by Hunter Dawkins
For a little more than 2 years this week, Bay St. Louis High School has not enjoyed feeling what it was like to win a football game. Playing against their cross-bridge rival Pass Christian High School, they turned back the clock and won the game 27-13.
“I’m very proud of our guys tonight,” said Bay High’s football coach Ben Foreman, who has gone through a few years of this turmoil. “They played hard and to finally see the joy and excitement on their faces is indescribable.”
The Tigers (1-5, 1-0) did not have it easy, as Pass Christian (1-5, 0-1) was celebrating their homecoming week. Bay jumped on the board to open with Tigers Quarterback Josh Peters tossing a 15-yard pass to receiver Maxwell Lewis for a touchdown. Once kicker Dawson Kotsakos converted the extra point with 7 minutes left in the first quarter, the early score was 7-0 Bay High.
Both teams played a little charades, as the Pass Christian Pirates failed to convert inside the red zone with a few minutes left and the Bay High Tigers fumbled it back two plays later.
Pass Christian’s Gunslinging Quarterback Dustin Allison ran a 15-yard draw to the end zone for the Pirates first touchdown. After the extra point was put through the uprights, the score was tied 7-7.
The Pirates were building momentum by recovering a fumble on the Tigers next possession, which lead to Allison striking receiver Damonta May on a 35-yard pass to set up first-and-goal from the 3-yard line.
Pass Running Back Gordan Ward powered through the goal line to post the Pirates final score 13-7.
As several lights on the Tigers sideline began to occur, their rhythm came back. Bay blocked Pass Christian’s punt on the next possession, leaving the ball in the red zone.
The Tigers took advantage of the opportunity with Cade Compretta sledging through the line for Bay’s second touchdown. Kotsakos nailed the extra point with 6:56 left in the half with the Bay High Tigers taking the lead 14-13 and never looking back.
“We had to battle back from three first quarter turnovers,” said Foreman. “Our guys never gave up.”
The Tigers received the ball one last time in the first half and they made the most of it. Pass punted the ball from the 8-yard line to their 40, giving the Tigers room to work with. Bay answered with Peters tossing a strike to Semaj Robertson for a 22-yard touchdown pass. The point after was blocked, but the new score went into halftime 20-13 Bay lead.
The Pass Pirates lack of conversion in the red zone hurt their chances, which led to a Bay High lenghty drive where Robertson dove in from a yard out. The extra point was good this time and there was only 4:53 left in the game with the final score 27-13.
“Its been a long time since these players have tasted victory,” stated Foreman. “This was a great night for our team, coaches and our community.
Pass Christian High School Homecoming Queen was Jada Flores.
The Tigers host St. Stanislaus in the Crab-Trap rivalry next week and the Pirates play at 2017 MHSAA 4A Runner-Up East Central High School next week. Both games start at 7pm.
Photos by Rickey Lewis
