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Nine-Mile Rivalry Just Got More Interesting

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BART O'CONNELL

Tribune correspondent

Published: October 4, 2008

ZEPHYRHILLS - With every Pasco victory, and Zephyrhills loss, in the first three weeks of the season, the two teams in next week's Nine-Mile rivalry seemed to be 109 miles apart in terms of talent.

Then again, maybe it was foolish to think the Pirates and Bulldogs wouldn't be competitive. As has been proven, year after year, Zephyrhills coach Tom Fisher will find a way to get his team prepared for the biggest games.

Now, in a complete role reversal, the Bulldogs appear to have all the momentum after dealing Wesley Chapel a 28-0 shutout at Bulldog Stadium on Friday. It was the first time the Wildcats have been blanked since 1999, a span of 93 games.

By contrast, Pasco struggled offensively for the third consecutive week, finally losing a game decided by a single play, 18-17, to a talented, undefeated Nature Coast squad.

"I knew they were capable of it, I just told them to keep plugging away at it," said Fisher of the victory. "We were very fortunate tonight. We played well, and we were prepared, and we responded."

The Bulldogs that hardly could run at all in the first three games seem to be gone. Zephyrhills amassed 169 yards rushing Friday, and scored four offensive touchdowns, one more than they had in all of the first three games.

Much of the credit was given to the offensive line, a group decimated by injuries that opened huge holes for runners Michael Peterman (15 carries, 90 yards) and Alex Paniagua (18 carries, 54 yards, one touchdown).

Amazingly, this patchwork group completely neutralized University of South Florida-bound two-way lineman Kamran Joyer. He had one solo tackle, a second-half sack of quarterback Tyler Guy, which was offset by a late hit penalty that resulted in a first down for Zephyrhills on their final drive.

When asked what was different about the offensive line Friday, Fisher's answer was clear.

"Determination, hard practice, beating the crap out of them in practice … well, not beating the crap out of them, but working them hard, working them hard in practice and making them believe in themselves," he said. "We don't zero in on anybody across from us. We've just got to play our game."

"They were disciplined, offensively and defensively," said Paniagua, who also caught two of Guy's three touchdown passes.

Despite their ups and downs, Zephyrhills has played well against the county's speedy running backs. Wesley Chapel's Keenan Reynolds was held to 26 yards on seven carries Friday.

Mitchell's Ricky Trinidad had 31 yards on nine carries (which turned into negative yardage if you count an intentional safety he took), Land O' Lakes' Ben Hipps and Stephen Weatherford accounted for 49 yards rushing, and Sunlake's Mike Shaver and Eli Escobar totaled 25 yards against Zephyrhills. The only big running play allowed by the Bulldogs in that span was a 49-yard touchdown run by Gators fullback Tyler Peak.

They appear ready for another crack at Pasco's Josh Johnson, who had 96 yards rushing against them last year.

"Well, we're fast. And a lot of times, when we play against slower teams, they tend to get you off your rhythm," said Fisher in explaining the Bulldogs' success against quick backs.

Though Pasco (4-1) still appears to be the more complete team this year, Zephyrhills (2-3) has won three in a row in the series, allowing 14 or fewer points each time. No matter how far away the two schools are, the Bulldogs definitely feel closer to the Pirates than at any other point in the season.

"I hope so. We'll see next week," Fisher said. "Hopefully they learn from it and realize that they're capable of playing with anybody."

Bart O'Connell can be reached at tampasport@gmail.com.

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