North Marion questions to be answered

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 12, 2001

We all wondered what kind of an impact North Marion would have when it was added to the local district.

Now we finally get to see what the Colts (3-2) are made of.

Tonight marks the first of three crucial weeks in the Class 3A, District 3 race. Three teams -- Crystal River, Lecanto and North Marion -- remain legitimate contenders for the title. Chance are, only one will be left when the clock strikes midnight on Oct. 26.

The biggest question the Colts present centers on Crystal River and its quest for a sixth consecutive district title. With all due respect to Central, the Pirates have never faced a challenge like this in winning the previous five.

The Colts are coming off a year in which they soundly defeated Palatka -- the No. 2 team in Class 3A at the time -- then lost to the Panthers three days later in a district-championship playoff. That makes it 17 years since North Marion has won a district title outright.

It's safe to say the Colts are hungry.

They are also fast and athletic and feature 6-foot-4 receiver prospect Toris Rutledge, who could easily find his way to a Division I college program next year.

"We haven't won an outright district title since 1984 and we're really looking forward to the challenge of being the second team in school history to win one," Colts coach Craig Damon said. "They are hungry to finish what they didn't last year."

Crystal River coach Jere DeFoor insists that both he and his players are focused on 0-6 West Port this week and that they are not looking ahead to next week's pivotal showdown.

We wonder.

DeFoor has already exchanged at least three tapes with the Colts and will probably solicit another from Citrus coach Larry Bishop come Monday. He will also have at least two scouts in attendance when the Colts face off against the Hurricanes tonight.

Then there is Lecanto, which would probably have scouts there too -- if the Panthers could spare a coach.

The Panthers are probably less likely to be looking ahead this week given the importance of their game against Dunnellon -- a game they must win to stay alive in the race.

Yet even they have to wonder about what lies ahead on Oct. 26 when the Colts come to town in what should be another pivotal contest.

One of three scenarios is likely to play out over the next three weeks.

Scenario 1 -- the one Pirate fans are hoping for -- has Crystal River defeating the Colts next week and Citrus on Oct. 26 to win its sixth straight title.

If Lecanto and North Marion prevail against Dunnellon and Citrus tonight, then the final automatic playoff berth would be on the line when the two meet in two weeks.

Scenario 2 would see North Marion prevailing against Citrus, Crystal River and Lecanto and winning the title outright.

Crystal River would get the automatic berth for second-place teams and Lecanto would need to secure a wild-card to make the playoffs.

Scenario 3 is the least likely -- but easily the most interesting -- of the three.

If North Marion beats Crystal River, but loses to Lecanto, then the Colts would find themselves in a three-way playoff for the second straight year.

We say, let the games begin.

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