TJ Owens sparked what at the time was a stagnant Sharks offense, and scored twice leading Nature Coast past rival Springstead 28-7, Friday.
Nature Coast (2-0) scored on their first possession when Mike Weston scored on a 4-yard run.
Springstead (1-1) would answer as Demetrius Barry scored midway through the second quarter on a 3-yard run, sending the game to halftime tied at seven.
The second half would feel like a different ballgame, as the Sharks came out with a new mindset and looked like the team they were a season ago, when they finished a perfect regular season.
After a scoreless start to the third quarter, Owens took a 4th-and-1 handoff and sprinted 35 more yards to the end zone, giving Nature Coast a 14-7 lead, and a spark they seemed to need.
The former Eagle would score again from 3-yards out, taking a late hit after he crossed the goal line, as the third quarter ended with the Sharks up 21-7.
“People are starting to notice what I can do.” Owens, who ran for 163 yards, said. “I took my talent and went somewhere else. Tonight, I sent a message.”
Brian Haygood, who ran for 56 yards, would end the scoring in the fourth with a 3-yard touchdown run.
Nature Coast ran for 322 yards compared to the 121 yards for Springstead.
Eagles’ quarterback Jordan Wright was brought down hard on the last play of the game and was taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons.
For all Hernando County Sports updates, follow Danny Aiello Jr on Twitter: @DannyAielloJr
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