by Joseph W. Gex II & Jeff Clark

PASS CHRISTIAN (GG) — The Pass Christian Pirates used inspiring play in the final four minutes of the first half to break open a close game between the two schools. The Pirates (4-0) scored 15 points in the final four minutes that essentially took the Saint Stanislaus Rock-A-Chaws out of the game en route to a 49-14 decision on Homecoming at McDonald Stadium.

The Pirates scored 35 points in the first half, including 21 in the second quarter, and added two more touchdowns in the third. Pass Christian led 14-7 after the first quarter and 35-14 at halftime before shutting out St. Stanislaus in the second half.

The Pirates intercepted the Rocks on the opening drive and took over at their own 30-yard line. Paris Trivillion connected with Mario Burks for a 47-yard pickup down to the Rock 19-yard line.  Two plays later, Trivillion found Kaidon Mooney for a 19-yard scoring toss with 9:33 left to play in the first quarter. Mooney converted on the PAT to make the score 7-0.
The Pirates held firm on defense forcing a turnover on downs by the Rocks. Trivillion connected with Burks again for a 17-yard gain on the first play of the drive. Four plays later, Trivillion and Burks hooked up for an 11-yard scoring aerial with 4:21 left in the first quarter. Mooney’s PAT was good making the score 14-0.
The Rocks (2-2) had an answer for the Pirates on the ensuing drive going 80 yards on eight plays with Max Bernard finding Adam Oliver in the back of the end zone for a 12-yard scoring toss with 1:25 left in the first quarter. Jude Babin’s PAT was good making the score 14-7.
The Pirates answered the call with a nine-play 80-yard drive that culminated with a 13-yard Cecil Lizana scoring run with 10:43 left in the first half. Mooney’s PAT bounced off the upright leaving the score 20-7.
Bernard and company went 70 yards in 10 plays with Bernard and Oliver hooking up one more time on a 9-yard scoring toss with 5:06 left to play in the first half. Babin’s PAT was good to make the score 20-14.
Cayden Alexander intercepted a Pirate pass halting the Pass Christian but the Rock offense was unable to move the ball and turned the ball over on downs.
Pass Christian put together a four-play drive that resulted in a 35-yard scoring toss from Trivillion to Burks with 1:33 left in the half. The duo hooked back up again on the 2-point conversion to make the score 28-14.
The Rocks were intercepted on the first play from scrimmage near midfield and the Pirates took over.
Trivillion found Mooney for a 19-yard gain before calling his own number three times in a row with the last one going for a 7-yard scoring run. Mooney’s PAT made the halftime score 35-14.
In the second half, the Pirates mounted an 11-play drive to open the third quarter. Trivillion called his own number to culminate the drive with a 13-yard scoring run with 8:29 left in the quarter. Mooney’s PAT was good making the score 42-14.
The Rocks had a drive that was extended due to a roughing the snapper penalty but, ultimately, the Rocks were not able to answer.
Following a 48-yard Babin punt, the Pirates took over at their own 20-yard line.  Pass Christian found the end zone on a 33-yard scoring reception from Trivillion to Burks with 2:00 left in the third quarter. Mooney’s PAT made the final score 49-14.
Pass Christian head coach Jeff Stockstill commented, “Hats off to SSC, they played really well. The quarterback is more slippery than expected. This week we have to go to East Central.  This will be unlike any game we play this season. We have to get to work this week and prepare for them.”
The Pirates were led by Trivillion who had 308 yards and 4 touchdowns through the air while adding 9 carries for 91 yards and two scores on the ground. Burks caught 9 passes for 180 yards and three touchdowns.
Pass Christian finished with 501 yards of total offense, including 294 through the air and 207 on the ground. The Pirates averaged 7.7 yards per rushing attempt.
“I’m definitely not satisfied with our performance this far in the season,” Stockstill said. We still need to cut down on the number of mistakes, cut down on the penalties, and pick up the intensity early in the games. And we certainly have not been tested on the road, which will probably happen this week at East Central.”
Saint Stanislaus head coach Evan Gay stated, “I thought that we played really well. We had a couple of mistakes that slowed our drives down and cost us, especially right at the end of the first half. We are undersized somewhat up front and that hurts our running game. Pass Christian is a solid team that will go a long way in the playoffs. This coming week we have Homecoming which can provide some outside distractions. We have to get back to work on Monday, focus on what we have to do, and not listen to the outside noise. We are looking forward to hosting Mobile Christian.”
The Rocks were paced by Bernard who threw for 132 yards and two scores while having nine carries for 46 yards. Oliver had six catches for 59 yards and two scores.
The Rocks will host Mobile Christian for their Homecoming at the Brother Philip Memorial Athletic Complex next Friday and Pass Christian hits the road to East Central. Both games have a 7 p.m. kickoff tonight.
(Photos by Aimee Cronan/The Gazebo Gazette via Associated Press)