SHANE SHOEMAKER
Writer
South Pittsburg couldn’t have started Region 3-1A play any better, putting up their highest point total in five years. Ten different Pirates scored touchdowns as they demolished Lookout Valley 76-6.
In the first quarter alone, the Pirates (6-1) piled up 49 points — more than they scored in four of their previous games in four quarters.
Quarterback Caden Jones started the scoring onslaught with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Dayon Cooper, one of just three passes he threw all night. From there, it was all about the ground attack and a dominant defense.
Three straight touchdowns came off Lookout Valley turnovers. Braden Meeks scooped up a fumble for a touchdown, followed by two pick-sixes from Jordan McClendon and Brandon Goldsmith. Early in the second quarter, Taedyn Bibbs added another return fumble for a touchdown
Kaden Baker, JaMychal Buckner, and Zech Green rounded out the first-quarter scoring, with Green sprinting 53 yards to the end zone. Buckner later added another touchdown in the third quarter.
The Pirates racked up 334 rushing yards, including scoring runs of 53, 33, and 42 yards, while the Yellow Jackets (2-6) managed just 86 yards of total offense.
Last Friday marked the sixth straight game in which South Pittsburg’s defense has held an opponent to one touchdown or fewer — and the third time this season the Pirates have scored 60 or more points.
South Pittsburg will return to region play this Friday, traveling to face undefeated Sale Creek (7-0).