Welcome to TBO.com. Skip directly to: our Keyword Search, Section Navigation, Content.

TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Sports

TBO > Sports

Godby Ends Pasco's Season

By EDDIE DANIELS

edaniels@tampatrib.com

Published: December 13, 2008

DADE CITY - With the his players huddled up, kneeling on the turf inside W.F. Edwards Stadium, Pasco coach Tom McHugh told his players to squeeze in closer.

"I know that you have heart. I know you have the heart of warriors," he said, turning his impassioned stare at each player encircled in front of him. "A special man at a special time at a special place."

The place was special - it was the conclusion of the Class 3A state semifinals. One win away from next week's state title game in Orlando. Unfortunately for the Pirates, Tallahassee Godby was the one left standing, having collected a 28-14 victory.
Godby (12-2) will face Cocoa, which beat Miami Monsignor Pace 20-17, for the 3A crown 1 p.m. Friday at the Florida Citrus Bowl. The Cougars will attempt to win the program's fourth title, and first since 1987.

The Pasco (12-2) defense forced Godby's pass-oriented offense to run and the Cougars took advantage of it. Running back Lavorie Johnson broke through tackle after tackle to rack up 146 yards and a score on 24 carries. That effectiveness on the ground helped open up portions of the Godby passing game.

"They didn't so much change what we ran, it's just they played hard football," Godby quarterback A.J. Graham said. "Everybody to the ball. They had a lot of pursuit, everybody coming in, one after the other. It was just a hard-fought game."

Graham, who entered having thrown for 3,523 yards, completed 12 of 19 passes for 103 yards, and rushed eight times for 33 yards and a score.

Godby's first possession came to a halt after a fumble, recovered by Pasco defensive lineman Mark Christmas. Four plays later, Pirates quarterback D.J. Clower arched a perfectly lofted pass across the middle to Chaise Dunn. That 25-yard score came at the 3:56 mark of the first quarter.

The two ensuing Godby possessions ended via a punt and a turnover on downs following a 2-yard run on fourth-and-3. On Godby's next possession, it converted three third downs, capping the drive on a 10-yard Lavorie run.

The Cougars went ahead, 14-7, on a 1-yard TD by Willie Downs and successful extra point as the first half ended.

"They played hard, but I know we could have played a lot better than what we did," said Purdue commit Josh Johnson. "Defense, it just wasn't as solid as it usually is. ... It was just a hard-fought game. Their big play came up and ours didn't. I never thought we would get this far."