Zephyrhills finishes strong against rival Pasco

The Bulldogs' 31-6 victory over the Pirates has them getting ready for the playoffs.

By IZZY GOULD
Published October 29, 2005

ZEPHYRHILLS - Tom Fisher huddled his players in the end zone just steps from the Zephyrhills locker room.

They circled their soft-spoken coach as he searched for the right words. Fisher quickly realized he wasn't sure what to say.

"Nobody is to leave the locker room until we know the Hudson-Gulf score," Fisher said.

At the minimum, the Bulldogs knew they would get a shot at a playoff berth after a 31-6 win against Pasco in the nine-mile rivalry.

"Tonight showed we're really coming around," Fisher said. "We have strong game next week and we'll get ready for the playoffs."

Both teams sloshed through the first half, though Zephyrhills (6-3, 2-1 district) gained a 10-point lead after after quarterback Sederrik Cunningham's 6-yard connection with Scott Weitzel followed by a 32-yard field goal by Spencer Border.

Cunningham was sharp completing 11-of-17 passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns.

Bulldogs senior Bryan Thomas put a charge in the home crowd with an 89-yard kickoff return for a 17-0 lead to open the second half. He finished with 10 carries for 55 yards and two receptions for 32 yards. His kickoff return marked the first of four consecutive Zephyrhills scoring drives to pile the Pirates (1-8, 0-3) beneath an insurmountable deficit.

Pasco punted six times before breaking through on a Dorian Tookes 1-yard run to the end zone for the Pirates' lone score in the fourth quarter.

Fisher said this was Zephyrhills' best all-around performance of the season.

"They're o-line and d-line outplayed us," Pasco coach Dale Caparaso said. "Bryan's the real deal. He's the real deal. We'll try to finish (the season) on a positive note."

Contact Izzy Gould at 727 580-5315 or igould@sptimes.com

[Last modified October 29, 2005, 01:45:21]