UncleDave

Looks like the undersized Pirates are facing the 85 Bears, but they will show up ready to play. No doubt this McKenzie team is very talented. Pirate teams historically have been undersized but play toe to toe with anyone. Size just means most are fat and slow. I would rather have lean and fast any day over that! I love the Pirates being the underdog for once. They will be a focused team ready to silence the doubters. Pirates must execute and score when they have their opportunities to pull out this win. Last year, they left points on the field in the first half that could have been the difference in the ballgame.

The Pirates have a lot of holes to fill next year. Here is my short list: Replacing the offensive line and how those young players mature will have a lot to do with how far the Pirates go next year. If I am correct, Stone will be the only returning starter. There is size and talent there but they are not battle tested. If they come on like I think they will, the Pirates should have a good season and a deep playoff run. The Pirates will need receivers to step up so the offense can be more balanced. If you can run and pass, it makes it very hard to stack the box to stop the run like we always see in just about every game. Continue to develop the backup QB. Sanders will be a 4 year starter this coming year, but the backup will be key in case of injury and also gaining experience for the following year. Several holes will need to be filled on the defensive side of the ball as well: 3 DBs 2 Linebackers 1-2 D-linemen Play your best 11 on each side of the ball. Utilize the athletes on the team. The players utilized in the playoff game against Greenback gave both sides of the ball additional playmakers.

Yeah, whatever! They did miss that 4th down pass interference call that gave life to your team...and the rushing TD. There will not be any home field refs this week. Lake County ends the orchestration this week.

Pulling for the Power P boys from the West.

Listen here BOY...I have not said a thing about his ability...just that his actions are not warranted because of his play on the field. I do not respect Greenback...never will. The orchestration this year and I am sure in years to come is what private schools do. Evidently their administration is in the hip pocket of the TSSAA. To solve the transfer problem, they should sit out a whole year before playing...that would eliminate this stacking teams mess.

Funny...LOL. Our QB played well against you but he was not the only reason we beat Meigs. A team beat you not one player.

You need to worry about Peabody. That big P on the helmet might bring back some bad memories for your boys.

He needs to act like it then. I was commending him for his ability but acting like that takes away from what he is as a person and an athlete. Unless someone is just stupid, they could see he was the best player on the field. Look at Tim Tebow for example. He was a fireball on the field but let his play speak for itself.

I was right on the sidelines...nobody said anything until he turned around. That is not the first time I have heard of him doing antics to pump himself up. Pride comes before a fall.

Well when he is glaring at kids and parents and not the people that said anything...yeah it is trash! He had been pumped up to be a good Christian kid...that is not the attributes I was taught. That was a punk move I do not care if his daddy, brother, mom or whoever comes on here and defends him. If I was a college coach, no matter the ability that crap would turn me off. You need to quit sniffing Greenback tail...you still pissed because Pittsburg handled your awesome team.

The play at the goal line should have never mattered. It was never clear that he crossed the goal line...even the refs could not make a call. The biggest play of the game in my opinion was the pass interference call on 4th down when the Pirate defense had stopped Greenback again. That play basically put the MO back to Greenback and they took control of the game. If the Pirates get the ball there and score again, it is a 3 score ballgame late in the 3rd quarter. I do not understand the comment earlier in the thread about the Pirates not being hit like that all year. That is laughable. I mean, you have the golly green giant at receiver and his cousins on the line. They SHOULD have imposed their will but the Pirate defense still pressured the QB. If the Pirates would have stuck with running the plays that were giving the Greenback defense problems, it would have been a different outcome. There was no need to be passing the ball...even with 10 men in the box the Pirates were able to run the ball. #23 is a heck of a player and without him Greenback does not win. QB is good too, but #23 was the receiver the Pirate defense struggled to cover the whole game. He caught a pass in front of our stands and was tackled. I was shocked when he turned around and glared at the crowd making it very obvious that he wanted everyone to see him. There is no place for that...all I will say is pride comes before a fall. He is too good of a player to be stooping to antics like that.

I'm not taking anything away from the young man, I just do not buy that the loss was due to him being sick as much as it was that the other team played better. We keep hearing that and it gets old...basically taking away or cheapening the effort of the SP team.

Coming from a Pirate fan, he does not like getting popped. He may have been sick and not feeling good against the Pirates, but a lot of the problem was that he was getting tattooed on just about every play. The young man can play and is a great football player. If TC gets after him and can put a hat on him just about every play, they will have a chance.

Good gracious what a bunch of mess! I have spent two days trying to catch up on this thread. Greenback has become a very familiar foe for the Pirates in the last 4 years. When I played in the 90s, Greenback had our number. My senior year was the first time we beat them in 3 tries. Much respect for this fan base and this team. If SP does not give up the big lead last year, the Pirates and Cherokees would have squared off for the right to represent the east for 2018. This is a match up both teams/fan bases knew was coming since the start of the season. Both have solid teams but the QB and #23 for the Cherokees pose a huge challenge. If Greenback was a primarily running team, I would like the Pirates chances. A good passing game in 1A is hard to stop...most teams just do not have enough solid players to cover the receivers. I do not see the Pirates stopping the human highlight...he will get his touches and probably score a couple touchdowns. I just hope the Pirates can outscore them and get a few breaks in this game. Regardless, it should be a good one to watch and I am jacked up and ready to be sitting on the vistors side around 12:00 Friday...LOL.

Gordonsville has become almost a constant opponent in the playoffs the past few years. Pirates just need to come out sharp and take care of business...leave no doubt that they are the better team this year. Expecting a competitive first half but think the Pirates will put this one away in the 3rd quarter. Hopefully the rain will hold off as well. Pirates by 35.

Dry field, Pirates by 35.

I'm rethinking my prediction since seeing the Clay Co score versus Sale Creek...I predict the score will be 63-0. Water boys for SP suit up and score the last touchdown.

Pirates should take care of business early in this game...starters should be riding the pine after halftime. Same score as last week....48-6.

I might be called a homer, but a couple classic examples from South Pittsburg: Eddie Moore in 1998 and Robert Robinson in 2007. Both were not selected Mr. Football and were dominant players. Eddie went on to star at UT and in the NFL.

Beatdown in Copperhill...this will be a massacre! Pirates by 50

Just keep saying that...it will make you feel better but it was not a legal play. Pirates were screwed in 1986 on the same play. TSSAA verified it after the fact but it did not take the state championship away from Spring Hill. Question...why is Greenback afraid to line up and just play football with such a good team?

There is a reason your offense did not convert every time...it is called a defense. Good grief never seen a more ignorant post. Greenback got most of the breaks last night but the Pirates were still in the game in the 4th quarter.

Just keep saying that if it makes you feel better. Point is Greenback is a good team that does not have to cheat to win...or throw bombs to the end zone with 30 seconds to go. I guess that is why the drone was not allowed...no evidence of a crooked play.

Tough loss for the Pirates tonight. They had their chances to pull this one out but just could not capitalize when needed. Raulston should have been fed the ball more in the second half. I had flashbacks from the 1986 state game tonight with the receiver coming off the sidelines. I thought the Pirates were playing Spring Hill...but it was Greenback and the refs. Trick plays galore...guess that happens when 6 was shutdown. Greenback has a talented team but after the display from fans and their coach's decision to throw for the end zone with 30 seconds to go I have no respect for their program. I will be pulling for the Pirates and anyone that plays Greenback. Just remember...Coach Grider never forgets. Greenback will reap what they sow next year.

l The hit was football to me...but for you to say Pittsburg has not been hit like that all year is disrespectful to the young men for the Pirates that fought until the end. They never backed down. Greenback has a good team and the better team won tonight. Good luck to them in Cookeville nxt week.