Nature Coast Tech muddies up the waters in 5A-7 playoff picture

BROOSVILLE, Fla. – Mud sharks?

Maybe not mud sharks, but the Nature Coast Tech Sharks muddied up Class 5A-District 7 with a victory on the road against in-county rival Hernando on Thursday night.

A look into the @coast_fb huddle on this Thursday. @FlaHSFootball pic.twitter.com/QLlcFMNLbN

— Will Turner (@WTurnerTB) October 26, 2017

With a win, the Leopards could lock up 5A-7 considering they’ve already defeated Citrus, which Nature Coast Tech lost last week. It was not to be, as the Sharks won their fourth straight against Hernando on Friday night.

Nature Coast Tech (Brooksville) relied on its triple option to wreak havoc on the Hernando (Brooksville) defense throughout the night. Four different running backs toted the ball for the majority of the night, giving the Leopards lots of trouble with the Sharks’ unpredictability.

Boston Tafelski found David Hale Bronson over the middle for a 20-yard strike that would be Hernando’s (6-1, 4-1) longest play of the first half. It was also one of the only solid pass plays throughout the game for both sides. Hernando also relied on its rushing game throughout the affair.

The Sharks were the first to get on the board early in the second quarter thanks to a 14-yard rush by Michael Weston. Weston would eventually become the star of the night for Nature Coast Tech, a powerful running back at 6’2”, 215 lbs. Coming into Friday, Weston led the Sharks in rushing with 773 yards on only 53 carries. Weston would certainly go on to increase those numbers against Hernando.

On the opening touchdown drive alone, Weston ran for 46 yards on five carries.

Michael Weston gets our first score of the day with a 14-yard run. Compiled 44 yds on @coast_fb's 9 play drive. NCT 7-0. @FlaHSFootball pic.twitter.com/lq890ZXxJN

— Will Turner (@WTurnerTB) October 27, 2017

There was more where that came from. On the Nature Coast Tech drive, Weston rushed for another 30. Fabian Burnett hit William Coffey down the left sideline for a 29-yard reception on the same drive. The Sharks could not capitalize before halftime, missing a 35-yard field goal that would’ve pushed it to a two-possession game.

Hernando cracked the scoreboard for the first time on its first drive of the second half. The Leopards’ drive had originally stalled out and was forced to punt. However, the punt was muffed on the other end. Hernando recovered at its 26-yard line. Solid defense from Nature Coast Tech, including a sack from Corey Peterson on third down, forced a 32-yard field goal attempt. Luke D’Ambrosio banged it home, putting Hernando on the board.

Corey Peterson with a huge sack for @coast_fb on 3rd down to keep Hernando out of the end zone. @FlaHSFootball pic.twitter.com/rQ0wqPwGgA

— Will Turner (@WTurnerTB) October 27, 2017

Nature Coast Tech would falter on the next drive. Three plays into Hernando’s next drive after the field goal, Tafelski fumbled and the Sharks recovered it inside of Leopard territory. Leaning on Weston once again, the Sharks would drive 43 yards (all but four coming from Weston) to pay dirt. The extra point failed.

Michael Weston keeps chugging. 39 more yards for him on this drive and his second touchdown. @coast_fb up 14-3. 10:43 4Q. @FlaHSFootball pic.twitter.com/tyIfQxXnl6

— Will Turner (@WTurnerTB) October 27, 2017

“When it comes down to crunch time, you give it to the best back you’ve got and that’s Mike,” said Nature Coast Tech head coach Cory Johns. “The offensive line did a phenomenal job. We pretty much ran the same play the entire game and they couldn’t stop it.”

Following Weston’s second TD run, Hernando fired right back with Ygenio Booker bouncing to the outside and turning upfield for a 50-yard touchdown sprint.

The Nature Coast defense would bend on the next drive, as Booker got another 15-yard rush to the right side, followed up by an 18-yard run from Israel Fields four plays later. Inside the red zone, Tafelski and Fields would be stopped for no gain, and even after a defensive pass interference, Hernando could not move the chains and were forced to kick a field goal to tie the game at 13.

D’Ambrosio could not convert on the 26-yard try, as it fell just short.

Weston would rush for 33 more yards as the Sharks ran out the clock to seal the game.

He had it going for him all night long, breaking tackles, pushing dog-piles, and following his blocks perfectly. Weston finished with 190 yards on 30 carries with the two scores.

“We just call it ‘The Tech Way,’ that’s just how we get it done. Follow your blocks, see holes open, you got to hit them. You can’t wait for them because if you do, they’re going to close,” Weston said. “You just have to keep it rolling, and that’s what it’s been since my freshman year.”

Coffey, Burnett, and Zachary Powell combined for another 116 on the ground on 16 carries for the Sharks.

For Hernando, Tafelski led in rushing yards with 89 on 14 carries, mainly coming off of quarterback keepers. Booker finished with 80 and Fields added another 50 to the totals for the Leopards.

Nature Coast Tech’s victory makes things very interesting for 5A-7. Hernando now faces a must-win situation when it faces Lecanto on Tuesday. If the Leopards win, the district championship will be given to whichever team (NCT, Hernando, or Citrus) has the highest point average, which will not be decided until after Week Eleven. If Hernando loses to Lecanto, then Citrus takes the district championship considering the Hurricanes defeated Nature Coast Tech last Friday.

Simply put, the Sharks’ victory on Thursday muddies up the waters in 5A-7.

The Sharks’ attention now turns to a battle with Springstead on Tuesday night. With it, the attention isn’t solely on a district championship, but getting to the playoffs any way possible.

“If we beat Springstead we’re in, regardless of what happens with the other games. That’s really what we have to focus on right now,” Johns said.