Zephyrhills hands Pasco its 1st loss of the season in the 65th edition of the 9-Mile War

DADE CITY, FLORIDA- In the 65th edition of the 9-Mile War between the Zephyrhills Bulldogs and Pasco Pirates, there was a lot more on the line than just bragging rights. 

Also on the line as well was a key district game, in which both the Bulldogs and Pirates have figured along as the favorites to win Class 3A-Suburban, District 7. 

With Pasco going into the game at 6-0 and Zephyrhills coming off a tough 23-20 loss to South Sumter, the rivalry between the two teams looked to be renewed and bring back an old vibe. 

The Bulldogs leaned on sophomore standout DJ Pickett, who had over 100 yards in Zephyrhills’ 28-16 win over Pasco at W.F. Edwards Stadium. Zephyrhills handed Pasco its first loss of the season and improved to 4-3, with the latter dropping to 6-1. 

Zephyrhills (4-3) wasted little time in finding themselves on the scoreboard as quarterback Brendyn Colella connected with Pickett, who took the short pass 52 yards for a touchdown to go up 6-0. 

The Bulldogs increased their advantage to 13-0 when Colella (10-of-18, 203 yards) found Pickett (four catches, 127 yards) again on an underneath route and the receiver went this time 58 yards to pay dirt. Pasco (6-1) was able to contain Pickett the rest of the game, but the damage had been done in the opening period. 

Pasco’s own sensation, running back Tayshaun Balmir, was still able to have himself a strong night running the ball despite the inability to throw the football. The Pirates missed on their first seven pass attempts, with one of them being returned for a touchdown. 

It was a difficult night for Pasco quarterback Enrique Matos, who has played well for the Pirates all season long. Balmir rushed for 170 yards on 25 carries, but besides his output, Pasco was held to a mere 39 yards outside of the senior workhorse. 

After a Juan Sanchez 32-yard field goal make to cut the lead to 13-3, Zephyrhills’ Ben Raines would intercept Matos and take it back for a score pushing the Bulldogs out to a 20-3 advantage. 

Pasco did attempt to mount a comeback and in the third quarter came to within 20-10 after Balmir scored on a 9-yard run with 1:07 left in the period. The Pirates then held the Bulldogs on a goal line stand in the next series to get the ball back on offense. 

The back breaker would end up being a 21-yard touchdown run by Fred Adams with 5:50 remaining in the game to give Zephyrhills a commanding 26-10 lead. Pasco would tack on another Balmir touchdown run, but it would end up being too little, too late. Rodney Smith finished with 114 yards in the win for Zephyrhills. 

With the win for Zephyrhills, it puts the Bulldogs in the proverbial driver’s seat to win the district championship as they have one district contest remaining against Cypress Creek. Pasco would need Cypress Creek to defeat Zephyrhills in order to still win Class 3A-Suburban, District 7. The Pirates face Crystal River next week. 

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