SHANE SHOEMAKER
Writer
Whatever has gotten into the South Pittsburg Pirates, their opponents are getting the worst of it. With a 56-0 shutout over Sale Creek, the Pirates are proving once again they own their region — and are the standard in all of Class 1A.
The Pirates (7-1) moved to 2-0 in Region 3-1A after handing the previously unbeaten Panthers (7-1) their first loss of the season. Unlike the previous week, when South Pittsburg scored 49 first-quarter points, the Pirates used the entire first half to reach that number this time, outgaining Sale Creek 408 yards to just 16.
On the third play of the game, quarterback Caden Jones opened the scoring with a 44-yard strike to Dayon Cooper. The duo connected again early in the second quarter for a 68-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 28-0.
Jones finished 9-of-11 passing for 223 yards and two touchdowns, while Cooper hauled in four catches for 139 yards and those two scores. Cooper also led the team in rushing with 62 yards.
JaMychal Buckner was right behind him with 61 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. The running back capped an eight-play, 99-yard drive with a 16-yard run before the end of the first quarter, then added two more scores in the second.
Buckner accounted for just two of South Pittsburg’s five second-quarter touchdowns, as Martavious Smith and Zech Green each added rushing scores on runs of 34 and seven yards.
By the end of the night, the Panthers had been completely overwhelmed. South Pittsburg finished with 489 total yards compared to Sale Creek’s 37. The Panthers turned the ball over four times and managed only four first downs.
Since their 10-0 loss to Silverdale in Week 1, the Pirates have outscored their opponents 376-34.
South Pittsburg returns home Thursday night for its third straight region matchup, hosting Copper Basin (3-5).
Photos by Matt Hamilton of the Chattanooga Times Free Press