Pasco gets by Auburndale in slugfest to reach 6-0 for the first time since 2012

DADE CITY, FLORIDA- The last time the Pasco Pirates started off a season at 6-0, the program was competing for state championships. 

In the program’s hay day just over a decade ago, Pasco made the state semifinals twice in two years under then head coach Tom McHugh. Since 2012, though, it’s been a tough road getting back to respectability for the Pirates. 

Well, until now that is. The Pirates have been pulling off win after win and Friday was one of the team’s most impressive victories of them all. 

Pasco’s defense had to step up to the occasion, picking off two passes en route to a gritty 19-9 win over Auburndale at W.F. Edwards Stadium. The Pirates improved to 6-0 for the first time since 2012, the last the program reached a state semifinal. 

It wasn’t going to be the big kinda night for running back Tayshaun Balmir, who earlier in the week against Cypress Creek went off for 360 yards and four touchdowns. Instead, Balmir had to work hard for his yardage against a very stingy Bloodhounds’ defense. 

Auburndale (2-2) prepared its defense for the task of slowing down Balmir as they held one of the state’s leading rushers to 133 yards on 20 attempts on the night. Balmir entered the contest averaging over 200 yards a game and with 1,200 yards rushing already. 

The battle of the defenses was evident after one period of play, with the two teams exiting the first quarter knotted up at 0-0. Even the first points of the game came on a non-offensive play as Pasco scooped up a bad Auburndale snap and returned it for a touchdown. 

With the Pirates up 7-0, the Bloodhounds thought they had an opportunity for a takeaway on a Balmir run that officials ruled he was down on. An Auburndale assistant was ejected in lieu of the controversial call, and was remained ahead 7-0. 

Pasco kicker Juan Sanchez put the Pirates ahead 10-0 on a short field goal make with four minutes left in the third quarter. Needing to get themselves on the scoreboard, the Bloodhounds (2-2) finally did that just before the final quarter of play. 

Auburndale running back Dayrel Glover (22 carries, 117 yards) punched in the Bloodhounds’ only touchdown of the night on a 4-yard scamper, pulling them within 10-7 of Pasco. 

Heading into the final quarter of play and needing to start pulling away, Pasco (6-0) held strong against a Auburndale scoring threat early in the fourth. Staving off the Bloodhounds all night from the endzone proved to be a task the Pirates’ defense was up to the test for. 

Pasco added another Sanchez field goal with 4:50 remaining and recovered the ensuing kickoff to chew more time off the clock. The defense continued to hold it down in the final minutes, with the Pirates getting a key interception by defensive back Kaleb Samuel. 

The Pirates took an intentional safety to help burn off clock time and scored a late touchdown in the waning seconds to seal the win. Now Pasco changes it’s focus immediately to the 9-Mile War, in which will be one of the top matchups in Pasco County all season long. 

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @Andy_Villamarzo.