Crystal River football welcomes Springstead High on Friday night
CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. 鈥� The Crystal River football team will be back on home Friday night looking for win No. 2 on the season as they welcome in Springstead High.
The Pirates (1-3) are coming off a 34-0 loss to rival Dunnellon last week, but head coach Cliff Lohrey believes his team played much better than the final score indicated, especially on defense.
鈥淭o go into a near scoreless game at half, our defense kept us in the game all night and proud of our team. Not into moral victories at Crystal River but a lot of good things to move forward,鈥� he said.
One of the biggest concerns for the Pirates on the defensive side of the ball is trying to prepare for the unique system the Eagles and longtime head coach Mike Garofano run on offense.
鈥淭riple option, you don鈥檛 see if very often and It鈥檚 difficult to get your players to run in practice and you鈥檙e not going to teach them (scout team) to run it well in two days鈥� time,鈥� Lohrey explained. 鈥淵ou can simulate as best you can but until you see it you are behind the eight ball a little bit.鈥�
The stats certainly back up what the Pirates will be forced to handle from Springstead.聽 The Eagles have rushed for 636 yards in four games, while passing for only 333 yards. It appears to be a two headed giant in the backfield for Springstead as junior Cross Licht and Owen Andress have combined for over 480 yards on the ground and five TDs. A big game will be needed from the Pirates linebackers, including junior Dwann McCray who leads the team in tackles with 41 and sacks with three.
On the other side of the ball, Crystal River will face a Springstead team (3-1) who already has three shutouts on the season.
鈥淪pringstead is playing outstanding on defense, and we have to do a better job of not letting one play snowball into more bad plays,鈥� Lohrey said.
After opening the season scoring 31 points against South Sumter, the Pirates are only averaging eight points per game, but the coach believes the offense has found their identity and just needs to execute.
鈥淥ffensively it鈥檚 not a secret, everything is built around Jojo Velazquez. Everything is built to go through him or around him and he is the best running back we鈥檝e had since DeAndre Parker.鈥�
If you think that鈥檚 high praise, it certainly is. Parker (CRHS 鈥�19) is playing at Division III power Mount Union and is second on the team in rushing with 73 yards per game and three TDs.
Friday night will mark the second home game of the season for Crystal River. They knocked off Belleview 17-14 on a late field goal Sept.10.
The Pirates have only faced Springstead once in Cliff Lohrey鈥檚 four seasons.聽 In 2019, Springstead shut out the Pirates 21-0. Kickoff Friday at Earl Bramlett Stadium is at 7:30 p.m.
Crystal River Head Coach Cliff Lohrey and his offense will have their hands full Friday Night as they host Springstead.
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