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Dunn Stars As Pasco Rallies To Victory

By BART O'CONNELL Tribune correspondent

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 27, 2008

HUDSON - Chase Dunn waited patiently for his chance to make a contribution for Pasco's quick-strike offense, knowing it would come after being overlooked in the Pirates' first three games.

When the speed of Josh Johnson, the power of Jamall Haynes and the legs of D.J. Clower began to break down, costing Pasco a 10-point second-half lead, it was Dunn's turn.

With less than 20 seconds to play, trailing by 5, facing fourth-and-goal from the Hudson 6, the senior who has the "best hands in this county since former Land O' Lakes and current NFL receiver Logan Payne," according to Coach Tom McHugh, had the play called for him - a corner route to the front-right pylon.

Dunn ran the route perfectly and made the game-winning catch to complete a second-consecutive close-call win for the Pirates (4-0, 1-0 Class 3A-District 8), 17-15 in their district opener against the Cobras (1-2, 0-1) on Friday night.

"We ran it in 7-on-7 passing league all summer, and it worked," Dunn said. "It's an honor. There's so many good players, and so many options. When they call your number, you have to stand up and make your play."

"He was the man to go to tonight. He was open," said quarterback D.J. Clower, who went 11 of 16 for 209 yards and two touchdowns, of Dunn's play.

Dunn actually did it time-after-time in the second half, finishing with six catches for 92 yards.

Hudson's furious comeback came on the strength of quarterback Zack Wynn (16 of 32, 147 yards, 1 TD). The Cobras came out of halftime with an 11-play, 80-yard touchdown drive, capped by a Wynn 28-yard pass to Dylan Buono. Then on their next possession, they mixed Wynn passing with the jumbo running set for an 11-play, 62 yard scoring drive.