Sports

NSBNEWS.net video by Sera Frederick

NSBNEWS.net photos by Sera Frederick. The New Smyrna Beach 'Cudas opened the 2009-'10 football season at home Friday night with a 33-7 romping of the Pine Ridge Panthers of Deltona. At left, Stephen Jackson scores his second touchdown run of the game. In the middle, the 'Cudas offense dominated much of the game, especially in the second half, thanks to a strong offensive line and ball control by quarterback A.J. Granger (top right) to his running backs, Jackson, who had three TD runs and Raheem Mostert (No. 31), who had two TD runs, including a 95-yarder by Mostert.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- For the first time in his three years as head coach of the New Smyrna Beach High School 'Cudas football team, Rocky Yocam opened the season with a win, and at home no less. This wasn't just a win, but a romp Friday night over the Pine Ridge High Panthers of Deltona, 33-7.

Editor's Note: One week after the New Smyrna Beach 'Cudas finished the 2008 football season with a convincing 21-13 victory over the DeLand Bulldogs, Peter Mallory, a member of the 1952 squad that triumphed in the miracle on the gridiron, was so thrilled by what the 21st-century team had done against their playoff-bound opponents that he was inspired to write this story:

The one thing you had to admire about first year Coach Pete Maman was that he showed absolutely no signs of the panic and despair that must have gripped him as he looked out over the practice field. No matter how many times he counted heads he could only find 12 candidates who had shown up for his first August practice session at New Smyrna High School in 1952. I was among them.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The 'Cudas family is comprised of much more than the football team. The cheerleaders, the Show Dolls and the Band all contribute to the festive atmosphere of New Smyrna Beach High School football.

Enjoy the video shot by Sera King of NSBNEWS.net at Friday's season finale at the New Smyrna Beach sports complex, won, of course by the 'Cudas over the visiting DeLand Bulldogs, 21-13.

You can read our previous story for game highlights.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Here are video highlights of the 'Cudas' season-finale win over the DeLand Bulldogs, 21-13 at the New Smyrna Beach sports complex.

The NSBNEWS.net video was shot by Sera King. See previous story for game highlights.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- General gun season is now open in the Central Zone, which is where we are located, through January. It is legal to take deer having one or more antler at least 5 inches in length visible above the hair line, wild hogs, rabbits, raccoons, opossums, coyotes, nutrias, skunks and beavers. All legal rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders, crossbows, bows, and handguns may be used.

If using a center-fire, semi-automatic rifle, it cannot have a magazine capacity exceeding five rounds. Fully automatic or silencer equipped rifles are illegal as are non-expanding, full metal case ammunition for the taking of deer. Using rim-fire ammunition is illegal to hunt deer. Antlerless deer season started Saturday and runs through Nov. 21. Limit is two deer daily regardless of sex. Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Quarterback A.J. Granger came back from a non-throwing bruised shoulder in the Homecoming game to lead the 'Cudas to victory over DeLand, 21-13, in the season finale with two running touchdowns in the second half.

And even as DeLand mounted a late rally with seconds left in the game, an interception by 'Cudas defensive back James Hill, his second of the contest, sealed playoff-bound DeLand's defeat to give New Smyrna Beach a 2-8 record for the season.

Perhaps, the DeLand coaching decision to hold out its starting quarterback and first-string runner to rest up for the playoffs was a factor. Regardless, it was the personnel on the field that counted and the 'Cudas made the most of their opportunities.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- With 5:52 left in the first quarter and the Cudas' scoring a field goal for a 3-0 lead in the Homecoming game against Merritt Island, things were looking up. The second half was a a different story. Turnovers. Lots of them, led to a 31-3 loss Friday night.

NSBNEWS.net photo by Sera King / New Smyrna Beach High Homecoming Queen Courtney Sempsrott poses with King Travis Kendrick.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The mean snarl was replaced with a big smile when 'Cudas football nose tackle Travis Kendrick was named Homecoming King at halftime of Friday's game against Merritt Island.

Kendrick, the monstrous lineman who enjoys crushing opposing offensive linemen and running backs who try to run up the middle, drew loud cheers from the more than thousand spectators who filled the bleachers against Merritt Island.

Even though the home team lost, 31-3, the half-time show was rocking with Courtney Sempsrott joining Kendrick as Homecoming Queen.