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No matter the records, rivalry consumes whole week

Wesley Chapel-Pasco should still be intense amid changing fortunes and circumstances.

By IZZY GOULD
Published October 7, 2005

DADE CITY - Rivalries withstand bad seasons.

They recapture communities when football is an afterthought.

They rejuvenate teams. They give meaning to otherwise meaningless practice weeks.

Rivalries inspire marginal players. They make memories.

Who would expect anything less tonight when Pasco invades Wesley Chapel?

But both schools have been jolted by suspensions, injuries, inexperience and losses.

This week, the Pirates (1-5) and Wildcats (2-4) have relied on their rivalry as inspiration.

"I'm sure because we're both down both teams will want it even more," Wesley Chapel coach John Castelamare said. "I'm sure they're going to play their hearts out."

There was instant hatred between the programs when the rivalry started in 1999.

A swath of Dade City was zoned for Wesley Chapel. In turn, kids once devoted to the red and black were donning blue and white.

Communities were divided. Friends were now enemies. Even today, families have split loyalties.

"Look at the odd scenario," Pasco coach Dale Caparaso said. "My starting running back (Mario Jenkins) is the brother of their starting quarterback (Greg Jenkins). We have two Tookeses (Dorian and Marcus), they have one Tookes (Darian).

"As long as that stuff comes up, there's always going to be a rivalry."

But will the game be competitive?

Pasco's high-powered offense has stalled with the losses of Dominic Brown and Tony Smith.

Wesley Chapel lost top tackler Vince Chalecki last week for the season with a knee injury, and Josh Winfrey to an automatic suspension after he was ejected against Gaither.

Both teams are starting inexperienced quarterbacks: the Pirates with freshman Josh Johnson and the Wildcats with sophomore Greg Jenkins.

And this game is meaningless in the playoff race now that the teams are in different districts.

Caparaso said none of those points matter after kickoff.

"It doesn't make a difference," he said. "Every time we get on the field it's like we're starting again. It's just going to be a good tough game."

There's plenty of historical motivation.

Pasco landed the first punch with a 59-8 win in 1999 led by quarterback Nick Trehuba and receiver Joe Bain, who connected on three Pirates touchdowns.

Two years later, the Wildcats, led by Tyrone Tomlin's 100-yard rushing effort and five touchdowns, thumped Pasco 71-6. Castelamare said then it was not payback for the '99 loss.

Wesley Chapel dominated the series from that point until last season when Pasco registered a 24-20 upset in Dade City.

"They're right up the street," Castelamare said. "A lot of kids know each other. It's always going to be a good rivalry. It's going to be a tough game."

- Contact Izzy Gould at 352 521-6517 or igould@sptimes.com

[Last modified October 7, 2005, 01:50:23]