Week 9 of the regular season for prep football in the state of Florida is set to begin this week and we here at the Hernando Sun want to give you the Hernando County reader all the insight you can get during the 2021 campaign. We will be doing a periodic Top 5 ranking poll of the five teams within Hernando County. We now take a look at the Hernando Sun Top 5 Prep Football Poll heading into Week 9 of the regular season.
No. 1 Nature Coast (4-2): We didn’t know basketball season arrived early but don’t tell that to Cory Johns and his football team. They put up basketball-type numbers when they faced district foe Hudson last week, defeating the Cobras 64-57 in an absolute shootout of a game. Let’s not forget about the fact that running back Christian Cromer went off by gaining 379 yards on 24 carries and scoring four touchdowns. Quarterback Ethan Fahey also joined in on the fun and rushed for 200 yards on 20 carries. Plenty of scoring was done and lots of yards were gained.
Up next: Zephyrhills
Pick: Zephyrhills
No. 2 Hernando (4-3): The Hernando Leopards have been the toughest team to gauge this season for a multitude of reasons. They have beaten Nature Coast and Springstead. We give them passing grades on being an in-county power but the moment they venture outside of that, forget about it. The Leopards have not faired so well against opponents outside of the county, with Hernando losing matchups to Zephyrhills, The Villages, and now Lakeland Kathleen. They’ll have this week off before stepping back on the field.
Up next: N/A
Pick: N/A
No. 3 Springstead (5-3): Mike Garofano’s group got back on track in the best possible fashion by scoring lots of points and notching a defensive shutout over Central 48-0. Now the Eagles have to take that momentum, swing it back around for a Thursday night matchup against Lecanto, which has been playing very good football this season. Oh, and if you’re bored on a Thursday night, yes Springstead will be traveling up north to face the Panthers. Do we have your attention yet? Eagles, Panthers, Thursday night football, oh my!
Up next: Lecanto
Pick: Springstead
No. 4 Weeki Wachee (0-7): If things were maybe starting to look up for the Weeki Wachee Hornets, we might have to re-think that for a moment. A 35-0 loss to Wesley Chapel at home wasn’t the best confidence builder for a Hornets team looking to get off the schneid and win a game. The Hornets suffered their third straight shutout loss and scoring points hasn’t exactly been the team’s strong suit. Weeki Wachee has scored only 16 points all season long.
Up next: Cypress Creek
Pick: Cypress Creek
No. 5 Central (0-8): Anyone would have to admit the Central Bears have been more competitive on the field under the watch of head coach Jim Pusateri but winning a game would go a long way for the program. The Bears are currently in the midst of a 21-game losing streak and have Umatilla and Citrus left on the schedule. Wins there will be tough for the Bears.
Up next: N/A
Pick: N/A
Andy Villamarzo can be reached at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @avillamarzo.
