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Pirates Outscore Blue Streaks

Mark Pinson/Highlands Today

Sebring's Devin Clarke breaks loose as Pasco's Jamaal Sampson closes in during Friday night's game.

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By MARK PINSON Highlands Today

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 13, 2008

Updated:

DADE CITY - Sophomore quarterback Matt Grubb threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns to rally Sebring from a 20-point deficit, but Pasco's Jamaal Haynes rushed for 154 yards and two scores to lead the Pirates to a 34-20 win over the Blue Streaks on Friday night at WF Edwards Stadium.

"I'm proud of the kids because they showed a lot of character and resolve by coming back against a good team," Sebring coach Jared Hamlin said. "Pasco caught us off guard a little bit with their speed.

"They're a well-coached team and are faster than they looked on film."

Pasco (2-0) got on the board when quarterback Harold Clower, who completed 7-of-12 passes for 140 yards and three touchdowns, found wide receiver Chaise Dunn behind the Blue Streak secondary for a 32-yard touchdown pass.

The extra point by Brennan Allen gave the Pirates 7-0 lead with 1:06 remaining in the first period.

On Sebring's next possession Grubb, who was sacked eight times by the quick Pirate defense, was intercepted by William McLaughlin, who returned the ball to the Sebring 10.

Pasco capitalized as Clower hooked up with Hakeeme Ishmare in the back of the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown pass.

The point after was no good, but the Pirates led 13-0 with six seconds left in the quarter.

Pasco forced a three and out and Haynes broke loose for a 17-yard scoring run for a commanding 20-0 lead midway through the second period.

Sebring (1-1) refused to fold and roared back as Grubb, who completed 14-of-23 passes, connected with sophomore wide receiver Devin Clarke for an 85-yard touchdown pass.

Buck Schroeder's extra point trimmed the Blue Streaks deficit to 20-7 with less than six minutes remaining in the quarter.

Sebring got the ball back after a Pasco punt, and after a penalty on fourth down kept the drive alive, Grubb tossed a 35-yard scoring pass to Clarke to bring the Blue Streaks within 20-14 at the half.

Sebring took the second half kickoff and drove 80 yards in four plays as Grubb connected with Clarke for a 45-yard touchdown. Clarke finished the night with nine receptions for 241 yards.

"We needed some kind of spark and I just used my speed to make some plays for the team," said Clarke. "The offensive line did a great job of blocking and I just made some moves to try and pick up some yardage.

"I didn't play up to my potential last week and I think I did a better job of that tonight."

Schroeder's point after was blocked to leave the score tied at 20 with 10:57 remaining in the third stanza.

Pasco answered with a two-play, 73-yard drive as Clower found Ishmare down the left sideline for a 53-yard touchdown with less than two minutes remaining in the period.

Pasco then picked off another pass by Grubb and Haynes blasted in from 5-yards out for the clinching score midway through the final quarter.

Grubb took little solace from his outstanding performance.

"I'm proud of our team because we didn't quit when we got behind," said Grubb. "We battled back to tie it up, but didn't play well enough to win.

"Pasco played good defense and they were a lot faster than we thought they were, but we made some mistakes that cost us and we just have to keep working hard to get better."

Pasco 34, Sebring 20

Friday at Dade City

Sebring 0 14 6 0 - 20

Pasco 13 7 7 7 - 34

SCORING SUMMARY

First quarter

Pas - Dunn 35 yd pas from Clower (Allen kick)

Pas - Ishmare 5 yd pass from Clower (pass failed)

Second quarter

Pas - Haynes 16 yd run (Allen kick)

Seb - Clarke 85 yd pass from Grubb (Schroeder kick)

Seb- Clarke 35 yd pass from Grubb (Schroeder kick)

Third quarter

Seb- Clarke 45 yd pass from Grubb (kick failed)

Pas - Ishmare 53-yd pass from Clower (Allen kick)

Fourth quarter

Pas - Haynes 5 yd run (Allen kick)

STATS

RUSHING Seb; Burnett 17-52, Counts 2-4, Grubb 4-2. Pas; Haynes 20-154, Clower 9-12

PASSING Seb; Grubb 14-23-319. Pas; Clower 7-12 140

RECEIVING Seb; Clarke 9-241, Sanders 2-34, Howard 1-21, Welborn 1-12. Pas; Dunn 3-76, Ishmare 2-58Johnson 1-5.

Mark Pinson can be reached at 863-386-5837 or mpinson@highlandstoday.com.

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