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Pirates Work To Silence Critics

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By EDDIE DANIELS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 23, 2008

DADE CITY - Josh Johnson just didn't want to hear it.

He didn't want to hear the naysayers tell him his team couldn't do it – advance out of the first round of playoffs.

After Friday night's 37-20 victory against Orlando Bishop Moore in the Class 3A-Reion 2 Quarterfinals at W.F. Edwards Stadium, he and his teammates silenced those voices of doubt.

"We didn't want to go home again like last year with sad faces, crying and everything and listen to the fans, 'Ya'll did this once again? We're going to give up on ya'll. Every time you make it to the playoffs, ya'll going to lose," Johnson said. "We have to keep giving them something to look forward to."

What waits ahead in the second round Friday should be enough to keep Pirates fans anxious – a rematch with cross-town rival Gulf.

Pasco (10-1) knocked off Gulf in Week 10 to collect the Class 3A-District 8 title as well as the Sunshine Athletic Conference crown in a 21-20 victory.

The Buccaneers (10-1) had a shot at overtime in that matchup after running back Adrian Golden scored from 13-yards out. Gulf was poised to attempt a 2-point conversion, but Pasco coach Tom McHugh called a timeout. That break caused some second-guessing and Gulf coach Jay Fulmer reconsidered the conversion attempt, opting to send his extra point team on the field. The kick, with 56 seconds remaining, sailed left.

"I understand they're upset we beat them and I would be the same way. I'd be upset if they beat us," McHugh said following Friday night's win. "So they're going to come in here and they're going to bring their best game. We have to work to bring our best game back. It's going to be one of those things. We'll work real hard and hopefully we'll come back on top again."

Friday's victory was the first postseason win for the Pirates since 1998. In all, Pasco has collected a 9-10 ledger in the postseason.

"If you can't get excited about the second playoff game and the state championship series, you can't get excited," McHugh said.

Reporter Eddie Daniels can be reached at (813) 948-4214 or edaniels@tampatrib.com.

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