MonticelloARSports.Com
Brawl Ends Pirates vs Bulldogs In Second Quarter
MONTICELLO, AR – The first non-conference home game of the year for the Drew Central Pirates ended abruptly on Friday, August 31, after their contest with the Hampton Bulldogs erupted in a fight that led to coaches, administrators, officials, and police officers having to act to get control over the situation.
Before the game was officially cancelled, with around 8:00 remaining in the second quarter, one full quarter of football had been played.
Drew Central won the coin toss and elected to start the game on offense, but after a short kick return, Markalen Jacobs took the hand off for Drew Central’s first play of the game 16-yards before being brought down. The Pirate momentum could not be maintained as the were forced to punt at the 9:23 mark.
Hampton’s first possession of the contest ended at 7:31 of the first quarter after Hampton’s Browning Welch ran in from three-yards out for the first score of the contest. The two-point conversion was not good as Hampton took a 6-0 lead.
Drew Central’s second possession of the game ended with the Pirates going three and out, punting the football away with 5:38 remaining in the first.
After the return, Hampton took over at the Pirate 48-yard line and began their second drive of the game. With 1:22 remaining in the quarter, the Bulldog’s added another score after Welch ran in once more from 13-yards out. Cymeon Mcrae ran in on the 2-point conversion to put the Bulldogs up 14-0.
Drew Central began their third possession of the game on their own 20-yard line and were pushed back even further due to an offsides penalty, followed by a holding call that ended the first quarter of play.
Resuming play inside their own RedZone, Hampton was able to add more points after Tre Murphy was able to drop Pirate Quarterback Cole Harris in the endzone for a safety to give Hampton a 16-0 lead with 11:21 remaining in the half.
Kicking off to Hampton again after the safety, the Bulldogs started with great field position after starting the drive on the Pirate 34-yard line. Hampton advanced the ball downfield with a 29-yard pass and finished the drive after Welch ran in his third touchdown of the night from four-yards out. Another failed two-point conversion gave Hampton a 22-0 lead with 10:40 remaining in the half.
Drew Central got a big momentum boost after Kaleb Williams received the Bulldog kickoff returning it for 65-yards to set up Drew Central’s next possession on the Hampton 25-yard line. After a tackle in the backfield, Cole Harris connected with Zeb Trantham for a 27-yard touchdown pas and catch. The two-point conversion was stopped as Hampton now led the Pirates 22-6 with 8:47 remaining in the half.
After the kickoff, Drew Central was able to force a fumble. After a battle for the ball, and a discussion amongst the officials, Drew Central was awarded the football to Drew Central with Nacaryon Young being credited for the fumble recovery with 8:25 remaining in the first half.
The very next play of the contest proved to be the final play of the game as after the play, a shoving match between opposing players led to significant altercation in which most of the Hampton bench entered the field of play. After coaches, administrators, officials, and police officers were able to get the teams separated and some order restored, and second altercation began on the Hampton side of the field that resulted in at least two arrests being made by the police officers on the field including a member of the Arkansas State Police.
After the arrests, an announcement was made for all Drew Central fans to remaining in the stands and for all Hampton fans to exit the stadium. Pirate fans were to remain inside Mike Pennington Stadium until all Hampton fans had left the stadium to avoid any further escalation.
One official referring the game stated that most of the Hampton bench had left the sidelines and entered the field of play that resulted in them being ejected from the game. With the ejections, the Bulldogs would not have enough players to continue the contest resulting in a forfeiture. The official also stated that the official outcome of the game would more than likely be determined after a review of the incident by the Arkansas Activities Association but could result in a Hampton loss or simply a nullification of the game.
It should be noted that either a nullification or an official forfeit of game does not insinuate that Hampton was the responsible party for the altercation, but simply refers to the number of players that were ejected resulting in the halt of the game because of insufficient available players.
It is also detrimental for next weeks contests as well as Hampton may have to forfeit their next scheduled contest against Smackover.
If Drew Central’s next game is not affected, the Pirates will face off against Joe T. Robinson at Mike Pennington Stadium on Friday, September 7 with kickoff scheduled for 7 pm.
Official decisions and disciplinary action for both teams or players should be known after the Labor Day break.
Pirates Fall To Poyen Indians 55-22 To Open Season
POYEN, AR – The Drew Central Pirates opened the 2018 football season on the road Friday, August 24 with a defeat to the Poyen Indians 55-22.
Poyen elected to receive the opening kickoff to begin the 2018 season and the offense began its march downfield until Stevon Hall recovered an Indian fumble inside the 15-yard line for the first turnover of the contest with 11:00 minutes remaining in the first quarter.
The Pirates momentum after the turnover was short lived, after Cole Harris threw an interception to Colton Smith of Poyen. Smith returned the interception 25 yards for a touchdown. Lathan Aaron was successful on the extra point to give the Indians a 7-0 lead with 9:38 remaining in the first quarter.
Poyen’s defense struck again on Drew Central’s next possession, picking off Harris again. Poyen’s Carson Keen returned the interception 28 yards for the score. After a missed field goal, the Indian’s lead was extended to 13-0 with 9:08 remaining in the first.
The Pirates next possession proved to be more successful as Cole Harris connected with Travarus Shead who broke free and scored on a 78-yard catch and run. Arnold Diaz was unsuccessful on the extra point to make the score 13-6 in favor of Poyen with 8:09 remaining in the quarter.
Poyen came right back on their next possession after a 14-yard touchdown pass from Jacob Farmer to Tim Edwards. The Indians converted on a two-point attempt to extend the lead to 21-6 at the 6:05 mark.
Poyen’s defense was able to pick off Harris for the third time in the quarter, when Jaxson Carter intercepted the Pirate pass to give the Indians possession with 5:03 remaining in the quarter. Poyen scored again in the first quarter a minute later after a 38-yard pass from Farmer to Edwards. The extra point was no good as the Indians extended the lead to 27-6, a score that would remain for the remainder of the quarter.
After a couple of possession changes, Poyen’s Farmer connected with Colton Smith for a 25-yard strike. Farmer then connected with Edwards again to convert on the two-point play. With 7:17 remaining in the half, Poyen led 35-6.
The Pirates answered the score on their next possession after marching downfield and a one-yard run by Cole Harris. The Pirates two-point attempt was unsuccessful to cut the lead to 35-12 with 5:30 remaining in the half.
Poyen extended the lead by answering Drew Central’s score after Dalton Wetherington scored on a five-yard touchdown run. The Pirates blocked the extra point. With 3:04 remaining in the half Poyen led 41-12.
After the Pirates were forced to punt, the Indians added another score with 28 seconds remaining in the half after Brandon Sanchez ran in from five yards. Drew Central blocked their second point after attempt as Poyen extended the lead to 47-12.
After the kickoff, Drew Central lined up for the final play of the half, as Markalen Jacobs took the handoff and 48-yards later found the endzone as time expired in the half. Harris connected with Shead on a 16-yard pass for the two-point conversion to cut the lead to 47-20 as the half ended.
Drew Central committed their fourth turnover off the contest after Poyen was able to recover the kickoff to start the second half of play. A few seconds later, the Indians found the endzone for the last time in the game after a 32-yard pass from Farmer to Smith. Farmer converted on the two-point conversion to give the Indians a 55-20 lead.
Both teams exchanged possessions for the remainder of the game with the only other score coming with 3:04 remaining in the contest after a Justin Ferrell punt was downed around the one-yard line which led to a safety by the Pirates. With the safety, the final score was 55-22.
After the contest, head coach Matt Gonzales addressed the team stating, “We will get back to work. Pick your teammates up and know that everybody is busting their tail and we are all here for the same cause. I love all of you and we are going to get better. Trust the process, it is the right process I promise you that.”
The Pirates will return to action on Friday, August 31, hosting the Hampton Bulldogs at Mike Pennington Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7pm.
Players of the Week (Hampton Game)
Offensive
Week Two saw a just one quarter and four minutes of play, but MonticelloARsports still wanted to recognize the Players of the Week despite what happened. For offense, COLE HARRIS is this weeks selection. Despite being constantly pursued and sacked a few times, including once for a safety, Harris showed why he is at the starting position by laying in an over the shoulder pass to Zeb Tranham for a 27-yard TD pass.
Defensive
NACARYON YOUNG (45) is selected as the Game One Defensive Player of the Week. Young was credited with a fumble recovery that continued the Pirate momentum after their scoring drive.
Special Teams
KALEB WILLIAMS is selected as the Special Teams Player of the Week. Williams recorded a 65-yard kick-off return that set up the Pirates with great field position on their scoring drive.
Players of the Week (Poyen Game)
Offense - Markalen Jacobs/Travarus Shead
Defense - Kaden Walters
Special Teams - Justin Ferrell