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Back It Up: Pasco Wins

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By EDDIE DANIELS

edaniels@tampatrib.com

Published: November 27, 2008

DADE CITY - The line between playoff success and packing up your locker is a fine one at this point in the season.

The football teams that have advanced to this point of the playoff bracket - the region semifinals - are skilled teams.

Tonight, we will watch two of Pasco County's best - Gulf and Pasco - go at it for the right to play in the region final next week against the winner of the North Marion-Williston matchup.

For Gulf, it is a return to W.F. Edwards Stadium in Dade City - the scene of its only loss in a historic season. It is the first time in school history the Buccaneers have reached 10 wins. The team was also one 2-point conversion shy of the program's first district title.

As sentimental as this story is for many, the playoffs rarely leave time for feelings. More often than not, history can be the X factor.

The Pirates have history on their side. They are the lone Pasco County football team that has gone the distance, winning a Class 3A title in 1992.

The most recent history occurred Nov. 7, 2008 - the night Pasco proved it was the best team in the county by knocking off Gulf, 21-20. Entering that game, the Bucs (10-1) had averaged 42 points in eight games.

Pasco (10-1) put together a solid plan, aiming to keep the Gulf offense off the field and keep the ball out of star running back Adrian Golden's hands. Pirates running back Jamall Haynes gouged the Bucs defense for 153 rushing yards to help control the clock, and Pirates quarterback D.J. Clower made sound decisions on when to throw or run.

Pasco coach Tom McHugh also has a history of success. McHugh was the defensive coordinator for Wesley Chapel from 1999-2006, and the program had two undefeated regular seasons (2001 and 2003) during that time.

Last season, he took over a Pasco team hungry for success and discipline. In his first season, he guided the Pirates to a district title, and he repeated the feat this year.

McHugh can't strap on the shoulder pads or don a helmet, but his players are more than willing to do it on his behalf.

When McHugh was hired before the 2007 season, he detailed how the phrase "We Will Win Because We Will Be Where We're Supposed To Be" (shortened to WWWBWWBWWSTB) was engrained in Wesley Chapel's players.

"We would beat teams that had superior athletes because they would listen to what the coach was saying and pay attention," McHugh said. "Over a period of years, I would put that on the board every day, and that became the way for us to win."

Making matters worse for Gulf, starting quarterback Madison Burr is not expected to play.

There is a reason football games are played on the field and not in the newspaper or on the Internet. The musings of prognosticators have little to do with the outcome. But history plays a big role.

Reporter Eddie Daniels can be reached at (813) 948-4214.

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