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Pirates Offense, Defense Feed Off Of Each Other

By EDDIE DANIELS

edaniels@tampatrib.com

Published: November 22, 2008

DADE CITY - On the door that separates the Pasco weight room from Coach Tom McHugh's office, there's a drawing of a frog hanging from the mouth of a pelican.

With its back legs dangling and water dripping from the amphibian, the frog's hands are wrapped around the pelican's neck, squeezing.

Beneath the image is a quote: "It ain't over 'til it's over."

Friday night, Pasco collected a 37-20 victory against Orlando Bishop Moore in the Class 3A-Region 2 quarterfinals at W.F. Edwards Stadium. It's the first time the Pirates have advanced out of the first round since 1992 - the season they won the 3A state title.

"That's an exciting thing for our seniors," McHugh said. "They've marked their place in history. I told them before we came out here, 'You have a chance.' I don't think it will be hard to drive them forward."

Pasco will host Gulf next week in the semifinals.

During warm-ups and as the game unfolded, the Pasco offensive and defensive units fed off the emotions of the other. When defensive captain Dominique Wilson challenged receiver Josh Johnson, Johnson barked back. As the game developed, when one unit made a big play, the other attempted to match it.

Pasco's defense forced Bishop Moore (7-4) to turn the ball over on its first drive on a fourth-and-6 fake punt. Pasco (10-1) answered with a 20-yard Brennan Allen field goal.

After the Hornets went ahead, 7-3, Pirates quarterback D.J. Clower hit Josh Johnson on a 9-yard pass.

The Pasco defense again denied a Bishop Moore fourth down conversion attempt and the Pirates offense needed just seven plays to extend its advantage. On third-and-9 from the Hornets 26, Clower found Jonson a second time. The reception was to the middle of the field, but Johnson cut to his left, nearly falling, and sprinted in to the end zone.

"That fired us up and gave us a little spark," Johnson said of the back and forth between the offense and defense. "So we went back at them. ... We just keep each other fired up so if somebody goes down, we have to make sure we get them up."

Clower completed five of six passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran one in from two yards out.

In all, Pasco collected one interception, four turnovers on downs, a fumble and an interception.

Jamall Haynes' legs proved to be the perfect compliment to Johnson's hands. The senior gashed the Hornets defense for 227 yards and two scores on 21 carries.

"We were ready to play," said Haynes, who scored on runs of 62 and 63 yards. "When we came out, we came out with power and fire in our eyes. The defense stepped up, the offense stepped up. I got a long run on the first play of the game; that set the tone for the game."