It’s hard to come up with ways to describe things in a manner in which does it justice. There’s certain situations that call for

an honest look at something without all of the hype getting in the way. This is a game that calls just for that. By the time Jesuit (11-1) kicks off tonight against Pasco (12-0) up in Dade City tonight, the hype will have already reached levels of suffocation. If there was ever a “good” year to have this matchup in our own backyard for the right to advance to the state semifinals, this is it I would imagine as the Tigers take on the Pirates for the first time since 2002 .

So let the breakdown for this game begin with its pretty simple premise. In fact, I think it’s fitting that this preview is  going to be like what I’m expecting from this clash of 5A giants.  Direct, to the point, no frills, and over before you know it. I tried to think of different ways to attack this piece like the coaches for the respective teams would. I tried to look at every possible factor, every angle, every situation. In the end, I kept coming up with the same basic foundation. No matter what the score is when the clock hits 0:00, this game comes down to some of the basic tenants of the game of football. Ball control, clock management and most importantly, the willingness to be physically and mentally stronger than your opponent will ultimately determine a game in which neither team lacks glaring weaknesses at this point in the season.

Of course there’s a few other things such as balance on offense, getting to the QB on defense and making sure you stay focused for 48 minutes but again at this point in the season it’s my opinion that you shouldn’t have to worry about those things. Most teams didn’t get to be regional finalists by being completely out of whack on any of these factors. Then again, if they were you’d probably have already assumed that’s a 1st Rd. thing and they’ve gotten it out of their system. Pasco is coming off an impressive road win at North Marion 31-28 while the Tigers took care of their district 8-5A rematch with Robinson 35-20 at home. The two teams have not played since 2002 when Jesuit was victorious 57-14. In fact, the Tigers have won 6 out of the last 7 from 1993-2002 with Jesuit trying to make it 5-straight actually.

The Tigers cannot get too ahead of themselves however. Pasco may have played a somewhat suspect schedule, but they’re not 12-0 by any suspect means. You could make a similar case for Jesuit. They’ve played a slightly tougher district schedule than their neighbors to the north, but are just as legitimate at 11-1 (with the only loss being to Plant at the beginning of the season) as the Pirates are at 12-0. Jesuit must “show up”, they simply cannot show up. Does that make sense? To me it does. It means that simply getting on and off the bus is no longer the most difficult aspect of your evening. It means that throwing your helmet and pads on the field is no longer an option. That might have worked for the regular season at times and even the 1st Rd, but it’s not going to work tonight.

When Pasco has the ball they’ve got plenty of options. They can run or throw, and can put points on the board in under a New York minute. They’ve also got a mean streak that took North Marion by surprise and can impose their will. If they can, they’ll try and bait Jesuit into making mistakes that way through penalties just as much as trying to execute their game plan. Why wouldn’t they? I certainly would. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do in order to make it happen. I think it’s no secret that often when facing an opponent as balanced as Jesuit is, the only option left is to try and let them beat themselves. It would feel mighty strange if we saw that from a James Harrell coached team, but not out of the realm if Pasco is able to keep the home crowd rowdy and the zebras focus on what the Tigers are doing solely. These things can and do happen when you go on the road come late rounds so it’s a valid angle in my opinion.

Jesuit has to impose their will on both sides of the ball (duh) and match that meanness that Pasco will display. They have to be the aggressors. Force a couple of quick 3 and outs, score on those possessions when you get the ball back, and by the end of the 1st Quarter this looks like a completely different ball game than what the home folks will be expecting. I’m not saying Pasco is fragile mentally whatsoever, but if Jesuit and their staff smell blood in the water that same water may be filled with Pirates that have walked the plank. (Couldn’t resist.)  This begins and ends with the big boys up front. I get nervous for both teams in situations like this because the more physical teams seem to play nowadays the less effective officiating becomes. Neither team wants to draw silly penalties, but playing the style of ball that both teams must in order to win can lead to sloppy officiating. That’s all I’m saying. It would be a shame for either team to mired in penalties for the entire game.

Jesuit when on offense needs to account for #29 Janorian Grant. Obviously they’ve got to neutralize more than just him, but the young man was all over the place in the North Marion game and will probably be the one setting the defensive tone for the home squad. They’ve got to make sure they’ve kept on eye him or it will be a long night. Not exactly a bad night, but a long night which is what Jesuit needs to avoid with a crowd that will be ready to explode virtually on every play. Speed kills and the Pirates have tons of it. Jesuit’s not exactly filled with track stars, but that’s not what I’ve come to expect from the Tigers. They’re M.O. is to beat that speed with good old-fashioned assignment football and pure physicality.

When on defense, I feel like the Tigers must choose one out of the three (Guy, Trey Dudley-Giles or David Emmanuel) and completely eliminate them from Pasco’s arsenal. Take just one out of the equation as well as accounting for Grant and the Tigers should pull away very late or be in a position of control in the game. This is a grinder. A real treat for those that want to bring their little tape recorders or video cameras to record the popping of the pads and helmets. This isn’t a game for the weak. (Another duh, but accurate and appropriate.) Hopefully this is a game for the ages. Hopefully the pregame meal at Pancho’s in Saint Leo won’t be the highlight for my night.  Hopefully Hillsborough County will have put their 5th team into a State Semifinal by the end of the night. Hope springs eternal. Pasco and Jesuit a game for eternity? I like the sound of that. I also like the sound of the Tigers cheering at the end of the night. It’s grind time. It’s go time. See you under the lights.

Prediction:

Jesuit 27  Pasco 20