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Results are mixed for semi-pro team
By BRANT JAMES, Times Staff Writer BROOKSVILLE -- His team lost eight times in 10 games, unexpectedly high costs drove its bottom line near the red and it might not have a place to practice if there is a next year. Still, Abraham Dowdell comes to one conclusion when assessing the Hernando Eagles' first season in the semi-professional, Florida-based Southern States Football League. "From my standpoint, it was an outstanding year," said the squad's owner. "Of course, I go in with high expectations from ourselves and we didn't win much on the field, but it was wonderful. "And we're going to keep those expectations high for next year," he said. "I think we built a foundation." Maintaining it will take some work. First, the Eagles must secure a practice facility. The team worked out this season twice weekly at Ernie Wever Youth Park, but tremendous demand from youth leagues for the county's largest sports complex may oust the Eagles next year. "We're taking a look at that," Hernando County Recreations Department Recreation Manager Harry Johnson said. "Clearly, they're a good organization, and I can appreciate that, but the county is being overwhelmed with all the youth leagues, and kids are our primary focus." Johnson said keeping fields in shape for men is more costly. "Our facilities are taking quite a bit of wear and tear," he said. "It's a little bit different when dealing with kids and the weight of kids than when you have a bunch of grown men playing tackle football." Whether the Eagles again play their home games at Hernando High's Tom Fisher Stadium also is in question. Dowdell and league officials laud the facility for its "professional atmosphere," but fees levied by the Hernando County school board for its use could price the Eagles out. The Eagles were charged $300 for a daytime tryout, and a standard $1,164 for their first home game, a night event that required lighting and requisite security. After that first game drew about 1,500 fans, the fee was increased to $1,264 to cover additional custodial costs. The Eagles were hurt financially when the fee remained the same the rest of the season but attendance shrank to 200-300 per game. "I was like, 'Whoa,' " Dowdell said. "We went through some hurt and pain and explained to the guys what we had to do. We asked them to try and sell five $5 tickets each." Hernando High assistant principal Jane Padgett, the school's liaison with the Eagles, expressed a desire to continue the relationship. "They were very nice people to work with," Padgett said. "We had a very positive relationship." The only money the non-profit Eagles raised this season, Dowdell said, was from fundraisers, car washes and the first home game. Dowdell mentioned a move for next season to Pasco County -- where high school field lease fees are about $500 per game, as a possible solution -- but according to Pasco County athletic director Gus Manticos, only community groups are allowed to lease those facilities. "We have middle schools, Pop Warner, a lot of youth groups and other people using our fields," Manticos said. "Right now there's no way we can handle the traffic." All this has left Dowdell feeling a little unwanted at times. "We took care of (Wever Park), because we didn't want to be kicked off of it," he said. "We don't do contact every day, so we don't mess up the field, and other than that we were careful. "I told all the players from the beginning," Dowdell said, 'People don't want you there, so do what you can so they'll accept you in.' " Eagles fullback Terrence Clark, wide receiver Jeremiah Blake, receiver Brian Williams, defensive end Steve Bodi, linebacker Terrence Holland, defensive back Al Washington and quarterback Dowdell were named SSFL all-stars. Dowdell thinks a completed season will induce more area players to try out next year. The Eagles made only about 20 cuts this season, and were comprised mostly of former prep players from Hernando and Pasco counties. Playing in the 12-team SSFL's second-smallest town -- larger only than Raiford, population 187 -- won't hurt the Eagles ability to draw talent, Dowdell said, and compete with teams in areas such as Tampa and St. Petersburg. "The St. Pete foundation is basically the same as ours was," he said. "When they first started, people were curious, trying to figure out what was going on. Some like to watch it grow before they jump into it. Now people see it's for real." -- Staff writer Brant James can be reached at (800) 333-7505, ext. 1407, or
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