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Pirates rally past Rams

By WAYNE GRUMET

© St. Petersburg Times, published September 9, 2000

DADE CITY -- Ridgewood seemed to be on track to snap a seven-game losing streak to Pasco on Friday night. The Rams held an 8-6 lead midway through the third quarter.

However, Pasco's high-octane offense diffused Ridgewood's hopes by exploding for three touchdowns in less than seven minutes to win 27-8. "I knew when we were warming up that we were kind of flat. I don't know if we were looking past Ridgewood or what," Pasco coach Ricky Thomas said. "You better believe that the intensity level in practice will be entirely different. The heat's going to be turned up." Ridgewood's defense kept the heat on Pasco's offense throughout the first half. In the second quarter, Ridgewood punter Jay Meyers trapped the Pirates at their 3-yard line, and the defense took advantage.

Kenny Roberts took a pitch deep in the end zone on second down, and several Rams tackled him for a safety. Ridgewood then drove 58 yards on six plays to take an 8-0 lead. Mario Policastri took a handoff 8 yards for the score.

Pasco (1-1) mustered just 64 first-half yards, but it did score just before halftime. Ben Alford hit Joe Bain from 4 yards out to break the drought. Roberts' two-point run failed, leaving it 8-6 at halftime.

Pasco's offense started to get well in the third quarter. Roberts hit Bain on a 35-yard option pass to the Ridgewood 30. Roberts scored five plays later on a 6-yard run for a 13-8 lead.

Ridgewood (0-1) answered quickly as Larry Higgins hit Robbie Coghlan on a 62-yard slant to the Pasco 18. Policastri took the next play in for a score, but Gus Kalathakis was called for holding. Michael Cassagnol fumbled on the next play, and on the next play, Alford hit Bain for a 72-yard TD to pull ahead 20-8.

"That touchdown that was called back hurt and hurt big time," Ridgewood coach Wayne Parzik said. "We're not an explosive team, and we have to work for everything we get."

Roberts finish the scoring with a 61-yard run with 23 seconds remaining in the third.

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