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PASCO 41, GULF 7: The visitors run their winning streak to 16 against the home club.
By DAVE WALTERS
© St. Petersburg Times, published October 5, 2002
NEW PORT RICHEY -- Pasco quarterback Ben Alford couldn't be contained by the Gulf defense Friday night.
His own coach, Ricky Thomas, couldn't stop him either.
Alford torched the Bucs secondary for 308 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Pirates to a 41-7 road win at W.D. "Des" Little Stadium.
Pasco improved to 4-1 on the season and 2-0 in Class 3A, District 7. Gulf fell to 0-5 and 0-2 in the district.
When he wasn't picking apart the defense, Alford was blocking downfield for tailback Dante O'Neal. O'Neal finished with 128 yards on 15 carries.
Thomas was thrilled with Alford's throwing, but was upset with Alford's lead blocking for his running back.
"What, are you crazy?" Thomas said. "We need to get you some medicine or something."
Alford proved he was a competitor on the final play of the first half.
With no time on the clock after a penalty, Alford scrambled in the backfield while being chased by Gulf defensive end Ken Dunkleberger. He stepped up to throw and Dunkleberger hit him from the blind side. The ball popped into the air and was snared by Blaise Simon which he returned for the Bucs' lone score.
Alford got up slowly and jogged to the sideline with a grin.
"Taking a knee on that play wasn't an option for me," Alford said. "I hate taking a knee. I hate coming out of the game."
Alford completed four consecutive passes in the Pirates' first possession for 74 yards including a 15-yard touchdown strike to Johnny Peyton. Peyton also caught a 76-yard score in the second quarter.
The receiving star was Marcus Allen with seven receptions for 208 yards and scores of 32 and 49 yards.
Gulf has now lost 16 consecutive times to Pasco over the last 20 years, the longest losing streak between two Pasco County foes. Bucs coach Keith Newton's game plan was to find a way to contain Alford.
"The main question all week was how to stop him so he doesn't run and pass on you at the same time," Newton said. "He makes that offense click. Just when you think you have Alford in the grasp, poof, he's gone."
The Bucs lost more than the game when quarterback Jeff Blanchette left the game in the second quarter with a possible concussion. He was replaced by senior wideout Sean Collins. Collins didn't have the scrambling ability of Blanchette, but the Bucs offense showed some life in the second half, moving to the Pasco 7-yard line before a field goal attempt failed.
"The offense can move the ball," Newton said. "We have to learn when we're inside the 20 to score."