Kaplan latest Pios victim

KAPLAN- The Notre Dame Pioneers won District 6-3A, by defeating the Kaplan Pirates 47-6 at Ed Douglas Memorial Stadium Friday night.

From the onset, the Pios (10-0, 5-0) took control.  

The defense recovered a Kaplan (7-3, 3-2) fumble at the 29-yard-line on the game’s first snap.

The Pirates’ defense forced the Pios into a fourth and 10 from the 29.  

ND elected to go for it in lieu of a long field goal attempt.  

Running back John Besse took the handoff on a draw play and rumbled 13-yards for the first down.  Besse later scored from two yards out, giving ND the quick 7-0 lead.

After a quick three-and-out by the defense, the offense took over and Besse carried the load, bouncing off defenders or running through them.  

He capped off the drive with a six yard touchdown run with 5:28 left in the opening quarter.

After another three-and-out, Notre Dame drove 75 yards in 10 plays. 

Facing a third and ten, Cook called the screen pass to Besse.  

He picked up the first down, and then some.  

Besse capped off the first quarter with his third score, a 13-yard run.

Besse finished the game with 179 yards rushing and 39 yards receiving to accompany the three scores.

“We knew their front seven would bring pressure on third down,” said Cook of his team’s success converting on third down.  “We don’t always call the perfect play, but we got lucky a few times tonight.”

For the game the Pios converted eight of 12 third down opportunities, amassing 473 yards of offense against a usually strong Kaplan defense.

 The Pirates’ offense could not move the ball on the ground or through the air.  

The Pios did not allow a Kaplan a single first down in the entire first half.

“Our defense is very good and continues to get better every week,” said Cook.  “They played well tonight.”

Notre Dame took a commanding 34-0 halftime lead.

With Just over 5:00 remaining in the third quarter, Pirates quarterback, Devante Davis connected with Kerry Kass for the Pirates initial first down of the contest.  

Kaplan scored when Davis broke a keeper for a 48-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.

“We had a few opportunities,” said Lotief.  “They are the better team.  We had to play perfect to win and we didn’t do that.”

Both teams expect to host a first round playoff game next week.  Kaplan will be in the 3A bracket, while Notre Dame finds itself the in Division II bracket.

The final power rankings and brackets for both select and non-select will be revealed late Sunday night.

Rosco Harrington

Staff Reporter