by Hunter Dawkins
The 10th Year for the Wolf River rivalry was classic, as every fan got their money’s worth for the 5A district, I-10 adversaries Long Beach and West Harrison. Long Beach receiver Kobe Cook caught a 1-yard dump pass from Quarterback Cade Crosby with 13 seconds left, the Bearcats took the lead 34-33. After Cook then ran the two point conversion in, the final score was 36-33 Long Beach.
“I’m so proud of these kids and this coaching staff,” said Long Beach Head Football Coach Philip Pigott. “To keep fighting, continue to grow each week, overcome adversity as a young team, and find a way to win in a rivalry game on the road is great.”
The West Harrison Hurricanes (2-7, 0-5) jumped off the block, scoring on a 62-yard run with 10:56 left in the first quarter. As Hurricanes kicker Jonah Russell put the ball through the uprights for the extra point, West Harrison took the early lead 7-0.
Long Beach (3-6, 1-4) was quick to answer with Dennis “D-Train” Andrews powering in a 12 yard run. Bearcats kicker Kai Van Court tied the game converting the extra point to make the score 7-7 with 8:02 left in the first quarter.
Following a brief Hurricanes possession, Bearcats quarterback Crosby dove in for a 2-yard touchdown. Van Court built the Long Beach lead up 14-7 with 15 seconds left in the first quarter.
Beginning the second quarter, West Harrison stormed back scoring on a 22-yard sweep to cut the lead. The Bearcats blocked the extra point, leaving the score 14-13.
Again, Crosby optioned into the end zone from 2-yards out to increase the Bearcats lead. Van Court’s final conversion before the half, boosted the Long Beach lead to 21-13 with 4:34 left.
West Harrison would not go away in the night, racing down the sidelines for a 32-yard touchdown. Once Russell kicked it through with 1:16 left, the new score at halftime was Long Beach 21 West Harrison 20.
The second half was just as close as the first, with the Hurricanes taking the lead from the Bearcats on a 3 yard run and extra point conversion, reversing the lead to West Harrison 27-21 with 8:45 left in the third quarter.
The Bearcats scratched back, as Andrews dove in for a 1-yard touchdown after a lengthy series. With Van Court’s final kick sailing through the uprights, Long Beach took the lead 28-27 with 3:37 left in the third quarter.
Just as it happened all night, the Hurricanes quarterback Keith Holloway tossed a 35-yard touchdown pass to Running Back Llanes Dickerson. Even though, the extra point was blocked, West Harrison posted a third quarter 33-28 lead with a few seconds left.
The final stand by Long Beach brought them there first victory in five games. West Harrison’s last victory was over Pass Christian, who beat the Bearcats in the Oyster Bowl.
Long Beach’s Crosby was 16-28 for 175 yards and a touchdown pass. Additionally, Crosby ran 15 attempts for 70 yards and 2 touchdowns. His counter, West Harrison quarterback Keith Holloway was 3-6 for 61 yards and a touchdown. Also, Holloway had 5 rushing attempts for 29 yards.
Bearcats running back “D-Train” Andrews came back to himself with 25 carries for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Hurricanes duo Joseph Miller and Dickerson ran for 172, 100, and had 2 touchdowns each, respectively.
Even though they were not used as much as usual, Long Beach receivers accumulated 175 yards. Top Bearcats receivers were Kobe Cook with 5 receptions, 70 yards, 1 touchdown and Dalton Cook, 6 receptions for 66 yards.
Long Beach hosts Hattiesburg for their senior night next week while West Harrison will play against Wayne County in Gulfport. Both games will be at 7pm.
