The Pirates' defense shone all game long, saving the win in the last minute.
By MIKE BOYLE
Published October 2, 2004
JACKSONVILLE - In a game dominated by defense, Pasco's Jesse Cowart stepped up when it counted.
Cowart returned a fumble 50 yards for the game-winning score, as the Priates' (2-2) defense stopped Trinity Christian 20-16 Friday night.
"I knew he (Cowart) had it in him, just like I knew all of our kids had it in them," Pasco coach Dale Caparaso said. "Our team needed to grow to win this game, and they came through for us."
Defending Class A champion Trinity Christian (2-2), which soundly defeated the Pirates in Dade City last year, was hampered by key penalties and mistakes.
The most damaging of 15 penalties for the Conquerors was a personal foul call with 59 seconds remaining, forcing Trinity Christian back after completing a 59-yard pass to the Pirate 9-yard line.
After three tries for the end zone, cornerback Vidis Barker knocked away a fourth down pass try to preserve the win.
Pasco's defense provided numerous opportunities to score, forcing two fumbles and recovering a blocked punt inside the Conquerors' 20.
But the Pirate offense managed only a 28-yard Mike Onyskin touchdown run late in the first half and a Tony Smith 5-yard touchdown pass to Dominic Brown in the third quarter.
