Pasco (FL) defeats Cypress Creek; Improves to 5-0 for the first time since 2012
DADE CITY, FLORIDA- If the spring told us anything about a future matchup between Cypress Creek and Pasco, it was there would be plenty of yards and points.
The Pirates didn’t let the Dade City faithful down that showed up to W.F. Edwards Stadium as the scoring started early and often. Pasco running back Tayshaun Balmir exploded for 360 yards and four touchdowns as the Pirates defeated the Coyotes 39-18 in a Class 3A-Suburban, District 7 matchup on Monday night. Pasco is off to its first 5-0 start since 2012.
Balmir is now unofficially at 1,200 yards rushing through five games.
Photo by Alex Walworth
“Proud,” Freeney said about the district win. “That’s all. I’m just proud. I’m proud of the guys believing in each other and believing in me. They’ve been through a lot all last year. Then for them to have a new coach, a new guy and be like ‘Who’s this guy’. I’m just proud. That’s all I got. I’m proud.”
Pasco (5-0) didn’t make any bones about what they might do offensively, with Balmir rushed for over 100 yards in the opening quarter. The Pirates were knocking on the proverbial goal line door when Coyotes’ defensive back Zyon Davis picked off the Enrique Matos pass and returned it 100 yards to pay dirt.
Cypress Creek (4-1) leading 8-0, Pasco went right back to work with Balmir and on the very next drive, the senior scored on a 9-yard touchdown run with 5:19 in the opening period. The Coyotes answered right back on a Malachi Askin 4-yard touchdown run, setup by a 40-yard connection from quarterback Jack Niemann to wide receiver Milton Gracia.
Niemann ended up being sacked four times on the night.
Photo by Alex Walworth
Pasco got themselves within 15-14 on a 21-yard scoring run by Balmir early in the second quarter. The Pirates problems stemmed from untimely bobbled snaps and delay of game penalties that put them behind the chains numerous times.
The second half was one of plenty adjustments for Pasco as they yielded just a 35-yard field goal by Cypress Creek’s Cameron Canard. Other than that, the Coyotes found it tough sledding to get anything else going offensively.
While on Pasco’s end, Balmir began to flirt with trying to the Pasco County all-time single game record for rushing yards, which is 432 by Gulf’s Adrian ‘Bubba’ Golden in 2008. He ended up falling 72 yards short, but now sits at 1,200 yards through five games.
Matos shook off an early interception to score on a 29-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Photo by Alex Walworth
“Real fun. This is my favorite sport ever,” Balmir said after the game. “I love this sport. I push myself harder everyday at practice. I trust my team. My team trusts me and we are going to come out here and do it every time.”
Balmir had scoring runs of 64 and 16 in the half. The 64-yard score ended up being the go-ahead touchdown as Balmir broke up the middle through the Coyotes’ defense and gave Pasco a 20-18 lead.
It wouldn’t be just Balmir doing all the running, with freshman tailback Jalandis Smith adding 50 yards on eight attempts. Matos added a 29-yard scamper in the fourth quarter and safety Angel Miles returned a Niemann pass 74 yards for a score to close out the scoring for Pasco.
“We have a lot of backs,” Freeney added. “I think the thing I’m most proud of is my sophomore offensive line. We have a guy like Tayshaun and that helps, but when you go to Jalandis, there’s not really much drop off.”
Freeney has Pasco at 5-0 for the first time since 2012. The Pirates reached the region final that year.
Photo by Alex Walworth
This Friday, Pasco will host Polk County for Auburndale with a chance to improve to 6-0 on the season.
Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.
