Sandcrab Turnovers Hand Victory to Pirates
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Updated: August 29, 2020
photos: Steve Thomas
Waco La Vega Holds Off Port Lavaca Calhoun
Out of a perfect storm of covid-19 and a hurricane, came a marquee season opener Friday night between the Waco La Vega Pirates and the Port Lavaca Calhoun Sandcrabs.
After falling to Carthage in last year’s University Interscholastic League (UIL) 4A Division I Championship game last year, the Pirates were originally scheduled to open this season against West Orange-Stark. However, the approach of Hurricane Laura prompted West Orange-Cove ISD to cancel school for the week. The Sandcrabs, meanwhile, were scheduled to open their season against Geronimo Navarro. Navarro was forced to withdraw after several coaches and players tested positive for covid-19. As a result of these changes, La Vega and Calhoun agreed to square off Friday night at Memorial Stadium in Bastrop.
Because of corona virus concerns, attendance was limited to a select number of fans and personnel from each school in addition to approved media and necessary personnel from Bastrop ISD. Despite the limited attendance, those fans who were present brought great energy and were treated to an entertaining contest.
On the opening drive, the Pirates wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. Quarterback Ara Rauls III capped off a five-play drive with a 27-yard touchdown keeper. The Sandcrabs looked to respond on their first drive, but the Pirates recovered Calhoun running back Sean Flores’ fumble at their own 36-yard line.
Following the turnover, La Vega running back Jar’quae Walton capped of the Pirate drive with an eight-yard touchdown run. The Pirates missed the extra-point attempt, leaving the score at 13-0. On the ensuing drive, the Sandcrabs were finally able to get on the board. Calhoun used a heavy dose of the ground game, and running back Steve Johnson scored on a two-yard touchdown run. Shortly before halftime, La Vega running back Jesse Majors-Stevens gave the Pirates a 20-7 lead with a seven-yard touchdown run.
In the third quarter, the game became a battle of attrition. The Sandcrabs opened the second half with a promising drive which brought them to the Pirate’s 28-yard line. However, La Vega linebacker Zamarion Johnson recovered a fumble, and returned it all the way to the Calhoun 20-yard line. Despite the excellent field position, the Pirates were unable to convert. After a holding penalty negated Jar’quae Walton’s touchdown run, the Sandcrabs’ defense drove La Vega backwards; and kicker Pavel Ramirez was unable to convert a 39-yard field goal attempt.
Following the missed field goal, turnovers once again plagued the Sandcrabs as La Vega recovered another fumble at the Calhoun 38-yard line. The Sandcrabs’ defense then responded by forcing a fumble of their own after Ara Rauls appeared to have converted a third-down and long on a quarterback keeper.
In the fourth quarter after the turnover, the Sandcrabs’ offense drove the ball all the way to the La Vega 32-yard line, but the Pirates’ defense stopped Calhoun just short on fourth-down to reclaim the ball. Following the turnover on downs, the Pirates’ offense drove the ball all the way to the Calhoun 11-yard line; but the Sandcrabs’ defense got a stop of their own on fourth down to end the scoring threat. The Sandcrabs were forced to punt, however; and the Pirates were able to run out the clock.
After the game, La Vega Head Coach Don Hyde stressed the importance of improvement for his team. He praised his offensive line’s performance as well as the running game but also said that the passing attack needs to improve as well. Next week, the Pirates will host their cross-town rivals, the Waco Connally Cadets. The Cadets are 1-0 following a 46-25 victory over Sunnyvale. Calhoun, meanwhile, will travel to face the Stafford Spartans next week.
by Steve Thomas
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