by Hunter Dawkins
The 2019 season was a great one to be a fan of the Pass Christian Pirates football team, setting the records for most points scored in a season (409) and the first playoff victory during the Mississippi High Schools Activities Association (MHSAA) era. Despite the fantastic performance from the team, coaches, staff, and parents, the season came to a close Friday night in a 48-6 loss against the South Pike Eagles, who hosted Pass Christian in the second round game of the MHSAA 4A playoffs.
South Pike (13-0) was the undefeated Region 6 champions that amassed 461 yards of total offense, including 282 from the Eagles dual threat quarterback Dontavious Turner.
Regadless of the outcome, no one on the team gave up on the team, according to the Pass Christian Head Football Coach Blake Pennock. “We fought hard for all four quarters,” said Pennock. “I’m proud of all the seniors and team.”
Starting the game, the Eagles jumped on the Pirates early, scoring two quick touchdown passes from quarterback Turner before Pass Christian could even get a first down.
Eventually, on South Pike’s third possession, Pass Christian defensive back Xavian Page grabbed an interception with 1:43 left in the first quarter.
Setting the pace for the rest of the game, the Pirates’ high octane offense could not find rhythm and punted the ball back to the Eagles. After three plays and the start of the second quarter, Turner jetted past Pirate defenders for a 42-yard touchdown run. The two point-conversion failed, so the score was 20-0.
Then the Pirates ran into a brick wall. When the Eagles got the ball back, Turner tossed a 16-yard touchdown pass on a six-play series. The Eagles increased their lead to 26-0 with 7:42 left in the third quarter.
Despite the Pirates’ hard defensive fight, the Eagles scored again before the half. The two-point conversion was good, making the halftime score 34-0.
The second half was much like the first for the Pirates — the Eagles recovered a fumble and South Pike returned it for a 22-yard touchdown. With the two-point conversion, the new score was 42-0.
On the last score for the Eagles, South Pike drove down on 14 plays, following Pass Christian three-and-out again on offense. Eagles running back Chris Royal scored the final touchdown for South Pike on an 11-yard run. The extra point failed, leaving the score 48-0 with 3:27 left in the third quarter.
As they have all season, the gutsy Pass Pirates continued the fight. With a rowdy defense flying around the ball, they didn’t allow any fourth-quarter points.
Pass Christian senior quarterback Dustin Allison finally found Pirates receiver Kameron White for a 20-yard diving touchdown reception in the corner of the end zone with 9:55 left in the game. Once the extra point was missed, making the score 48-6, which would be the final.
The Pirates touchdown was setup by a fumble on a punt that was recovered by Pass Christian senior Andrew Moffett.
“South Pike was super fast, athletic, and where your program is supposed to be,” expressed Pennock. “We will get started with the offseason fairly soon and we want to keep moving forward with the program.”
With the final statistics not being available at the time, The Gazebo Gazette will follow-up when the team of the year is announced at a later date.
South Pike will play Poplarville High School next week in the MHSAA 4A Quarterfinals at 7pm, November 22.
