Article and Photography by ALICE MARY HERDEN
Despite the twenty times a yellow flag was thrown up in the air on Friday evening Sept. 27, 2019, both Weeki Wachee and Hernando High football teams excelled on one function- defense. If they didn’t, the scoreboard numbers would have been a whole other story.
“We have been all year pretty solid on defense,” coach Cook said. “ All those guys are really committed they want to get better. They are very positive, which is very difficult to do.”
Hornets’ John Mangarillo was the defensive line’s leading player against Hernando’s offense and Leopard Kev’on Williams accumulated enough rushing yards to reach the end zone for a 13-0 win over Weeki Wachee.
“The defense has always been our strength, and they have been carrying a little bit more as we try to develop a new offense,” coach Kazmier said.
For Hernando’s Friday night game on Oct 4, they face Springstead- the top team for Hernando County. With four days of prep work, the focus is going to be on the offense and fine-tuning game plans.
“Springstead is solid, and defensively we know we are tough, but we have to get our offense rolling,” coach Kazmier said.
Hernando’s third victory for the season makes their record that much stonger. For Weeki Wachee, there are five more games- which means five more chances to put a victory on the books.
“We go into every game with the belief that we can win any game that we play. We have ours coming, and the opportunity is going to be there,” coach Cook said. “I wouldn’t trade this group of kids for any football team in the state. I believe that we’re all here together for a reason, for a purpose.”
Upcoming games for the Hornets:
10/4 @ Anclote (2-4)
10/11 @ Nature Coast Tech (3-3)
10/18 @ Crystal River (2-4)
10/25 vs Central (3-3)
11/01 vs Northeast (4-0)
Upcoming games for the Leopards:
10/4 @ Springstead (5-0)
10/11@ Citrus (6-0)
10/18 vs Central (3-3)
10/25 vs Nature Coast Tech (3-3)
