Pasco’s Prized Pirate

At 6’4 and 270lbs Joe Ivie is not your average teenager and average is certainly not the word you would use to describe his play on the football field this year. Ivie has totaled 89 tackles (56 solo) and 12 sacks for the Pirates who are a perfect 12-0 on the season. Big County Preps caught up to Ivie this week and asked him some questions about his remarkable year and his commitment to the University of Florida.

Question: What was Pasco’s team goal at the start of this football season?

Answer: It was definitely to win a state championship. We went 13-1 last year and made it to the state semi-finals before losing. We feel like this year’s team is even better and know we can take that next step by making it to state championship.

Q: What has been the key to Pasco’s undefeated record this year?

A: We play together as a team and basically have one heartbeat. A lot of us have played together since freshmen year and that core group has sworn to each other that we would do whatever it takes to win states. Whenever, times get tough and practices get long we remind each other of that goal.

Q: What coach or player has inspired you the most this year?

A: Coach Mchugh (Paso’s Head Coach) is amazing. He gives some of the best motivational speeches I have ever heard and always gets the team inspired to play. All the players on the team feed of each other’s motivation and inspire each other. Like I said we have one heartbeat no one person stands out. We are a team.

Q: What has been this team’s biggest challenge?

A: We have had some key players get injured this year; however, people have stepped up big time to fill in.

Q: You committed to the Gator’s earlier this year what has been your impression on their play?

A: Gators have made a major transition from last year, a big step and their continuing to get better with such a young team. I can’t wait to be a part of that.

Q: How happy were you with UF’s performance last week?

A: The Gator’s stepped up huge in the 4th quarter. Like Coach Dillman (UF Strength Coach) always says FNB (Florida Never Breaks). Our performance ways awesome and I can’t wait to be a Gator!

Q: What other prospects are you recruiting to commit to UF for the 2013 class or future classes?

A: None at the moment I am totally focused on the playoffs now. There will be time for recruiting later.

Pasco will travel to Robinson this Friday night to take on the Knights for the opportunity to get one step closer to the 5A state championship.

– Anthony Peace