Pirates head to Jasper looking to avoid turnovers
Published 9:00 am Wednesday, September 2, 2015
VIDOR – Looking to avoid the turnovers that hampered them in a 19-7 loss to Bay High (Panama City, Fla.) last week, the Vidor Pirates will venture to Jasper to take on the explosive Bulldogs in a non-district affair.
The Pirates (0-1) shot themselves in the foot against Bay High, turning the ball over six times in the loss despite outgaining the Tornadoes 272-244.
Vidor gained 258 yards on the ground but had five fumbles.
Tailback Haylon Leckelt did rush for 114 yards on 17 carries. Trevor Duff posted 72 yards on 13 totes and fullback Blake Rowe had 63 yards and the lone touchdown on 15 carries.
Jasper (1-0), the defending District 10-4A Division I champions, return 13 starters off last season’s 9-4 regional semifinalist squad.
The Bulldogs were extremely impressive in their season opener as they went on the road and smashed Hardin-Jefferson 35-7.
Jasper has some impressive weapons on both sides of the ball.
Quarterback Quentin Williams, who hurt the Pirates last year, returns to the fray. The Bulldogs have a solid backfield as well in the forms of backs Kellian Weathered and Jakeithon Adams.
Jasper also brings back several key offensive line starters as they paved the way against Hardin-Jefferson.
Williams was a thorn in the Pirates’ side in last year’s contest. Vidor led that one at home 21-20 at the half but the Bulldogs went on to win 35-21. Williams completed 13-of-20 passes for 206 yards and rushed for 143 yards on 20 totes as the Bulldogs piled up 516 total yards, 264 on the ground and 252 in the air.
Leckelt and Rowe, who were both on their way to 1,000-yard seasons, both had over 100 yards for the Pirates in the loss to Jasper as Rowe had 129 yards on 12 carries and all three Pirate TDs and Leckelt had 111 yards on 13 totes. The Pirates finished with 309 total yards.
The Pirates will close out their non-district slate next week with a road trip to Channelview before opening District 22-5A play Sept. 25 at Nederland.