Sharks go big in season debut
Published 2:13 am Saturday, October 14, 2017
By E.J. Collins
Special to The News
SABINE PASS — With a late start to the season, the Sabine Pass Sharks showed no rust in their first game against the Burkeville Mustangs.
Sabine Pass’ running game was unstoppable in first half, and the Sharks cruised to an easy 53-6 victory to open 12-2A Division II play and the entire season 1-0.
Burkeville’s offense had a tough time handling the ball in the first quarter. On the first drive after giving up a touchdown, Sharks cornerback Jordan Boatman snatched the ball out of the Mustangs running back Lewis Zalan and picked up a huge gain before being brought down.
After being backed up by penalties in the drive following the turnover, Sabine Pass was able to run up the middle of the defense for a 25-yard touchdown.
“We knew we had a little freshman [Grayson Johnson] we knew he could run,” Sharks coach Jason Thibodeaux said. “He would have had a lot more yards. We need to work on some of our blocking schemes. I didn’t think our running game would have been successful but I was wrong.”
On the following kickoff, Burkeville fumbled once again and the Sharks capitalized with a big touchdown run up the middle by Johnson on a fourth down attempt.
“They moved the ball on us and ran the ball well on offense,” Thomas said.
Before the half ended the Mustangs were able to put points on the board with a touchdown run from Zalan. The score at half was 26-6.
Burkeville received the ball to start the second half and its offense was still not able to get things going. On their first drive the Mustangs failed to pick up the fourth down conversion, then gave up another huge run for a touchdown just two plays later.
Sabine Pass’ defense did not allow a single point in the second half.
“I wasn’t expecting six points but they did a really good job. It’s a lot we have to clean up but we will take care of that next practice,” Thibodeaux said.
The Sharks continued to dominate for the rest of the game offensively and defensively.
“I don’t know how the district is going the shape up,” said Thibodeaux. “Everyone else is six to seven weeks in to the season. This is our first game. I just hope we have enough to finish the season.”
Sabine Pass visits Iola next Friday for its second game of the season.