by Tyrone Bowers, Contributing Writer
GULFPORT (GG) — The St. Martin Yellow Jackets survived the West Harrison Hurricanes (2-3, 0-1) 45-28 to remain undefeated. West Harrison’s dominant rushing attack was no match for St. Martin’s (5-0, 1-0) combined rushing and aerial attack. Quarterback Dawsen Sullivan, Wide Receiver Dawsey Sullivan and Athlete Seth Crockett did the majority of the scoring, with the only other points coming off a Field Goal by Kicker Warren Jalenivich.
The game started out slow for St. Martin as they could not score on their first two drives. The first drive ended in a punt which was stalled due to a sack fumble by Outside Linebacker Tyler Lindsey, which the Yellowjackets were fortunate to recover.
The second drive ended on turnover on downs when they failed to convert on 4th down. West Harrison was the complete opposite as they were able to score on their first two drives thanks to their sensational Running Back Nayshawn Crawford.
However, this 14-0 lead quickly evaporated on back to back drives. First, Dawson Sullivan launched a pass to Seth Crockett for a TD and then Crockett added a rushing TD.
A positive note for the Hurricane’s defense was that Tyler Lindsey had another sack with an assist from Defensive Tackle Kason Richards-Evans. The tie was broken when West Harrison’s Running Back Austin McInnis scored but St. Martin answered right back.
On a drive that started with a trick kick that was recovered by St. Martin and included a personal foul penalty by the Yellow Jackets and a face-mask penalty by West Harrison, the Sullivan boys put on a pass and catch clinic. The score was 21-21 at halftime. A great run by Austin McInnis gave the Hurricanes some hope of putting up points before the half but alas they ran out of time.
West Harrison received the ball to start the third quarter but could not do anything. A chance at a catch and run TD slopped their fingers when Wide Receiver Chaston Adams dropped a wide open pass.
An offsides penalty backed them up for a longer punt. St. Martin wasted no time in scoring, despite a sack by Defensive Tackle Othell Adkins, Jr and a offsides penalty, as Sullivan added a rushing TD giving St. Martin a 28-21 lead.
West Harrison tied the game for the final time with their next drive that included two personal foul penalties against St. Martin and a holding and personal foul penalty against the Hurricanes. However, all ended well when Quarterback Kaylon Costict connected with Austin Mcinnis for a passing TD to end the third quarter.
After this score, things went downhill for the Hurricanes in the 4th quarter as the Yellowjackets had 17 unanswered points to seal the game.
The Yellowjackets 4th quarter started with a FG. They were hurt with another sack by Othell Adkins Jr but were saved by a defensive pass interference penalty. They shot themselves in the foot by being flagged for holding and false start.
The Hurricanes punted on their next drive thanks to recovering their own fumble and being penalized for delay of game. Kicker Roener Harrison served up a coffin punt that placed St. Martin within their own one yard line.
The dreams of getting a safety were dashed thanks to some timely scrambles/runs and another dart from Sullivan to Sullivan, making the score 38-28 St. Martin was called for holding which took some yards away and Othell Adkins Jr added another sack.
West Harrison had a turnover on downs on their next possession and St. Martin put the nail in the coffin when Sullivan added a rushing TD to make the final score 45-28. The Hurricanes could not score on their final drive as time ran out.
This was a competitive game between two really good teams. St. Martin improves to 5-0 to start the season for the first time since 2015. The Yellowjackets return home on 10/2 to face the Biloxi Indians who dropped a close game to the Ocean Springs Greyhounds 21-14.
The schedule does not get any easier for the West Harrison as they travel to face the Diberville Warriors who destroyed Harrison Central 42-7.
(Photos by Aimee Cronan/The Gazebo Gazette via Associated Press)
