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Focus On Values Turns Program Around

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By BART O'CONNELL Tribune correspondent

Published: November 1, 2007

DADE CITY - Josh Johnson is accustomed to change.

Three games into his freshman year, he moved from the Pasco junior varsity to varsity. Last season, he stood by as the Pirates switched coaches, from Dale Caparaso to Tom McHugh. Between, he had to learn new offenses and new positions, and three years into his prep career, he still seemingly is playing everywhere on the field.

The only constant, until this week, was that he hadn't played for a contender. But this is a change that he's more than ready for.

Pasco, at one point 2-4 on the season, could be in the Class 3A state playoffs with a win Friday at District-8 rival Gulf. They haven't allowed a point in their last two games, wins against Sunlake and Wiregrass Ranch.

'We like having pressure on our backs, being the underdogs,' Johnson said. 'We haven't had the chance to be the top dog. 'I pray every night that we can come out on top with a victory.'

The changes that Johnson, a junior, has had to deal with this season have been far more important than anything he's done on the field, and have gone a long way to turning the Pirates' program into a winner again.

Among the values McHugh has stressed all season, and the players have adhered to, are 'attitude, family, the way we talk to each other, the discipline, our sportsmanship,' Johnson said. And he admitted to having his doubts that those values would make the kind of difference they have.

Though it clearly has been a transition year, McHugh thought the reaction around the area that the Pirates (4-4, 3-1) wouldn't contend was a little premature, considering Pasco's losses were to three potential playoff teams (Sebring, Nature Coast, Zephyrhills) and Wesley Chapel, a 5A school. They've also dealt losses to Land O' Lakes and Hudson, which are a combined 13-3.

As for Johnson, the Pirates biggest offensive threat, McHugh doesn't want to reveal how he will be used on Friday, except to say that 'he's fine,' downplaying the injuries that have limited him in recent weeks.

The shifty quarterback/running back/wide receiver is always a concern for opposing coaches, and they have to identify where he is on the field at all times.

'If you can put a little bit of doubt in them, and they have to say. 'if, then, if, then' more than one time, it's good,' McHugh said. 'I defended that kid for two years coaching at Wesley Chapel. I think it makes Gulf work a little bit harder.'

The Pirates have been working harder as well, engaging in a full-squad scrimmage that McHugh refers to as 'Dade City Tuesdays,' at which coaches take both sidelines and the hitting on the field is full-speed, full-contact. Johnson said this week's session, 'got a little intense.'

It was a good sign that even this young group, which includes just nine seniors, only six of which are starters, is ready for a game with this much riding on it.

'I didn't think it would come down to one game, but it's kind of neat that it does, though,' McHugh said. 'It's high school football; you never know how it's going to work out.'

Bart O'Connell can be reached at boconnell@pop.tampatrib.com.

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