Pirates finish Weightman, end playoff speculation

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 31, 2001

WESLEY CHAPEL -- Pasco played the spoiler role to the hilt last Tuesday by defeating Weightman 12-6 and foiling plans for what would have been the county's first middle school football playoff game.

A Weightman win would have left the Wildcats tied atop the Pasco County Middle School Athletic Conference with Hudson. Weightman's loss, however, clinched the title for Hudson (6-0).

Weightman, Pasco, Seven Springs and Pine View finished in a four-way tie for second at 5-1.

Despite Hudson's first undefeated season in school history, coach Tony Qualtiere favored a playoff game against Weightman since those teams did not meet in the regular season.

"We were all rooting for Weightman," Qualtiere said. "I kind of liked to have played one more game, but (Qualtiere's players) are happy anyway.

"We were in a win-win situation. We're still 6-0, conference champions."

The Wildcats did not share Qualtiere's sentiment.

"We're crushed," Weightman coach Johnnie Clower said.

With a possible playoff game looming, Clower warned his players about not overlooking the Pirates.

"We tried to stay focused and worry about (the Pasco) game," he said.

Pasco struck first with Mike Onyskin sweeping around left end for a 12-yard touchdown late in the first quarter.

Weightman answered by scoring on its next possession. Josh Lentz capped a 65-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run.

Onyskin's 28-yard sweep for a third-quarter touchdown held up as the game-winning score.

On both touchdown runs, Onyskin followed the blocking of fullback Jesus Florez and linemen Ray Johnston, Tieran Burns and Antonio Corona.

"We were glad to win," Pasco coach Dock Harris said. "We were overlooked."

EVEN SEASON: Chasco (3-3) finished its first season on a winning note, defeating River Ridge 26-6 for a .500 record.

"I was hoping for 3-3," Chasco coach Nick Zizo said. "I was expecting to go 0-6."

River Ridge took a 6-0 lead before the Chargers scored the remaining points in the game.

Ron Shiner rushed for a game-high 148 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown. Shiner also tossed a halfback pass to Eric Slaughter for a 30-yard touchdown.

Chasco quarterback Jeff Roxby threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Matt Olsen and Adam Aracena scored on a 47-yard fumble recovery.

FIRST WIN: Bayonet Point avoided its third winless season in a row by defeating Gulf 28-12 in its final game.

"I think this is the first team we really matched up against," Patriots coach Ken Reed said of Gulf (0-6).

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