October 13, 1994
It certainly doesn't take a rocket scientist to recognize that things haven't been going well for the Leesburg Yellow Jackets football team in the past month.
But it was great to see a strong contingent of Yellow Jacket fans make the 55-mile trip down U.S. Highway 441 to Cypress Creek last week.
It was quite a compliment, especially since the Yellow Jackets were coming off a resounding 75-0 loss to Gainesville Buchholz.
It is times such as these that football fans are quick to lose interest in their favorite team. When, in fact, it is the time that the most interest and support is needed. It's certainly not the time to show the players that support will only be there when the team is highly successful.
Yes, it was only two years ago that the Yellow Jackets were on top of the prep football world with a running back - Oran Singleton - who was a delight to watch.
But there are going to be seasons, such as this one, when problems arise.
The Yellow Jackets had 23 players make the trip to Cypress Creek, and had it not been for a half dozen turnovers, they would have provided the Bears with a much tougher game.
As it was, the Yellow Jackets made things interesting with two long drives the entire game.
One of the many Yellow Jackets who played two ways in the game was Kahlil Tucker. When called upon to run the ball, Tucker turned in a sparkling performance. He broke off several long runs to put the Yellow Jackets in position to score. He also caught several passes on those two drives. When a big play was needed on defense, Tucker was there to deliver.
Another two-way player is Brian Hepburn, who perhaps is called upon to do the most for the team. Taking every snap as the Yellow Jackets quarterback, he's in on every offensive play. And he gives the team an excellent performance on the defensive side of the line.
But when a team gives six possessions to the other team on fumbles, it is very difficult to stay into the game mentally, let alone on the scoreboard.
With young players, such as sophomore running back Bishon Roberts, it won't take the Yellow Jackets long to rebound and get back to where they were two years ago.
For the Yellow Jackets, who are a very young team, it was great to open the season with a victory over Eustis. But these were the same players who were handled quite easily in the spring jamboree by Eustis. There may have been a feeling of advanced improvement that wasn't quite there.
So, it's going to take a lot of patience on the part of the coaches, players and most of all, perhaps the fans, to help the Leesburg team get through the remainder of the season.
Leesburg coach Ed Hoffman took in the game from the press box last Friday night. Hoffman was getting a different perspective.
It could be something that becomes a regular item. There are several high school football coaches in Central Florida who have enjoyed a great deal of success while calling the plays from the press box.
It certainly affords a coach the view of seeing a lot more than he can from the sidelines. Of course, the personal contact with the players is something that coaches believe is vital. It's all in what works best for their particular team.
Speaking of displaying the ability to bounce back from adversity, how about the Raiders of South Sumter?
The Raiders, coming off a tough 36-19 loss to Pasco - a score that didn't reflect how close the game was - proved they are indeed a very strong-willed unit by turning away Crystal River, 28-7, in a Class 4A, District 6 contest.
For many teams, that kind of a loss before the first district game would have been at the worst possible time. But the Raiders were able to put it behind them in a hurry.
That type of turnaround is what often turns really good teams into really super teams. Learning from a loss is what coaches try to get through to their players and, in this case, it was obvious that Inman Sherman and his staff at South Sumter were able to accomplish that in very quick fashion.
Crystal River had rolled over four consecutive opponents going into last week's game and had the home field advantage for the crucial district game. But the potent Raiders proved they are still the team to beat in the district.
The Raiders took care of business in a hurry, scoring 14 points in the first period. But unlike their loss to Pasco, the Raiders refused to allow this one to get away.
Resources
Orlando Sentinel
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