Dowling and Pirates Wrap Up Spring Football

May 29, 2008

The Sneads Pirates have a new captain at the wheel and it is former Marianna Head Football Coach Don Dowling. The Pirates completed their first spring practice under their new Skipper with a Blue and Gold inter-squad game last Friday night at Citizen’s Field in Sneads. With a large crowd on hand for the first edition of Pirate Football – Dowling Style, the Blue squad used a big night by Mark Lawson to post a 25-13 win over the Gold squad. Lawson rushed for over 200 yards and two touchdowns as he toted the mail 30 times. His first score came in the first quarter on a 40 yard scamper. The kick after by Faris Atef was good and the Blue squad led 7-0.
The Gold squad countered in the second quarter as Taylor Edge and Jeff Davis picked up good yardage. Midway through the second quarter Edge hit Anthony Dawkins on a 20 yard pass play for a Gold score. Atef added the point after kick to tie the game at 7-7. Late in the quarter Terrance Pittman bolted 20 yards for a Blue score to make it 13-7 at the half. Lawson opened up the second half with a 50 yard run to give the Blue a 19-7 lead. Jamar White picked up where Lawson left off for the Blue team with two long runs and then scored on a 3 yard run. Pittman added a 15 yard scoring run in the final quarter to put the Blue squad up 32-7. The Gold squad added a late touchdown when Edge dove in from the 1 yard line to make the final 32-13.
Davis finished the night with 100 yards rushing and Edge passed for 100 yards to pace the Gold squad. Terrance Green ran the offense for the Blue squad and Michael Kinard had a solid night on defense for the Gold squad. Dowling was pleased with the overall effort of his squad throughout the spring. "Practice has gone well. We’ve been putting in a new offense and that has taken a while. The kids are buying into what we are trying to do and that is great to see," said Dowling.
The Pirates looked to be strong for the upcoming season, especially at their skilled positions. Edge returns as a veteran quarterback while Lawson, Davis, Pittman and White should give the Pirates plenty of firepower at the running back positions. If the Pirates can solidify their offense and defensive lines, and then stay healthy, the 2008 Pirates will be right in the mix of their district race.