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Pasco pains Gulf with third victory in two seasons

Staff photo by Fred Bellet

In two seasons, Pasco has beaten Gulf three times. The last two times have been shutouts (50-0 last November; 38-0 Friday).

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By EDDIE DANIELS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 10, 2009

DADE CITY - Here's one way to put it: For the past two seasons, Pasco represents that level of the game you just can't conquer.

No matter how many times you reach that threshold, it never bodes well.

Since Jay Fulmer was hired in 2005, the Gulf football program has been elevated amongst the top teams in Pasco County. Since then, Fulmer has led the squad to a 28-21 record, including two playoff appearances as district runner-ups.

In the nine years before Fulmer, the Buccaneers struggled to a 20-69 record.

Again – in just five seasons, Fulmer has Gulf doing more than it could muster in nearly a decade before.

The past two seasons, though, Pasco has been right there waiting.

Last season, The Pirates beat Gulf 21-20 for the district title. Three weeks later, Pasco thumped the Bucs 50-0 in the semifinals of the state playoffs.

Friday night's 38-0 loss at W.F. Edwards Stadium pushed Gulf (3-3) to 0-3 in the Class 3A-District 7 standings and eliminates them from playoff contention.

Ironically, those three losses have all come in Dade City.

"It's disappointing," Fulmer said of being eliminated from the playoffs. "These seniors, they've experienced that. They've been to the playoffs. They've been to the second round. Pasco's been kind of a thorn in our side the last couple years, but they should never be ashamed of the things they have accomplished. They should be real proud of what they have done. You can't really worry about what you haven't done."

Making matters worse, Gulf lost receiver David Ramirez with 8 minutes remaining in the second quarter to a concussion after a 2-yard reception on a slant pattern. At the end of the game, he was hoisted into an ambulance and taken to Pasco Regional Medical Center for evaluation. He was later released, Fulmer said.

The Pirates (4-1, 3-0 Class 3A-District 7) used a hustling defense to apply constant pressure to Bucs quarterback Madison Burr and those who didn't pin their ears back were alert and opportunistic.

Pasco defensive end Trey Dudley-Giles scored on a 15-yard fumble return in the first quarter and linebacker Chase Sellers returned an interception 92 yards in the third quarter.

Pasco's offense proved to be just as advantageous.

Quarterback D.J. Clower connected on 10 of 18 passes for 147 yards and three scores. Six of those completions were for 10 yards or more. He hit Mitch Wozniak (54 yards), Janarion Grant (30 yards) and Hakeeme Ishmar (7 yards) for scores.

"I feel like we're kind of back on track," Clower said in reference to the team's lone loss to South Sumter three weeks ago. "All we do is practice all week, studying film; all the basics, trying to get back to our normal selves and overcome the loss."

In overcoming the loss, Pasco has set itself up for a possible playoff run. The Pirates remain one of the top teams in the district, as Land O' Lakes and Mitchell are also undefeated in a cluttered, three-way tie for first place. That said, only two teams can go.

"I kind of believe we can make it back (to the playoffs)," Clower said. "We have a team full of athletes, so I don't think we wouldn't make it back with the athletes we've got. So we should make it back."

As for Gulf, Fulmer expects his group to remain on the course he charted when he was hired five years ago.

"You just have to keep working," he said. "They made a commitment to me and I hope tat they'll honor that commitment by working hard the rest of the year and we still have four games to go and we can still have a winning season. W can win six or seven games."

Reporter Eddie Daniels can be reached at (813) 259-7066.

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