The Tampa Tribune from Tampa, Florida • 165

6- THE TAMPA TRIBUNE-TIMES, Sunday, September 4, 1 977 Offense The Key To 3rd Title For Hernando 'High BROOKSVILLE Will Hernando High School make it three straight Gulf Coast Conference football im WW. win If, A l4 championships? "It all depends on how quickly the offense matures," answered Leopard Head Football Coach 0 Chuck Wood. For the first time in several years there is talk about the Leopard dynasty coming to an end. Wood agrees that Hudson and Citrus will be very strong this year However, winning is a tradition at the local 3-A school. That is a plus for us, said Wood.

However, this is the most youth at Hernando High School in many a moon. I am not concerned with the defense, I I v7 I Mt f--rr amiimmm but we do have many questions about the offense, mainly in the line. "WE HAVE several people fighting for positions. Enthusiasm Running High At Land O'Lakes back Russ Wild applauds his teammates and new Coach John Benedetto. There is a great deal of potentional there.

But who knows how quickly they will come around? The schedule does favor us in the first four weeks of the season. The defense must do the job early in the year. Then when the offense comes around we will be able There May Be More To Cheer to hold our own in the area." Only 10 lettermen return this year. Two are on of- fense. They are running back Stanley Stephans and About Around Land O'Lakes strong tackle Tommy Tyre.

Junior Troy Hager will start at quarterback. The V', "At i '-T LAND O' LAKES There is a new coach at Land young man moved up from the junior varsity for the final game of the season in 1976 against Pasco. It was for all the marbles. Hager played like a seasoned vet O' Lakes this season John Benedetto, and if his Gators play with as much enthusiasm as he displays in eran and led the Leopards to a 24-14 win and the coaching them, there may be more to cheer about in central Pasco County than meets the eye in 1977. league title.

He also was impressive in the spring. Benedetto is a rookie headman, having worked as "WE DO have seven or eight running backs as good as anyone around," added Wood. "Thejr saw spot an assistant for two seasons under the now-departed -v'rr Dan Sikes. action last year and did very well in the spring. I "We've lost 20 seniors from last year's team," is know what they can do." his first comment on the LOL situation, "but we're not down and certainly not giving-up.

The defense again will be spearheaded by All-Area "WE'RE SMALL and a little green, but if we keep defensive halfback George Floyd, who has made The Tribune team the past two years. He will be joined in the secondary again this year by Rodney Byrd, Stephans, Al Fag in, Ronnie Wheeles and Gary Greer. "We will have a new nose guard and two new defen working together like we have so far, I think we are going to surprise a few people this year." Benedetto has 10 returning lettermen to work sive ends, but I am not worried about any part of the with this year, and one of them: Phil Teston was an all-area choice last season. defense. Wood added.

The 6-0, 170 pound senior will be at quarterback HERNANDO HAS lost one returning starter for the year in Don Harrison, a 6-2, 220-pounder who was this year not at wide-receiver as in 1976, and that change points-out the Gators' major weakness: an un-proven QB. detto confidently says. "They are small but can really block and hit. I'm not worried about them a bit." But after them, the Gators thin considerably, with Kevin Tinker (5-10, 155) the only other experienced inside man at offensive guard. Two other defensive ends return however, as both Mike Kottke (5-9, 160) and Tim Pickens (6-0, 175) lettered for LOL last season.

Two other non-lettermen bear watching in 1977 according to Benedetto. Angelo Algier is a (5-10, 165) senior wide receiver who has not played football before, but who has impressed the staff with his athletic ability. "HE IS one of the top athletes in the school," says Benedetto. "His athletic ability is outstanding. He will have his problems early, but by mid-season he should make our passing attack potent." And sophomore Steve Querns (5-8, 165) is another prospect that Benedetto feels will come into his own as the season unwinds.

"He is a student of the game," he says, "who will only get better as the season progresses. If he can develop, we may put Teston back at end with Algier, and then we could be rolling." Inexperience and lack of depth on the line are two major problems that could keep Benedetto's Gators inconsistent, although if the young talent comes through, the bearded first-year coach could have a memorable, upset-filled season ahead. LAND O'LAKES High 1976 record 5-5 Returning lettermen 10: QB Phil Teston; RB Ricky Baldwin, Russ Wild, David Usherwood, Ted Meade; OG Kevin Tinker; OT John Palmer, Will Shoemaker; DE Tim Pickens, Mike Kottke. forced to give up football because of a pinched nerve in his neck. Harrison was the team's center and "Phil is a very good athlete, Benedetto says, and played tackle and end on defense.

we're confident he can do the job for us. He's fast and can throw, and he is a leader." Another young man who earned a starting spot at FOUR OTHER lettermen return in the backfield to defensive tackle in the spring will be out until mid season. He is Bill Sunailitus, a 6-1, 210-pound junior who suffered an injury to his achilles tendon over the give Land O' Lakes a potentially powerful running attack from their "Pro-Set" offense. summer. Senior Russ Wild (S-I0, 160) heads the list of re turnees along with senior Ricky Baldwin (5-10, 155) Hernando has gained one new player in senior who will double at a linebacker slot on defense.

Elusive but small David Usherwood (5-9, 119) returns at another halfback spot, as does senior fullback Ted John Potter, who was a starting nose guard last year at Clay County High, a 3-A school. "He's small at an even six feet and 170 pounds, but the Clay County Meade (5-10, 180) a two-way performer who will also coach told me he wished he had 30 more like John," double as the other linebacker. On the line, five veterans return, with two of Wood pointed out. HERNANDO HIGH 1978 Record 5-5 them: senior John Palmer (5-11, 175) and Will Shoemaker (5-10, 165) being as good a pair of tackles as there are in the conference. Returning Lettennan 10: RB Stanley Stephans; OT Tommy Tyre; DT BUI Sunailitus; LB Mike Wagers; DB Al Fagin; Stephans, "THOSE TWO guy3 are quality players," Bene George Floyd, Rodney Byrd, Gary Greer, Ronnie Hernando Coach Chuck Wood Listens early morning pre-season workout.

Old Time Ice Cream Parlor Wheeles. Invites You To Slop In For A Delicious The only outlet in the area For Leavitt's Next Goal: The Pros Breakfast, Plate Lunch i Or Some Good 01' Fashioned Ice Cream BROOKSVILLE Things couldn't have worked out any better for former Hernando High and University of Georgia on And Friendly Service. kicker Alan Leavitt. The rookie placekicker for the Atlanta GOOD LUCK TO THE BULLDOGS THIS SEASON! Falcons of the National Football League is alternating with veteran Nick Mike-Mayer during the pre-season games this summer Jill as the pair battle it out for the lone kicking Spot on the roster this year. Old Time Ice Cream Parlor CLARKS PLAZA HWY.

54 E. Acron From Zephyrhills High School MIKE-MAYER was informed he would kick in the opening game this vear. the third game and the fifth pre-season game. Leavitt has the second game, fourth and last pre-season game. Game No.

4 was Saturday in Orlando Leavitt, who kicked for the Hernando Leopards his final year in high school. "At least I know I don't have to worry from day-today about being cut." The Falcons are off to a miserable start in pre-season play. They have lost three of their four games, scoring a total of only seven points before last Saturday's 30-21 victory over Tampa Bay. The defense had scored two safeties, while Mike-Mayer kicked a field goal in the team's 3-0 opening win over St. Louis.

Leavitt, however, kicked 3 field goals and 3 extra points in the win over the "If this was college, the riot act would have been read by now," said Leavitt. This is the difference between college and pro ball. Exhibition season is evaluation time. The coaches have to see what everyone will do under game conditions. We outhit Denver, but lost 10-2.

We played more rookies. We outplayed them. We consider it a victory, because of many things that go deeper then the actual game score. "As far as my situation goes, things are different in the pros then in college. It has been a long time between kicks, he said before his chance against the Bucs.

LEAVITT KICKED in the 17-2 loss to the New York Jets. "I only kicked off once, but it wasn't one of my better ones. I did kick about a 30-yard field goal. However, the Jets had an infraction on the play, so we went for a touchdown, because it gave us a first down." Leavitt had one field goal blocked in the New York game. He said there was a breakdown.

However, he quickly added that it was not kicked very well either. "I have my feet wet now," he said. "Pro football for a kicker is a game of patience and concentration. I am not a patient person. However, I have my eyes set on this weekend and my goal is to make a very good impression on everyone.

"I would say we stand about even at this point. He has kicked below average and it's bothering him. Nick, myself and punter John James (former University of Florida star) work out together daily. This is another change from college. We seldom work with the offensive unit during practice.

Coach Bennett said this would change once the season starts." One of the major adjustments Leavitt has had to make during pre season camp at Furman University in Greenville, S.C., he said by phone was making a friend one day and having him cut the next "Players come and go," he explained. "It's a real funny situation. But as each day goes by I find it easier to handle and concentrate on my job." FINE FOOD GOOD DRINKS Lots of ormojphere offer (he game or onyfime. Come and Relax with Friends where the Falcons met the Tampa Bay Bucs in the Tangerine Bowl. SPECIALIZING IN CUSTOM LEATHER GOODS SADDLE REPAIRS WESTERN WEAR "I was thrilled when I found out the schedule and noticed that the game in Orlando would be mine," said the former All-Southeastern Conference star, who was a fourth round draft choice of the Falcons.

REGGIE PARKER HWY 301 SOUTH (4'j MIIES SO. DADE CITY) PH. 567-3641 I Leavitt said that Leeman Bennett, who ts in his first year at the helm of the Fal- COns, informed him and Mike-Mayer that a decision would be reached on who would make the club until the Monday after the final pre-season game. TRIBUNE-TIMES i "THIS HAS been some help," said CLASSIFIED WANT ADS 272-7500 i Winless Dunnellon High Looking catcihi rai For Better Things In '77 Season Mr. WWJi (Home and Away) ALL GAMES STARTING 8 PM coach to be replaced by assistant Kennedy.

The Tigers had a successful spring practice and this helped. "It won't happen overnight," said Kennedy. "Our big concern right now is to keep everyone healthy. I am worried about what will happen when the fourth quarter rolls around every Friday. ir-V CITRUS (Away) i DUNNELLON If one stopped in at." Dunnellon High School for football practice, he would feel sorry for the Tigers of coach Richard Kennedy.

local 2-A school has only 17 players on the varsity squad. But wait a minute. Don't feel sorry for Kennedy and his charges. I wouldn't trade them for anything," said the first-year head coach of the locals. "Everyone of these kids' want to play and that's the name of the game.

IWe might be short on numbers, but not on enthusiasm. These young men know they will play and they have worked hard over the summer on a wejght program. We are in super shape." DUNNELLON was winless in 1976 and Johnny Jones resigned as hpad SEPT. 16 SEPT. 23 SEPT.

30 OCT. 7 OCT. 14 OCT. 21 OCT. 28 NOV.

4 NOV. 1 1 NOV. 18 ail Ic NORTH MARION (Home) CRYSTAL RIVER (Home) LAKE WEIR (Away) TARPON SPRINGS (Away) HAINES CITY (HOMECOMING) GULF (Away) TAMPA CATHOLIC (Away) HUDSON (Home) PASCO (Home) DUNNELLON HIGH 1976 0-10 Returning Letterman 7: QB Greg Rushton. WR Mike Pryor, Jim Steagard. TE Dale Bostick.

OT Ed Culpepper, Bryan Hardy. OG Kirk Carpenter, Tom Boss. DB Rushton, Bostic, Pryor. LB Steagard, Carpenter, Boss. DT Culpepper, Hardy.

S. HWY. 301 DADE CITY 567-6610.