Published: September 30, 2009 01:28 pm      

Pirates look to finish drives in trip to Winnie

DEWEYVILLE — This week, the Deweyville Pirates look to finish what they start as they travel to Winnie Friday to face the East Chambers Buccaneers.

In a 38-6 loss to Anahuac last week, the Pirates (1-4, 0-1) held their own against the Panthers (4-1, 1-0), controlling the clock for over 32 of the game’s 48 minutes.

However, the Pirates couldn’t quite finish and fell 38-6, despite nearly matching the Panthers in total yardage. The Pirates had the ball nearly 10 minutes on the game’s opening drive, running 18 plays, but couldn’t punch it into the end zone.

“I can tell you, I was really pleased with the kids’ efforts all night long because Anahuac has some tremendous athletes,” said Deweyville coach Russell McDaniel. “We moved the ball well like we wanted too, we just couldn’t finish. We’re still making those young mistakes but it will get better. The kids understand what they’re doing wrong and right and they’re working extremely hard.”

Senior Pirate running back Keeton Addison made a nice full return to the lineup against Anahuac after an ankle injury kept him out for the most part of the two previous games. Addison bulled his way to 112 yards on 22 carries against Anahuac and now has 392 yards for the season. Trey Craft also continues to shine at tailback after he rushed for 90 yards on 17 totes and scored against the Panthers. He now has 289 yards for the year and two TDs.

Junior Michael Williams continues to grow into the quarterback spot. He’s proven that he’s had nice accuracy, completing 37-of-64 passes for 341 yards.

“We’re so thrilled to have Keeton back because he’s such a great competitor,” said McDaniel. “Trey, he’s been doing a superb job and looks likes he’s improving every week. Hopefully we’ll be able to grind out some more tough yards against East Chambers.”

East Chambers (3-2, 1-0) is coming off a 7-0 shutout of Buna to open its 23-2A slate.

The Pirates’ defense will definitely have to focus on Bucs’ quarterback Hank Jones.

Jones has completed 35-of-76 passes for 350 yards and three TDs and is the squad’s leading rusher with 469 yards and nine TDs on 97 carries.

Tye LeBlanc has 208 yards on 41 totes and Jacoby Carrington has amassed 193 yards and a TD off 34 carries. Justin Hallmark is EC’s leading receiver with 14 catches for 184 yards and a TD.

“Our schedule is tough right now and this is a game we really need to have,” said McDaniel. “East Chambers really made big plays to stop Buna last week. Buna, like us, had several opportunities in the red zone, but couldn’t cash in. I think we can move the ball well against anybody, we just need to start coming up with some points to show for it."