No DeShawn Smith? No problem. A year after Smith led the nation in rushing and led Nature Coast to the best season in school history, it's a new cast of characters piling up yards and demolishing opponents. Nature Coast won their 16th straight regular season game, defeating county and district foe Central 59-20 on a Thursday night edition of the Game of the Week.
It was Central's De'Vonta Smith, DeShawn's cousin, who entered the game with all the buzz. The senior has over 20 Division-I offers and extended his streak of 100-yd rushing games to 11 straight games. He finished with 220 rushing yards with two rushing TD and a receiving TD - none of his touchdowns were shorter than 42 yards.
But it was a stable of backs for the Sharks that could not be stopped, racking up 561 yards on the ground, led by BHSN Player of the Game T.J. Owens who rushed for 206 yards and three TD on only six carries. QB Brian Haygood was nearly as effective with his legs, rushing for 193 yards and four TD, while FB Willie Coffey had just two carries but finished with 113 yards and a TD.
Nature Coast (3-0) tallies their first district win of the season, as they look to repeat as 5A District 7 Champions. They travel to Crystal River next week. Central (1-2) will look to rebound vs. county rival Weeki Wachee.