The Drew Central Pirate fans filled Mike Pennington Stadium on Thursday Night, August 17, to get the first look at the 2023 Drew Central Pirates as they hosted the Dumas Bobcats in the AAA Benefit Scrimmage Game.
The Pirates, under second year head coach Larry White, are coming off a 2022 Season that saw the Pirates advance to the 3A State Championship Tournament for only the third time in school history.
Leading the Pirates this season from the quarterback position will be Sophomore Tre’Bennett Fuller.
Fuller takes over the position from Kade Bodiford who graduated last year. Fuller got several snaps for the Pirates a season ago as a freshman.
Dumas would begin the contest at their own 30-yard line with the no kickoff or punt rule in effect for the scrimmage contest.
Things did not start well for the Pirates with Drew Central drawing an offsides penalty to begin the contest.
Dumas’ Joseph Jones would connect on his first two passes of the contest with a seven yard pass to Jaylyne Jones to advance the ball to the Dumas 42 followed by a 58-yard pass to Ralen Spratt for a Bobcat touchdown.
Migual Chavez would add the extra point to give Dumas a 7-0 lead.
Drew Central drew Dumas offsides to begin their drive at the 30 to move the ball to their own 35.
Fuller would connect on his first pass to Zae Bullard for a six-yard gain followed by a run by Fuller to the Pirate 39.
After an incomplete pass, Fuller would connect with Luke Phillips for a 15-yard gain to the Dumas 46.
After a two-yard gain By Jayden Jones, who is moving up to the senior team as a freshman, Kalani Collins would gain four yard to the Dumas 40.
Phillips would catch a second pass for five yards to the 33-yard line but a personal foul penalty would bring the ball back to the Dumas 48.
Two rushes by Fuller would advance the ball back to the Dumas 29 where Fuller would connect with Phillips for 29 yards for the Pirate touchdown.
The extra point was unsuccessful to make the score 7-6 in favor of Dumas.
The Pirate defense would force a turnover on Dumas’ next possession after Tyler Hornaday would recover a fumble at the Dumas 28 yardline.
Fuller would run for no gain followed by Collins with a run of six yards to the Dumas 22, Fuller would connect with Bullard on the next pass to gain the 22 yards for the Pirate touchdown.
After a failed two-point conversion, the Pirates would lead 12-7.
Dumas would retake the lead on their next possession, covering 70 yards for the touchdown and a failed extra point to take a 13-12 lead.
The score would remain through the end of the half.
The Pirates would get the ball to begin the start of the second half, but would be forced to punt the ball away.
Dumas’ next possession would cover the majority of the third quarter, turning the ball over on downs with 41 seconds remaining in the quarter.
Drew Central would turn the ball over on downs to begin the fourth quarter and Dumas would score their final touchdown of the game to take a 20-12 victory after a Drew Central interception.
Fuller finished the contest going 6 of 12 for 76 yards and two touchdowns and an interception. Fuller led in rushing with 38 yards.
Luke Phillips led the Pirates in reception yards with 49 and a touchdown followed by Bullard with 28 yards and a score.
The Pirates will begin the season at Beaden this Friday.
