Three takeaways from Haines City football spring games

HAINES CITY — Sixth-year Haines City head football coach Pat Herrington knows a thing or two about what it takes to have a successful season. After all, four of the last five seasons the Hornets have finished . 500 or better and three of the last five the program has had a winning record.

But last year didn't exactly scream continuity since there were 18 transfers jockeying for position, and many of those individuals didn't have the body type. Still, it's a new year, and the No. 1 priority for Herrington was to teach the game of football to his players.

So, ahead of the new 2026 season for 20 weeks, coaches sat down with players and taught the players the game of football in a classroom. And players had tests to pass. Another test was the spring football game, which was a chance to iron out any wrinkles ahead of the new campaign.

And that's what Haines City did Friday as the Hornets in a Jamboree style format lost to Treasure Coach 14-7 but won the second game 14-0 over University High School. Haines City quarterback Yomar Lopez was 7-for-8 for 90 yards and a touchdown, while rushing three times for 45 yards and a score. Joseph Parker registered four rushes for 42 yards, while Jamie James had three rushes for 25 yards and a touchdown; Franc Guillaume put up one rush for 50 yards; and Blake Herrington caught two passes for 62 yards and a touchdown.