Pasco County’s playoff dreams end
By Kyle LoJacono
In the battle of the unbeatens, Jefferson High came out on top over Pasco High 41-14 in the Class 3, Region 2 semifinals Nov. 26 in Tampa.
The Pirates (11-1) entered the contest averaging more than 43 points per game, but were limited to just two touchdowns both coming in the fourth quarter. Despite the 27-point loss, Pasco coach Tom McHugh wants the players to understand how difficult it is to reach the second round of the playoffs.
“Over the weekend, (the players are) going to hear a lot of garbage from people,” McHugh said. “But there were 16 teams playing tonight and we were one of them. We just happened to draw (Jefferson).”
On that Dragons (12-0) team is senior quarterback Quentin Williams, who set the state record for career passing touchdowns with his first score to Ramik Wilson in the second quarter. The 40-yard strike gave him 101 in high school, besting Will Indianos’ mark set in 2008 at Gainesville’s Oak Hall High. Williams added another passing score later in the game.
Despite having a record-setting passing attack, Jefferson’s game plan was to keep the ball on the ground. Williams attempted just 18 passes, completing 10 for 139 yards.
“They have some of the best (defensive backs) I’ve played against,” Williams said. “They rush the passer with their D-line, so we knew if we kept running the ball we’d break a couple.”
The Dragons racked up 251 rushing yards and three rushing scores.
“We’re not as pass-heavy as people think,” said Jefferson coach Mike Fenton. “It may appear like that, and that’s kind of a good thing. I hope they keep thinking that.”
Pasco’s high-powered spread offense was kept in check, gaining 244 yards but cashing in with just two touchdowns. Both scores came by the pass. Junior quarterback Jacob Guy connected with senior wide receiver Hakeeme Ishmar for a 44-yard touchdown and later found junior wide receiver Trey Dudley-Giles for a nine-yard score.
Guy entered the second playoff game of his career with 25 touchdowns to eight interceptions, but the Dragons picked him off three times.
“Sometimes you have to face the giant,” McHugh said. “These guys are proud. They don’t like to get beat like that. I think you’re going to see seven or eight of their guys playing on Saturdays. I always like to look at it like, ‘I played that kid, I played that kid.’ When that happens all on the same team, it’s bad for you.”
Pasco’s elimination ends any state championship hope for the county’s 13 public schools.
The Pirates did win their fourth straight district championship this year, all with McHugh as the coach. Pasco will lose 21 seniors this offseason, but will likely return key players like Guy, Dudley-Giles, running backs David Emmanuel and Janarion Grant and defensive lineman Cornell Wilson.
