Skaggs Runs Dorsey to Victory

Dorsey High running backs seem to make the zigzag run an art form.

Remember former Don Karim Abdul-Jabbar’s run for UCLA against Arizona?

Raymont Skaggs did his best impression during the Dons’ 35-28 victory over San Pedro on Friday in a Southern Pacific Conference game before 3,000 at Daniels Field in San Pedro.

In only six carries, Skaggs rushed for 150 yards and three touchdowns, including two fourth-quarter scores. Skaggs’ 35-yard scoring run gave Dorsey a seven-point lead with 5:18 left in the game. On his next run, Skaggs scored from 28 yards with 2:33 left to give the Dons their final points.

San Pedro quarterback Melvin Yarbrough completed 16 of 26 passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns. He completed a nine-yard scoring pass to Steve Corley with one second left.

Dorsey improved to 8-1 overall and 6-0 in the conference. San Pedro dropped to 7-2, 5-1.

Dorsey scored on its third play from scrimmage. Dennis Northcutt ran six yards and then caught a 42-yard pass from quarterback Marrell Hammick. Skaggs then burst up the middle for a two-yard touchdown.

On the ensuing kickoff, Anthony White stripped the ball from Anthony Banks and the Dons had the ball at San Pedro’s 25-yard line. Seven plays later, Northcutt scored from four and then made the two-point conversion to give the Dons a 15-0 lead with 5:32 left in the first quarter.

Yarbrough settled his team down with a nine-play drive, which included a 24-yard pass to Mark Pappas and a 18-yard scoring pass to David Ober on a fourth-and-seven. Mike Castaneda scored the two-point conversion.

The Dons discovered the importance of a long snapper, as punter Shang Byrd had trouble fielding a snap at the Dons’ 20. Mike Godoy blocked Byrd’s punt and recovered the loose ball for the touchdown.

Yarborough’s pass went through the hands of Corley on the two-point conversion attempt and the Pirates trailed, 15-14, at halftime.