SHANE SHOEMAKER
Writer
South Pittsburg continued its dominance last Friday night with a decisive win over Christian County. The 6A Kentucky team traveled nearly three hours and 179 miles only to be handed a 69-8 defeat.
It was 21-0 before the Colonels (1-5) knew what hit them. JaMychal Buckner ran in the game’s first score from three yards out, then added a 12-yard touchdown early in the second quarter. He finished as the Pirates’ leading rusher with 53 yards.
Buckner was one of nine ball carriers for South Pittsburg (5-1), which totaled 169 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground. Zech Green added two scores on just nine yards, while Dayon Cooper and Tristin Nunley each found the end zone once, combining for 58 yards.
Caden Jones opened up the passing attack by connecting with Brandon Goldsmith — who led all receivers with three catches for 73 yards — on a 32-yard touchdown to make it 14-0.
The senior quarterback wasn’t done, later finding Martavious Smith for a 31-yard score and Anthony Dickerson for a 17-yard strike. Jones finished 8-of-11 passing for 138 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
Christian County’s only score came late in the fourth quarter. The Pirates immediately responded with Cooper racing 80 yards on the kickoff return for a touchdown.
South Pittsburg outgained the Colonels 305-145 in total yardage and won the turnover battle 3-1. The Pirates have now outscored their opponents 244-38 this season.
This Friday, the Pirates begin Region 3-1A play on the road against Lookout Valley (2-5). It will be the first of four straight region games to finish out the season.
Photos by Tracy Cagle