TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Cobras Get Some Answers During Spring Scrimmage

ADVERTISEMENT

By BART O'CONNELL Tribune correspondent

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 31, 2008

HUDSON - Despite his bulky knee brace and no-contact orders, Hudson's coaching staff has no worries about the health of starting quarterback Zack Wynn, 14 weeks before the beginning of next season.

The biggest concern for Mark Nash and his assistants all spring is who Wynn can get the ball to, both on the ground and through the air.

Thursday night at Cobra Stadium, some of those questions began to get answers, as running back Dylan Luke and receiver Dylan Buono made spectacular plays en route to an 18-0 win for the Red team in Hudson's annual Red and Gold Game.

With a modest crowd that included Gulf coach Jay Fulmer looking on, Luke carried eight times for 70 yards and a touchdown, while Buono had four catches for 52 yards, as well as an interception of Wynn. No other running back or receiver had more than 35 yards.

"Athletically, Dylan Buono is the real deal. The difference being, he's only a freshman right now and a sophomore next year, as opposed to Tampa Tribune All-Pasco first-team receiver Tony Germano, who was a senior last year," Nash said. "That's a big maturity factor, and we're asking him to, in essence, be a senior as a sophomore.

"Dylan Luke, I have every bit of confidence he's going to be a stud, as is Gold team starting running back JoJo Cimino."
Wynn (13 of 27, 137 yards, two TDs) and backup quarterback Scott Kujak (five of 15, 66 yards) played for both squads, negating any advantage under center for either team.

The Cobras, which Nash described afterward as "a passing team," threw 42 times against 21 runs. Nash hinted that more run plays would have been called if not for Wynn, who was in full pads but still hasn't been cleared for contact by a doctor.

Nonetheless, Luke seemed to get comfortable right away with the few opportunities he had, breaking off two runs of 20 yards or more and scoring the game's first TD on a 9-yard scamper.

"I had a lot of time to rest with all the passing," Luke said, jokingly. "The blocking has been good, and I tried to do what I could do. The main thing I need to get better at is following my blocks."

Luke and Cimino (seven carries, 29 yards) are vying to become the fifth different Hudson back in the last five years to rush for 1,000 yards. Departing senior Sean Scott (1,652 yards, 21 TDs) was the starter last year. Nash has not named a starter yet and will allow the competition to continue into the fall.

As for Buono, he looked comfortable catching balls from Wynn, who was extremely accurate early (completing six of his first seven passes for first downs) and showing off his much-improved arm strength from a year ago.

"Just the timing was down. They did a real good job passing the ball and it was a very catchable ball," Buono said. "I'm feeling fine, me and Zack hooking up against DBs. I'm definitely excited about next year. I think we're going to do pretty well and hopefully go all the way."

Bart O'Connell can be reached at boconnell@pop.tampatrib.com. Keyword: Pasco, for a photo gallery from the game by staff photographer Fred Bellet.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT