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WEEK 3 PREVIEW: Gulf Attack Eyeing Hernando

Hernando (1-1) @ Gulf (2-0)

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By Eric Horchy | The Suncoast News

Published: September 18, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - The 2007 season was supposed to be a considerably more special than the ho-hum, 4-6 drag that it became for Gulf High and head coach Jay Fulmer.

Playoff expectations are once again high, and one way to build early confidence is to exact revenge for a deflating loss endured this time last year.

Back-to-back wins over the Buccaneers would push Hernando's record to 2-1 and match their win total from all of last season.

Game coverage, stats and photos will be available here, at www.suncoastnews.com, following the match up.

LAST YEAR:

The Leopards upset Gulf in 2007, edging past the Bucs 29-26 for their first of only two victories all season.

HERNANDO (Class 3A, District 6):

Entering Friday night's battle with Gulf, the main question facing the Leopards and head coach John Palmer will be regarding the health of explosive tailback Alvin Delaine. The sophomore left during the first quarter of last week's 33-3 debacle at Hudson with an ankle injury. He returned in the second half, but only saw limited touches, carrying the pill for a total of nine times for 16 yards.

Palmer said earlier this week that he expects his star to be in the backfield.

Hernando is a run-first offense and Delaine at less than 100 percent puts a serious damper on their effectiveness. Quarterback Kall Daniel arm is used limitedly, averaging five passes over two games. If Delaine is good to go, the Gulf defense will be calling out and chasing down the No. 2 all night long.

After picking off Hudson's Zack Wynn on the second overall play from scrimmage last week, the Leopard defense slowly began to crumble. They gave up 361 total yards of offense to the Hudson, with 270 of those coming through the air. At times, Wynn's receivers looked to be finding holes in the Hernando secondary at will.

In the event of a close contest, Hernando holds a special teams advantage with kicker Josh Harvey. The senior walloped a 43-yard field goal in the first quarter last week.

GULF (Class 3A, District 8):

As of Week 2, the Buccaneers statistically have the most high-powered offense in Pasco County – and virtually the entire region. They are averaging nearly 40 points per game thus far – outscoring opponents 78-14 – and appear to once again have a formidably balanced attack.

The Bucs lost David Williams last year, who was the county's second-best rusher, but have replaced him with Ridgewood transfer Adrian Golden and Tevin Gamble.

Junior quarterback Madison Burr is one of the area's top arms and has thrown for 422 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. He is also hitting his receivers at a 70 percent clip.

Gulf's early-season M.O. seems to be its propensity to score in bunches. After a brief scare at River Ridge last week where the Bucs led by only one point at half, Gulf busted out for 29 points in the third quarter to roll 44-7. They sprang out of the gates the week prior against Mitchell as well, jump kicking them for 21 quick first-half points, en route to a 34-7 win.

Defensively, these Bucs have yet to be tested. Mitchell is in a transition period on offense and River Ridge is still struggling all around. Coach Fulmer has some big boys up front at his expense, so controlling the line of scrimmage and first tiers of the defense is a strength. The secondary can also be credited for allowing zero passing yards in Week 1 against Mitchell, although quarterback Cody Van De Boe only threw five times.

THE SKINNY:

The ability of the Hernando secondary to contain Madison Burr and Gulf's passing attack would appear to be the game's crucial matchup. In fact, it really is just how well the Leopards' defense as a whole stands up against a unit that likes to light it up.

Hernando's best bet may be to simply try and keep the ball out of Burr and Company's hands by hoping for a controlling game on the ground from Delaine. If the Gulf defense starts stringing together some quick three-and-outs, this one could get ugly quick.

Check out www.suncoastnews.com after the game to see the results.

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

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