The Pike County Pirate Football team traveled to Roberta to take on the Crawford County Eagles as they opened the season under new head football coach Stephen Holmes.
“After struggling mightily in the 2024 season, the Pirates were looking to build on the momentum that had gathered since spring practice began on May 1. There have been wholesale changes around the Pirate football program since the end of the 2023 season, and there is a great deal of enthusiasm for the coming football season in Zebulon,” said coach Craig Chatman. “With a new look offense and defense, the Pirates earned the victory Friday night at Crawford County High School.”
The Pirates won the toss and elected to receive the football to start the 2024 campaign. The initial drive of the season ended in a three-and-out and a 17-yard punt. The Pirates’ defense held the Eagles’ offense to a three-and-out of their own. After the two teams traded punts, the action began to pick up quickly. On the following drive, the Pirates moved the ball all the way to the Eagles 1-yard line before turning it over on downs when Damarien Ross was stopped on a fourth down run attempt. On the ensuing play, Pirates’ linebacker C.J. Parks hit the Crawford running back and caused a fumble.
Defensive tackle Jalil Goss fell on the football for the Pirates’ first score. The PAT was no good and the Pirates led 6-0 heading into the second quarter.
In the second quarter the Pirates’ defense once again held firm, and the Pirates’ offense – behind a 21-yard run from Ross – set themselves up at first and goal. After having a touchdown called back due to a penalty, the Pirates missed a 25-yard field goal. Crawford County then took the ball 80 yards in 4 minutes and scored on a 3-yard scoring run. The extra point was true and the Eagles had their first lead of the season at 7-6.
The game turned in favor of the Pirates immediately after the Eagles took the lead. After Ross ran the kick-off back to the Pirates’ 36 yard line, it took the Pirates only two plays to go 64 yards and retake the lead. Quarterback Bryce Sammons hit wide receiver Kip Bryant on back-to-back plays of 30- and 34-yards to put the Pirates back in front. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful and the score remained 12-7. After the Pirates defense once again forced the Eagles offense to a three-and-out, the Pirates offense went to work again with 40 seconds to go in the first half. Sammons carried for 9 yards and the first down but he was able to get out of bounds to stop the clock. On the next play from scrimmage, Sammons hit senior wide receiver Yadi Rosado on a go route for a 43-yard touchdown. Jack Hammond was true on the extra point and the Pirates took a 19-7 lead into halftime.
The Eagles received the opening kick-off of the second half and the Pirates defense once again stood strong and forced a Crawford County punt. Pike County took over and immediately went backwards with penalties on the first two plays of the second half. On second and 30 from their own 24 yard line, a snap sailed past Sammons who retreated and picked the ball up at the 5-yard line. Sammons was able to avoid the first rusher and find sophomore tight end Tucker Saporita behind the Eagles defense for a 76-yard touchdown pass. Ross carried in the two-point conversion for the Pirates offense to increase the lead to 27-7. Crawford County scored on the next drive to cut the Pirate lead to 27-13. A 48-yard completion to sophomore wide receiver Lyric Scott set the Pirates up in the Red Zone for the third time in the game. However, the drive was stalled with a fumble on the hand off the next play and a Crawford recover. Crawford County completed a 92-yard catch and run for a TD to cut the Pirates lead to 27-20.
On the next offensive possession, the Pirates turned the ball over again on an interception. However, the Pike defense rose to the occasion and forced a punt. A bad punt snap allowed the Pirates offense to take over in Eagles territory. After a penalty killed the Pirate drive, Kip Bryant dropped a punt down to the Eagles 5-yard line. The Pirates defense held strong again and forced another punt. This punt was fielded by Lyric Scott and returned 26 yards to the Eagle 29 yard line. The Pirates took five plays to score on a Sammons 6-yard run on fourth and 1. Hammond was true again on the point after attempt and the Pirates lead grew to 34-20. The next Crawford County possession ended when a desperation pass was intercepted by senior defensive back Hunter Hammond, securing the 34-20 Pirate victory.
The Pirates will be back home Friday night facing the Haralson County Rebels at 7:30 p.m.
“We are looking forward to seeing everyone this Friday for Faculty Appreciation and Camouflage Night,” said coach Chatman.