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WEEK 2 PREVIEW: Hernando at Hudson

Tribune file photo by Fred Bellet

Hudson QB Zack Wynn is looking to bounce back from a four-interception, 35-12 Week 1 loss to Ridgewood.

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By Eric Horchy | The Suncoast News

Published: September 11, 2008

HUDSON - Hernando High Leopards (1-0, 0-0) (Class 3A, District 6) @ Hudson High Cobras (0-1, 0-0) (Class 3A, District 8)

Last season's match up at Hernando: Cobras 35, Leopards 6

Two of the relative surprises from Week 1 in the North Suncoast are scheduled to clash at Hudson High Friday night when Hernando swings south for a Class 3A showdown. Full coverage, including photos, will be available at www.suncoastnews.com following the game.

HERNANDO:

After struggling through a 2-8 campaign last season, the Leopards pulled off a bit of a shocker at home by topping county rival, Class 4A Central High, 16-7.

Hernando may have picked up an opportunistic victory last Friday, given that Central bumbled and fumbled away four possessions and out-gained the Leopards 233-191.

You know what they say, though – a win is a win.

Sensational sophomore Leopard running back Alvin Delaine was the biggest – and only – offensive weapon Hernando displayed in Week 1. He totaled 133 yards and averaged 5.54 per carry.

Quarterback Kall Daniel's services were sparsely called upon. The 6-foot-2, 185 pound junior threw for only 2 yards on 1-for-4 passing.

The Hernando defense impressed most, "holding" capable Central tailback Austin Forte to 125 yards on 25 carries. But it is the four recovered fumbles (five overall by Central) that predominantly stands out.

HUDSON:

The Cobras burst back onto the Class 3A state playoff scene last season for the second time in three years – and third in school history – and were undoubtedly hoping to start 2008 with a bang.

That hopeful bang transformed into a floundering sputter last Friday as Hudson struggled with some turnover issues of its own against Ridgewood.

Head coach Mark Nash will be looking to once again rely on one of the most – if not the most – diverse offenses in the North Suncoast, but stands to have some kinks to work out after four interceptions decimated the Cobras and led to a 35-12 loss.

Junior quarterback Zack Wynn still finished 19-for-29 passing with 150 yards and a touchdown, but the revamped core of receiving options perhaps showed its greenness.

The four interceptions matched Wynn's total from all of 2007.

"We weren't expecting to throw four picks, that hurt us," Nash said. "But we have a ton of confidence in our QB and they weren't all his fault. We had some tipped balls and issues with protection and alignment."

The Cobras can still be expected to air it out and not overreact to last Friday's outcome. After all, this is the same kid that threw for almost 1,700 yards and 20 scores as a sophomore and led his team to an average of over 36 points per game.

Hudson also got a good look at junior tailback Dylan Luke and his 16 carries for 120 yards – an average of 7.5 per attempt. Luke is stepping into a role left by last year's 1,652-yard rusher Sean Scott.

Youth and inexperience showed on defense for the Cobras as well, although they were hampered by Ridgewood's starting field positions throughout the night. The Rams combined for 349 total yards (223 rushing and 126 passing) as quarterback Jimmy Mattos and running back Sterling Ross had big nights. Mattos completed 72.7 percent of his passes (8-for-11) while Ross averaged 11.7 yards per carry during his 198-yard, three touchdown performance.

OUTLOOK:

When a team that just forced four turnovers last week is taking on a squad that gave four away, protecting the football has to be the No. 1 key heading in. To Hudson's credit, Ridgewood is supposed to technically be in a rebuilding year, but that does not seem to be the case. Ross and Mattos are looking fully capable of taking over for their accomplished former teammates and the Rams' defense may be equally as solid.

Therefore, there is no reason for Hudson backers to be overly concerned by last week's outcome. If the performance is repeated against a Hernando team who more-likely-than-not benefited from a little good fortune, then some legit red flags can be raised.

Be sure to check back into www.suncoastnews.com after the game for full coverage and photos from all the night's action.

Eric Horchy can be reached at 727-815-1071 or ehorchy@suncoastnews.com.

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