The wet weather might have put a damper on the homecoming festivities, but it didn’t slow down the Pillow Academy Mustangs, especially junior tailback Bay Bennett.
Bennett ran for more than 250 yards and five touchdowns in a little more than two quarters of action as the Mustangs rolled to a much-needed victory, 43-18, Friday night at a rain-soaked Bill Davis Field.
Due to injuries and suspensions, the Mustangs had just 18 players at their disposal as they ended a three-game losing skid to move to 2-3 on the season.
“We were short-handed, and we needed everyone to contribute. And they did,” PA coach Michael Fair said. “When you’re as short on numbers as we were tonight, the guys have to dig deep and step it up. I am proud of their effort.
“This win is just what we needed. Next week, we will get some guys back, and this win coupled with that will give us some momentum.”
Kirk, which falls to 1-4, went three and out on the opening possession of the game, and PA quickly responded with a 63-yard touchdown drive, capped on a 3-yard run by Bennett.
The key play on the drive was a fourth-and-5 completion from quarterback Cooper Dunn to wide receiver Steve Pannell.
After another three out forced by the Mustang defense, Bennett ripped off a 29-yard touchdown run. He went on to gain 197 yards and score four TDs on 22 carries in the first half.
Bennett started the second half with a 57-yard scoring jaunt, never ran it again and finished with 254 yards and five touchdowns on 23 carries.
“Bay is a player. When the weather is like this, it’s good to have someone like him that you can just turn around and hand the ball off to,” Fair said. “We have a lot of confidence in him. I am proud of the way he played and also for all the guys up front blocking for him.”
Thanks to a fumble recovery by Will McMinn, Pillow got the ball at the Kirk 17-yard line up 14-0. Dunn found the end zone on a 2-yard sneak.
Then another Kirk turnover, a fumble recovery and return by Raines Cook to the Raiders’ 9 set up Bennett’s third touchdown run. Pannell ran in for the two-point conversion to make it 29-0 with 1:31 left in the first quarter.
Following a fumble recovery by PA senior lineman Conner Sewell at the Kirk 44, Bennett quickly picked up his fourth TD, rambling in from 30 yards out to push the Mustangs’ lead to 36-0 midway through the second quarter.
PA led 36-6 at the half before scoring on its first possession of the second half. That closed out the scoring for the Mustangs.
PA finished with 257 rushing yards.
Dunn completed 4 of 8 passes for 33 yards. Pannell led all receivers with two grabs for 22 yards.
Defensively, PA sacked Kirk for minus 7 yards rushing and allowed 121 passing.
Sophomore linebacker Will Jennings led the Mustangs with seven tackles and an interception. Dunn was next with five stops, while Bennett and Carter Kimes had four each.
William Dent Brock had 11/2 sacks.
Pillow hosts Jackson Academy Friday.
nContact Bill Burrus at 581-7237 or bburrus@gwcommonwealth.com.
Follow on Twitter:@Bill_Burrus.
