wachee 8; Inverness Citrus 14, Weeki Wachee 0: It was encouraging for the Hornets to compete against two talented programs, as Weeki Wachee fell to both Braden River and Inverness Citrus in a spring jamboree. Weeki Wachee defeated Citrus 25-0 during the 2020 season, but it was a totally different feeling this spring. Turnovers were a big issue for the Hornets and the Hurricanes took advantage. Braden River was 4-4 a year ago and narrowly got by Citrus 3-0, but easily got by Weeki Wachee.
Andy Villamarzo can be reached at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @avillamarzo.
