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Sophomore sensation

Striker Jose Montelongo is Pasco's scoring machine.

By STEVE LEE
Published April 2, 2006

DADE CITY - In Ridgewood's only game against Pasco this season, Jose Montelongo took four shots and scored a hat trick in a 3-1 win.

"My players kept saying, "He's offsides. He's offsides,' " Ridgewood coach Ed McComiskey said. "I told them, "He's not offsides. He's just so fast that by the time you've figured it out he's past you.' "

Speed, tremendous dribbling skills and the ability to shoot accurately with both feet made the Pasco sophomore the county's most dangerous forward this season. Montelongo set school records for goals (44) and points (110) in leading the Pirates to their first state berth.

Those marks also made him the top scorer among his brothers. Gabe tallied 32 goals for Wesley Chapel in the 2003-04 season and had 49 career goals. Montelongo's other brother, Gilbert, is a 2002 Wesley Chapel graduate and played goalkeeper.

Unlike his brothers, who hailed from Dade City but opted to play for Wesley Chapel, Jose chose Pasco. And he has wasted little time making a name for himself there. He led the Pirates in scoring as a freshman with 19 goals and 52 points.

"I had a lot more chances than I did last year," Montelongo said of his increased output this season.

"I expect him to score," Pasco coach Barry Grayling said. "I think he's got confidence in himself. When you're a freshman, you get a little intimidated, but with another year you know what it's all about."

Montelongo has handled his coach's expectations with aplomb. Often, the bigger the game the more numbers he compiles. Like in the Class 4A, District 8 final in which he scored twice, including the overtime winner in a 3-2 defeat of Springstead.

"It meant a lot," Montelongo said of his overtime tally. "I just wanted to get it over with, so I was going to play hard. We got to play at home in the next game."

In that contest, a region quarterfinal against Celebration, Montelongo had a hat trick and an assist in a 6-2 win.

Before the state semifinal, no game was bigger than Pasco's first region final. Montelongo came through in that contest as well, scoring the first goal on a penalty kick and passing to Roberto Cervantes for his 26th goal in a 2-0 win over St. Augustine.

In the 72nd minute of that game, Montelongo left with a thigh injury and did not return and for one of the few times in his career watched from the sidelines as his teammates celebrated a win.

"I wanted to be there for the end," Montelongo said, "but I had a feeling we were going (to advance to state) anyway."

Fittingly, Montelongo had his team's final goal of the season in the last game, a 5-2 state semifinal loss to Middleburg at Fort Lauderdale's Lockhart Stadium.

With Montelongo leading the charge for two more seasons, another run deep into the playoffs is not out of the question. He said he owes it to himself as well as the team's supporters. Peering up at the Pasco fans in the Lockhart Stadium stands in the last game, Montelongo reflected after the loss to Middleburg.

"They came a long way to support us," he said. "We've just got to come out harder next year."

Added Grayling after that defeat: "Look at the (forlorn) faces. We're disappointed, but my job is to get them back here."

With Montelongo, as well as Cervantes (26 goals, 20 assists) returning, another state appearance is not out of the question.

[Last modified April 2, 2006, 01:24:20]