Each week we’ll go around the coverage area and give you a football player and/or coach quotes following the games. Here are newspaper quotes from Week #4 on Friday, September 18.
Gainesville coach Mark Latsko following the Hurricanes’ 30-6 win against previously unbeaten Lake Weir (Ocala) which moved GHS to 1-0 in the District 5-6A
“We got some things fixed defensively (since the season-opening loss), especially the pass rush. We are excited where we are right now. The most important game was tonight. We are 1-0 in the district.” – Gainesville Sun
North Marion (Citra) running back Justin Watkins, who had three TD’s including an 86-yard punt return for a score, following the Colts’ 47-12 win against previously unbeaten Pasco (Dade City)
“I was trying to stay clean with my cuts. My offensive line and everybody downfield was doing a great job of blocking all night long.” – Ocala Star-Banner
Dunnellon coach Price Harris following the Tigers’ 40-7 win against Belleview which gave Dunnellon its first 4-0 start since 2005
“We’re just going to try and win them all. I know that might sound very arrogant, but we’re just going to take each game one at a time and try to win. Our goal from the get-go was to make the playoffs. I feel like we’re making strides toward that. We’re not in the playoffs as of now, of course, but our guys are making strides each and every week to get better and better.” – Ocala Star-Banner
Buchholz (Gainesville) coach Mark Whittemore following the Bobcat’s 20-14 upset at 7A No. 2 Oakleaf (Orange Park)
“Our defense played really phenomenal, just really had a terrific game plan.” – Gainesville Sun
Oakleaf coach Derek Chipoletti just prior to his team’s loss to Buchholz that snapped the Knights’ 13-game winning streak (Oakleaf was denied on two plays from the 4-yard line, including a sack of quarterback Jordan Johnson with no time left)
“I told them this could be miracle No. 2. We don’t deserve it, but we had a chance and that’s all we needed. It’s not fate or bad luck, nothing like that. It’s we ain’t been practicing real well at all. Unless we get better at the practice part of things, we’re not going to get better.” – Florida Times-Union
Trinity Christian (Jacksonville) coach Verlon Dorminey after the Conquerors’ dominating 42-14 win against 8A No. 5 West Orange (Winter Garden)
“We’ve played a little sloppy all year and we came out focused all week and executed our game plan close to perfection.” – Florida Times-Union
Lecanto senior Jeremiah Lucas, who scored a touchdown on offense, defense and special teams, while finishing with 156 punt return yards, a 99-yard interception return and four receptions for 62 yards and a score in the Panthers’ 41-15 district win against Hernando (Brooksville)
“I’m feeling blessed. We’re going into districts 1-0. We worked well together and we came out with a victory like we were supposed to. We’ve been working all week for this and it paid off.”
