By Kyle LoJacono
Winning has been synonymous with the Pasco football team since Tom McHugh became its coach in 2007.
He inherited a 3-7 team that hadn’t made the playoffs in four seasons. Since then, the Pirates have five straight district titles with a 51-11 combined record, including seven postseason victories.
The 2011 campaign was McHugh’s best at the helm. Pasco completed consecutive perfect regular seasons, along with the program’s first trip to the final four since winning the 1992 Class 3A state championship.
“It was crazy, because going through the season we didn’t really have a tough schedule,” said running back Janarion Grant. “Everybody thought once we got in the playoffs we’d get beat. We had some great games all through, so we showed people what we can do.”
The season ended in heartbreaking fashion, with the Pirates losing a triple-overtime game at Wakulla.
“It was exciting when we got there, but we couldn’t get it done against Wakulla,” said running back David Emmanuel. “We got red in our eyes. We’re taking it really serious.”
McHugh said it won’t be easy to match what was accomplished a year ago after losing 22 seniors.
“We’re just trying to fill in those spots,” McHugh said. “Looking for a quarterback, wide receiver and we lost the whole offensive line and linebackers.”
Quarterback is the biggest question mark. The Pirates lose Jacob Guy, who completed 161-of-228 passes for 2,672 yards, a single-season Pasco County record, with 42 touchdowns to six interceptions
The only returning signal caller who completed a pass last year is Grant Starling (2-of-4 passing, 11 yards). Also vying for the job is Ben Chandler and Jajuan Henry.
Also hurting the passing game is the loss of leading receiver Trey-Dudley Giles, who snagged 53 catches for 1,066 yards and 14 scores. He also provided 1,675 all-purpose yards and 21 total touchdowns, along with three interceptions and 12 passes defensed as a defensive back.
Pasco is fortunate to return Emmanuel and Grant.
“Those two guys are special,” McHugh said. “You only get one Jacob Guy in your life as a coach. In the same way, there’s only one Janarion and one David Emmanuel. It’s nice to have them on the same team at the same time. Saying that, we’ve got some young guys coming up who will do well. It takes seasoning, and we’ll see how long that takes.”
The two running backs have grown up together since meeting on the fields of the Pasco Police Athletic League.
“We’re really comfortable with each other,” Grant said. “We like being back there together. If one person doesn’t have a good game, the other one does.”
Their play complements each other, with 5-foot-11, 185-pound Emmanuel as the power back and the 5-foot-9, 165-pound Grant as the quicker of the two.
“Janarion has always been crazy with his moves,” Emmanuel said. “We’ve been through a lot together. Football has been our life.”
Grant caught 48 passes for 960 yards and 14 touchdowns, while adding 443 rushing yards on 59 carries and another four scores. Emmanuel had a team-high 1,325 yards on 132 carries and 19 touchdowns, while adding 255 yards on 31 catches and another two scores.
Along with workouts and practices, Emmanuel has had a different way to get ready for the season.
“David’s been roofing houses during the summer,” McHugh said. “He worked all day, and then came and did the 7-on-7 stuff at night. He’s a tough kid and he’s been out there in this heat all summer, so that won’t be a problem for him.”
The bruising back has also been working on his endurance to be at top form at the end of games.
“I’m planning on being fully energetic come the fourth quarter when everyone is hurting,” Emmanuel said. “I want to be able to run guys over at the end of the game.”
The backfield is loaded, but McHugh won’t commit to any set offensive.
“I never go into a season looking to have a certain offense,” McHugh said. “We didn’t think we’d throw the ball 40 times a game last year. If that’s what they’re going to give us, then we’ll take it. If they want to cover the pass, then we’ll run.”
The defense will be led by 6-foot-4, 270-pound defensive tackle Joey Ivie (eight sacks, 53 tackles).
“I think we’ll be OK defensively,” McHugh said. “We’ve got Joey Ivie and a couple other guys getting bigger in the weight room. We’ll see.”
So many faces are new, but the returning players see more than their fair share of wins on the horizon.
“We’re really looking forward to having an even better season this year,” Grant said. “We still have really good players and great coaches, so we want to go back to the semifinals and make it to states and win that championship.”
Pasco schedule
All games start at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise listed. Home games played at 36850 SR 52, Dade City.
Kickoff classic** Aug. 24 at Hernando
Aug. 31 Bye
Sept. 7 vs. Land O’ Lakes
Sept. 14 at Wiregrass Ranch
Sept. 21 vs. Gulf*
Sept. 28 at Anclote*
Oct. 5 at Wesley Chapel*
Oct. 12 vs. Hudson*
Oct. 19 at Fivay*
Oct. 26 vs. Ridgewood*
Nov. 2 vs. Zephyrhills*
Nov. 9 vs. Delray Beach Village Academy
*Denotes district contest
**Kickoff at 7 p.m.
2011 Pirates (13-1)
Calvary Christian W 54-27
Land O’ Lakes W 39-6
Wiregrass Ranch W 53-0
Gulf W 51-0
Anclote W 54-0
Wesley Chapel W 57-12
Hudson W 70-0
Fivay W 59-6
Ridgewood W 52-0
Zephyrhills W 45-0
Alachua Santa Fe* W 21-14
North Marion* W 31-28
Jesuit* W 31-7
Wakulla* L 41-38
*Playoffs
