by Joseph W. Gex II, Staff Writer

BAY ST. LOUIS (GG) — The annual Battle for the Crab Trap took place at Joe D. McCullough Stadium/Tank Williams Field on the campus of Bay High School last Friday, September 5. The Rocks (1-1) were able to overcome a disadvantage due to the number of penalties and come from behind to claim a 20-14 victory over the Tigers (0-2) to hold onto the trophy for another year.

The victory gave SSC their fourth consecutive win over Bay High. The Rocks now lead the series with the Tigers 37-20 that dates back to 1945.

The Tigers took the opening possession 77 yards in 11 plays for a touchdown. During the series, Que Victor rushed seven times with the final carry being a one-yard scoring run with 7:39 left in the first period. Kaden Rose converted the PAT to make the score 7-0.
The teams traded possessions once before the Rocks got the ball back at the Tiger 29-yard line.
Jayvien Thompson rushed three consecutive times with the third carry ending with a six-yard touchdown run with no time left on the clock in the first quarter. Jude Babin converted the PAT to make the score 7-7.
The Tigers wasted little time regaining the lead as Victor returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown with 11:43 left in the first half. Rose’s PAT made the score 14-7.
The teams traded possessions the remainder of the first half and Bay High missed an opportunity right before halftime to extend their lead when pushed the ball down to the Rock nine-yard line but could not find the endzone.
To open the second half, SSC had the ball but were unable to get anything going. After a punt, the Tigers started near midfield but the drive was stopped due to a turnover caused by a sack from Brayden McDonald and Garren Couey recovered the loose ball for SSC at the Tiger 33-yard line.
Senior Max Rhodes stepped behind center to take snaps for SSC and scored on an 18-yard run with 5:47 left in the third quarter. Babin’s PAT was good knotting the score at 14-14.
On the ensuing kickoff, Bennett LeMaire and Max Rhodes forced a fumble that was recovered by Matthew Williston at the Tiger 40-yard line.
The Rocks were unable to capitalize on the turnover and the ball went back to Bay High after a missed field goal. However, three plays into the Tigers’ drive, Lex Rhodes stepped in front of a Tiger pass and intercepted the ball near midfield.
Fisher Smith, Thompson, and Max Rhodes all contributed on the drive that saw Max Rhodes score from two yards out with 9:28 remaining in the game. Babin’s PAT smacked the upright falling no good leaving the score 20-14.
The Tigers got the ball three more times during the game but were unable to move the ball consistently.
Bay High head coach Catlan French commented, “This is a tough loss. We had opportunities during the game and were unable to move the ball when we needed to right before haltime. Having said that, Que Victor played a very good game out of his normal position. He is one of our playmakers and he looked taking snaps. However, we need to get the players to understand that there are more games and we need to work toward being ready for division play. We head to Long Beach next week. We have to be ready to play our best game.”
The Tigers were led by Victor who rushed for 111 yards on 26 carries and a touchdown and also returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown.
SSC head coach Tate Thigpen stated, “Max Rhodes did a great job coming in when we needed him to take snaps and moved the offense. Jay Thompson also did a good job of controlling the offense. We had to get around some injuries this week and the players responded. This was one of the hardest weeks to coach as I have had. Now, we need to stay focused as we get ready to prepare for Moss Point on the road. It is always a tough place to play and they are always blessed with some very good athletes.”
The Rocks were led by Thompson who rushed 20 times for 71 yards and a touchdown and Max Rhodes had 59 yards and two touchdowns on 9 carries. Fisher Smith led SSC with 10 tackles and a sack followed by Brick Compretta with 9 stops and a sack. Lex Rhodes added 8 tackles, a pass break-up and an interception.
The Rocks travel to Moss Point on Friday and Bay High travels to Long Beach. Kickoff is set for both games at 7 p.m.