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Pasco Takes District With Win Against Buccaneers

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By ERIC HORCHY, The Suncoast News

Published: November 3, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - It was win-or-stay-home time at Des Little Stadium Friday night for a crucial Class 3A-District 8 matchup between Gulf and visiting Pasco High that did not disappoint from the start.

With both teams visibly charged up knowing the game's ultimate implications, Pasco proved to have a few more big plays in their arsenal than their opponent and won in a shootout, 45-34.

The victory - combined with an earlier Hudson win over Zephyrhills - meant the Pirates were driving back to Dade City wearing the district crown for the first time since 1998.

Not overshadowing the Pasco performance, but assuredly coming as the shocker of the game was the stat line of one of the state's leading rushers in Gulf's David Williams.

Seven carries for negative two yards and a touchdown.

After the game, Gulf head coach Jay Fulmer explained that his star running back was banged up with a right thigh bruise he sustained in last week's game with Zephyrhills.

That - combined with Pasco stacking the box against the run all game - led to his low number of touches. Though hurting, he did manage to play both ways and also snare a big 42-yard first half interception.

Pasco displayed a mix of both toughness and flash in their victory, coming out swinging on their first play from scrimmage.

Split-time quarterback D.J. Clower handed off to tailback Jamall Haynes who faked to the line and then dropped back to pass, delivering a perfect pass down the right side to a streaking Demetrious Larry.

Larry took care of the rest, racing for the 65-yard touchdown and early 7-0 advantage.

The Buccaneers were not about to lay down that easy and be intimidated on this night though.

They immediately answered with quarterback Madison Burr nailing receiver Will Burbridge down the middle of the field for a pick up of 76 yards on their first play of the game.

The ailing Williams did the rest with his 2-yard touchdown burst tying the game.

Big plays from Haynes and Pasco's other quarterback Josh Johnson proved to be too much for Gulf to handle though.

Haynes finished with 21 carries for 175 yards on the ground and two scores. One of those was a 77-yard burst through virtually the entire Gulf defense.

Johnson added an efficient 65 yards on 6-of-10 passing and a touchdown. He also ran for 94 yards on seven carries and two more scores.

"They came from under the radar this year," Pasco head coach Tom McHugh said about this year's group of young men. "These guys are a tough bunch of kids. They didn't quit all year and they didn't quit tonight. I'm proud of them."

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