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Palm Harbor Making Waves In 5A-9 Field

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By Eric Horchy | The Suncoast News

Published: November 1, 2008

PALM HARBOR - When people throughout the realm of Pinellas County prep athletics think Palm Harbor University, the sports that typically come to mind are volleyball, softball, swimming or soccer.

Over the school's 17-plus year history, football largely has been an afterthought. The grid program had never won more than four games leading into 2008.

So with teams like Dunedin, Countryside and East Lake perennially vying for the top two spots in Class 5A-District 9 play, the Hurricanes have struggled to attain an identity and culture of winning of their own.

Big difference

This year has proven to be different. Much different.

The recurrent goal of getting to five wins? Done, with three games left to play. (The Hurricanes played at East Lake Friday night. Go to the Pinellas Edition of The Suncoast News, suncoastnews.tbo.com/pinellas/, and click on the Sports tab for a full game summary, stats and photos.)

Now Palm Harbor has a legitimate shot at not only the program's first state playoff berth but a district title.

After last Friday night's 34-0 cyclonic blowout over the Clearwater Tornadoes, the Hurricanes (5-2, 2-0) had won five games in a row following an 0-2 start of the season where they were outscored 73-13 by Tarpon Springs and Largo, combined.

Now Palm Harbor has found themselves atop the district, in control of their own destiny and with perhaps the two most important battles in school history coming back to back.

"As of right now, it's the biggest game we've ever played," PHU Coach Pete Just said Wednesday while preparing for East Lake. "And if we're fortunate enough to win, the next week (against Dunedin at home) will be even bigger."

Goal met

Last week's fifth victory over Clearwater marked the accomplishment of a preseason goal, Just said. Earlier wins over Countryside - in overtime - and Dixie Hollins, however, could have meant even more to his players because those are programs Palm Harbor had never beaten, he said.

The thrilling 28-21 toppling of Countryside drew tears of joy and relief one would expect to see following a championship.

Playing a large role in the Hurricanes' 2008 success is the play defensive coordinator Mark Haye has elicited from his unit. PHU defenders have fallen on nine fumbles during the five-game win streak. They forced Clearwater, alone, to turnover the ball eight times last week. Opponents have averaged only 10.6 points per game over that span.

'Great job'

"(Mark's) really done a great job, he's a very knowledgeable coach," Just said of Haye and his work with the team. The PHU offensive unit is taking full advantage of what its defense sets up, as well. It has averaged 28 points since dropping their first two contests and is operating a balanced pass-run attack behind senior quarterback Sean Shelton and tailbacks JaTyuan Landing and J.J. Rivera.

The Hurricanes are now in an unfamiliar position: the district's outcome rests squarely on their shoulders. How they perform against perennial nemeses East Lake and Dunedin ultimately will decide who's moving on and who's staying home.

Regardless of this year's conclusion, though, it is quickly nearing the time when people's thoughts begin to include football when hearing the name Palm Harbor University.

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