by Hunter Dawkins & Calvin Ishee
Seeking vindication from a 2018 loss at home against a Bay High Tigers team that had not won in 20 games, the Pass Christian Pirates dominated the game with a 42-14 win. The Pirates (5-2, 1-0) victory was their first district win (8-4A) since the 2017 season while Pass Christian produced close to 500 yards total offense.
“I am really excited for the team,” said Pass Christian High Football Coach Blake Pennock. “We won this game at the line of scrimmage, which allowed us to make the game vertical.”
As the Tigers (5-1, 0-1) took the ball on the opening kickoff, the Tigers Wing-T offense scored following a fourteen play drive with a one yard touchdown run. Once the extra point was converted, Bay High had their only lead of the game at 6:23 in the first quarter.
An immediate answer came from the Pirates offense, with Pass Christian Senior Running Back Huu Nguyen jetting up the middle for a 65-yard touchdown. Pirates kicker Davon Klein perfectly kicked his first of six extra points in the game for a tie score of 7-7 with 6:04 left in the quarter.
Carrying the time of possession to the end of the first quarter on a fifteen-play series, Bay High eventually turned the ball over on downs on a fourth down tackle from Pass Christian defender Xavian Chamberlain.
After a punt by the Pirates back to the Tigers, a common theme erupted from the Tigers: Turnovers. This time a fumble recovered by Pass Christian Senior Linebacker Reese Gorman with 8:26 left in the half inside the Pirates red zone.
Undoubtedly, the Pirates capitalized on this turnover with a five-play drive that led to a one yard sneak from Pass Christian Senior Quarterback Dustin Allison. This put the Pirates lead to 14-7, which Pass Christian maintained for the rest of the game.
Despite forcing five turnovers from Bay High, the Pirates MHSAA-leading Dustin “Gunslinger” Allison had another outstanding offensive performance. Allison threw for 204 yards on 9-16 passing attempts with four touchdowns in the air. On the ground, Allison amassed for 47 yards and a touchdown.
Before the half, the Tigers gave the ball back to Pass Christian on a fumble recovered by Pirates Senior Defender Andrew Moffett with 3:58 left in the half.
Taking advantage of a few Bay High mishaps, the Pirates put together a final score of the half with Allison tossing a 72 yard touchdown pass to Pass Christian receiver Dylan Necaise. As Klein’s extra point went through, the halftime score was 21-7 Pass Christian.
Coming out of the gates, the hot spread-tempo from the Pirates helped cross the end zone three straight times with no answers. All scores were from touchdown passes between Allison and Pirates Senior Xavian Page, Kameron White, or Chamberlain.
Pass Christian running back Nguyen finished with 165 yards and a touchdown while Necaise had 92 yards on 3 receptions with a score.
The Pirates have a bye next week while Bay High takes on in-town rival St. Stanislaus for the legendary “Crab Trap” at Tank Williams field.
