Hernando LB Pauliot will play rest of season on torn meniscus

I don't know if I could type on a torn meniscus, much less tackle a 200-pound ballcarrier. But Hernando linebacker Nick Pauliot will attempt to do just that (tackle, not type) for the rest of the season.

The senior has elected to postpone surgery until the end of the season so he can start at linebacker for the Leopards. A hard-hitter with one of the best noses for the ball in the area, Pauliot injured the knee in a season-opening loss to Central, a game in which he led the team with eight tackles, three for loss. He missed the Leopards' next two games, but was cleared by a doctor and returned for a few snaps in last week's loss to Wesley Chapel.

"He's tough," said Leopards coach Rodney Byrd, who estimated Pauliot is currently playing at 70 percent health. "His motor never stops. He has the desire."

--DAVID MURPHY

dmurphy@sptimes.com