Preps

Pasco 27, Hernando 14

Pasco coach hopes to eliminate 'dumb things' before the playoffs.

By CHRIS WAGENHEIM, Times Staff Writer
Published November 10, 2007

DADE CITY - District champion Pasco won its homecoming game 27-14 Friday night against Hernando. But the ball seemed to be moving backward as much as forwards - the teams combined for 175 penalty yards.

"I don't like homecomings because it's hard to get the kids to focus and do what they have to do," Pasco coach Tom McHugh said.

Most of the Pirates' 70 penalty yards came from unsportsmanlike conduct calls. A frustrated McHugh chalked it up to an overall lack of focus.

"It was just stupid things," he said. "We've been working hard not to do those things and when they do those things it drives me crazy, just dumb things."

Fortunately for Pasco, Hernando was committing penalties at key times, negating several first downs. A block in the back, along with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty turned a first and 10 on the Pirates' 45 into a third and 35 on their own 20.

A chop block by the Leopards in the closing seconds of the second quarter negated a huge gain inside Pirates territory, pushing them back to their own 20-yard line.

Also fortunate for the Pirates were Hernando's nonpenalty related miscues, such as a blocked punt, returned by Mylon Brown 21 yards for a score, and a 16-yard interception return by Jorge Jaramillo for a score. Pasco was outpassed and outrushed, but scored on short fields after Hernando turnovers.

"I think that we sputtered on offense," McHugh said. "I don't think the kids were there; I think they were somewhere else and I am not used to that."

McHugh said he was going to address the problems before next Friday's playoff game against Eustis.

"Hopefully we can refocus," McHugh said. "Homecoming and all that foolishness is over - senior night, homecoming, all those things that take your attention away from what you are supposed to be doing.

"Hopefully we can go back and focus on what we've been doing all year."

Pasco 27 Hernando 14

[Last modified November 10, 2007, 00:49:27]