by Hunter Dawkins
With an undefeated record seeking their first 4-0 season in modern history, the Pass Christian Pirates (3-1) could not find a way to stop the West Harrison Senior Running Back Llanes Dickerson. “Diesel” Dickerson scored all six touchdowns, ran for 350 yards and the West Harrison Hurricanes (1-3) beat the Pass Christian Pirates 41-38.
“Earlier this week, I told our players that this was the best 0-3 team I had ever been associated with,” said West Harrison High School Football Coach Quincy Patrick. “Llanes Dickerson is the best running back I’ve ever coached, how he has not received any Division I scholarship offers is beyond me.”
The Pirates jumped on the scoreboard early, with Pass Christian Senior Quarterback Dustin Allison called his own number on sneak from 5 yards for a touchdown with 10:04 remaining in the first quarter. Pass Christian kicker Davon Klein converted all five extra points, as the Pirates posted a 7-0 lead.
Following a lengthy early possession for West Harrison, the Hurricanes Quarterback Josiah Khan found Dickerson on a quick slant in the front of the end zone for an opening touchdown. With kicker Kole Joyner converting the extra point, West Harrison tied up the score.
Answering quickly, Allison found Pirates receiver Xavian Page on a 58-yard touchdown pass with 4:31 left in the first quarter. Once the extra point was put through, the score at the end of the first quarter was 14-7 Pass Christian lead.
Both teams exchanged possessions a few times before Pass Christian lit up the scoreboard again with Allison finding the Pirates Senior Receiver Andrew Moffett on a 59 yard touchdown strike for a 21-7 score after the extra point.
“Diesel” Dickerson put the Hurricanes on his back, having the ball on half of the ten play series and powering in the end zone with 15.2 seconds left. Joyner converted the extra point and the halftime score was 21-14 Pass Christian lead.
Most of the third quarter was long drives from both teams that resulted in nothing until the beginning of the fourth quarter. Beginning the final quarter, the Pirates scored following a thirteen play drive where fullback Bryson Adams dove in from a yard out with 11:12 left in the game. The Pirates increased their lead 28-14 after the extra point.
Countering the Pirates score, the Hurricanes rode on the “Diesel” Dickerson train again breaking through multiple tacklers on the second play of the series for a 53-yard touchdown run with 10:37 left in the game. The extra point was blocked making the score 28-20 with a Pass Christian lead.
West Harrison decided to trick Pass Christian with an onside kick and the Pirates failed to respond, giving the Hurricanes midfield position. Powering behind the “Diesel” Dickerson train, the senior ran for a 10 yard touchdown with 8:43 left. West Harrison converted the two-point conversion to tie the game.
The Pirates didn’t give in, as Pass Christian’s Klein eventually kicked a 36-yard field goal with under six minutes to take the lead again 31-28.
West Harrison’s offense behind Dickerson proved to be too much for the Pirates scoring two straight 50-plus yard runs for a 41-31 Hurricanes lead. Pass Christian scored once more on a 10-yard strike with 1:47 left, but got no luck on the onside kick.
“We didn’t do enough to win,” said Pass Christian Head Football Coach Blake Pennock. “Defensively, we need to get better and have to work on tackling.”
West Harrison Running Back lead all players offensively with 350 yards rushing on 34 carries and 5 touchdowns. Additionally, he caught three receptions for 32 yards and a touchdown. The Pass Pirates gunslinger Allison led the Pass Christian offense with 329 yards through the air, going 16 for 27 passing and three touchdowns. Allison had 5 rushing attempts for 49 yards and a touchdown.
The Pirates receivers had big games, as Seniors Moffett caught four passes for 104 yards with a touchdown and Page pulled in three receptions for 83 yards plus two touchdowns.
Pass Christian plays on the road next week at Southwest Community College in Summit against North Pike High School while West Harrison has a bye week before going on the road against division rival Harrison Central September 27.
