DADE CITY — Less dancing, more hitting.
That was the message pounded across to the Pasco Pirates in practice, a new approach needed after their anemic offensive showing in last week’s against Sunlake. It worked to dazzling effect Friday as Pasco overwhelmed Fivay 50-7 at W.F. Edwards Stadium.
“We needed to be a little less Muhammad Ali and a little more Mike Tyson,” said Pirates coach Tom McHugh. His offense eschewed deception in favor of riding a large offensive line and having quarterback Ben Chandler simply hand it off, or loft it to one of the Pirates’ playmakers.
Pasco (1-1) raced to a 43-0 halftime lead needing only 13 offensive plays. Five scores all covered at least 34 yards, and Bowman Archibald added a 7-yard interception return that made it 28-0 to end the first quarter.
Nate Craig staked his claim to be the go-to guy, setting the tone with the first two touchdowns. On the second, a 34-yarder on third and 15, Jones had to make a tough catch at the 5 then outmanned three defenders.
Malik Johns took a simple sweep for a 55-yard score on his only carry, and in the second quarter Jaquan Clower went for 75 yards to make it 35-0. Archibald, who had 11/2 sacks on the first Falcons drive to go with his pick-six, added a 58-yard touchdown reception from Grant Starling.
Craig and Johns were among those who got McHugh’s other message.
“Last week they were waiting around for Janarion Grant, David Emmanuel and Joey Ivie to make a play. Those guys are in college now,” McHugh said. “It’s their time; they need to step up.”
After a huge performance in the opener, Fivay’s Eric Vitale was held to 76 yards passing. He did find Dylan Hartley for 34 yards to set up Fivay’s lone score, Vik Taylor’s 5-yard run with 4:15 remaining.
The Falcons (1-1) ran for 81 yards on 34 carries, but 22 of those came on fake punts. Davion Sutton was held to 30 yards on eight carries.
Chandler finished 4-of-7 for 101 yards and three scores with Johns getting the third.