The last time Springstead advanced to the second round of the state playoffs, Gainesville awaited.
While each team has three players remaining on its roster that played in that 2010 game, the programs have changed greatly.
The Hurricanes are under the umbrella of a first-year head coach, much like the Eagles. Mark Latsko is very familiar with Springstead after serving for four seasons as defensive coordinator for cross-county Hernando.
“I definitely know some of the personnel,” he said. “With (first-year coach Mike) Garofano taking over, they’re a little bit different as far as the formations they run. This is the best Springstead team I’ve seen on film.”
Latsko had big shoes to fill, taking over for James Thomson. He took the head coaching position at DeLand after going 37-7 in three years at Gainesville, including one state final berth in 2012. Winning has become a tradition, with the Hurricanes advancing to the second round five straight seasons since 2009.
A Gainesville graduate in the Class of 1999, Latsko knew this coming in. Despite the familiar refrain of “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” he went to work changing some things almost immediately.
Latsko had the task of replacing the team’s leading passer (Mark Cato), rusher (Ralph Webb) and top two receivers (Chris Thompson and Case Harrison). Webb, who ran for 2,028 yards and 28 touchdowns in a balanced offense, signed a full scholarship with Vanderbilt.
To reload the district champions, the offense was overhauled.
“I don’t know if it was that we wanted to change,” Latsko said. “It is more about personnel and working with what we have. We’ve had to lean on the defense and special teams, but it puts us in the best position to win.”
When Springstead squared off with the Hurricanes in 2010, Gainesville’s offense was 55 percent pass and 45 percent run. The influence of the team’s new coach was apparent as the ratio flipped to 75 percent run and 25 percent pass.
Senior tailback Tony James, an Oregon commit, became the main weapon, rushing for 1,242 yards and nine touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Caelan Christian has thrown for only 797 yards but has been timely with his passes (13 touchdowns, 11 interceptions). In contrast, the Hurricanes didn’t have a 1,000-yard rusher in 2010, and senior Ryan McGriff threw for more than 2,200 yards and 23 touchdowns.
“Tony was primarily the second running back and played a lot in the slot last year,” Latsko said. “The coaches who were around from last season say that he is running much harder than he did (as a junior).”
Gainesville (9-2) is one victory short of the 10-win mark for a fifth straight season. Under Ryan Smith in 2009, the success began with a 10-2 campaign. Latsko hopes to etch his name into his alma mater’s record books, a storied history that includes a state championship in 1980.
Tonight’s game at Booster Stadium will see two former defensive coordinators trying to best each other. Garofano’s promotion after Bill Vonada retired last year was expected, and he has guided the Eagles (10-1) to their most successful effort in program history.
Springstead’s read-option attack is nothing new to Latsko, but he has not seen it run as precisely as senior quarterback Tyler Mahla has done. Mahla, who played in that 2010 contest, became the first Eagles quarterback to top the 1,000-yard mark in rushing, with a school-record 18 touchdowns as well.
While Gainesville has been vulnerable on the ground, surrendering 164 yards per game, linebackers Malion Waddell (125 tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery) and Henry Montgomery (124 tackles, one sack, one interception) will be key as the Hurricanes look to contain Mahla, Kevin Bedford (526 yards, four touchdowns) and likely Daniel Wright (944 yards, nine touchdowns).
Wright sustained a severe knee bruise in the Eagles’ 21-6 victory over Citrus last week but is probable tonight, according to Garofano.
With a full complement of skill players in the lineup, the Hurricanes will have their hands full.
“My biggest concern is Springstead’s option attack,” Latsko said. “You have to play sound, discipline football because they do a good job of taking advantage of where you are a little thin.”