SHANE SHOEMAKER
Writer
The South Pittsburg Pirates were looking for redemption after starting the season with a loss. They got it in dominant fashion, clobbering Sequatchie County 40-6 last Friday night to even their record at 1-1 and avoid their first 0-2 start in 11 years.
Both teams struck early, each scoring on their opening drives. A big kick return set up the Indians to score in just two plays to open the game, though they failed on the extra point attempt. The Pirates quickly answered, needing only four plays before Caden Jones connected with Brandon Goldsmith on a 26-yard leaping grab over a defender for the score. Jones went 6-of-9 passing for 163 yards and two touchdowns.
Sequatchie (2-1) threatened again on the ensuing drive that reached the Pirates’ 11-yard line, but the defense held firm. From there, South Pittsburg took control and never let the Indians score again.
The Indians had allowed just 14 total points through their first two games, but the Pirates’ 40-point outburst was the most Sequatchie had surrendered in a single game in two seasons. Big plays fueled the win, with South Pittsburg scoring four touchdowns of 25 yards or more, totaling 363 yards of total offense.
Dayon Cooper, who lined up all over the field, racked up 163 yards from scrimmage. He hauled in a 53-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter and added a 32-yard scoring run early in the third. Anthony Gibbs Jr. later broke free for a 25-yard touchdown run to pad the stat sheet.
Alex Phillips nailed a 34-yard field goal before the end of the first half, while JaMychal Buckner added a one-yard touchdown in the fourth. Coach Wes Stone praised the complete effort of his Pirates team.
“We said last week we felt like we let them down,” Stone said of his defense. “We felt like we won the special teams and defense last week, but offense, we didn’t win that part of the game and it cost us. Tonight, I felt like we won all three phases of the game.”
Defensively, South Pittsburg held Sequatchie to 179 yards of total offense, forcing two turnovers and adding a safety.
The Pirates return home this Friday to host Brainerd (0-2) at Beene Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CST.