Slumping Parkway West Looking to Regroup After Blowout

It was inevitable that Seckman senior running back Blake Pepper would eventually break loose this season. Unfortunately for Parkway West, it happened on Friday night.

Pepper raced for 181 yards and four touchdowns as the Jaguars blasted the Longhorns at Seckman High School, 35-0, in a Suburban South Conference matchup. Parkway West (1-3) has lost three consecutive games.

was severely hampered by penalties and turnovers throughout the game (eight penalties for 70 yards and four fumbles). The Longhorns’ first three possessions started with first-and-15 due to mental mistakes.

“We will have to fight harder to stay focused. My hat’s off to Seckman, though. They made the big plays when they had to,” coach Jeff Duncan said.

The outcome was inevitable from the beginning. Ed Carter of Parkway West mishandled the opening kickoff return, causing the Longhorns to start their first possession deep in their own territory. The Seckman defense easily prevented West from gaining any ground, and forced a punt.

During the first quarter, Parkway West had its chances to score. With less than seven minutes to go, the Longhorns were near their own 25-yard line. Senior quarterback J. C. Demuri took the snap, turned and attempted a lateral to running back Ed Carter. Unfortunately, the ball was mishandled, causing a 14-yard loss on the play, and the Longhorns were forced to punt. This mistake cost them dearly.

On the subsequent Jaguars possession, senior quarterback Jeff Dattoli handed the ball to Pepper, who ran 35 yards untouched into the end zone for the Jaguars first TD.

Pepper raved about his teammates: “I just believe in my teammates. I believe the offense will be there when the time comes. We are all brothers and we help each other out. I could not do it without them.”

After the score, Seckman never looked back. Pepper scored his second of four touchdowns midway through the second quarter on a quick slant from two yards out increasing the gap to 14-0. 

“We watched them (Parkway West) on film and knew they were a good club,” Seckman head coach Joel Critchlow said. “We did not play up to our potential the first two games of the season.

“Tonight, the kids never lost focus. They each did their jobs and the outcome took care of itself,” Critchlow said.

Seckman was more exciting in the second half. Early in the third quarter, Pepper galloped for a 53-yard touchdown run for his third touchdown, and the crowd went wild. But, they were quickly silenced by a Jaguars penalty that nullified the play.

On the very next play, Pepper scored the third touchdown in grand style by hauling in a 52-yard throw by from Dattoli. Pepper scored his fourth (and last) TD later in the third quarter on a 5-yard rush while carrying two Longhorns with him. The Jaguars’ last score came early in the fourth quarter on Dattoli’s 7-yard laser-guided pass to his senior tight end Zach Martin.

Senior running back/defensive end Rane Eskelsen stood out for Parkway West. Eskelsen had four carries for 12 yards, three receptions for 27 yards and three tackles (including a quarterback sack).

Parkway’s biggest obstacle was Pepper, who also plays defense. Pepper added five solo tackles and two assists on the defensive side of the ball.

“Blake is a ‘college-level’ running back, that’s for sure. That kid is tough as nails. He does anything that is asked of him,” Critchlow said.

Seckman plays University City next Friday while Parkway West plays at Parkway Central.