by Hunter Dawkins, Publisher/AP Member – editor@thegazebogazette.com
With an offensive firepower and a group of interceptions, the Pass Christian Pirates football team began the season victorious over Long Beach 56-20 in the Oyster Bowl. The game; sponsored by The Gazebo Gazette, was the first between the both teams in two years because of the global pandemic (COVID-19).
The Bearcats began the game quick in the first possession as Long Beach Quarterback Will Brady connected with Wide Receiver Ramiro Cooley on a 64-yard touchdown pass where Pass Christian’s defender jumped too early. After a botched extra point, Long Beach took a 6-0 lead with 11:12 remaining in the first quarter.
This would be the only points scored by the Bearcats for two more quarters. Two minutes later, the Pirates answered with a 74-yard touchdown pass from Pass Christian Quarterback Ladd Scriber to Larry Burks III. The Pirates converted the extra point from Karsten Mooney to take a 7-6 lead they would never lose again.
Following the score, Pirates Running Backs Terry Patton, Jr. and Jacquez Alexander both crossed the goal line five times in the first half. Along with a 32-yard interception return for a touchdown by Pass Christian Linebacker Micah McKay and a 34-yard touchdown pass right before the half between Scriber and Wide Receiver Anthony James, the Pirates dominated the first half scoreboard 49-6.
“First half, we came out and executed extremely well for our first game,” said Pass Christian Head Football Coach Chase Carmody. “I’m proud of our guys and the second half we were able to play a lot of players. We had a bunch of kids step up on defense today.”
Coming out of the gates, Pass Christian moved down the field opening the second half with a four-yard run for Alexander. This was Alexander’s first football game with four touchdowns and the last score for the Pirates at 9:23 left in the third quarter and a 56-6 lead.
The Bearcats managed a few late scores as Long Beach linebacker Jackson Foreman recovered a botched punt in the end zone for a touchdown with 11:42 left in the game and the next series with Quarterback Will Brady finding Wide Receiver Junior Kozlowski for a 30-yard touchdown pass.
Both scores had extra points converted, which left a 56-20 final.
“We kind of shot ourselves in the foot early on and we misplayed the ball in the air on third and forever, momentum shifted,” expressed Long Beach Head Football Coach Jacob Massey. “A lot of mistakes on our part, don’t get me wrong, Pass Christian played well.”
Alexander led the way for the Pass Christian Pirates with 135 yards rushing on 13 carries and four touchdowns. Quarterback Ladd Scriber tossed the ball near perfect in his varsity debut, completing 7-8 passes for 181 and three touchdowns. Pass Wide Receivers Larry Burks, Anthony James, and Terry Patton, Jr. combined for those receptions and each crossed the goal line.
Defensively, the Pirates held Long Beach to under 300 yards total offense, orchestrated by Jayden Acker with 10 tackles, 1 sack and 2 tackles for loss. Linebacker Micah McKay finished the game with 8 total tackles and the interception return for six points. Defensive Lineman Malik Cherry had the other sack and Burks grabbed the additional interception. Freshman Safety Amarie James recovered the one lost fumble forced by Freshman Cornerback teammate Larkin Lewis.
Although limited, the Long Beach Bearcats did have a few good statistics. Quarterback Will Brady went 14-21 passing for 188 yards, along with 40 yards rushing on five carries, and two touchdown passes. The Bearcats Wideout Cooley led the team in receiving with 91 yards on five receptions and the touchdown while Long Beach Running Back Edjuan Trautman produced 62 yards on 16 carries rushing plus caught one pass for 14 yards.
Statistics for the Oyster Bowl will be provided later in the week. The Pass Christian Pirates host the Forrest County Agricultural High School Aggies next week in their first home game and Long Beach travels across the bridge to play St. Stanislaus at the Brother Phillip Memorial Stadium.
Both contests start Friday, September 2 at 7:30pm.
